Jade POV
End of summer vacation, yay, I get to go back to school and be the invisible bully target.
I'm Jade Blackburn and I always get picked on at school just for being me, I don't mind, Pansy Parkinson and her cronies are all pathetic, the way they flaunt themselves all over the Slytherin 'hotties'. They just make themselves look so desperate, sad really.
This year is going to be different, 6th year I will not stand to be the bully bomb shell. This summer changed me, all of the disappearances and Voldemort showing himself for the first time in a long time. I use his name because fear of the name only deepens fear in the object itself, I don't want to be afraid of him.
I had spent all my summer in Australia, just being away from the wizarding world, my parents thought it would be a good idea, the truth is they just don't want me amongst all the mayhem that is going down, even them being muggles know something is going down.
But over this summers holiday I grew as a person, before now I was quite short and had a small bit of puppy fat, I went through a growth spurt and got a good hour glass figure. I turned a lot of cute boys heads in Australia, none of them got my attention, I did tease some a bit though, let them think they were going to get lucky later on in the evening, then I would leave and never see them again.
My hair became less curly and now just falls in smooth silky chocolate waves down past my shoulders, past my chest, to just above the small of my back.
My normally pale white and ill looking skin has now tanned a bit and has more of a bronze and golden glow to it, seemingly making me look healthier.
I have now neatened off my eyebrows, this therefore makes my bright jade green eyes stand out, that is why my parents named me Jade, because of my eye colour.
I am so giving Slytherin a run for its money, me being a Gryffindor hate Slytherin, well known enemies.
One thing I really did miss was my friends, my best friend Luna Lovegood, I miss her perky attitude and how she can be completely oblivious to what goes on around her, I also want to hear her tell me that my brain's full of NARGLES, just so me and my other friends can laugh at her weird perky attitude.
I miss Ginny Weasly and her strong mind and unconditional ramblings about me not listening to what people say about me, she always sticks up for me when Parkinson and her cronies zero in on me and go on the offence, she always made up my defence with Luna and the others.
I miss Ron Weasly, Ginny's older brother along with Fred and George, even though they both left. I miss Ron's intangible ability to annoy the hell out of me and Hermione without realizing he is driving us nuts.
I miss Hermione and her brain that is an encyclopaedia of useless junk that I really don't care about. Who cares about how to turn a Blast ended Screwt into a chair, it'll only blow you off of it so you go flying through the ceiling.
I miss Harry and his sweet little scar, also his way to show no fear to anyone and also take the constant piss out of all of the Slytherins and anyone who bugs him.
I also miss the rest of Dumbledore's Army, we were all so close.
As now as I look at myself in my full length mirror with my smoky black and green eye makeup on, making my eyes bulge, and my normal muggle clothes I can't help but feel a small pang of excitement in the pit of my stomach telling me that it won't be long now before I see my friends and get to have a normal, but to me un-normal, year at Hogwarts that is way overdue.
"Jade, sweetie, hurry up or we're going to be late." My mum called from down the stairs.
"Coming mama, just one sec."
"I'll be waiting in the car." The door closing signalled that she had gone out to the car with my trunk and was waiting for me to get downstairs and out the door.
Dad was at work, called in on an emergency at the hospital ward, not enough staff.
Soft fur wound its way around my legs, on glancing down I knew it was just Maggie, my new tabby kitten that my parents had gotten for me at the end of last year's school year. I love her to bits; she sleeps on my bed with me and is coming to Hogwarts with me.
I bent down and carefully picked her up from under her belly and placed her in the kitty carrier I had laid out on the bed before shutting and leaving my room behind me for a very long time yet again.
At platforms nine and ten I bid my mum fair well, she doesn't like the whole running into a wall to get to platform nine and three quarters.
"Ooh, bye dear, don't forget to write, have you got enough money?"
"Yes mama, don't panic, I'll be fine."
"You said that last year and you came home with a broken arm and a black eye, you said it the year before and came home with a dislocated shoulder and bandaged eye, you said…"
"Okay mama, you know I am a bid tough girls now, I can fend for myself." It wasn't the bullies that did those to me, it was either a mission I helped Harry with or my bad relationship with the magic staircase I swear that thing has it in for me.
With one last kiss my mama left me and I went through to the platform.
It's five minutes to 11o'clock so I just went up and got on the train, most of the carriages were empty so I got one to myself for the time being. I settled myself down, put my trunk on the luggage rack and got Maggie out from her cage so she could sleep on my lap. Delicately she stretched out then relaxed upon my legs and started to snore softly in a beat rhythm.
I got out one of my many favourite reading books that was in my black duffle bag and began to read; The Vampire Diaries. I have a growing obsession for vampires at the moment.
After a couple of minutes a muted knock came from the carriage door, I placed my finger at the place I was at and looked up, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were all standing there smiling at me, dumping the page I was at, I would find it later and placing Maggie in my seat carefully, I jumped up and hugged them all fiercely. Slightly shocked Harry, the first person I hugged, returned it, along with all of the others while laughing at his face.
Hermione later asked, "Can we sit with you?"
"You don't have to ask, sure you can." Gratefully they all set their stuff up on the luggage racks and took seats while I took mine again and set Maggie on my lap.
"You look amazing Jade, this years summer has really done well for you." I peered up to see Ginny was the one had spoken, a heated blush crept up my cheeks and sent them flaming red, "at least that hasn't changed; you still turn a pink when you're complimented."
"It looks adorable, you're all grown up," Ron patronised me, "I mean she has grown what two foot since we last saw her, and look she does know how to put on makeup, it's like a revelation, um, like when Da Vinci made that password thing you were telling me about 'Mione."
"The Da Vinci code Ronald, I don't expect you to understand." Hermione criticized. "Anyway, Ron and I need to go and see to the younger students."
"Oh yeah, I forgot you wrote me and said you and him were Prefects for Gryffindor, well done, and on that not I'm going to change into my robes." I stood up then and Maggie leapt off of my lap to go and play with Crookshanks.
Once I was changed I entered the hallway of the train again, taking no interest in where I was going or who was there, I was just going to pay Luna a visit when I walked into something hard, tall and extremely unwelcome. Or in other words Malfoy and Parkinson mid make out.
"Watch it will you Mudblood." He half shouted half spoke irritably; I wasn't expecting to get called Mudblood at least until the sorting ceremony was over. "Blackburn, is that you?" his glance turned to confusion; I did look slightly different after all.
"No Malfoy," my voice was sweet bitter, perfect just the way I intended, "I'm Voldemort in disguise." Was it me or did he just flinch slightly at the name?
Parkinson shrieked, "don't speak about the Dark Lord like that, he would never be like you, you filthy Mudblood."
I turned my icy gaze to her while getting up after realizing I was still on the floor, "If you hadn't noticed, Pug Face," Her face hardened at my comment, "Voldemort was a half blood, now go be a good doggy and go to your carriage, if Malferret is feeling particularly nice he might let you roll down the window so you can stick your head out."
"How dare you, you little freak, what gives you the right to talk to me like that, what gives you the right to talk to me at all?" She cried.
"What gives you the right to be a pug faced dog?"
"Draco, she's being mean to me, make her stop, please." Her voice whined, to me it sounded like a tone death walrus, by Malfoy's grimace he probably thought so too.
He sighed, "Shut up will you Blackburn." He rubbed his fingers over his eyes and down his face.
"Wow, Malfoy I'm so sorry, but dude you pussy whipped, that's pathetic." Sarcasm was bleeding out of my voice, "Bye bye." I gave them a small wave and carried on towards where Luna and Neville were with Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan carriage was, while giggling all of the way.
Good girl Jade, you stood your ground and didn't flinch once.
After talking with them for a bit, them getting over how different I looked, and me telling them about what's happened over the summer I let them be as we were very close to our destination, I had to get my luggage.
As I was in 6th year we took the carriages that pulled themselves, only they weren't, Thestrals pulled them, I knew what they were as I had stumbled across them while reading in the restricted section one night for Hermione, they intrigued me as they are only visible to people who've lost someone close to them.
I had lost my older sister Frankie, she had died in a car accident over the summer, she was a muggle, I was the only wizard in my family, and no-one knew about her death, she was meant to come on holiday with us, I guess that is another reason why I wouldn't be picked on again this year without going down without a fight.
Frankie may have been a muggle, but she would have given Voldemort a run for his money if they crossed paths, her whole personality held fire, no one ever looked down on her, she was an idol to everyone especially me.
But she wouldn't have wanted me to ruin my life mourning for her, so I did, for a while, then I did my best to move on and be strong for her. She was the one who told me to give a hell of a lot of grief to the people who upset me, and so I have and will.
I know not to mention people about seeing the Thestrals, I may be deemed mental if I already haven't.
The ride up to the castle was quiet, the only problem was the people on the cart I was on kept on ogling at me, taken back by the way I looked.
Once in the Great Hall, the sorting took place, Gryffindor got a good handful of first years. Eyes were on me the whole time and they weren't trying to be discreet about it, morons.
The banquet we fed from was amazing, it always was, but I didn't want to eat too much, so I just had the basics of salad a bit of chicken and a couple of potatoes. Desert I had a fruit salad mix, I'm not one to obsess about health, but it does matter to me and I would like to keep my good figure for a bit longer.
Once full I trudged my way up to Gryffindor common room, trailing behind the Golden Trio, "Mandrake Root." Hermione said, that was our password, I hated those things.
The common room was buzzing with first years that shied away from anyone who was marginally taller than them, which benefited Ron as he shoved one out of a chair so he could sit.
"Ron you're such a smug git, you can't abuse your authority like that." I choked up.
"Can if I want."
"Whatever." He stuck his tongue out at me, I followed suit and made the same childish gesture. After two minutes he gave up and I made my way up to my dorm laughing at the face he made after the fly landed on his tongue, oh I wish I had packed a camera.
Once in my dorm I saw Maggie and Crookshanks on my bunk playing. Gently I shoved them off and onto Hermione's bunk, heheheee. I changed into my black cotton vest top and red plaid trouser pyjama bottoms before heading down into the common room.
"Hey Jade, a load of sixth years are going back down into the Great Hall, now that it's empty, to play truth or dare with Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and possibly Slytherin, do you wanna come?" Seamus asked me as soon as I was in sight.
"I'm in my pyjama's Seamus." I said gesturing to my clothing.
"So, so are Hermione and the other girls from our house that are going, please." Puppy dog eyes were in action on his face at this point, I found it extremely hard to keep a straight face while answering.
"If I come, I am not playing." He jumped up and hugged me then.
"Cool, the others are already there. By the way, it was Slytherin that came up with the idea; I think they just want to get some gossip out of us." I rolled my eyes to the ceiling then back at him with a small grin on my lips.
"Then you better be careful on what you say or do."
"I will." He then took my hand and led me down to the Great Hall. Being a seventh year, and it being Friday night we have no curfew. Oh the perks of being one of the oldest year groups.
The halls were quiet, it was already around 9 o'clock, curfew for the younger years is now, if anyone below sixth year is about now, it's detention, sixth year's curfew is 10 o'clock.
On entering the dining hall all eyes turned to us, well Seamus was right, Hermione and the other girls from our house were in their pyjamas; just theirs were short shorts and mostly low cut tops. Once again I stand out the most and not for the right reasons.
Seamus grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the group of Gryffindors who all made space for us, he pulled me down onto his lap once he was sat and wrapped his arms around my waist.
"By the way, Jade isn't playing, just watching." I smiled at him thankfully; I would have completely forgotten to mention that and would have been caught off guard.
"Then why does she bother be here?" asked Parkinson rather rudely.
"Because this is 6th year truth or dare and we wanted her here." I then shot Harry a thankful smile, he nodded in acknowledgement.
"Fine, carrying on, Ramilda Vane, truth or dare?" All eyes went to the frizzy haired brunette with Ravenclaw.
"Truth."
"Have you ever had sex?"
She frowned at this, "yes."
Why do Slytherin always pry into personal lives of people, oh yeah, to get gossip to spread around about us.
Next was Ramilda's go, "Hermione, have you ever kissed Ron?"
Hermione blushed at this, I already knew she had, but the others didn't.
"Yes, I have kissed Ron."
Parkinson screamed at this and literally leapt for Draco's lap. He just shook his head and shoved her off, I smiled at this.
"Over reactor." Muttered Neville directed to Seamus and me. A small smile spread at my lips while Hermione hid behind Harry who looked completely amused at her reaction, he shared that with Draco who was smiling wickedly at her, until he caught me looking at him, then he turned away in disgust. PIG!
Once she had gained her composure, Hermione picked someone, "Pansy, truth or dare?"
"Dare, I'm not frigid, unlike some." Her gaze averted to me.
"I dare you to, um, kiss Seamus for at least five seconds."
"Hermione, why me?" She smirked at him. I stood up off of his lap and back down in his place while he went up to meet an all too eager Parkinson.
Slowly he leant in, very slowly, until the process was sped up by Parkinson grabbing behind his head and crashing her lips to his, I think I'm going to vomit; she literally forced herself on him.
After five seconds was up Seamus literally jumped away from her and landed on top of Neville and me.
"So- sorry guys." He looked at us, a bit green.
I smiled, "its okay, you just went through torture, I think you coped quite well."
"You know what I think," squeaked the dog, who then looked at me with an evil glint in her eyes, "I think everyone here should participate, including you Blackburn."
I sighed in aggravation, if she wants to play dirty, then I will too.
"Fine, I'll play." Everyone looked at me in shock.
"Uh? O-kay. Jade, truth or dare?"
"Dare."
"I dare you to kiss Longbottom for at least… ten seconds."
"Fine." I turned my body to Neville who looked at me worriedly; I just shot him a reassuring smile before I leant in and pressed my lips to his, during the kiss I counted in my head to ten, so did Neville as we both pulled away at the same time, I shot him another reassuring smile.
Parkinson and Malfoy just looked at me disgusted, "truth or dare Malfoy?" His eyes widened at this, I just smirked in his direction while never breaking eye contact.
"Dare." I smiled evilly at him.
"I dare you to, hm, kiss Sally." Sally is a muggle born in Hufflepuff, she has loads of freckles and glasses and nice ginger ringlets, I also know she has a huge crush on Draco and that he isn't too fond of her.
"With tongues." Someone said, I was too busy challenging him with my eyes.
"Fine, I will." He got up and walked straight over to her who was still speechless as he pressed his lips to hers, eye eyes flew out of their sockets as he slipped his tongue into her mouth until her eyes closed in content.
He pulled away after ten seconds, his signature smirk still in place, and sat back down next to Parkinson.
We carried on like that for a while until the clock struck one in the morning and I went to go to bed, Malfoy followed suit after me.
Halfway up the first set of steps he called out to me, "Blackburn get back here."
"Sorry I don't take orders from you Malfoy."
I turned to see he was now right in front of me; his hand cupped my chin, not roughly, but not gently either it was more of a forceful hold.
"Nice trick getting me to kiss Sally, I know she likes me while I hate her," he left a little gap, I used that time to smirk, "ever do it again though and I'll make your life a living hell."
"You've been doing that for years Malfoy, do you think I give a damn anymore, grow up you're such an idiot."
"Pansy has been making your life a living hell, I've just been observing, I am so much worse than her so be careful."
"Ooh, I'm quaking," I remarked in the most fake scared voice I could, "can I go now?"
"Whatever." He then dropped my chin and stormed off down to Slytherin' common room.
I carried on to Gryffindor common room and went straight to bed.
I settled down, with Maggie in my arms, under the covers into an undisturbed sleep.