Jemma Simmons and the Hogwarts years

This had been a stressful couple of months. Jemma had expected her fifth year to be stressful, but never quite this much. Of course, she had to prepare for OWLS (but she had been resigned, and quite excited about that fact) but the source of her stress came from something else entirely. 

After all, she hadn’t expected that one of her friends would participate in a dangerous tournament. 

The rumors the students had heard during the summer had been true. Hogwarts was the home of the very notorious (and very dangerous) Triwizard Tournament. The news had been met with excitement from almost everyone. Jemma had been worried, at first - after all, the tournament wasn’t known for being a very safe experience. But rules had been instaured, and the idea of Hogwarts being the home to students from two important schools was quite exciting. Jemma hadn’t been able to hide her joy at seeing students from other cultures take shelter in Hogwarts during the year. It was quite fun to see so many new faces roam the halls. 

Of course, there was the matter of the champions. Skye had clamored wanting to put her name in the famous cup that was supposed to choose the champions, but her excitement had been shortlived. Students below sixth-year weren’t allowed to try out, and enchantments made sure of that. 

- And besides, Jemma had remarked. You’ll have enough to deal with, what with the OWLS and all that ! There won’t be any time for gallivanting about…

- Gallivanting about ? Skye had replied, amused. I’m sorry, Duchess. 

Skye expected Grant to try out : however, the young man (to Simmons’ immense relief) didn’t seem very inclined to put his name in the cup. Simmons was pretty sure she knew why : he didn’t want the glory that came with it. Quidditch had always been enough for him. He didn’t look forward to being Hogwarts’ poster boy, and Simmons understood that.

However, Grant hadn’t counted on his little brother Zach putting his name in the Cup. So when Headmaster Fury announced the champions’ names on Halloween night, Grant had been as surprised as his friends were. 

The fact that Grant had been chosen wasn’t very surprising itself : he was a great wizard and a good student. As proud as Simmons was of him, she didn’t like this one bit. Sure, new rules had been instaured, but it was still something big ! 

- I’m sure that if you want to pull out, the Headmaster will understand, she had told Grant nervously later that night, talking so fast that her mouth could barely catch up with her ideas. I mean, I know there are enchantments, but somebody else put your name in, and I know Zach didn’t mean any harm - he’s so fond of you, really, it’s so endearing, and he simply wanted everyone to see how strong his big brother was, but you didn’t choose this, and…

- Jemma. 

- And it would be absolutely barbarian to force you to compete in something so dangerous if you don’t want to - there are rules, and you have rights, and I can look it up…

- Jemma. 

- Yes ? 

- It’s fine. I’ll do it. 

- But… 

- I want to be an Auror. When I graduate from Hogwarts. This can only help me pursue in that field. I’m not backing out. 

Jemma had nodded, forcing a smile. Over the next few weeks leading up to the first task, she enlisted Leo and Skye to help her research previous editions of the Tournament, researching all she could about the tasks the champions had to perform in the past. What she found terrified her, but she trusted Grant, and she trusted the school. 

- Aren’t you the one who said we needed to study for our OWLS ? Skye grumbled, one day, in the library. 

- We are studying. We’re just focusing on certain aspects of…

- Jemma, Fitz whispered. You are aware that Grant Ward is a big boy, who can more than handle himself ? Plus, Headmaster Fury isn’t an idiot. He’s not sending him off to his death. 

- I know. But there’s nothing wrong with doing a bit of research. 

- A bit of research ? Skye said. We’ve been here for two hours. 

- Grant needs all the help he can get. The champions aren’t allowed to know anything before hand - how can he prepare if we know nothing ? 

- He doesn’t prepare. That’s kind of the point. The Durmstrang champion isn’t putting that much effort into it, that’s for sure. 

- How would you know ? Leo asked, frowning. Do you know her ? 

- No, Skye answered. 

- Then how do you know ?

- I just talked with a Durmstrang student. That’s all. 

- Oh yes, I saw you with him, Jemma said as she closed a book to open another. The tall fellow from earlier today ? 

- Tall fellow ? There was a tall fellow ? 

Skye rolled her eyes and didn’t answer. 

The first task arrived faster than Jemma would have liked. Grant thanked her profusely for her help. She refrained herself from hugging him before he left that morning. As she sat at her table, she spotted Skye’s worried expression from across the room. The girls exchanged a look and sighed.

The first task was nerve-wracking. Each champion was locked in a cage, without a want, with a sleeping, dangerous creature. They needed to find a way to get the small chest they were sleeping on without getting hurt : the chest contained a key and an important object for the next task. 

Grant was locked in with a giant Fire crab, and Jemma could barely watch. She wasn’t sure if she was crushing Skye’s hand, or if Skye was crushing hers as they sat in the bleachers. Even Leo, who wasn’t as close to Grant as the girls were, was pale and nervous. 

The Durmstrang champion, a beautiful redhead named Natasha Romanoff, was the first to succeed. Grant was next, a few minutes after her. Jemma let out a loud breath of relief, pale and shaky. As the cage opened, the creature awoke and blew fire on Grant’s back, but the young man rolled away quickly before the damage got worse. 

He finished second, and Jemma cheered with the others, feeling absolutely ecstatic, her previous worry transforming into excitement and pride. Down in the stadium, Grant looked exhausted, but he was smiling slightly despite the burn that scorched his upper arm. 

As soon as they were allowed, Jemma, Skye and Leo made their way to the infirmary, where the school nurse patched up the young champion. A lot of Gryffindor students were there, congratulating the young man, and Jemma couldn’t even get to him. Still, through the crowded room, Jemma caught his eye, and she beamed at him. He smiled back. 

Later, he showed her the object he had gotten for the second task. It was a map for an unknown place. Jemma spent minutes looking at it, intrigued and fascinated, but thankfully, the second task was still months away. The holidays would come first, and Jemma wasn’t unhappy for the break.

And of course, there would be a Ball. 

Jemma debated even going, but Skye wouldn’t hear of her or Leo going home for the holidays, and Jemma admitted that the whole thing seemed like a lot of fun. She had never been to a Ball, and the Yule Ball, a Triwizard tournament tradition, was sure to be a nice experience. There quickly formed an unspoken agreement between the three friends to go together and not to worry about dates, which suited Jemma just fine. 

For the next few weeks, it was hard to get a hold of Grant. His performance in the first task, only beaten by the catlike Durmstrang Champion, had drawn a lot of attention, and people lined up to talk to him. Zach, his little brother, was positively glowing with pride.

One day, as Jemma and Leo were making their way from the greenhouses to the castle under the first snow of the winter, Skye caught up with them, running, her cheeks red and her eyes sparkling with excitement. Jemma gave her a quizzical look, and Skye tried to hide her smile. 

- What ? Leo asked, breaking the silence, looking confused. 

- Nothing. 

- What is it ? he asked impatiently. 

- Nothing !

- Skye, Jemma said, intrigued. 

Skye looked like she was about to burst. 

- Okay. You know that guy from Durmstrang ? Miles ? 

- Stupid name, growled Leo under his breath. 

- Yes, Jemma said, nodding. What about him ? 

- He just… he just asked me to the Ball. 

Leo froze a little, almost stumbling in the snow, but he recovered quickly. His eyes fixated on Skye’s face, he opened his mouth but said nothing. 

- Oh ! Jemma said, her eyes widening. Oh ! What did you say ? 

- I… I said yes, Skye admitted. You guys don’t mind, do you ? 

Jemma glanced towards Leo, who was trying to keep a straight face. Immediatly, Jemma felt her heart sink, but she forced a smile for Skye’s sake : 

- Of course not, she answered. It’s great !

- Great, Leo echoed. 

- I can’t believe he asked me, Skye confessed, shaking her head in amazement. I mean, the first time I talked to him, I kind of insulted him. Eh, I guess he liked it, or something. 

- It takes all kinds, Leo remarked evenly. 

Leo’s efforts to seem all right with the situation were lost on Skye, but not on Jemma. As soon as she was alone in the Ravenclaw common room with her friend, she sat with him on the couch in front of the fire, sighing. Leo was sitting, his legs brought up to his chest, his arms circling them. He was staring at the fireplace. 

- Hey, Jemma said. 

- I can’t believe she’d go with him, Leo said immediatly, and it was obvious that he had been waiting to speak up all day. I mean, he’s… he’s from another school. 

- I don’t think Skye cares about that, Jemma said softly. 

- Still. And I thought… I thought we were going … together. The three of us. Like always. It’s always the three of us. And now… 

The lost expression on Leo’s face threatened to make Jemma crumble, and she bit her lip, at a loss for what to say. It was becoming clearer to her that Leo arbored feelings for Skye, but she was almost certain that those feelings weren’t reciprocated. As their best friend, what was she to do ? She glanced at the fire, and smiled, nudging Leo slightly. 

- Well, you still have me, she said brightly. I’m still your date. 

- Oh, a pity date, Leo said. Thank you, Jemma. 

- It’s not a pity date ! Jemma protested. You know it’s not. I don’t want to go with anyone else. We’ll sit together, we’ll get free food, we’ll have fun. 

- Will you make me dance ? 

- Me ? Dancing ? Please. 

This made Leo smile, and Jemma felt slightly triumphant. Her friend glanced at her : 

- Thanks, he said. 

- You’re welcome. 

Jemma was happy for Skye : she seemed to really like this Miles, and, even if Jemma didn’t know him enough to judge, he seemed nice enough. Jemma wasn’t about to ruin Skye’s joy by mentioning Leo’s feelings on the matter. It wasn’t her place. 

She remained quite excited about the Ball. She even wrote a long letter to her parents telling them about it (she had lacked time to write to them the rest of the year because of how busy she had been). One saturday morning, right before breakfast, she went up the owlery to send it. Before leaving, she petted her owl Snow for a few moments, then stopped to admire the snowy schoolgrounds. Just as she was getting ready to leave, she spotted a familiar silhouette entering the room. 

- Grant !

The boy stopped in his tracks, looking surprised. He quickly smiled, and his smile held a warmth that made Jemma smile even wider. He looked truly happy to see her. Perhaps he had missed her company as much as she had missed his ? 

- Hi, he said. How are you ? 

- Good ! Jemma exclaimed, unable to hide her joy. What about you ? How’s life in the shoes of a champion ? 

Grant chuckled, and looked around, obviously looking for his owl Zebulon. Jemma, spotting him, pointed at the animal, and Grant thanked her with a nod. 

- Good, he said as he attached the letter to the owl’s leg, giving him a treat as he did. It’s good. A bit… overwhelming, I guess. 

- I can see that, Jemma said, adjusting her scarf around her neck just as she was getting ready to exit the owlery. Are you writing your grandmother ? 

- Good guess. 

- Being a genius is my curse. 

- I think smugness might be your curse. 

- Oh really ? Jemma said, amused. 

- Really. 

He followed Jemma outside, and they started to go down the stairs together. The day was cold, but not windy, and the sun was shining bright in the sky. 

- I love snow, Jemma said, sighing happily. And it looks it might snow for Christmas, and that’s always good !

- Are you going home for Christmas ?

- No, not this year. I’ll miss my parents, but there’s so much going on during the holidays at Hogwarts this year ! 

- Are you going to the Ball ? 

- Yes, I am ! I’m rather excited, Jemma said. It seems like a lot of fun. Are you going ? Oh wait. I guess you have to go, don’t you ? Being a champion and all. 

- Yeah, Grant confirmed. They’re making us go. 

- Well, you won’t have trouble finding a date if you want one, Jemma commented, smiling. I imagine many girls would love to go with you. 

- Yeah. I guess. 

Jemma noticed his less than enthused look, and recalled the way he always looked slightly uncomfortable when his admirers crowded him. She smiled softly as they reached the bottom of the stairs. 

- Are you going to ask anyone ? she asked, her feet settling in the snow. 

- Actually, I was going to ask you. 

Grant met her eyes, sticking his cold hands in his pockets. His expression was neutral, but his eyes betrayed his nervousness. That fact was lost on Jemma, however, because she was too busy gaping at him, slightly stunned. 

- Me ? she said, blinking. 

- Is that so strange ? Grant replied, looking away to the ground before glancing back at her. 

- No ! No, I guess not, Jemma conceded, the surprise fading. After all, many people ask their friends, don’t they ? I just thought… 

She just didn’t think he would want to go with her. It wasn’t like he didn’t know prettier, more popular girls, although Jemma knew he didn’t care about that. She had simply figured that she didn’t figure on his list of options. 

- Well, Grant awkwardly said, breaking the momentary silence. Do you… would you like to go with me ? 

Would she like to go with him ? Against her own expectations, she found that she really, really did. A fleeting image of him being on her arm at the Ball flew in her mind, and she skipped a heartbeat. A little surprised by her own reaction, she shook her head quickly, as if to get herself out of her daze : 

- I … I’d love to, but… I actually asked Leo to go with me, she answered, her heart clenching in her chest. 

- Oh. 

Jemma suddenly wished the sun wasn’t shining so bright so she could study his face without squinting. Was he disappointed ? Was he angry ? Did he simply not care ? Her nervousness grew by the second. 

- Skye has a date, you see, she added quickly. And he’s… well. It was supposed to be the three of us, so…

- I understand. 

- I’m sorry !

- It’s okay. 

- Really, I’m sorry !

- It’s okay, Jemma. I was just asking. Don’t worry about it. 

Jemma didn’t know if she wanted to laugh or cry. Why was the situation making her feel this way ? It was just a friend asking another friend, wasn’t it ? Why did she feel so bad ? 

She even regretted having asked Leo to the Ball, and immediatly felt even more guilty. What was wrong with her ? 

- I’ll see you around, then, Grant said. 

- Yes, Jemma said, nodding fervently. I’ll see you soon. 

- Right. 

He gave her a small smile, and Jemma relaxed a little. Still, as he turned his heels and walked away, she was left with an odd feeling in her chest, and it didn’t leave her all through the day. 

This wasn’t good. This wasn’t part of the plan. Her fifth year was supposed to be all studies. There weren’t supposed to be Fire Crabs, tensions between friends, boys from Durmstrang, mysterious maps and Balls. 

She wasn’t supposed to fall for Grant Ward.