Jemma Simmons and the lost friends
Jemma Simmons and the lost friends
You’d have thought that now that she was in her fourth year at Hogwarts, Jemma Simmons would have gotten better at navigating through Hogsmeade. But she had gotten distracted by an Herbology shop, and she had lost track of Leo and Skye, who had… disappeared. They couldn’t have gone far, though, and Jemma was not anxious. The village was full of familiar places, and she would surely find her two friends soon.
The day was rather cold, but Jemma didn’t mind : snowflakes were descending from the sky, landing soundlessly on the white ground. Dressed in a winter coat, her hair covered by a blue hat, Jemma smiled as she looked up at the sky for a moment. A snowflake landed on her ticklish nose, and she brushed it off with her gloved hand, before turning around to decide which way to go.
Down the street was Madam Puddifoot’s Tea Shop, the haven for couples. Surely, they weren’t in there. Maybe Zonko’s ? Skye did have a taste for pranks, although Leo didn’t share it. Jemma wrinkled her nose thoughtfully, going over the possibilites, until a voice tore her from her thoughts.
- Did you get lost ?
She jumped slightly, turning her head to face Grant Ward. The fifth-year student’s cheeks were reddened by the cold, and he was wearing a hat and a scarf, like her. In the distance, Jemma could see a few friends of his in front of a shop.
- A little, Jemma admitted with a smile. I’m not really lost - I just lost Skye and Leo. You haven’t seen them, have you ?
The boy shook his head, and Jemma sighed. She shivered in the wind, looking towards the street leading to Zonko’s. Her decision was made : she was going this way. She nodded to herself, ready to go, then stopped, noticing that Grant was still here. He was standing next to her, his hands in his pockets, avoiding her gaze.
- I can help you look for them, he said.
Jemma’s eyes widened slightly, and she shook her head quickly :
- Oh, no, no, there’s no need ! You’re with your friends. I’ll find them soon, anyway, I’m sure !
Grant stared at her for a second, before glancing at his friends.
- You shouldn’t be all alone in the village, he said quietly, looking back at Jemma. It’s not safe.
Jemma raised an eyebrow, a little surprised, and glanced around at the warm little village, covered in snow.
- It’s not a jungle, you know, she remarked, a teasing edge to her voice.
He kept staring at her, something shifting slightly in his gaze. Was it… amusement ? Jemma had rarely seen him smile - Skye swore that he laughed, sometimes, but Jemma had yet to witness it.
- Still, he replied, his voice a little firmer. Who knows you could run into ? Skye’d kill me if I let something happen to you.
Jemma rolled her eyes at his sterness, but there was something sweet about it. He really was the noble type, and the fact that he seemed slightly afraid of Skye was… endearing.
- What about your friends ? Jemma asked.
- They’ll be fine.
Grant turned and waved at them, signaling wordlessly that he was walking with Jemma. The girl watched the exchange quietly, stuffing her hands into her pockets as she waited for Grant. Finally, the boy turned to her, nodding :
- Let’s go.
- I was thinking they might be at Zonko’s, Jemma said. The joke shop.
- Makes sense.
Slowly, they started walking, and for a moment, Jemma regretted letting him come with her. She should have made up an excuse, should have left while he wasn’t looking - because now, they were caught in an awkward silence. Grant wasn’t the talkative type. Jemma didn’t mind silence, when it was a comfortable one, and it certainly wasn’t the case. She fought the urge to make conversation : one, she was terrible at small talk and two, she felt as though he wouldn’t appreciate it very much.
Surprisingly, it was him that broke the silence :
- Skye told me you had a bit of trouble in Defence of the Dark Arts.
Jemma looked up, a little surprised that he was speaking, and slightly caught off-guard by his assertion. It was true, but she hadn’t expected him to actually know something about her.
- A little, yes, she admitted easily. It’s not my strongest subject. I’m doing fine, in theory, but my spells - they could be stronger. I can feel it.
- What do you have trouble with ?
- Well, nothing in particular. Like I said, I get along - but I wish I was better at it. You never know what can happen, you know ?
- Yeah.
Nearby, a few younger students were having a snowball fight. Jemma ducked a stray snowball quickly, before continuing to walk, as one of the students yelled an apology. She grimaced slightly :
- That was close, she muttered.
- Defence of the Dark Arts is my best subject.
Surprised again, Jemma glanced at Grant, not sure what to make of his words. Why was he telling her this ? Was he bragging ? Was he trying to make conversation ? Was he pointing out his superiority to her ? The boy noticed her frown, and quickly added :
- I could help you. If you want.
- You could ?
- Maybe. If you want to. I mean, according to Skye, I’m a terrible teacher, but…
A smile graced his lips for a fleeting second, and Jemma felt the corners of her lips tug up. She grinned :
- Not at all, she said. She wouldn’t say it to your face, but she thinks you’re great. You didn’t hear it from me.
- Good to know.
- Thanks for the offer ! I might take you up on it. I mean, if you have the time, of course… between Quidditch, your O.W.L.S… I wouldn’t want to…
- Jemma.
Her name. He was saying her name. She was pretty sure it was the first time she had heard it from his lips.
- Yeah ?
-. I wouldn’t have offered if I couldn’t.
His tone was neutral and his expression serious, but Jemma swore there was a glint of amusement in his eyes. It was hard to tell, though, because she didn’t dare to look at him for too long.
- … Thank you, Jemma said, smiling. That’s really nice of you to offer.
She paused as they continued down the street. Her expression went from thoughtful to teasing, and she bit her lip before speaking :
- So. Is this a hobby of yours ?
- Walking ?
- No ! Helping. You offered to help Skye, even though you barely knew her, and now, you’re doing the same to me.
- I wouldn’t say I barely know you.
- No, I know. We’ve known each other a while, it’s just…
She trailed off, following her train of thought wordlessly. They knew each other, in passing, from glances, a few words, but they weren’t friends, were they ? He rarely spoke to her. They knew each other through Skye, mostly. For all of her third year, Grant had been a constant presence, but he’d been in the background. She had definitely seen him around a lot, but she wouldn’t say she knew him well. Sometimes, she wasn’t sure he was aware of her existence.
Except he obviously was.
- Just what ?
Jemma glanced at Grant, but he wasn’t looking at her. He was looking ahead, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The teenage girl shrugged uneasily, furrowing her brow in thought, trying to sound casual :
- Just… not a lot of people would offer to help someone they weren’t close with. That’s all.
- Yeah. Well.
The worlds hung in the air, and Jemma almost regretted even speaking at all. She really was terrible at small talk. She let the silence settle for a bit, but she couldn’t help but make another attempt at lightening up the mood.
- I bet you don’t remember, she said brightly, but we actually met on my first day of school.
He looked at her, raising his eyebrows, and she continued, nodding :
- On the train. Some students came after Leo and I, and you stepped in.
- I remember.
- You do ?
Jemma didn’t even hide her surprise, and her eyes widened :
- I didn’t think you did ! she said.
- Of course I do.
He sounded a little irritated, as though he was offended that she thought he had forgotten. Jemma frowned, and her face soon lit up again :
- Well, I bet you don’t remember how sullen you were afterwards.
This seemed to take him by surprise : he turned to look at her, slowing down his pace, looking stunned.
- …. I wasn’t !
- Yes, you were ! Jemma retorted, nodding. You basically told us to stay out of trouble, as if it was our fault, and then you left. And you didn’t acknowledge us for months.
- Hey, I saved you ! Grant protested. I didn’t know we needed to hug it out afterwards.
- You know, there’s this thing people do. It’s called smiling. You should give it a try sometimes.
Grant frowned, glaring at Jemma, and the girl giggled despite herself. The boy relaxed slightly at her obvious joy :
- What ? he asked.
- I’m sorry, she said, trying to stop herself from giggling. But the sour look doesn’t… it’s a lot less believable when you’re wearing a winter hat.
Grant’s hand flew to his head instinctively, straightening his hat.
- … What’s wrong with my hat ? he asked, sounding a little worried.
- Nothing ! Jemma said hurriedly. It’s a great hat.
- …. Good.
- I wasn’t insulting your hat.
- All right.
- I swear.
- … There you are !
Jemma turned her head to see Skye running towards her, Leo trailing behind her.
- What do you mean, there I am ? Jemma said. You were the ones who disappeared !
- We, hum… we had somewhere to be, Skye said evasively. We thought we’d find you quick but… hey ! My favorite coach !
- Hey, Grant said.
- What are you two doing together ? Leo asked, catching up with them, frowning.
- He helped me look for you, Jemma answered.
- Isn’t he a keeper ? Skye said slightly. Hey, Grant, do you want to come with us toHoneydukes ?
Grant took a step back, shaking his head slightly :
- No thanks. I should catch up to my friends.
- Well, your loss, Skye said. You’re going to miss Leo with sugar in his body.
- Like you’re any better, Leo grumbled.
- Thanks for the walk, Jemma said quickly.
Grant glanced at her, and merely nodded. And just like that, as was his way, he was gone, retreating, going back to where he came from. Jemma watched him go for a moment, then felt Skye lock her arm with hers. Smiling, glad to have found her friends again, she followed them towards the candy shop.