Two weeks or so later, it was the day of the first task. Jade went down to what used to be the Quidditch field with the twins Chantel and Channel. As she came closer she saw the Weasley twins running bets. So typical of them.
She went to sit next to Draco, who was cheering for both, Viktor Krum and Cedric Diggory. Most people were obviously cheering for Cedric as he was the Hogwarts Champion and everyone thought Harry was a cheat. And Viktor was a famous Quidditch player, so obviously people liked him.
"Knowing Potter, he'll succeed, or someone will help him somehow," Chantel exclaimed and Jade nodded, agreeing with her.
On the other side of the stands Jade could see two redheads that stood out in the crowd. Ron Weasley and his sister. Jade could tell that somehow Ron had spotted her and she waved at him, and surprisingly he waved back, she smiled at that.
"Who are you waving at?" Draco asked.
"I wasn't," Jade said looking weirdly at Draco. "I saw a bug."
Ever since they kissed at the Astronomy Tower, the two hadn't talked to each other. It wasn't like they were ignoring each other, they just were busy with classes. And Jade didn't even know how to approach him, after all the things she admitted she felt a bit exposed.
"Oh wow!" Jade exclaimed as she saw a beautiful Dragon in what used to be the Quidditch field. She looked excited but then her face turned to sadness and worry. "Do you think they are going to kill it? Or harm it in any way?"
"I don't know," Draco said. "I think that would be illegal."
Turned out the Champions had to retrieve a golden egg, which was surrounded by real Dragon eggs, so obviously those mothers were going to protect it with everything. Cedric Diggory was first, followed by Delacour and then Viktor Krum.
"Apparently, they left the best for last," Jade said in a mocking tone, making Draco laugh.
And indeed they did, talking about the Dragon, of course. That dragon was really angry, and some people of the crowd were almost burnt by the Dragon. Potter used his broom to get to the egg and after all the champions were done with the task they announced the score.
Fleur Delacour was third place, Cedric second and Viktor got first. Some of the Slytherins almost snorted as they heard Potter was tied with the Bulgarian guy.
"I can't believe it," Draco exclaimed as they walked back to the castle. "First place?"
"I actually can," Jane commented with a shrug. "I mean, Potter isn't the brightest and we know that but it's Potter... everyone's favourite, spoiled boy. I bet he got points just for being him."
December started and weirdly enough Snape had asked them to come to an empty classroom in the dungeons. Snape looked even scarier and maybe even bored?
"We are here to discuss the least exciting part of the Triwizard Tournament," Snape said in a very cold and monotone voice. "The Yule ball. Only students in the fourth year and above can attend, if you wish to do so. It will be on Christmast night. So that gives you boys about three weeks to get a date and girls, you have three weeks to find a dress."
"How exciting!" Chantel chanted and Snape actually glared at her.
"Now, we have two hours to practice how to dance..." Snape said. "So pair up with someone."
"Do we actually have to do this?" Jade asked out loud. Thinking that two hours of wasting time was well... a waste. She could be doing homework or resting or whatever.
"Miss Lias, if we didn't have to I wouldn't be here," Snape snapped at her. "Now, since you seem so eager, get a partner and show all of us how to dance."
"A slow dance?" she asked in disbelief. "What? Professor..."
"Miss Lias, if you don't hurry you'll have detention all month," Snape said quickly. Making her stand up and walk to where some guys were sitting. "Oh, and you can't choose your brother."
Jade looked shocked. Normally Snape wasn't as bad to Slytherins, but now he was taking his anger out on her. She turned to look everywhere and she didn't know who to choose. Her brother was out of the list, and she wasn't going to go for Cassius. She didn't want to. After some seconds of hesitation she walked towards her best friend and looked nervous at him.
"Would you dance with me?" she asked him... almost pleading.
Draco gave her a look as he didn't want to do this. He grabbed her hand and both walked to the centre of the room, everyone staring at them. Snape started the music and both of them just stayed there, looking at each other.
"You serious?" Snape exclaimed. "We are going to be here all night! Imagine if this was your wedding, would you just stand there as everyone watches!?"
That comment made the two of them really uncomfortable but also Cassius. He found it offensive as well and he wasn't liking how Snape was acting. He tried to stand up and take Draco's place but Snape ordered him not to, as it was them who needed to practice not him.
Very awkwardly, Draco put one of his hands on her waist and Jade put hers on his shoulder. The music started again and both of them started moving. Jade was tensed as she usually didn't like to be the centre of attention unless she knew exactly what she was doing, like in Quidditch. It didn't look gracefully or even coordinated but they got the task done.
"You owe me one," Draco whispered to her ear before he let go of her and went to sit at his same spot.
"Thanks for amusing us all, Miss Lias, you can now sit and let your classmates practice."
A few days later, Jade along with the twins and Pansy went to a store in Hogsmeade. They were looking for dresses. Jade wasn't looking for anything fancy, she was looking for a green dress to represent not only her house but her name as well. And usually the green made her green eyes stand out more.
But instead she found an apricot coloured long-sleeve dress that she loved. The top was covered in silver glitter and her shoulders were exposed. She looked beautiful in it and she decided to buy it. After they were done, Jade went alone to a Cafe to get something warm to drink where she bumped into Ron.
"Hey Ja...Lias," Ron said as they were queueing.
"Hello Weasley," Lias said politely.
"Uh, I was wondering... I know this is silly but... would you go to the ball with me?"
Jade turned around in complete shock, her dark green eyes wideneded. She even almost dropped her bag. Her lips were slightly parted. Hundreds of sarcastic responses came to her mind but she was too shocked to even speak.
"Uh... I thought I said no feelings attached Weasley," she finally said in a low tone as she turned again so her back was facing him.
"Don't take it like that... It's just... no one likes me okay? And I've got no date and it's impressive and a bit humilliating that everyone's got a date already, you know?"
"So you are asking me now... after what happened with that French girl... how thoughtful of you..."
"No... I didn't mean it like that. I would have asked you first to be honest," Ron said. "But..."
"What do you want?" Jade asked him.
"Huh?"
"To drink or eat...?" Jade asked as it was her turn to order.
"Tea and some pie..."
Ron asking her to the ball was shocking but Jade paying for his food was even more shocking. Ron couldn't believe it when she paid the guy and went to sit to a table in a far corner. Ron thanked her when she shook her head at him when he tried to pay her back.
"I know this might sound weird but we sort of fit... like... as friends. You know? So I figured I would ask you."
"To be completly honest, I would accept if my brother wasn't in Hogwarts anymore, if my fiancé wasn't at Hogwarts," she told him as she looked directly at him. "You see, if my brother sees us he would immediately write to my parents and that wouldn't be good. You have no idea what they would do... But... thanks I guess."
"For what?"
"Thinking of taking me to the ball. I admit it would have been funnier with you than any Slytherin," she said taking a sip of her drink.
"So, are you going with Perseus?"
"I guess..." she whispered.
Hello guys, how's everyone doing?
What do you think of Ron and Jade's friendship so far?
