.

Chapter 3

Impending Danger

After the last first year was sorted into one of the four Houses, Professor McGonagall rolled up the parchment and carried the Sorting Hat away. Jessica was glad too. All throughout the sorting, her stomach was protesting, and she was sure that the entire Hufflepuff table could hear it. Dumbledore stood from his seat at the High Table.

"Let the feast begin," Right after he said those words, food magically filled the five tables.

Dorcas and Jessica began to eagerly fill their plates with food. "Hey, Merton, did you gain more weight this summer?" Evan Rosier sneered at her from the Slytherin table.

"Sod off, Rosier," Dorcas hissed. "She looks a hell of a lot better than you do." She put a comforting arm around Jessica's shoulders. "Don't let that prat get to you."

Jessica sprinkled salt onto her food. "He doesn't bother me." Yet, she was lying. As much as she tried not to let the things that the Slytherins said affect her, they did. She didn't have a strong backbone like her other friends, who could take an insult and dish it back just as easily. She quietly began to eat. Despite Evan insulting her, it did not deter her appetite. As she shoveled rice and gravy into her mouth, she had her book open and was reading it, making sure not to spill any food on the pages.

"How can you eat and read at the same time?" Dorcas grabbed a hot roll from one of the platters.

"Hm?" Jessica looked up from her book. "Oh...I don't know."

Dorcas shook her head. "I think you need another hobby. Why not try out for the Quidditch Team?"

Jessica snorted. "Oh sure, and then I'll graduate Hogwarts and go on to become Minister of Magic." Everyone knew that Jessica was rubbish at flying. Not to mention she had a big fear of heights, and even became nauseous when she was in the Astronomy Tower.

The feast began to slowly wind down, and Dumbledore stood up once again. "Now that we are all blissfully bursting at the seams, I have a few start of term announcements that I would like to address."

A fifth year leaned across Remus to whisper to James. "Hey, Potter, when's the first practice of the season?"

"There will be a practice session on Friday afternoon around two," James replied as Dumbledore warned the students not to go into the Forbidden Forest, mostly for the first years' benefit, as well as made a few other announcements, which they had all heard before. However, the next words he spoke caused a somber atmosphere to fall among the Houses.

"I'm sure that many of you have heard many rumors floating around about a certain Dark Wizard who is slowly rising to power and gaining many followers. These rumors are very true. You see, I once taught this man, who came to this school when he was eleven as bright-eyed and curious as all you first years are now. Over the years, I noticed that he had grown particularly gifted. But he wasn't satisfied, he wanted more than that. He soon began to gain followers, which he christened his Death Eaters. They all had an idea that only the purest of wizard blood was worthy and sought to purge the wizarding world of those who were not. I'm talking, of course, about Voldemort."

The reactions were different. Some students gasped, others cringed upon hearing his name spoken, then there were some who merely stared at Dumbledore with solemn expressions. "Now, while Hogwarts is known as the safest place for any young witch or wizard, I urge you all to remain cautious, for there is a possibility that Voldemort could have many followers within these very walls. But you must not despair. For allies often come in even greater numbers, so keep your friends very close."

"I think I have a pretty good idea as to who some of these followers might be," Sirius muttered.

Dumbledore's words made Remus think of Jessica. He silently made a vow to always watch over her. Glancing over at the Hufflepuff table, he caught a glimpse of her. Her eyes were wide with fear. An overwhelming urge to do everything he could to protect her washed over him. After the announcements, they sang the school song, then Dumbledore sent them off to bed.

"Well, that was a very depressing way to end the feast," Sophia said as she stood up. "It makes you wonder how powerful He really is."

"From what I heard, there aren't many witches and wizards who are willing to go up against him," Lily said.

"Hi, James!" Marlene stepped in front of them blocking their path.

James shifted uncomfortably. "Er...hi, Marlene. How was your summer?"

"It was great! Although, it would have been better if you had been there." She placed her hand on his arm. "So, I take it you've heard the news of the club I'm starting in your honor? A few people already agreed to join on the train. What do you say? Will you speak at our first meeting?"

Lily stepped forward and pulled James away from Marlene. "I'm sorry to say that James will be very busy over the next few months. Perhaps you should find some other bloke to fawn over, preferrably one who isn't already spoken for?"

"You tell her, Lily!" Sophia clapped loudly in approval.

Remus began to leave the group. "I'll meet you guys in the common room." He made his way over to Jessica and Dorcas. "Mind if I walk you two girls back to your common room?"

"Actually, I have to go speak to Amos about something. I'll be right back." Dorcas winked at Jessica. "I'll see you in a few minutes."

"Well she's just the epitomy of subtly," Jessica muttered as she blushed.

Remus chuckled and took hold of her hand and began to walk with her down to the Hufflepuff basement. "Are you okay, Jessica? You seemed a little shaken up when Dumbledore was talking about Voldemort."

Jessica smiled, but Remus could tell that it was forced. "I'm fine. After all, Hogwarts is the safest place for anyone to be. Why should I be worried?"

Remus stopped walking and took both of her hands in his. "Jessica, you don't have to hide how you're really feeling from me. I can see it in your eyes. You're scared."

"Please don't, Remus. I promise, I'll be all right." She smiled up at him. "Besides, it's you I'm more worried about. If Voldemort is recruiting Death Eaters, there could be a possibility that he's recruiting werewolves as well. I mean, I don't know, but they seem like something he'd like to have on his side."

Remus pulled her into his arms. "Don't worry about me. There is no way I would ever do such a thing. Please try not to stress over it too much. You're much too beautiful." He lifted her chin and gently pressed his lips to hers, before holding her for a few moments. "I promise, everything will work out."

The two of them began walking again, and soon reached the entrance to the Hufflepuff dormitories. Remus kissed her once more, wishing he didn't have to leave her. After a longing glance at her, he began to make the long trek up to the Gryffindor common room.

Jessica tapped on the barrels and gained access to the common room. She crawled through the small hole and was greeted with the warmth of a roaring fire, and the comforting allure of many plush chairs and sofas. Paris was curled up on the back of one of them, sleeping soundly. Jessica picked her up and carried her through one of the long winding tunnels and into the girls' seventh year dormitory. A few of her fellow Hufflepuffs were already there getting ready for bed. Jessica set the white feline on her bed and dug through her trunk for her pajamas and her diary.

Once she was changed, she sat in the bed, holding the diary in her lap, and gently ran her hand over the clasp and muttered something. The diary slid open and opened to a fresh new page where Jessica began writing. She wrote for about ten minutes before Dorcas came in. Jessica closed the diary, magically sealing it again, and stuffed it inside the pillowcase.

"Hi, Paris." Dorcas greeted Jessica's cat, who lifted her head and meowed before going back to sleep.

"What did you talk to Amos about?" Jessica asked as she unbraided her hair, wincing as she snagged a few tangles.

Dorcas sat down on the bed and began to help Jessica. "I asked him if he wanted to practice throwing around the Quaffle with me on Wednesday evening after dinner." Both Dorcas and Amos were Chasers for the Hufflepuff Quidditch team. "Are you sure you won't try out? We could use another Chaser spot, or you could try out for Keeper."

"I'm perfectly fine with cheering my fellow Hufflepuffs from the stands."

"Please, at least try out. If you're rubbish, none of us will hold it against you," Dorcas begged clutching Jessica's hands.

Jessica sighed. "Fine, but I don't have a broom."

"I can just borrow one of the school brooms," Dorcas said happily as she plopped down onto her bed.

Jessica slumped back onto her pillow. "Yippee for me," she muttered unenthusiastically. She couldn't believe she'd been persuaded to make a fool of herself in front of everyone. "Well, it couldn't hurt, I guess."

Dorcas hugged Jessica. "That's the spirit!" She hopped off the bed and began to change into her pajamas. Jessica flicked her wand and summoned a small notebook from her trunk, which held different schedules. She made a note of the Quidditch tryouts in it, then wrote down some other stuff before sending it back to the trunk and closing it. She then crawled underneath the covers, bid good night to Dorcas, slid underneath the covers, and fell asleep.