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Chapter 4

Constant Vigilance

By Wednesday, Jessica's stress levels had reached a new record. With each class, she received piles of homework. It also didn't help that the papers she had to write had already started cutting into her quality time with Remus. The only time she saw him was during Herbology and Charms, but Professors Sprout and Flitwick had kept the class so busy that they rarely found time to socialize. The same could be said for the rest of her friends, as well. Sophia had joked that they might have to start a protest regarding the amount of homework they were receiving. Jessica was inclined to agree with her.

That evening, after dinner, Jessica was in the library. Sitting across from her was a first year girl by the name of Sarah Morgan. She had her book, A Beginner's Guide To Transfiguration, open and a piece of parchment next to it.

"Do you understand now?" Jessica asked kindly. Every Wednesday evening, Jessica would tutor a student, in Transfiguration mostly, but she sometimes also tutored them in other subjects. Transfiguration was known to be her specialty, however.

"I think so," the red headed first year replied. "But why does this have to be so hard?"

Jessica smiled understandingly. "I said the same thing as you when I first started out. Transfiguration is a very precise form of magic. It's the oppostie of Charms, which allows a much wider margin for more personal creativity."

"That's for sure," Sarah muttered. "Do you think I could come back again next Wednesday?"

"I don't see any problems with it." Jessica reached into her book bag and pulled out her black planner. "Let's see, I don't have anyone else to tutor between now and next Wednesday, so I'll just make a note." Once she was finished, she put the planner back into her bag and closed it. "If you have any questions between now and our next session, feel free to come to me."

Sarah thanked Jessica and ran out of the library, most likely to go meet with her friends. Jessica checked her watch and saw that she still had about two more hours until she was due for Astronomy. She picked up her bookbag and began to leave the library in hopes of finding Remus so that the two of them could, perhaps, go for a walk together.

"Merton." A cold, and very familiar voice caused Jessica to stop in her tracks and turn around to find herself face to face with Snape.

"Snape." She tried to imitate his cold tone, but the slight trembling in her voice betrayed her emotions.

"Tutoring first years, as usual, I see. Do you really think they'll benefit from your teachings?" he sneered. "Who do you think you're kidding? You'll never be as gifted as some of the other students in this school."

This wasn't the first time that Snape had tried to break Jessica's spirits by telling her that she would never amount to nothing. It certainly wouldn't be the last, either. Jessica held her head up high. "Maybe I'll never be as gifted, but at least I don't look down upon others just because they're not a pureblood."

"They are the only ones who can be considered worthy. Too bad your blood traitor of a mother couldn't see that when she married your Muggle father." (He knows that her mother is a pureblood, but obviously doesn't know that they are actually related, yet.)

Jessica gripped her wand tightly in her left hand. The fact that Snape had insulted her parents infuriated her. "I don't know why I'm listening to you. You're not worth my time. You know, I actually feel sorry for you. You're clearly not happy, and that makes you lash out at others you consider much weaker. I don't have time to sit here and listen to your insults." With those words, she turned and began walking out of the library.

"You filthy half-breed." Snape aimed his wand at her and shot a Stunning Spell at her retreating back. However, the magical barrier of a Shield Charm blocked it just inches from Jessica.

"I despise those who attack while an opponent's back is turned. It only further proves their cowardice," growled an unfamiliar voice.

Jessica turned around. Standing between Snape and her was a much older man who she had never seen before. "I suggest you get moving, or else I might not be so forgiving next time."

Snape seemed to sense something dangerous in this man, for he lowered his wand, glared at Jessica, then stormed past the two of them. The man then turned around, and Jessica gasped. His face was heavily scarred, a sign of someone who knew danger very well. But that wasn't what shocked her. It was his eyes. One was a very dull brown, but the other was a bright electric blue and seemed to swivel around on its own, as if it was alive.

"You should never turn your back on an enemy. You can't expect someone to always come around and save you. CONSTANT VIGILANCE! That's what you must always remember."

Jessica could only stare after him as he turned and left the library, going in the opposite direction of Snape. She had no idea what it was all about. Why was he here in the first place? He couldn't have been a new teacher, for she had failed to notice him at the start of term feast. Yet, from the brisk manner in which he had walked out of the library, he seemed to be in the school on important business. Brushing off her guesses on who he could be, Jessica left to go look for Remus.

That next evening, Remus, James, Sirius, Peter, Lily, and Sophia were on their way to the Quidditch Pitch. James had wanted to watch the Hufflepuff tryouts, and had managed to talk the others into going with him.

"I really need to complete my Potions essay," Lily muttered. "Remus, don't you have a Charms Essay to finish?"

"I already finished it," Remus said. He had wanted to look for Jessica and see if she wanted to join them in the stands, but James had practically dragged him out of the common room.

James sat down in the stands and the others followed suit. "I'm just curious to see who makes the Hufflepuff team this year."

"I'm sure they won't be much of a challenge," Sirius chimed in. "We've never lost a match against them."

"Hey, what's Jessica doing out on the field?" Sophia's voice caused Remus to look up from his book. Sure enough, Jessica was standing with those eager to try out.

"She's never been on a broomstick since our first year flying lessons. What's going through her mind?" James said in a low voice.

Remus stood up. "I'm going to go ask her." But Sirius pulled him back down. "Sit down, maybe there is a chance that she'll surprise us."

Remus glared at Sirius, but reluctantly lowered himself onto the seat again and watched, a sickening feeling in his chest.

"I can't believe you talked me into this," Jessica muttered to Dorcas as she picked off a strand of hair from her grey and purple striped jumper.

"Oh, stop worrying too much. You're only trying out for Keeper. All you have to do is make sure that no one gets the Quaffle through one of hoops. There's nothing fancy involved in that."

Amos put a reassuring hand on Jessica's shoulder. "Just relax and take a deep breath. You'll do fine."

Jessica looked up at the goal posts. Just the thought of her being up there made her blood run cold, and gave her the urge to vomit. Luckily, she was the last one in line of those who were trying out for the Keeper Position. She watched as Dorcas and Amos soared confidently into the air on their sleek broomsticks. The two of them took turns throwing the Quaffle at the aspiring Keepers. Two of the Keepers seemed to be very skilled, blocking nearly all of the shots. The other two only blocked one or two a piece while trying to stay on their broomsticks. Jessica took a deep breath. She had a feeling that this would go very badly, and part of her wanted to turn around and walk off of the Quidditch Pitch, but another part of her wanted to at least try her hand. She would never learn to let go of her fears unless she faced them head on.

"All right, Merton, you're up!" Jessica jumped, forgetting for a moment why she was on the Quidditch Pitch. She heard cheering coming from the stands and turned to see that her friends had come to watch the tryouts. Her eyes fell upon Remus who seemed to be smiling encouragingly. Jessica took a deep breath and mounted her broomstick and soared towards the the left goalposts. Her heart pounded in her ears, and she began to slowly feel nauseous. What was she doing up here? She looked down, and the ground swam before her eyes as a loud ringing began in her ears. She thought she saw a glimpse of the Quaffle through her blurred vision as she blacked out, unable to hold onto her broomstick, she slipped off and plummeted to the ground.