Jean's Tale
By Rurple101
Chapter Two
The next few weeks passed quickly.
Before long, Severus had been introduced to Lily, Lily warming as ever had flashed him a grin before giving him a firm and subtle hug. Severus pulled out of the hug, blushing pink.
Lily didn't notice.
It was fairly obvious to Jean, that Severus had a crush of sorts on Lily. He would tend to get flustered or stammer hesitantly and seemed extra careful of his wording when he was around her. He complimented her but seemed to all but ignore Jean when Lily was around...which was often.
Lily thought she had a pack of friends which was made of her, Jean and Severus. She seemed to favour Jean rather than Severus when it came to gossip and talking intelligently. She just laughed and giggled at/with Severus.
Jean felt slightly irritated that Severus hardly looked at her anymore. He had been so kind and gentle when they'd first met and she seemed to be absorbed by his company.
She felt the feeling that she was jealous but seemed to shake herself out of it one day, when they were sitting in the play park and three owls came out of nowhere and landed before them.
It was dusk and they had been getting ready to part ways but it was Jean who spotted the owls first.
"Look!" she said, pointing upwards. The other two followed her finger and gasped as they owls swooped closer.
"Wow" gasped Lily. "They are so pretty!"
Severus grasped an opportunity to flatter Lily again. "You are pretty as well Lily."
Lily hadn't heard him but Jean just rolled her eyes. It annoyed her that Lily seemed to ignore the attention she was getting from him. Her eyes were glued to the owls.
They landed gracefully in front of them and each had letters tied to their legs.
Jean approached the owl which was snowy white and carried the letter which read 'Jean Brown, The Play Park, Water Square, Mill Town, Cokeworth'.
Her hands trembled as she un did the letter from the owl (which did not take off as she opened the letter, but gazed at her).
The letter inside read the following:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc, Chf. Warlock, Supreme Muggwrump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Miss Brown
We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1st September.
Because you are a special student and your carer Mistress Mabel Elizabeth Brown is a dear friend of mine, she had ordered you this owl who you may name yourself.
Send your owl with you reply and we await it by no later than the 31st July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Jean looked up sharply to the owl who was still gazing, almost intrigued at her. The other two's owls had vanished.
Jean beamed at it. "What should I call you?" she asked it. The owl continued looking at her.
Lily gazed at the owl longingly. "Wow, is it a boy or a girl?"
Jean looked at the owl carefully. She then found two leafs and put them on her crossed legs, either side of her.
"If you're a boy, put your leg on this leaf" she said to the owl, motioning to the left leaf. "If not and you're a girl, step on this one" she said, motioning to the right one.
The owl considered her for a moment and stepped forward onto the right hand side one.
"You're a girl!" Jean exclaimed. The owl hooted happily.
Jean grinned madly. "Hmm, I think I will call you Matilda."
The owl seemed pleased with this name and nibbled affectionately on Jean's fingers.
"Why Matilda?" said Severus, fiddling at his letter.
Lily giggled. "She means from the Roald Dahl book! Matilda Wormwood is a young child who's family doesn't care about her at all. But she is strong and ignores them. She like, three when she starts reading Dickens and she was exceptionally bright. It's a really good read! One of my favourites!" she gabbled.
"No" Severus pestered, looking at Jean. "What does the name mean?"
Jean nodded. "It means 'strength in battle.' So if you read the book, it suits her character."
Jean turned to her bird. "You're a strong pretty owl, Matilda; do you like your name?"
The owl hooted again, this time trying to sit on her hand. Jean held her arm out and Matilda stepped up and started walking up her arm and on to her shoulder.
Jean giggled.
"Apparently the woman, who wrote to me, is a friend of Mistress Mabel. It said she ordered the owl for me." Jean explained.
Lily's face turned sour. "You're lucky!" she snapped. "You're not muggle-born!"
"Actually" Jean said, her voice turning to match Lily's. "My REAL parents were muggle born. So stop it. I guess your letter said you would get someone visiting you. You can use the school owls anyway…or get a toad or a cat!"
Lily's face brightened. "Sorry Jean, I'm just a bit jealous."
"That's ok. It says we have to write a reply. What do we say? 'Whoop whoop whoopty do?'"
Severus burst out laughing. "No" he rasped, clutching his belly. "We just say thanks and that we'd like to go."
"I'm so excited!" Jean said happily.
They bid goodnight and Jean walked home, hoping that nobody would see her with an owl that was now balanced on her head.
Hehe, I liked writing this chapter, was it ok for you guys?
Rurple101 xx
