REPUTATION • [j.p.] ✔️

[19]

Chapter Nineteen:
End of Term

•••

TO SAY THAT Jessie was sad was an understatement. She was devastated that the school year had come to an end. She had passed all the exams she needed to, do on that end she was thrilled. But three months without her best friends... Unthinkable.

Her and her friend spent their last day of term out by the lake. Sirius passed around the box of cigarettes. Jessie didn't smoke too often, but it was the lazy, summer day that made her lean over and let Sirius light it for her. They spent the day smoking, laughing and reminiscing on memories from the past year.

"Remember when Jessie thought James was gay?" Remus smirked at the couple.

Jessie lay with her head in James's lap, blushing madly as James grinned. "She had no idea!" James laughs, tickling her. She yelped, jumping to her feet and running away.

James, forgetting his cigarette, chased after her. The two landed in the grass with a thud. Jessie laughing hysterically as James tickled her and kissed all over her face.

"James!"

And now, James was lifting her things onto the train for her. Jessie watched as his muscles strained under the weight of her suitcase. She bit her lip at the sight.

Remus came up next to her, handing her a napkin. "For the drool," he grinned at him.

Jessie scoffed, hitting his chest playfully.

"Oi, James, tell your boyfriend to stop staring!" Jessie called out, watching Sirius lean back against the train, eyes fixated on James.

James blinked at her in confusion before his eyes fell on Sirius. Sirius winked, a cigarette dangling from his lips. James grabbed it, stamping it out. "If you even think about entering my house, I wouldn't smoke around my parents."

"What's got your knickers in a twist, Potter?" Sirius snorted, pulling out a fresh cigarette to light.

"Well, Jessie's going to meet my parents at the platform... I don't know, I'm just nervous," James shrugged.

"James Potter, nervous? Puh-lease! It'll be fine, mate. You're James, it's always fine," Sirius pat his shoulder.

James exhaled slowly, nodding as Jessie walked over, arms wrapping around him. She cast Sirius a small, playful glare and pulled her boyfriend closer. "Mine," she said, kissing his cheek.

"Yours," James smiled.

The train ride was mostly silent, Jessie curled in James's lap, sound asleep. James played with her hair, staring out the window. Remus of course was reading and Sirius was of course smoking, making the apartment cloudy. Peter was eating his box of Every Flavour Beans.