Sister (slow updates)

Chapter Four

James immediately grabbed my hand, pulling me towards the carriages. I was forced in between James and Remus, Sirius and Peter across from us. I sat quietly the whole ride up to the school, James and his friends laughing and joking around. When we made it, I was dragged into the Great Hall by James. I sat on his right, Sirius on his left, Remus and Peter on the other side of the table. Remus was seated in front of James, Peter in front of Sirius.

Remus kept glancing at me while we sat through the Sorting. However, he didn't say anything. When the feast started, James and Sirius immediately dug in, stacking their plates high. I just sat with my head resting on my hand, picking around at the food in front of me. There was plenty of bustle in the Great Hall that evening, just like always at the Welcoming Feast.

"Jocelyn!" I jumped and looked at James. All four of them were staring at me.

"Hm?"

"Are you okay?" James asked. "I was trying to get your attention for like five minutes."

"Oh. Yeah, I'm fine. Zoned out a bit, I guess."

"Are you su- what's that?" James grabbed the hem of my robes and pulled it down, exposing the dark ring of bruises forming around my neck. I pulled away.

"Nothing," I muttered, pulling it back up.

"Jo." I couldn't look at him. "It happened on the train, didn't it? Merlin, Jo, you should've told me!" He set his fork down, hard, on his plate. "Who was it? I'll curse them into oblivion. They'll regret ever messing with you, Jo, I promise."

"No, James."

"Jo, I'm not just going to let them get away with this! You should've told me sooner!"

"That's why I didn't tell you," I shot back, slamming my fork down too. Remus jumped at the sudden reaction.

"Jo-"

"Stop!" I said, voice raised. "Just stop it, James! Merlin, this is why I didn't want you to know in the first place! You should've just stayed out of my business, James. Everything was just fine the way it was before."

I stood up from the table, most of the attention in the Great Hall already on us. "Jo, please," James begged, grabbing my wrist. I ripped it away immediately, taking off towards the doors, ignoring James' calls after me.

I walked out the doors and rounded the corner, pressing my back against the wall and sliding down, my knees pressed against my chest. I wrapped my arms around my knees and rested my face on my forearms. The Great Hall was back to its usual bustle, as if nothing had happened. I sucked in a shaky breath.

"Jocelyn?" I looked up. Lily. She sat next to me on the floor. "Are you okay?"

I shook my head. "James is being ridiculous."

"He may be taking it a bit far, yes, but he's worried. He's your brother."

"You're taking his side?"

"That's not what I'm saying," she shook her head, sighing. "James has a flair for the dramatics. I'm not certain he knows when to stop, when he's gone too far. Especially when it comes to protecting the ones he loves." She paused, glancing around. "Come on," she said, standing up and holding out her hand, "I know a place we can go."

Lily dragged me up the marble staircase, down a corridor, and winding through so much more of the castle that I lost track of where we were headed. I just watched her red ponytail swing back and forth as she walked, occasionally looking back at me and giving me a small smile. When she finally stopped, I nearly ran into her.

"Where are we?" I asked, glancing around. I hardly recognized this part of the castle. She smiled, opening a door.

"This part of the castle is quiet. I found it in third year. There hasn't been classes down here in years, so no one really knows about it. I've sort of managed to make it my own. A sanctuary, if you will."

She led me into what I guessed used to be a classroom. Curtains were draped around the windows, a few comfortable-looking chairs littered across the room, and a small bookshelf in the corner. A fireplace suddenly lit with a small tap from Lily's wand as she walked past. I slowly closed the door behind me and took another step in, glancing around.

"No one else knows it's here?" I questioned, watching her grab a rather thick book off the shelf and examine it.

"I supposed some of the professors know I've redecorated a bit," she shrugged, looking over her shoulder at me. "They've never said anything, though. It's not like I'm hurting anything."

"Why did you bring me here?" I found myself asking suddenly. Lily turned. "I mean, it's not like we've ever really been friends. And you seem to hate my brother. So why?"

She sighed, pushing her long ponytail back off her shoulder. "I'm not sure. I guess I... let's just say you aren't the only person here who could use a friend."

"You've got all kinds of people aching to be your friend, so why choose me? What makes me so special? Is it to get back at James?"

"Of course not! I just..." She sighed again and looked at me. "Okay, full honesty between us, Remus asked a favor. All he said was that James was worrying himself sick and asked if I would try being your friend, so he didn't have to worry so much."

"Of course," I rolled my eyes. "I knew this was too good to be true! Merlin, I'm sick of him meddling in my life all of a sudden! James just doesn't know when to back off!"

"Jocelyn, wait, James doesn't know Remus talked to me about it," she said quickly, stepping over to me and grabbing my wrist as I made to leave. "Please believe me when I say that I genuinely think you're a good person, and it's not like that. I think we really could be friends."

"I don't need your pity," I spat, pulling my arm away and ripping the door open. "I get enough of that from my brother."

"Jocelyn, please wait!" she begged. "I promise it's not as shallow as you may think! I do think we could be friends! It's not fake, honest."

"How can I believe you?" I looked at her with tears glazing my eyes. She paused. "How can I believe you mean it, when no one else ever has?"

"Do you really think I'd associate with anyone in relation to James Potter if I didn't mean it? Please, just give me a chance, Jocelyn."

I looked hard at Lily, standing in the dark, quiet corridor, staring back at me with a pleading expression. The silence weighed down on us, alone. I wasn't sure if I could trust her. She did this because of James. Even if, technically, Remus was the one that asked, it was still James' indirect way of inserting himself into my life. Of all people, why Lily? Why put Lily up to this? It had to be a trick, I knew that. It had to be James trying to wiggle his way deeper into my life.

Yet, regardless of how I really felt, I still found myself whispering "okay" and following Lily back into the old classroom.
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Hi I don't know if anyone is actually reading this, but if you did, thanks. I'd really appreciate a vote and a comment, and maybe sharing with someone you know, but I'll take what I can get. This is where, I believe, the story really starts to gain some traction and we see more development. Especially seeing the sibling relationship between James and Jocelyn, but also her friendships with Remus and Sirius and Lily. I do hope whoever is reading this is enjoying it and willing to come back for more. Anyway, that's all I have to say right now, so see you next week in the next update!