The Boys Are Back in Town

14- The Beard

The rest of the holidays were filled with silent glances and guilty consciences. Eventually it was the start of the summer term and the kids were brought back to Hogwarts. "Jesse! Dude! You coming?" Carter asked, snapping her from her daze. "Oh, uh yeah, coming!" she shouted as she shut the textbook that she wasn't really reading and ran off down the hall. "We're going to hang out in the Gryffindor common room?" Jesse asked. Carter nodded before they all entered the room to see the marauders sprawled across a couch. Remus' face lit up as he grabbed Jesse's arm and dragged her away from the group. "Sam tried to out me," Remus said, quite forwardly. Jesse shook her head out of shock. "I'm so sorry, what a prick," Jesse said, unsure of what to say. "So I need you to sleep with me," he said, making Jesse's eyes widen as she did a double take. "I'm sorry what?" She asked as he looked down at her shyly. "Not really, God. I just need you to be my fake girlfriend so everyone backs off and they think I'm straight," he said. "Moons, I love you but that's crazy," she said. "Why? Why is it so crazy? We'd be a hot couple!" He said. "Yes we would but you're gay, plus I could have a romantic life too you know?" Jesse defended. Remus raised an eyebrow at her. "Really? Who?" He asked. James. She thought. Just say James. "I said could," she huffed. "Sirius would kill us if he thought you and I were dating," Jesse said. "That's why he told me beforehand," Sirius said, appearing from nowhere. "Merlin! So you two have just been conspiring together to make me Remus' beard?" Jesse asked, turning her attention back to Remus whose face had softened. He grabbed her hands in his. "Please Jesse? Only for a little," he said. She rolled her eyes. "Fine, we hooked up over Easter and we both discovered we had hidden feelings for each other," she said. Remus smiled before interlacing his hand with hers. As they both walked back to the group James smiled at her return, before dropping it when he saw how they were holding hands. "By the way, Remy and I are together," Jesse said nonchalantly as Remus plopped down on the couch, pulling her into his lap. The whole group erupted with confusion. "You're kidding?" Carter gasped. "You're going to be hunted down by his groupies," Sirius laughed. James sat silently, meeting Jesse's eyes for a split second as her heart shattered at his saddened expression.

"Love!" Barty shouted through the common room mid conversation. Carter smiled as she got up and went to greet her new boyfriend. "Hello gorgeous," he said as he pulled her in by her hips. Sirius bit down on his tongue and bounced his knee. "Would you two like a room?" He asked. Jesse smacked his chest. "You got something to say Black?" Barty asked while Carter rolled her eyes. "I don't appreciate my study session with a side of PDA, that's all," Sirius said. "Fuck off Sirius," Carter said walking away with Barty. James looked at his best friend as he seemed more hurt than usual. Something was off. Jesse felt Remus' head fall onto her shoulder as Blue looked up from the textbook. "You two are cute," she said, smiling softly. "I don't want to study anymore, can we go get high in the courtyard?" Sirius said as he sat back down. Jesse looked up through her glasses she only wore when studying and rolled her eyes. "We have O.W.L.s next month," she said. "All the more reason," James laughed. "Fine, but when we fail don't blame me," Jesse said. "So you're still gonna come then," Remus said. "Obviously," she said, shutting her text book and getting up.

They were all huddled around the big tree outside, passing around a blunt. Peter declined the joint politely before looking over to where Carter was walking towards the group. "Hi Carter," he smiled. "Hey Pete," she smiled before sitting next to him and taking the blunt from Jesse. "What's up?" Blue asked. "It's Barty's Birthday next week and I want to have a party for him but the Slytherin common room is full for some study group the 1st years are having," she said, taking a drag before passing it on. "Have it in the Gryffindor common room, it's free like all week," Peter suggested. "Ooh that could be cool," Blue said. "You guys are going to come right?" Carter asked. They all nodded as James took in an extra large drag, staring at Remus' hand on Jesse's thigh. "Oh of course, we all have to get dressed up for Barty," Sirius sighed. "Please Pads, you'll take any excuse to dress up," Remus laughed. "First of all, screw you, second of all, I think we all have a real issue with you and your new boyfriend Carter," Sirius said. "Don't drag us into your weird shit mate," Jesse spluttered, coughing slightly. "Why are you even angry with him? You and I are barely friends and he's never done anything to you," Carter said. He didn't say anything back and just stood up and walked off. "What the hell is wrong with him?" Carter asked. Everyone just shrugged because his behaviour was puzzling to them all. "Ooh I'm going to ask Reg if he wants to come to the party," Carter said as she waved him over. "Hello," he said as he approached the group. "Want a puff?" Remus asked, his voice strained as he was still taking in the smoke. He looked to Bluebelle who was avoiding his gaze. "We're having Barty's birthday party in the Gryffindor tower next week, you coming?" Carter asked. "Um, yes?" He asked, sounding unsure of himself. "Great!" Carter said before getting up and going off to presumably plan more of his party. "Why is Corrinne Lane staring at me like that?" Jesse asked. "Because Remus' hand is on your thigh," Peter laughed. "Oh for Merlin's sake," Remus said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "She's had a thing for Remus since 3rd year," James said. Remus made a face at Jesse, raising his eyebrows in a way that said 'see some people think I'm straight'.