Disclaimer: Do not own the Wonderful World of Harry Potter… not making any money from my writings…DO NOT LIKE that Rowling has killed Sirius Black and have chosen to pointedly ignore that certain part, allowing him to make an appearance here…
Note to readers: your reviews are only welcome in these types of formats: praise, gushing, skepticism, flames, anger, denial, repulse/disgust, and I suppose constructive criticism can be entertained as well…
A/N: Warning: Snape/McGonagall appearance starting from this chapter, will get worse as story progresses, or as worst can be without increasing the ratings. Also be prepared for unorthodox reaction of Harry towards Snape and Snape's unSnapeish behavior
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(Have you ever made popular by S Club 7)
The night of the dance came and Jessica found herself entering the Great Hall with Dean at her arm. She was wearing Hermione's gown, pure white that contrasted strongly with her black hair that tumbled down her back in waves in an elegant but simple manner. Dean had given her a corsage of white roses to pin at her breast. He looked handsome in his robe with his hair slicked back, but he wasn't Harry. Jessica had caught a small glimpse of Harry in dark green robes. His hair was still unruly, but to Jessica it was just perfect. A lump formed at her throat. If she hadn't been so blind, so stupid, she would be the one in his arms, not Lavender.
But what's done is done, and as Jessica stepped into the Great hall, she couldn't help but feel a little uplifted as the hall was beautiful. Red, pink and white colors were strewn around the hall held together by bouquets of roses or tiny hearts; chairs and tables sparkled prettily under streams of disco lights that seemed to emanate from the ceiling itself and not some fluorescent light bulb. And floating above the students head were the famous floating mistletoes. Jessica couldn't help but laugh at it. She finally meets the culprits between Snape and McGonagall's romance. She glanced briefly, looking for the subjects of her thoughts. They were on the dance floor, wrapped up in each other's arms. And lo and behold, Snape wasn't wearing black. He wasn't wearing pink either, but dark purple had to be an improvement. The only downfall that night was when she and Dean stepped onto the dance floor for a slow song. Beating them to it was Harry and Lavender. Watching Lavender move slowly in Harry's arms nearly broke her heart.
Can't help but think that this is wrong
We should be together…
In your arms where I belong
Now I finally realize…
It was forever that I found
I'd give it all to change the way the world goes round…
Harry had to stop the sob that was threatening to escape his throat as he watched Dean hold Jessica in his arms. She looked so beautiful and pure. That should be me; she should be in my arms…
I really wanna hear you say
That you know just how it feels
To have it all and let it slip away
Can't you see… through the moments gone
I'm still holding on somehow
Wishing I could change the way the world goes round…
Half the night had passed, and Jessica was sitting alone. Dean had disappeared and honestly, she didn't care if he never came back. So absorbed was she in her misery that she was completely unaware of the pair of green eyes piercing into her back.
"Harry, you're a prick, you know that? She's in love with Sirius as much as I want to have an affair with Moaning Myrtle," grumbled the best friend. Harry didn't remove his eyes from her back. Lavender was gone. Good riddance.
"Harry," said a softer, feminine voice. He sighed and tore his gaze away.
"Hmm," he merely said. His two best friends looked at each other despairingly. Hermione wished she could shout at him that Jessica loved him, but that wasn't hers to say.
"Why don't you go over there and keep her company?" suggested Hermione.
"And give her the satisfaction of brushing me away? She's with Dean now," he said, his voice impassive. Ron rolled his eyes.
"Only because you asked Lavender. What were you thinking man?" Ron asked. Harry just shrugged. Ron growled at the emotionless look on Harry's face, especially when he knew Harry was anything but emotionless.
"Well, she's not with him anymore. He's with Harry's date," said Hermione quickly, seeing Ron losing patience with Harry, pointing to the further end of the hall. The other two boys turned to see Dean and Lavender talking, looking very comfortable with each other. Subconsciously Harry's fist tightened and he was unable to stop the anger rushing through his body.
"The bastard. How dare he leave Jessica hanging like that?" Harry spat. What he would give to sink his fist into Dean's face.
"Whoa, slow down, prince charming. Make use of his absence and go make amends with Jessica," said Ron reading correctly the fury on Harry's face.
"And be friends again? No, Ron, I want her love or nothing," said Harry. Ron had begun to get tired of Harry's attitude. Harry was so into his own feelings, he forgot to consider Jessica's.
"Mate, start of as friends first then…" he tried again but Harry cut him off.
"No Ron. Why should I? For so many years I had to sit back and watch other people love and be loved where else I am constantly being cheated of all that. Not this time, it's either she returns my love or nothing changes, I will not compromise," Harry growled. But inside his heart hurt. How could Ron, who had a loving, complete family, and an equally wonderful girlfriend know how he was feeling? No one knew what he was feeling. No one cared to know.
On his other side, Ron was getting angrier. Harry thought just because he had never felt the loss of a loved one, he didn't know how to feel fear. Didn't know what pain was. Well he did. And probably just as much as Harry did. Harry's self pity was making him pissed. Really pissed. And with a fiery temper to match his fiery red hair, Ron acted on it. He threw the contents of his punch onto Harry's face, pulling back enough restraint to not throw the cup at his head as well. Harry, for his part, just gaped at Ron in horror; fruit punch dripping off his hair and face onto his robes. Hermione quickly recovered from her shock and did a quick clean spell on Harry before a teacher, namely Snape, came along and deducted house points. The two boys faced each other, hands on their wands. A small number of students held their breaths in anticipation. And not to far away a pair of twinkling eyes also waited. Ron broke the silence.
"What is so wrong with being friends first?" he said through gritted teeth.
"I've been her friend for too long. I want more!" Harry hissed back.
"You asshole! Hermione and I were friends for four years before I realized I love her. Jessica's only known you for half a year. Give her time, man. Trust me, the best are always worth the wait," Ron half yelled. If that didn't get into Harry's head, then Ron really was going to hex him. Perhaps it was the punch, perhaps it was Ron's sensible words or perhaps it was the return of common sense but whatever it was worked for Harry lost his angry look and despair washed over him.
"You're right, Ron. You're right. I've only been thinking about myself. Its just that, it seemed so right that she and I…" Harry couldn't continue. Ron clasped Harry into a quick hug. Harry may infuriate him, but they were best buds. Forever. He gave Harry an encouraging smile and gave his best bud a push towards Jessica's direction. When Harry continued to resist, he gave Harry a huge shove and Harry went tumbling towards Jessica. Ron smiled. There was hope yet. Feeling a huge sense of relief, he turned back to Hermione who he was pretty sure was relieved too. But Hermione was looking at him, starry eyed.
"What?" he asked clearly confused by her 'starriness'.
"You said you love me. You haven't said that to me for some time," she replied. Ron smirked.
"Isn't it obvious?" he asked again, his arms circling her waist.
"Yeah, but it's always good to hear," she replied.
"Well, in that case, I love you, I love you, I love you" he said and leaned forward but jerkily pulled back when someone loudly cleared his throat. It was Professor Dumbledore.
"Good work, Mr. Weasley. Ten points for Gryffindor," said the hallowed Professor. Ron and Hermione beamed at him and Ron thanked him before pulling Hermione to the crowded dance floor where in the end he got his kiss.
On the other side of the Great Hall.
"Hey, is this seat taken?" he asked her softly. She looked at him, her eyes narrowed in slits.
"That depends, I may want to smash it across your head," she answered bitterly. It was one thing to mope by herself, but in front of him, she'd rather be shot first.
"I guess I deserve that," he replied meekly and sat down anyways.
"You're right about that,"
"Sorry won't be enough will it?" he asked. To heal my broken heart? No Harry it won't.
"No, but I guess that's all you've got to offer," she answered. Jessica if only you knew what I have to give you… if only you'll give me a chance.
Jessica sighed. He had come back to her. As friends, but he was here. With her, and frankly that was all that mattered. The pain will heal and the tears will dry up.
"Harry, don't ever do that to me again," she said quietly looking down at her hands, folded neatly on her lap. Harry nodded silently. Then he held out his hand. Without a single hesitation, Jessica placed hers in his. A truce had been declared. The world was right again.
"So…" Harry began suddenly feeling shy.
"So…. where's your date?" she asked.
"With yours," he answered wryly, and pointed. She followed his finger and saw her date and Harry's date get comfortable on the dance floor. And she didn't care.
"Well, it seems like we've been dumped," she said, her tone similar to his.
"Yep. Seems so. You wanna blow this joint?" he asked suddenly. Jessica laughed and Harry smiled, glad to hear it once again.
"Harry, you've been watching too much mafia movies. And yes, I would like nothing better that to 'blow this joint'," she answered. Once again, Harry held out his hand and when she placed her hands in his, he tightened around it and led her out of the Great Hall into the corridors.
The hallways were dark, but Harry's step never faltered. He knew where he was going, having followed the same route so many times, he could do it in his sleep.
"Harry. Where are we going?" Jessica's voice broke the still silence.
"Somewhere," he answered. He couldn't see it but he could imagine her rolling her eyes. He griped her hand tighter and felt her respond.
"I figured that out, but where is somewhere?" she asked. He smiled.
"You'll see," was his only reply. Jessica settled back into silence. It was something that he and so many other Hogwarts students before and after him had and will have in common. That special, secret place, only for him, the thin line between peace of mind and chaos of reality. A place where he doesn't have to share his thoughts, fantasy was his alone to mould and shape. He had never taken anyone to his place, not Ron, not Hermione, not even Ginny. It was his very own secret. But Jessica was different. She was his secret too.
A/N: Yeah, I got tired of the angst as well…
Rachel: Your words were like a bucket of cold water. Although I had EVERY intention of making this a happy ending, of patching up Jessica and Harry's friendship, still I had no idea how cruel I was being while doing so. I never saw it from that prospective. Perhaps my world is so involved with developing my own original character, I completely forgot about the pre existing characters and how they would… grow, I suppose you could say, from how I write out my own character. Even though this is my story, my ideas, my words, this whole thing isn't about me at all. It's about you and the other wonderful readers who dedicatedly read and review this fic. It's about what you all want, not what my twisted brain feels like throwing out. Somehow I forgot that… or perhaps I never knew. Thank you for the criticism, I truly appreciate it… and honestly I say that this is pretty much written out to completion, I will alter a few things here and there so all parties will be taken into consideration. Well, I'll try to take into account everyone. But please remember, I am not JK Rowling and my talents as a wanabe writer are only so much. Thanks again!
Everyone who reads my ficcy: I truly apologize if my fic has been a cause of frustration and I thank all you from the bottom of my heart for being such great people and continue to read this despite it all. I hope that the remaining story will be satisfactory.
THANK YOU!!