Disclaimer: Hello, all. It's me, the procrastinating college student. Recent development, that. Alas, since I'm a procrastinating college student, I am not J.K. Rowling. So, yeah. Sorry for the terribly long wait.

Title: Flying and Fighting

Time: February 2022 – March 2022

James Potter

To say Dee was frustrated would be an understatement, James thought. He was sitting at a small table in the back of the library with her, like he usually was during their Defense sessions, and she just couldn't get it. She had improved, sure, but the most success she had with the Patronus Charm so far merely resembled a wisp of smoke.

Just a few minutes ago, she had once again managed that vapor of a Patronus. James had congratulated her, but it wasn't enough.

"I want to produce a corporeal Patronus, James. Is that too much to ask for?" she asked almost in desperation, staring forlornly at the spot in the air where the vapor had just vanished.

James shrugged in reply. "Look," he began, struggling to think of something new to say, "there's only so much I can do to help. In the end, a Patronus forms from your memories and capabilities." He watched as she rested her elbows on the table and leaned her head on her hands. "You're certainly capable," James went on, enjoying the way she smiled at the compliment, "so it comes down to your memory."

Dee huffed, and a few strands of hair blew around her head because of it. "It's just—I can't think of any particular memories that seem happy enough for this."

He continued watching her, trying to think of the right thing to say. They sat in silence until he said, "It doesn't necessarily have to be happy, you know. Just strong." She didn't seem to understand. He ruffled his hair and sighed. "My memory is of my first time flying." She laughed and James rolled his eyes. "It's true. It was the first time I flew on a real broom, and not a toy one. I was happy, sure, but I felt so—free, I guess." Dee rested her arms on the table in front of them as he went on, "And you know, maybe you're overthinking this. Maybe you're dismissing good memories because you don't think they're important enough."

Something he said seemed to click. He didn't take his eyes off of her, and he noticed a certain spark light in her eyes. He felt a growing sense of anticipation, pride, and hope for her, but tried to force them down in case she didn't succeed.

It was needless, as he should've known it would be. She held her wand aloft and spoke the incantation, "Expecto Patronum," with a special sort of confidence, and a silvery owl burst from the tip of her wand. It flew around their table in circles, and James, struck with inspiration, conjured his own Patronus. His eagle joined her owl, soaring throughout their secluded corner of the library.

When the owl vanished, James looked back at Dee. Her eyes were bright and her mouth hung open. She locked eyes with him and shot out of her chair. She tackled James with a hug, repeating, "Thank you, thank you, thank you," in his ear. His grin mirrored hers as he gazed down at her. Dee was leaning at an awkward angle because he was still sitting, but her face was close. Her eyes were extremely clear and pretty and her cheeks were flushed, and vaguely he felt his stomach twist.

There was that odd feeling again, the one he noticed a lot when with Dee. The one that had such a strong presence at her birthday party, and part of the reason he disliked being compared to her brother. But suddenly James figured it out. He knew what that feeling was, what it meant. He wanted to kiss her, right then, and it was because he fancied her.

If only it were that simple.

She jumped and pushed away from his chair. She began to hurriedly pack her bag, still thanking him but avoiding his eye. "Have to go. Must show Rose. Thanks again, James, really. You're the best," she said, before turning on her heel and rushing towards the exit through the maze of bookshelves.

James didn't move. He sat, stunned, in his seat for a few moments, registering what happened. She finally managed a Patronus and he wanted to kiss her. He never realized how much, but he really, really did.

But that didn't matter anyways, because she left.

Dee Collins

Professor Desdairio was pleased when Dee was able to perform the Patronus Charm in the following Defense class. Dee wasn't entirely sure what specific memory she was using to conjure it, though, and it bothered her. What James has said about the feeling of the memory had really struck a chord. The more she thought about it, the more she realized she was just thinking about all the people she cared for. It was like a movie on fast-forward of good memories with many different people. And he was right, she thought, about not necessarily being happy and about overthinking. It seemed all those flashes were of short moments where she was just laughing, moments that seemed insignificant when she was trying earlier in the term.

She owed him. First he basically plans her birthday party, then he helps her succeed in one of her worst classes. Sure, she was helping him too, but it was the least she could do. Maybe she'd pick something up while she was in Hogsmeade with Rose.

While it was Valentine's weekend, she and Rose were on their own for the Hogsmeade trip. It was fine with Dee, and she was looking forward to spending time with her friend. Bundled up to face the cold, she joined the crowd of students waiting to leave for the village. She spotted Albus chatting enthusiastically with his date, which made her smile, until a voice stole her attention.

"Hello, Dee. It's been a while." It was Benjamin Corner, and she was immediately nervous. Despite not have seen him in ages, she remembered what her friends had been saying about him, about how he was asking after her. They had to keep him from coming to her party, and that said something. Seeing him now didn't sit right with her.

"Yes, it has," she replied after a moment.

"How are you? Happy birthday, by the way. I know it just passed." He was smiling so widely, but she couldn't find it in herself to fully return it.

"Oh, I'm well," she shrugged. "And thank you."

"Are you meeting someone in Hogsmeade?" he asked. Before she could reply, he rushed on. "Because I would love to meet up with you. Maybe we could get a drink at the Three Broomsticks?"

"Well, I—"

"Because like I said, it's been a while. I'd really like to talk to you. So what do you say? Fancy a butterbeer?"

Dee was a little stunned. It was true she wasn't going to Hogsmeade on a date, but she hadn't gotten a chance to tell him that. He didn't give her a chance to speak when he began the conversation, and suddenly Dee remembered why they hadn't worked the previous year. She could never get a word in, not that he ever really seemed to care.

"Um, Ben," she began, which turned out to be a bad idea, because his face lit up at the nickname. "I was planning to spend the day with Rose, and—"

"But surely you could spare some time?"

She didn't know what to say to that. She didn't have a definite reason for why she felt uncomfortable, other than the knowledge that they had dated before and hadn't worked out. But he could say that he'd changed and she wouldn't be able to argue, because she wouldn't know either way. He was right when he said it had been a while, because it had been.

She had resigned herself to a sigh and an agreement, but she was saved at the last second. Someone called her name. It was James, thank Merlin, beckoning her over to where he and Rose stood.

"Um, listen, Benjamin," she said. "If I have nothing to do, I'll find you. But I better go." And before he could respond, she fled.

"Merlin, Dee," Rose breathed as soon as Dee reached them. "What was that about?"

Dee groaned and covered her eyes with her gloved hands. "I think he just asked me out." She heard Rose's gasp and let out a short laugh. "In a roundabout way, I mean. He wanted me to join him at the Three Broomsticks. Kept bringing up how we hadn't seen each other in ages."

James snorted, while Rose looked appalled. "Of course you hadn't! You bloody broke up! Ugh, what a sod!"

Dee nodded absentmindedly. Rose was saying everything she had been thinking mere minutes ago, albeit with more passion in her voice.

"What did you say to him?" James asked, ignoring Rose's spluttering and looking intently at her.

Dee blinked and watched as he ruffled his hair before she responded, "Oh, well, you called me over before I could reply. Thanks for that, by the way."

He grinned and nodded, satisfied. "Glad to help."

She smiled back at him, only looking away when Rose cleared her throat.

"Let's get going, then," she was saying. "I've got a Charms essay to finish, so I can't stay late, and I'm not about to leave you unattended with a rabid Corner on the loose." Dee rolled her eyes, but laughed at the remark. "We'll see you around, James."

"Yeah, see you. But Dee, find me when you get done. I need help with Potions again."

Dee nodded and flashed a parting grin as Rose dragged her away.

February had ended rather well, all things considered. She had continued her meetings with James, and there hadn't been any more confrontations with a certain ex-boyfriend. And as March began, so did the Ravenclaw versus Slytherin Quidditch match. It was always her favorite, because it was her house against her brother's.

The Scamander twins were commentating, as always, and there was a crisp wind that played with Dee's hair and scarf. Her Gryffindor friends had joined her in the entirely blue Ravenclaw section, and she couldn't be more excited.

The match started off tame, but close. Both teams were evenly matched. What Ravenclaw lacked in sheer power, they made up for in strategy, and the opposite applied to Slytherin. Though that wasn't entirely true, for Ravenclaw's Captain, Davies, was pretty brawny, and Slytherin's, Dee's brother, was pretty clever. Soon, though, Ravenclaw pulled ahead.

"Ravenclaw has a tight formation going," Lorcan was saying. "Jones passes the Quaffle to Clarke, who tosses it to Davies, and back to Clarke, back to Jones, to Davies, to Clarke—"

Lysander interrupted his twin, saying, "Dear Merlin, Lorc, I don't know how you're keeping up—"

"—back to Jones, and—Oh! King swoops in and knocks the Quaffle from Faye Jones' grip! Slytherin is in possession now, and they've got a closely knit form going, too. From King, to Conway, to Montague, and back again. But there's a Bludger! Good shot from Bell—"

"Nice bloke, Bell is—"

"—and Ravenclaw is back in possession! Looks like they've changed tactics. Not much passing this time around, as Clarke speeds towards to goalposts. He tosses the Quaffle to Davies, but it goes right back to him. It's just him and the Keeper, now. C'mon, Simon!"

If Lorcan said anything else, it was drowned out by a loud cheer from the Ravenclaw stands. Dee's claps joined the swell of sound. They had a decent lead going, but if Dee knew anything about her brother, it was that he had a trick up his sleeve.

Sure enough, three more Ravenclaw goals later, Lee dropped into a sudden dive. The crowd hushed as he headed straight towards the ground, and Dee grabbed Rose's arm in apprehension.

"Could it be?" Lysander said in his magnified voice. "Has Collins seen the snitch so soon?"

Dee gasped as her brother made yet another sharp turn, this one to the left. He was flying so fast it hurt to follow him with her eyes. The Snitch was leading him in a maze of quick twists and turns, and Dee had never seen her brother fly so well. He stretched out his hand, indicating he was closing in, when a Bludger came from out of nowhere and sailed straight into his side. She gasped, eyes wide, and tightened her grip on Rose.

"Ouch! Tough blow sent by Flynn, but was it enough to stop Collins?" Lorcan commented.

"Doesn't look like it, mate," Lysander responded, and sure enough, Lee righted himself and continued his pursuit. "Collins is still in the chase, but Watson has snuck up from behind."

Dee suddenly remembered her housemate, having been so transfixed with her brother than she forgot about Diana altogether. But while Ravenclaw was her house and Diana was her friend and roommate, she knew Lee would get it in the end. He almost always did.

It was with an almighty crash that he finally caught the Snitch. Damon Flynn was unwilling to send another Bludger Lee's way, since Diana was so close by, but the first one had done enough damage. With the Snitch clutched clearly in his hand, Lee flew straight into the stands. He snatched it from the air right before it could make another sharp turn, and only had time to turn sideways before he slammed into the stands surrounding the pitch.

Dee's hands flew to cover her mouth. She was shocked, both because her house lost and because her brother was clearly hurt. "Bloody hell," she murmured. "Is he okay?"

"He'll be fine, Dee, I'm sure. Look, they're getting help right now," Rose assured her.

She turned her gaze to Albus and James, who were both looking at her with mixtures of smiles and grimaces on their faces. "Cartwright's brilliant with Quidditch injuries," James said, a clear attempt to cheer her up, and Albus hummed in agreement. "She'll have him fixed in no time."

Dee appreciated their words of comfort, especially James'. His animosity towards her brother meant it must not have been easy to say anything in the first place.

She looked back out onto the pitch, but there wasn't much left to see. "I'm going to the Hospital Wing, then," she decided.

"We'll wait with you," Rose said.

The four of them walked back across the grounds, heading for the school. Most of the students were going back to their dormitories, or to the Slytherin Common Room for the inevitable victory party. There were only a few people in the Hospital Wing by the time they got there, having passed the Slytherin team on the way in.

Lee had already been dealt with, as Madame Cartwright was busy putting supplies away near the back of the room. He was laying on his back, propped up with pillows, with a few small bandages on his cheekbone, and evidence of a large ones across his chest peeking from under his shirt. What surprised Dee the most, however, was that he already had a guest.

"Dom?" Albus noticed her first, and his Slytherin cousin turned around and grinned.

"Hey, Al! Didn't expect to see you."

"We could say the same for you," James retorted, and Dom's smile faltered just a bit.

"Just keeping him company until Dee showed up, as we knew she would. Nice to see you again, Dee." Dominique flashed her a sweet smile, and Dee nervously returned it. She had seen the Weasley cousin and her brother talking at her birthday party, so it didn't shock her, but she just realized what it meant to bring James and Al with her.

"Um, you guys can leave if you want. I'll be fine here," she said to the Gryffindors, hoping to avoid any possible arguments between her brother and her friends.

James replied first. "I think I'll stay."

Albus and Rose exchanged glances and shrugged. They said their goodbyes, promising to catch up later. Dominique caught Dee's eye, then, and raised her eyebrows. Dee moved to sit in the chair next to her brother's bed that Dom had just vacated, and frowned at him.

"How are you feeling?"

"Just fine, Dee. Cartwright's a pro. Healed me in no time. I'm just under orders to rest." He rolled his eyes but didn't protest as she squeezed his hand. "So, Dee, your team lost. Inferior to mine, as always."

It was her turn to roll her eyes, but she laughed nonetheless. "You were brilliant out there, you know. I almost couldn't keep sight of you."

"Shame you had to get hurt," Dom pitched in. "We need our star player if we're going to win the Cup."

"Fat chance," James retorted. "We'll kick your arse in points."

"I'll be good as new in less than a week, Dom, don't you worry," Lee replied. "And I wouldn't get too cocky, Potter. Wouldn't want a big head to weigh down your broom."

"Okay," Dee interjected, hoping to stop the oncoming fight. "Well, I'm glad to see you're okay, Lee, and congrats on the win." She turned to the others. "Good to see you again, Dom. James, are we still on for tomorrow tonight?"

"Tomorrow night? What's going on tomorrow night?" Lee sounded too aggressive for that to have been an innocent question.

"Nothing, Lee. You know we study together."

Her words were pointless, though, as her brother looked straight at James and said, "Keep your hands away from her, or you'll be losing more than the Quidditch Cup."

"Lee, you're being ridiculous—"

"I'll do what I want, Collins," James shot back. He took a step towards her and made eye contact for a quick second, and she sucked in a breath. Did that mean—?

"If I weren't bruised and bandaged from that sodding Bludger, Potter, I swear—"

"Alright, enough," Dee called out. "I'll see you later, Lee. Let's go, James."

She caught his arm and walked out of the Hospital Wing, waving to her brother and Dominique as she went. She let out a sigh. Boys.