The morning brought a steady stream of babble in the common room by midday, as it was a Saturday and the first day of a long awaited weekend.

Jade was surprised to wake up to an empty bed, but not surprised with her throbbing head. After she waited for as long as she possibly could bear, she started the long, tedious process of getting ready. After half an hour of a battle with her unforgiving body, she managed to make it to the Great Hall for breakfast, almost rueful as she saw her companions from the former night.

Fred gave her a big smile and wave for which she was grateful, while George focused more on his plate of bacon and eggs. She felt a kind of twisting inside her gut, almost regretting what happened with her mystery guy. Blaise Zabini, if that was his real name.

"Top of the morning to you!" Fred called, making her cringe.

"Morning Freddie" she braced herself for the inevitable tirade.

"Did you have a good nights sleep?" he asked, winking as she sat next to his twin, who was much more reserved.

"Yeah, it was great. You seem quite pleased today."

"Well, I feel much better than Lee, or yourself -no offence intended of course- are looking!" he said gleefully, still grinning.

"Where is Lee?" she asked, now realizing he wasn't at the table.

"Over at the end, trying to get Alicia to talk to him." George finally spoke, to a round of chuckles from Fred.

"Morning" she said meekly to George, while Fred tried to shout over at Lee and cheer him on.

"Morning, how are you feeling?" he said with a grin. A feeling of relief washed over her. For whatever reason, she felt uncomfortable at how the night had ended, and was wondering if he felt the same.

"Not the best, but I'm alright. What about you?"
"I'm fine."
"Just fine?"
"What do you want me to say?"
"Dunno. Just whatever you're thinking, I suppose."
"Let's not do that right now."
"Is something wrong?"
"No." He said with a smile, and an expression Jade was not familiar with. "Not at all." With that he continued to work on his brunch, leaving Jade perplexed and slightly annoyed.

Lee got up and joined them with a solemn face.

"What's going on with Alicia?" Jade inquired

"She heard about our night out"
"And?"
"About how I was all over some girl! Blimey, I don't even remember her face or name, that is, if I even asked her for it!" he said, frustrated, stabbing at a sausage on Fred's plate.

"Oi! Get your own, mate" Fred tried to fend him off, but ended up almost falling off the wooden seats.

"I don't even know the broad!"

"The only thing you were all over, was the floor" George added helpfully.

"Yeah well, could you tell Alicia that?!" Lee finished, managing to pry a second sausage from Fred.

Jade tried to conceal her smile, and was nudged in the ribs by George who was looking quite smug.

"What?" she asked, unable to hide her grin from him.

"But I wasn't the only one having a little too much fun last night" Lee said suddenly, looking at Jade with a most scandalous expression.

She suddenly found her breakfast plate very interesting

"Yes, do tell us why you didn't end up leaving with that massive bloke who was quite familiar with your tongue by the end of the night" Fred said causing George to gag and get more aggressive while trying to get more food onto his plate. This resulted in split pumpkin juice all over Lee who had leapt up in shock. All in all, Jade got quite a laugh off the scene, and made the spill disappear with a quick flick of her wand.

"Told you, ego." She said cuttingly, trying to fill her mouth with food for an excuse to not answer.

"His ego didn't seem like a problem when you were making out"
"Yeah that's because we weren't really conversing, were we?"
"You were near the staircase" George said quietly, sounding hurt. His twin shot him a look and bit his lip, unsure of how to handle this.

"Yeah, and that's when his personality instantly repelled me." Jade continued, unaware of the stolen glances. George felt mildly satisfied and even grinned.
"What'd he say?" Lee managed, a mouth full of Fred's breakfast, still.
"Had quite a problem with Gryffindors."
"Oh no, he was a snake?" Fred said, with disgust.
"Yes, I suppose." She replied, shrugging.
"There's no supposing here! That's repulsive!" Fred said shortly.
"You're so melodramatic. He was just a bit of a prick."
"Also, wasn't your little witch a Slytherin too?" Lee piped up
"Yes, and I got rid of her the instant I found out!" Fred said defensively.
"Was she rude?" Jade inquired
"Dunno. Probably." Fred said dismissively.
Jade rolled her eyes but said nothing. Slytherin hate between the twins was almost in their blood. Like some primal instinct for repulsion of the house. It was not completely unfounded, to their merit.

"But that's not really what I meant!" Lee said wickedly
"Seeing as the only thing you saw at the club was the ceiling?" Jade asked idly, toying with her eggs.
"Never mind that!" Lee replied, flushing. "I meant you two" he waved his fork between George and her, making her blush slightly.

"I don't know what you mean of that comment" She replied, determined to not give him the satisfaction. George's lips were pursed as he looked over the conversation.

"I know you didn't go to bed alone." Lee added, winking salaciously

"If you're referring to George, he was a perfect gentleman." She said tartly, not wavering.

"That's such a disappointment, brother!" Fred called, shaking his head in disapproval.

George merely chuckled, and took a sip out of his goblet.

"Not too much of a gentleman now? You don't want to be a bore, George!" Lee added, shaking his head ominously.

"Come off it, you two" he said, now slightly blushing too, turning to look at Jade. She couldn't help but smile at him as she remembered (only vaguely) how he had slept next to her at her request, and helped her get back. He really had been quite the gentleman.

"Alright, that's enough. I'm going to bring all those sausages back up if I have to look at this any longer" Fred said, throwing his fork down and looking repulsed.

George laughed and threw his arm around Jade's waist to pull her closer to him on the seat. She leaned into him, and laughed with him. Loving the feeling of his warm, strong body so close to her.

Their scene was interrupted by a tall, lean brunette with silvery blue eyes and an incredibly handsome face.

"Hi Jade" he called as he approached. George's hand on her waist seemed to tighten and his body stiffened beside her.

"Darius!" she replied fondly, not sure if standing up would upset the red head next to her. Darius Silver nodded slightly at the rest of them, but spoke only to her.

"I was wondering if you were planning on going to Hogsmead today?" he asked, not acknowledging anyone else on the table.

"I hadn't thought about it actually" she replied honestly.

"Well, would you like to go then?" He asked sheepishly, grinning like a school boy. She loved his smile, it was such an infectious, perfect one.

"Sure, we can go to Rosmerta's" she suggested. Darius Silver was her best friend for about a year now. The twins and Lee did not exactly take a liking to him seeing as they thought he was a know-it-all Ravenclaw, a premise they believed was fit to disprove of him for.

"Great! I'll meet you outside your common room at 3."
"Sounds good" And with that, he left for the table with blue draping once more.

You had to have a certain amount of confidence to come up to Jade, seeing as she was always surrounded by the twins. They were both above six feet in height, and although they were lean, years of Quidditch had given them broad shoulders, and muscular, fit, torsos. They towered over most people, and didn't approve of suitors who tried to get her to separate from them. Lee Jordan, while not as tall as the twins, was still taller than average and built quite heavy.

Jade didn't mind, she thought that her company made sure that the guys who did approach her were confident, and daring. Darius had no qualms about coming up to her, as he usually just pretended they didn't exist.

"So, you two are going out now?" Fred asked, the twinge of bitterness in his voice did not offend Jade, who knew it was only because of his twin.

"You know the answer. Just to the Three Broomsticks."

"He seems to want to spend an awful lot of time with you." This time it was George, whose tone was quieter and more stoic.

"So do you lot, I'm a riot." She said, putting her arm around his waist and leaning into his chest. How could he doubt her, after so long?

That got a grin out of him, and he rolled his eyes, "whatever keeps you going".

They returned to the common room, and got their brooms. It was a beautiful day outside, the sun was out at long last, and the quidditch field looked far too tempting. Ginny and Harry joined them for a few games, after which they all landed down quite exhausted and ready to shower.

"I'd say you're ready for the team, Ginny!" Jade said, beaming at the shorter red headed girl.

"Thanks, that's the dream!" she replied, blushing, and looking over at Harry.

When they returned to the common room, Jade didn't notice the time and was late to see Darius. A fact that kept George's grin lasting for longer than it should have.

"Well then, I'll see you lot around!" she said hurriedly as she started to climb out the portrait hole.

Darius was waiting for her in a checked blue shirt, and navy cardigan. He didn't look upset, but rather grinned very largely when he saw her.

"I'm sorry! We played a game, and then I lost track of time" she apologized, going up to him and hugging him. He just laughed and put his arm around her shoulders.

"You're worth the wait, Jade BelleRose."

She rolled her eyes and they made their way to the village. The Three Broomsticks was packed as usual, and the steady stream of talk meant nobody paid much attention to the very attractive pair that walked in and got a table in the corner. Darius bought them two butterbeers and they began to catch up.

Being with him was effortless, and there were never any awkwardness. Jade felt comfortable being open with him, because he knew so much about her that she didn't have to be anybody but herself.

"So, what'd you do last night?" he asked, sipping his bottle.

"Checked out Pixie" She said offhandedly, avoiding the inevitable judgmental look she was about to get.

"That absolutely ghastly club near the village?" He smirked.

"Ghastly?" She rolled her eyes.

"Yes, I would think clubbing to be above your tastes."

"Hilarious." She held in a laugh as he scrutinized her, waiting for details.

"We just went down to check it out, and it was… interesting."

"Interesting how?" he pushed, knowing there was more with the look in her eyes.

"Well, Lee passed out in the club. On the dance floor. And took a friend of his he met down with him." She offered, not wanting to bring up anything else. He smirked, and looking knowingly at her.

"Alright, alright! There was someone!" She caved, putting her head into her hands. His smile flickered as a small tinge of jealously went through him like a breeze, but he recovered before she looked at him through her fingers.

"A boy?" He asked casually, nursing his butterbeer. She rolled her eyes.

"Yes, a boy." "Just one then?" "Only a single boy." She said, taking a long swig of her bottle.

"Well? How was he?" She grimaced at his question and elbowed him in the ribs.

"I wouldn't know. I left without him, for your information." She said curtly.

"Classy." She groaned. "Don't look at me like you're a saint!" she said, but he wasn't looking to her harshly, only with a mix of fondness, and slight resignation.

She was lovely, this girl with her long brown waves, and honey eyes. He couldn't help his deep affection for her, from her lively laugh, to her charming smiles. She knew the effect she had on people, but she often forgot when she was just being herself. Everything she did was appreciable, simply because she was the one doing it. He could only be glad that she took time from her days to spend some with him, despite the remarks from her closest friends, and distaste for mixing of houses. It was childish rivalry, indeed instilled from the time they were sorted, and carried on by those blinded by competitiveness. Being a Ravenclaw, Darius was familiar with competitiveness, but he did not succumb to it like most of his classmates. He did not care to be consumed by ambition, to the point where abandoning friends and peers seemed acceptable. The sorting hat indeed considered Hufflepuff because of his generally amiable nature, and hardworking ethics. His brains, however, made the decision for him.

"What a lucky bloke. Have you seen him around since?" He asked, curious now.

"No. Thank goodness! I wouldn't know what to say." She wasn't sure if one of the only details she knew about him, was worth sharing, but she did anyway. "He was in Slytherin." She finally coughed up.

"Interesting." He said, briefly amused because she sounded embarrassed by this. Being surrounded by the twins probably instilled that sense of guilt in her, even though he knew she was above it.

"Oh Fred thought that was very interesting." She remarked, rolled her eyes and finishing her bottle.

"I would expect no different of him." Darius said, smiling. "I don't know how you tell them apart though" he quipped, looking for the irritation in her eyes. She looked especially adorable when she was being teased.

"Come off it!" she retorted, elbowing him and making him spill his bottle.

Laughing, he cleaned it up with a wave of his wand, and they decided to take their leave. They explored the shops that offered various magical items, and Jade's gaze lingered over a shop owned by Madame Puddifoot, where couples often disappeared into.

"Would you like to go in?" Darius asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Too many frills." She replied dryly, eyeing him with a smirk.

She held his arm as they walked through the village, mostly grateful for the luxury of wonderful weather. They ended up going back to Hogwarts grounds, but sitting near the lake and having more talks about everything.

"Tell me that you're going to Paris this summer." He said, his eyes glinting with excitement.

"I think I might be! Why? Will you be there?"

"Yes! My family wants to go there for this art exhibition." He grinned, she couldn't help but mirror him.

"That's so lovely Darius! We could meet then!"
"That was my intention." He said, now happier than he was before.

Considerably bubblier, they walked back to the Great Hall in time for dinner, just as the stars began to appear.