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Jemina started on her way to the Hufflepuff Common Room, the halls of Hogwarts feeling so cold and empty. In the past 5 years, Hogwarts never failed to make her feel warm. Not even when there was that monster from the Chamber of Secrets. Or when Sirius Black escaped Azkaban. It just had that feel to it and that warmth strengthened with the arrival of Deanna.

But now, it was gone. Maybe, it died with Professor Dumbledore or it went away with Deanna and Harry. All that was left now was the fighting spirit and rage of the fire in Jemina. She knew she wouldn't make a huge difference. She was just one of the Muggleborns who was special because of Deanna. But would anything change if everyone just stood by, not doing anything?

Letting out a sigh, she tapped the barrels in the rhythm of Helga Hufflepuff and the door swung upon, giving Jemina access to the Common Room. She crawled through the passage and went to the basement, her eyes widening to see all of the Hufflepuffs still up and talking with each other so they didn't notice her.

Noah was the first to see her and he ran to Jemina, hugging her tight. "Jem! Damn it, we were so worried." Jemina could only smile and hug him back, hoping to comfort him and tell him she was fine. She could tell Noah was holding in his tears with how his body was shaking.

Susan gasped and held a hand to her mouth when she saw the bandages on Jemina's arms. "Oh, Jem. What did they do to you?"

"It's nothing." Jemina mumbled, flustered at all the attention she was getting. This is the first time in all her years in Hogwarts that she was the one in the spotlight.

"How could you say it's nothing?" Justin cried out in anger. "Those are Death Eaters."

"They kill people, Jem," said Hannah calmly though there was that concern in her voice. "I don't know why they let you attend Hogwarts still but you have to be careful..."

"But I must say, Jemina, you really did surprise us." Ernie's comment made some of the tension leave the room as chuckles came around. It was true. Jemina's appearance and actions really did surprise them in more ways than one. But they couldn't deny that Jemina's sudden change was giving them hope and spirit.

Sure, Deanna Dumbledore was not here but it seemed like Jemina Nightingale was determined to fill in her shoes, to protect Hogwarts and to fight for the greater good. It made some of them feel ashamed. It should be them protecting the Muggleborns but it was the other way around.

"But what's the use of this foolishness?" A rude voice spoke up, making all of their heads snap to the source of the voice, and Jemina rolled her eyes when she noticed it was Zacharias Smith who spoke. He walked over to Jemina with a raised eyebrow. "Do you really think you can change something with what you're doing?"

"Zacharias!" Hannah exclaimed reproachingly.

"You should shut up right now." Justin growled.

"I mean, you heard it from Snape himself." Zacharias said smugly. "Deanna Dumbledore isn't coming back. They ran to save themselves and –"

"Jem!" Noah yelled in alarm.

Jemina was about to pounce on Zacharias and land a punch on his face, but luckily, Noah and Ernie were right beside her and they held her back immediately. The anger on Jemina's face definitely was the angriest she had been the entire day, and it seemed like she would surprise them more and more.

"You git, don't you dare speak like that about her." Jemina spat at him, trying to struggle against Noah and Ernie's hold on her.

"Why? Are you in love with her?" Zacharias' words made everyone silent and even Jemina who was struggling stopped for a moment, the others were looking between them with wide eyes, the atmosphere too intense for even anyone to speak a word.

"Can you repeat that?" Jemina said lowly, taking Noah and Ernie's holds off her and coming face to face with Zacharias Smith, a deadly glare in her eyes that scared the Hufflepuff boy a little but he couldn't just back down for the sake of his pride.

Zacharias smirked at her. "I mean, why would you come back and risk your life when you could be hiding with your family?"

"Zacharias!" Noah shouted, enraged. How could he say that when Jemina's family was dead? He looked worriedly at his friend who was only clenching her fists in anger, her green eyes still blazing as they were set on Zacharias Smith.

"So, it's true, isn't it? You're –"

He was cut off when Jemina punched him in the jaw, making the others gasp. Noah, Ernie and Justin quickly stepped forward pulling Jemina away from Zacharias who was on the ground and nursing his jaw. He pointed at Jemina with a glare in his eyes. "Oi! Don't you know I'm older than you? How could you punch me?"

"And you should've known to kept your mouth shut!" Jemina shouted back at him, making everyone fall silent again. She glared at Zacharias once more. "Do I have to be in love with someone to risk my life? Was Deanna in love with any of us for her to protect us from the Slytherins despite the risk of her being their target? Was Deanna in love with any of us for her to make sure that we were always fine?"

Now, she was speaking not only to Zacharias but to all of the Hufflepuffs. "Damn it, don't you remember what she did for us in the two years she was here? She stood up for the Hufflepuffs more than anyone did. She led us to victory even if the other Houses were thinking we'd never have a chance.

"And you're asking me why would I come back?" Jemina scoffed at the older Hufflepuff who was looking down now in shame. "Fine, I love her. As a friend and as someone who saved me when I was at my lowest. It's because I made a promise to Deanna. I promised to protect Hogwarts and our House. I might not make a change, but at least, I didn't stand around, slandering people." She raised her fist in anger, making Zacharias cower.

But Jemina simply scoffed at him, lowering her fist. "Coward." With that, she went up the stairs to her own room, slamming the door as she went. Zacharias looked around at his fellow Hufflepuffs for support but they only glared at him or shook their heads, going into their own rooms and leaving Zacharias alone.

"Please check on Jem for me," said Noah worriedly to Susan and Hannah. "I'm afraid she might be hurt somewhere else."

"Don't worry, Noah." Susan pat him on the back comfortingly. "We'll check on her tomorrow morning."

"It's best to give her space for now." Hannah smiled at him reassuringly before the three of them went their separate ways.

Jemina looked around her empty room before lying down on her bed with a sigh. Eleanor and her other roommates didn't come back to Hogwarts so she had the room to herself. She let out a sigh and changed her clothes.

September 1, 1997 was surely a day she would never forget. It was the first day she fought back out of the many days to come. She learned so much she didn't know and talked back more than she thought she could but nonetheless, it was surely a day Jemina would think of during times she'd want to give up.

And Jemina looked out the window, worried about Deanna. Was she alright? Did she meet the Death Eaters already? She knew Deanna could handle herself, but there was still that worry in her. Jemina sighed once more before lying down, surrendering to the exhaustion of the day. In time... Deanna will come back. And that was enough to make Jemina smile and fight again the next day.

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