Fourth year was one of the worst years Ginny had experienced after the Chamber of Secrets. She at least had her family and friends to depend on to get better but right now, everyone seemed divided. Jade was alone and by herself with Cormac on her tail. Even though Ginny tried to get Jade to cheer up, by the end of the day, she would hear Jade silently weeping into her pillow and sniffling. She felt guilty for abandoning her because of the grueling Quidditch practices for the next match and to make matters worse, she was playing against Ravenclaw, Michael's House. Her own love life was taking an ugly turn since she couldn't stand being near someone who kept undermining her and trying to tell her that it was okay if Ravenclaw beat out Gryffindor. Sometimes Ginny wished that Michael could be more like Dean who recently started to become a very good friend through this mess. She practiced her D.A. lessons with him and ended up spending more time with him during Quidditch practice because he had an amazing sense of humor. A good laugh was what Ginny exactly needed these days. Fred quieted down and sulked around the castles, sometimes disappearing for days. George would go along with him but she could tell that he too was exhausted over Fred's mood. Umbridge recently tried to throw Trelawny out and as much as everyone else thought she belonged in a loony bin, Umbridge's treatment towards her was barbaric. Astoria spent all her time with Malfoy now that their relationship wasn't a secret anymore. She was angry at Jade for their argument but Ginny didn't see any sense in why Astoria stopped talking to them. She hated Malfoy more than ever and was certain that he was feeding Astoria a love potion.
"Hey you." Ginny said, sitting down next to Jade.
"Hey. Were you followed?" Jade asked, looking around. She looked tired with bags under her eyes and paler than usual. She was thinning for the past few weeks because of all the stress from school and probably thinking about Fred snogging other girls.
"You look tired. Are you feeling well Jade?" Ginny asked.
"Please don't ask. McLaggen's been following me from the time I leave my common room until I enter it. Anywhere I go, he's there talking about nothing but himself." Jade said. Ginny snorted and looked around.
"I don't see him here now." She said.
"That's because he's practicing for the game in a week. It's like having the most annoying child in the world and suddenly he's taking an hour long nap…it's been the best hour of my life so far." Jade said.
"Does he like you?" Ginny asked seeing Jade crack a grin.
"I never thought I'd enjoy being called indirectly ugly in my entire life. He always makes sure to include that I'm not the type of girl that he would date because he dates pretty girls." Jade said.
"What an arse." Ginny said, looking disgusted.
"Trust me, I do not mind but I wish he would leave me the hell alone. I don't see him with anyone else." Jade said.
"That's because he's fried everyone's brains off already by talking about himself. Other than McLaggen, how is everything else?" Ginny asked.
"The usual you know. Studying…and my mother keeps sending me weird letters. How's the D.A.?" Jade asked. Ginny sighed, lying on the grass.
"It's fine. I'm actually worried that Astoria might tell Malfoy and he'd definitely tell Umbridge." Ginny said.
"Ass wouldn't jeopardize the D.A. that way. She knows how much it means to you and the rest." Jade said.
"She knew a lot of things that meant something to us but that didn't stop her from sabotaging it." Ginny said.
"She told the truth. That doesn't make her a bad person." Jade said.
"I didn't say she was a bad person. Anyways, I have to go and sleep." Ginny yawned.
"Aren't you going to the D.A. meeting? They're meeting in a half an hour." Jade said, holding up the coin.
"I'll skip it. Should I bother asking if you're going?" Ginny asked.
"Don't. I'll see you later." Jade said seeing Ginny nod and give her a hug.
In a few minutes, Jade started to leave towards the castle. She saw a familiar red head following Malfoy into a vacant room. They were an unusual pair of course but it was definitely curious. From what Jade could see, the girl was crying and Malfoy kept putting his finger to his lips in order to shush her. What was frightening was that Jade recognized the girl being one of Cho's friends and a member of Dumbledore's Army. She looked around to see if anyone was watching and quickly ran towards the room, hiding herself next to the door to overhear their conversation.
"You know the consequences of lying to the High Inquisitor don't you? She's also a member of the Wizengamot and it would be detrimental to your mother's position in the Ministry for the Floo Network blunders she made." Jade heard Malfoy say. Marietta sobbed.
"Please don't do that to my mother! She wasn't a part of this! It's all Harry Potter's fault! This is all his doing!" Marietta said.
"Then tell me what he's planning. What is he up to that we don't know? Remember, your mother's future is in your hands." Malfoy said.
"I was sworn not to tell. Cho would be so mad at me if she ever found out." Marietta said.
"No one would have to know that you told me. We would tell no one and you'll be heavily rewarded." He said.
"Do you promise?" Marietta asked.
"Yes! Now tell me where Potter and the rest are!" Malfoy said impatiently.
"And my mother?" Marietta asked.
"Your mother will be fine! Now tell me where Potter's group is!" Malfoy said.
"All right then. They-"
"Marietta!" Jade shouted. Marietta and Malfoy turned to see Jade walk in, looking furious. "You're about to make an enormous mistake! If your loyalty doesn't lie in the group then don't let it but don't betray Cho." Jade said.
"Where the hell did you come from?" Malfoy asked. Jade snarled at Malfoy and looked back at Marietta.
"But Malfoy says that my mother would lose her job!" Marietta said.
"Why would you trust Malfoy? Did anyone else from the Ministry owl you to tell you they'll dismiss your mother? Did your mother beg you to help her because she might lose her job?" Jade asked.
"This has nothing to do with you Longbottom, you had better leave!" Malfoy said taking out his wand.
"And there were a lot of things that had nothing to do with you too Malfoy but you clearly love keeping your nose dirty don't you?" Jade asked.
"I'm going to be lenient towards you because my girlfriend would kill me if I even hexed a strand of your hair. Go away." Malfoy said.
"Fuck you Malfoy. Marietta you don't have to do this. I'm begging you, please don't do this. There is nothing worse than a sneak for Umbridge and Malfoy. You can't go any lower than that." Jade said.
"It think it's time for you to leave." Malfoy said, grabbing Jade's shoulder but she pushed his hand away and pointed at Marietta.
"Do the right thing Marietta or else you'll force me to do a few things I really don't want to do to you." Jade said.
"She's lying. She won't be able to do anything to you. She'll only pull you in deeper trouble. Don't be a fool and go to Umbridge's office! Tell her that Draco Malfoy sent you!" Malfoy said.
"No!" Jade yelled seeing Marietta edge towards the door.
"I'm really sorry Jade." Marietta said. She ran out the door and Jade ran after her. Malfoy uttered a Trip Jinx and Jade felt her ankles seize, having her fly into the cold stone floor.
"Ough." Jade grunted, clutching her chin.
"I tried to be nice to you but you're always acting like the snooty little bitch you were destined to be." Malfoy said, tucking his wand back.
"I swear Malfoy, once Marietta's dealt with, you're going to be the new guinea pig for everyone to hex at." Jade said.
"It's no wonder Weasley snogged Davis behind your-" He flew into the wall and fell into a group of wooden chairs. Jade took no time in getting up and flying out, trying to catch up to Marietta. She locked Malfoy into the room and ran off. Midway, she realized that Marietta was probably in Umbridge's room and there was no way to diffuse that situation. Unless she warned the D.A. herself.
"But I don't know where it's being held!" Jade told herself. It was one of the many disadvantages of not attending any of the D.A. meetings. They always said Room of Requirements but she never knew where the bloody room was. "Ginny!" Jade said, remembering that Ginny was in the dormitories. She ran from the ground floor all the way up to the Gryffindor Tower without slowing down. She yelled the password at the Fat Lady and ignored her disgust, running in. She saw Fred sitting on the ground, flicking fireworks into the fireplace and turned his head to see Jade gasping for air and nearly collapse against the sofa.
"Fred!" Jade squeaked through her breaths.
"What's wrong?" Fred asked, scrambling up.
"Fred!" Jade said again. Fred held her hand and placed another hand on her back, taking her to the sofa.
"Sit down and catch your breath." Fred said. Jade started shaking her head.
"I can't…I have to call Ginny." Jade said.
"What? Why? Why can't you just tell me?" Fred asked.
"There isn't time! I have to go call Ginny!" Jade said, getting off the sofa and running towards the stairs.
"She's not upstairs! She's at the D.A. meeting!" Fred said.
"She isn't! She said she was skipping the meeting." Jade said from upstairs. Fred drummed the staircase, still looking up.
"I saw her at the meeting and came back early." Fred said seeing her run down the stairs.
"Listen there's been a huge problem. Marietta is in Umbridge's office to tell her everything about Dumbledore's Army!" Jade said. Fred furrowed his eyebrows.
"Who's Marietta and how did you find out?" Fred asked.
"Cho's friend! The red head! I saw her telling Malfoy everything! We have to warn the others before Umbridge gets there herself!" Jade said.
"Dobby!" Fred yelled into the fireplace. He turned back to Jade. "Did Malfoy see you?" Fred asked.
"Of course he did. How else could I have persuaded her not to go?" Jade asked.
"He allowed you to persuade Marietta?" Fred asked.
"Why are we standing around? Aren't you going to go to the Room of Requirements?" Jade shrieked. A small pop was heard in the center of the room and Dobby showed up, smiling with a stack of different colored hats on his head.
"Fred Weasley!" Dobby said in awe, bowing towards Fred.
"Stop bowing Dobby. I need you to do something. Warn Harry about Umbridge. She's found out about the D.A. meetings and she's headed towards the Room of Requirements with the rest of her sack of shits. Don't tell any of the elves, they've been warned too but you need to save Harry and his friends from the evil fat woman, is that clear?" Fred asked seeing Dobby look petrified. "Dobby don't look scared. You are the bravest of all the elves I've ever met. You can do this, now go!" Fred said.
"Yes sir!" Dobby said apparating immediately. Fred turned to Jade who looked stunned.
"I know what you're thinking!" he said putting up a hand before she spoke. "And I agree! It's sexy that I have elf connections!" he said.
"Oh Merlin, Fred. If this weren't an inappropriate time!" Jade said, leaving the common room.
"It's okay! You can laugh! I won't tell anyone! This way." Fred said, taking her arm. They walked down the stairs and he tapped on Wilfred the Wistful's toe in three steady beats. The statue moved aside and Fred stepped inside and turned around, offering his hand.
"It's a little dark in there." He said.
"A simple 'lumos' would suffice." Jade said, taking his hand. She saw the end of his wand light up but the passageway was still very dark.
"Watch your step. George fell many times and he only had himself to get up." Fred said walking quickly.
"Was he holding your hand too?" Jade asked, feeling the front of her feet knock into the uneven stone floor.
"Absolutely not. I'd have to be in love to hold hands with someone." Fred said.
"Ah, so is it safe to say that you're in love?" Jade asked, seeing him turn around and grin. "With Tracey Davis?" Jade asked seeing his smile drop, glaring at her.
"I mean since you kissed her and all." Jade said.
"Heard you were hot and heavy with McLaggen." Fred said.
"What puts you under that delusion?" Jade asked.
"The way you both are attached to the hip. Is the little bugger hiding under your robes?" Fred asked.
"Oh you know me. I like my men arrogant and immature. Cormac seemed like the second best fit." Jade said.
"Ouch. Fifth floor to the Room of Requirements right?" he asked, looking at a series of passageways.
"Are you sure you know where to go?" Jade asked.
"Hold on, I'm thinking." He said, taking a few seconds. "This way!" he said, pointing towards a passage.
"Are you sure?" Jade asked, gripping him tighter.
"I know these passageways like I know my first name." Fred said. "Then why were you taking so long in deciding which tunnel to take?" Jade asked, seeing him stop and let go of her hand.
"I was debating on whether to get us 'lost' or go to help our friends." Fred said, going down the ladder.
"Fred! This isn't the time to get romantic! Not when Umbridge is ready to take everyone we know to the Ministry! Are we 'lost' or on the right track?" Jade asked.
"Unfortunately we're on the right track. I'd figure you'd be less than romantic when Umbridge attacking the D.A. is on your mind." He said, pushing a door open. They walked out of a small painting and looked around the floor.
"It's clear. Now here's what I want you to do…go back to the dormitory." Fred said turning towards Jade. She stared at him, wondering if she should hit his head against something hard to stop him from making stupid jokes.
"Are you kidding me?" Jade asked.
"Umbridge is literally a floor above us with the rest of her worshippers. This is highly dangerous and the message has already been sent through Dobby. I just want to make sure no one gets left behind and I can't have you get in trouble for something you couldn't even attend." Fred said.
"I don't care if I never attended anything! I don't want anyone to get left behind either!" Jade said, pushing him aside. She walked towards the tapestry and looked around. "I wish I had gone to at least one D.A. meeting to know where the room was." Jade said. She looked at Fred who smiled walking up to her.
"Whether or not we get expelled, I'd like for you to know that I wouldn't find a better person to stand here with than you. Okay maybe Tracey Davis but that's only because I love the feeling of her stubby beard-"
"Gross! Fred, you're horrible!" Jade laughed, pushing him off. She opened the door that appeared for the Room of Requirements and saw everyone scrambling off.
"Jade you grab the first and second years! Avoid bathrooms or any of the rooms for hiding, they'll scour the entire place, everyone!" Fred yelled.
"Follow me!" Jade said, taking the first and second years out as Hermione, Ron and the rest took out the other batch of students. Jade ran down the stairs and led the group of first and second years into a corridor. She stopped them and checked a hallway to see Pansy Parkinson and another Slytherin walking towards their corridor. Jade quickly turned back and signaled the students to occupy a room. Jade stood in front of the door with her wand out, listening to the footsteps and voices of Parkinson and the other girl. They got louder and Jade looked behind her, seeing that the small children were terrified.
"It's going to be okay." Jade said, trying to smile at them. The voices stopped and Jade turned back to the door, seeing the doorknob turn. She held up her hand to keep everyone's silence and raised her wand to the person who opened the door. Astoria stared at Jade who pointed her wand a foot away from her face.
"Well Greengrass? Is there anyone there or not?" Parkinson asked.
"Do you reckon there would be more students hiding in bigger rooms?" the other girl asked.
"We would if Greengrass would give us a fucking answer already." Parkinson said.
"You'd be surprised Parkinson." Astoria said, still looking at Jade. She turned her head back at Parkinson and nodded towards the room. "There's nothing in here." Astoria said.
"Congratulations Greengrass, you just ruined two valuable minutes of our lives. Let's go." Pansy said walking off. Astoria looked back at Jade and the rest of the students, giving them a wink. She swung the door shut and Jade waited for a minute until it was safe to escort the rest of the students back to safety.