Nothing Less than Perfection (Jackie, openish)

[Zoe Stratford]

Zoe relaxed as Jackie changed course. Lowering her wand slowly, she let out a long breath. She didn't like admitting weakness to anyone, especially not her rival. But she really did care about Dean and she wanted what was best for him. Getting him in trouble wouldn't help. "I miss him," she said suddenly. "When we were together, he was so sweet and romantic and attentive. He made me feel special. And... well, I just want to say, if you don't threat him right... if you ever hurt him... I may be practicing my Unforgivables on you."

[Jaquelyn Frazier]

Zoe surprised Jackie when she spoke up again. She hadn't expected to hear anymore from her, and she wasn't sure if it was a legitimate threat, or one of those teasing ones that was really an offered truce.

"Dean and I have been treating each other well since we were eleven. But I'm glad he's got someone else that cares about him."

[Zoe Stratford]

Zoe's expression softened. "Maybe I wasn't the best girlfriend in the world. I can admit that... I can be demanding and difficult. I didn't mean to be, I just..." She sighed. "But I still love him. He's a great guy. And even if I don't see what it is he sees in you... I want him to be happy."

She pursed her lips as if she were sucking on a lemon. "You two are probably meant to be together. But that doesn't mean I have to like you. So just do me a favor and don't rub your relationship with him in my face, OK?"

[Jaquelyn Frazier]

Jackie felt like they were meant to be together, but she kept this quiet from Zoe and simply nodded. "I won't mention it," she promised, though she didn't point out that she didn't know how often she and Zoe would see each other anyway.

"I should get back to Gryffindor now," she added, not wanting to stay and chat much more with this girl.

[Zoe Stratford]

Zoe suspected that the girl hadn't quite understood what she meant by not rubbing her nose in their relationship. To her, this moment was an example of what she meant. Sneaking into the Ravenclaw Common Room... hanging out up in Dean's room... these felt like slaps in the face to Zoe. But she was tired and angry and wanted to get back to her studies, where things made sense to her.

"Yeah, you should," she said. "And the next time you insist on sneaking in here, I suggest you don't stay after lights out. And don't hang out up in Dean's room. Things like that can get out and give a girl a bad reputation. Just because you weren't doing anything doesn't mean anyone's going to believe that. People like to believe the worst about others." She raised her eyebrows as if in a challenge.

[Jaquelyn Frazier]

People had been saying things about her and Dean for a long time, and Jackie never cared. All the people who gossiped made her life far more interesting and risque than it really was, anyway, and sometimes she liked to hear the stories.

Besides, she doubted that Zoe was that concerned about her reputation. "Thanks for the warning. I'll just be sure to get an earlier start on my papers from now on." Or invite Dean to the Gryffindor commons, she added silently.

[Zoe Stratford]

Zoe flashed an insincere smile at her. "You do that," she said coldly. "Now, then, you really should be hurrying back to your common room," she said. "And don't let the painting hit you on the way out."

She looked back down at her work, dismissing Jackie just as if she were a teacher and not a fellow student.

[Jaquelyn Frazier]

Jackie was still irritated by this encounter, but she tried to blow it off. She was an ex, and there was no reason to be jealous.

She tucked her parchment into her bag and left without another word, hurrying back to her common room before Zoe decided to tell someone afterall.