"I know Jade's been weird since... when was it? End of October?" Ron asked Harry as he glanced quickly at Jade. "But this is just too much... we are her friends... why is she avoiding us?"
"She's not avoiding us," Harry said.
"Spending time with Ginny and Fleur is definitely avoiding us. She doesn't like French girls since... you know. I thought she would be more cheerful here but she hasn't even talked to us."
"Well, think about it. It must be hard. We don't know how she celebrates Christmas. This could be nice but it could also be a painful reminder that her family is cruel and heartless."
The day after Slughorn's party, people went back home for Christmas. Ron had invited Jade over since the beginning of December and she accepted. But on the train, she went somewhere else and didn't spend time with them and since they got to the Burrow she had been spending time with the girls or Fred and George when they were around.
There was obviously something going on and Ron could see it easily but Harry didn't think it was such a big deal.
"I think you should tell her... he was her boyfriend," Ron told him. Harry had told him everything he heard the night of the party between Snape and Malfoy.
"Was... They aren't even speaking at the moment. It would only make the wound hurt more and she's been through a lot already. I don't think she needs to know."
"You didn't think like that a few weeks ago when you told us about your suspicions, you even asked her if Malfoy had told her something or if she had heard his thoughts and even went as fas as telling her if she could get into his head to get information for you. What has changed?" Ron asked. "Besides, Malfoy lives five minutes away from her and we know he is the person she goes to when something happens. Wouldn't it be worse if she forgives him and later you tell her about what you heard? You'd create more pain."
"Nothing's changed," Harry said awkwardly. "I guess you have a point but I don't think she could take it. You should have seen her face when Filch busted Malfoy at the party. She still cares about him."
"Exactly... that's why you should tell her. It will hurt but at least she'll know."
The following day, for Christmas lunch, everyone was wearing new sweaters, made by Mrs. Weasley. Jade got tearful when she opened her gift. It was a nice lilac sweater with a golden J in the middle. She put it on immediately. She didn't really expect to get anything and had never gotten anything as meaningful as that.
Later, they were unexpectedly joined by Percy, but the real reason he was there, was because the Minister wanted to speak to Harry and he knew he was there. But the Minister made up a lame excuse, saying they were in the neighbourhood, but there weren't houses nearby or shops or anything.
Percy didn't seem like he wanted to be there, he looked uncomfortable while the Minister took his time talking to Harry. Percy stayed quiet except when he wondered aloud why Jade was there. He remembered her as she usually was problematic and mean and hurtful.
After they left, everything went back to normal, all the awkwardness and tension were gone. And for Jade, that was the best Christmas she had ever had. Surrounded by love and happiness and a real family.
Mrs. Weasley actually cried the day they left. Jade didn't know what to do or say. She had never seen her own mother cry. Actually, her mother seemed eager about her kids going back to school, she and Finley had never said they would miss them, unlike Mrs. and Mr. Weasley.
Jade hugged and thanked Mrs. Weasley for everything, Jade was wearing her lilac sweater that day. She loved it.
Things had gotten so bad that students didn't go to King's Cross that time. They went back to school through the Floo Network. Jade was actually glad as she didn't really want to spend a few hours on the train... she was indeed avoiding Harry.
She felt tempted to tell them about her own Prophecy as it was on her mind all the time, but didn't think like it was the right moment, so instead she avoided her two friends.
It could mean nothing, she would normally have thought it meant nothing, only silly drunk actions and continue her life as normal and get over it but with the information she now had, she couldn't help but ask herself... did Harry like her? Did she like him? She was sure she didn't like him or maybe she was just too sad about Draco that she wasn't allowing herself to feel such things...
All she knew was that she needed to prevent the prophecy from happening, if she could. Dumbledore thought there was a way, so she had to try.
That Monday, when Jade woke up and went to the common room she found a crowd over a corner. She walked between some classmates and read the notice.
'APPARITION LESSONS'
If you are seventeen years of age, or will turn seventeen on or before the 31st -August, you are eligible for a twelve-week course of Apparition Lesson from A Ministry of Magic Apparition instructor. Please sign below if you would like to participate. Cost: 12 galleons.
Every sixth year student was excited about it. She could hear some boys from another house talking about it with excitement, if only they knew that the sensation wasn't that pleasant.
"Are you going to do it, Jade?" Ron asked her before McGonagall walked into class.
"What?" she asked confused.
"Apparition lessons, are you going to take them?"
"No," Jade said casually, trying to make it as it wasn't a big deal.
"Why?" Ron asked astonished. "Just imagine, you could be anywhere you wanted in just seconds."
Jade hesitated, should she tell them?
"You know my birthday is in a few days, right?" Jade asked.
"Yeah," Ron said confused.
"I'm turning sixteen, not seventeen."
"No way!" Ron chuckled, not believing her. "You can't be fifteen, can you?"
"I was born in 1981, my father managed to get me in a year earlier. I pretend to be everyone else's age but ask any teacher or look at my file, you can see my birthday there."
"Oh wow! That's really cool, I didn't really know," Ron said. "Such a shame though, you will have to do it next year."
"Actually, no," Jade said, this time both, Harry and Ron looked at her. McGonagall had just walked in so Jade stayed quiet for a few minutes and then turned to look at the boys. "I already learnt how to do it, but don't tell anyone."
"What? How? Why?" Harry asked, raising his voice a bit.
"During the summer holidays," Jade whispered. "Amberie..."
"Who's Amberie?" Ron asked.
"Cassius' mother, she thought it would be worth learning... in case I needed to escape my own house."
"Wait... does she know...?"
"About my parents? Who doesn't know, Harry?"
"I meant about ... you know... what your father does to you..." At that Ron looked puzzled and concerned.
"Yeah, she knows. She thinks I'm not safe at home... and she's right. Very kind of her. She paid for them and let me stay at her house so no one would know. Not even Draco knows about it."
"Wow... you are younger than us and you already learnt how to do it...how is that fair?" Ron muttered and Jade's eyes got a bit darker.
"I'm younger than you and expected to become a Death Eater, get married at seventeen, and have gotten Crucio as a punishment several times throughout my entire life... how is that fair?"
Ron said nothing. He looked and felt guilty for what he said. He apologized but Jade didn't say anything else for the duration of the whole class.
The following days were awkward. Harry didn't talk to Ron and Granger for a few days after the Potions incident. So, they were expected to make an antidote during class, Harry didn't do it, instead got a bezoar and still Slughorn thought he did best than everyone else who actually did what they were meant to do. Granger was livid, as she tried really hard while Harry did nothing but at the end that really didn't matter, and Ron was angry because he didn't share the information with him.
"To be honest, I was upset too," Jade whispered as Harry complaint about his friends' attitudes. "I mean, he could have said it was smart to think of it but the rest of us actually worked hard and Slughorn didn't care."
"Not my fault, is it?"
"No, that's why I'm here. I was upset at Slughorn not you. He was a bit unfair."
"Jade... are you okay?"
"Perfect. Why?"
Her half green, half brown eyes turned to look at Harry, who seemed nervous. It had been almost two weeks since she had actually looked at him.
"I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable... I didn't mean to. Just know that I didn't mean to make you feel that way... no need to avoid me."
"What are you talking about?" Jade asked confused, she thought it was better to pretend she didn't remember.
"What happened outside of the Slytherin common room," Harry said, nervously.
"What happened? I remember I tripped and then Blaise came and took me inside. I was so drunk, who would have thought I would get drunk for the first time in Hogwarts?"
"Wait, do you not remember what happened in between?"
"Uh... I guess you helped me up?" Jade said with a shrug. "I'm sorry, Harry, for being such a horrible date. I remember I did say really embarrassing things that I shouldn't have said and my behaviour... unacceptable. I've never acted like that, I was so ashamed of it... did something happen that I should remember?"
"Uh no," Harry said quickly. "Just wondered why you were avoiding me."
"I was drunk, tripped and all the things I said... isn't that enough?" Jade asked with a chuckle. "But I'm over it now. You didn't tell Ron, or did you?"
"Uh, no."
"Okay."
Next week, Jade was once again behind schoolwork. She spent hours and hours doing homework and assignments but it seemed like they were endless. Besides that, she had duties so she called her players for a quick practice session, they were a bit rusty from the holidays.
Crabbe and Goyle were there, her new chasers and keeper were there. All were excited about playing after weeks of not touching a broom, everyone except for Draco, who wasn't there.
Jade thought that this was his new tactic to get her to talk to him. She was the captain, she needed to tell him to get to practice and she was honestly dreading it. Even when they were in the same classes, in the same house and same team, Jade had successfully ignored Draco but now she actually needed to speak to him, she couldn't just write him a letter, could she?
Jade was losing her mind. No seeker. The beaters were playing around with a Bludger that almost hit Timothy. And the two chasers just didn't understand how Jade played, the strategy. Jade would be lucky if they would manage to win a single match.
"Enough!" Jade called. "Let's gather again on Friday. And Crabbe, Goyle, tell Draco to actually show this time."
"You are the captain, aren't you?" Crabbe muttered.
"Yes... and as the captain I'm telling you to tell him that. Got it?" Jade told him in a serious tone while glaring at him. "And don't even bother to come if he decides to not show up again."
As the only girl in the team, she had peace in the changing rooms. She took a long, hot shower, she was very stressed out. She dried her hair with a spell as it was really cold outside, it was even starting to snow.
She grabbed her stuff and walked out of the changing rooms. The hallway was empty, all the boys had already finished.
"You know... you can tell me yourself if there's practice on Friday."
Jade turned around and saw Draco standing there. He had a black beanie on and gloves. He was holding something in his right hand. He looked pale and a bit thinner, like if he was ill or something.
"Well, you know now. I expect you at seven."
"Jade can we talk?" Draco said as he rushed to her. She had already turned around and started to walk away. Draco got in front of her to stop her from walking further.
"No."
"Here," Draco said, handing her a present.
"It's not my birthday yet," Jade mumbled, resisting the urge to thank him.
"I know. I just didn't want to ruin it..." Draco said and Jade looked confused at him. "Look, please I need to talk to you. I didn't want you to know but if that's the only way I can get you to forgive me or at least to hear me out... then I'll tell you."
"Tell me what?"
"Why I acted the way I did. Why I was so rude to you... Just give me twenty minutes, hear me out and then you can go. If you don't want to talk to me again, I'll understand."
"Draco..."
"Fifteen minutes then!" Draco begged, knowing Jade wasn't giving in. "Ten!"
"Fine!" Jade exclaimed exasperated. Remembering Dumbledore said to her that they both needed a friend, in other words, they needed each other. "You've got seven minutes."
"Shall we go outside?"
"It's snowing... I rather if we stay here." Draco nodded.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."
"You've already said that all year," Jade said, annoyed.
"But I am sorry. I treated you so badly for three reasons..." Draco said with a heavy sigh. "Number one, I wasn't strong enough to push you away so I treated you that way so you could push me away... but I kept coming back to you..."
"Push me away? Why?" Jade asked confused.
"Number two," Draco said as if Jade hadn't said anything. "I didn't want to burden you. You had a brother in prison, you had a horrible year in Hogwarts, your father was really cruel to you... I didn't want to add another thing to the list of terrible things in your life. Didn't want to make my problems yours."
"What is going on?" Jade asked, completely forgetting that she hadn't talked to Draco in four months and a half. A sudden fear overwhelmed her and she no longer cared what had happened between them.
"And third, and this reason is very stupid and childish, to be honest," Draco said quickly, again, ignoring Jade's question. "I sort of blamed you. I knew it wasn't your fault... I knew it was my father's but he wasn't there and you were and I needed to be angry at someone... and you were that someone and I'm sorry. I don't blame you anymore, Jade. After our fight... I didn't feel like that anymore. I realized how stupid it was, once I lost you."
"Draco?" Jade said biting her bottom lip, her eyes had completely changed to brown, no hint of green whatsoever could be seen. "What has happened?"
Draco didn't say anything, his grey eyes filled with tears. He tried hard not to cry but he eventually broke down. Jade couldn't take it, a tear fell down her face, followed by another.
Jade wanted to ask again what was happening but she couldn't find her voice. Draco looked up at her, as he had dropped his head at first, his bloodshot eyes looking at hers. He bit his lip and looked regretful at her. He looked down again and then slowly, rolled up his left sleeve.
Jade saw a skull... She let out a whimper and felt like fainting. She shook her head in disbelief. Both turned to look at each other, speechless. There, in his left arm, was the Dark Mark.
"No..." It was the first word Jade could say. "No..."
"I'm so - rry."
Draco took a step backwards, rested his back against the cold grey wall and then just plumped down to the ground. Jade knelt in front of him and instantly embraced him. She was shocked and for a bit felt numb. She couldn't believe what she was seeing.
Jade didn't know how much time they stayed like that, but she didn't care. Her best friend needed her. Eventually, Draco's body stopped shaking and he broke the embrace, then dried his wet face with his sleeve.
"I told you... I didn't want to ruin your birthday."
"That's not important," Jade whispered, her voice hoarse. She tried not to cry, to be strong, for Draco. "How... why?"
"I know how you feel about him... so I wanted and needed you away from this," Draco said looking down at his covered arm. "I knew you would try to help me instead of running in the other direction as you should. I was a dick. Pushing you away wasn't the best way to sort of get rid of you... I know I hurt you and I'm sorry. I regret it so much... all the things I said..." Draco started crying again but regained his composure quickly. "For your safety I needed you away... I have a mission... I know you'd want to help but I couldn't allow that. I think that explains my two first reasons.
Jade nodded, a tear fell down her cheek and Draco quickly wiped it away.
"Jade, you can't help me, okay? I don't want you involved in this. Don't even try to help me."
"But..."
"This is dark stuff... you don't want to end up like your brother, like your family. Like... mine."
"I don't want you to end up like him," Jade said sternly. "Like any of them."
"I don't have a choice anymore, do I?" Draco said sadly but he didn't let more tears falls from his eyes.
"Why did this happen?"
"Last year at the Ministry... My father was in charge of that mission. He ended up in Azkaban with most of the Death Eaters that were there that night. And on top of that, the mission was a complete failure. You-Know-Who didn't get what he wanted. He was furious," Draco told her. "My family is not prestigious anymore. He treats us as scum... My father made a mistake and I have to pay for it... I'm supposed to earn the glory, the status we once had or at least to make up for my father's screw up."
"What if you fail?"
"He will kill my mother... my father," Draco said, looking down at the floor. "And me."
"But Draco..."
"If I fail... don't think of me... just run away. You might be your brother's replacement. As I am my father's replacement. I don't want that for you. Even if I don't fail... you should just disappear. I'm scared that he might have seen you..."
"Seen me?"
"He's read my mind... Aunt Bellatrix has been teaching me Occlumency but that's recent, you know? And he is too strong."
"Has she seen me?"
"Yes... she's seen you are too important to me."
"Did she say something?"
"To not tell you... she's your aunt too, isn't she? As messed up as that sounds. She was very concerned when she started seeing all those private memories. Said that I should try harder to hide all that than anything else. Like, honestly, what else is there to hide?"
"You should have told me," Jade said, biting her lip. "You should have trusted me."
"Do you want to help me with my mission... no matter what it is?"
"Yeah," Jade said without hesitation.
"That's your answer... that's why I didn't tell you, Jade. This is not about trusting you. I do trust you. This is about keeping you safe. You can still escape. Get away from all this bullshit."
"But that was our plan. Not yours, not mine, ours."
"Things have changed. I'm marked... you aren't."
"Doesn't matter..."
"It does... if I escape, I'll do it on my own because if I'm found I'll be killed and whoever I'm with, so I'm not risking your life," Draco said, almost breaking down once again. "Cassius is a nice guy, he hasn't joined and apparently he doesn't want to. You'll be better off with him than with me."
"Silly!" Jade said with a chuckle. "I don't want Cass."
Draco sighed.
"You don't have to tell me... your mission. But you can tell me if you need information about something or a specific spell or potion... I can help without anyone knowing... in the background, sort of," Jade said quickly. "You look horrible, Draco. Pale, dark bags under your eyes... You need help."
"I've got help... like I said, I don't want yours. This is not a game, Jade. This is my mission, only I can do it."
"Yes and it's your life on the line... I won't just sit here and wait if you are going to live or not."
"I knew I shouldn't have told you that... But I must tell you this... explain my last reason," Draco said, he looked up at the ceiling, took a breath and then took a quick glance at Jade. "I was angry at you. I blamed you. I knew it was coming, I heard it by chance. You were nowhere to be found, I sent letters and you weren't there."
"Drac..."
"I knew you weren't ready to leave your home. I shouldn't have asked. A part of me knew you weren't safe though, and I convinced myself I needed to do it for you, for your safety and another part knew I was doing it for me. I needed to get out. You asked me for time when you finally showed up. I gave it to you thinking I had that luxury."
"Are you saying that..." Jade started in disbelief. "That if we had run away the day you told me to do it, you wouldn't be in this situation?"
"I'm not telling you so you can blame yourself..." Draco added quickly. "I'm telling you so I can explain my behaviour. This is not on you, Jade! I knew and I could have gone on my own. Maybe we could have met up eventually, when you were ready. But I didn't, I stayed. I was also scared. I didn't want to do it on my own."
"Oh my God!" Jade cried, looking at the floor. "It's final then... All of this happened because of me! This is my fault! The least I can do is help you!"
"No!" Draco exclaimed sternly. "If you even try, I'll find a way to keep you away. I'm thinking of you, Jade."
"And I am thinking of you!" Jade almost shouted, standing up and pacing close to Draco. "I'm so sorry! I should have gone with you... without thinking. Just acting! I'm so sorry, I am, Draco. I should ha..."
"Stop it! Don't blame yourself. This is my father's fault, not yours."
"But it is..." Draco stood up then.
"Come on, let's go! It's freezing and it's getting dark. We shouldn't be out so late."
"This talk isn't over yet," Jade said.
"I know."