The entire day, Jade had been seething. She couldn't understand most of the things that Cormac said or did but this was completely unacceptable. What was she thinking of marrying someone like him? Why had she ever entertained that thought? She stood in line at Gringotts, staring angrily at the back of someone's head.
"The way you look right now, those goblins are going to think you're trying to steal their gold." A voice said, next to her.
Jade looked at Draco and sighed.
"That would be the best thing right now for me. Whatever keeps me away from that psycho." Jade said, taking out her purse. Draco stood next to her as Jade filled out a few forms. He curled a small piece of her hair by her ear.
"I thought you would be in a better mood." He said.
"I really was. I couldn't even tell you but…Cormac ruins everything." Jade said, seeing him look amused.
"You're just figuring that out now?" he asked.
"Please shut up." Jade said, handing the forms back. Draco placed an arm around her shoulder as they walked out of Gringotts.
"Where's Scorpius?" Jade asked.
"He's with his grandparents. I had a few things to do at Gringotts and wait for my broom to get repaired. Are you busy?" Draco asked.
"Not at all." Jade said.
"Would you mind spending a few hours with me? We can walk around, eat, have some ice cream." Draco said.
"Are you asking me out on a date?" Jade asked, smiling.
"If it makes you feel better-ow!"
The two of them settled at Madame Puddifoot's tea shop. Madame Puddifoot was delighted to see Jade back and commented on how different she looked again. Jade shortly told Madame Puddifoot about how she was doing for the last two years. After taking their orders, Madame Puddifoot left.
"You were popular here." Draco said.
"You've never been here before? Ass used to come here all the time!" Jade said. Draco winced and shook his head.
"She never really mentioned it to me. I've been a terrible boyfriend to her. I took her out Honeydukes and the post office." Draco said.
"Yeah she told me. What's in the post office?" Jade asked.
"Where I would write to my Death Eater friends and father." Draco said, leaning back into his seat. They were sitting side by side, looking out of the window.
"How times have changed. The same man is sitting next to me, in Madame Puddifoot's tea shop." Jade said. Draco pointed to one of the streets across the shop.
"The same man also asked for more therapy sessions with the girl that he's sitting in the shop with." He said.
"And that same man didn't know how hard he hit her head against the wall. Seriously, I could have gone blind or something." Jade said, touching the back of her head.
"Sorry." Draco said, running his hand through her hair. Jade rested her head on his shoulder, feeling him put an arm around her.
"This was where Fred and I had our first date. That man was a nutter." Jade said.
"Astoria always used to like keeping things like those from me. She never included me on the fun things because she always felt that this was her territory. The entire time in my dormitory all she would talk about is you two. Don't worry, she explained in great detail about the time you and Weasley were in the Shrieking Shack-"
"Merlin's beard, why did she tell you that?" Jade asked, horrified.
"Like I said, she was very fond of you two. Too fond and if I said anything about it, she'd pinch me, kick my shin, slap me around. Like the time Weasley punched you in the face-"
"He didn't punch me. He pushed me and I fell and hit the bedpost!" Jade said.
"Excuses." Draco said.
"Here you go lovelies." Madame Puddifoot said, bringing them their food. Jade and Draco ate and Jade explained what had happened in the morning with Cormac.
"He burned the sketch?" Draco asked, grinning.
"Why is that funny?" Jade asked, seeing him laugh.
"That's not funny to you?" Draco asked, still laughing. Jade couldn't wonder why in the world he found it amusing.
"He burned the sketch you gave to me!" Jade repeated.
"Is that why you're in a rotten mood? I'll sketch you another one." Draco said. "
That's not the point, Draco. Why does he think he has the right to take any of my personal belongings and burn it because he's jealous that no one's paying attention to him?" Jade asked.
"This just keeps getting better." Draco said.
The door opened and Ginny walked in with Hermione, Ron and Harry. The four of them saw Draco snorting at anything that Jade was saying who looked puzzled at his reaction. Ginny looked at Harry who was quickly taking in his friends reactions. Jade slowly started smiling at whatever Draco was telling her who had his arm wrapped around her.
"Completely ruined my morning. It was such a nice sketch." Jade said, feeling his fingers brushing against her ear.
"I'm glad you liked it, at least. It's one of my favorite things I remember about you. Sitting there, all by yourself, trying to find peace and quiet in the morning while everyone's asleep." Draco said.
They sat there, enjoying each other's company in the brief silence. There couldn't be anything that Jade would have said in response to him. Draco leaned in and Jade moved closer to kiss him. A sharp rap on the window turned their attention to Astoria and Fred who smiled brightly and waved. Before Jade and Draco could say anything, they pointed to the side, at something in front of their table. Jade and Draco turned their heads to see Harry, Ron and Hermione standing there with Ginny.
"Um-" Jade started to say as Draco lifted his arm off of her and scooted away.
"Can I find you a table, sweethearts?" Madame Puddifoot asked.
"Right next to those two lovebirds, then." Ron said, nodding towards Jade and Draco. Everyone was awkward, approaching Draco and Jade's table who were too busy trying to make space. Draco looked like he was enjoying Jade's embarrassment.
"What are you two doing here then?" Ron asked, receiving a hit from Hermione.
"I had to go to the bank. Why are you here?" Draco asked Jade.
"I originally had errands to run and now we're waiting on Draco's broom." Jade said.
"At Dervish and Banges?" Harry asked, seeing Draco shrug.
"I suppose I would have my broom there if I needed it to be fixed." He said. Jade turned her head sharply at him, seeing him smile pleasantly at her.
"Your broom isn't getting fixed?" Jade asked.
"I didn't know if you would have lunch with me if I said I didn't." he said, as Ginny, Harry and Ron snorted. Jade bit her lip from laughing and looked at Hermione who giggled.
"So what are you all doing here?" Jade asked.
"We were around. Thought we should just get lunch around here because no one felt like cooking today." Harry said.
"And the kids?" Jade asked.
"Mum and Dad insisted they stay with them. It's really chilly anyways and Rose has a cold." Hermione said.
"So are you two seeing each other now?" Ron asked.
Jade flinched and tried not to look at Draco who was silently trying to ask Ron if he was okay.
"Ron don't be rude." Hermione said. Harry and Ginny grinned, shaking their heads.
"No, I'm just saying that Jade's a part of the family. Come on, she's like my sister. I want you to be happy and anything is better than McLaggen, no offense, Malfoy." Ron said.
"I agree." Draco said, clapping Jade's shoulder.
"He said something about you threatening the marriage being off? He just sent me a Howler but it turned out about the time he was born and how he wanted to create a legacy or something." Harry said.
"He's a bloody psycho. He said all types of things this morning and I called the wedding off." Jade said.
"Well it took you long enough." Ginny said.
Cormac walked down the street, wondering where Jade went. This morning couldn't have been worse. He was right to have burned the stupid drawing that was stealing all of his attention. It was like she was a completely different person! After all that he had been through, trying to woo her and win her back, she acted like she was too good for him. As much as Cormac wanted to believe that, he couldn't. He desperately knew that he couldn't live without her. For some reason, she didn't want him and it always confused him. By the miracle of the saints above, when she agreed to marry him, he had been trying to speed up their lavish wedding but she was nowhere near interested. By habit, Cormac looked into Madame Puddifoot's as he passed and stopped in his tracks when he saw Jade with her stupid friends. Jade was red in the face and animatedly telling a story, perhaps it was about this morning and how sorry she was about her behavior. He noticed the man that had the dead wife, sitting next to Jade. He was showing up an awful lot, these days. Cormac waited until Jade and her friends were finished with their meal and started leaving. Jade said goodbye to her friends and so did the man with the dead wife. He hid behind a post, waiting for Jade and the man to make their move. His heart sank, seeing them talk to each other. He whispered something in her ear and she smiled, placing a hand on his jaw. Cormac wanted to punch him right then and there but he waited, following them. The more he followed, the more he panicked. They had gone to Jade's house.
After they locked the main door, Cormac walked over to the living room window to see them locked into each other, kissing each other slowly. Cormac never got Jade to touch him that way, much less even look at him that way. Jade was playful and at times, completely vulnerable under the man's touch. Wherever he kissed her, she responded the way Cormac always dreamt how he would want her to respond. He watched the man take Jade's clothes off, kissing her gently. Cormac couldn't stop staring. Her long dark hair fell behind her back as the man undressed himself, fully erect. They positioned themselves against a wall and Cormac watched the two of them, panting, clasping each other and steadying themselves. He couldn't help but start crying, seeing Jade close her eyes and have her face pinched from pleasure. Cormac was going to get the same response from her in a few days to come.
The next morning, Jade woke up, feeling Draco's warm body next to her. She turned around, seeing him snore and quietly got out of bed. She wore her nightgown and went downstairs to receive The Prophet and start breakfast. She set her coffee to brew but a figure from the corner of the kitchen made her scream and drop her pot. Fred's hands flew to his ears as the pot clanged to the ground. Jade cursed and picked it up.
"What's the matter with you?" Jade asked, looking back at Fred.
"You scared me! What's the matter with you?" Fred asked.
"Is everything okay?" Draco asked, from the top of the stairs.
"Everything's fine, stud. Go back and lay on the bed while Momma comes up and gives you a good spanking for being a baaaaaad-"
"Fred!" Jade said sternly.
"boy." Fred finished.
Draco shook his head and walked back into the bedroom. Fred looked back at Jade who had her arms crossed, her eyebrow raised at him.
"I was just going to say good morning. It's been a while since we chatted." Fred said.
"You could say it rather than sit in a corner and wait for me to find you. I know you're a ghost but don't take it literally." Jade said.
"Oh then I should apologize for dying." Fred said.
"That's not what I meant, Dr-Fred." Jade said, seeing Fred smile. Jade immediately felt guilty and turned red in the face.
"I see that someone else has been on your mind lately." Fred said, seeing Jade look down at her hands. He sighed, standing in front of Jade. "I'm not angry and you don't have to be so weird about it." Fred said.
"This entire situation is weird! And you're not angry?" Jade asked, seeing Fred shake his head.
"Not in the least bit. Which is definitely strange but it's something that I can't explain until you're on this side of the fence. No rush, though." Fred said.
"I didn't know what to say or do if you just came out of nowhere and asked for an explanation. These past few months have changed so quickly." Jade said, seeing Fred nod.
"I agree. It certainly has." Fred said.
"I'm sorry Fred." Jade said.
"For what?" he asked.
"For everything. Sometimes when I'm with Draco, I feel so guilty. That I should be alone. I think this is why I agreed to marry Cormac in the first place." Jade said.
"To be completely mental? Your life doesn't end with mine. Humans and souls go through the same thing. There was a time where I was bitter and angry but I couldn't help you without asking for help from someone else who could. I see you and Malfoy and even though it is a strange pairing, he can make you happy. I can't sit here and stare at you all day. It'll help me but how is it going to benefit you in any way? Don't feel guilty about the things that you have a right to have. Malfoy's a substitute. When your time comes and that's going to be in a very, very, very long time. When you're an old lady with your grandchildren having grandchildren, you're going to pass in your sleep and you'll be with me. Hopefully as a young woman spirit because no one wants your saggy-haha, you can't hit me!" Fred pointed at Jade who swatted through him.
"You're absolutely ridiculous." Jade said, going back to her breakfast.
"So I've heard. Now tell me about this new boy toy." Fred said, jumping on the counter.
"Stop." Jade said.
"You tell me stop and you tell Malfoy 'don't stop'-"
"Fred shut up! Do you have an off button? He's upstairs!" Jade said.
"Why should I keep quiet when he's always shagging my girlfriend's lungs out? He's lucky I'm not doing anything about the little arrangement you two have." Fred said, pointing at Jade.
"Is Ass up there with him?" Jade asked, seeing Fred nod.
"They're having a heart to heart as well. I feel like we don't have a lot of time left now. Whatever we were here for, I think I'm beginning to understand what it was." Fred said.
"Yeah I think I know too." Jade said. Fred clicked his teeth to see her wipe a tear from the corner of her eye.
"Don't be that way. As long as you don't end up with McLaggen, we'll be okay." Fred said, giving Jade a wink.
"I love you, Fred."
"I love me too, sweetcheeks." He said. Jade rolled her eyes and saw Draco walking down the stairs with Astoria.
"Good morning, troll! Long time no see!" Astoria said.
"Morning, Ass." Jade said, trying to feel normal about seeing Draco, Fred and Astoria all in the same room.
"Don't be awkward! We're all adults here!" Astoria said, looking at Draco and Jade who busied themselves in making breakfast instead of dealing with the uncomfortable situation.
"We've all seen each other's parts now!" Astoria started to say.
"Why are you saying that?" Draco asked with the tops of his cheeks, pink. Jade took one look at him and covered her mouth from giggling but it was too late. He turned towards her, cocking an eyebrow.
"Can I help you?" Draco asked.
"Help yourself. You look like a blushing bride on her wedding night." Jade said, walking past him with a bowl of batter.
Fred and Astoria laughed. The first few thoughts that Draco wanted to do was too inappropriate to do in front of Fred and Astoria so he let it go. Jade met his eye with her back turned against the two and she winked at him. After having breakfast, Draco started to leave. When Jade walked him to the door, Astoria and Fred couldn't help but stand nearby and watch them interact.
"Okay, fine. Give them their space." Astoria said, walking away.
Jade closed the door behind her, standing on the porch with Draco. He reached over and brought her into a long hug. She hugged him back tightly, wishing he didn't have to leave.
"You smell so good, every time." Jade said, closing her eyes, hearing Draco chuckle.
"You don't smell too bad yourself." Draco murmured against her hair. Jade kissed his neck and pulled herself away, allowing him to lean in and kiss her.
"I'll see you later, love." He said. Jade nodded.
The morning of Jade's birthday, Jade woke up to see several large presents from a few of her relatives. A rather large packet stood out, wrapped in silver wrapping paper and a red bow tied in the middle. She lifted the tag, reading that it was from Draco to a Remarkable Healer. Jade grinned, tearing the paper off. She pulled the canvas and set it against the wall, seeing a carefully painted picture of her.
It was during the bonfire meeting in Costa Rica. Draco had been sitting across from her and he painted a picture from his perspective of only her with the fire nearby. She was wearing her red wrap and her legs showing underneath it. Her eyes were downcast, and her neck stretching gracefully, as if she was inspecting something on the ground. The entire painting baffled her and almost even made her cry. How was he able to capture the mood in everything he drew? The glow from the fire made her nostalgic. She could smell and feel how the atmosphere was that night. He didn't miss a single detail. The sand, the color of her toes, the background.
Jade grabbed her cloak and started to leave. Whether Draco was at work, home or even a nursery, Jade was going to find him. She went down the stairs and opened the door to find Cormac on her porch. He looked nervous and tried to smile, holding up a small box.
"Happy Birthday…Jade." He said. He said her name, which impressed Jade.
"Thank you, Cormac. Look, you've really caught me at a bad time-"
"No, of course. I understand. It's your birthday. You have other people to see." Cormac said. Jade nodded and went to lock the door but Cormac spoke up again.
"Do you have a few minutes?" he asked. Jade bit her lip and looked at her watch. She didn't want to spend another second with Cormac after what he did but he looked so tiny and nervous, she started to feel sorry for him.
"Okay, what is it?" Jade asked. Cormac pulled out a bottle of white wine from a bag he had been holding and Jade shook her head. "Cormac-"
"I know, I know but I spent so much money on this. It's vintage and the very last of its kind." He said.
"You really shouldn't have spent that much at all, Cormac." Jade said.
"I would spend the entire universe for you." Cormac said.
"Cormac, please listen to me. I know you care about me and I really appreciate that but we can't get-"
"Let's not talk about that just yet. It's your birthday; let's have a drink to that." Cormac said, holding up the bottle. Jade looked at the bottle and back to Cormac.
"We will but you do have to understand that you can't keep pushing this conversation further. Just because you want to talk about it another time doesn't make anything better." Jade said, seeing Cormac nod.
"I'm beginning to see that." He said.
Jade was tight lipped. Seeing him genuinely teary eyed dug into her deeper. She opened the door and let Cormac in. She took off her cloak and took out two wine glasses.
"Do you have something to eat, maybe? I'm starving." Cormac said, seeing Jade nod hesitantly. She turned around and took out a few cold cuts from the fridge.
"Just a usual turkey sandwich?" Jade asked.
"Yes please." Cormac said quickly.
Jade sighed and placed the things on the counter. She turned around and saw Cormac smiling at her, holding up the two glasses.
"Cheers!" he said. Jade took a glass from him and smiled.
"Thank you. I appreciate it." Jade said.
"And I appreciate you." He said, his voice shaky.
"Are you all right?" Jade asked, going to set the glass down but Cormac started drinking. "Okay…" Jade said. She looked down at the glass, seeing a pearly swirl. "There's something-"
"Smell how wonderful it is. Years and years of aging makes it smoother and richer than any other wine you've ever tasted." Cormac said.
"Then you might want to take another glass because the way you gulped it down…" Jade trailed off. She smelled her glass, instantly being drawn to the notes. They confused her. It was the smell of freshly baked goods that her mother filled up the entire house when Jade was a child and the smell of The Burrow. Jade furrowed her eyebrows, smelling a familiar hint of cologne. She took a sip from it, being able to truly taste the wine. She was so immersed with finding out other notes, she didn't realize Cormac was watching her finish the glass.
"This is really good. Can I have another one? It's actually-" Jade stopped, looking at Cormac.
It almost felt like her heart did a freefall. He was standing in front of her in a soft yellow sweater, and his eyes, a cornflower blue. It had been a long time since she noticed his full curvy lips and strong straight nose.
"Are you all right?" Cormac asked, seeing Jade blush, her hands shaking. She tucked her hair behind her ear and nodded. "I love you, Pookie." Cormac said, his voice breaking. His heart pounded, waiting for her response. Jade looked up, as red as ever, looking as if she were about to faint.
"Me? You love me?" Jade asked, seeing him nod.
"I love you more than anyone I know. D-D-Do you love…me?" he asked.
"Cormac, I don't know what happened but I'm so stupid. Why did I waste all these years thinking about something else when you've been here all along? Of course I love you!" Jade said, running towards him.
Cormac engulfed Jade in a hug, feeling her press against him, her face in his chest. She pulled her head back and looked up at him, giving him the chance to finally swoop down and kiss her. She kissed him back hungrily and Cormac held on to her tighter, and the empty bottle he had been holding since he poured the contents into her glass.