It was our first night back at Hogwarts. We all sat in a group as we waited for the new students to get sorted. I kept twirling a spoon while talking to Michelle and Harry.
"You sure it's going to be okay when Dumbledore asks you to speak?" Harry asked. I nodded, ruffling his hair.
"It'll all be okay. Even if something weird happens again, we will be fine. I'll make sure of it. Just don't get into trouble again this year. Last year with Sirius was pretty bad and Professor McGonagall still is upset about what happened."
I was careful not to tell him I knew what that symbol meant before I passed out. It would only worry him more.
"She's always been one who never liked fun," Fred chuckled.
"Maybe after having to deal with you two," I poked. The twins smiled.
"Oh, looks like they're all done," Michelle said, pointing to Dumbledore. He was standing at the podium, about to speak.
"Well now that we're all settled in and sorted, I'd like to make an announcement. This castle will not only be your home this year but home to some very special guests as well. You see, Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event: The Triwizard Tournament. The Tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. From each school a single student is selected to compete. Now let me be clear. If chosen, you stand alone. And trust me when I say, these contest are not for the faint-hearted. But more of that later."
As soon as he finished, the whole area was a buzz of chatter. Then the two schools made their entrance and joined dinner with us. Dumbledore warned us about the age limit of seventeen, and that the goblet will be enchanted so someone of a younger age can't put their name into it.
"Michelle, Jessica… Are you two thinking about entering?" Ron asked.
"Are you kidding?! No way I'm doing that!" Michelle shouted. I laughed.
"I don't think I want to either. I wouldn't be best to represent the school this year," I admitted. The voices got quiet when Snape walked in and looked at me. The whole school knew I had a history with Snape; but only I knew the secret why. Everyone thinks its cause of the prank I pulled in my first year on him. That was just the beginning.
He took the stand, clearing his throat.
"As for many of you, you know a particular student by the name of Jessica Topert. Jessica, stand," he demanded. I sighed and stood.
"Yes sir?" I asked, knowing where it was going.
"You have something you need to tell the school? I can understand why the headmaster has chosen this year to bring this up," he said, leaving the podium to take a seat. I walked down the aisle, a few whispers every now and then. Once I reached the podium I took a deep breath. Our small group, that was like family to Harry and I, were all smiles; as if to help me calm myself and push me on.
"Like Professor Snape said, you all pretty much know me. Except for you new students; which I'm glad you all could join us this year. It is my last year here, and you'll be able to tell your parents, siblings, and even children of this day. The day I tell you the truth of what really happened to Harry's older sister," I said with a smirk. There was a small buzz and whispers. Draco Malfoy looked as surprised as ever. I smiled and took of my gloves.
"Now; legend has it that she, just like her parents, didn't make it. That Harry is the sole survivor of that attack. I know the truth, and the truth is that legend is a lie. She survived; but hid. She faked being dead and then hid. How do I know this? Look at me and then at Harry. Hasn't anyone noticed a likeness over the years? Hasn't anyone wondered why I've always shown up to protect him at random times? The reasoning behind that is because… When you switch Topert around, what do you get? Potter right?"
More gasps and buzz. I put my hands up, showing the scars on my palms.
"This year, my last and final year at Hogwarts school of Magic, I am coming out with the truth. As asked by Head Master Dumbledore himself, I am giving this speech to let you all know that I am not dead. I am well alive, and standing right here. I am Jessica Lilly Potter."
"If you are, then why were you two separated?!" someone shouted. I sighed, looking over at Draco. He was standing, anger all over his face. What was with this kid?
"What part of faking death don't you understand? It was best that this secret was kept silent until we were positive that you know who was dead. Which he is. I couldn't just randomly jump up here and tell you all without Dumbledore's permission, since it was his idea to keep it a secret."
He looked like he wanted to complain more; but just sat back down.
"Thank you Jessica for willing to do this. If anything happens to you or Harry, it'll be on me," Dumbledore whispered to me.
"No sir, thank you. I'm glad I got a chance to spill it out," I smiled, walking back to the table. When I sat back down; I laid my head down on the table and covered my face with my arms.
"Jess? Are you okay love?" Fred asked.
"I feel like all eyes are on me now," I muttered.
"They kind of are… After something like that," Hermione noted. I groaned.
I felt someone rub my back. I sat straight up and looked around. People were still talking and looking at me. I sighed. A few other friends joined in the conversation and I went back to twirling my spoon. I let go and it leaned to the right, and then fell to the left. A cold shiver flew over my skin and I sat there staring at it.
"Jess…? Are you okay?" Michelle asked, tapping my arm. I looked at her and nodded.
"I'm fine. I, uh… Never mind. I'm heading to bed," I said, standing.
"But you haven't touched anything on your plate," she said.
"Not all that hungry. I'll see you guys at breakfast," I told her, waving to the others as I walked out the door. I started up the stairs and Snape stopped me at the top of them.
"Going to bed early, Ms. Potter?" he asked. His tone always did annoy me. I crossed my arms and looked at him.
"Something you wanted to tell me before dinner, Professor?" I asked back.
"You're lucky we are alone. I don't tolerate that kind of behavior. How do you feel?" he asked. I knew why he would always let me off the hook for yelling back at him if he yelled at me.
"Honestly, kind of scared. My spoon went left after leaning right," I told him.
"Always been superstitious."
"Never hurts. Just promise me Harry will be fine if something weird happens."
"I promise that both of you will be. He knows nothing a presume?"
"Not one bit. I may have been young; but I still remember. He hardly can."
"I see. Lets' keep it that way for now. Good night," he said, walking down past me. I nodded, going back to the girls' dorm. I laid on the bed, staring out the window.
"Something is going to happen again this year. I just know it. But what is it?" I asked out loud. I closed my eyes, falling asleep before I even knew it.
The next day we had some classes, and during our break time Cedric came up to me.
"I'm entering."
"You're what?"
"I'm the tournament. I'm going to enter."
"What?! Why?!" I shouted. He put his hand over my mouth.
"I want to try it. If I get in, then I'll represent the school. I'll be fine. I see you think I'm crazy."
I nodded, mumbling behind his hand. I pushed his hand away.
"What if you get hurt?" I asked. He shrugged.
"It might be worth it. Come on, enter with me."
"I don't think that'd be such a good idea… I'm getting enough attention as it is cause of yesterday."
"Who cares. Do it or I'll do it for you."
"Cedric Diggory, if you do; I will hunt you down and murder you with my own hands," I threatened. He smirked, pulling me along.
"Come on, chances are you won't get picked. Just do it so you can say you did," he pushed. I sighed.
"Fine. If I get picked I'm killing you though."
"Fair is fair."
We both put our names in, and turned around to see the twins try and get thrown across the room, looking like old men. I couldn't help but laugh. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt as I walked over to them.
"You two! You're old," I laughed, helping them up.
"And we thought Dumbledore didn't have a sense of humor!" they exclaimed. I tried to stop laughing.
"It should wear off in a couple of hours," I told them. I'd seen this before, an old trick I pulled on Snape. One of them at that.
"I thought you weren't going to enter," Fred said. I shrugged.
"Pretty boy over there forced me. Told him I'd kill him if I got picked though."
"I just hope you don't. You sleep well?"
"Yeah, you?"
"Like usual. See you after classes?"
"Always."
He smiled and nodded, leaving up the stairs as I stayed on the main floor for my next class. The names would be chosen in a week, and I hoped I wasn't one.