CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Breakup LetterI couldn't have wished for a better happy ending.
I'm just sorry it had to end.
I think it's time for us both to stop pretending
That we can be more than just friends.
Honestly, I love you, more than I should feel,
But this pretty façade must fall.
Anyone who can let go of love not real
Has the greatest courage of all.
Sirius was not going to let her go without a fight. He rushed down the stairs transforming into his Animagus as he went. It was lucky for him, though in this state he did not take notice of it, that there were no people in the stairwell to see him change. He rushed up the stairs of the girls' dormitory and stopped dead at a door when he heard familiar voices coming from it.
"…don't understand, Jackie," he heard Jamie saying. "You love him so much. How can you just end it like that?"
"I didn't want to…" Jaclyn replied meekly.
"Jackie…" Lily began in her soothing way. "Jackie, tell us what happened. I hate seeing you like this."
"My parents are dead, Lily. They're dead and it's all because of…" She burst into tears, and Sirius felt a pang of longing to rush in their and comfort her.
"Shh… It's okay, Jack," came Jessika's voice. "It's okay."
"Don't blame yourself, Jaclyn," said Katie forcefully.
"You don't understand… My door…"
"What?"
"It was written on my door… 'Toujours pur, Carter'!"
Complete silence followed except for Jaclyn's crying. Sirius went cold as ice. He understood now.
"Oh God…" Lily finally breathed, breaking the silence. He heard movement and ducked away from the door, but no one came out. He inched back up to it.
"…can never tell him, though! He'll be devastated!"
"You think he's not devastated now?" Katie said almost angrily.
"Kitty…"
"You love him, Jaclyn! He loves you! And you let these Death Eaters ruin what could be, and would be, a beautiful relationship!" Katie was yelling now. "You are selfish, foolish, and–"
"You think I wanted this to happen!" Jaclyn screamed hysterically. "You think I wanted to end this! I love Sirius! I would die for him! It's not my fault!"
"Then why would you let this happen!"
"They'll kill my brother, Katie! They killed my parents, took Madame Marjorie, and they're going to come after Jonathon! I have to keep him safe! He's all I have left of my family!"
"You have me," came Jamie's voice, quietly. "You have me, my mum and dad, and Mikey. You have us, Jaclyn."
"It's not the same, Jamie. I love you guys, but it's not the same. Besides, they'll come after you too, and you know that. I have to protect everyone I love, and if that means giving up the man I love, then so be it."
No one said anything. They all just mulled over what she had said.
Finally, he heard Jaclyn say quietly, "Please leave." After a moment's hesitation, they did. Sirius back away into the shadows to let them pass before slipping into the room. He did not transform; instead, he hopped onto her bed where she was laying, tears still silently rolling down her cheeks. It tore him up inside to see her like this, and it was even worse to know that his own family had made it happen. She wrapped her arms around the big black creature automatically and dug her fingers deep into his thick fur. He licked her face once to clear away the salty tears before letting her fall asleep with him in her arms, all the while wishing this were under any other circumstances.
xoxox
When the Daily Prophet was delivered the next day, Jaclyn was relieved to see that the front door was not in the pictures. That was probably Dumbledore's influence. Sirius entered after her, looked at her once, painfully, then sat down farther away from her. Jonathon, who had been told the news after she had, entered looking very depressed. None of his usual friends were crowding around him – none except one, a cute half-blood girl named Peyton Smith. She had sandy brown hair and clear blue eyes. A Hufflepuff tie was around her neck, but she sat down at the Gryffindor table with her friend anyway. Jaclyn smiled slightly at this loyalty – a trait Hufflepuffs were known for. She was glad that her brother had formed real relationships here at Hogwarts, like she had. Speaking of those relationships…
"Hey, Jaclyn, Jamie here has something to show you!" Jessika was pulling Jamie along, Katie and Lily following her. She forced Jamie to sit beside Jaclyn. "Show her, Jamie!"
"Jessika, is this really necessary…?" Jamie began.
Jaclyn noticed that she was once again wearing a turtleneck, despite the warm weather, and became mildly interested.
"Yes! Show her!"
Jamie glanced around at the others, as if hoping for an escape. When she found none, she reluctantly sighed and rolled down the neck of her sweater, revealing a very many red suction bruises – hickeys. Jaclyn grinned wickedly.
"Who gave you those!" she demanded, slightly enjoying herself.
"I, er, um…" she stuttered, blushing furiously.
"Peter!" exclaimed Katie from behind her.
"That's right!" seconded Jessika, grinning happily. "Jamie's been snogging Peter!"
xoxox
"Anything else, Remus?" Jess said, annoyed.
"Oh yes, Rodgers. I'm madly in love with you." He blew her a kiss, rolled his eyes, and left.
"You know what?" Jamie said. "I think he's the only one of those losers that doesn't like one of us."
"Yeah, Jamie, you get Peter," Lily teased.
"Ew! Bloody hell! That's worse than Snape!"
xoxox
Jaclyn laughed out loud at the memory. "So Snape turned you down, Jamie?"
"What?" She gave her cousin a wildly confused look.
Jaclyn just smirked. "Nothing."
The rest of the meal went smoothly. Jaclyn was rather quiet for the most part, but this helped. Jon and Peyton even slid over to join them in their laughter. Eventually the Marauders began contributing and by the end of the meal Jaclyn and Sirius were at the level of being able to look at each other for at least three seconds in a row – quite the accomplishment.
This is a breakup letter for your heart,
But I hope I don't break it,
Nor do I wish to tear it apart.
I just hope it can take it.
Honestly, it is not you, it's me,
And I really don't want to say why.
Please try and let go of me
Because it's time for goodbye.
xoxox
Author's Note: First of all, I wrote the poem. It would have all been right under the title, but I figured it was far too long, but at the same time I wanted the whole thing in there, so yeah. I did it that way. Second of all, er…I don't really know. Lol. Oh, yeah, I'm sorry things have been so depressing lately. I'm thinking that the next chapter will be the beginning of their seventh year. But I don't know. But anyway, if there are any chapters that ya'll didn't review, review them cause I want more reviews. Lol. And also read Whisper of a Thrill under my favorite stories. My cousin kamers and I write it. So go read and review it! Not before you review this, though, of course. Lol.
-Carp