Stars & Dragons

April 30th, 2003

Over the next week, Pansy helped Jamie move into her flat in London. Jamie thought it was comical that Pansy was integrating herself into the muggle world. She wasn't surprised though. Pansy was always destined for bigger things. Hence why she ended up becoming one of the biggest dress designers in the United Kingdom. Her collections spanned from the muggle world and the wizarding world. If anything, Jamie was extremely proud of her.

Between making multiple trips between the burrow and the flat constantly to move stuff and bickering back and forth about how Jamie should set up her room, they also constantly fought over Pansy not letting Jamie pay her rent. There were multiple times while Charlie was back and forth between their flat and Jamie’s flat in Romania, bringing her things and helping move other stuff in; he  had to separate the two of them on more than one occasion. They could be relentless at times.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Charlie asked while leaning onto the kitchen island. “You two have been fighting non stop during this whole process.”

Both Pansy and Jamie looked at Charlie like he had just said the most offensive thing that he could have said. “I'll have you know, dragon boy, is that we have figured out the whole ‘rent’ problem.” Pansy retorted while leaning up against the counter, crossing her arms and glaring at the tall red head.

Charlie conceited and threw his hands up. “Hey, I'm just saying. You two are like an old married couple.”

“We are not!” Pansy and Jamie said at the same time.

“Don't you have to go find my dragon or something?” Jamie quipped. Even though they've spent all week moving her stuff in, she had yet to actually put anything away.

“Don't you have to go clean your room?” Charlie retorted back, raising a brow to her which made her scoff.

“He does have a point, darling.” Pansy added.

Jamie shook her head and threw her hands up in the air. “Gods I’ve seen it all. You two finally combined your forces to literally be even bigger banes of my existence.”

“Awwe, and we love you too!” Pansy dramatically cooed. Jamie just grumbled and picked up a few of her boxes and stomped down the hallway. Pansy peaked around the corner to see if Jamie shut her door. When she did, she turned back around to Charlie. “I need to ask you something, but you need to just keep it between us. Alright?” Pansy whispered to Charlie. 

“Okay? What is it?”

“How much is Jamie hiding about Andrei?” Pansy asked. The overprotective look in her eyes told Charlie all he needed to know about how this conversation would go.

He leaned back down onto the island and linked his hands together. “Well, how much has she told you?”

“Virtually nothing. She said about how possessive and controlling he was, but then the look she got when she did try to talk about it even scared me and I didn't know the bastard.” Pansy scoffed, crossing her arms and leaning up against the counter. 

Charlie sighed and lowered his head. “That's the most I knew too, at the time.” Charlie clenched his jaw when snippets of a bloodied, bruised Jamie flashed in his mind. “She’s still hiding a lot. Even from me and I’ve seen the worst of it.”

Pansy ran her hands through her black hair and sucked on her teeth. “What do you mean the worst-”

“I’m here!” Theo shouted from the floo, strolling his way out and into the kitchen. “Ah, the second half of my favorite duo.” Theo chipper tone made Pansy groan considering the current conversation that was happening.

“Theodore, I love you dearly, but you have to stop dropping by randomly. What if I was naked?” 

“Well, it wouldn't be the first time, Pans.” Theo chuckled while pecking Pansy’s cheek. “Where’s your new roommate?” 

A loud crash followed by Jamie yelling “Fuck” caught the groups attention. “Does that answer your question?” Charlie scoffed while smirking towards Jamie’s bedroom door. 

“You should go help my roommate!” Pansy sarcastically clapped, ushering Theo towards Jamie’s room. “Jamie will be so happy you came to help her.”

“I didn't, you're volunteering me-”

“Jamie! Theo is here!” Pansy shouted over Theo as he went to open her door. Jamie turned around from the dresser and her eyes immediately lit up. “Now, you two play nice.”

Jamie scoffed as she turned back around to continue putting her clothes away. “No promises.” As Pansy walked away, she heard the two of them start talking about gods know what. Either way, Pansy was just happy that Jamie was at least starting to seem like she was getting back to her old self. She knew that Jamie still has a long way to go, but it's a start.

Pansy sighed as she walked back into the kitchen and sat at the island across from Charlie. “She said something about how he got transferred to another sanctuary.” Pansy stated more as fact than a question.

“Yeah, he got sent to Norway. He was able to keep his job only because it wasn't while he was working and they both had very different jobs. So, a different chain of command. Since they legally couldn't fire him, they figured the farther away they could send him the better.” Charlie answered while cracking his knuckles. Pansy could tell he didn't particularly like talking about the bastard.

“Okay,” Pansy sighed. Her shoulders almost deflated in defeat.

“Why?”

Pansy turned her head around to make sure Jamie was still in her room before she answered. “All week she's been waking up in the middle of the night screaming… She tells me she's fine but then she ends up staying up for at least two hours, putting up multiple wards all around the flat.” 

Charlie groaned and ran his hands all over his face. “Shite, I thought she got past that…” Since Jamie and Andrei broke up, Charlie had to help Jamie on more than one occasion when it came to her paranoia after the facts. He started to notice after a few nights by herself, she was coming into work looking like a zombie. If anything, she looked worse than when she and Andrei were together. The first night we witnessed her night terrors, Charlie ended up passing out on Jamie’s couch after a night of them drinking. It was at least four in the morning and she woke up screaming. Just like Pansy just described.

Pansy clenched her jaw and hands together. The more she found out about the last two years of her best friend’s life, the angrier and guiltier she got. “We should've been there. We should have all attempted more.”

Charlie sighed and lowered his head. “I really hate to tell you love, but she is VERY good at hiding things from people. I saw her everyday and I didn't know anything until she started walking in with bruises all over her. I knew she was lying when she said it was the juvenile dragons getting rowdy because she always takes the utmost precaution when it comes to them.”

“Even still, it doesn't make me or anyone else feel not feel like utter shite about the whole thing.” Pansy muttered. Charlie wasn't quite sure how to respond back. He had the same feelings that Pansy and probably the rest of them did. Guilt, anger, sadness, all of it.

“THEO GET OUT OF MY BISCUITS!”

Both Charlie and Pansy chuckled. They knew that Jaime was having a hard time finding a new normal for the time being. They also knew that her being around her friends was helping. Even still when they get on her nerves.

“Where did you even get these anyways? They are amazing!” Theo asked while popping another biscuit into his mouth before Jamie snatched them back. “That was rude..” Theo huffed out like he was a child. Jamie just rolled her eyes and shoved the biscuit package under her bed.

“Well, if you opened your eyeballs you would see that it says ‘Oreos’ on it. I got them from a muggle supermarket the other day when I went to get groceries.” Jamie retorted while putting the last of her clothing away.

“Good Merlin, you finally went out into the outside world?” Theo responded sarcastically while making himself comfortable on her bed while she cleaned. 

Jamie slowly turned around from the dresser and glared at Theo. “It's called depression.” She deadpanned. “ANYWAYS, I had to. Pansy barely keeps anything in the house since she bounces back and forth from France and Italy for the most part. If you want, I can take you and you can get your own Oreos.”

Theo grinned from ear to ear and quickly sat up. “I’m in! Let's go!” He said excitedly, jumping off the bed and sagging Jamie’s hand and pulling her out of her room.

“Wait, you mean right now? I have to finish up clean-”

“Nope, you gave me an excuse to get you out of this house. Plus, I've never been to a grocery store.” Jamie scoffed and smiled at the same time.

“Let me guess, Teekey does all the shopping?” Jamie teased as they started to walk out to the kitchen

“Yes..” Theo drew out. “Teekey does all the shopping.”

Jamie giggled, looping her arm through Theo’s and patting his hand. “Oh Theodore, and you say I’m the one who needs to go out more.” 

“You do need to go out more.” Pansy retorted. “You've barely left the flat.”

“That's not true!” Jamie protested. “I was just telling Theo how I went to the supermarket the other day.”

“Yeah, and you've kept yourself cooped up here since.” Pansy added. Jamie raised her eyebrows and glared between Pansy and Charlie. Who was leaning against the counter, holding a tight lipped grin. Trying not to laugh at the two of them.

“Man, mum was right. You two do bicker worse than Jamie and Ginny.” Charlie teased as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“Oh bite me, dragon boy.” Pansy countered as she scoffed.

“Yeah. What she said, Charles.” Jamie added while she grabbed her purse and slipped on her trainers.

“Oi, you know better than to call me that.” Charlie spat out and narrowed his eyes.

Jamie threw her hands up in compliance. “So sorry Mr. Cranky Pants.” she retorted.

“Where are you two going anyways?” Pansy asked both Theo and Jamie.

“Theo keeps stealing my Oreos so he's making me take him to the supermarket to get me out of the house.” Jamie answered.

"And to get Oreos." Theo added.

Charlie clapped his hands together and pushed himself off the counter. “Good. You need to get out anyway.” Charlie lovingly taunted as he kissed Jamie on the top of her head and shooed her towards the door. 

“Yeah, yeah everyone keeps saying that.” Jamie grumbled as her and Theo walked out.

“Don't do anything I wouldn't do.” Pansy shouted from the kitchen.

“No promises!” Both Jamie and Theo shouted back as Theo shut the door behind him.

As they walked to the supermarket, Theo rambled off multiple questions to Jamie. Trying to truly understand the muggle world. He’s been to London multiple times, but going for necessities himself, he did not have a single clue.

They approached the doors and Theo’s eyes almost popped out of his head when the automatic door opened itself. “So, they also have magic?”

Jamie scoffed and grinned as she grabbed a basket  and started walking through the store with Theo close behind her, looking everywhere like he was a child in Honey Duke’s.

“You weren't kidding. They really do have everything.”

“That's the point. But the regular markets are so much better in my opinion.” Jamie added while looking down the isles. “Ah. There they are.” Jamie stopped and pointed to the Oreos and Theo grabbed two packages.

“Here you go.” He said, handing the other package to Jamie. “It's payment for me raiding yours.”

Jamie giggled and shook her head as she tossed the package into the basket. “That is too kind of you, Theodore.” Jamie sarcastically said while she also put Theo’s Oreos in the basket. They continued up and down the isles until they stopped in the isle that had rows and rows of alcohol. Jamie grinned and looked up at Theo, he noticed the mischievous look that glinted in her hazel eyes. “I have an idea.”

Theo raised an eyebrow and grinned back. “Oh do you, Miss. Potter?”

Jamie snickered and grabbed two half pints of straight vodka and grabbed Theo’s hand and started pulling him to go find mixers and cups to put them in. “I think we should day drink and go sightseeing around the city.”

Anytime Theo and Jamie were together, they always seemed to get into some sort of shenanigans that were at times, borderline illegal. Nothing serious, but it usually involved alcohol somehow.

“You bloody mad.” Theo scoffed.

“Yes, I am very much aware.”

“And I love you for it. I'm in!” He exclaimed. They both grabbed two small bottles of cranberry juice and two reusable cups that they could hide their drinks in so they weren't drinking straight out of the vodka bottle in public. They paid for their things and excitedly left the store, dipping around the corner to make their drinks and shove the empty bottles into Jamie’s purse. “She winced when she heard a bunch of stuff crash together in her bag.”

“Undetectable extension charm?” Theo asked.

“Yeaahh,” Jamie sighed out while ignoring the mess in her purse and throwing it over her shoulder. They started to walk down the street with no real destination in mind as they sipped on their drinks. “Where do you want to go?”

Theo tapped his chin as he thought about where to go first. “What about that big circle looking thing?” He asked.

“The London Eye?”

“Yeah! What even is it?”

Jamie chuckled as they walked to the London Eye. On the way there, she explained how it was just a big ferris wheel and then had to explain what a ferris wheel was. The half hour it took them to walk there was filled with giggles and goofing off. By the time they got there, they were on their next drink and were pretty buzzed.

“It's huge.” Theo stated in awe.

“Yeah, it takes a while to go around.”

“How long?”

Jamie shrugged her shoulders as she sipped from the straw. “I don't know. I guess we will find out!” Jamie practically skipped to the que and they got their tickets. By the time they were done riding the Eye, they were both plastered and were having a very hard time hiding it. They both couldn't stop laughing as they stumbled off.

“Shhh, we're going to get in trouble.” Jamie whispered, holding on to Theo’s arm

“Nah. We’ll be fine. Just don't run away like you usually do.”

“Ugh fine.” Jamie groaned. “I make no promises though if I get dis- distracted and walk away.” She hiccuped. 

Theo laughed as he pulled her along while they walked. “Oh come on Potter, you said day drinking. You gotta last all day now.” He teased.

Hours have passed since Theo and Jamie left the flat. Around hour five is when Pansy started to freak out about where they were. Especially Jamie.

“Draco, they've been gone for over seven hours!” Pansy spat out while pacing in the living room. Draco sat in the arm chair, rubbing his eyes with his fingers and groaned.

“Pans, I’m sure they're fine.” Draco responded sympathetically. “She needs to be out more anyways. She's been a recluse for days.” 

“Well, considering that she ran off without telling anyone already, I wouldn't be surprised if she did it again.” Pansy answered back while peering through the curtains to see if Jamie was out there.

Draco scoffed and leaned back into the chair. “You're acting like she's a flight risk.”

Pansy whipped her head around and glared at Draco. “As of right now until she gets her shite together, she is.” She retorted.

Almost on cue, Jamie and Theo come stumbling through the door into the flat. “Heeyy guys!” Jamie drew out. She was all smiles and also swaying back and forth. She ended up leaning her hand against the mantle to keep herself from falling over. “We’re back!”

“What the hell are you wearing, Potter?” Draco asked while raising a brow. Both Theo and Jamie were wearing the gaudiest, bright green hoodies that had a picture of Buckingham Palace plastered on the front of them.

“Where have you two been!?” Pansy interrogated both of them. “It's damn near midnight.”

“I took Theo sight- seeing.” Jamie hiccupped. She slowly sank to the ground to sit down. 

“And ‘sightseeing’ involves coming home absolutely smashed?” Pansy asked.

“We thought day drinking was a good idea.” Theo added while plopping himself down onto the couch. “I also got my oreos.”

Draco raised his brow again at Theo and then back at Jamie, who was rummaging through her purse like she was looking for something. “Well, did you guys at least have fun?” He asked, genuinely curious.

“Draco, not the point.” Pansy scolded.

“I did. Jamie kept trying to take stuff.” Theo laughed, sinking further down into the couch. “She did take a traffic cone off the side of the road.”

“What?!” Pansy yelled. As she said that, Jamie ended up pulling out a bright yellow traffic cone and started giggling like a child.”

“See, told you.” Theo laughed. Draco ended up busting out laughing as he watched Jamie pulled all the junk they ended up buying out of her purse.

Pansy sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “You need to tell me where you're going, Jame.”

Jamie’s face twisted in annoyance and rolled her eyes. “What's the big deal, Pans? I'm f- fine. We had fun.”

“I get that, but with the way you've-”

“The way I’ve been what, Pansy?” Jamie interrupted. Pansy could tell by the shift in Jamie's eyes that she was going from goofy drunk to confrontational drunk.

“For Merlin’s sake.” Pansy sighed out. “I'm not doing this drunk, combativeness from you right now.”

“Then don't.” Jamie deadpanned.

“Pans, just drop it. You know damn well there's not getting through to her when she's like this.” Draco said calmly. His mother’s words echo in his mind about not pushing Jamie. That even though they will help her through it, she needs/wants to do it herself.

“I resent that.” Jamie countered.

“I think you need to go to bed, darling.” Theo suggested while getting up off the couch to go get Jamie off the floor. “Come on. Let's get up.”

Jamie whined in protest as she reluctantly held her hands up so Theo could pull her up. “Goodnight…” Jamie mumbled. Theo, Draco and Pansy were not entirely concerned. They all knew that as soon as she laid down she would be out.

When Jamie was out of earshot, Draco sighed as he got up and walked over to Pansy. “You gotta let her come to you, Pans. She's just going to keep pushing us away if we keep trying to push her. She's adjusting. She'll be okay.” Said Draco reassuringly.”

“I know, I'm just worried..” Pansy’s shoulders deflated and she dropped her head. “I'm just worried she's going to spiral out of control to the point that she ends up hurting herself.”

Draco rubbed Pansy’s back. “She's going to be fine. We are all with her again. If she falls we will pick her back up. That's what friends do.”

“Ugh!” Pansy threw her hands up in the air. “She's just so chaotic. One minute she's fine, or at least she's acting like it. The next, she could be either breaking down or filling up with anger like she's going to combust.”

“We will all keep an eye on her.” Draco said. “Just as long that she stops stealing, well, whatever the fuck that is,” Draco pointed to the traffic cone that Jamie left on the floor. “Don't worry. You both will continue to fight and bicker if you don't let up a little bit. Unfortunately, you aren't Molly.”

“Maybe you should talk to her. She listens to you more than anyone else." Pansy scoffed.

Draco chuckled and shook his head. “We will cross that bridge when we come to it.”