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Chapter 8

I Really Don't Drink

The first Quidditch Match of the season was on the very last Monday in September, between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Unfortunately, because it was the day before the full moon, Remus found himself bedridden in the dormitories. As he lay with his arm draped over his eyes and his curtains drawn, he heard James' voice.

"I'm about to head out to the Quidditch Pitch, mate. Will you be all right?"

Remus detected the hint of concern in his best friend's tone. "I'll be fine as long as I don't move around too much." He didn't feel as horrible about missing the match as he felt about not being able to watch it with Jessica. Right now, he would have liked nothing more than to have her lying with him, but certain circumstances, such as the fact that they were in two different Houses, made it impossible. James left with the promise to tell him all about the match once he got back. Remus thanked him, and soon, the boys' dormitory was filled with silence.

He sighed, thinking that he might as well get some rest. There was a definite possibility that, tomorrow night, he would have to practically be carried to The Shrieking Shack. Well, maybe not carried, but he'd make it there, somehow, because he had no other choice. The thought of being inside the school during a transformation filled him with dread, and was something he dreamed about almost every night.

"Move it or lose it." Dorcas wedged in between a second year Ravenclaw and Jessica, carrying a small flag sporting the Gryffindor House colors.

Jessica clutched her book in her lap. "Wouldn't it be much nicer to say excuse me?"

"He moved, didn't he?" Dorcas reached over and plucked the book from Jessica's hands. "You are not reading while the match is going on," she said as she sat on it.

"But I'm at a really good part," Jessica whined as she used a Summoning Charm to silently slide the book out from under her friend.

Dorcas grimaced in disgust. "I don't know how you can even read when a Quidditch Match is much more interesting."

"I can do both at the same time," Jessica protested.

Dorcas rolled her eyes. "Oh, really? Then, do you remember who scored the final goal before the Snitch was caught in last year's third match between Hufflepuff and Gryffindor?"

Jessica seemed to be engrossed in her book. "Er...Lovegood."

"Oh, yes, a Ravenclaw, who doesn't even play Quidditch, scored the final goal for Gryffindor. That makes total sense," Dorcas said sarcastically.

Jessica set the book face down. "I'm sorry that I don't follow the sport as well as the rest of you. I'm just not as interested in it as you are."

Dorcas gave her an expression of pure shock and annoyance. "It's the greatest sport known to wizarding kind. If you're not interested, then why do you even come to the matches?"

"I come in order to support my friends," Jessica said haughtily. She didn't want to admit it, but Dorcas was, sort of, getting on her last nerve. "Besides, just because I'm not as interested, doesn't mean that I still don't like it, somewhat."

"Did you ever stop to think that the reason it doesn't really tickle your fancy is because you're afraid of heights?"

"Even if I wasn't, I'm not as athletic as you and the others, and I'm perfectly fine with that."

Dorcas looked like she was about to present a counterargument, but someone sat down next to her and spoke in an almost ethereal voice. "Good day, the stars foretold that I would be sitting next to you in the match."

Dorcas rolled her eyes. The voice belonged to Sybill Trelawney, a sixth year Ravenclaw, who had a penchant for making false predictions. Just three years ago, she had predicted that Jessica would suffer a near death situation. When it didn't come true within a year, Jessica stopped worrying so much.

"Of course, it's always the stars," Dorcas whispered to Jessica. "Doesn't she know that she made the conscious decision to sit with us just now?"

"Hm..." Jessica didn't get a chance to say anything, for the whistle blew, and everyone in the stands jumped up and began cheering as both teams soared out onto the field. She tried her best to hide her disappointment that Remus wasn't sitting with her in the stands, but she couldn't help feeling a little let down. Still, thanks to the lunar calender, which she checked often, she knew that it was the day before a full moon. Despite trying to be understanding, Jessica sulked a little bit, wishing the curse wasn't such a hindrance to their relationship.

She mentally shook her head, as her eyes followed the match. Yet, her thoughts were elsewhere. It was never Remus' fault. So, why was she feeling resentful? Why did she have to be so selfish and think of herself, instead of Remus, who must have been suffering much more than she was? Was she really as good of a girlfriend as she thought she was? Or did Remus, perhaps, deserve someone better and more understanding?

Gryffindor ended up winning the match. Jessica managed to catch a glimpse of Evers catching the Snitch, and cheered loudly, along with the rest of the crowd. She had pushed away the nagging thoughts for now, and would think about them tomorrow. Dorcas and Jessica were joined by Amos, who slung his arms around both of their shoulders as they walked back to the castle.

"Sirius mentioned a party in the Room of Requirement tonight after dinner. What d'ya say? Wanna go?"

Jessica, feeling uncomfortable, slid out from under Amos' arm. "I think I'm just going to work on my homework. But you two can tell me how the party goes."

Dorcas wasn't having it, however. "Oh, no you don't, missy. You are going to that party with me whether you like it or not."

Jessica followed Dorcas and Amos back to the castle, trying to make up excuses about why she couldn't go, but her two friends weren't having it.

That evening, Jessica tried again to get out of going to the party. "What's the point in going if Remus isn't even going to be there?"

Dorcas frowned as smoothed down Jessica's tresses, which she had used a Curl Taming Potion on. "Why isn't he coming?"

"Er...he's not feeling too well. He has a slight fever." It was sort of the truth, as Remus did get sick right before the full moon.

"That's too bad, but you have to learn to stop clinging to him so much. Just because he won't be at the party doesn't mean you still can't have fun."

Sirius was waiting outside the entrance to the Room of Requirement as Dorcas and Jessica approached a few minutes later. Jessica tugged at her tight-fitting, longsleeve top, which Dorcas had forced her to wear. While she would have rather crawled back into her baggy sweater and sit in front of the fireplace with her book, she sucked it up. She folded her arms tightly across her chest to hide her cleavage.

"You two are late." Sirius smirked as he gave them both a once over, his eyes stopping on Jessica. "Wow, Jess. Dare I say it? You actually look like a girl for once. Are those real boobs you're trying to hide?"

"Bite me, Black," she muttered as she turned away, blushing furiously.

Sirius winked at her. "Are you secretly coming onto me, Merton?"

Jessica blanched. "No, of course not! I have a boyfriend, you know!"

Sirius gave a bark-like laugh. "I'm just kidding."

Dorcas rolled her eyes. "Black, while I enjoy your charms, could you please let us in?"

Sirius smirked. "Aren't we the feisty one?" He paced back and forth in front of the entrance three times until a large door appeared. The inside was made to look like the Gryffindor common room, or, at least, this is what Jessica assumed from the scarlet and gold furnishings. It wasn't just Gryffindors, either. There were also a few Hufflepuffs, including Amos, who waved at them, some Ravenclaws, and Jessica could have sworn she saw Penelope talking and laughing with Frank and Alice.

"Er...isn't she on the Slytherin team?" Jessica asked, nodding at Penelope.

"Yeah, but she's all right," Sirius said. "Anyways, have fun." He shoved two bottles of firewhiskey into their hands and walked over to dance with Sophia. Jessica stared down at the bottle, wondering if Sirius even remembered that she didn't drink.

"What are you doing?" Dorcas had already taken a big swig. "Bottoms up."

Jessica grimaced. "I don't drink, though."

"Come on, just one sip. It's actually pretty good."

From the look on Jessica's face, one would have thought that Dorcas had asked her to eat a live snake. Still, what could one sip do to her? She popped the cap off with a simple spell, and put the bottle to her lips. After hesitating for a moment, she took a sip. Immediately, she began to cough. The stuff tasted horrible, and it burned going down.

"Ugh, why is it so hot?" she asked as she stuck her tongue out and waved her hand in front of it as if that would cool it off. Conjuring a goblet, she filled it using the Aguamenti spell, and gulped the water down. All the while, Dorcas was laughing hysterically.

"Wow, you can be such a drama queen, sometimes. It's not that bad. Trust me, it gets better after the first sip."

"I think I'd rather be stuck on a deserted island with Snape than take another drink," Jessica said in disgust, handing the bottle to Dorcas before she walked over to one of the couches and sat down next to Lily. Lily appeared to be glaring at Marlene, who was laughing at something that James was saying.

"Ugh, can you believe her?" she asked, slurring a little. "She's been hogging his attention ever since she arrived at the party." She took a few large gulps of her firewhiskey, much to Jessica's surprise, and hiccuped. "I mean, does she have no decency? Just look at her cozying up to him! And, what's up with that stupid fan club? She acts like James is a big celebrity."

Jessica scratched her head. "Er...Lily, how much have you had to drink?"

"I don't know." Lily hiccuped again and started to take another drink.

"Don't you think you've had enough?" Jessica asked kindly.

"I'll tell you when I've had enough!" Lily yelled. Jessica could smell the firewhiskey on the red-head's breath, and it turned her stomach.

Jessica stood up. "Make sure she doesn't move," she said to Dorcas as she walked over to James and Marlene. She could hear bits of their conversation as she got closer.

"So, you really think the Cleansweep 2 is perfect for me?" Marlene asked.

"It's the perfect broom for all basic flyers," James said, proud of his knowledge of brooms. "It has a very easy touch, too."

Marlene stepped closer to James. "Well, then, when I get it, do you think you could show me a few simple tricks?"

James scratched the back of his head, ruffling his hair a bit. "Er...sure. No problem. Hey, Jess." He smiled at the Hufflepuff.

"Hi. Um...you may want to check on Lily. I think she's had too much to drink, already."

James looked over and saw Lily on the verge of passing out, with her head on Dorcas' lap. "Wow, I guess I'd better take her back to the common room. Sorry, Marlene. We'll talk later."

Marlene smiled warmly. "It's no problem. I hope Lily will be all right."

"I'm sure she will." James walked away. The minute he was out of earshot, Marlene's entire expression changed into one of annoyance as she rounded on Jessica.

"Damn you! I was so close. Why did you have to ruin everything?" she hissed, her blue eyes cold with resentment.

Jessica couldn't help, but be a little baffled. "He's just checking on his girlfriend. You two were only talking."

Marlene jabbed her manicured forefinger into Jessica's shoulder, causing her to wince. "I'm not going to let you or anyone else get in the way of what I want! Don't even think that you have a chance against me!" She turned and walked away, leaving Jessica to stare after her, wondering if she should say something to someone, or keep her mouth shut and hope that it would resolve itself.