“Stupid hat, stupid school, stupid everything!” Calira Shacklevolt stormed up the Hogwarts stairs, muttering to herself. Her fellow Hufflepuffs were in good spirits, as usual. Cali, however, was not. “Stupid Jinx, stupid Charlotte, stupid Zel, stupid—” Cali cut herself off. Jace wasn’t stupid. Jace was perfect. Cali smiled to herself, thinking of the handsome Gryffindor, no doubt having a wonderful time with his housemates. Cali laughed quietly, picturing Jace and his friends climbing about their dormitories, telling scary stories and corny jokes. 

“Agh!” Cali tumbled to the ground, arms flying askew. Stupid stair rails, she thought. It’s been almost two months since I got to Hogwarts and I still can’t stop making a fool of myself.

“Oh my gosh, are you alright?” A sweet-faced girl with honey-blonde hair and rosy cheeks reached out a hand. Cali grunted, reluctantly being helped up. “Are you alright?” the girl repeated. 

Cali scowled. “Yeah, I’m fine, okay? Now move.” Cali shoved past the girl, storming up the stairs to get to her dorm. Cali was always in a bad mood, but it didn’t help that she was immensely tired. The young girl frowned, but said nothing. “Stupid girl,” Cali muttered. 

Suddenly, a pair of voices caught her attention. Cali looked up to see two students creeping down the stairs, giggling and laughing as they went. Cali strained her ears, trying to catch a glimpse of what the students were saying. 

“Zel, wait for—”

“Oh, come on, Jace. Put those long legs to use, would you?” Laughing soon replaced the words, and Cali’s vision went red. Jace and Zelie sneaking out when they should be in their dorms. Probably to make out or something, Cali thought with no small amount of jealousy. Cali should be the one with Jace, not Zelie. Cali smiled, wicked and cruel. Let’s see who’s laughing when I’m through with you, little sister.

“Hey Jace?” Zelie looked up at the beautiful boy beside her. He looked down at her and smiled. 

“Yeah?”

“Have you heard from Cali at all?” Zelie peered up at him. 

Jace’s smile melted. “No. I’ve tried to talk to her, but she just ignores me. I don’t know what’s up with her. I mean, we got to Hogwarts a couple months ago, right?” Zelie nodded. “And nothing bad has happened since we’ve been here, right?” Another nod. “So I’m not sure what has her so upset.” Zelie grimaced. Jace frowned. “What?” 

Zelie cringed. “She might be jealous.” 

Jace’s brows furrowed. “Why would she be jealous? I mean, there’s tons to be jealous of when it comes to you,” Zelie chuckled, “but she’s your sister, and your best friend. What does she have against you?” Zelie looked up at Jace, strange, golden eyes swirling with dread. 

“I think she’s jealous because—well—I mean—” Zelie sighed, looked down at their linked hands. 

Jace’s eyes widened. “That’s it? That’s why she’s been ignoring us this whole time?” 

Zelie nodded. “I think so,” she grimaced. 

Jace frowned. “But we told her about us almost a month ago! She’s still upset?”

Zelie shrugged.“Cali loves you, Jace. And she’s upset that you don’t love her back.”

Jace ran a hand through his silken hair. “Well, I don’t think I ever can love her when my heart already belongs to someone else.” Jace looked down at Zelie. 

Zelie blushed, ducking her head. “She knows that, too. That’s what makes her angriest.” Zel’s lips tightened. Jace smiled as he bent down, stealing a kiss from her. Zelie laughed, whacking Jace in the arm. Jace smirked as he stole another one. Zelie twined her hands around his neck, pressing her face into his shoulder. Jace’s arms wrapped around her, squeezing gently. “She’s gonna kill us, Jace. I wouldn’t put it past her to actually murder us.” 

Jace chuckled. “Is she that bad?” He smiled when Zel’s laugh pierced the air. She withdrew from Jace’s grasp, kissing him on the cheek.

“C’mon, Thornwood. We should get back or the professors will kill us before Cali can.” Without another word, Zelie sprinted off, expecting Jace to keep up with her. Jace smiled, racing after her. I’m the luckiest person on the planet to have her in my life. Zelie paused to look over her shoulder, chuckling at Jace’s wheezing breaths. 

Little did they know that a brown-haired girl had heard everything, and her hazel eyes promised revenge. 

· ┈┈┈┈ ꕥ ┈┈┈┈ · 

“Cali, where are we going?” Zelie’s golden eyes were filled with confusion, but Calira paid her little sister no heed. Calira’s grip seemed stronger than iron as she grasped Zel's arm, dragging her through the castle. “Cali?” The Hufflepuff didn’t answer. She just kept walking, opening a small door and dragging Zelie through with her. Zel’s confusion slowly turned into anger. What kind of a person grabs her sister during breakfast and drags her around with no explanation? Zelie was about to smack her sister out of her trance when Calira suddenly stopped. Zelie looked around. 

They were standing inside a small room, plain and unassuming. Judging from the wooden desk and small shelf in the corner, this seemed like some kind of study room. 

Cali let go of Zel’s arm, hazel eyes swimming with rage. Zelie frowned at her sister. “What was that about?” 

Calira closed her eyes for a moment, uncurling her fists. When they opened, the rage was muted. Still there, but muted. Cali’s mind was whirling with jealously and rage. And she knew just how to sate it, due to her studying. The Unforgivable Curses and Other Wicked Spells would be her best friend tonight. “You love Jace.” 

Not a question. Uh oh. Zelie’s eyes clouded, but her chin remained unbowed. “Yes, I do.” She did love Jace, she realized in that moment. They’d only been together for two months, but it felt longer. Like they’d known each other their entire lives.

Calira lowered her head, fists curling up once again. “No.” Cali raised her gaze to Zel, face twisted with wrath. “No,” she repeated. Cali began to walk towards Zelie, wand in hand. 

Zel’s body went taut. “Cali, stop.” Zelie's hand drifted to her waist, where her ebony wand sat in a simple leather sheath. Calira didn’t seem to notice, thin lips curled into a snarl. “Calira.” 

Cali raised her wand, aiming right for Zel’s face as she began to form the spell. “Imper—”

Suddenly, the small door opened and a tall figure stepped through, golden hair standing out in the dark room. Jace stopped short when he saw the two sisters, wands in hand. Cali immediately lowered her wand, fluttering her lashes at Jace. “Oh, hi Jace. What are you doing here?” 

Jace frowned, flitting his eyes to Zelie, who just stared at him with eyes full of terror. “Um, I come in here to study sometimes. I need to get my grades up,” Jace replied, suspicion outlining his voice. “What are you doing?” 

Calira shrugged. “Nothing. We were just finishing up. C’mon, Zel.” Cali looked at her sister, silently threatening her to follow. 

Zelie didn’t budge. She instead turned to Jace. “I could help you study, if you want.” Zelie shrugged sheepishly, a small smile playing on her lips. 

Jace smiled, warmth returning to his gaze. “I’d like that.” He extended his hand and Zelie took it gladly. “Take a seat, All-Knowing Study Partner,” Jace smirked. Zelie laughed, smacking him lightly on the arm. 

Calira watched this with rage and wrath churning in her gut. Jace was hers, and Cali’s little brat sister had stolen him from her. Zelie didn’t deserve Jace. She did. Calira spun on her heel and left with a hearty sigh, slamming the door behind her. Zelie paused a moment to make sure she had truly left before turning to Jace once more, golden eyes filled with that same terror once again. Jace’s stormy blue ones were filled with concern and anger. “What did she do to you.” 

Zelie shivered. “She tried to control me using the Imperius curse.” Jace rocketed up from his chair, sending it shooting to the floor behind him. Zelie jumped back, startled. “She was jealous.” Jace’s gaze held the wrath of a thunderstorm when it met Zelie's pure, golden one. 

“I can see why.” Zel’s mouth quirked upward, but Jace was solemn. “What was she jealous of?” 

Zelie lowered her gaze. “She asked me if-if I loved you.” Zelie looked up again, lips quivering. 

Jace’s voice was gentle. “And?”

Zelie smiled, quiet joy in her eyes. “And I said yes.” 

Jace’s eyes softened. He walked over and scooped Zelie up in one quick movement, kissing her softly. When they pulled away, Zel’s otherworldly eyes were glowing with happiness, as were Jace’s. But that quiet happiness faded as Zel’s face clouded. “Cali tried to control me. She was going to bend me to her will so she could have you.” Zel’s eyes swirled with rage. “I’m never going to forget the wrath on her face for as long as I live.” Jace clenched his jaw as Zelie curled her fingers. “I’m going to get her back.” 

“Let’s go get her. You can have the final blow.” Jace set Zelie down and began to walk out of the room, but Zelie grabbed his arm. 

“No.” Jace stopped, eyes swimming with rage. 

“Why? She tried to control you, Zel.” Jace clenched his fists. “No one can try to brainwash my girlfriend and get away with it.”

Zelie’s heart warmed when he said ‘girlfriend’, but the feeling faded when she was brought back to reality.

Suddenly, an idea began forming in her head and she smirked. “I know exactly how to get her back.” 

Jace arched a brow. “How?” 

Zel’s smile was nothing short of wicked. “Follow me.”