REPUTATION • [j.p.] ✔️

[03]

Chapter Three:
The Ring

•••

JESSIE LEFT THE Quidditch pitch with James after tryouts. Jessie's hair was in a messy pony tail, a few strands hanging out here and there. James, the lovely Quidditch captain, had been begging Jessie to be their Seeker, despite how badly she wanted to be Chaser.

"Please, Tigress! I saw you watching the snitch. You knew where it was the whole damn time!" James pleaded as they stepped through the portrait.

Jessie threw herself down on the couch, head in Sirius's lap and her feet in Remus's lap. "Leave me alone, Potter."

"No fighting," Remus said calmly from behind his transfiguration book. He set the book aside. "What the problem?"

"She needs to be Seeker!" James exclaimed, pacing in front of the fire.

"No, I want to be Chaser!" Jessie sat up, glaring at her friend.

"I already have enough Chasers, Jess! Besides you're a far better Seeker!" James begged, dropping to his knees in front of her.

Jessie scoffed. "You think you can beg me?"

"I really honestly do. What do you need me to do? I'll do anything in exchange!" James begged, grabbing her hands in his plead.

"Who's the other girl you like?" Jessie asked.

"What—I —"

"That's my price, James Potter."

Jessica Black pulled her hands back, crossing them over her chest, looking down at him defiantly. A million thoughts raced through James's head. Why did there have to be another girl and why was Jessica Black so insistent on an answer?

"Really, Jessie. I dont know. I just don't like Lily the way I used to." He shrugged.

"I find that very hard to believe, but whatever you say, James." Jessie shrugged, pushing to her feet. She walked around him, towards the girls showers. "You have yourself a Seeker, Potter. Don't push your luck!" She waved her hand dismissively.

•••

The next night, Jessie was bent over her transfiguration essay, writing as she looked back and forth between her text book and her two feet worth of essay she'd written. She still had another foot to go when a seventh year Gryffindor situated himself on the couch between Remus and herself. Jessie didn't seem too bothered, but Remus gave a good roll of his eyes, knowing exactly what was about to happen.

She hummed softly as she worked on her essay. "Jessica, darling," the seventh year said with a smile. Jessica looked up, glaring at the boy who spoke to her. "Would you do me the honor of being my date to the dance?"