The next morning, tired as ever, Jade went downstairs to see Cormac sitting at the breakfast table with his Uncle Tiberus.
"Pookie!" Cormac said, getting up.
"Hey Cormac." Jade said. He hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek.
"Ready for Bali?" he asked excitedly.
"I sure am. Hello." Jade said, shaking Tiberus's hand.
"You look like you haven't had much sleep." Tiberus said.
"She was probably up all night, wishing when the night would end. Didn't you Pookie?" Cormac asked as Jade poured herself a cup of coffee.
"You have no idea." She said. Cormac winked at her and turned to Algie who was sitting next to Cormac, showing an intense dislike towards Cormac's winks, smirks and long stares at Jade.
"Do you want more pancakes, Cormac?" Enid asked, cleaning up the kitchen.
"No thank you Mrs. Longbottom. As much as I think your cooking is exquisite, I really must keep myself fit and healthy. I didn't win countless sports and dancing awards for nothing, after all." Cormac said.
"You should teach Jade about maintaining her weight. She's lost most of it but needs to learn how to keep that weight off." Enid said.
"Don't worry Mrs. Longbottom. I'm sure I can find ways to keep Pookie in shape." Cormac said, licking his lips, watching Jade who was too busy scraping off a sticker that was stuck on the cup. After breakfast, everyone started to apparate to Tiberus's home where Cormac lived with him.
"Jade! We're going to Bali!" Neville said, hugging Jade.
"Isn't this exciting? It'll just be the…three of us!" Cormac said, awkwardly patting Neville's shoulder.
"I'll take the kids first. Right then, on the count of three, place your hand on the Portkey." Tiberus said, pointing towards a frosted silver vase.
It was like walking right into spring. Jade stared at the beautiful villa standing on its shiny dark wood and welcoming its visitors with the flowing white curtains and open spaces. The entrance was a dark grey stone pathway and both sides were pools filled with water.
"This is amazing, isn't it Nev?" Jade asked, looking behind the villa to see a thin forest with young green trees ascending towards the hills.
"It looks like paradise." Neville breathed.
"Welcome to Bali everyone! Nakula!" Tiberus boomed. An older man in a white button down shirt and white pants arrived with white gloves and a black bowtie. He smiled and gently bowed his head.
"Everyone this is Nakula, my most faithful butler for over 15 years!" Tiberus said.
"Hello everyone, welcome to Bali. May you please leave your luggage and enjoy a glass of our finest champagne?" he asked, gesturing behind him. Four men walked out with two trays of chilled champagne and hors d' oeuvres.
"Hey." Cormac whispered in Jade's ear, taking her hand. "Let me show you something." Cormac said. Jade nodded and took Neville's hand.
"Let's go Neville! Cormac's going to show us something!" Jade said.
"Oh, where?" Neville asked Cormac who twisted his face and kept motioning to keep himself out of it. Jade turned to Cormac who changed his expressions, smiling serenely at her.
"I'm a little tired, why don't you two go?" Neville asked.
"Don't be silly! Come on!" Jade said, pulling him along. Cormac clenched his jaw and started walking towards the villa. Jade looked around and kept commenting on how beautiful and breathtaking the villa was until she saw the enormous pool in the back.
"Neville, you look tired." Cormac said with his hands in his pockets. Neville glared at him and looked at Jade who sat down at the edge of the pool and dipped her feet in the water.
"It feels like paradise!" Jade exclaimed, turning around to see Neville and Cormac looking hostile towards each other. "What's going on with the both of you?" Jade asked.
"Nothing." Cormac said. He turned to Jade and chuckled.
"I was actually whispering to Neville that I was planning to push you and he took it the wrong way, didn't you mate?" Cormac asked, clapping Neville's shoulder.
"Don't you dare push me! I'll never speak to you if you do!" Jade said, standing up. "Anyways, I'm going to take a nap. I'm a little exhausted to tell you the truth." Jade said.
"Let me show you to your room, Pookie." Cormac said, going to take her hand but Jade hooked her arm around his.
"Show me to my room too Cormac!" Neville said, linking his arm on Jade. They exchanged stiff looks.
"Absolutely! Right this way!" Cormac said. He walked towards a room and pointed.
"That's yours Neville! Go in and take your nap!" Cormac said, seeing Neville open it and look in.
"It looks amazing. I want to see Jade's room!" Neville said, turning back to Cormac who stared at him with wide eyes.
"Of course…why not?" Cormac asked. He turned with Jade still on his arm and walked down the hallway. He opened the door to a room. The windows were open and Jade walked into fall in love with the pale wooden floors and the beautifully placed white lilies greeting her at a nearby table. There was a queen sized four poster bed with silky white canopies flowing gently against the soft breeze that came from the wide open balcony where there was a grand view of the ocean.
"Oh my god. Is that an outdoor tub?" Jade asked, walking into the room and out to the balcony. The tub was already filled with warm water, milk and rose petals with various bath perfumes, soaps and other amenities.
"You've got your personal bath outside and inside if you're feeling shy." Cormac said seeing Jade look around.
"Cormac this is amazing!" Jade said.
"Aren't you happy you came?" Cormac asked.
"I guess…" Jade said, softly. Cormac turned to Neville who was lying on Jade's bed, eyeing him like a hawk.
"Aren't you going to your room?" Cormac asked Neville.
"In a little while." Neville said pleasantly. Jade jumped into bed, next to Neville and giggled.
"So…I guess I'll just…go to my room then." Cormac said, swinging his arms back and forth.
"Bye!" Neville said as Cormac started for the door.
"See you!" Jade said.
Cormac walked out of the door and closed it, feeling himself glow in anger. He went down the stairs and walked towards his uncle who had been sitting and speaking to Algie and Augusta.
"Uncle, I need to see you for a moment." Cormac said.
"Excuse me for a minute." Tiberus said. He got up and walked outside with Cormac. "What is it now Cormac?" Tiberus asked.
"That fat boy is hanging on to her like a leech! I want to rip him out and chuck him into the middle of the ocean!" Cormac snarled.
"Calm down Cormac. Does he know about your intention of courting her?" Tiberus asked.
"He knows now and he doesn't like me!" Cormac said.
"So he does this on purpose for you two not to be alone?" Tiberus asked as Cormac nodded.
"The purpose for this trip was for me to be with Jade and woo her into marrying me! That would never happen with his ugly fat mug blocking me from getting to her!" Cormac said.
"I will speak to Augusta about this and see what she can do about her grandson." Tiberus said.
Jade woke up a few hours later from her nap to a small knock on the door. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, looking at the colors of the evening sun fill her entire room.
"Come in!" Jade said. Cormac peeked in and smiled with a small box in his hand.
"Had a good nap?" Cormac asked seeing Jade slip on her glasses and nod.
"It was the most peaceful sleep I've ever gotten. They scented the sheets with lavender and chamomile. What are you doing here?" Jade asked. Cormac sat in front of her and started opening the box.
"I wanted you to try something. It's a muggle thing and it's completely safe." He said.
"What is it?" Jade asked, seeing a tiny clear disc floating in a clear solution.
"It's called a contact lens. I asked your parents for the power on your vision and ordered these. That way when we go hiking tomorrow and visit the locals, you won't have to constantly have to wipe your glasses constantly and feel absolutely free and unburdened." He said, taking off her glasses and setting them aside.
"Do you know how to put them on?" Jade asked, seeing Cormac nod.
"You just have to hold very still. Come closer and try not to blink so much." He said. He was so close to her, he could kiss her but it wasn't probably the best idea since his finger was going directly into her eye.
"I hope this is safe! It feels ridiculous!" Jade said tightly holding his shoulder and trying not to blink as he slipped the lens in. He did the same for the other one, leaning his face closer to hers. Jade blinked and her vision cleared. It definitely felt out of the ordinary and slightly uncomfortable to see things clearly without her glasses.
"I think it'll take some time to get used to…but I can definitely see." Jade said.
"You know…if you look close enough, you can see the tiny beauty marks on your face that you've never seen before. It's like a painting-"
"Dinner's served downstairs. I'm starving, how about you guys?" Neville said from the doorway. Cormac jumped and turned to see Neville standing there with his arms crossed. "Your uncle is looking for you…said it was important." Neville said.
"I should wash up then." Jade said.
"Why thank you Neville. You're definitely quite the help around here." Cormac said. Neville watched him leave and he closed the door behind him.
"Are you mad, Jade?" Neville asked. Jade turned around from the mirror, blinking at Neville.
"Huh?" she asked.
"Did you forget you had a boyfriend back home or something?" Neville asked.
"No…why, what happened?" Jade asked. Neville's eyes were big as he gestured towards the bed.
"What were you two doing on the bed so close to each other for?" Neville asked.
"Nev, he was putting on these things in my eyes. It's a muggle thing, helps me see without my glasses." Jade said, pointing to her eyes.
"I don't see anything." Neville said. Jade summoned the box and gave it to him to read.
"He was helping me put it on and so it might have looked weird when you walked in." Jade said.
"Listen Jade, regardless of that, I think McLaggen's trying to make a few moves on you." Neville said seeing Jade grin.
"You don't know him Nev. He's not interested in me that way." Jade said.
"No…you don't know him. He's been trying to get you alone as soon as we set foot here. He's been giving me the eye for not leaving you alone with him." Neville said.
"I didn't notice this before." Jade said.
"You wouldn't because every time you turn to look at him, he changes his expressions. I need you to start paying attention at everything he's doing right now and you need to stop this and tell him you're with someone else." Neville said. The door opened and Augusta looked in.
"Neville! Jade! What are you both doing down here? Come downstairs and join us." She said.
At the dinner table, Jade and Neville took a seat together and Cormac sat next to Jade, smiling at her.
"Dear boy, could you shift over on the other side of the table? Speak to your Uncle Algie as I speak to your Aunt." Augusta said.
"But Gran-"
"Neville." Augusta said in a stern voice. Neville looked at Jade and looked at a smug Cormac.
"So Pookie, how do you feel about staying in Bali so far?" Cormac asked as Neville sat on the other side of the table.
"It's magical." Jade said, feeling him pat her knee and smile.
"Wait until we visit the rice paddies, visit temples and see the locals. They put up a wonderful show for us in the nighttime." Cormac said.
"That's really nice." Jade said, turning her knee away from him.
Throughout the entire dinner, Jade kept catching Cormac looking at her fondly as she ate and he sometimes placed his hand on her leg, her arm or over her shoulders. Jade looked at Neville who kept communicating through his eyes over McLaggen's behavior.
"Dinner was absolutely delicious." Enid said.
"Cormac, why don't you show Jade and Neville around the beach. It's lovely at this time, especially when the moon is out." Tiberus said. Cormac, Jade and Neville got up and pushed their chairs in.
"Actually Neville, I need you to tend to my poor owl. You can go tomorrow when they go to tour around. She's been so sick for the past two days." Augusta said. Neville looked at Jade who scratched her head.
"I've been feeling sick myself for a few hours. I think I'll just lay down for tonight and regain my strength for tomorrow's outing." Jade said.
"What's troubling you, dear? Do you need a potion?" Enid asked, starting to get up.
"No, I just need to lie down. I'm sorry Cormac." Jade said.
"Oh Pookie, I'll assist you." Cormac said putting an arm around her waist.
"It's okay; I'll be able to go on my own." Jade said, pulling away from him.
"At least let me help you take those contact lenses out! You can't sleep with them!" Cormac said.
"He got her contact lenses?" Algie asked Enid who tried to quiet him down.
"Yeah! Cormac's wanted my touring experience to be something amazing!" Jade said. Neville followed Jade and Cormac into Jade's room and watched Cormac help Jade take the lens out.
"So do you stand around all day, watching people do things, Neville?" Cormac asked when they left Jade's room.
"Oh yes. If I have to then I will." Neville said.
"No one's making you follow anyone around all day you know." Cormac said seeing Neville nod.
"I know that. I just do it out of sheer pleasure." Neville said.
"We'll see how fast that sheer pleasure lasts." Cormac said before leaving.
In the next two days, Jade spent her time trying to avoid Cormac and stay with Neville at all times. It was hard to do that since Neville and her had no idea where they were going and couldn't read some of the signs or speak the language of the locals which Cormac seemed to know. They traveled with Tiberus, her father, Augusta and Enid but Cormac was given the responsibility to watch over Neville and Jade when the older group needed to go back home. Every time Aunt Augusta tried to take Neville with her, Jade would refuse to go anywhere else without him. Now, they were in a bazar, looking at different foods and spices after an entire day hiking around hills of rice paddies and visiting ancient temples.
"I think I'm going to bring back a monkey for Fred. Something that strongly reminded me of him in my time here." Jade said, looking at Neville who laughed.
"What are you going to get Hannah?" Jade asked, walking with him.
"I got her a flute with our names engraved into the side." Neville said, taking out the flute from his bag.
"This is the sweetest thing! Fred should learn a thing or two from you." Jade said.
"Pookie! Pookie, wait!" Cormac yelled.
"Cormac! Where the hell did you run off? We were looking everywhere for you!" Jade said.
"We didn't try that hard though." Neville said under his breath.
"Sorry, but I got us these things. It's one of my favorites and I have to eat it every time I come here. Take one." Cormac said as Neville and Jade took a plastic bowl.
"What is it? Because so far, everything's been so delicious and flavorful with the cost of burning a nice big hole in my tongue." Jade said, smelling it.
"It's black rice pudding. Make from black rice and palm sugar." Cormac said, taking a spoonful of his.
"This is the most amazing thing I've ever had in my life." Neville said, cleaning his bowl within a few seconds. Jade took a bite, feeling the warm soft rice and the sweetness of the sugar exploding in her mouth.
"Sounds delicious. What's the white thing?" Jade asked.
"It's a coconut cream. Delicious isn't it?" Cormac asked.
"It's fantastic. Can we pick up a few more?" Jade asked.
"Of course! We also need to head home. Uncle Tiberus invited a few people and we need to be there now." Cormac said.
Cormac apparated them back home and Jade changed into the same pink dress that she wore to Slughorn's party.
"Candy cane martini?" a server asked, holding out a tray of the red drink.
"Oh I shouldn't. My mother won't let me." Jade said, poking her head out to see her mother and father drinking and laughing loudly.
"They're all drunk, you might as well." He said. Jade gave one more glance and took the drink.
"Thanks!" she whispered.
The server walked back to the kitchen and Cormac slipped a few Galleons in his pocket.
"Good job. You next." Cormac said, patting another server.
"I don't know what I ate but I've been stuck to the bathroom all day." Neville said.
"They put a little too much alcohol in this drink but its sweet and minty." Jade said.
"Did Aunt Enid and Uncle Algie allow you to drink?" Neville asked, seeing Jade shake her head and quickly finish the drink.
"They don't know; they're drunk themselves. I've never been allowed to drink but it's not like I never drank before." Jade said.
"I can't believe we spit the whiskey back in the bottle and your father still drinks from it!" Neville said as Jade snorted.
"Merry Christmas! Shots everyone!" Cormac said, handing Jade and Neville a shot glass.
"What is this?" Jade asked.
"Who cares what it is? Cheers everyone! May the new year bring good health and happiness to us and to the people we really love." Cormac said smiling at Jade who lifted her glass. They threw back their drink and nearly threw up.
"That is the most disgusting thing I've ever had. The blood vessels in my head just blew up." Jade coughed. Cormac turned red and a server walked up to them.
"Mead anyone?" Cormac asked. They drank the mead down and Neville burped.
"Oh no…I have to go." Neville said.
"Do you feel like sitting down?" Cormac asked seeing Jade nod.
"Eggnog?" another server asked.
"Absolutely!" Jade said, taking a drink.
"Careful. There's a lot of alcohol in it." Cormac said, his eyes twinkling from watching her drink.
"Wow, really? You can't even taste it! It's perfect! I can even feed it to my kids!" Jade said.
"That's very interesting." Cormac said. Jade continued to drink and kept giggling, feeling all parts of her body loose and relaxed.
"Do you want to sit outside? Near the pool? We can have champagne…or wine." Cormac said, placing his hand on hers.
"Listen Cormac…you have to stop flirting with me. Because…" she trailed off, taking another glass of alcohol from Cormac. "What was I saying again?" Jade asked.
The next moment that Jade saw, she was lying on the ground, hearing the waves crash against the shore and slowly running back to the sea again. The sound was so comforting, especially when she felt this uncontrollable over her body and her thoughts. She was faced against the deep dark sky and the moon so large and bright. A shadow hovered over her face and her vision cleared to see Cormac smiling gently, caressing her face.
"You're so beautiful." He whispered. He bent down, pressing himself against her and kissed her. Jade kissed back, feeling him inch her legs apart He massaged one of her thighs and Jade felt her dress being tugged down. She closed her eyes and the only thing she could see was Fred's face with the sunlight behind his face. He grinned and winked at her.
"Hey there, beautiful." He said.
Jade's eyes flew open and she looked around, feeling a hand over her stomach. Her head was caving in and felt no different from someone repeatedly swinging a hammer down her head. Her stomach was in pain and she felt seconds away from throwing up. She turned around to see Cormac sleeping behind her. They were sleeping in the gazebo of the back deck, near the pool. She looked around for anyone else but saw that everyone had retired into their rooms. Her memory of what happened last night had been episodes of blackouts and the only thing she could remember was her kissing Cormac. She inched away from him and walked on the deck, feeling her heart running in circles.
"I kissed him…I kissed him. How am I going to tell Fred?" Jade asked. The fear of telling Fred and seeing his face when she had to tell him was enough for Jade to throw up. She bent over, feeling all the contents in her stomach unload, providing temporary relief from the horrible feeling of a hangover.
"Jade?" Cormac asked, placing a hand on her back but Jade whipped around, wiping her mouth.
"Stay away from me." Jade said hoarsely, placing a hand in front of him.
"You're sick, let me help you." Cormac said. Jade walked away from him and walked into the villa, locking herself in the room.
"I haven't seen Jade the entire day, is she all right?" Tiberus asked during lunch.
"I went to check on her but she said she wasn't feeling very well. Did she have too much eggnog dear?" Enid asked Cormac who nodded.
"Just a little bit." He said.
"I hope you looked after Neville and Jade well. This is their last day here, after all." Tiberus said.
"I'm sure Jade and Neville will be more than happy to come back next year." Augusta said seeing Enid and Algie smile.
"Why next year? Why not this summer?" Tiberus asked.
"That sounds wonderful!" Augusta said.
"Hey, are you okay? You skipped breakfast and lunch today." Neville said, walking into Jade's room. Jade finished the last of her packing and set the suitcase on the ground.
"I'm not feeling hungry." Jade said.
"Do you feel sick? You were drinking a little heavily last night." Neville said. Jade broke down sobbing and covered her face. Neville froze, wondering what he said. "I'm sorry Jade, I didn't mean to make you sound like an addict!" he squeaked.
"I kissed Cormac last night!" Jade sobbed.
"You…did what?" Neville asked. Jade took a deep breath and fanned herself.
"I don't remember most of it but I was drunk. I kissed him. That was the last thing I remember, I swear." Jade said.
"Are you sure you only kissed him?" Neville asked.
"I'm sure I only kissed him." Jade said. Neville nodded, rubbing his chin.
"I'm sure Fred wouldn't be too mad about this. It wasn't like you kissed him on purpose, you were drunk." Neville said.
"Fred would never forgive me if he hears about this. This is so fucked up, why did I ever think that coming here would be a good thing? Anything with McLaggen involved in it is a bloody disaster in itself!" Jade cried.
The door opened and Cormac walked in, looking grim.
"Merlin, why is he here? Neville, tell him to leave!" Jade said, turning around and walking away.
"I don't think you should be here right now-"
"I needed to talk to you Jade." Cormac said.
"Neville if you don't make him leave, I will scream." Jade warned.
"Why are you upsetting her more, McLaggen? Can't you just leave this alone?" Neville asked, going to take Cormac out.
"Don't touch me! I wanted to talk about what happened last night! You and I both wanted this to happen!" Cormac said.
"WHAT?" Jade roared, turning around. Neville and Cormac shook from Jade's sudden outburst.
"I clearly remember telling you that I have a boyfriend. I clearly remember telling you ever since the first fucking time you latched on to my arse that I was involved with someone. What on earth made you think that I wanted any of this to happen?" Jade asked.
"Who cares about what you thought? Have you ever thought about me? I've been trying so hard after falling for you, to get you to feel the same way about me. I like you, Jade! I've been waiting for the right moment to kiss you this entire trip! All I could think about-"
"Cormac…I'm in love with someone else and he loves me back. We're happy together. Why did you have to go fuck that up for?" Jade asked.
"I can love you better!" Cormac said.
"That's not the point you male bimbo! I don't care how much you claim to love me; I will never love you because I am in love with someone else!" Jade yelled. Cormac looked offended. He immediately blushed in anger and he gritted his teeth to stop himself from tearing up. Jade sighed and walked over to Cormac.
"Listen Cormac, we both were very drunk. I know how you feel about me but I can't feel the same way about you. I'm crazy about Fred, I really am and I'm extremely upset because what I did is unacceptable and it will hurt him." Jade said.
"What's going to happen if he doesn't?" Cormac asked. Jade looked at Neville who bit his lip and quickly shook his head as if she were asking him to snap Cormac's head off, already.
"It was just a kiss; Fred wouldn't be unreasonable or leave me because of this." Jade said.
Cormac wanted to object, something, anything but a small light went off in his head. Should he? No. He wouldn't stoop that low to get someone, but then again, Jade would be back in the arms of Weasley and leave him in the dust.
"I just need time to think." Jade said, running her hands through her scalp.
"We didn't just kiss." Cormac said quickly.
"What?" Jade asked. Cormac nodded.
"I can't believe you don't remember it." Cormac said.
"Cormac slow down." Jade said.
"How are you going to make me forget about last night? We had sex! We both were drunk but I do remember making love to you. How is it possible for you to keep me quiet after that?" Cormac asked. Neville gasped and looked at Jade who paled.
"No we didn't. We didn't have sex-"
"You don't remember, but I do. If you really loved Weasley, you wouldn't have let me kissed you at all in the first place. You were all over me, Jade. That's why I know there's a part of you that wants me because you let me hold you and love you like you were the most precious thing in the world. No woman would ever let another man touch her the way I handled you if she was in love with someone else." Cormac said. At every passing word, Cormac saw Jade whimper.
"Please tell me this is all a joke." Jade whispered.
"This isn't a joke. It isn't a dream either. It happened and there's nothing you can do about it." Cormac said.
There was a moment where everyone in the room was still and silent. Neville watched as the life on Jade's face drained. Her shoulders hung and she gave a long look at Cormac who didn't know what to say. Neville went to say something but stood stunned as he saw Jade punch Cormac straight across the face. Half of Cormac's body twisted and he fell to the ground in pain. He tried scrambling away from Jade, cupping his nose and looking down to see blood streaming from his nose, down to his lips.
"My nose is broken! It's broken!" Cormac yelled.
"Mr. Nakula?" Neville asked Nakula who had been standing next to Tiberus and Algie.
"Yes, Mr. Longbottom?" Nakula smiled.
"Er…something's broken." Neville said.
"It's quite all right; I'll get someone to clean it up. What was it?" he asked.
"A nose." Neville said seeing Nakula frown.
As everyone crowded and fawned over Cormac, Neville paid a visit to Jade who was sitting on the stairs at the back of the villa. He took a seat next to her, seeing her cover her face and cry. He placed an arm around her shoulder and Jade collapsed, sobbing uncontrollably.