Laugh To Keep From Crying (Marauders Era)

Chapter Sixteen

Jaycee was still a bit shaken up by the time she went back to Hogwarts. She didn't know how many people had seen the muggle news paper, but she hoped it was very few. She didn't feel like dealing with all the gossip and she didn't want to hear all the rude comments. Obviously, not many people, or really anyone but her friends, would know they were talking bad about her, but that didn't make hearing the words any easier.

"Dad showed me the news paper," James commented,"How're you holding up?" He asked, causing her to sigh.

"I'm scared they'll find me." She replied, and he nodded.

"We'll protect you, don't worry, JJ." He said, making her smile.

A couple hours later, Jaycee got up to use the restroom. She was scared about walking around on her own, but she was on the train, and she doubted her father could've gotten this far. She'd be surprised if he had any chance to find her while she was in Hogwarts.

"Jaycee," She heard, causing her to turn around,"come with me." Regulus motioned, and she followed.

He brought her to a secluded compartment, and the two sat together in the compartment. She wouldn't have trusted him, if it wasn't for the fact that he was Sirius' brother. She believed there was a small part of him that could be trusted, and she was going to trust him.

"I overheard a few Slytherins talking earlier. They're planning to attack you when they get the chance." Regulus said, making the girl frown.

"Are you sure?" She asked, and he could tell that she was scared.

"Yes, I'm sure," He replied,"but they're waiting until you least expect it. They're going to attack you for your blood status. They know you're a muggleborn, not a pureblood like your family."

"Thank you." She answered, and he nodded.

The two left the compartment, and Jaycee went straight back to the compartment with the boys. She stayed there, and she didn't bother saying anything to them. They were already dealing with so much when it came to her, and she didn't want to add to it.

Jaycee tried to stay with the boys through the first week back at Hogwarts. She didn't want to be caught off guard, and staying with the boys kept her safe. She only ever left the boys' side whenever she was in the common room or her dorm room. Those two places were the only places she knew that she was completely safe.

"I have a meeting with Minnie today after Potions." Sirius commented, causing the others to nod.

"I've got a prefect meeting. We didn't hear about it until early this morning." Remus said, and Jaycee's heart began to beat quicker.

James had to go to Quidditch practice, and she didn't really think Peter could do much. Peter may have been a Gryffindor, but he was easily frightened and scared off. It was honestly annoying, but Jaycee believed it was simply because he seen himself as a background character. He didn't need to be strong, as long as the boys were around.

"I've got to get straight to the common room. I have an important report to finish." Jaycee lied, but the guys seemed to believe her.

Jaycee stayed in the Great Hall for as long as she possibly could. She had even went and sat with Lily once Sirius had to leave. Lily was meeting up with Snape later though, so Jaycee couldn't stay with her. She and Snape didn't like each other, and she didn't want to be around her if she could help it.

Once she couldn't stay any longer, and needed to get to the common room, she got up from the Gryffindor table and headed out of the room. Jaycee felt her hands sweating as she tried to get to her common room without incident. Before she could get there though, like she had thought would happen, she was cornered by Slytherins.

"You've been hiding with your minions for a long time, but we knew you'd be alone eventually." A sixth year spat, causing Jaycee to frown.

"You dirty mudblood, we always knew you'd get yourself into trouble. We've got you now." A seventh year sneered, raising his wand at her.

Jaycee was able to defend herself for a bit, but she ended up getting hit by a few spells. She stumbled back and spit out blood. The girl almost got hit with another spell, before James came running down the hall. He attacked the Slytherins, giving Jaycee time to regroup. The two friends worked together to defend themselves, and eventually were able to get away from the Slytherins.

"Are you hurt?" James asked, as they headed back to the common room.

"No, I'm fine. I just have a couple bruises and a busted lip." She replied, and he nodded.

"What happened? Why'd they attack you?" He asked, causing her to sigh.

"Somehow they found out that I was a muggleborn and I was adopted by the Weasleys though I wasn't a pureblood." She said, making him sigh.

"I'll find out who told them," He replied,"just give me time to investigate."

Remus and Sirius had been in the common room when they entered. When they asked what had happened to Jaycee, and Sirius was freaking out just a bit, James and Jaycee agreed to lie. They told their friends that Jaycee had accidentally gotten bested by the moving staircase, and they believed the two, for the most part.

Jaycee decided that again she wasn't going to leave the boys' side, or if she couldn't be with them, she'd stay in the common room, at least until she figured out a way to hurt the Slytherins back. She wanted to get them back. She didn't want to look weak and useless. It was something she had to think about, otherwise she'd get herself into more trouble with the Slytherins. She didn't want to be on their radar anymore...