"Are you sure you don't want to come Jade? Augusta insisted you come and see this boy she wanted you to meet." Enid said from Jade's doorway as Jade put on her earrings.
"I'm not interested at all Mum. You can tell her I said hello and no thank you." Jade said.
"And you can tell the Weasley's I said hello. Where's Astoria?" Enid asked, looking around.
"Right here Mum." Astoria said, walking into the room with a dark pink dress.
"You two have fun and make sure to send an owl before bed. Please remind my daughter Astoria, she always forgets." Enid said.
"I thought I was your daughter too." Astoria frowned.
"Oh sweetheart of course you are!" Enid said.
"Don't worry Mum, I'll send you an owl if Jade forgets." Astoria said.
"All right then. Lock up and stay safe!" Enid said before leaving.
"Hey Ass, would you be able to do my makeup? Fred's going to be there…obviously because he lives there. We've been sending letters back and forth to each other throughout the entire break and I really hope we can have our first kiss tonight under some mistletoe or something." Jade said.
"Really?" Astoria asked, uninterested as she flipped through a magazine. Jade nodded and blushed.
"It's all I could think about after getting off the train. He's been sending me flowers and little tricks that he made with George. I really like this boy Ass. What do you think?" Jade asked, turning around, missing Astoria's annoyed expressions and eye rolling.
"I think it's cute…but don't you think he's a little immature?" Astoria asked.
"He jokes around and plays pranks sometimes. He's just having fun, what's wrong in that?" Jade asked. Astoria shrugged.
"But he plays pranks all the time. I'm not trying to be mean or anything but shouldn't someone as mature and nice like you date someone with the same mentality?" Astoria asked.
"It's not like he goes around pulling my pants down. He's really intelligent, you know that." Jade said.
"Yeah but what about all that hitting? Imagine if he were doing all of that on purpose?" Astoria asked.
"That's absolute nonsense Ass. What's gotten into you? I thought you were in love with Fred!" Jade said getting up.
"Just trying to be careful! Let's see what we're going to do with your eyes with that strapless red number you'll be wearing!" Astoria said. After Jade's makeup was done, Astoria started playing on a new idea.
"You know, I'm not feeling that well. Kind of getting a headache and cramps too. Do you think I could skip the Weasley Christmas?" Astoria asked.
"Then take a potion! Everyone's so excited to having you over, you can't disappoint them!" Jade said.
"Yeah but it's really private and intimate because their Dad's been attacked and all that." Astoria said.
"Ass, you sound like an arse. You call him Dad and he specifically requested that you and I be there without fail. Why are you acting so weird all of a sudden?" Jade asked.
"I'm not acting weird! I have a fucking headache, that's all! I'll get ready in a few minutes." Astoria said leaving the room.
"Are you mad? I really didn't mean to-"
"I'm not mad! You're making me mad just by asking me that! It's called a headache Jade. Stop being pushy!" Astoria said, closing the bathroom door.
"What the fuck is clogging up her arse?" Jade asked quietly. After a few minutes, Astoria walked out with her sleeveless dark pink dress. She slipped into her heels and took her purse, fixing her hair in the mirror.
"You look really pretty. I love your hair straightened like that." Jade said seeing Astoria smile.
"I know. Dra-Daphne thinks so too." Astoria said. Jade decided not to say anything else to upset Astoria even more even though she had been acting loopy the entire evening. Maybe when she saw everyone else at Grimmauld place, she'd lighten up but Ginny definitely needed to see this herself.
Molly opened the door and smiled at Jade and Astoria who hugged her.
"Happy Christmas Mum! Nice place for a Christmas dinner." Astoria said.
"It's Harry's Godfather's house. You girls look so beautiful! Jade! You lost so much weight!" Molly said, ushering them inside.
"I owe it to all the pressure in school. Hello Charlie." Jade said, shaking Charlie's hand.
"It's about time you two came! Where's Fred?" Ginny asked. Hermione pushed Ginny as Jade blushed in embarrassment.
"I'm going to go see how your father's doing." Jade said, walking out of the room. Fred jogged into the room, looking around.
"I heard Ginny shrilling, where is she?" Fred asked.
"She went to see Dad. You just missed her." Ginny said.
"The nerve of that man! Stealing away a girl old enough to be his daughter in law! I'm telling Mum!" George said. Fred grinned and looked at Astoria who had her back turned towards him, talking to Hermione and Ginny. He walked over and lifted her up, twirling her around.
"Look who's made it to the dinner!" Fred said.
"Put me down this instant!" Astoria yelled. Fred put her down and took a step back, seeing her whip around. "What the hell is wrong with you Weasley? Why do you think everything is a joke?" Astoria asked.
"Ass it's just a joke." Fred said slowly.
"Do you see me laughing? And please try to not call me that. It's Astoria." She said, walking away. Ron, Hermione, Ginny and George were staring in their places, feeling highly awkward.
"Is she starting menopause early? What happened to her?" Fred asked.
"That's twice we've been told off for our joking today." George said.
"Yeah but Sirius isn't the type to find a lot of things funny. Spending all that time in Azkaban…but Ass-I mean Astoria always laughed and horsed around as much as we did." Fred said.
"Did I hear my name?" Sirius asked, walking in with a hand in his pocket. Harry was standing next to him, looking at Fred.
"Yes you did…but I'm not repeating it; you won't get the joke." Fred said walking off.
Astoria stalked into the room and sat next to Jade who turned around. Molly and Arthur were sitting in front of them, watching Astoria rearrange her skirt, mumbling under her breath.
"What happened to you?" Jade asked.
"Your stupid boyfriend, that's what." Astoria said.
"You have a boyfriend Jade?" Molly asked. Jade blushed, unable to send Astoria a murderous glare.
"Yeah. Her and Fred are an item. How are you Dad?" Astoria asked, getting up to hug Arthur.
"Jade and Fred? Together! Is it true?" Molly yelped.
"It's just a mis-"
"Fred! What's Astoria telling me?" Molly asked seeing Fred walk in.
"I didn't think she'd be this upset about it. I only picked her up for a few seconds." Fred said.
"Why didn't you tell us you were with Jade?" Molly asked.
"Thanks a lot for that." Jade whispered to Astoria. She got up and walked towards Molly and Fred.
"You know how Astoria is, Mrs. Weasley. Always joking around and all. It's all a big misunderstanding." Jade said. Molly frowned and looked at Fred who shrugged.
"I could ask her to be my girlfriend right now if it makes you happy Mum." Fred said. Molly hit Fred's arm and walked out of the room. "I don't think my Mum likes you Jade." Fred said seeing Jade smile.
"Excuse us. We're going to the dinner table." Astoria said, wheeling Arthur out.
"Careful!" Fred said.
"I'm being very careful." Astoria said.
"I was talking to the poor fellow in the chair. Careful not to crack a joke, Dad or she'll push you down the stairs." Fred warned. Arthur chuckled and Astoria rolled her eyes, taking Arthur away. Fred waited until Astoria and Arthur were away and nodded towards her.
"Did you take a piss in her tea this morning or what?" Fred asked Jade.
"She's been in a rotten mood for the past few days and wouldn't tell me why. How are you feeling?" Jade asked, rubbing his arm. He nodded, moving closer to Jade.
"Dad gave us a scare all right but I wasn't okay until I knew he was absolutely fine." Fred said.
"I'm glad." Jade said nodding. Fred smiled and they both stood there, looking at each other, smiling and looking somewhere else.
"Your dress is really nice." Fred said.
"Really? I'm glad you like it. The color's nice isn't it?" Jade asked, looking at her dress.
"I didn't say anything about the color. I just like how short it is but the color is nice too." He said, going for her dress but Jade laughed, pulling away. He grabbed her hand and taped a bushel of mistletoe on the top frame of the doorway that they were standing under.
"Can't run away without giving me a kiss. Tradition won't allow it." Fred said, bringing her closer.
"I thought you were completely against tradition." Jade said sliding her arms around him.
"What kind of idiot would I be if I hated a tradition where I could kiss a beautiful girl any time I wanted to?" he asked, leaning into her.
"Excuse me. Oh…excuse me again." Sirius said walking back out.
"George, where is your brother?" Molly asked.
"I don't know! Ask Jade!" George said. Molly looked around.
"Where's Jade?" she asked.
"Ask Fred!" George answered. Fred sighed and Jade giggled, pulling away from him. They joined the rest at dinner and Jade was formally introduced to Sirius Black, Harry's godfather.
"Nice to meet you." Jade said, shaking his hand. He nodded, giving her a short smile.
"The same to you as well." He said. He released her and Jade sat between Ginny and Fred, rubbing her hand to recover from Sirius's steel grip.
"I didn't know Sirius Black was this good looking in person." Jade said to Ginny who smirked. The two girls looked at Sirius who sat himself down, speaking to Molly and Arthur.
"Look at Hermione and Ass." Ginny said quietly, nodding towards Hermione and Astoria who were glancing towards Sirius, nodding and smiling.
"That's the first smile I'm seeing from Ass this entire evening." Jade said.
"Really? Why? What's wrong with her?" Ginny asked seeing Jade shrug.
"She's been acting so weird. Sometimes I'm even scared of saying something because she gets so angry." Jade said.
"I've been noticing too. When you and Fred were off snogging in the other room she barely spoke to George, Ron or Harry. A little earlier ago, she snapped on Fred and told him to call her Astoria." Ginny said seeing Jade raise her eyebrows.
"She told Fred to call her Astoria? Why?" Jade asked.
"Who the hell knows except her right? All I saw was him pick her up and spin her." Ginny said.
"He's been doing that to her for years. A few months ago, you couldn't keep them separate, they looked like they were in love with each other and suddenly she's mad at Fred and tries to tell me how I should date someone else because she thinks he's immature." Jade said.
"You've got to be joking. Ass told you that? About Fred? That's not like her." Ginny said.
"I know. Suddenly she just…hates him." Jade said. Ginny frowned and they both sat there, pondering.
"Ginny? Jade? You two haven't even touched your food!" Molly said.
"What are you both talking about?" Astoria asked, moving her chair closer to them.
"How sexy Jade thinks Sirius is." Ginny said. Jade punched Ginny's leg, getting a chuckle out of Fred.
"Why are you laughing, mind your own business!" Jade said. He reached over and turned her hand, lacing his fingers between hers, giving her a cheeky smile. Ginny watched Astoria grit her teeth and turn back to her.
"I ask her a question and she completely ignores me. Did you see that?" Astoria asked.
"I'm definitely seeing it now." Ginny said, looking at Astoria who picked at her food. "You look like you're upset over something." Ginny said seeing Jade give them space for a conversation.
"I'm not upset. Why is everyone saying that?" Astoria asked.
"I'm just telling you what I see Ass. I can tell that something's wrong because you completely stopped talking to everyone." Ginny said. Astoria ignored her, looking irritated seeing Jade and Fred engrossed in a conversation. She looked at their hands, clasped underneath the table, looking like they were about to kiss at any moment. So many things ran through Ginny's mind but she couldn't understand why Astoria was suddenly displeased to see Fred and Jade together. A sudden but terrifying thought popped into Ginny's head.
"Um…Jade?" Ginny asked, placing a hand on Jade's shoulder.
"Yeah Gin?" Jade asked.
"I need you to come to the bathroom with me." Ginny said. Fred glared at Ginny.
"Quit stealing my lines!" he said.
"Is something wrong?" Jade asked, starting to get up.
"No, nothing's wrong. I just need you for a minute." Ginny said.
"I can do better than a minute." Fred winked.
"Shut up and stop being so obnoxious!" Ginny said.
"Where are you both going?" Astoria asked.
"Bathroom. I need Jade to help me fix something really quickly." Ginny said.
"I'll come too." Astoria said.
"No, it's okay. You stay; I only need one person for this." Ginny said.
"No Astoria, you can go. It'll be you three again, squashed in the bathroom like old times." Fred said.
"I don't think I asked for your permission. They're my friends." Astoria said. Fred shrugged her off and turned towards George, Ron and Harry. Astoria sat back down and Ginny pushed Jade out of the room and into a bathroom.
"Are you okay Gin?" Jade asked, seeing Ginny lock the door.
"I think I know why Astoria's acting like this." Ginny said. Jade stared at Ginny, waiting for her to say something.
"Okay and?" Jade asked.
"Jade! Astoria likes Fred!" Ginny said. Jade paused.
"You want to run that by me again?" Jade asked.
"You heard me." Ginny said.
"Yeah and you sound ridiculous that's why I'm cleaning my ears so I can hear you a little clearly." Jade said.
"Then you might have a better reason why Ass is acting like this." Ginny said.
"Why would she like Fred? I don't exactly see hearts bubbling out of her ears when she's in his presence." Jade said.
"She never had a problem with Fred until you two started becoming serious. I think she's always liked Fred before but never said anything about it." Ginny said.
"Then wouldn't she be mad at me?" Jade asked.
"Why would she be mad at you? You haven't done anything to her! And you didn't start liking Fred until this year, that's why she probably never thought that you and Fred would end up together." Ginny said. Jade sat down on the toilet, trying to assess what Ginny had told her.
"I don't know how you could be so sure." Jade said.
"You don't see the way she looks at the both of you when you're holding hands and smiling. She wants to separate you from him, why would she do that if she's your best friend? She either doesn't think he's a good person or she really likes him and doesn't want you to be with him." Ginny said.
"The first one sounds better." Jade said.
"Really? As soon as you told everyone that you started to have feelings for Fred, she completely turns around and starts to hate Fred." Ginny said.
"She sounds like she's more in love with me than she is with Fred." Jade said.
"Okay fine! Just go on without knowing nothing's wrong with her. She'll act like that for the rest of her life, with that attitude of hers!" Ginny said, rushing out of the bathroom.
"Ginny! Ginny stop it!" Jade hissed, running after Ginny. "Gin! Just listen to me will you? Look, I understand what you're trying to say but I swear I'll talk to her." Jade said.
"And say what Jade? Please tell me what's wrong with you please, please, please? Like she'll tell her best friend that she likes her boyfriend?" Ginny asked.
"Why are you giving me an attitude now?" Jade asked, feeling her face start to heat up.
"Because you're not listening to me!" Ginny said.
"Where the hell have you two been?" Astoria asked appearing in the hallway.
"Hey Ass, nothing, just a little chat. Thanks for nothing Jade." Ginny said, trying to look civil towards Jade who returned the look.
"It's not a problem when you get ridiculously fussy and complicated over something so silly." Jade said.
"Well at least I'm attentive! You're just as ignorant as dirt." Ginny said. Astoria tried not to laugh as she watched the two staring hard at each other, each turning bright red.
"Wow, I missed the most exciting bathroom conversation for the evening!" Astoria said. Jade turned around and walked off, leaving Ginny and Astoria.
"What happened to her? I thought she was having such a magical evening with that brother of yours." Astoria said. Ginny turned towards Astoria, heavily contemplating on whether or not if it was best to air Astoria out.
"Try to stay out of this Ass." Ginny said.
Ginny came back to see Jade sitting there, telling Hermione everything in detail. She wasn't too worried about Hermione having the wrong impression on either of them because Hermione knew them extremely well. She saw Fred looking back once in a while to see if everything was all right before continuing his conversation with the boys. Ginny took a seat next to George, watching Hermione start to say something to Jade. Astoria walked in, looking at Ginny. For once in many years, she looked out of place. It was awkward for her to stand there by herself, unable to communicate with anybody. It was almost painful to see Astoria looking around, refusing to speak to anyone. After a few more minutes, everyone got up and started to help Molly clean the table.
"Hey Jade. I know you really want to stay and all but I'm really not feeling well." Astoria said, placing a hand on Jade's arm.
"Oh…" Jade said, looking at Fred who had been showing George a series of cards on the dinner table.
"He's not going to be bothered by you now. Please Jade? I really want to go home." Astoria said.
"Fine then. Let me just say bye to everyone." Jade said.
"Hey everyone! It's been a great Christmas dinner but we have to go!" Astoria said.
"We?" George asked.
"Jade and I." Astoria said.
"Jade can stay but you're welcomed to leave." Fred said.
"Is that so Weasley?" Astoria asked.
"Ha! Fred thinks he can be funny sometimes when he's just not." Jade said, taking Fred's hand and pulling him towards the doorway.
"Listen to your girlfriend Weasley; I think she's trying to tell you something." Astoria said.
"Haven't you turned out to be the wonderful Girlfriend Whisperer? You have something to say Greengrass? I think you've been holding out on us for a very long time." Fred said, all sense of humor and light heartedness gone.
"Fred stop it. Ass, he's just being-"
"Stupid? Yeah I noticed but I think it took you a very long time to see that. There's just a lot of things you haven't seen have you Jade?" Astoria asked.
"Ass, stop it. I don't want to talk about this anymore." Jade said.
"Oh you know?" Astoria asked, looking amused. She looked at Fred who was ready to throw her into a wall.
"Please Ass don't do this. We can talk about this when we get home, please." Jade said.
"Talk about what? Talk about me? Talk about why she suddenly turns into a bitch on all of her friends? We're not good enough for you anymore Greengrass? Have you found someone that finally accepted you in Slytherin other than your sister?" Fred snarled. Everyone looked at Astoria who stood rigid with her eyes wide.
"What is he talking about?" Ginny asked.
"That's none of your fucking business Weasley! How dare you meddle in my personal life?" Astoria asked.
"You know what? Whatever it is, I don't want to know! I don't care! You two have been acting so hostile towards each other, you two can talk it out. No one has to know anything, just please stop fighting." Jade begged. Fred nodded towards Jade, still looking at Astoria.
"You see that? That's called a true friend. She doesn't care or want to know. She doesn't want to hear a bad thing about you or anyone else you care about! And what do you do? You let him brainwash you about us that's why we're suddenly uncool to hang around with aren't we?" Fred asked. Astoria laughed.
"Me get brainwashed? If I tell Jade the things you did behind her back, she'll never be able to forgive you." Astoria said.
"Oh really? Did Malfoy tell you that? What else did that ferret tell you?" Fred asked.
"Malfoy?" Ginny asked.
"Aren't you surprised Ginny? Yeah so was the rest of us when we saw her and Malfoy meeting around the broom closets, stairways, room-" he quickly blocked a spell that Astoria threw at him. She kept throwing spells left and right and Fred kept up with blocking every one of them. Some spells hit the walls and bounced off into objects, shattering them, slicing curtains and burning other pieces. Molly and Sirius ran into the dining room and disarmed both teens from their wands.
"What is the matter with you Fred?" Molly asked.
"What's the matter with him? What's wrong with the both of them?" Sirius asked.
"You're dating Malfoy?" Jade asked Astoria who started to wipe the tears from her face.
"Ass, why didn't you tell us?" Ginny asked.
"Because I knew that nobody would accept it. He isn't a horrible person like everyone thinks of him to be. And he's certainly miles better than you!" Astoria spat at Fred.
"I'd like to disagree on that point." George said.
"What are you children fighting about? Malfoy?" Molly asked.
"You're not at all the person you paint yourself to be. You can fool everyone and you can definitely fool Jade but not me. Call me crazy but weren't you the one who was caught snogging Tracey Davis a week ago by Snape?" Astoria asked. The color from Fred's face instantly vanished as he stared at Astoria, slightly dumbfounded. Jade looked at Fred, shaking his arm.
"Fred, is this true?" Jade asked softly.
"Cat got your tongue Weasley? Not so loud now, are you?" Astoria asked.
"Who's Tracey Davis?" Ginny asked.
"Draco's year. She told us that she was caught snogging this prat in the Potions room. Said they started to take off each other's clothes-"
"That's not true Greengrass and you know it!" Fred yelled.
"Of course I didn't until we read the report Snape wrote out. You two were halfway undressed." Astoria said. Jade let go of Fred's hand and placed a hand over her mouth.
"You don't deserve Jade in any way at any cost. That's why I didn't want you around him Jade. I know what kind of person he really is. He pretends to act like he cares-"
"You have no idea who I am and don't you ever make the mistake of assuming to know that I pretend to act like I care. You weren't there that night and you never asked me what happened. Instead you heard what happened from Malfoy, Davis, Snape and immediately judged me. You are the last person I'd ever expect that from but you've changed Ass. Being with Malfoy turned you into a true Slytherin all right." Fred said.
"Being with Malfoy is the best thing that's ever happened to me. He cares about me and makes sure I'm all right. You'd never give him a chance because I'm not as important to you. It's okay though, I think I can live. I'm sorry it had to be like this Jade but I guess volcanoes just have to blow don't they?" Astoria asked before leaving. Jade had her back turned towards them as she silently cried, hiding her face.
"Jade, it's not what you think-" Fred started to say but Jade walked out of the door.