The next following days Ron and Harry noticed something quite bizarre. Jade looked a mix of being really happy and really miserable, at the same time. They couldn't even explain it as it didn't make sense.

Jade's appearance hadn't improved. Her face was thinner and paler than usual, her eyes looked dull and tired. Her two friends were really concerned but Jade always avoided the topic or shrugged it off.

And now it seemed like they had even less time with her. She never met them when they had free periods or during weekends and she seemed to always be in a hurry.

Jade told them she had to do homework, after all she was taking more courses than them and now she was taking nightly classes with Snape about her mind problem. It had gotten so out of hand lately.

She also was making the Quidditch team practice at least three times a week but based on what they heard, she had missed a couple of those, which was very unlike her, especially since she was the captain.

Because of McLaggen's disaster, Gryffindor needed to win by at least one hundred points to end up first place that year and Slytherin needed to win by ninety points to get first place. If the difference between them was less, then Hufflepuff would win the Cup.

But for once, neither Jade nor Harry cared too much about Quidditch. Jade had her own things and Harry had his. But at the same time they both didn't want to end up third or worse... fourth place, which was still a possibility.

Ron thought it was Quidditch what made Jade a little bit distant. They were playing each other that weekend and they both needed about the same points to get first place, if not first, at least second.

Harry had been distracted recently, he even got hit by a Bludger while training, nothing bad or serious but it was obvious he had his mind somewhere else. And Ron knew it was something related to Jade.

It didn't help that after Gryffindor finished their training, it was Slytherin's turn. Jade walked in smiling, Draco was really close to her and his smile matched hers. Harry looked livid. He was clenching his broom so hard that Ron thought he was going to snap it in two.

"You are dating him, aren't you?" Harry asked when Draco went with Crabbe and Goyle. Surprised, Jade turned around to face him.

Harry was so angry for apparently no reason. He glared at Draco, who was oblivious to what was going on as he talked to his two friends. Harry looked from Draco to Jade, he didn't notice how loose her uniform was. Her trousers were almost falling down and the shirt seemed like it was at least a size bigger.

"Why don't you just tell us?" Harry asked, almost yelling.

"What's wrong with you?" Jade asked, she didn't raise her voice or seemed angry but she looked a bit shocked.

"I thought you would be smarter than this. I really didn't think you would be into bad boys."

"I never said I was dating him," Jade said calmly. "And if I were... it's none of your business, Harry."

"Actually..."

"Harry," Ron warned.

"What? We are her friends, aren't we? She should trust us and tell us."

"I trust you... I've told you so many things no one else knows," Jade said, her tone was still calm.

"Yes but... Jade! Get out of my head!" Harry yelled, feeling her presence inside his mind.

"It was an accident!" Jade said quickly, feeling embarrassed and sorry. "You know I can't control it anymore."

"Harry, stop yelling, you are making everyone look at us," Ron whispered and sure enough, every Slytherin was looking at them and the few Gryffindors that had stayed were staring too. "You know that Jade's little problem gets worse with stress... so, let's go and we can talk about this later, without an audience and without yelling, okay? See you later, Jade."

Ron dragged Harry out of the Quidditch field. He was so angry and Ron couldn't understand it. He was concerned. If Harry was right and Malfoy was a Death Eater and if she was with him then that was dangerous but he wasn't upset with Jade about it, just worried.

It was horrible to know someone could hear your thoughts, your deepest secrets. And now that power was out of control, Ron thought it would better to be away from Jade. He didn't want Jade to be listening to his thoughts or Harry's.

"Harry... are you okay?"

"Yeah," he said but his voice hinted that he wasn't okay.

"I know that it might be hard to see her with Malfoy. After what he did and what you suspect and getting jealous and wanting to protect Jade but..."

"Jealous?" Harry interrupted Ron.

"C'mon. I'm your best friend, you can't lie to me. I know you like her and to be honest I'm quite offended that you haven't told me. Why haven't you? I wouldn't have told her or made fun of you, you know? I'm not sure why you kept this from me."

Harry didn't know what to say. He stopped walking and almost glared at Ron, but Ron didn't seem to mind. He just gave him a knowing look.

"She's pretty, clever, good at Quidditch, she's got these beautiful eyes... what's there to not like? Besides her temper at times. But, you don't have to be embarrassed or hide it from me."

"I wasn't hiding it... on purpose. If I was hiding it, it was just from myself."

"Since when do you like her?"

"I don't know," Harry finally admitted with a sigh. "I guess I spent too much time around her this year... with Hermione being a pain about the Potions book and not wanting to talk about me because she thinks I'm cheating... and you wanting to be with Lavender all the time. I... I just... I really didn't want to admit it... I thought I could get over it and move on."

"You should tell her," Ron said quickly.

"Have you lost your mind? I could never tell her! Besides, she will start avoiding me again. So, no thanks. I'm good with the way things are now."

"Avoiding you again?" Ron asked and Harry sighed. He hadn't told Ron about it.

"Remember Slughorn Christmas party?"

"The one I wasn't invited to?"

"Yeah," Harry said with an annoyed sigh. "I took Jade as my date, remember? She looked absolutely gorgeous in that dress... uh." Harry blushed immediately, regretting what he had said. "Anyway, she got drunk."

"I know that."

"Well, she was going to fall and I had to hold her, so she wouldn't fall. I almost kissed her, Ron."

"What?" Ron almost yelled. "And I didn't know about this, why? This is the kind of things you should tell your best friend! Anyway, almost? Why didn't you kiss her?"

"Because she was drunk... because I didn't want her to feel awkward around me or regret it... like I wanted a kiss without alcohol involved."

"Oh my God, Harry! Why are you like this? It was your chance! And why are you negative? What do you think she would regret it? Why can't you think she'd like it and probably wanted to kiss you too?

"Because it's just obvious, Ron. Jade claims she doesn't remember but I think she's lying. She avoided me for several days after the party, don't you remember? Imagine if I had actually kissed her, things would have been more awkward now."

"So, that was the reason why she was avoiding you? Are you sure? Hmm, Harry, do you think she likes you too?"

"Obviously not," Harry snorted. "Don't you see? She's with Malfoy."

"You don't know that! I'll ask her... later, without you. She'll tell me," Ron said with confidence. "Harry, you should have said something sooner, though. Not to me... but Jade. You should have told her you did want to kiss her and explain or say how pretty she looked or compliment her every now and then."

"I actually did compliment her a lot and every time I did she seemed to distance herself from me. I didn't want her to feel uncomfortable or awkward around me, so I stopped."

"Do you think she has read your thoughts? That she knows you fancy her?"

"It's possible... I doubt it though," Harry said, going completely pale, not thinking about that possibility before.

"Harry, if you do like her a lot and if she does like you back, do you actually know what you would get into?"

"What?" Harry asked confused.

"Well, first you'd have to deal with Malfoy. Her ex-boyfriend and current best friend. Then with all the Slytherins and possibly Gryffindors that don't approve. Then with Cassius Perseus... remember she is engaged to him. And then her family. No offense here... but, can you imagine what they would do if they find out?" Ron said. "Maybe that's why she's avoiding us. She likes you but knows how hard it'd be. She had to hide her relationship with Malfoy because her parents think he's not good enough... imagine you."

"Wow, thanks, Ron. You helped me a lot."

"Just saying how those people think," Ron said with a shrug. "Anyway, try not to lose your temper, even if you see her with Malfoy. Don't you see? You are not just making her mind problem worse but you are also pushing her away. You should apologize..."

"Apologize? Are you mad?"

"Say you're sorry and say that you had a bad day or something and just tell her you are worried about her but don't get into details and don't mention Malfoy. She doesn't like that you think Malfoy is a Death Eater now. Remember, Jade is proud, like any Slytherin. She won't let it slip. She won't be in good terms with you if you don't say sorry. She was angry at Malfoy for months and he did try, almost daily. Remember?"

"It's just a stupid crush, Ron. It'd go away!"

"Maybe... I'll still ask her if she's single or not. And next time if you have the chance... just kiss her," Ron said with a smirk. "And Harry, Jade's pride is big, we both know that but her fear is even bigger."

"What do you mean?"

"Remember how she reacted when she found out the truth about her parents. That's pure fear. Her brother went to Azkaban less than a year ago, do you think she doesn't get worried about Malfoy when you tell her you suspect of him?"

"But he..."

"Harry, she doesn't want to hear that. Not because you saying bad things about her friend offends her or whatever... it's because she is reminded of her brother's situation and she's afraid she can lose someone else."

"But I'm worried about her. I tell her to protect her."

"I know but Malfoy won't harm her. And she knows now, just stop reminding her about it. There's no need to tell her every day. And you might even get the opposite effect."

"What?"

"Yeah, like you'll push her away and she might get closer to Malfoy because she wants to protect him. She will try to prevent losing him like she lost her brother."

"That's just mad! If you know someone is doing bad stuff you won't protect them or want to keep them in your life."

"You say that because you haven't experienced it. It's easy to think like that when we are talking about Malfoy. But what if we were talking about Hermione? Or a sibling? What if it was George? Or Fred? I'd want to get them out of that mess. Think about this... I know you don't get along with your cousin but you still saved him from the Dementors."

"He couldn't see them."

"You saved him because he's important to you. In that moment it didn't matter all the things he did to you. Just think Malfoy is your cousin and Jade is you... do you think Jade would have just run away and abandon Malfoy?"

"No, but it's different."

"If Jade thinks Malfoy is in danger, she'll try to save him."

Later that day, as Ron assured him, Ron went to look for Jade, claiming he needed help with DADA. They went to the library right after dinner.

"Hey, are you actually dating Malfoy? Because it seems like you are," Ron said trying to be as casual as possible.

"Did Harry send you or something?"

"No. I'm actually quite curious. Because you broke up in September, didn't talk to him for months and now you seem even closer to him than what you were before. I just want to know... as a friend."

Jade gave him a hard look and took a deep breath. Then her expression softened and she almost look sad, troubled.

"Can I be honest with you?"

"Of course."

"I forgave him, okay? He explained and I accepted the explanation. We are not dating but the feelings are still there," Jade said, looking from Ron to the homework in front of her. "I kissed him... twice. It's just hard. Being friends with someone that used to be your boyfriend. Like, if you didn't hate Lavender so much and if you spent time with her, alone, you would end up kissing her. Know what I mean?"

"I think... So you aren't together?" Jade shook her head. "But if it's obvious that you both have feelings for each other, why not get back together?"

"Life," Jade said with a shrug. "To be honest, I don't know. I could tell you a thousand reasons why I rather have him as a friend than a boyfriend but I could also explain why those reasons are stupid...Maybe it's not the right time."

"So, would you consider taking him back?"

"If I'm one hundred percent sure that I'm willing to turn my back on my family, on Cass, and lose everything... then I would. If I'm not, what's the point? My father wants me to marry Cass at seventeen. Only one year away... even less."

"And, are you willing?"

"Yes... but somehow I've got to convince myself that I'm in fact willing to do that sacrifice. May not sound as much of a sacrifice to you, having a brother in prison and two parents as murderers and crazy uncles... but that's my life. It's just what I know. Sometimes it's hard to give the first step."

"Maybe the person you want to give the step for is the wrong one?" Ron suggested and Ron immediately saw how her expresion hardened. "I don't mean Malfoy. I think that you have to do it for you, not him or any other boy. You don't deserve all that bullshit, I think you need to give the step, being with Malfoy or not. If you, then find someone else or decide to date Malfoy again, that's up to you."

"It may seem easy but it's not. Despite all, I love my family. I hate and love my father, I don't even know why... and I'm quite fond of Cass and his family. And Draco is right about something," Jade said, looking at Ron once again. "I'm terrified of failure. Of disappointing them. All I've ever wanted was to make them proud and so far I've never been able to and if I leave I'll never have the chance... I know they would never be proud of me but I always had hope."

"Well, I know who would be proud. Me. Harry, my family. I suppose even Malfoy. And if not proud, at least happy for you. I'm sure you could stay at mine if you decide to leave all that behind. It's not a manor and we don't have house-elves but we are a family, you know?"

"Thanks, Ron," Jade said with a smile. "I appreciate it."

"And who knows... maybe you get yourself a nice, good man that is worthy of you after you give that step."

"You?" Jade asked with a chuckle.

"I'm not a good boyfriend," Ron admitted. "Maybe George... he'd make you laugh. Or my mother would love you even more if you could get rid of Fleur and marry Bill instead." Jade had to laugh at that. "Or maybe Harry..."

"Harry?" Jade asked with a small chuckle.

"Why not?"

"We would never be good for each other, we are so different," Jade said nervously.

"Wouldn't that be good? At least you both could be in a Quidditch team if you wanted and both are better at DADA than many other people."

"I don't really think we can be anything else than just friends."

"Why?" Jade shrugged.

Maybe because we would die if we are more than friends.

"You've got to admit that it would be a good match," Ron said with a smirk.

"Did you come here to do homework or try to get me to like Harry? Are you like cupid or something?"

"Both," Ron admitted. "Like I've been thinking about it and maybe you should be together."

"Or maybe we shouldn't," Jade said too quickly. "Anyway, it's almost nine, I think we should go."

"Yeah, you're right."

Some days later, Jade walked into the Great Hall wearing her Quidditch uniform and her hair was in a very high ponytail. Before she sat at her table she went straight to the Gryffindor table and sat right next to Ron and in front of Harry.

Harry had done as Ron said the following day of their argument. He went to Jade, said he was sorry for the way he acted and that he had had a horrible day but still wasn't an excuse to let it out on her. To his surprise, Jade's attitude improved after that.

It was a bit bizarre to see together the two captains of the teams that were playing that day. Harry was still not dressed but everyone knew, it was the last game of the season and it was very important as anything could happen, the four houses were very close in points.

"First of all... I hope you don't catch the snitch," Jade said to Harry, who was drinking orange juice. "And you to not stop any goal."

"How nice, Jade," Ron said sarcastically.

"Anyway, here's what I came for. I did some research as I promised and well, there was one prince that did come to Hogwarts but that was about three hundred years ago so that doesn't help. So I kept searching and found nothing but the other day, while I was reading this thing, I noticed something," Jade said with a smile. "What if Granger was right and the Prince is a woman?"

"Seriously? It says Prince, not Princess and I'm sure he is a guy, I can just tell. Why do you think it's a woman?"

"We've thought all this time that this person had a title or was mad for naming himself a Prince," Jade said with a smirk. "But we never thought it could actually be a last name."

"What do you mean?" Ron asked.

Jade took out a picture out of her pocket and showed it to the boys. It showed a pale girl of around fifteen years old, with dark hair and a skinny figure. Under the picture it said Eileen Prince, Captain of The Hogwarts Gobstones Team.

"Her last name was Prince and she could be a Half-Blood," Jade pointed out.

"I still think it's a guy... did she have brothers? Cousins? Maybe a father or son that could be the Prince we're looking for?"

"I don't know anything about her," Jade said. "But this is a possibility? Isn't it?"

"I'm still not convinced," Harry said.

"Well, okay. You try getting information about her," Jade told him. "I'm not looking anything else."

Jade stood up and left the two boys and went to sit next to Chantel to eat her breakfast. The next time she saw them was on the field where she had to shake Harry's hand and start the game.

During that game, Jade acted a little bit selfish. She kept the ball more and didn't pass it unless she had to. The two other chasers were a bit irritated about it but it was working, as they were winning seventy to thirty.

Jade urged Draco to look for the snitch as they could finish the game quickly and win the cup. In the meantime, Jade was trying to score more or at least not let Gryffindor have the ball.

Forty minutes later Slytherin was winning two hundred to forty, Jade had scored the twenty goals while her two chasers had just assisted. Walter did try to score three times but Ron prevented it the three times.

Then Jade heard the whistle, she turned to look everywhere until she found Harry who had the golden tiny ball in his hand. Draco looked really upset.

"Slytherin wins!"

Jade didn't know how but they had won, which was good of course. Two hundred twenty to two hundred ten was the final score. Jade did some quick maths in her head and with disappointment she got off her broom and onto the ground.

Hufflepuff had won by just a few points and if she wasn't mistaken Slytherin and Gryffindor were tied in second place. But if they had beat Gryffindor, Jade thought they should get second, but she didn't remember if a tie had ever happened.

She shook Harry's hand once again and went to have a shower. She was disappointed and sad but not as much as she thought she would be.

For the following days Hufflepuff kept talking about their results, Jade couldn't stand it. She even had to hex Zacharias Smith two times for bragging about it. Harry was tempted too but controlled himself.

One night of that week he was going down to dinner alone. He tried to get into the Room of Requirement but it wouldn't open to him. Then he got out his map and actually spotted Draco one floor below and he wasn't alone. He was with Moaning Myrtle.

Harry hurried to the floor below and headed to the boys' bathroom. Putting his map inside his pocket again. He carefully and slowly opened the door to not be heard.

"I can help you," Myrtle said in a kind voice.

"No one can help me." Harry heard Malfoy saying. "I can't do it... and unless I get it to work... he says he'll kill me."

To Harry's shock, Draco was crying. Not a sob or anything like that but actually crying. Tears running down his face that was even paler. So, he was the boy who had been crying, the one Myrtle said.

Draco muttered something else but Harry couldn't understand but he was sure he heard the name 'Jade'. Draco cried harder, his hands clutching either side of the sink in front of him, his head facing down.

He shook his head and splashed water on his already wet face. He clutched the sink again and then looked at the mirror and he gasped. He turned around, his eyes and face showing fear and shock. He had seen Harry on the mirror.

Draco was the one to strike first, but Harry immediately responded. Harry used many of the new spells he had learnt from the Half-Blood Prince. Draco managed to cover his body in time behind toilets and kept trying to hex Harry.

Moaning Myrtle started screaming and telling them to stop. Her voice was heard by a student who was passing by at the time. With her wand raised, she pushed the door open and saw the two boys running around the bathroom, shooting spells at each other.

"Sectumsempra!" Harry shouted.

A loud thump was heard as Malfoy fell down. Harry approached him and he was so shocked that he didn't see that Jade was rushing to Malfoy and screaming 'no' in a high-pitched voice.

It was horrible. Malfoy's body seemed like it had been slashed by a sword. Blood was coming out from every part of his body. Jade fell to his side and tried to stop the bleeding with a shaking hand but even more blood was mixing with the water on the floor.

"No," Harry gasped as he also knelt next to Jade.

Malfoy was shaking and at first whining from the pain but by now he was unconscious. All Harry could see was blood all around Malfoy and Jade crying and trying to stop it but at some point, her hand was shaking so much that her wand dropped. She picked it up quickly, which was now covered in blood.

"Murder! Murder in the bathroom! Murder!" Myrtle yelled but Jade didn't seem to hear her.

Seconds later, the door banged open, Harry turned to look behind him and saw Snape bursting in. He pushed both, Harry and Jade out of the way. He took Jade's place and drew his wand and traced it over the wounds.

Jade was shaking and crying as she looked at Snape. Her clothes, body and wand were covered in Draco's blood. She was on her knees, looking from Snape to Draco over and over again.

Seconds later that seemed eternal, the blood flow seemed to stop almost completely. It seemed like he was knitting the wounds.

Snape repeated the enchantment five times, then he picked up Malfoy and actually carried him out of the bathroom.

"Potter, wait here for me," Snape said with a tone so cold that Harry shivered.

Jade got up at once, her legs seemed like they were going to give away. Harry had never seen Jade in such a state. Snape left with Draco and Jade followed.

"Run to the Hospital Wing, tell Madam Pomfrey to be ready, we need..." Harry could hear Snape give instructions to Jade and then quick footsteps that got fainter and fainter.

Harry was stunned, he couldn't move. He couldn't look away from the bloody puddle on the floor. Had he killed Malfoy? Was he going to be okay? Was Jade going to kill him for this?

Ten minutes later, Snape returned and questioned him. He was terrified. Snape asked him where he had learnt such a dark spell and Harry lied saying he read it in a random book in the library. Snape demanded him to bring all his books to him.

Harry ran all the way to his dorm, and asked Ron in a rush to give him his book as he couldn't show Snape his own book. Without explaining anything to him, he ran out of the common room to meet Snape.

Okay guys, the new chapter here.

What do you think about Harry's crush on Jade?

What do you like more? Drade (Draco/Jade) Or Jadry? Hade? (Harry/Jade)?