Pirate Blood

Chapter 18

Rumors (No relation to the Lindsay Lohan song.)

On Monday, many people had given their condolences to Jesse and Chris. Chris hated it. She tried to just say thanks. Jesse didn't talk to much. He would go straight up to his dorm after class and play his guitar. Chris would mainly do anything to keep her busy. She would play guitar or do homework. It was three weeks later on a Thursday she was in the common room doing her homework. Hermione was ranting.

"Why won't he talk. I mean, I know he's grieving, but how long can he stay like that. He won't even talk to me. I'm getting worried. He is doing this so that I'll worry and then he thinks I'll give in. I am stronger than that. But really, how long can he stay playing his guitar? I mean, his hands will eventually be so callused that he won't be able to play..."Hermione continued her ranting as Dean came up and sat down next to Chris.

"Hey Dean." Chris said.

"Hey Chris, I know that it's been pretty rough these past few weeks. But being the sweet, thoughtful, good looking–" Dean started.

"I don't know if I agree with that last one." Chris laughed.

"You know that you're in love with me." Chris rolled her eyes as Dean continued, "I thought that winning money from other kids will cheer you up."

"What are you betting on now? Don't worry, she's in her own world, she can't hear us."

"When will Jesse and Hermione get together? The best part is, that other houses are betting. Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs, and even a Slytherin or two. So most people are going for Christmas. A few are going for next week. What do you think?"

"I think that it will be the night of thenext round of Battle of the Bands. That's after we come back from break. Some time in mid January."

"And how much money would you like to place on that bet, Miss Turner?" Dean said in a corny game show host voice.

"Well Mr. Thomas, I think that I will bet twelve galleons on that." she said, also in a corny game show host voice.

"Are you serious Chris? That's a lot of money." Dean was suddenly serious.

"Well it's not like I am going to lose any of it. I've known Jesse my entire life. He will make his move after he sings a song he wrote for Hermione. She will realize that she is miserable without him. Then they will have their tongues half way down each other's throats by the end of the night."

"I think that I am going to bet on that now, too. By the way you rocked on round one. So I'll write you down for 'Battle of the Bands' twelve galleons, Chris Turner." He was writing on a piece of folded parchment that had about twenty other people's names. "Thanks Chris. I gotta go steal some other people's money now."

"You go steal that money Dean. Good Luck." Chris said, with loads of sarcasm.

"Thank you for your support, Chris." Dean said, returning the sarcasm.

Later on in the girls dorm Hermione was still ranting to no one. "He isn't going to get to me. He just won't."

"HERMIONE! Jesse is upset. I am too. Jesse has his own way of dealing with things. You should have seen him after the last time he screwed up with you. He didn't eat or sleep. He just played his guitar wrote lyrics and stared at your picture. Be happy that he is eating and sleeping. He isn't doing this to get to you. He is doing this, hoping that it will make everything go away. That's why he plays guitar."

"What do you mean? He plays guitar thinking it will erase everything?"

"Music is both of our places to escape from reality. When he escapes into his reality, your with him, dad is alive, Isabel is there. It's his idea of perfect. That's why he plays guitar. To be there; with you. You don't even realize how much he loves you. Do you know that there are girls in this school who would give their right leg just to have Jesse talk to them. But he is so in love with you, that he doesn't want any other girl. You're the only person that he has had a real conversation with Jess since dad was killed. He doesn't say more than a few sentences to me through out the day." Chris said.

"Oh. I didn't realize he was that bad." Hermione said.

"Yeah, well, he is."

In Potions the next day...

They were making the sleeping potion. "So, how are you?" Draco asked Chris.

"I'd be better if everyone stopped asking me that." Chris said, frustated.

"Well it would help if you just admitted you had feelings. You can't always have this tough girl act on."

"Well, at least I just stick to one act. You can't seem to make up your mind. You're the bully. You're the sensitive guy. You're the flirt. You're the jackass. Make up your damn mind, Malfoy."

"You don't know what it's like being Slytherin." Draco said.

"I'm sorry. I should have known that you would have a lame ass excuse. Aw, you're a Slytherin, boo-freaking-hoo, poor Draco." the bell rang "I'll see you around."

In that hall after potions Harry went up to Chris. "What was up with you and Malfoy? You usually get along strangely well."

"He is a jackass. You knew that already." Chris answered.

"No, it's something else."

"Don't pry into other people's business Harry. It's rude."

"I'm just trying to protect you."

"I can take care of myself. When Voldemort comes, that's when you can protect me. Until then, I am perfectly capable of protecting myself."

"Why aren't you afraid to say his name?" Harry asked.

"I learned a while back, that it's stupid to fear some dude's name."

After Herbology, Chris was walking back up to the castle. She walked past the Hospital Wing. She saw Hermione, Ron, and Harry in there. She saw that Draco was there too. "What's going on?" Chris asked.

"Malfoy just decided to try and kick the crap out of me." Harry said.

"Looks like he did a good job." Chris said, seeing the bruises and cut that Harry had.

"Thank you." Draco said.

"So Malfoy, any specific reason you kicked the crap out of Harry?"

"I was bored." Chris could see the look in his eyes said something else. Potter had done something. Something bad. Draco had cuts and bruises too, but not as bad as Harry. She wanted so badly to go over and make sure that he is okay. She knew that she couldn't. Potter did something to piss off Draco. But what?

The next day was a Saturday. Jesse was talking to some of the guys outside. They all had put warming charms on themselves so they didn't have to wear jackets.

"No, she wouldn't do that." Jesse said.

"Well, that's what he is saying." Dean said.

"He says that they're 'friends with benefits'." Seamus said.

"But she isn't like that. She doesn't really like him as a friend. I mean, she says how much he gets on her nerves. He always tries to get in her business." Jesse said.

"Well maybe it's an act." Seamus suggested.

"No, she doesn't keep secrets unless she has to. This isn't big enough for her not to even tell me. She wouldn't do something like this." Jesse said.

"Jesse, do you honestly think she would tell you about her sex life?"

"She has before. A bit more than I'd like,actually."

"Well, maybe he is just afraid to admit he's a virgin. Now that I've gotten to know the girl, I don't think she is that easy. She wouldn't let any guy into her pants. Not even him." Dean said.

"What exactly did he say?" Jesse asked.

"These were his exact words, 'She is awesome in bed. She is very generous, if you know what I mean. She screams my name so loudly, I had to put a silencing charm around the room.' It does sound kind of fake to me." Seamus said.

Class ended just then. Jesse ran to catch up with Harry. "Harry!" Jesse yelled.

"Hey Jesse. What's up?" Harry said casually.

Jesse punched him in the face, then the stomach. A crowd gathered around them. Harry began to fight back. He hit Jesse in the face. Before he could throw another punch, Chris got in between them. "What the fuck are you two doing?" she yelled.

"He is spreading rumors that you two are friends with benefits. He says that you're fucking him in empty classrooms." Jesse said.

Chris turned to Harry, "You said that? You bastard!" Chris punched him in the face, then the stomach. He was now on the ground. She kicked him in the groin. "I wouldn't fuck a worthless piece of shit like you if the fate of the world depended on it." She kicked him in the stomach, "Asshole." Chris stormed off with a smirk on her face. She saw Draco smiling at her.

(A/N: I thought it was to short at first, but it has a lot in it. I liked the last scene. What about you? You could tell me in a REVIEW. Do you guys know that REVIEWS can motivate me to write more. REVIEWS can possibly improve my writing. It is always nice to get a REVIEW. It shows someone cares. So anyways, please REVIEW! l8r dudes, Nikki)