Thoughts of Rose's potential secret filled Poppet's head over the next week. Quidditch practice was just as bad as ever before on Wednesday night and it put the team in a sour mood for the whole day on Thursday. James still hadn't apologised and Rose still wasn't turning up to meals on time. This was becoming normal.
Defence Against The Dark Arts on Thursday afternoon was dragging on. Poppet still hadn't mastered non-verbal spells and their Professor was getting very irate. Roxanne and Poppet sat at the back of the classroom behind some desks, gossiping when the subject turned to James.
"Did you see him this morning? Moping about at breakfast again... He was giving us those puppy-dog eyes – like we'd actually feel sorry for him!"
"Which you don't," Poppet stated. It wasn't a question, it was a fact. For some reason, Roxanne had a vendetta against James.
"He's like a naughty child," Roxanne explained, "if you don't punish him, he won't learn."
Poppet discreetly rolled her eyes. "I think we should talk to him."
"I don't think-" Roxanne started but Poppet cut her off.
"I want to speak to him, Rox. What he didn't wasn't so bad. Granted, he's got a big head. However, it's not fair to render him friendless just because he jinxed someone who, to be fair, was rude to him!" Poppet said, indignantly, "We all make mistakes."
Roxanne's expression hardened, "Can I just talk before you get any further up James' ass?"
Poppet snapped at this. She wasn't up James' ass. She was merely commenting that it had been a week and a half and that maybe, just maybe, Roxanne was being ridiculous. This was the final straw. "What do you have against him? I seriously want to know!"
"Nothing, I just think he needs to learn –" Roxanne started.
"You're not his parents, Rox! You don't need to teach him a lesson! I'm going to talk to him after this class and if you don't want to come with me - then fine. I think you're being ridiculous!" Poppet was exasperated. There was more to this story.
"Fine," Roxanne got up and walked away, without looking back at Poppet.
Poppet knew there was something up with Roxanne – something that she wasn't telling her. Yes, James had done a silly thing but at the end of the day he was a sixteen-year-old boy and they were known to get angsty, hormonal and a little too jinx-happy at times. Why couldn't Roxanne see this? Why did she act like what James had done was the epitome of evil? Poppet decided to discuss the matter with Florence in private later that evening, probably while Roxanne was showering. Florence had spent a lot of time with Roxanne over the summers that they had been friends in Roxanne's family environment and wondered if that would give any clue to Roxanne's behaviour.
The bell rang and interrupted Poppet's thoughts. She picked up her stuff, thanked her Professor for an enriching lesson and dashed out of the classroom in pursuit of James. She saw him slowly walking in the direction of the common room. Dodging many Slytherin students who appeared to be clogging up the corridor, Poppet made a bee-line for James.
"James!" He turned around, saw her, looked behind him to check she wasn't talking to someone else and then stopped dead in the corridor, "you got a free period now?"
"Uh – yeah," James replied, still uneasy about the situation he was in.
"Great," Poppet smiled, "walk with me to the common room? We need to talk."
James swallowed hard and nodded slowly. "But, I do have a thing – at half past. I'm meeting a friend in the library."
Half past was break time. It wouldn't take that long. Poppet was sure that after this conversation James wouldn't have to meet that 'friend' in the library.
"I just wanted to say," they began walking again, "that I'm sorry for ignoring you these past couple of days. It was unfair to be so harsh to you, especially when you reacted in the same way anyone else would. It's just that Roxanne – "
James interrupted, "Roxanne never wants to make up with me. It's fine. I kind of guessed that was what was happening. Thank you for apologising."
"That's – uh – okay," Poppet hesitated. Do people usually hug in this situation?
James smiled faintly. "I'm guessing you were talking about me when you and Roxy had that little spat in Defence just then?"
"Uh – you head that?" Poppet was mildly embarrassed. At least she'd avoided the hug, though.
"I got the gist from her storming away," James' smile grew to a smirk, "I knew you wouldn't be able to stay away, Hastings."
Laughing, Poppet relaxed. The pair reached the common room, gave the password and stepped into the quiet common room.
"I just felt bad; you looked so lonely these past few days," Poppet said, "And it was having a major effect on Quidditch."
"It wasn't so bad. I had Rosie, after all. She's been sitting with me in the library and stuff. We even spent time together in Hogsmeade this weekend, when she realised I was lonely. It was sort of sweet," James said.
"Wait – did you go to Madame Puddifoot's?" Poppet questioned, eager to find out if their mystery was about to be sold.
"Yeah. It was kinda weird seeing as she is my cousin but Madame Puddifoot does a cracking cheese and ham toastie," James laughed.
This all made sense now! Rose was absent during free time, as was James, because they were spending time together! She had been with James in Madame Puddifoot's, not with a mysterious lover! This still didn't explain the dungeon, but it did explain why Rose was keeping it quiet – she didn't want everyone to know she was talking to James in case they became mad at her too by association. This was completely innocent. Admittedly, Poppet was disappointed. She'd have quite liked Rose to be having a sordid affair with a fifth year prefect or something, but at least this made things less complicated now.
Poppet explained all of this to James. He was almost hysterical by the end of it.
"Rose? A boyfriend? The only lover she's ever had has nine hundred pages and a hard-back cover!"
"It was just a thought," Poppet laughed with him. It was nice to be on good terms with everyone again. It felt like a giant weight had been lifted from her shoulders. They carried on laughing like this until the bell rang for break. James stood up – Poppet looked at him with a quizzical glance, "you don't need to meet with Rose now! You can hang out with us!"
James gave her a look, "I can't just ditch her in the library. Plus, it's only you I've made up with. I'll tell her things are on the mend but I need to be approached by everyone before I'll consider gracing your presence again."
Poppet rolled her eyes and gestured for him to leave. He climbed out of the portrait hole and she sank back into the cosy chair she was perched on. She had double Herbology next with Roxanne and she intended to use that lesson to patch things up with her. Inter-family friendships were complicated, Poppet decided. The common room soon became loud and noisy and she felt a rush of air as Florence glided down and placed herself on the edge of the chair that Poppet was sat on.
"I hear you and James are friends again," Florence said.
"Yeah, I thought it was for the best," Poppet replied. News travelled fast.
"I agree. Roxanne is not happy with you though. I just had an earful in Transfiguration," Florence said, "She's driving me round the bend. Why can't we all just make up? Anyway, I saw James on the way here and told him I was sorry. It was hurried because he was on the way to go somewhere but I said we'd talk more at lunch."
Poppet sighed, "What's Roxanne's problem with James?"
Florence shrugged, "I have an idea but I'm no psychologist." Before Poppet could ask the Muggleborn Florence what a psychologist was, Florence offered an explanation, "A psychologist studies the behaviour of muggles. Like, why they do things and behave in certain ways. My parents are friends with a family whose daughter is doing Psychology in her muggle school. Anyway, that's beside the point."
"What's your idea?" Poppet asked, simply. Muggles were strange creatures and every day she learnt something new about them which made her even more confused about them.
"Not now. I'll tell you later," Florence gestured to a gaggle of Weasley-Potters in the corner of the room. Albus, Hugo and Lily were sat playing Gobstones on a table just behind the two girls.
Poppet nodded in understanding and instead the girls discussed Quidditch, hoping there'd be an improvement in practices and team morale now James was talking to them again. Florence also gushed that she thought Blane was rather handsome – and Poppet did have to agree with her on that one!
Herbology wasn't disastrous. Roxanne was monosyballic but at least she was talking to Poppet. James kept glancing across the greenhouse at Poppet and giving her a discreet wink or smirk anytime Professor Longbottom said something which could be interpreted as dirty (Poppet had great difficulty in holding in her laughter – especially when Professor Longbottom described pulling mandrakes out of pots as 'taking a firm hold on the shaft and just pulling' and did hand gestures to accompany it.)
By lunch time, James had seem to have weaselled his way back into the group much to the disgust of Roxanne who sat chewing on carrot sticks silently, whilst giving James the foulest look she could summon. James appeared to either not notice or not mind for he was as upbeat and jovial as ever, recounting the story of the mandrake demonstration with much gusto. After lunch, James and Poppet walked to the library together. They both had a scheduled study period, as Professor McGonagall had decided that too much free-time can be distracting for NEWT students.
"You're quiet," James noticed.
"Well, we are in the library. The general idea is that you are quiet in here," Poppet smirked.
"Ha ha, very funny," James said, dryly, "But really, is something bothering you?"
Poppet paused, "Will Roxanne ever forgive you?"
It was now James' turn to pause, "Yeah, she will. Honestly, she was like this last year. We fell out – I can't even remember what about anymore – and Florence and Jocelyn forgave me within a week. Roxanne took a fortnight and a bit of grovelling from me. She's stubborn as a mule when she thinks she's right."
Poppet could see this, "I like her though."
"Oh yeah, she's charming and funny when she's not being a bitch to you," James said, "But Merlin forbid you get on the wrong side of her! You see Jeanette, over there?" Poppet looked around and saw Jeanette hunched over a desk scribbling quickly on parchment. She turned back to James and nodded, eager to see where this story was going. "Her and me, we used to go out. When Roxanne found out, she was livid. I don't know why. She didn't take it out on me, but she just stopped talking to Jeanette. It was weird, because her and Jeanette were really good friends in the fourth year. She just stopped talking to her. Roxanne is difficult to read. I really don't get her sometimes."
Poppet was utterly confused. The normal reaction to this would be 'well, maybe she was jealous' but considering her and James were cousins, that was probably unlikely. Poppet shrugged, assuring James that wasn't normal girl behaviour, and the two continued to work on their individual essays for a while in silence. The bell for sixth period rang and Poppet was filled with joy that the school day was almost over. In an hour she would be free – ish. I mean, she still lived here.
"Sorry to disturb you, James," said a low voice from behind Poppet, "but I need to ask you a question."
James' head sprung up as Poppet's turned around. Jeanette was stood behind Poppet, her cobalt eyes even more striking close up. Poppet suddenly realised why everyone was so perplexed by Jeanette's beauty. It seemed so obvious now. She must be part veela. She seemed to be turning on the veela charm for James now. She smiled widely revealing her straight, white teeth. She appeared to almost glow. Even Poppet was mildly taken in by her allure.
"Hey Jeanette," said James, seemingly unfazed by her presence.
"For our Muggle Studies essay, do we need to talk about muggle cinemas or are we only discussing home televisions - I'm slightly confused," Her voice had an almost sultry tone to it.
"Just home telefissons," James smiled, "from what I gathered. Professor Lane wasn't very clear, was she?"
"Oh – I'm sorry! I didn't even notice you there!" Jeanette said, suddenly turning on Poppet. Poppet found it quite imposing having Jeanette leering above her. It made her feel small, weak and powerless. She didn't like it, "I'm Jeanette!"
"Hi," Poppet said, quietly, "I'm Poppet."
"What an unusual name! I think I've seen you around! You're friends with Roxanne, right?" Jeanette questioned and Poppet believed she had worked out Jeanette's true motive for coming over here. Gossip.
"Yes, I am," Poppet replied.
"Well, good luck with that!" Jeanette smiled, gave James a little wink and then sauntered away.
James beamed at Poppet, "Lovely, isn't she?"
AN: Sooooooooooooooo... Poppet! Did she do the right thing? Roxanne! How do you feel about her now? Jeanette! Good first impression? I'm going to have some fun with the next couple of chapters. Now Rose's mystery has been solved, who do you think has the secret? Or do you still think it's Rose? So many questions, let me know in the reviews? Thanks for reading this. I'm having so much fun writing it at the moment and I just really love the characters I'm creating (and embellishing on from what JKR gave us!) and this is not a serious fic hence why I love it! Sorry for rambling, I just get excited! Also, I just wanted to add who I imagine the characters to look like, mainly the girls. Poppet is a shorter Karlie Kloss. Florence looks like Gigi Hadid, very tall and pretty but she wears glasses. I imagine Jocelyn to look a bit like Kimiko Glenn. Roxanne looks like Rihanna with reddy-ginger hair ( . ), notice her Weasley hair and Angelina Johnson's darker skin, and James I imagine to look like Logan Lerman.