I slammed my trunk closed with satisfaction. Finally, I had finished packing for the holidays, and I had about seven minutes to spare before I had to be down to the carriages. Who knew I had so much stuff? I surely didn't know. The only thing I hadn't been able to find was my cat… She's probably in Regulus' dorm. I swear, she loves him more than she loves me.
"Accio Jaws!" I summoned my cat. Last year, on the train, I had discovered that summoning charms work on animals. Thinking back, Jaws (and Regulus letting her out of her cage) is the reason I dated Jonas last year…but that's an entirely different story. The orange cat flew threw the open door (thank Merlin it was open, or there would have been a cat shaped hole in the dorm door).
Jaws hissed and clawed at me as I wrestled her into her cage. She just loves me so much. My dorm was completely empty, since I had waited until the last minute to pack. What can I say? Procrastination is my forte.
"Jade?" Someone said groggily. I turned and saw my best friend standing there in wrinkled pajama pants, his face unshaven, his hair sticking up so much that he kind of resembled James, and dark bags under his eyes. I grinned at the sight of Regulus' shirt. It was a black tee, and it read Why don't I make like Salazar and Slytherin you? I got him that shirt for his birthday last year.
"Nice shirt. Your Mum will really like it," I laughed at him, and his frazzled appearance.
"Do you have any hangover potion?" He said blankly. You see, it is tradition for Reg and I to get completely smashed the night before we go home for the holidays. I had already taken my potion, so I was all good.
"Nope, sorry, I finished it this morning," I smirked like a little kid that just got away with stealing a cookie from the cookie jar. Not that I've ever done that. Nope.
"You bitch." He glared at me.
"Oh sod off Reggie. Are you packed?" I asked.
"Of course. I packed two nights ago."
Somehow, we got on the train on time and got our own compartment. Regulus was still hung over and grouchy, but that just made it all the more fun to irritate him.
"Jade, would you just shut up!" Regulus snapped at me. I put on a face of mock hurt.
"Regulus! Do not lash out at me because you were irresponsible and got wasted last night."
"I can't believe you don't have any hangover potion," Regulus moaned and tucked his knees up to his chest. He looked like such a little kid. Minus the whole hangover thing. I'm pretty sure little kids don't get drunk.
"So what do you think we did last night?" I asked. For as long as we've been doing this tradition (since fourth year I believe. Maybe even third year.) we've never remembered what exactly happened on those nights. Apparently in fourth year we tried to flood the dungeons and last year we supposedly drew mustaches on all of my dorm mates faces. Too bad I hadn't been sober for the former.
"Each other?" Regulus said, without missing a beat. A hungover Regulus is a perverted Regulus. I laughed and stretched out on the bench. Today was actually going pretty well. I have happily avoided Derek all day, and I haven't run into my brother or Sirius.
"There you are!" Speak of the bloody devil. My jaw clenched and my eyes darted to the compartment door.
"What, Derek?" I said emotionlessly. Regulus didn't say anything. He was too busy having fun in the fetal position.
"I haven't seen you all day. What happened to him?" Derek jerked his head towards Reg.
"I'm tired. Jade and I were up all night planning our marriage. We're going to elope and have seventeen little babies and have an underground meth lab in the woods in America. We could name one of the kids after you, if you would like," Regulus muttered effortlessly, without even lifting up his head.
"Oh haha. Jade can I talk to you?" Derek didn't look amused by the genius comeback Reg had just said.
"Nah…anything you have to say to me, you can say it to Regulus as well. Besides I just got comfortable," I replied, motioning to my stretched out legs. Derek scowled at me, knitting his eyebrows together.
"Is that anyway to talk to your boyfriend?" I mentally cringed at the word boyfriend. I've really got to tell Regulus about my…er…affair with Sirius, don't I?
"Face it Pacheco, Jade loves me more," Regulus said before I could say anything.
"Ha. I don't think so. Right, Jade?" Derek shot me a look that said "disagree and I'll make sure the whole school knows you were whoring around with Sirius Black".
"Uh…erm…yeah, sure. On second thought, yeah, let's go talk," I sprung up and hurried out of the compartment. I heard Reg call after me, but I ignored him.
"What could you possibly want?" I whisper-yelled at Derek, giving him the dirtiest look I could muster.
"Well since you are my girlfriend-" He started to say. He pulled me into an empty compartment and closed the door.
"I am not your girlfriend by choice," I snapped at Derek, glaring like a champ.
"Still you are my girlfriend, and I haven't tasted your lips since that day in Hogsmeade," My eyes widened with disgust. Oh hell no. If he thinks he is going to even come close to kissing me, then he has another thing coming. That other thing being my foot. Into his crotch. Somewhere in between the time where he said he wanted to kiss me and when I thought about delivering a crotch shot, Derek had closed the space between us and had his lips pressed to mine. Ew. They're chapped!
"Mmmph!" I tried to scream, but damn, this boy is strong. He's not a little waif like Regulus; I can't just shove him off of me. I squirmed and tried to get out of his grasp. I moved my head to the side so he couldn't kiss my lips anymore. Wrong move. Now, he was sucking my neck, in the process of giving me a hickey. I do not want a hickey that I got via Derek Pacheco.
"Getoffme!" I gasped out somehow. I was now pushed against the compartment wall. Claustrophobia got the best of me and I started to hyperventilate. Oh Merlin, I'm going to die. I can't breathe. I'm going to suffocate. I felt Derek's hands go up my shirt. I tried to push him off but it was no use.
"Shh," He muttered.
"Helpme!" I gave out a muffled cry. Please someone help me. Someone, God, Regulus, Merlin, James, someone, help me! Salty tears blurred my vision, Oh my God, someone please help me. Tears streamed down my face. It felt like I had been in here forever. We were going to run out of oxygen. The walls were going to cave in. It was too damn small and Derek's hand were all over me. I continued struggling when the compartment door opened and in stepped someone.
"What the hell are you doing?"
Derek stopped immediately. His hands retreated from under my shirt, and his body weight was lifted off of mine.
Lily Evans was screeching like a banshee, and never have I been happier to see that ginger. Derek started stammering out excuses, but I just looked at Lily. She looked murderous. Her eyes were the same color as the killing curse, I swear. I was too stunned to do anything but slump against the compartment wall. I felt like I was going to throw up.
"Move, I'm head boy!" I could hear my brother yelling, making his way through the crowd that had gathered in front of the compartment.
Lily was still running her mouth as Derek was lying through his teeth. Sirius and James arrived in the compartment at the same time. James jaw dropped at the sight of it but Sirius wasted no time with speculating. His wand was already drawn and he had already pinned Derek in a corner. Everyone went silent, except for James and Sirius who were absolutely livid.
"Who the fuck do you think you are? What the hell is wrong with you? You were going to fucking rape her. You make me sick!" Sirius' threatened darkly. James snapped out of his state of shock and joined Sirius, pulling out his wand and pointing it at Derek's face.
"You touched my little sister. I'm going to bloody kill you! I will kick your sorry arse so hard that you're going to wish you were never born. You're a fucking twat, Pacheco," James was livid.
"Move! I'm her best friend!" Regulus screamed, fighting his way into the compartment. He stormed in and took one look at the scene before him. He didn't waste time with threats. No, Regulus got right to the point with one simple word.
"Cruico!" The curse left Regulus' lip without hesitation. I'm sure this was the first time most of the people watching had seen an unforgivable used. Silence filled the air. Then came Derek's screams.
"Serves you right," Regulus screamed, a small cackle in his voice. It was scary how good he was at torturing people. Sirius and James just stood there, jaws to the floor, eyes wide, watching Reg use an unforgivable. I couldn't move, I was too stunned.
"Mr. Black! What are you doing?" McGonagall walked into the compartment. Everyone remained silent, except for Derek, who was still screaming and Regulus who was still using the curse. "Expelliarmus!" She disarmed Regulus, who wheeled around to face her.
"He deserves what he's getting! He deserves to die!" Regulus was screaming, he looked absolutely mental.
"Everyone will go back to their respectable compartments," McGonagall waved away the crowd that had formed in the train corridor. "You six will come with me to the prefects compartment. James, Sirius, please escort Mr. Pacheco there. Lily, you can go with them as well. Mr. Black, can you please help Miss. Potter there as well?" She said curtly, nodding and walking out of the compartment.
James and Sirius lifted Derek up roughly and held him firmly by his upper arms. He was still writhing with pain, his face pale and clammy. Lily left the compartment swiftly, followed by the other three.
"I'm so sorry, Jade," Regulus stood above me, looking down at me. I was slumped against the compartment wall, hugging my knees to my chest, staring blankly at my best friend.
"Why are you sorry?" I couldn't help but ask.
"Because I trusted him. I knew he was bad news," He sighed and picked me up off the floor, carrying me in his arms.
"What are you doing?" I gave the best what the hell look I could.
"Carrying you of course," He said, rolling his eyes, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"I can walk you know, I'm not helpless. You can let me go," I said tiredly. Honestly though, I didn't mind him carrying me. I was exhausted. I could really go for a nap right now.
"No, I'm never letting you go again."
"So why exactly was Mr. Black using the cruciatus curse on Mr. Pacheco this afternoon? This is a criminal offense," McGonagall said sternly. We all were in the prefects compartment, sitting around a round table. I sat between Regulus and James, my two brothers. One related to me by blood, the other by friendship.
"It was necessary for me to do so, ma'am," Regulus was using his I'm a pureblood, I talk properly, because I am classy citizen voice. He sounded so snobby.
"Do you know the consequences for using an unforgivable? You could be sent to Azkaban!" McGonagall said, exasperated.
"I do know the punishment for the using the cruciatus curse. Do not doubt my intelligence. As I had said before, he deserves what he got." If looks could kill, Derek would be dead right now.
"That is no excuse, Regulus. What you did was reckless and there will be a severe punishment-" Lily cut McGonagall off.
"May I intervene?" Lily interrupted.
"Of course," McGonagall replied, gritting her teeth a little.
"Now yes, what Regulus did was extreme, but taking the circumstances into account, I believe Regulus almost had a right to do what he did," Lily started. McGonagall looked appalled that Lily Evans was suggesting that an unforgivable was…forgivable.
Lily continued. "I know that if I would have been in that situation, then James would have done the same. Professor, you have to find out exactly what happened before you jump to conclusions."
I'm pretty sure everyone's jaw hit the floor. Lily Evans, the biggest stickler for rules just defended someone who broke the law.
"And what could have possibly happened that would compel him to use such a foul thing?" Everyone looked at me expectantly, and a wave of tears washed over me. I opened my mouth to talk, but no noise came out. So instead, I just shook my head.
"I'll tell you what happened." Surprisingly, James spoke first.
"Well..?" McGonagall arched a thin eyebrow.
"Pacheco was going to rape her," James got right to the point. "Or he did, I'm not sure. Either way, I as head boy, and as Jade's older brother, feel that he should be expelled from Hogwarts because he has damaged my baby sister, is a menace to the female population and is now a sex offender."
My eyes bulged out of their sockets. The only ever time James has cared about me to a degree such as this was when he thought Sirius had slept with me. A fresh wave of tears hit me as I stared in awe. James cares about my well being.!
McGonagall looked absolutely floored. "I…had no idea," She sputtered out words. "We will have to notify the headmaster. Jade, are you alright?" I shook my head no. Did she really expect me to be alright after that?
"What happened?" McGonagall said, her voice still hushed, like it was some secret.
Lily came to my rescue once again. "I think that Jade is not comfortable answering that just quite yet, so I'll tell you what I know."
McGonagall pressed her lips together and nodded.
"Well, I was patrolling the corridors, and I heard a scream come from a compartment. At first, I dismissed it, because I thought it was just someone playing exploding snap for the first time or something. But then, I heard it again, and then a shushing noise, and then another scream, so I knew something was wrong. I opened the compartment door, ready to scold someone for making too much noise when I saw Derek and Jade. Derek had pinned Jade against the wall and well….he was all over her," Lily went into details, even about his hand up my shirt. I saw out of the corner of my eye Regulus tense up. I was afraid he was going to lunge across the table and strangle Derek….actually that wouldn't be too bad. "Then Regulus came in and he snapped. He used the cruciatus curse…and yeah…"
"I will have to go owl the headmaster, to see what to make of this situation. Everyone go back to your compartments for the duration of the train ride. Except for you, Mr. Pacheco." McGonagall said, waving her hand to dismiss us. We all stepped out of the compartment, my knees weak and shaky. I felt Regulus place a hand on the small of my back to steady me. As soon as the door shut behind us, the three Gryffindors bombarded me with questions.
Are you alright? What happened? I'll bloody kill that tosser!
"I…" I started, but I honestly don't think I could finish. I just really wanted to sleep right now…I looked at my brother. Wow, he looked truly concerned. It was so sweet it was almost sickening. I made eye contact with Sirius. Looking back, none of this would've happened if I hadn't of kissed him in that classroom. Hell, none of this would've happened if I had just been honest. This is where lying gets me.
"Jade…?" Regulus asked, interrupting my thoughts. I had been staring at Sirius this entire time, shit.
Sirius and I were hugging. Why were we hugging?
"What are we doing?" I asked, giggly softly.
"Shh.." He hushed me. I looked at his face. I pushed my lips softly against his. It was a short kiss, since he pulled away.
"Did I do something wrong?" I asked, confusion in my voice.
"I want a hickey." He stated. What? Oh alright…I'm not even sure what I'm doing…sucking on someone's neck is kind of awkward..
"Jade! I know you were drinking last night with Regulus! Underage drinking is a felony! What are you doing? Stop sucking his neck and return your library books before Madame Pince has a fit!." McGonagall was screaming. Where did she come from?
"Jade!" Regulus shook me lightly.
"I wasn't giving him a hickey, I swear!" I mumbled, waking up. Wait, when did I fall asleep? I rubbed my eyes slowly.
"Giving who a hickey?" I heard Regulus laugh. Huh?
"Wassgoingon?" I mumbled, rubbing my eyes.
"You fell asleep. We're at King's Cross now."
"W-what are they going to do to you? Are you going to be expelled f-for using the cruciatus curse?" I tumbled over my words, panicking on the inside (and outside as well). I honestly wouldn't know what to do with myself if Regulus got expelled.
"I'll probably find out during break, but I don't think I'll get expelled. Under the circumstances, I think it was necessary. Also, don't forget that I have the Dark Lord and all of his followers backing me up. So if I do get sent to the ministry for a hearing, chances are I'll get out scotch free," Regulus said nonchalantly, as if it was no big deal. I felt my jaw drop a few centimeters.
"Oh my God, Reg, I'm such a selfish bitch. I've been so wrapped up with myself, I completely forgot that your life is being taken away in a matter of days!" I wailed, burying myself in his chest.
"Jade. Jade!" He pushed me off of him lightly. I looked at him, his eyes seemed to be off in a distant place. "Listen, I'll be fine. It's inevitable."
"No, it's not alright…I'm such a foul person, how could I forget?" I kept muttering to myself. I think Regulus has forgotten about our agreement we made a while back. The one where I become a Death Eater as well? I think he's been purposely not bringing it up. He thinks it's too dangerous for me. He's been blowing off our occlumency lessons, and whenever I bring the topic up he quickly changes the subject. We walked towards the exit of the train, pulling our luggage along behind us. I noticed Derek's friends near the exit. Friends meaning Rosier, Avery, Flint, Crabbe and Goyle. Brainless thugs. They were pointing…they were coming over here…damn. I nudged Reg in his side and jerked my head over toward the fatheaded five-some.
"I'll drown them all in gasoline if they even talk to you," Regulus glared at them, slinging his arm protectively around my shoulders. A small smile found its way onto my face.
"You better button up that sweater. Your mum will have a fit if she sees you wearing that shirt,"
"I think she would appreciate the comical genius of this shirt," He buttoned up his sweater carefully anyway, to conceal the dirty message the shirt exclaimed.
"Hey, Potter! I heard you're prude!" Fantastic, the idiots caught up to us. Regulus whipped around and punched Crabbe in the jaw. Hard. An audible crack could be heard.
"I dare you to say that again," Reg growled and pulled me closer to him. "Let's go before their stupidity rubs off on us." The five stooges just stared at us like the slack jawed morons they were. We quickly made our way off of that blasted train. It had been such a long day. I scanned the crowd quickly, looking for my parents.
"Oh bloody hell," I muttered.
"What is it?" Regulus looked around, ready to pounce on whoever had made me upset.
"McGonagall is talking to my parents. Fantastic. I'll be smothered with the parental love I've been deprived of since first year." My mind raced with potential uncomfortable conversations with my parents.
"Uh, Jade?" Regulus waved a hand in front of my face. Oops.
"Sorry, I was zoning out…so this is where I guess we say goodbye?" I looked up at my best friend.
"I'll walk you to your parents," Regulus offered, walking towards them.
"There you are, Jade." McGonagall gave me a small smile. I noticed she avoided eye contact with Reg. I ignored her. I had to say goodbye to Regulus.
"Well, goodbye my love!" I hugged him, throwing myself into his chest dramatically.
"Be good, Bitty. Don't hurt yourself." He said in a motherly tone. It wouldn't surprise me if he would of said don't talk to strangers and look both ways before crossing the street. I pulled away from him and looked up.
"Don't hurt myself? That's like telling Snape to wash his hair-" James and Sirius sniggered in the background. I swear, I think McGonagall even laughed. "I'll write you?"
Reg bit his lower lip and looked down at his feet. "Not a good idea. I suppose you could, just don't send any mail after the thirty first."
"Alrighty...goodbye Reggie Aquarius. Don't die over the break, I love you." I hugged him one last time.
"I love you too," he whispered, kissing the top of my head. We parted ways, off to our homes for Christmas.
-x-
Author's Note!
Hey, guess who updated! ME! Exciting news, I know! So this chapter…was kind of pointless. But I had to get rid of Derek somehow, so why not do it without a (depressing) bang? Negh, he'll probably be back. Ew, I know. So originally this chapter was going to be awesome, but then I thought of this so I figured "why not make them wait even longer?" so yeah, hehe, don't kill me. Oh, and I would like to make a shout out to Lizzie Lah Lah (yes this is really weird, just go with it) because of her subscribing to my story alert, I got that little motivational email that made me finally finish this chapter, so yay! I love all the fantastic reviews I get, they make me feel loved . So I was thinking, when am I going to end this story? When I first started writing it I thought it was only going to be a 20 chapter story, but obviously that isn't going to happen….I'm thinking maybe like 25-30 chapters? Possibly more? I don't know...ohhh and sometimes, I just want to make this Regulus/Jade story, because the more I write this story, the more I fall in love with Reggiekinz . But alas, this is a Jade/Sirius story, and I love Sirius a lot too, and I couldn't bring myself to rip Jade away from him...hahah okay I'm done sharing my pointless thoughts.
xoxo
Author's Note 2.0
I cleaned up the whole scene with Derek, it's infinitely better now.