A/N: Beth's the only one who reads this story. I don't care, I wrote it for her.

Days crawled by and soon turned to weeks. And before any of them knew it, November was closing down and December was just around the corner. Jessi loved Christmas, certainly one of her favorite times of year. But despite the holidays nearing, she had other problems to deal with.

This Marcus thing was driving her insane. Instead of seeing him as a friend, it was like he was some celebrity and every time he looked her way or even gave her a careless smile, the uplift that she would feel was truly amazing. And the more times she saw him with Emily, the jealousy rose higher.

Feeling distressed and annoyed with herself, Jessi decided one harmless Thursday afternoon to let her problems escape her for a moment and take a stroll through Hogwarts front grounds. She was half way down to the lake when Tom greeted her. Knowing her so well, he automatically picked up something was wrong. "What's wrong now?"

"God hates me" Jessi sighed as she sat herself on the grass, legs spread out facing the shimmering waters of the lake. Tom sat next to her. "I know what that's like"

"It's Emily" Jessi finally admitted, figuring if she was going to spill her life out to anyone, Tom would understand the most. "I see why Razz hates her so much now"

Tom smirked and looks down to his left at the grass he was pulling up "Don't bother chasing after Flint"

Jessi froze, practically horrified. How on earth did he know? She hadn't told anyone, had she been so obvious? Jessi glared at him and he grinned back in return, knowing he was right. "I...It's not like I want too" Jessi answered, looking away and out onto the lake as she spoke.

"He's stupid"

"I can't help it"

"Why him?"

"Don't make me repeat myself"

"Don't then"

"Drop the subject already!" Jessi growled, annoyed with Tom's taunting. Tom smiled innocently at his sister and stood up, holding a hand down to help Jess up. "You'll get over it"

"God, I hope so" Jess mutter, taking his hand and getting to her feet. Why did he always have to know everything about her? A quick glance at the sun peeping from behind threatening gray clouds and she signaled herself departing. "I've got work to do" she muttered, turned at the heel and dragged her feet along the grass as she made her way back up to the castle leaving Tom very satisfied.

---

With the taste of bitterness in her mouth from the conversation with Tom, Jess lied about her work and decided to retreat back to the common room to do some serious thinking about this exaggerated crush on a Quidditch Captain. Jess swung her body sharply around the corner and didn't see the person coming the opposite direction until they made impact.

"Oh shit...I'm sor-"

Jess' works cut off as she looked directly into the eyes of a Gryffindor. He was tall, but everyone was compared to Jessi. Blonde hair that neatly fell in front of his face with dark chocolate brown eyes fitted his description. Though he did look ever so slightly familiar, Jess still didn't show any mercy. She frowned at the boy and stepped backwards so they weren't to "close". "Watch your step..."

"Sorry" the boy replied, moving a hand up to the back of his head scratching his head nervously. "My mistake, the names Joseph"

Jessi raised her eyebrows at Joseph. He was obviously new; he had no idea who he was dealing with. Jess took another glance up at him and stepped around him, continuing her path without another word. He was like she let him off easy.

By the time Jess had reached the common room, she had also walked past Emily (ignoring her completely, obviously) and Razzy who decided to follow with her back to the common room for the rest of the Saturday afternoon. The two sat in front of the couch, attempting to do homework but ended up gossiping about the upcoming Quidditch match against Hufflepuff tomorrow. Marcus was at training, reminded by Sway who had come down to join the chat. It made Jess realize how many people did actually have a crush on the poor boy. She felt stupid and weak for falling herself.

"Jesus, I saw Emily today..." Sway suddenly piped up once the Quidditch topic had died. "I mean, she's nice and all...but god damn she acts like a little hoe at times" Jess and Razzy grinned at this remark. Sway was famous for her constant bitching.

Then Razzy came up with a pleasant idea. "We should kill her, than we'll see how many people turn up to her funeral" Sway snorted with laughter.

Jess loved the idea, in fact, it was perfect. She wanted to get rid of her, right? It would do the whole of Slytherin house a favor. But Razzy wasn't serious. She didn't want to be a murderer, nor did Jessi at that fact. But she could hide it. Or better yet, Get someone else to do it.

And that was the beginning of a plan far too evil than desired.