After Sirius and Jenna returned back to the house, they saw James and Fleamont pacing nervously around the hall as Euphemia was sitting down, rocking back and forth on her seat anxiously.
"Are you guys okay?" Jenna asked hesitantly, walking inside along with Sirius.
They abruptly turned toward the two and Mrs. Potter promptly got to her feet at their sight.
"Where hell have you been!?" James snapped, walking toward them.
"Out?" said Sirius, shrugging.
"Oh, out! How come we didn't think of there!?" said James sarcastically.
"Look," Mr. Potter started, looking slightly relieved to see that they were alright, "these aren't good times for midnight strolls when you're on your own. It's dangerous. And you didn't even tell us. We were freaking out!"
"I'm — I'm so sorry," Jenna muttered guilty.
"It's alright," Mrs. Potter sighed, going forward and bringing Jenna into a hug. "I was so worried..."
Sirius pursed his lips together and he avoided looking at them, feeling guilty for making them worry, after all they had done for him.
But he took aback when Mrs. Potter let Jenna go and moved forward, hugging him tightly. "Thank heavens you're both alright."
***
The next day was the busiest day yet as everyone ran about, trying to get everything ready before the guests' arrival for the Christmas party.
The party soon started and the guests started coming one by one. But Jenna, who had hoped to take a quick nap before getting ready, shot awake after hearing a small knock at her door.
Looking at the door through half-open eyes, Jenna saw Lily walking inside the room to her surprise, in a beautiful long blue dress.
"Wow, you look beautiful, Lil," said Jenna sleepily, yawning and rubbing her eyes.
"What are doing in bed!?" Lily scolded, walking toward her.
"Well, merry Christmas to you too," said Jenna grumpily, slowly sitting up on the bed.
"Everyone's downstairs! Mrs. Potter sent me up to see why you're not coming!"
"Okay, okay! I'll start getting ready. Just a quick shower —"
"No time for showering," said Lily impatiently. "Your mum's gonna be pissed."
"Nah, she wouldn't even notice my absence," Jenna shook a hand at her reassuringly, getting out of bed. "She's too busy."
Just then, the two girls turned around when the door opened once again and Marlene and Alice came in.
"MERRY CHRISTM — wait — I didn't know we could attend the party with pajamas!" Marlene retorted angrily, looking at Jenna. "That's not fair! My mum told me to wear this stupid dress!"
"I don't think Jenna's ready yet, Mar," said Alice softly.
"Oh," said Marlene, her face falling. But then she clapped her hands together in excitement. "Can I help you choose your dress!?"
"No, I already know what I'm gonna wear," said Jenna, making her way over her closet and taking out a plain gown.
"But that's too boring," said Marlene, grimacing. "Oooh, how about this one!?" She squealed, taking out a red dress.
"I dunno... This one is a bit out of my comfort zone for a gathering like this..." said Jenna, eyeing the short dress.
"Oi! Are you Gryffindor or what! Be courageous, comrade!" Marlene chimed. "Wear it! I dare you."
"Fine," Jenna rolled her eyes playfully, taking the dress from her and making her way over the bathroom to get changed while the other three girls waited for her in the room.
After a few minutes, Jenna finally came out, wearing the red dress with her hair straight and black.
"Well?" she questioned. "What do you guys think?"
"You look sexy." Marlene grinned. "Sirius would probably get a b—"
"Marlene!" Lily hissed at her, cutting her off as Jenna and Alice laughed.
"Let's go down then, shall we?" said Alice and the rest nodded, following her out of the room.
***
"Did you see how gorgeous she looked in that blue dress?" James sighed, his gaze fixed on the ground as if he was in a daze.
Sirius then raised his hand and in a quick motion smacked James at the back of his head.
"Ouch! What the hell, Padfoot!" he snapped. "What was that for!?"
"We're all tired of your nagging, Prongs! Aren't we?" said Sirius, looking over at Remus and Peter for support, but the two only looked away. "Just ask Evans out again! She seems to be tolerating you better."
"No, no." James shook his head briskly. "Things are going just as planned."
"Screw the plan!" Sirius groaned, rolling his eyes.
"Oh, here she comes again," said James in a hollow voice, his eyes wondering toward the stairs where the four girls were walking down, chatting. "I don't think my fragile heart can take it any longer..."
"Don't be so dramatic, Prongs," said Remus flatly with an amused smile, walking toward the snack table along with Peter.
But Sirius was frozen on the spot, watching Jenna walk into the hall along with her friends, in a beautiful silk red dress.
"Hey," said Jenna with a light wave, walking toward him.
"H-hey," he said, blinking a few times to regain himself. "That dress — I mean you — you look nice."
"Yeah, the dress is too little, I know," she said grimly, trying to pull up the top and stretch down the bottom at the same time. "Definitely not in my comfort zone... Marlene chose it, and you can't say no to her."
"Well, remind me to thank Marlene later," Sirius grinned, winking at her.
"C'mon," said Jenna after chuckling, taking a hold of his hand and dragging him through the hall where everybody was.
She took turn in hugging Peter and Remus before having to leave with James for a short period of time, greeting the other guests.
After making small and polite conversations with their parents' friends, they returned back to the corner where their friends had gathered.
"Glad to see your Dad is getting along with mine, Jen," said Marlene as she reached them.
"Yes well, crazy attracts crazy," said Jenna, watching Marlene's father, who was blond like her, although was slowly balding and had rather a big belly.
"Oy! Her eyes are up there!" Marlene snapped sharply, causing Sirius's head to jerk up from Jenna.
"Oh, give me a rest," he rolled his eyes. "She's my girlfriend, McKinnon. What's it to you?"
"Don't try me, Black," she said challengingly. "I can easily steal your girl."
"Yeah, right," Sirius gave out a snort of laughter before turning to face Jenna. "Would you like to dance, Jenny?"
"I would love to," said Jenna sweetly, but then turned to Marlene and raised her hand for her. "Would you join me in the dance floor, Mar?"
Marlene gave a mocking gasp. "I thought you were never gonna ask," she said, taking her hand and then wiggled her eyebrows at Sirius before walking away with Jenna.
The rest of them sniggered, causing Sirius to grit his teeth together, thinking of a way to get back at them. So he turned back to face his friend, saying,
"Hey, Remus —?"
"Don't even think about it."