Jasmine knew it was getting late, but she really didn't want to go back to the common room. It was far too noisy down there, the moronic firsties throwing spit balls at each other and consequently hitting everyone else. Not even the combined wrath of Sheraton and Julian could shut them up for long. None of the upper year students could ever get any work done down there. In fact, most fifth and seventh years retreated to their own rooms or to the library. Tonight, Jasmine had retreated to her favourite study carral in the back of the library by the large stained glass windows. The light had died long ago, but Jasmine kept on working by the glow of the candles.
Cordelia had been insufferable due to her state of nirvana since the post game party. She was constantly crowing about the new depth of she and Neil's relationship and how she was now guaranteed a ring. It would be coming any day now, according to Cordelia. The bloody nit wit still hadn't figured out they ALL knew she'd shagged Neil - he'd had the stupidest big grin Jasmine had ever seen on his face for the next week.
Jasmine wanted to scream in frustration. This weeks' potions essay on adders tongue was way beyond Snape's usual cruelty. He wanted six feet from them! She had five and a half after a good two hours of solid work in the library. She'd finished all her Charms reading for tomorrow before starting on Potions. This paper, thank the gods, was at least not due until the end of the week. She had saved Arithmancy for last, finally giving up on Potions for the night. Jasmine often surprised many people with her love for Arithmancy. She loved the precision of balancing equations, always knowing that there is a clear, absolutely correct answer to every problem - her respite in the often murky world. The Quidditch boys let go above the pitch, she let go through numbers. She would much rather spend her evenings up here with her Arithmancy than with Snape's potions and smelly ingredients any day.
Jasmine sucked distractedly on the end of her braid, contemplating the effect of vectors and body movement when casting the mobilicorpus. It looked right, but she was sure the answer was wrong somehow. Which meant she had to go back a few steps and check...
"Oh!" was her soft exclamation as a pair of warm lips connected with her neck. 'Gods, he is such a vampire.'
"What's a girl like you doing in the library, doll face?"
"Um, working. Its this great hobby you should try and pick up in order to do something with your life."
"What exactly do you plan to 'do' with your life Jas? Do you really need Arithmancy to make breed babies and throw parties?"
She slammed her text book shut, causing the few students near her table to jump and glare at them.
"Bugger off Pucey."
"Why doll? I thought maybe we could get some alone time up against the stacks?"
Even Cordelia's drabble was better than the bullshit which poured out of Pucey's mouth these days.
"I don't think so," she pointedly turned back to her work but he didn't take the hint.
"Why not? Do you really have something better to do?" His hand was running up the inside her thigh and dammit if she didn't feel the shivers of pleasure only increased by his nibbling on her earlobe.
"No Adrian."
"Please, Jas..." he was seriously whining now.
"I said no."
"Fuck, Jas, it's been so long."
She rolled her eyes, two days was not torture. Two weeks would be excessively cruel, but two days - 'give me a break,' she sighed mentally.
"No. N-O. Learn to accept your fate, Pucey."
"Wow, what did you read in here that's made you such a bitch?" Adrian sat back in his chair, crossing his arms.
"So now I'm a bitch because I won't shag you up against the stacks?" her eyes flashed murderously, but her voice never rose above a dangerous hiss.
There was no reason to be here anymore and she just didn't want to go through the routine of fighting, then making up with Adrian. So she simply stood and left, leaving her books; either Adrian or Madam Pince would collect them for her.
Did no one respect the fact that she just wanted to be left alone today? Walking out of the library and into the cool corridors, Jasmine realized how flushed she was and that her braid was too tight.
She slowed her pace, taking in deep, slow breaths as she undid her plait. It felt good to have the heavy mass freed and hanging down her back.
"Well, do continue Jasmine. Though I'd personally love to see you loosen much more than your plait," Jasmine stiffened at the familiar drawl.
"I don't give free shows and don't do shows at all for ferrets."
"Tsk tsk, I wasn't aware you were that picky. You know I just want a preview of what your sister will do for me in not too long."
Jasmine stopped and whirled around to stare at Malfoy, standing there in the flickering torch light like he owned the world. She was going to smack that expression right off his face.
"Oh, so you've changed your mind then?" He smirked at her with a confidence unbecoming of a fifteen year old.
"Not on your life," Jasmine hissed as she moved towards him. In her heels she was just under 6 feet and towered over his 5'5. "And if you know what is good for you, you'll NEVER speak to Pansy the way you just did to me. If I hear anything from her, or anyone else, you won't - "
"Won't what?" he interrupted her with a harsh chuckle. "You can't touch me."
Jasmine almost laughed. The ferret thought SHE was threatening to use force on him.
"I wouldn't have to tough you: one owl to my brother and a few words to Julian, and you'll never create that precious Malfoy heir."
She was sick of dealing with life today. Jasmine turned and headed back towards the dungeons. She was contemplating the fact that her day couldn't get any worse when she heard her sister's shrill voice.
"Look, I'd really love to waste my breath chatting mindlessly with you two nit wits but I do have a life."
"If you call following in your sisters foot steps a life."
"I heard she shagged every male Slytherin from fifth through seventh year in her fourth year."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh I would've thought it was a legacy you'd be proud of?"
"At least she had the taste to shag her equals, I don't know of a single Slytherin who'd shag you Margarita."
Jasmine had been standing stock still, and only shook herself when there was a tap on her shoulder. Pucey handed over her books and notes, looking at her questioningly: Jasmine wondered how much he'd heard.
Just then, Pansy came barreling around the corner and stopped upon seeing them.
"Oh well, isn't this touching." she tried to bruch past them.
"Pans, wait," Jasmine grabbed her arm.
"What?" Pansy rounded on her, eyes bright, yanking her arm free.
"What was that all about?" At the younger girl's puzzled look, Jasmine elaborated. "Those girls and me supposedly shagging random Slytherins."
"Oh that? Welcome to my life Jasmine." Pansy tried to move past her again but Jasmine stopped her.
"And that's supposed to mean?"
"It means that I get shit like that from most people in the school. Uh huh, I'm automatically a slut because you can't keep your knees together. I get propositioned on a weekly basis by Ravenclaws who assume I'll sleep with anything, male or female. So thanks big sis, for creating such a proud legacy and reputation for me to live up to." Pansy looked ready to burst into tears. Jasmine's day was snowballing at this point.
"I'm sorry that the rumours about me have backlashed onto you."
"You see, I could deal with it if it were just rumors, Jas. But when seventh years propositioned me last year, to make a comparison between sisters, I realized just how true it was."
"Hey, that's not fair!" Pucey tried to intervene between the two.
"Shut-up Pucey! You're part of the problem, don't even bother trying to come up with a solution." Pansy pushed past them successfully this time: Jasmine was too shocked to stop her.
"Hey doll face, don't listen to her, she's only angry..." Adrian wrapped his arms around her waist.
Jasmine recoiled at his touch and pulled away violently.
"Don't touch me!" she yelled over her shoulder as she fled down the stairs. She needed to be alone before her day became any more catastrophic.