So guys, this is kinda new, but I have so many ideas for stories that I just randomly write them down and what not but I'm not sure if I should continue since I have others to work on, but good news...or bad depending on how you look at it. Something to Remember is nearing the end and its very bittersweet. Anyways, this is going to be a jumble of random ideas and I want you guys to tell me to continue them or not. Pressure on you readers :)
Chapter 1: Trouble
There was a full moon on the night that Ginny Weasley was scouring the forest with Neville Longbottom trying to find gillyweed for the upcoming second task of the Triwizard Tournament. They weren't supposed to be out past curfew, especially galavanting through the dark forest, but this was important if Harry wanted an iota of a chance to finish the task.
"Where's Hermione and Ron when you need them?" The red head grumbled as she stepped over a fairly large puddle. "You'd think they'd want to help their best mate not drown in the Black Lake."
"Well they did get called to Dumbledore's office, at least that's what Mad-Eye said." Neville added quietly as he eyed the ground as if he lost a contact with his wand very close to the ground. "Perhaps he had an errand for them to do?"
"Like the Headmaster would send my brother on any kind of mission." Ginny snorted as the tip of her wand lit up to reveal a marshy area. "Let's just hope we don't run into any centaurs or werewolves out here since it's a full moon and all."
"Fount it!" The boy exclaimed loudly as he leaned down and stuck his hand into a shallow pool of murky water. "All right! Now we can head back! I'd really like to get out of this forest." As if on cue, an ominous howl echoed through the air and the teenagers froze and looked off in the direction it came from. Some branches snapped in a different direction and their heads whipped around with their wands ready to strike.
"What do you two think you're doing out here?" Both Gryffindors screamed before jumping back and turning around to see a tall dark haired girl behind them. Her arms were folded and her blue eyes reflected the moonlight as they narrowed in annoyance. Ginny sighed heavily and grabbed her chest.
"Bloody hell, McHale," The red head breathed as she took a few deep breaths to calm her nerves. "You scared the living daylights out of us!" Neville swallowed hard and nodded in agreement as the taller girl flipped her hair over her shoulder.
"Well it's not every day you find a third and fourth year student in the forest at this hour." The girl answered firmly as she stepped forward and motioned for them to move with her. "You guys should really get back to the castle with that, it's dangerous here with a full moon y'know."
"What are you doing out here, Jade?" Neville asked sheepishly as they started walking back towards the castle. A moonbeam shined down on them and he saw the glint of the taller girl's perfect badge against her rove next to the crest of Ravenclaw. "I mean, I know you're an upper classmen, but it's past curfew for you too."
"I was gathering nightshade for Snape." Jade answered calmly as Hagrid's hut came into view. "Apparently the git can't be bothered to collect it himself." Ginny couldn't help the scoff and eye roll that followed the mention of the potion master's name. "The Golden Trio not with you two?" Jade asked as they walked slowly up the hill side to the courtyard.
"Harry is sleeping." The boy answered quietly as they walked past the sleeping fountain and through heavy wooden doors. "The second task of the tournament is tomorrow y'know? Ron and Hermione got called to the Headmaster's office a couple hours ago." Jade's eyes seemed to spark when she heard that bit of information and as they went up the stairs towards the second floor, she went left instead of right where the Gryffindors were headed to their house sill five floors up.
"I won't take points since technically I'm not on duty," The Ravenclaw said firmly as she adjusted the bag on her shoulder. "But try not to make a habit of wandering through the forest at night. You two are lucky nothing found you besides me. Have a good night." She waved nonchalantly as she headed for the dungeons and heard their footsteps in the empty corridor. She descended a few flights of stairs and made it to the long corridor that lead to the Head of Slytherin's office. A heavy sigh escaped her lungs before she knocked on the door. Her ears picked the heavy foot falls of Snape as the door unlocked and swung open. The man was still dressed in his daily attire of black robes when he answered.
"Run into any trouble Miss McHale?" He drawled lazily in his monotone voice as she handed him the leather satchel she was carrying over her right shoulder.
"Nothing I couldn't handle." Jade neglected to tell the professor about the students in the forest for good reason since he'd take points whether it was true or not. "Got the nightshade at the peak of its bloom, just like you asked." Snape opened the satchel and inspected the purple flowers carefully before nodding.
"Off with you then," The man said as he waved his had to shoo her away. "Before I take points for loitering." Jade rolled her eyes and turned on her heel while the door clicked shut. As she made her way back up the stairs cases, she heard sniffling as she made her way to the third floor. Her blue eyes scanned the dimly lit corridor to see chestnut colored waves bobbing slightly as someone wiped the tears from their face. Jade turned down the hall and as she neared, the red, teary eyes of Hermione Granger looked up at her.
"Are you all right?" The Prefect asked softly as she crouched down next to the young Gryffindor who was sitting on the floor against a stone column. Brown eyes looked up at the girl before closing again as she nodded.
"Just have something in my eye." The brunette stated in a raspy voice. Jade's eyesbrows raised as a small smile crossed her lips.
"Like a pebble or something?" She teased playfully as she sat down next to the younger witch. "Do Gryffindors have to be so proud they can't admit when they're sad?"
"I'm not sad." Hermione stated firmly as she wiped her eyes again and a determined look took her features. As long as Jade had known Hermione, which was only three or so years, she had always been stubborn and hard headed with most things. Even now as the Ravenclaw tried to help her, she was opposing any sort of kindness with her pride.
"My apologies," Jade said gently bowing her head slightly. "I just thought since you were crying…and don't say you weren't, that you were sad. So what's wrong?" The brunette huffed slightly before folding her arms over her chest indignantly.
"It's none of your business really." The younger girl scowled and Jade chuckled as she ran a hand through her hair.
"You Gryffindors and your pride." The Prefect laughed as she leaned forward to stand up. "Well if that's how you're going to be then, I suppose I'll leave you here to sort things out on your own." Jade dusted off her jeans as she stood and watched the brunette eye her carefully. "Have a good night Miss Granger." She turned to leave when she heard the other girl shuffling to stand up.
"Wait." Her voice was softer now as the dark haired girl turned to look at her. "I-I'm sorry, I'm just…I'm not used to people asking me what's wrong, but…I'm scared."
"Of what?" The Ravenclaw pressed curiously as she took a step towards the fourth year girl. Hermione began to fidget with her tie as she bit her bottom lip before speaking again.
"The second task of the tournament is tomorrow," The brunette whispered. "And the champions are supposed to find something that was taken and put in the Black Lake. Well, it's me, but not just me. Ron, Fleur Delacour's younger sister, and Cho Chang. We are meant to be put under some sort of spell and left in the lake, but…I'm scared." The girl was spilling her guts as Jade listened and nodded slowly when Hermione had finished speaking. "That's why I was crying. I'm supposed to be the one Viktor rescues and I ran out Dumbledore's office because I got scared." She sat down on the ground again and held her head in her hands with a groan. "I'm supposed to be brave, but what if no one comes for me?" Jade sighed and sat down next to Hermione before putting a friendly hand on the girl's back.
"I'm sure Dumbledore wouldn't put you in life threatening danger." The Prefect said while she rubbed Hermione's back in a soothing manner. "Try not to worry so much. He's the greatest sorcerer in the country. I doubt any harm will come to any of you, you have to trust him to make sure you'll all be safe." Hermione peeked up at the girl through her fingers and Jade gave her a warm smile. "Besides, I'm sure Krum will rescue you without any trouble."
"I suppose you're right." The Gryffindor sighed as she rested her chin on her knees. "Just…why did it have to be the Black Lake? Why couldn't it have been somewhere on the grounds…tied to a tree or something?" Jade chuckled as she removed her hand from the brunette's back and folded her arms over her chest.
"Where would the challenge be in that?"
"Why are you being so nice to me?" Hermione asked finally as Jade stood up and stretched her arms over her head.
"Why shouldn't I be?" Jade asked curiously as she looked down at the Gryffindor. Hermione just sat there for a moment looking into blue eyes before Jade offered her hand to the younger girl. "If it makes you feel any better, I'll be there if you need help getting out of the lake, ok?"
x-x
Jade had never really spoken much to Hermione Granger before, but she had no reason not to be nice. The only thing that divided them was that Jade was two years ahead of her in school and almost three in age. As the dark haired girl made her way down to the lake with Luna Lovegood on her heels and her friend, Marietta Edgecombe next to her.
"Where do you think Cho is?" Luna asked as she looked around the crowd that was heading to the boats that were taking students to the platforms where they could spectate the task. "You'd think she'd be here to support Cedric."
"Maybe she's too nervous to watch." Jade lied as they got in a boat and it started to move on its own. She wasn't about to spoil the surprise of the task she technically wasn't supposed to know about. As the boat floated slowly towards the middle of the lake, a clock tower built on a three tiered platform came into view. The Ravenclaw girls exited the small boat and stood on the lowest tier behind the champions who were shivering in the wind, waiting for the task to start.
"In a moment, the four champions will delve into the depths of the Black Lake to collect something that was taken from them last night," Dumbledore's voice boomed through the air and echoed off the mountains. "A treasure of sorts. They'll have one hour to search once the canon sounds." There was a loud boom as Filch prematurely sounded the canon and three of the champions dove in and Harry Potter seemed to be struggling as the ex-auror, Mad-Eye Moody pushed him in. Luna leaned forward to see if she could see the boy when suddenly he jumped up from the water and did a flip in the air which caused the Gryffindors to cheer loudly.
"This is exciting isn't it?" Marietta said with a big grin on her face. Jade and Luna nodded as they leaned up against the railing as time passed slowly. Soon a half hour had passed and Cedric and Cho broke the surface of the water. "Oh my gods!" The brunette exclaimed loudly as her friend's head bobbed in the water. "That's what the 'treasure' was? Students? Poor Cho must be freezing!" Jade nodded as she continued to watch the water and soon the silvery blonde hair of Fleur Delacour appeared with an equally blonde girl next to her. Soon after, Krum appeared gasping for air, alone. The Ravenclaw's stomach dropped, leave it to Viktor to make Hermione's greatest fears happen. He swam very slowly and winced as he reached up to climb up the ladder. There were several claw marks up his right side and suction marks around his neck.
"I wonder who Viktor's person was?" Luna asked dreamily as her eyes watched the water as if she could see the events unfolding underneath it.
"I have a hunch." Jade said quietly as she watched Krum be doctored by the mediwitch. Harry Potter was the last to arrive with his friend Ron, but no Hermione, he must've seen Viktor at some point and figure he was coming for the brunette. The clock chimed as the hour was up and Jade removed her cloak and tie hastily before jumping into the water. She heard several voices yelling before casting the bubblehead charm and descending into the frigid waters. The Ravenclaw swam out to where the champions had broken surface and dove down through a forest of seaweed. After she made it through, she saw the ruined city of mermaids, several were swimming around a very unconscious Hermione. As Jade approached she was soon surrounded by four merpeople with their tridents aimed at her neck.
"The task is over!" Jade said firmly as she began to tread water. "I'm here for the girl, move aside please."
"Dumbledore said only the champions were allowed to take the treasures." A merman screeched with a large scar across his face. "Only he will get the girl, go back to the surface before I cut you a pair of gills." Jade scowled as she raised her hand at the group of fish people.
"If you don't move, I'll make you." The Ravenclaw hissed. The merpeople laughed and kept their weapons trained on the girl. "Fine!" A red light emanated from the girl's had and the smiles on the merpeople's faces were gone as they began to double back. To make her point, Jade sent out a blast of red sparks that singed the tail of the merman that had threatened her, before swimming towards the unconscious brunette. She extended her claws and cut the bind that held Hermione before grabbing her arm and swam with the girl towards the surface.
"Get the stranger!" The merman shrieked as blue eyes saw a number of merpeople swimming after her. She kicked her legs hard as she took hold of her ward's robes and swam towards the dim sunlight above them. A trident whizzed past her as she looked down to see the creatures gaining on her. Another grazed her hand causing her to lose her grip on the Gryffindor's garment. Jade cursed as she swam back down and grabbed the girl's hand before thrusting her hard through the water towards the surface. Merpeople apprehended her immediately, binding her arms and pointing their weapons at her neck once more.
x-x
Hermione took a deep breath when she felt the cold air on her face after breaking through the water. No one was with her, but Harry was yelling at her from the platform and she slowly swam towards him. As she reached the ladder, Krum practically lifted her up and pulled her into a crushing hug.
"I'm so sorry Herm-own-ninny." He said as he pulled her back so he could examine her. "The Grindylows and giant squid caught me off guard. Are you all right?"
"F-f-fine." The girl chattered as Madame Pomfrey draped a warm heavy blanket over her shoulders. "I-i-i-if you d-didn't save m-m-me, who d-d-did?" Before Viktor could answer, Harry ran over to them with an anxious look on his face.
"Where's Jade?" He asked firmly as Hermione gave him a hug. "She dove in after the hour was up, was she with you?" Suddenly the surface of the water broke and five merpeople approached the platform with Jade bound between all of them as if she were a dangerous fugitive. Several cuts marred her face and arms as a bruise began to form on her jaw. They made their way over to Dumbledore who was standing on the edge waiting for them.
"This one broke the rules." The merman hissed as he pointed at Jade who just rolled her eyes. "She went after the last girl without permission and attacked us when we tried to stop her!"
"You said you were going to cute me a pair of gills you slimy…" The longest point of his trident found the skin of her throat, silencing her immediately.
"Release her to me and I will reprimand her." The Headmaster said firmly as the merman huffed and nodded as the others unbound the girl's hands and threw her up onto the platform at the elder wizard's feet. "Who arrived first by the way?" The fish man pointed his webbed hand at Harry before he began to sink back into the water.
"He wanted to make sure everyone was going to get rescued." That's the last thing he said before disappearing below the surface.
"That's was a daring move Miss McHale." The elder wizard whispered as he patted her on the shoulder. "Make sure not to make a habit of upsetting the merpeople." The man smiled and called the judges over to discuss the scores of the champions. At that moment, Hermione ran over and kneeled down next to Jade before offering her a blanket to the shivering girl.
"N-no," Jade stuttered as she pushed the blanket away. "Y-y-you n-n-need that m-more than m-m-me." The brunette rolled her eyes as she wrapped the Ravenclaw in the heated blanket and hugged her to help warm her up. Jade blushed slightly as the younger girl's hands held her shoulders.
"Look at you." Hermione whispered as she examined the Prefect's face. "You didn't have to do that y'know, come after me I mean." Jade just chuckled as her body began to warm up.
"I told you I'd be there to help you get out." The blue eyed girl said quietly as she smirked at the Gryffindor. "I just didn't think it'd be so literal. I know we don't know each other very well, but I stick to my word Hermione." The younger witch smiled before hugging the shivering Ravenclaw as the scores were announced. Hermione smiled as she felt herself blush with the proximity of the older girl who was beginning to warm up, and she in turn felt herself shudder in the wind. Jade noticed and before Hermione could protest, the blanket was around her and she was up against the older girl's chest. Her face was burning as she blinked a few times and felt Jade's arms wrap securely around her. The brunette's chest fluttered as she rested her forehead in the crook of Jade's neck. "Hopefully you won't need rescuing very often though."
"I'll try not to." The brunette whispered as she was finally able to relax in the older girl's embrace. It felt odd compared to Viktor's hug, this hug was calming and safe, not that Viktor's didn't feel safe, but his were rough and lung crushing. Jade's was gentle and comfortable, but still secure nonetheless and Hermione felt herself getting contented in it.