The Tale of Jamie Devereaux

But Still I Persevere

Chapter Thirty-Eight: But Still I Persevere

The students of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry were known for many things, but their subtlety was not one of them. Wherever Jamie Devereaux Bruce turned she felt eyes on her and heard whispers that seemed to echo through the high-ceiling halls. Harry Potter felt almost exactly the same. The difference between the two was that Harry was being called a liar and Jamie was being called a monster. It took everything in the silver-haired girl to not bare her teeth and hiss at them. She would feel her features sharpen at each hushed jab and would be forced to jerk her gaze down to her feet so that no one would see. Jamie had never before felt so self-conscious of her own features. It also didn't help that her stress and lack of sleep was causing dark circles to form under her eyes and small bumps to rise on her forehead. Fred Weasley had almost been murdered that morning when he rubbed Jamie Devereaux's forehead with a finger and, while closing his eyes, proclaimed, "I think it's communicating...Give Freddie your toast." Many Gryffindor's forgot their disgust with the rumored half-breed long enough to laugh when Jamie tried to suffocate Fred. The silver haired witch had grabbed a handful of bread and jammed it into Fred Weasley's mouth until he turned slightly purple.

As Jamie moved silently through the halls between Alicia and George, a small voice drew her attention. Cho Chang had quietly called out her name. George stopped and looked at Jamie uncertainly, "Are you going to..." He trailed off. The tall red-head shifted from either one of his feet, looking from Cho to Jamie to the entrance of their Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

Jamie nodded, "Go in without me. Save me a seat as far from the toad as possible." The seventh year girl parted from her friends, approaching the Ravenclaw. Cho's eyes were pink and looked to be rubbed raw. Her hair, which was almost always glossy and straight, had an unnatural kink to it. Neither girl was looking at their best in the midst of their mourning. "Hi." Jamie said, uncertainly. She had never gotten to know Cho, even though she and Cedric had dated for a good portion of last year. When Cedric did invite Cho to study with him and Jamie, it was usually at the tail end of their sessions together, so that Jamie and the Hufflepuff could talk in private without anyone overhearing. For a brief moment, the half-Veela girl wondered if Cedric had ever told Cho about her secret.

Cho Chang gave a tight, half smile, "I've been meaning to speak to you but—"

"—You were worried I'd bite, infect, or kill you?" Jamie asked, in a lame attempt at dry humor. When the Ravenclaw girl just stared at her, as if to say: Yes that is exactly what I was worried about, Jamie pressed on. "I've been meaning to talk to you too. How are you?"

"I suspect I'm about the same as you. I—I miss him. Cedric." Her voice cracked and her hand tightened on the school bag swung around her shoulder, "He's all I think about."

Jamie watched as a lone tear rushed down Cho's face only to be quickly replaced by another and another. The silver haired witch took a miniscule step back, decidedly uncomfortable at the display of emotion. Cho's tears were making it even harder to remain composed. It was like Cho's sadness was reverberating off of her at a frequency Jamie Devereaux could feel in her very bones. "I miss him too." Jamie stated, being sure to keep her voice calm and ignore the prickle of tears in the corner of her eyes. "I have class, but if you ever want to talk about him or reminisce I'm here." She didn't trust herself to say Cedric's name aloud. All she knew was that if she stayed a minute longer next to the weeping Ravenclaw, she would not be attending her first lesson with Professor Umbridge. Not that that would be a bad thing.

Dolores Jane Umbridge surveyed the room of Seventh Year Hogwarts students. Her eyes narrowed in disgust when she caught sight of Jamie Bruce slipping through the doors and into a seat in the back. "Miss Bruce." Her voice chirped, ringing through the room in an almost painfully sweet tone, "If you are going to be late to my class, why don't you join me here in the front." Jamie stilled halfway down to her chair. Every head in the DADA classroom turned to look at her. For a brief moment, the Gryffindor prayed for an owl to fly through the tall window and peck her Professor to death.