REPUTATION • [j.p.] ✔️

[29]

Chapter Twenty-Nine:
The Good, the Bad and the Dirty

•••

JESSIE,

I'VE TALKED to Ted. After a very, very long discussion, we agreed that you and your friends can celebrate the Christmas holidays here.

Love,
Andromeda xx

•••

Jessie raced down to the Great Hall from her room. Yesterday, Jessie and James were caught up in the Hospital Wing after getting caught out in the rain the day before, so Lily had brought the letter to her dorm. Jessie shoved past some of the other students to get to her friends, tossing the letter down in front of James.

His eyes scanned the paper quickly before he pulled Jessie into a kiss. "Perhaps we'll kiss under the mistletoe at an appropriate time," he teased. James's hair was wild this morning, sticking up all over the place. Jessie bit the urge to lick her hand and try and fix it.

She did that once—but never again. Sirius and Remus has caught her in the act and almost immediately started teasing Jessie. She was such a mother. It was in her blood, undoubtedly.

"James, have you bothered to brush your hair at all today?" Jessie frowned up at his messy hair. She took a piece of bacon from his plate, much to his dismay.

James huffed, crossing his arms. "Of course I did!"

"Yeah mum, leave him alone!" Sirius grinned at the dark haired girl. She glared at him, fuming. "Uh-oh," Sirius said to Remus, "Mum's angry.

Jessie nearly leapt over the table to pummel him, if it weren't for Marlene beating her to it. She smacked the boys arm as she wedged herself between Sirius and Remus. "Honestly, Sirius. You have a complete and utter disregard for girls and their feelings," she tsked. "No wonder you run around and shag girls. Can't get any to stay with you."

"Marlene!" Jessie exclaimed as Sirius's smug smirk fell.

"Oh my god, Sirius," Marlene started, regret in her eyes.

It was too late, Sirius was already shoving away from the table. He muttered, "See you later, McKinnon" and hurried off.

The four Marauders sat in shock. Someone had actually upset Sirius Black. Not even when his friends were hurt did he look so distraught. Jessie slipped her hand into James's hand, biting her lower lip anxiously.

"You guys know I didn't mean to—"

"Marlene, you wouldn't hurt a fly. Normally, Sirius would just laugh..." Jessie shrugged. "Should I check on him?" she asked James.