Chapter 10:

Triumphant Reveals

The second week of October came before Jessa even knew what had happened. She was settling into a routine and slowly becoming more comfortable in her own place. Granted, she was still relatively unknown – but much to her own surprise – Jessa found she was okay with that.

Jessa sat with Taryn in the common room, working on homework together. It was the last assignment she personally had to complete for the week. Well, at least until the professors added more.

The common room entrance parted in in came a furious quidditch captain and a nervous but sneering Draco Malfoy, who was holding his right wrist in his left hand.

"Relax, Flint! I'm sure Pomfrey can get it fixed up in no time!" he said.

"Doesn't matter, Malfoy. Even if she can, you've still got detention every day and you're suspended from quidditch for the next two weeks! Meaning we're now without a seeker for the upcoming Gryffindor/Slytherin match!" Flint yelled at him.

The rest of the common room had gone silent, all eyes turned to watch the two boys.

Jessa thought quickly. She had only been on a broom a handful of times, but she was sure that, just like her brother, she'd inherited their father's gift for flying.

"Flint!" she called, standing. All eyes turned to her. She swallowed hard, but continued. "Allow me to take Malfoy's place in the upcoming game."

Malfoy's eyes narrowed and Flint eyed her suspiciously.

"Why?" he asked, his tone sharp.

"Let's just say I've got a natural talent for quidditch."

"First years can't play."

"They can if they have their head of house's permission. Besides, it's just for one game. And I'm certain Snape will agree to let me play."

Flint thought about it for a moment. "Fine. Come to the pitch tomorrow afternoon and we'll try you out. Don't make me regret this," he finally agreed, before storming angrily towards the boys' rooms.

Eyeing her carefully and eager to reclaim the spotlight, Malfoy spoke up again as he sat on a couch. "Well, one good thing came out of tonight."

"And what would that be, Draco?" some other kid asked.

"Apparently, Harry Potter has a younger sister. And she's come to Hogwarts."

Took them long enough, she thought privately.

Whispers broke out around the common room.

Harry Potter's sister? Since when did Potter have a sister? How could two children have survived that night?

"Who wants to bet she's just as bad as her brother? If not worse? Like Hogwarts wasn't bad enough off with one Potter? Now we need two bratty Gryffindor Potters strutting about?"

"I'll take you up on that bet, Malfoy. That is, if you actually meant it as a bet," she said, smirking.

"Fine. Two Galleons," he acquiesced, sneering at her.

"You're on." Jessalyn replied, shaking his hand once. She then turned on her heel and made her way to her own room with Taryn, reveling in the fact that she had just pulled a fast one on the "great" Draco Malfoy.

Putting on her (borrowed) silver and green quidditch robes, Jessa closed her eyes for a moment and breathed deeply. She was nervous and excited all in one…and, if she were honest, even a little scared.

Then Flint was telling the team to walk onto the field. Checking over herself one last time, she cast a sticking spell to prevent her glasses from falling off mid-air.

"Captains, shake hands," Madame Hooch instructed, same as every game.

"Hang on a minute. You don't have a seeker. Malfoy's been suspended," the Gryffindor captain pointed out.

That was her cue to step forward. Harry gaped. The Weasley twins shot each other a look before nodding once to her; clear that they didn't like the situation, especially given they were Beaters, but would support her.

"Jessa? How…you can't play…"

"Actually, I can. My head of house signed the permission slip."

"Enough talking. Mount your brooms," Madame Hooch interrupted, ending all conversation between the Potter siblings.

There was much confusion and glaring as the teams obeyed.

The balls were released, and the game had begun.

Jessa immediately went high, trying to get out of the way. She flew a few rounds, watching as both teams scored. After about fifteen minutes of playing, the score was 30-10, in favour of Gryffindor. Glancing back around the pitch, she suddenly saw the little golden flurry. She dove towards it, but her brother had a year's worth of practice on her, not to mention his own (non-borrowed) broom.

He began pulling ahead of her. So Jessa pulled back. Harry slowed down, taking his eyes off the Snitch to look back to his sister, make sure she was okay. But she wasn't there. Turning his head forward again, he was forced to pull up short as she flew skyward directly in front of him, hand closing around the Golden Snitch as she went.

Slytherin cheered from the stands. The others grumbled, some about cheating. The teams themselves retired to their respective changing rooms.

Once changed, however, Jessa crossed the field and knocked on Gryffindor's team door. She felt lucky when the Weasley twins opened it, a sour expression on their faces.

"Good match," she said warmly. "Can Harry come out? Or can I come in?"

Fred and George glanced at each other, before nodding once. "Give us a moment."

She leaned against the wall as they closed the door, returning a few minutes later.

Ignoring the surprised and partially outraged looks, she crossed to where her brother sat on one of the benches and plopped down next to him.

"You're not going to let me forget this anytime soon, are you?" he mumbled as way of greeting her, not even bothering to look up.

"Not a chance," she replied easily, giving his side a nudge.

"Potter! Weasleys! Care to explain why you just let the Slytherin Seeker into our dressing room?" the captain called, clearly annoyed. Though, to be fair, the twins had made sure to cover up all boards, so she couldn't see their tactics and planning.

"Because she's my sister," Harry said simply.

Silence filled the room. Understanding filled some eyes.

"Which is why you looked back to see where she'd gone," one of the girls voiced aloud in realization. He nodded.

"Well, that certainly explains it. Though it was a bit of a dirty trick."

"It's not illegal," she countered towards the captain. "Nor did anyone get hurt."

He had to give her that one. Especially considering some of the other tactics he'd seen Slytherins use in the past, her way was downright tame.

"Are you angry with me?" she whispered then, as the rest began turning away.

Slowly, Harry shook his head. "How can I be? You didn't do anything wrong. Though…are you – ?"

" – no. I was just filling in for Malfoy. Though I might see if Flint will let me stay as a reserve. You can go back to beating us next time," she answered, giving him a smile. She was glad when he returned it this time.

He nodded, before glancing about again. She got the message.

"I'll see you soon?"

"You aren't getting rid of me that easily," he answered, giving her a one-armed hug.

She looked towards the captain. "Thanks for letting me in," she said simply, before waving at Fred and George on the way out, leaving behind a mostly surprised and sullen team.

When she arrived in the Slytherin Common Room, a party was already in full swing. Draco Malfoy immediately cornered her.

"How'd you beat him? No one has been able to before," he asked.

"I believe you owe me 2 Galleons."

"Excuse me? How the bloody hell does that – " he cut himself off, realization sinking in. " – it's you! You're Potter's sister."

"I am," she answered with a nod.

"You tricked me!"

"You never asked," she countered.

"Prove it."

She raised her palm to show off the lighting-bolt scar – identical to her brother's except in placement.

"I'm not taking over for you. Seeker's still your spot. I just wanted to fill in."

Slowly he nodded, clearly still unhappy over being "tricked". Yet, when she held out her hand, he firmly grasped it in reply, silently agreeing to start over.