In Which Everyone Takes Stock

George slept badly that night. He couldn't stop thinking about Morgan and the duel. For once in his life he simply couldn't believe how hollow the victory really was. He tossed and turned in bed until he eventually reached over and turned on his light. The Arcane map was there on his bedside table, just as it had been for the past two days.

He couldn't help but fee a bit upset at the fact that Morgan had simply left him at the infirmary, or so he thought… he didn't know anything of the argument that she and Jess had only moments before he had returned to the waiting room.

After some moments staring out of the window, he grabbed his cloak and decided to go for a walk. He left the dormitory and randomly walked down the corridors.

It wasn't long before George found himself outside Jess' dormitory and noticed that the light was on. Gently he pushed the door, just enough to see if it would open. Silently the door glided open and Jess looked around from her desk where she was sat.

"Oh hi George!" said Jess as she snapped shut a book. "I was just doing a bit of study."

"Jess, sometimes you really do make me wonder!" said George with a broad grin on his face.

Jess stood up to face him and for the first time ever he noticed her incredible figure accentuated by the light night robe she was wearing loosely. It looked for all the world to George as if she was not wearing anything else underneath.

" I was just tossing and turning in bed and ended up coming for a walk." Explained George.

"That's cool… want a ginger beer?" said Jess as she went over to her cupboard and produced two bottles of their favourite drink. George took one from her and said "god I wish I know what these maps had in store for us!"

" I have no idea… all I know is that I just don't want anybody to get hurt!" replied Jess as she looked into Georges eyes somewhat pointedly. She walked over to her bed and lay down and as she did so, her robe fell open just enough to confirm to George that indeed, she did not have anything on underneath her robe.

"George I can't help but worry about the broom racing… you could have been killed today!" said Jess in a low caring voice. " I really do wish you wouldn't duel."

"Ah Jess its all good fun, I have never been really hurt have I?" replied George with a smile on his face.

Jess looked at George and couldn't help but think how good looking and debonair he was. He made her positively tingle!

"No true but I just wouldn't want to see you get hurt, and yet today you very nearly were." As she said this Jess leant up on her elbows and George was momentarily entranced by her breasts which were now being pushed together, so much so that he sat down on her desk chair to avoid being too obvious in his arousal.

"I know, but Ill have to give up when it comes to exam time… I wont be able to spare the time, Ill need it to study. I am not Ronnie you know!" said George referring to the fact that of the three of them Ronnie was the most intelligent by a considerable margin.

" Well then for once in my life Ill say that the exams can't come quick enough!" said Jess dryly with a grin.

On that note George said that he really ought to head back and left quietly. Jess looked after him with a thoughtful look on her face.

Their conversation played on Georges mind as he quietly crept back to his dormitory. As he got back into bed it occurred to him that he was one very lucky man to have such a caring and concerned friend as Jess. Yet the fact that Morgan had gone from the waiting room, that afternoon still hurt him.

The next morning Ronnie was first down to breakfast, a highly regular occurrence, and was tucking in when Jess walked over and with a chirpy voice said "You'll get fat you know!"

"Never mind. Its not as if anyone will notice any difference!" replied Ronnie who seemed to be in a bad mood, which really was a quite unusual occurrence.

"Hey what's up Ronnie?" said Jess with concern.

"Ah its nothing, I am sorry Jess, I didn't mean to take it out on you." Sighed Ronnie.

"Come on Ronnie we have been friends for far too long… tell me what's wrong." Said Jess supportively.

" Its nothing really, I just sometimes wish I was like George, you know, more popular." Mumbled Ronnie.

"Oh and more stubborn and at times downright stupid?" replied Jess, thinking of George last night in his robes.

"Yeah but you saw the reaction he got from Morgan, she was really nice to him. I mean I know we were all concerned but… well you know?" said Ronnie

"She bloody well should have been concerned! She very nearly killed George! Retorted Jess, swearing uncharacteristically.

"Hmmm but she was really concerned for him… I recon she is into him, you know." Said Ronnie with a sad voice.

"Listen Ronnie, she was only concerned for him because she didn't want to be seen to be the criminal for hurting George, she doesn't care about him at all!" said Jess angrily.

"Wow Jess you really got it in for her!" said Ronnie with surprise.

"Well do you blame me? She could have killed our best friend!"

At the point Morgan came into the great hall and sat down. She looked magnificent in her robes and this did not escape Ronnie's notice. He couldn't help but gaze over at her.

"Oh For gods sake Ronnie!" fumed Jess. And with that she got out and stormed out of the hall to her lessons.