Chapter 35:

After the Lake

Draco supressed a sigh as he entered the common room with his friend and roommate. Once again, Jessa was sitting alone by the fireplace. They could see her attempting – and failing – to focus on some assignment.

"How long has it been now?"

"Two weeks; ever since the second task," Draco replied as both boys headed towards the third-year-girl.

"Jessa, this needs to stop. I'm sorry you weren't chosen, but there's nothing we can do about that now."

"You don't get it! He's the only one I have left!"

"Then talk to him! Because if you don't, I will, and it won't be polite!" he retorted sharply, causing a few to look their way at the raised voices.

She was about to reply when she stopped, simply sighing, seemingly folding in on herself. before whispering quietly, "I'm just afraid of the answer."

Almost immediately, Draco's furious expression vanished, and the two boys shared a quick look.

"Jessa, he may not have had a choice in whom he rescued," Blaise pointed out quietly.

"But even if he had, how would I know that he'd have chosen me?" she replied, and her housemates could hear desperation in her voice. "You know how close he's grown with them, Ron especially. And I'm glad, I am, I just…". Swallowing hard, she tried to fight back her tears. "I'll see you later. I promised I'd help Taryn with something," she continued, disappearing towards the dormitories.

As Draco watched her leave, he waited a moment to be sure she wasn't coming back before he spoke, his grey eyes hard and set. "I'm going to find Potter."

"Draco…"

"Don't, Zabini. This is overdue," he interrupted with an almost snarl, before striding out of the Common Room.

"Potter!" Malfoy called out, finally having tracked down the other wizard.

"What do you want Malfoy?" he responded, turning sharply.

"For you to listen," he replied, startling the Gryffindor.

"I don't have to listen to you!" he said a moment later, beginning to walk away when Malfoy called after him.

"Even if it's about Jessa? You don't know anything about her, do you Potter?"

"I know more about her than you do," Harry retorted, growing angry. How dare Malfoy accuse him of not knowing his sister? But now both parties were angry.

"Do you? Do you know how many nights for weeks Jessa didn't sleep? She was worried sick over you and that stupid task. Do you know how torn up she is right now? That it wasn't her you rescued, it was Weasley, and it's tearing her apart, not to mention she won't talk to you because she's afraid of the answers she'll receive. And you can't be bothered to give her the time of day anymore. What happened to keeping your only family close?"

Draco finished his rant, his chest moving rapidly with his heavy pants of breath, his grey eyes cold and fierce. Yet the only thing that registered to Harry was how Malfoy had come searching for him…just because of Jessa. It would seem as if he did have some sort of heart after all, that he did truly care for her.

"I'll talk to her," he said quietly with a curt nod. However, just as he was about to turn once more, he stumbled back, landing on the ground. Bringing a hand up to his face, he realized he now had a bloody nose; Malfoy had punched him – hard.

"Jessa?" Harry said quietly, finally finding her sitting outside on an unusually warm winter day. She had her arms wrapped around her legs and was looking forlornly out at the lake as the sun began to set. He took a seat next to her on the damp ground, yet she didn't even look at him.

"Malfoy just cornered me and told me you haven't been feeling well lately. And I – I'm sorry. I didn't have a say in who I rescued. I…I didn't even know I would be rescuing a person until that morning. The only clue we had been given was that the task would take place in the lake and that we were going to have to retrieve something of value."

"I'm sorry, too. It's just – there's no one else left and I love you, Harry. I – I don't – I don't want to lose you, but you're treating me as if I'm an entirely different person. As if we aren't even related. I'm where I should be. I can feel that. But I haven't changed that much. I'm still your sister."

He brought her close and she leaned her head against his shoulder, revelling in the embrace for a moment, before looking at him a bit closer.

"Er – what happened to your nose?"

Harry groaned. "Malfoy." Jessa rolled her eyes fondly.

"As much as I may hate the git, it's clear he cares about you. I'm not saying I approve, but…it is good to see others, especially in your own house, looking out for you," he said with a grimace.

She smiled. "Thank you." Pausing for only a moment, she ploughed on. "Do you know anything about the third task yet?"

"No. We have some time, though. And I – er – well, I'm sorry for letting you think I've forgotten about you. Never."

Returning to the Slytherin common room, Jessa felt lighter than she had. She was in luck as she spotted a free seat next to her boyfriend. She plopped down next to him. "Thank you."

Glancing up, he raised an eyebrow. "For?"

"Knocking some sense into my brother. Literally, the way I hear it."

Draco allowed himself to laugh as he wrapped an arm around her. "Anytime, Jessa. Anytime."

Happy New Year!