Her bedroom had become a safe place for her since she came home, soaking wet and smeared makeup. Her friends immediately had come to greet her only to see her and they whisked her to her bedroom. They had grabbed her by her arms, dragged her to her bathroom where Minky already prepped a hot steaming bath.
When she had stepped out and dressed into dry and warm clothes, her bedroom had been prepared by Minky. Her face was clear of smudged makeup, only showing clear skin with red eyes and red nose from her crying. She crawled into bed, the plush pillows and soft heavy quilt gave her some comfort.
The only sound was the fireplace, it crackled as her friends whispered in the living room, deciding to give her some space. Minky lingered for a moment, concern evident in her eyes, before quietly leaving the room and closing the door behind her.
The warmth of the fire enveloped the room, casting a soft glow on the walls. The flickering flames danced, creating a mesmerizing play of light and shadow. The atmosphere was hushed, allowing her to collect her thoughts and find solace in the serene haven.
Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions, and the events of the evening replayed in her head. The supportive silence of her friends outside offered a comforting backdrop to her introspection. The crackling fire seemed to echo the turmoil within her, yet its warmth provided a soothing contrast.
Lying there, she traced patterns on the quilt with her fingers, lost in contemplation. The tears had dried on her cheeks, leaving behind the weariness of a difficult night. The silence in her room was a balm for her wounded spirit, allowing her a momentary respite from the chaos that had unfolded earlier.
As the fire continued its gentle cadence, she began to feel the fatigue settle in. The combination of warmth, softness, and the emotional release brought on by her friends' care started to ease the tension in her body. Her breathing steadied, and the weight on her shoulders seemed to lighten.
In the quiet of her safe space, she found a refuge from the storm outside. The crackling fire, the cozy bed, and the thoughtfulness of her friends became a cocoon of comfort, slowly helping her to heal. In the solitude of her room, she embraced the tranquility, allowing it to mend the fragments of her spirit that had been shattered earlier that night.
The room was filled with a sense of solidarity as Gwen's friends gathered around her, responding to the sound of her tears. They burst into the room, a united front of support and friendship. Without hesitation, they climbed into bed with her, forming a protective circle as they held her close, allowing her to release the emotions that had overwhelmed her.
Pandora, Toni, and Jackie enveloped Gwen in their comforting embrace, understanding that sometimes the best remedy for heartache was the unwavering presence of true friends. They held her through the sobs, offering a silent assurance that they were there for her, no matter the circumstances.
As Gwen's cries gradually subsided, Pandora gently stroked her head, Toni handed her a cup of hot tea, and Jackie prepared to brush her wet hair. The room became a haven of shared warmth and understanding, a sanctuary where Gwen could find solace in the presence of those who cared deeply for her.
"Tell us what happened?" Pandora stroked her head, not caring that her wet hair soaked through some of her shirt.
Jackie picked her brush off the vanity, as Pandora handed her off to Jackie, Toni handed her a cup of hot tea.
After some moments of drinking tea and finding enough calm to speak, Gwen began to recount the events that had led to her emotional outburst. She detailed the walk home in the rain, the unexpected kiss with Sirius that mirrored the scenes from her beloved romance novels, and the heartbreak that followed as Sirius explained the complications preventing them from being together romantically.
Her friends listened attentively, their expressions reflecting a mix of empathy, concern, and shared frustration. Each girl played her part in offering comfort—whether through gentle touches, soothing words, or a comforting cup of tea.
"Sounds like a coward," Jackie huffed, unable to contain her disdain for what she perceived as weakness.
"Jackie!" Toni hissed, her eyes narrowing at the girl as she continued to braid Gwen's hair.
"That is such an excuse," Jackie argued, unyielding in her frustration.
Pandora, however, frowned, trying to convey the gravity of the situation. "You have to understand it from his perspective," she implored. "This Dark Lord is gaining popularity among the pureblood families, the wealthiest and most influential families to back up his views. Sirius is the heir of his house, being the oldest male, he has to tread carefully; otherwise, he could get himself and Gwen killed."
The weight of Pandora's words hung heavily in the air. Gwen, despite her own frustration and heartbreak, stiffened at the reminder of the dangers surrounding them. The room fell into a tense silence as Pandora explained Sirius's perspective, laying bare the complexities and dangers that lurked within the politics of the sacred families. Jackie's initial frustration clashed with a more nuanced understanding presented by Pandora. Pandora continued, delving into the intricacies of the political landscape and the significance of Gwen's family.
"Her mother made it quite known how she felt about their views before they disappeared before passing on," Pandora explained. "Now Gwen is the heir of their clan. They desire her good opinion, as her family is just as old and wealthy as the Malfoy's, LeStrange's, and the Black's. If she and Sirius were to publicly become blood traitors on the cusp of a war, they would get killed."
Gwen's friends exchanged glances, absorbing the gravity of the situation. The realization that her world was intricately entwined with politics and his family expectations cast a somber shadow over the room.
Amidst the weight of their conversation, Jackie injected a burst of enthusiasm into the room, shaking Gwen from behind and exclaiming, "A star-crossed romance! How amazing to have a love life like a heroine in a novel."
Toni, ever the realist, snorted. "That is one way to look at it. If anythi—"
"Is Sirius a good snogger?" Jackie interrupted, shaking Gwen again. "I bet he is. I heard from McKinnon and Parker that he is one of the best!"
"How could he be one of the best when he has only kissed three witches?" Toni rolled her eyes. "Sounds as though they are exaggerating a bit, don't you think?"
Gwen flushed, her fingers instinctively ghosting over her lips. The lingering warmth and taste of Sirius lingered, creating an indelible memory that played on a loop in her mind.
Jackie, ever perceptive, squealed, "I knew it! Look at her! She is red and is thinking about it!"
Pandora, holding the pillow and maintaining a composed demeanor, simply smiled at the lively exchange between her friends. "If you could compare it to any romance novel, which one would it be like the most?"
"Elisabeth and Darcy," she answered shyly. Her lips tingling from biting her bottom lip, as she tried not to squeal.
"We should make a list!" Jackie clapped her hands, causing Toni to groan.
"Isn't it already bad enough that our other list was posted in the paper?"
Before they had come home for the summer, Nella had somehow got her hands on the list they had made and wrote about it in her gossip column. It sparked a wide debate amongst both wizards and witches and they wanted a new one for the upcoming year.
"This one will be about snogging," she pouted.
Toni just rolled her eyes, already shaking her head no. "Lemme guess, Daniel would be number one?"
Jackie flinched, before she tapped her chin in thought, "actually, I think that Harold should be number one."
"Olivia's boyfriend Harold? How would you know about his snogging capabilities?"
"Duh, I studied them."
"Merlin's beard you are a freak."
Jackie stuck her nose up in the air, "snogging is based on several factors y'know."
Pandora was the next one to chime in as she was curious, "which one's are those?"
"It should be based on placement, kissability, moisture, an–"
"I have a keen sense in knowing that this isn't the first time you have thought about this."
"I think it's a great idea," Pandora smiled. "It's just snogging, boys do it all the time so why can't we do it?"
Jackie smiled, "she has a point."
"You have a boyfriend," she argued.
"Yeah," she bristled. "About that…" she swallowed.
The three girls whipped their heads towards Jackie, her hands twisting with one another.
"Spill it, Lang." Toni stressed her last name. "What do you mean by that?"
"Daniel and I broke up," she responded softly.
The room fell into stunned silence, broken only by the crackling of the fireplace. Toni's eyes widened, and Pandora's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Even the mention of Harold as a potential top snogger couldn't distract them from the bombshell dropped by Jackie. As she had been infatuated with the wizard since she set her sights on him at the beginning of first year.
"We broke up," she frowned. "He said that he wasn't feeling it anymore and wanted to focus on Quidditch."
Gwen blinked at her, "You what?" She finally managed to utter as she did her best to collect her composure.
"That is the shittiest thing I have ever heard," Toni spat out.
Gwen scrunched her nose, "in person or letter?"
Jackie avoided their stares, "both in person and letter." She are one of the biscuits from the tray, "he wrote to me asking to meet to talk about something important. I already knew what he was going to say just by the request alone." She frowned, "I cried about it for a couple of days and then responded that we could see each other on Saturday."
Pandora exchanged a concerned glance with Toni and Gwen. "Why didn't you tell us?"
Jackie shrugged, "I didn't want to face the reality of things. I thought that by pretending like nothing was wrong then he would change his mind. I didn't want it to be a big deal."
Toni's expression softened, realizing that Jackie was trying to downplay the situation. "Jackie, of course, it's a big deal. You were dating Daniel for almost a year."
Jackie looked down at her fidgeting hands. "Yeah, well, sometimes things change. People change."
Pandora moved closer, placing a supportive hand on Jackie's shoulder. "You don't have to minimize it. Breakups are tough, and you're allowed to feel whatever you're feeling."
Gwen reached over and took her hand, "when was this?"
"A week ago," she sniffed. "I'm fine now but I was just surprised he'd given me such a shitty excuse."
Toni shook her head, "boys can be such the simplest creatures alive."
"Hey," Gwen narrowed her eyes.
"It's true," she shrugged. "From now on, we snog first, ask questions later, yeah?"
"I second that," Pandora smiled. "I have always wanted to snog for fun."
The three girls turned to Pandora, who was blissfully smiling, before sharing looks and bursting into laughter.
"Alright, let the snogging list begin." Gwen amended as she finished her tea, feeling a lot lighter than she did before.
"Snog first, ask questions later!" All the girls giggled as they bursted into a fit of giggles, after reiterating, raising her cup as if making a toast.
Gwen, feeling a renewed sense of lightness, set her tea aside. "Alright, let the snogging list begin," she declared, a playful gleam in her eye.
The mood in the room shifted from a mix of surprise and concern to lighthearted laughter. The girls, finding comfort in the shared humor, began to embrace the idea of focusing on something as simple and enjoyable as a snogging list.
The girls dove into the task with enthusiasm, each contributing names and criteria for their unconventional list. The earlier heaviness seemed to dissipate with each laugh and joke, replaced by a focus of being mischievous teenage witches.
Remus had come over to the Donoghue Manor to bring back the books he borrowed and pick a few more from the pile he had created for himself. Gwen had written to him that Sirius and her would be out for the day but her cousin, Jack would be there with her Aunt Maeve who would be out with Jackie. Remus entered the Donoghue Manor, greeted by the familiar warmth and elegance of the surroundings.
Minky, the diligent house-elf, welcomed him with a polite bow and an offer of tea and biscuits in the library. Grateful for the invitation, Remus accepted and made his way to the appointed room.
The library exuded an air of quiet sophistication, with shelves upon shelves of books lining the walls. The scent of aged paper and leather-bound volumes enveloped him as he settled into a comfortable chair. Minky soon arrived, carrying a tray adorned with a steaming teapot, delicate cups, and an assortment of biscuits.
"Thank you, Minky," Remus said with a warm smile as she poured him a cup of tea.
The house-elf bowed again, her large eyes shining with gratitude. "If Master Remus needs anything else, just call for Minky," she offered before disappearing with a snap of her fingers.
Remus sipped the tea, savoring its warmth, and allowed his gaze to wander over the titles of the books that surrounded him. He was grateful for the sanctuary that Gwen's home provided, a quiet haven where he could indulge in his love for reading and find solace, one he lacked at home with his paranoid Father and worrisome Mother. Remus immersed himself in the world of literature, finding comfort in the companionship of well-loved books.
Some time had gone by, a small stack of a couple of books he had finished rested on the table beside him.
Remus glanced up from his book, the unexpected greeting from Jack catching him off guard. He marked his place in the book, setting it aside as he acknowledged Jack's presence.
"Remus," Jack greeted, plopping into the chair across from him. "How are you, mate?"
"Quite well, actually," Remus replied, a hint of surprise in his voice at the abruptness of the question.
"Is that so?" Jack continued, his tone taking an unexpected turn. "Even though Evans and you broke up, and it is so painfully obvious how Jamie pines for her?"
Remus felt a clenching sensation in his jaw, a mix of confusion and mild irritation at the blunt words. Jack wasn't known for being unnecessarily cruel, and such directness seemed out of character.
"So you realize as well," Remus responded, his tone guarded.
Jack's nonchalant demeanor persisted as he continued to share his thoughts. "My cousin is an ignorant prat at times. Wouldn't put it past the bloke if he didn't realize his own feelings for that Lily girl."
Remus, caught off guard by the unexpected turn of conversation, questioned, "Why are you bringing this up?"
"Call it curiosity," Jack explained, his tone casual. "I wanted to know if you broke up with Evans purely because you only felt as if you were friends or because my cousin had feelings for her, and you decided to give him the chance to be with her."
Remus pursed his lips, weighing his response. "Both."
"What made you come to that realization?"
Panic flickered within Remus, hesitant to reveal the intricacies of Sirius's unspoken feelings for Gwen, especially to her own cousin. Jack, seemingly perceptive, waved off the concern.
"I already know that Sirius lied about his feelings for Gwen. That doesn't concern me too much," Jack clarified.
"Why?" Remus inquired.
"Gwen is practically my little sister, yes. If her heart is with Sirius, then so be it. I see how he cares and prioritizes her before anyone else, even himself, over the last several months." Jack kicked his feet onto the table. "Now, tell me what made you come to this realization?"
"James is my best mate," Remus admitted. "I had already known that what I felt for Lily was becoming something more akin to friendship. Just as it had for Gwen. When I realized how James looked at her, I knew that I couldn't be with her any longer, not when I didn't feel the same as I had."
Jack nodded to himself, absorbing Remus's words.
"What about Toni?" he asked, his tone neutral.
Jack, unfazed by the inquiry, replied with a casual shrug. Remus' eyes, however, keenly observed any subtle reactions.
"You aren't the only one to notice things," Remus remarked. "You obviously like her to the point where you and her owl one another quite often, and you have been coming around to see her more under the guise of spending time with James and Gwen."
Jack maintained a composed demeanor, not betraying his emotions. The mention of Toni seemed to strike a chord, though his response remained measured.
"I value Toni's friendship," he replied evenly. "She's a good friend to all of us."
Remus raised an eyebrow, unconvinced by the deflective response. "Friendship, huh?"
"And if I like her? What does it matter?" Jack questioned, his tone calm.
"Nothing, just thought you'd like a girl more like Jackie than a girl like Toni," Remus remarked, a hint of mischief in his eyes. He caught how Jack clenched his fist briefly. "Ah, so you did like Jackie but her relationship with Daniel is what made you back off," the Gryffindor deduced.
Jack's only response to Remus's confirmation was a soft glare.
The unspoken understanding between them lingered in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the complexities of relationships within their circle of friends. The atmosphere in the room grew tense, the weight of unspoken truths hanging in the air. Remus and Jack's conversation had touched upon the intricacies of their feelings and the uncharted territories of relationships within their group of friends.
As Remus returned to his book, the silence between them lingered, filled only by the distant crackling of the fireplace. Jack, deep in thought, contemplated the words exchanged, his eyes fixed on a point in the room.
Remus broke the silence, his voice low and measured, "What if Jackie and he were to break up?"
Jack's response was a stoic silence, a clear indication that the topic struck a nerve. Remus, perceptive as always, noted the avoidance in Jack's gaze.
"It could get messy," Remus continued, his gaze now fixed on his book. "Having feelings for one girl and then pursuing the best friend... it's a complicated situation. Just don't screw anything up."
Jack nodded in agreement, finally breaking his silence. "I'm not attempting anything with either witch. It is, as you said, too messy."
Remus snorted, casting a skeptical glance over his book. "Hm, and Sirius doesn't have feelings for Gwen. We'll see how long that lasts."
Their exchange held a mix of understanding and acknowledgment of the delicate dynamics within their group. The unspoken truths they faced created a tension that neither wanted to delve deeper into. They had confronted the realities of their emotions, even if it meant exposing vulnerabilities and acknowledging the potential complications that lay ahead.
The room returned to a muted quiet, the only audible sound being the flipping of pages and the crackling of the fire. Remus and Jack, lost in their own thoughts, shared a glance that held the weight of unspoken truths, realizing that navigating matters of the heart within their tight-knit group would be a delicate and challenging journey.