Jez flung herself down on her bed, almost squashing a sleeping Rowena. Rowena hissed in annoyance, but didn't move from her pillow. "Why're you so happy?" said the cat grumpily.
"Scott's asked me out," replied Jez."In advance for third-year. I can't wait!"
Rowena looked at Jez in alarm. "This is that boy you were always talking to in the common room? The dark-haired one? The one you got into trouble over in the courtyard? You're going out with him?"
"In a sense, yeah, that's Scott." Jez glared at Rowena. "Any reason I shouldn't?"
Rowena shrugged. "I just don't think your parents would approve at all, Jezabel. He's not a pureblood, is he?"
"No ..."
"There you are then." Rowena's cool stare met Jez's fiery one. "Maurice and Cassandra won't like it one bit. They'll have the boy's head when they find out."
Jez's heart sank. "They won't find out, Ro. Keegan wouldn't tell them, I trust him not to."
"There's more ways for them to find out than through your brother."
Jez gasped. "You wouldn't ..." She stared in shock at her cat. "You wouldn't be that cruel ..."
"Try me," spat Rowena.
"Please, Rowena, don't. They'll pull me out of Hogwarts, I swear they will."
"For your information, Jezabel, I already knew about your news before you even walked through the dormitory door. I heard every word of your conversation. I heard enough to get up here and put that parchment you always keep lying around to good use. Then I just sent the letter off with another girl's owl - it'll be back long before she misses it."
"They'll never believe a cat."
"Who said I signed myself as 'Jezabel's Cat'? I said I was a friend of yours who was worried for you." Rowena saw Jez's despairing face. "Cheer up, there's plenty more pureblood boys out there who you won't have to wait until you're thirteen to date."
"I don't care!" yelled Jez, anger coursing through her. She was on her feet now. How dare Rowena tell tales on her to her parents? "You're supposed to be my friend!" Jez turned on her heel and stalked out of the dorms, on her way to the Owlery to try and intercept that letter. She couldn't let her parents receive it.