Prologue
Has anything ever crazy happen to you? Something that was so not like your normal everyday rutin. Well, it's happened to me. My life was ruined, completely destroyed in only a few days. One girls mission was to take away everything from me and she did it. She took away my best friend, my happiness, everything. I couldn't even crack a joke to save my life. She made me into a completely different person and watched me fall, and to make it even worse- she loved watching her plan form, she loved watching me suffer. Over the years of knowing her she had tried to break me down with insults and teasing, but I rose against those. But this plan, this one was the one to take me down. I had no shoulder to lean own. All these years thinking she was an idiot, I take back now. She's an evil master mind.
Everyone always wished I'd change. Everyone always wished I'd stop joking around. Everyone got there wish and when the finally did they wished I would change back. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardly was not it's happy self when the three best pranksters broke apart. Here my story about of how my life was ruined, the year Hogwarts will always remeber, through my eyes, the one that got there spirt broken.
Chapter 1
September 1st
I, Jessica Janssen am not your normal fifteen-year-old witch. Most girls my age are into makeup, clothes, and boys. But I'm into pranks, jokes, and mischief. I don't really care about what the other girls are into. Actually, I don't really have any girl friends, or ever really talked to my roommates at Hogwarts. We just don't have anything in common. All they talk about is their looks. Don't get me wrong, I want to look good, I just don't try to be perfect.
I mean, I guess I'm pretty but slightly strange. I have long, straight, black hair that's in choppy layers that reaches my shoulders, it has bright red, pink, and orange streaks running through it and its usually sticking up places, like I just got out of bed, I have bright, light green eyes that show childish playfuness in them, pale skin, a tiny frame, and I'm pretty short for my age, which makes me look quite strange. Some of the third and fourth years are even taller than me.
Well, my personality is very outgoing. I make jokes all the time, I never be quite, I'm very entergetic, and I like to get parties or something going. Most people think I'm pretty weird because I dress pretty weird and act different. I don't act girly ever really, unless I'm making some joke or something else. I get in trouble alot because of pranks or never being quite or something like that. I'm always joking with the professors.
Then, I also get in trouble because of the Hogwarts uniforms. See the girls are suppost to wear skirts, but I don't like skirts, so I usually wear jeans underneath them. It makes the teachers pretty irritated, but usually they let it go because they know I'll never change. Of course Professor Snape usually gives me detition or something if his in a bad mood, but most of the time he just glares at me. My regular dressing, when I'm out of uniform, usually consists of something thats bright and stands out. I like to wear ties and make new clothing styles. Most of the time nothing I wear matches and it doesn't look bad, but I guess it's because I'm the one wearing it. Well if you haven't figured out from my personality who my best friends are then I'll tell you now, my friends are no other than Lee Jordan and of course the Weasley twins Fred and George Weasley.
The four of us over the past four years have been named the pranksters of the school. The teachers especially hate having all four of us in class, which always seems to happen. I've been friends with them since we met on the train first year. I even think sometimes they forget I'm a girl because I'm so un-girlish. But I don't really mind anyway.
Well today is September first and is the day I start my fifth year at Hogwarts. At this moment I'm standing on platform nine-and-three quarter waiting for Fred and George, since Lee is already on the train saving our compartment for us.
"Did you miss us?" someone from behind me asked. Before I could even answer, someone picked me up bridal style and who else but George Weasley. Beside of him was his twin Fred who was grinning as he picked up my luggage.
"Put me down!" I yelled but he didn't listen and started walking to the other side of the platform.
"Mum wanted us to find you so she can say goodbye to you." George said smiling the famous Weasley twin smile.
"I think I could have walked over there by myself." I said, but finally gave up and let him carry me over to the Weasley family.
"We found her, Mum." Fred said, happily when we reached the family of red heads also including Harry and Hermione.
"George, put her down this instant!" Mrs. Weasley yelled. Reluctantly George set me down, and Mrs Weasley enveloped me in a bone-crushing hug.
"Mum, I think your killing JJ." Fred said using my nickname and finally Mrs. Weasley let go.
"It's so great to see you again, Jessica. I'm glad you got here alright with Sirius Black on the loose, I was worried sick." Mrs. Weasley said.
Mrs. Weasley has always been a motherly figure to me since I never really knew my mother because she was tortured when I was three by one of Voldemort's followers, and she became very ill and always in the wizard hospital, and then she got so sick and died when I was seven in the wizard hospital. Since she is practically my Mother I even call her mum. I think it embarrasses her some but I do it anyway. I really missed the Weasley family since they went and saw Bill (their oldest child who works as a curse breaker in Egypt for Gringotts) and I didn't get to see them over the summer. I was stuck alone at my house with nobody to talk to. Since my mother died my father engrossed himself in his work and is hardly ever home.
"It's great to see you again too, Mum." I said to her making her blush. "It's also great to see you again too, Dad." I said noticing Mr. Weasley standing beside her. He was always like my father and I call him dad (even if I do have one really, but Mr. Weasley is more like one to me then my real one). He can balance his work and still have time for his big family. I always wish my father could do that with me.
I looked around and found Percy standing to the side cleaning his Head Boy badge. Even if Fred and George can't stand him and he always gets us in trouble, I think Percy is friendly enough. He's just more serious then most people, but he's pretty nice.
"I'm glad to see that you got Head Boy, Percy." I said nicely to him. I noticed at points he didn't feel comfortable talking around me mostly when Fred and George were around because there always glaring at him. Usually he would ignore somebody that plays pranks but I guess it because of my grades.
I guess I forgot to mention earlier but I'm pretty much the smartest person in my grade. It's weird sence I never really pay attention in class but I guess that what makes the teachers deal with me in class because they know I'm smart. I make pretty much Outstanding on everything except in potions. I'm good at potions but Professor Snape of course hates my guts so I usually get Excellent or something like that.
"Yes, I was very pleased when I received it." Percy said, pinning his badge back to his robes, which he already had changed into.
"You should be proud. I know I'll never get Head Girl, or anything like that. I cause way to much trouble." I said, smiling my mischievous smile.
"Yes, well don't you think you're a little too old for that this year? Being in your fifth year, you should be worrying more about OWL's. Your smart you should use it for something besides pranks and jokes." Percy said.
He always wanted me to be more responsible, probably because he thought I would do the same to Fred and George. Which wasn't going to happen anytime soon. I don't want to go in the Ministry or anything like that, I want a fun job.
"Oh come on, Percy, when are you going give up. I'm never going to change my ways. I don't even care about OWL's or grades. I don't want in the Ministry or some stupid borning job." I told him.
"Jessica, you could be a way better student then you are now if you actually tried. But I don't have time to argue with you I must be going to find Penelope- she's Head Girl this year." Percy said, walking to the train to find his girlfriend.
I was happy that he found someone that he liked and they liked him back. He was so serious and most people can't stand him. So its good to know that theirs someone out there for everyone.
"Why are you so bloody nice to him all the time?" Fred and George asked together, outraged at me for talking to Percy.
"Because he isn't as big of a git as you make him out to be. Well, until he tries to make me become a brainy." I said, smiling. They didn't say anything else knowing they couldn't stop me.
Finally, the whistle blowed meaning the train was going to leave soon. After saying goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley one last time Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fred, George, and I hurried and got on the train.
"Hey, Harry! How's the muggle's treating you?" I asked him cheerfully.
"Like they always do. But they got super mad when I blew up my aunt and ran away." Harry said, grinning, as if he was proud of his success.
"I'm so proud of you, Harry. That must have been brilliant!" I said, jumping on Harry from behind. "I wish I had an aunt or even a uncle to blow up, but sadly I don't."
"Yeah, but I was worried I was going to get expelled." Harry said, after I got off of him.
Harry always has been a friend of mine, he was like a little brother to me. I always liked joking around with him and making him smile. Ron and I also get along really well- even though the twins make fun of him. I've always tried to be a little bit nicer to him and only joke around with him occasionally, but don't make him too embarrassed. Then there's Hermione. Fred and George don't really like how she is always going on about how we shouldn't break rules, but I really like Hermione. I guess because she isn't into looks and boys all the time.
"Come on, JJ, we need to talk about some business," George said suddenly picking me back up bridal style carrying me to our compartment that we always share.
"Fine guys just stand there while I get carried to my doom!" I yelled, as I waved goodbye to them, as I was carried away.
At the commotion some people even peaked there heads out of there compartments to see what was going on. After they saw it they started laughing. They didn't even try to hide there laughter because they new I wouldn't mind. The more laughs I receive just makes me know I did my job.
"Hey, Lee, thanks for saving the compartment." I said, as we entered the compartment Lee was sitting in by himself.
"Hey, it was no trouble at all." Lee said, grinning at the sight of me being carried by George.
"Set me down now, George!" I ordered.
"Or what?" George asked, smirking. I thought for a moment of what the worst thing I could do. Then it hit me.
"Or I'll be come an brainy or even worse a Barbie. I'll wear girly clothes, wandering if I look perfect, and talk about boys all the time." I said acting completely serious which was very convincing. George almost dropped me to the ground when he heard this but caught me and sat me down on the seat.
"No! Anything but that, we need your genius mind for our pranks and jokes. You can't go all girly on us." George pleaded, as he got on his knees in front of me.
"Like I would actually leave you guys unsupervised to become borning. You guys are my best friends and nothing will ever change that." I said, smirking at the three idiots I call my best friends.
"We knew you loved us!" Fred said, cheekily.
"Yes, and even if you wanted to leave, we wouldn't let you." George said, sitting down beside me and putting an arm around my waist.
It kind of freaked me out by this action. Fred, George, and Lee always put an arm around my shoulders, but never around my waist. Around the waist was more of a boyfriend type thing. It kinda made me uncomfortable. Even Fred and Lee seemed confused by this new action of George's.
"Er George, you can let me go now." I said. George took his arm back quickly smiling kinda like he was nervous. George Weasley, nervous, no way.
"Sorry about that." George said, after a few minutes of silence.
"It's alright. So what new pranks are we going to pull this year?" I asked, excited.
We all started talking about new pranks we could pull on people till the train did a sudden stop and the lights flicked off. I got cold and suddenly I felt like I would never laugh again. I got up from my seat and looked out the compartment door where many curious students were doing the same. Then the train jerked making me fall backwards. But someone caught me before I fell and pulled me close to them in their lap.
I heard the compartment door open scaring me, and I moved closer to the person I was sitting on. I couldn't tell who it that came in but they were scared like they were about to wet themselves.
I watched as a dark figure passed our compartment window and vanished from my sight. But for a second I felt sick, like I was about to pass out. I remembered the day when I was seven and my mother died and I saw it, but before I lost consciousness it disappeared.
A few minutes later the lights came back on but I didn't even realize. I felt sweat falling down my face and I was shaking. Then I noticed that it was George that had pulled me into his lap where I had my face buried into the crook of his neck.
I noticed the person that came running into our compartment scared was Malfoy. The four of us were looking at him with mischief in our eyes. Fred stood up walking over to him.
"Malfoy, we know you're a scardey cat and everything, but could you please get out of our compartment." Fred said, almost bursting out laughing at the sight.
Without a word Malfoy, seeming to be embarrassed, gave us all glares before leaving the compartment.
"What was that thing? JJ, are you ok? You're shaking." George asked realizing I was still shaking.
"Yeah, I'm fine, and it was a dementor. Horrible creatures they are. They make you live your worst memories and suck out the happiness. They can even suck out your soul if needed. They guard Azkaban, they're probably looking for Sirius Black."
"I see you defiantly know what your talking about." said a kind voice from behind me.
I quickly turned around to face the male voice that was talking and in the process fell off George's lap to the floor.
"My father told me about them when I was younger. I've always been fascinated with magical creatures." I told him.
He looked very young but his light brown hair had flicks of grey in it and he looked very tired.
"I'm very impressed that a young lady like yourself knows her creatures. You must be an excellent student; you would make a good Prefect. I look forward to teaching you," he said smiling at me.
I felt sorry for this man that obviously was the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, he just didn't know how wrong he was.
"I'm sorry Professor but Dumbledore would have to be out of his mind to select me as a Prefect. I'm more of the one that the Prefects have to stop causing trouble." I said innocently.
The Professor smiled at me, which didn't usually happen to me when I told a Professor I was a troublemaker.
"Well then I look forward to seeing some of your pranks then. And yes, the dementor was looking for Sirius Black, like you said. Here, I think you all could use this. It's chocolate," the professor said, handing around pieces of chocolate.
I looked at mine for a minute before taking a bite. Suddenly I felt warm inside again instead of the cold empty feeling. I wiped the sweat off of my face and shakily stood up and sat back on my seat.
"Are you alright? Er, I didn't get your name." he said again watching my actions closely.
"My name is Jessica Janssen. Yes, I think I'm alright just a little shaken up, I suppose." I said back to him.
"You didn't pass out or anything did you?" he asked curiously.
"Er, no. I kind of felt like I was about to, but the dementor left. I was revealing some unpleasant memories" I said, sadly, looking at the floor.
"I'm very sorry you had to go through all that, Jessica. At least you didn't pass out like Harry," he said. The last thing he said got my attention and my head shot up.
"Harry passed out. Is he alright? What happened? Is he hurt? Where is he?" I asked all this worrying and very quickly.
"Yes he is alright, the dementor came in the compartment that he and his friends were in and it seemed to like Harry a little too much and he passed out luckily I was there to drive the dementor away, he is not hurt, and he is in his compartment with his friends." he said answering all of my questions.
"Thank Merlin his alright! So, you're the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher?" I asked him.
"Oh, yes, I am. My name's Remus Lupin, which I guess now is Professor Lupin." Professor Lupin said, sticking out his hand for me to shake.
"I don't usually shake hands with teachers. But you don't act like another Professor McGonagall, so I think it's safe!" I said taking his hand smiling mischievously. He only smiled at that comment.
"Yes, I think I would be scared myself if I was someone like Professor McGonagall. She was very strict when I went to school here." he said, with a look like he was thinking of memories of when he went to school.
"You went to Hogwarts?" George asked, suddenly speaking up.
"Yes, I was in Gryffindor," he said, smiling proudly.
"So are all of us! Least you're not another Snape. That teacher hates us. Well, he hates us more than the other teachers do anyway." I said not able to hide the smile.
"So you don't like Snape do you? That's understandable." And I could have sworn I saw a mischievous smiling playing on the Professors face. But no way is that possible.
"You know Snape?" I asked, shocked and kinda feeling sorry for this man for having to know that stupid potions teacher.
"Over years you meet people. Anyway I'm going to make sure the rest of the students are alright," he said giving us one final smile before leaving.
"I feel sorry for that Professor. We have to go easy on him, besides he doesn't look up to it, don't ya think?" I said looking around.
"Yeah, he is way nicer than the other professors." Fred said.
We got the conversation back to jokes that we could play but what I didn't notice was the worrying looks that George would send me.
Soon later I changed into my uniform. My hair was down parted on the side and falling on to the right side of my face and was messed up like I had just woken up, my shirt untucked, my tie hanging somewhat losely around my neck, my robe not tied, and I had jeans under my skirt; that were ripped in the knees. Finally, the train pulled to the stop in Hogsmeade station. Lee, Fred, George, and I pushed our way through the crowd to the carriages.
I always hated riding in them because unlike must people I could see what was pulling them, and I didn't quite like it. People that have seen someone die are the only ones that can see Thestral's. The four of us got a carriage to ourselves and soon after we got in, they started making for the castle.
As we passed by the entrance I got the cold feeling and looked out the window to see Dementor's at the gate. I sunk down in my seat feeling faint again, but it soon passed as we arrived.
The four of us found seats at the Gryffindor table and set down and I was greeted with waves from different people. I stuck out alot so I usually got alot of attention which I didn't mind. I've never been embarrassed in my entire life. We watched as the first years got sorted. After the sorting was complete I saw Harry and Hermione sneak in and took their seats that Ron had saved for them.
"Welcome!" said Dumbledore, the candlelight shimmering on his beard. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few thing to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast..."
Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued. "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban who are here on Ministry of Magic business."
He paused but continued. "They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds." Dumbledore continued, "and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises- or even Invisibility Cloaks. It is not in the nature of a dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the dementors," he said.
Percy, who was sitting a few seats down from me, puffed out his chest again and stared around impressively. Dumbledore paused again; he looked very seriously around the hall, and nobody moved or made a sound.
"On a happier note," he continued, "I am please to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year. First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defence against the Dark Arts teacher."
There was some scattered, rather unenthusiastic applause. Only Harry, Ron, Hermione, and I seemed to clap hard. Of course to give him confidence I wisled, which made most of the people in the room to look at me as if I was insane. Professor Lupin looked particularly shabby next to all the other teachers in their best robes.
I did notice Professor Snape, the Potions master, was staring along the staff table at Professor Lupin. It was common knowledge that Snape wanted the Defence Against the Dark Arts job, but even I, who hated Snape, was startled at the expression twisting his thin, sallow face. It was beyond anger: it was loathing. I was aware also that Harry seemed to notice the look on Snape's face.
"As to our second new appointment," Dumbledore continued as the lukewarm applause for Professor Lupin died away. "Well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his game keeping duties."
I was the first to start clapping, then the rest of the house and then finally Harry, Ron, and Hermione- who it took a minute to figure out what was going on. I really liked Hagrid so I give him a confidence boost as well 'Way to go Hagrid!'. I could see that Hagrid was ruby-red in the face and staring down at his enormous hands, his wide grin hidden in the tangle of his black beard.
The trio were the last to stop clapping, and as Professor Dumbledore started speaking again, I saw that Hagrid was wiping his eyes on the tablecloth.
"Well I think that's everything of importance," said Dumbledore. "Let the feast begin!"
The golden plates and goblets before them filled suddenly with food and drink. As if the three idiots I was sitting with hadn't eaten in days, they started stuffing their faces full of food.
"Hey, JJ, how was your break?" asked Oliver Wood who I didn't notice till then was setting on my left.
"Oh it was wonderful filled with adventures... NOT! It was totaly borning. I was all by myself. I had no one to cause trouble with, or even someone to cause trouble for." I told the Gryffindor table, dramatically.
I did lie somewhat when I said I was completely alone. I never told the twins this but I'm kinda as rich as the Malfoys. I don't like being rich, but my father does. We have house elves but they can't take the place of the Weasley family. But anyway I never wanted to tell the Weasleys that I'm rich because there not that wealthy and I didn't want them to think I would judge them or something. So they always thought I was middle class or something like that.
"Wow, thats so horrible, JJ." said Seamus, a boy in Harrys' year.
"Yet the great Jessica Janssen survived!" I said, standing up straighter.
"I'm gonna miss you after this year, JJ." Oliver said, smiling at me.
He was a close friend of mine to. Even if I didn't play Quiddich I did do commentary for the games with Lee.
"Oh, Oliver, I'll miss ya to!" I cried, loudly, hugging him dramatically. It was very funny like two lovers and one having to leave another. It got laughs from everyone that was watching.
When I let go of Oliver I saw George staring at his plate quite sadly like. If there was one thing I hate most was when someone was unhappy, well unless its a Slytherin or someone I don't like.
"Oh, look little Georgey-worrgy is upset!" I said, in a baby like voice, patting him on the back. "Whats wrong?"
"Huh? Nothing, what could be wrong. I was just thinking." he answered back.
Putting on a shocked face I jumped away from him. My eyes were big from the news. Everyone was waiting to see what was going on.
"George Weasley THINKING! I'm shocked! WHAT HAS THE WORLD COME TO!" I said, and punched the table for dramatic effect.
Before George could even say anything I heard one of my least and favorite voices from behind me.
"Miss Janssen, what are you yelling about?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"Well, isn't this an unexpected surprise!" I said, happily.
I got up from the table cheerfully and stood in front of McGongall. She looked at my uniform with a disapproving look.
"Miss Janssen, could you explain the difference between you and your fellow students?" she ordered me.
"Well, partially everything, professor. You really should be more pacific. Because I can name about a million things different from myself and the others." I said, with a grin, and I could see McGongall was either losing her patients or she was amused. "To start out with I talk way more than anyone, I'm very hyper, about seventy-five percent of this school is taller than me, I don't have any friends of my own sex really, in fifth year and above I'm the only girl never to have a boyfriend or liked a boy, oh I'm probably one of the few people who has never been nervous or embarrassed, oh also I'm the only one in the school that doesn't know how to-"
I got alot of laughs out of my answer. But I was cut off by McGongall looking at me quite strange. It almost looked like she was about to smile but that just can't be possible because well I've never seen her smile. Expecially not at me. She looked down and back up at my uniform disapprovingly (Is that even a word? Well, it is now, okay, back to my tale of my life) and finally the lecture began.
"I meant your uniform. This is not the example your supppost to be setting for the younger students. Your suppost to be a good rolemodle to them. Not walking in here like a disaster, with your uniform not appropriate. I don't want the other children to start dressing like that and thinking they can get away with everything." lectured McGongall.
I never saw the point why she did it in the first place. I was never go to change myself unless I wanted to. Which wasn't going to happen because I like being different. Not because it gets me attention just because I don't like doing what everyone else is doing. So instead of wearing the same uniform I make mine different, but also because I really hate skirts.
"Why do I have to be a rolemodle. There like hundreds of other student for them to choose from. And I do not walk around like a disaster, I worked very hard to make my uniform as different as I could. You should be lucky I even wear it at all. And if I do say so myself I think you and all the other teachers will miss me when I leave the school. I mean who's going to disturb class by talking, or writing my essays backwards in your class, or I know your personal favorite starting parties and keep them going tell you have to yell at us to go to bed, and of course yelling at me when I say something horrible to the whole school on commentary during Quiddich games. Who will do all that when I'm gone, this school well be just to quite.
Oh, and just a little hint you really shouldn't make girls wear skirts. I mean it so unfair. Guys get to wear pants and we have to wear skirts. I mean why? Also skirts not exactly a great thing, I mean teenage guys and girls in skirts, not a good commination. I mean I don't want guy staring at my legs or something, that just wrong."
Now, after my last two sentences your probably thinking I'd be blushing. Well, not me. I don't care, its the truth. Yeah, I know the whole schools hearing this, but I don't really care its true. Most of the room was laughing now and I don't think there going to quite anytime soon.
Professor McGonagall didn't say anything else, but walked back to the teachers table. I set back down proud of myself and ate the rest of my food.
At long last, when the last morsels of pumpkin tart had melted from the golden platters, Dumbledore gave the word that it was time for us all to go to bed. The four of us got up with the others and made our way to the portrait of the fat lady.
"Password?" she asked as the students came to a halt in front of it.
"Coming through, coming through!" Percy called from behind the crowd. "The new password's 'Fortuna Major'!"
I heard Neville Longbottom complain sadly. He always had trouble remembering the passwords. Through the portrait hole I climbed into the place I really call home, Gryffindor common room.