Breakfast the following day was a reserved affair. Each of the marauders were very tired, as was Arcturus, but he tried his best not to show it. Kyra came past, greeted him, and she kissed him on the cheek. He supposed that meant they were something more than friends now. The three marauders who were at the table all exploded into friendly teasing and cheers and claps on the back once she left his side, and he felt almost proud of himself.
"I didn't think you'd be one for commitment, dude." Sirius laughed, winking at him.
"Oh, well... We aren't official just yet." Arcturus shrugged one shoulder, and before he had time to elaborate, the morning post arrived and a letter landed on Arcturus' toast. He picked it up to find that it was fairly heavy. There was more than paper inside the envelope. Excitedly, he ripped it open and pulled out a long chain with his first snitch threaded onto it. He had attached a loop to the top for the chain, rather then pierce the snitch itself. The golden ball was many years old now, and it didn't have much 'omph' left in it, however it would occasionally flutter sluggishly in mid air in front of him. It could never fly higher then his head though. Along with that was a letter from his mother;
" Dear Arcturus, I understand how much of an embarrassment it must be to have been sorted so poorly. Unfortunately, Dumbledore has informed me in our correspondences that this disgrace to the Black family name is permanent. I cannot remove you from Griffindor, however i can help you through this mess so that you may feel better about your sorting. I am here for you, my son, and i apologise for the howler i sent. I was simply very angry and i understand now that it wasn't your fault at all. Stay out of trouble, and here's your snitch (enclosed).
Yours truly, your ever caring mother." below that message was her signature. Arcturus often went along with them and told his mother and father that he was on their side. He would even repeat back to them their own opinions. They ranted on enough that it was quite easy to do so. Thankfully, they were dim enough to believe him. To his mother, Arcturus was simply a misbehaving delinquent. He was 'testing his boundaries', and it was 'just a phase'. He had often overheard her talking affectionately to his relatives, referring to him as 'cheeky'. He had her wrapped around his little finger. Arcturus slipped his necklace on over his head, and the snitch flapped its wings lazily. He smiled silently to himself, and started on his breakfast. Just as he did so, James suddenly cheered loudly, making him jump.
"I got in! Guys, i did it!" James grinned at them.
"Did what?!" Peter squeaked,
"I'm on the Griffindor team!" He grinned like a madman. "Look! You got one too, Arcturus!" He thrust an envelope towards him. Arcturus opened it and pulled out the slip of paper.
"I am pleased to inform you that you have been accepted onto the Griffindor quidditch team as a chaser. Please attend the first team practice next Friday. Thanks.
Signed, Robert Green"
"Hey James?" Arcturus smiled.
"Yeah?"
"Me too."
This sent James into a happy dance. Arcturus and Sirius exchanged amused glances. Lily Evans, who had just arrived, stared at James.
"Erm... Potter?" She spoke. James froze mid-dance. Sirius and Arcturus were snickering behind their hands. "What are you doing?" She questioned.
"Dancing." James quickly stood up straight. His hand flew to his hair and he began to run his fingers through it. Lily laughed. She didn't seem to be mocking him, either. It was a true laugh. "Are you... Laughing?" He sounded completely shocked. Lily nodded and smiled back at him, still laughing a little. "Why?" James sounded sort of self conscious.
"Cause you're a goof!" She giggled. "Why are you dancing?"
"Because i'm happy." He smiled down at the redhead. "Would you like to join me?" He asked her, holding out his hand. Lily smiled and shook her head. She glanced left and right.
"Everybody's staring." She informed him. Half the Griffindor table were indeed staring at them.
"So what?" James reached out and grabbed her hand. Lily's smile fell off her face, and her cheeks grew rosy.
"Really James... I just wanna sit down." She told him. She sounded very serious all of a sudden.
"Evans.... Did you just call me... James?" He sounded flattered.
"N-no! Potter.... No. I didn't." A crease appeared between her brows, and then she tore herself away from James, and ran out of the hall. Slowly, people began to turn back to their food. James fell into his seat again dejectedly.
"Wow." Sirius whispered. "That's rough man." He patted James' shoulder. James said nothing, he just splashed some tea into a mug and drank it down quickly. He looked quite disappointed.
Arcturus was left to wonder if Lily secretly didn't mind James that much when he wasn't being a git.