Jemma Simmons and the Hogwarts years

This was the first Christmas Jemma spent away from her parents. Although she did miss them, Christmas had her waking up with the biggest smile on her face. It was the day after the Ball, and the memory of her kiss with Grant was still on her mind. The rest of the night, during which they had exchanged glances and smiles across the room, was a hazy, glistening memory. She felt as though she had grown wings overnight. She couldn’t stop smiling, and when she glanced into the mirror, her reflection showed her the light in her eyes, the reddening of her cheeks and the general glow of her face. She barely recognized herself.

Still in her pajamas, she ran down the stairs to the Ravenclaw common room. There was a pretty Christmas tree by the fireplace, decorated in silver and blue, and Jemma grinned as she saw gifts underneath. Every student had received the same gift : a beautiful silver quill. Jemma grinned when she opened it, and squealed as she spotted a still-sleepy Leo coming down the stairs.

- Merry Christmas, Leo ! she said, sitting cross-legged on the sofa.

Leo grunted in response, and Jemma giggled. Leo could be a little grumpy in the mornings, which Jemma usually rolled her eyes at. But today, it was as though everything shone with a new light.

- Look ! she added. We all got gifts !

At this, Leo’s eyes lit up, and he grabbed his present, sitting next to Jemma.

- Merry Christmas, he told her. I got something for you.

- And I, for you ! And also for Skye, Jemma said. We should go meet her downstairs, soon.

- If she’s up. She was still dancing with Miles when we left.

Leo’s tone made Jemma’s smile fade a bit, and she nudged him :

- She’ll be up. She knows we’re having Christmas this morning, the three of us.

- You’re right, Leo said. You look like you’re in a good mood. Are you always this happy around Christmas ?

- I guess, Jemma answered happily. Come on !

After they had changed, they made their way downstairs, where a delicious Christmas breakfast awaited the students in the Great Hall. Skye was sitting at the Ravenclaw table – a fact that would have gathered attention any other day, but Christmas made it different. The Great Hall had regained its usual look, even if Christmas decorations, red, green and gold, gave it a festive air.

- Hey ! Skye said, waving. Merry Christmas, you guys !

- Merry Christmas, Skye ! Jemma answered, hugging her friend.

- Merry Christmas, Leo said with a smile.

- I almost overslept, Skye admitted, grinning. But then I remembered – Christmas breakfast. The eggs are to die for.

Jemma giggled, setting her bag next to her. As she sat down, she looked up and spotted Grant entering the room, followed by some classmates. Jemma froze, trying to stop the very obvious smile from her face. Grant’s eyes found hers, and although he didn’t smile, his eyes lit up in this way she found so endearing. Skye broke the moment, noticing him and waving, yelling loudly :

- Merry Christmas, Grant Ward !

Grant rolled his eyes, making his way to the Gryffindor table. Skye returned her attention to her friends, and handed them two identical packages ;

- Sorry for the lack of originality, she said. But I couldn’t decide who to give this to – so I got you the same thing. Forgive me ?

- It looks like a book ! Jemma said happily.

- You can never go wrong with books, Leo said, handing his friends two gifts.

Jemma gave Skye and Leo gifts as well, and opened Skye’s gift first. It was a beautiful journal, with an eagle on the cover.

- You write something in it, and you can erase it magically if you don’t like it, Skye said. Kind of like with a muggle computer.

- It’s lovely, Skye !

- Yeah, Leo said. Thank you.

- You’re welcome ! Now, let’s see what you two got me…

Skye grinned at Jemma’s gift : it was a bag of her favorite sweets, Acid Pops. Leo’s gift left her speechless. It was a magical picture of the three of them during the previous summer, at Diagon Alley : they were all laughing, looking happy and carefree.

- Leo, Skye whispered, staring at the picture. It’s… it’s beautiful.

- I thought you might like it, Leo said. Since I know you… you mustn’t have many decorations, in your room, over there…

- I love it, Skye said, unable to tear her eyes away. I … I don’t really have pictures, of anyone, ever, so…

Jemma felt her own heart clench in her chest, and emotion took her over when she noticed how Skye’s eyes seemed to water for a second. The young Gryffindor student smiled, and hugged Leo, who awkwardly smiled. Jemma gave him a proud smile, and opened the gift he’d given her, while he opened his gift from her. She had gotten him an animated stuffed monkey (he had a fascination with monkeys), and he had gotten her a yellow scarf.

- Oh Leo, I love it, Jemma gushed. It’s lovely. I like the color.

- Yellow suits you, Skye said. You have good taste, Leo.

- Thanks, the boy said, nodding with a bashful, yet satisfied smile.

Jemma looked up, spotting Grant standing up from his table, making his way towards the hallway. Biting her lip, Jemma got up, earning glances from her friends.

- I’m going to go… try the scarf on, she said, holding the yellow accessory in her hands and her bag in the other.

- Why do you need to leave to try on a scarf ? Leo asked, frowning.

- Because… because I want to see it. In the mirror, Jemma said, smiling brightly.

- Don’t you wanna eat first ? Skye asked, looking bemused.

- I’ll eat later ! Jemma answered, already leaving the table.

- Why do you need your bag ? Skye yelled after her, but Jemma was already gone.

In the hallway, she saw Grant at the bottom of the stairs.

- Grant ! she said, slightly breathless.

A couple of students walked past her, and immediately, she wondered if she could have been more subtle. But once Grant turned to face her, her concern was forgotten. He stopped near the stairs, and gave her a smile. She stood there for a second, staring at him, a smile on her face, before coming out of her daze, blushing slightly, and making her way towards him.

- Hi, she said. Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

They stared at each other for a few seconds. Grant made a slight move towards her, but interrupted himself when a Slytherin student walked past them, entering the Great Hall. Jemma fought back a giggle, looking up at Grant with a smile. Hesitantly, the boy leaned down, and kissed her forehead. She felt as though her cheeks might hurt from smiling.

- I can’t stop smiling, she blurted out. I… it won’t stop. It’s like my face won’t listen to me.

Grant let out a low chuckle :

- It’s okay. You have a nice smile.

- You too, Jemma answered. You should smile more.

- You do ?

- Yeah. I really do.

- I’ll keep that in mind.

Jemma grinned, wondering if it was possible to sigh dreamily on the inside, and suddenly exclaimed :

- Oh ! I got you a gift, she said, looking inside her bag.

- A gift ? Grant asked, looking surprised.

- Yeah. It’s… it’s not a very good one. But I got it for you, so … there !

She handed to Grant a package. Raising his eyebrows, Grant took it and unwrapped it, taking out a small, red box. It was a box of Glacial Snowflakes, candies from Honeydukes.

- Do you like them ? Jemma asked nervously.

- I do, Grant said. Thank you.

- I wasn’t sure if you liked them, but I thought I saw you eat some last year, in Hogsmeade. So I thought… I thought I’d get you something…

- Thank you. I like it.

- Good ! People usually like sweets and candy. I think.

- They do.

- Good !

She closed her mouth, feeling as though she was about to babble. Grant looked at her for a few seconds, then said :

- I got you something too.

- Really ? she said.

- Yeah. I… it’s nothing, he said, shaking his head, crossing his arms. But it’s in my dorm. If you want it.

- Of course I want it ! Jemma said, smiling. It’s lovely ! Oh, you didn’t have to get me anything, Grant, you know.

- You got me something.

- Yeah, but that was…that’s nothing. It’s just candy.

- I’ll be right back.

- Okay.

Jemma smiled. With one last look at her, Grant made his way up the stairs, and Jemma watched him go, fighting back a sigh. Since when had she grown so dreamy ? She couldn’t help herself today. She felt as though she saw Grant so much differently. She wondered how she could have missed it before : how sweet, how kind, how wonderful he was. How she enjoyed his company like no other’s. Was the kiss simply clouding her judgment ? The logical part of her mind tended to think so, but she could hardly bring herself to care.

She was going to enjoy this.

- Jemma ?

The girl jumped abruptly. Skye came from the Great Hall, head tilted, looking both confused and curious. Jemma stepped away from the stairs.

- I thought you were going to try on your scarf, Skye said, giving her friend a quizzical look.

- I … I did ! Jemma said. It’s great. It looks well.

- It’s still folded.

- I… folded it back. I like things folded. I just fold everything. It’s a quirk of mine.

- Huh huh, Skye said, looking skeptical. Jemma.

- Yes ?

- What are you doing ?

- What do you mean ?

- Why are you standing there, by the stairs ?

- I was just… I was watching the Christmas tree, over there, Jemma said, pointing to the Christmas tree by the window. The view is great from there. See ?

- You’re a terrible liar.

- Lying ? Jemma said, a high-pitched laugh escaping her lips. What makes you think I’m…

- Jem ! Skye exclaimed. What’s going on ? You’re being all secretive and mysterious.

- Me ?

- Yes, you ! Does this have anything to do with you disappearing during the Ball last night ?

Jemma glanced helplessly towards the stairs, shaking her head :

- … Disappearing ? she said.

- Yes ! Leo said you were gone for like, twenty minutes, after you danced with Grant…

- I was in the… bathroom.

- Jemma, come on, Skye said, edging closer to her friend, a light in her eyes. Don’t play a player. What happened ? Is there a guy ?

- No ! No boys ! You’re the one who has a guy !

At this, Skye smiled, but didn’t lose track of the subject :

- Don’t change the subject, Simmons. Come on… tell me… there’s a guy, isn’t it ? Oh my god, is it…

Jemma heard some steps in the stairs, and looked up before she could stop herself. She immediately spotted Grant, holding a small package in his hands. When he saw Skye, he froze slightly. Before Jemma could do anything, Skye looked up. She tilted her head, looking from Grant, to the package in his hand, to the expression on his face, before he could change it to a neutral one. She then glanced at Jemma, whose poker face wasn’t a very good one. Her eyes widened, and she crossed her arms, raising her eyebrows, before looking back at Grant, who made his way down the stairs casually, the package behind his back.

- Why, hello, Grant, Skye said. How are you on this fine Christmas morning ?

- I’m good.

- Oh, I bet you are, Skye answered, looking thrilled.

Jemma looked at Grant helplessly. Oh, they were never going to hear the end of this.

- Say, what’s this behind your back ? Skye asked. Is it a giiift ?

- Well, it is Christmas. I gave you a gift.

- I know. So who is this for ? A special someone ? Because my gift didn’t have a pretty golden bow on it…

- Skye ?

- Yes, Grant.

- Why don’t you go back in the Great Hall and give Jemma and I a minute ?

Jemma widened her eyes at Grant : so did Skye. Neither expected him to be so obvious about it. Skye had expected denial, and frankly, Jemma had too. But Grant, if there was a hint of nervousness on his face, seemed rather serene about it. Skye opened her mouth, but didn’t speak. She nodded, glancing from Grant to Jemma:

- All right, she said, smiling. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.

- That’s kind of a short list, you know, Grant said.

- Exactly, Skye added with a wink.

She retreated towards the Great Hall, and Grant shook his head fondly at her. Jemma stared at Grant, who looked back at her.

- Aren’t you afraid she’ll tease you endlessly about this ? Jemma asked nervously.

- She’s teased me about worse things, Grant said.

He held out his hand, and Jemma took it. Quietly, Grant lead her by the Christmas tree, a little further in the Hall, further away from the Great Hall. Slightly nervously, he handed Jemma a small silver package, wrapped with a golden bow. Jemma grinned, and unwrapped it. While she did, Grant rubbed the back of his neck, looking at the tree, away from her. Jemma found herself holding a little blue box. She opened it, and gaped.

- Grant, she breathed out.

It was a necklace. Jemma wasn’t much for jewelry, to be honest, but it was lovely. The chain was silver, and there was a small pendant, in the shape of a shining snowflake. She looked up at Grant, stunned. Without quite meeting her eyes, the boy shrugged.

- I know you’re not really a jewelry girl, he said. But… I don’t know. It made me think of… you know, that walk we took in Hogsmeade, last year ? When you lost Skye and Fitz.

- I remember, Jemma said softly.

- If you don’t like it, I can return it.

- Are you joking ? Jemma said. I love it. It’s really pretty. And it’s lovely, and… a snowflake. It reminds me of… of last night.

At this, Grant seemed to relax, and a soft smile appeared on his face. Jemma smiled breathlessly, and, without thinking, she stood on tiptoe to press a fleeting kiss to Grant’s lips. When she pulled back, he looked pleasantly surprised, and she grinned.

- Can you help me put it on ? she asked.

Grant nodded, and took the necklace between his hands. Jemma turned her back to him, and held her hair up. Grant clasped the chain behind her neck, and Jemma smiled, wrapping the scarf around her neck afterwards. The pendant was still visible above her collar. She turned back to Grant, who pushed a strand of hair from her face.

- Thank you, she said. That’s so sweet of you… my gift is terrible in comparison.

- No. It was a nice gift.

- Grant, you got me a gorgeous necklace, and I got you candy snowflakes.

- Yeah, but we both got each other snowflakes.

- Oh ! I guess that’s true. Great minds think alike !

- And a great mind you are, so I’m flattered.

- Oh, like you’re not smart. Might I remind you that you’re one of the best students of your year ? And that you’re, oh, I don’t know, the Hogwarts champion ?

Grant laughed, shaking his head, and shrugged.

- You’re too modest for your own good, you know ? Jemma said.

- And you’re beautiful.

Jemma froze, not expecting this answer. She stared a bit, breathless :

- That… I don’t see what that has to do with anything, she said, trying to regain control of herself.

- It doesn’t, Grant admitted. But it’s true.

He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. This time, she rose her hand up to his shoulders and the kiss lingered, deepening hesitantly and softly. Grant pulled back, though, too soon for Jemma’s tastes.

- We should get back, he said.

- Wait ! Jemma said, grabbing his arm as he started to step away. Hang on.

Grant stopped to look at her, and Jemma steeled herself, taking a deep breath.

- We kissed, she said. Three times.

- I’m aware, Grant answered, looking slightly amused. I was there, you know.

- Don’t make fun of me ! I’m serious !

- So am I.

- So, we kissed. And you… you got me a necklace. And you said I was … you said I was beautiful.

His expression softened :

- I did.

- I like you, Jemma blurted out. I feel like that’s obvious, but still. I felt as though that should be said.

It wasn’t in her to be so forward, but there was also a logical side to her, that wanted to make sure everything was clear. Collecting data, and drawing conclusions. Grant smiled.

- And you like me too, Jemma added, studying Grant’s face. Right ?

- Yeah, Grant answered. I do.

- Okay ! Jemma said, breathing deeply. Good. So we like each other.

- We do.

- Usually, when two people like each other, they… date. Or so I’ve gathered.

- So you’ve gathered ?

- Yes. From observation, mostly. Hogwarts has its share of couples.

- Do you keep a chart ?

When had he become so teasing ? Jemma rolled her eyes.

- I don’t, for your information, she said. Are you really going to make me ask ?

- Ask what ?

- You know what ! Oh, you’re impossible, Grant Ward. You know, I’m not sure I want to be your girlfriend after all.

Before she realized what she had said, she saw Grant’s eyes light up. He smiled again :

- I was going to ask, he said, his voice lowering slightly. For your information.

- Well, Jemma said, her breath catching in her throat. You can still ask.

- Are you going to say yes ?

- The odds are in your favor.

- Good to know. So…

- So.

- Jemma.

- Grant.

- Would you like to be my girlfriend ?

Jemma almost squealed on the spot, but she remained in control. She bit her lip, feigning thoughtfulness, and answered :

- Mmm… I’ll get back to you.

Grant rolled his eyes, chuckling :

- Are you torturing me ? he said.

- Maybe, she answered, pulling slightly on his tie to bring his face down to hers. Boyfriend.

Grant’s smile died on his lips when she kissed him again. Jemma released him quickly, then pulled away :

- Okay, now we can get back, she said lightly.

- Already ? Grant asked, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

But Jemma was already making her way down the Hall. She turned back to grin widely at Grant, spinning around, feeling lighter than ever, before she returned to her friends.

After all, she needed to tell them she was dating Grant Ward.

Dating Grant Ward. She liked the sound of that a lot.