Authors Note: Here's chapter three! Please enjoy.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC's and storyline; The Wizarding Word belongs solely to JKR.
Chapter Three – The Wicked Witch of the West
To say the Welcome Back Feast was strange was an absolute understatement. For the entirety of the feast all anybody did was stare and whisper; I guess this is the byproduct of sitting with the Marauders. I have never felt so awkward, and that's saying something because I'm awkward by nature. I think more people have looked at me tonight then in my first to fifth year combined.
But I must admit, sitting with the Marauder's was as entertaining as I had always imagined; for the entire meal James and Sirius were cracking jokes, and reminiscing about all of their shenanigans from the summer. I believe at one point I almost forgot that I was suppose to be a brooding artist because I was laughing so hard.
As the feast neared its end, I pulled out my sketchpad again and began drawing the Great Lake. The thing with me is that when I start an art project I get really into it, and it's like I completely check out of reality, and this is what happened when I felt a violent kick under the table. I jumped and looked up from my pad, as I met the eyes of a fierce red head that motioned to the front of the Great Hall. There stood Professor Dumbledore at the podium, his twinkling eyes fixated on me. Everyone's eyes were on me.
Everyone.
"Miss. Abernathy, I'm glad to see you've rejoined us. I hope I'm not disturbing you?" Dumbledore asked as snickers were heard throughout the Great Hall.
I timidly shook my head no and cast my eyes downward.
"Good," Dumbledore said before continuing with his speech about the forbidden forest.
"Nice one, Abernathy." Sirius whispered an inch from my ear, "What's got you so focused? Are you working on my request?" He added suggestively.
My mouth went dry and I found myself unable to speak, and so Sirius took advantage of this.
"Although I'm sure you have a fantastic imagination, I don't think you can do my body justice without inspecting it, thoroughly." He emphasized.
All the blood from my body rushed up to my face and my mouth gaped as I tried to find the words.
"Sirius would you leave the poor girl alone?" Remus defended as he stood up with the others; I guess the feast is over.
"I'm not doing anything, Moony. It's just business," Sirius winked as he followed Remus' lead and stood up.
I stood up quickly and gathered my sketchpad and led quills as I turned my head downward.
"Well it doesn't seem as though she wants to do anything with you." Remus observed.
Well, I wouldn't say that Remus! There are a few things I could do…
Just as my imagination began running wild, Sirius responded.
He scoffed and said, "There isn't a girl here who wouldn't want to do something with me." The other boys laughed and as they walked away Sirius turned his head around to me and said, "I'll see you later, Abernathy."
And do you know what he did? Well let me tell you.
He sent me a wink.
A WINK.
Be still my heart, I think I started swooning!
"Hey! Jackie, I think you're drooling." Lily commented as she hooked her arm through mine and led me out of the Hall.
My hand flew towards my horrified mouth, and I felt no drool.
JUDAS.
"Very funny," I pouted as we left the Hall and started towards Gryffindor Tower.
"Well it's true! Your eyes glaze over when you look at him." Lily stated matter-of-factly.
"They do not!" I protested.
Okay, so they totally do, but it's not my fault that Sirius Black is beautiful and my eyes know it!
"Whatever you say, I just hope you're careful; you don't want to get involved with him, he's trouble.
I guess she's right, but trouble has never looked so tempting.
The next morning I awoke at six am, two hours before breakfast, to go for a run. I crept out of bed; put on spandex shorts and a tank top paired with running shoes, and tied my hair back before meeting Noel at the Fat Lady painting.
"What's up, buttercup?" Noel asked as we made our way towards the doors near the lake.
I yawned, "I'm exhausted. I was up late last night reading."
"Let me guess, The Wizard of Oz?" Noel asked knowingly.
"How did you know?" I inquired before we laughed at my predictability.
When we got outside I inhaled deeply as the air had that early morning smell; the air was cold and almost crisp and we began our usual trail around the perimeter of the lake.
Noel and I have been running together since about halfway through fifth year, when I decided that I needed to lose some weight. I managed to lose thirty pounds and I feel fantastic! Let me tell ya, it sure gave me a self-esteem boost!
And now, well I'm not a twig; I don't think I'll ever be that small, like as small as Lily. But that's okay because I'm average. And there's nothing wrong with being normal! But I do still like to go out running sometimes, especially when I have something on my mind. Today it's mostly first day jitters, but I'm coping. And it helps to have Noel here.
As we ran we talked about "X".
Wondering who "X" is?
Well I wonder as well. Noel has a super secret boyfriend who hasn't come out yet, and so Lily, Yvonne and I have started calling him "X".
Noel and X have been dating for around eight months now and apparently things are going well.
Well, as good as it can go with sneaking around the castle after curfew.
Noel was speaking of their summer together, and how he told his parents that he was going to Italy with the a family friend, when in all actuality he was with X. He said that it was really nice being able to hold hands with the person he loves in public, because no one knew who they were.
Noel wants to come out, I mean he's nervous about telling his family because of the whole pureblood thing, but he wants to come out. But it's X who is opposed to it, and I've told Noel time and time again that it is his decision, and no one else's. But he thinks that it is a decision that needs to be made together.
Once we were halfway around the lake we stopped at our usual spot and took a seat at the waters edge. "So," Noel said as he regained his breath, "What was with you and Black last night at the Feast? You two were looking awfully cozy."
"We were not…" I blushed, "He was just being Sirius. But he did compliment me on my artwork and ask me to draw him in the nude."
"What! Jaclyn Noelle Abernathy, you are far too young to see a man naked! I forbid it! Forbid it, I say!"
Laughed at his dramatics, "Okay first of all, do not call me Jaclyn, we have been over this, and second, I have no interest in seeing Sirius Black in all his glory."
Okay, so maybe the last part was a lie, but can you blame a girl? Like holy, he's fit.
I also hate it when people call me by my proper name. I love my parents, so don't get me wrong, but Jaclyn? Really? No one except the professors, Noel, Yvonne and Lily know what my real name is, and that's for a reason.
"If you say so," Noel laughed, and stood back up, "Should we get going again? I need time for breakfast."
Oh, boys and their food! I stood back up and we continued running until we reached our starting point nearing the school doors. I checked the clock, which hung in the hallway near the doors and it read 7:30, which meant that I had 30 minutes to shower and get down to breakfast. Noel and I parted ways as he headed to the Ravenclaw Tower and I to Gryffindor Tower.
Luckily when I got to my room the other girls had already showered, so I was able to hop in quickly and finish in five minutes. I spent most of my time scrubbing my fingernails, attempting to remove as much paint as possible; it was only able to get about half before I gave up. Having paint covered nails was a norm for me, and it drove Yvonne senseless. When I got out I brushed out my hair as best as I could and use a drying spell so that it became it's usual blob of curls and waves. I checked the clock and I had five minutes before breakfast started, so I threw on my robes quickly and grabbed my satchel and headed out.
When I arrived to the Great Hall I didn't see my friends, which was weird because I know that my dorm mates left before I did.
Okay that's weird.
Oh well, I'm an independent woman and I can sit by my lonesome! Who needs friends?!
Am I right?
Okay, so maybe I'm wrong, but whatever, I can eat breakfast by myself.
I headed to a free section of the table, just in case my friends showed up, and I helped myself to the platter of food on the table. I put a few pancakes drenched with syrup and fruit on my plate, and dug in as my stomach rumbled.
Working out sure makes me hungry!
What I wouldn't do for my mother's bacon banana pancakes right now.
I know, it seriously sounds gross, but they are so good! You see, my mum has never been the best cook, and this was really the only thing she knew how to make when I was younger, so when my father was at work that is what I would eat. Felicite and Jordan have gotten sick of them, but I still enjoy them. Speaking, or I guess thinking of this, why don't I tell you a bit about my dear sibling?
Lets start with the oldest; Felicite.
Felicite, or Fizz as Jordan and I call her, has chin length, wavy golden blonde hair and delicate features. Her eyes are as blue as the ocean and she has a cute little body that she doesn't need to work for. She graduated Hogwarts just this past June and now she lives in Romania where she is interning for a Dragon Preservation. Felicite is very intelligent and talented, and during her time at Hogwarts she excelled in Care of Magical creatures; this was the inspiration for her career. When she was in school she was a proud Ravenclaw, unlike our father, and she was very popular among the students and Professors; unlike myself. Oh, and did I mention she was head girl? With her charisma and booming confidence, which she inherited from our father, it was no surprise to anyone that she was chosen.
And our relationship? Well we have never been close. We are complete polar opposites and she has never really understood why I was so introverted. However, I have noticed that as of late she has been putting in an effort to get to know me better, but I don't know if it's working. I was always left out and mocked by her because I wasn't good or pretty enough to hang out with her and her friends, and I've always looked up to her.
But now Felicite has her own life in Romania, with her Hogwarts boyfriend Ashton Lewington. Ashton was head boy during his time at Hogwarts, and he was the best Seeker Ravenclaw has ever had. So as you can see, they were the perfect couple.
They would have been prom King and Queen, if Hogwarts had a prom.
Ashton has brown hair and eyes and he is training to be a healer. When he graduated Hogwarts he was given an internship at St. Mungo's but he declined to be closer to Felicite.
So as you can see my sister is pretty much perfect, annoying isn't it?
Now lefts get to my brother; Jordan.
Jordan is 15 years old and he doesn't attend Hogwarts, as he's a squib. From what I hear it was quite the shock to everyone, and of course my fathers family was not pleased. I believe the word "disgraced" was used.
Now, you must be thinking that he feels like the odd one out, not being magic; however he doesn't mind it at all. As a child my parents always enforced the idea that he was no different from us, and so he just meshed with the family. He attends a Muggle School that's a walking distance from our house, and he is the spitting image of our father. He's a total ladies man and he is in a band called The Black Turtles. He has a very close relationship with our mother because they're both magic free.
Jordan and I are very close, and I've always looked out for him. We write each other constantly and keep one another updated on our lives; it's the complete opposite of the relationship between Fizz and I.
"Hey, Abernathy!" Uh oh, I know that voice.
I look up to my left and I see Sirius Black, and the pack of Marauders walking my way. I turned my head down to face the plate in front of me as he sat down beside me. James and Remus sat across from us as Peter timidly sat down beside me.
"So, have you gotten your schedule yet?" Sirius asks me as he loads mounts of food onto his plate.
"Um, no I haven't. I suppose I better do that." I stood up quickly, eager to get out of there and hide my blush.
"No need," the voice of my red headed friend said, "I got it for you." Lily handed me my schedule as she sat down beside a blushing Peter; hmm, I guess that's what I look when Sirius sits beside me.
So that's where Lily was. I appreciate her gesture but she has ruined my escape plan! And why is she sitting here with the Marauders? With James freaking Potter?
"So Lily," James said eagerly as I sat back down in my seat, "What does your schedule look like this year?"
"Why bother asking, Prongs? You'll just sneak into McGonagall's office like every year and make a copy." Sirius said through mouthfuls of food.
How does he still look hot with syrup running down his chin?
James turned pink and kicked Sirius under the table. Remus smiled as Sirius laughed, and James turned back to Lily.
"What was that, Lily flower?"
Lily simply looked at James, with the same placid expression from last night, and then turned back to her food.
I see what she's doing. She's trying to prove that she can go without interacting with Potter… Well, I guess we'll see about that.
I looked down at my schedule as James began pouting. I noticed that today I have Potions with the Ravenclaw's as I have since first year, right after breakfast. Next is Transfiguration with Hufflepuff, lunch, a free period, and Defense with Slytherin.
I looked up to see James and Sirius whispering and plotting across the table, and my brow furrows; Sirius is looking far too happy right now.
And now I know why.
I looked to my right and notice that Peter has gone, and then I hear a loud crack.
From seemingly nowhere, papers come falling from the ceiling and murmuring his heard from around the Hall. As one falls towards the table I grab it and am shocked to what I see.
What's on the paper is a familiar image to me.
It's a doodle that I did last night.
One of a disfigured Severus Snape.
Under the drawing it reads, "A portrait by Jackie Abernathy."
But how?
My mouth went dry as I looked around the Hall to see everyone laughing, with the exception of the Slytherin's who are glaring at me.
"Nice one, James!" Sirius laughed.
"No, no. This one was all you Pads!" James sniggered.
"Why don't we credit the artist here!" Sirius exclaimed, as he raised his goblet, "Here's to you, Abernathy!"
James' joined in the toast, as I began fuming.
I can have quite the fiery temper, however it mostly comes out to the people who I'm close to; friends and family. But I have never been so mad at someone outside of that circle before.
"You did this?" I asked Sirius, as my voice shook.
"No, we did this!" Sirius laughed, before looking at my expression, "I thought you would be happy?" Sirius asked, confused.
"Happy? You think being publically humiliated would make me happy! Or was it being a target of the Slytherin's that you thought I would enjoy? Or possibly the detention that I will surely be facing!?" My voice raised at the two boys, who now sat with their mouths gaped.
"Miss. Abernathy! If you would please follow me!" A stern voice behind me rang. I turned to see an unhappy Headmistress staring down at me, nostrils flared.
I turned to the guilt stricken boys and shook my head, eyes rolling. I grabbed my satchel and followed McGonagall out of the Hall. As I left, people were hollering and cheering for me, as if this were a good thing.
I stepped out of McGonagall's office and exhaled. Never, have I ever been given detention, or even scolded by a Professor! And now I have a week of detention.
I checked my watch and saw that Potions had started 2 minutes ago, and I would surely be late. I made my way there as I thought about what just happened. McGonagall said she was shocked and disappointed in me, as I had always kept my nose out of trouble. When I told her that it wasn't me who orchestrated the entire thing, she asked me who it was. And for whatever reason I was unable to rat out the Marauders. So she said that defacing another student was unacceptable and she gave me my punishment.
I guess this is what happens when you get involved with the Marauders.
I arrived to Potions five minutes late but Slughorn didn't seem to notice, as he was busy writing the lesson on the board. I walked to the rows of benches to the left of the door and I sat myself down beside Noel, who had been my lab partner since first year.
"Jackie! Who would have thought you had such a wild streak?" Noel laughed, before noticing my somber expression.
"I didn't do anything. It was those damn Marauders." I hissed.
Noel was silent for a moment before rubbing my shoulder, "I'm sorry, Jackie, this is what I meant this morning about them being trouble."
"I know," I whispered, "I was just hoping that he was better than this."
I mean, I suppose I've always known deep down that Sirius was an arse, however I was so blinded by my stupid crush on him that I wasn't able to see how despicable he could be. Well I guess I've learned the hard way, you cannot trust a Black.
Professor Slughorn turned to face the class before Noel could comfort me further. "Well good morning, class! I hope you all had a lovely summer and are ready to get back to work! I must admit that potions this year will be slightly different than in previous years. We will be doing more advance potion brewing with potions that I think will interest you all more than, lets say, a cure for boils." Slughorn chuckled as his belly jiggled, "Also, we'll be switching things up this year. I will be assigning you all new potions partners."
This class as a whole released a communal moan and I looked over at Noel wide eyed as my stomach began turning. If I can't have Noel then I at least need Lily. Or one of my dorm mates, or a girl in general would be appreciated! I cannot function properly around boys; I get awkward and geeky, and lets just say it isn't good.
"Now, when I read out your name with your new partner's, please find a new lab table. Yvonne Doge and Remus Lupin. Noel MacDougall and Ben Meadows. Mary MacDonald and Marlene McKinnon. Peter Pettigrew and Evangeline Markus. James Potter and Lily Evans. Sirius Black and Jaclyn Abernathy. Mar…"
WHAT! No, no, no, no, no.
This cannot be happening to me! I sent Noel a panicked glance before my view of him was obstructed by non other than my most recent problem, Sirius Black.
I turned forward and stared at the board; my face pinched and imperturbable. Slughorn finished assigning the lab partners and I could literally feel Sirius' eyes on me.
"So, now that we've all been situated, I hope you all take this time to branch out and get to know some new people!" Slughorn said cheerily.
New people? Mary and Marlene are best friends! Rubbish.
"Now, today we will be making a very interesting and difficult potion. Perhaps you've heard of it? It's called Felix Felicis, otherwise known as 'liquid luck'. Now as you may have gathered from its name, it's a potion that gives the drinker a tremendous amount of luck for a period of time. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? Well it must only be drunk in small quantities, as it may cause over confidence that could lead to injury or even death. But you lot won't have to worry about that! As those select few who will brew it properly will only be permitted to take a small vile of it. Intrigued? Good! Now lets get started!"
I opened my textbook and read through the list of ingredients as Sirius said, "Listen, Abernathy…" But I cut him off.
"I'll grab the ingredients." I hurriedly walked to the ingredients cabinet and released a sigh of relief. I don't know how I'm going to be able to do this. I hate him, but at the same time he makes me all nervous and stuff. And I'm blushing! God dammit! He's a jerk. I command you to stop liking him!
Yeah, so that didn't work. I better get over there, as much as I hate being his partner, I could do for some luck right now. I grabbed all of the ingredients and as I walked back to my bench I saw that Lily's bench was only two rows behind mine. James' eyes were lit as he watched Lily read through the instructions, and Lily glaring through her eyelashes at him.
Well, this should be interesting.
I put everything down on the lab bench as Sirius looked up at me from his parchment.
Awe! Look at those puppy dog eyes!
Jackie, stop it and focus on potions!
"Okay, so I don't know how good you are at potions, but I'm half decent and I would like to get this potion done because I could use some luck right now. So if you don't know what you're doing than please stay out of the way."
Hey! Go me! That was perfectly sassy!
"If you're so high and mighty than do it by yourself. I wouldn't want to get in the way of your genius." Sirius sneered.
Okay, so maybe not sassy? I guess it was more so bitchy.
But who the hell is he to be mad? He's the one who humiliated me!
"Fine!" I said back while rolling my eyes. I can do this by myself.
Sirius went back to focusing on his parchment, doing whatever it is that Sirius Black does.
I turned my mind away from Sirius and to the task at hand and got started.
To say the potion was difficult is a complete understatement. Seriously.
The heat and the pace of it being stirred had to be exact or else it wouldn't turn out. But somehow I managed to do it. And without that mongrels help!
Just as I finished the incantation, and was about to raise my hand for Slughorn to come inspect it, it all went downhill.
While I was putting my blood, sweat and tears into this potion, Sirius and James were passing notes. And by passing notes, I mean throwing them. And so James had thrown one to Sirius that was slightly off target, and when Sirius had leapt to his right to snatch it, he knocked over the potion.
All. Over. Me.
I squealed as the hot potion made it's way onto my lap. I fell to the floor and I was unable to stop my body from trembling under the heat. Sirius flew down beside me. "Jackie! Oh my god. Are you all right? I am so sorry!"
"Don't touch me!" I hissed as I scooted away from him; tears burned my eyes.
"What's happened here!?" Slughorn asked as he took in the view.
"Black spilled the potion all over Jackie, Sir." Lily interjected with her eyes narrowed at Sirius.
"Black! What on earth were you thinking! Detention, for the next week starting tonight!" Slughorn exclaimed. "Now, Miss Evans, if you wouldn't mind escorting Miss Abernathy to the hospital wing to be treated for her burns."
Lily hurried over to me and helped me up; I winced as I moved my legs, and looked down to see my thighs burned.
"Here, let me help." Sirius offered.
"You've done enough, Black." Lily spat as she assisted me to see Madame Pomfrey.
We exited the Potions room and silently made our way to the Hospital Wing, and I was left with my overbearing thoughts.
This is exactly what Noel was talking about, Jackie! Sirius Black is trouble, and if you don't stay away from him than you'll end up dead.
Author's Note: So there it is! I hope you've all enjoyed it! If you have any questions, then please leave them in the reviews or PM me. If you ask in a review then I will PM you the answer! I was rushing this chapter, and I kept re-writing it as it just wasn't turning out the way I wanted it, but this was as good as it was getting. So please excuse any spelling or grammar mistakes.
Also, for whatever reason the links for what the OC's look like don't seem to be appearing on my page, so please PM me and I will send you the links, if you wish.
Please review, as it motivates me to continue, but please NO FLAMES; be nice.
Also, HAPPY LATE CANADA DAY AND FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND to my fellow Canadians and Americans!
Also, #lovewins 3
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