It was the following Monday morning when all the students found out the Educational Decree Number Twenty-Four, forbidding all Hogwarts student organisations, societies, teams, groups, and clubs.
Lots of the people that were in the group known as Dumbledore's Army were upset and even concerned as they thought someone had spoken because it was too much of a coincidence that they formed the group on Saturday and two days later that happened.
Some people came to Granger, Potter and Ron to discuss their worries. Many suspected Jade was behind it, and even when Granger had her suspicions too and she sort of had hoped Jade to be behind what happened, she knew she hadn't talked.
"I would suspect more of you two than her!" Ron said angrily to Ernie and Zacharias as they complaint about Jade.
But Jade's priority wasn't that she was the number one suspect. That didn't mean she wasn't fed of it. She even jinxed a Ravenclaw when he called her a snitch, that sent a message and people stopped accusing her, at least in front of her. She only cared about one thing at the moment, and gossip wasn't it. So she rushed to the Dungeons five minutes before Potions started, Snape was already there and he didn't look happy.
"Miss Lias, you are early. I heard you got detention last night."
Jade had bumped into Peeves after she left the library, she used an advanced spell against it and Umbridge caught her. She wanted Jade to apologize for doing such a thing, but Jade claimed she hadn't done anything wrong and she would do it again if she needed to. Peeves wasn't that dangerous but outside she could find nastier creatures than the Poltergeist.
"That woman hates me! I didn't say anything out of place or did anything wrong, you know how Peeves is... but uh, anyway, I was here to talk about that new decree... can we still play Quidditch?"
"Based on that, no. But I'll see what I can do, if you had practice tonight, cancel it. You don't want to get more detention or lose your position as Captain, do you?"
"No, professor."
"I'll let you know when you can go back to training. Now just let the team know what is happening."
Snape left the room momentarily and the rest of the students walked in. Draco stood next to her with Crabbe and Goyle, Potter, Ron and Granger were close to them. And Draco, who loved to annoy the Gryffindors, started saying his father was the one who talked to Umbridge, as they knew each other because both worked at the ministry, and had allowed Slytherin to keep playing. Things got bad when Draco switched topic and started talking about St. Mungos mental ward.
Jade didn't know what was happening until it was too late. Draco was on the ground with Neville on top of him, punching him. Crabbe and Goyle were ready to help Draco but Potter grabbed Neville in time, dragged him away and didn't let go of him, even when evidently he was struggling.
Snape got inside again at that moment and took points from Gryffindor. Jade knew why Neville had reacted that way as soon as Draco mentioned the mental ward. She only knew because that's why her family had been sent to Azkaban and she heard her mother talking about it not long ago.
"You will notice," Snape said in his low, sneering voice, "That we have a guest with us today."
He gestured toward a dim corner of the dungeon, Umbridge was sitting there, her clipboard on her knee. Jade felt like throwing the boiling cauldron at her. It took all her willpower not to do it.
The first half an hour Umbridge said nothing, just scribbled, while Jade kept glancing her way. Draco was a bit nervous, he didn't want Jade to do something stupid. He knew they had talked about it but Jade was so impulsive that she would act and then think and sometimes regret it, some others, not so much.
"Well, the class seems fairly advanced for their level," she said, speaking for the first time. "Though I would question whether it is advisable to teach them a potion like the Strengthening Solution. I think the Ministry would prefer it if that was removed from the syllabus."
Jade was cutting some ingredients that weren't part of the potion they were making that day, Draco noticed and even double-checked to make sure he wasn't making a mistake. But the one who was going to make a mistake was Jade... and on purpose.
"What are you doing?" Draco asked, grabbing her wrist.
"Nothing," she said innocently.
"It's not the way," Draco whispered. "You are only going to cause problems for Professor Snape. Remember, everything's got to be perfect while she's here."
Jade sighed knowing it was true. What was she even thinking? She knew how to make a tiny explosion without getting anyone hurt, she just wanted some smoke to get her out and make a scene but Draco was right. She couldn't do that.
"Now . . . how long have you been teaching at Hogwarts?" she asked.
"Fourteen years," Snape replied.
"You applied first for the Defense Against the Dark Arts post, I believe?" Professor Umbridge asked Snape.
"Yes," Snape said quietly.
"But you were unsuccessful?" Snape's lip curled.
"Obviously."
"And you have applied regularly for the Defense Against the Dark Arts post since you first joined the school, I believe?"
"Yes," Snape said quietly, barely moving his lips. He looked very angry, his eyes gave him away. Jade wondered how he could master such a low tone and not have an outburst. Jade was a master at hiding and controlling her emotions but Umbridge was pushing her limits constantly, at times she just felt like she was losing it.
"Do you have any idea why Dumbledore has consistently refused to appoint you?" Umbridge asked.
"I suggest you ask him," Snape said jerkily.
"Oh I shall," Professor Umbridge said with a sweet smile.
"I suppose this is relevant?" Snape asked, his black eyes narrowed.
"Oh yes, the Ministry wants a thorough understanding of teachers' backgrounds."
She turned away, walked over to Pansy Parkinson and began questioning her about the lessons. Then questioned Draco, who didn't like her because of what she did to Jade but tried to act friendly and polite. Umbridge looked at Jade but she pretended to not even pay attention to her, she kept focused on her potion. Umbridge skipped her, asked another student instead and then left.
As soon as she did Snape hit Ron on the top of his head with a few pieces of parchments for laughing while Umbridge was questioning Snape, and then scolded Harry for messing up his potion and gave him extra homework.
Later that day, after Arithmancy, Jade went to look for Ron, he was with Potter. Jade told Ron he needed to come with her. Ron didn't know where but he went with her anyway. Jade took him to the Quidditch field.
"I think we are not allowed to play..." Ron said nervously. "I mean, at least I'm not allowed... if what Malfoy said is true..."
"Wrong. The Toad said clubs and organizations aren't allowed. We are just two friends playing... nothing bad with that. We are not breaking any rules. Are you in?"
"Hell yeah."
Jade enjoyed getting the stress out that she had accumulated that day. She enjoyed being rebellious and she loved Quidditch. And she had promised Ron she would help him improve. So what could be better?
The only better thing she could think of, was having Draco there, as they had been drifting apart lately. Mostly because Jade had been too stubborn, too proud and too stupid. She couldn't help it though and Draco knew that. The only reasons she invited Ron instead of Draco was because of the promise, because Draco would have told her to not do it and because Draco sucked as a keeper. He was even worse than Ron.
The two of them stayed in the field until they couldn't move anymore. Jade's arm had no strength left and Ron was drenched in sweat. Ron thanked her after he drank some water and caught his breath.
When they went back to the castle, Jade was extremely careful as she walked down to the dungeons while Ron didn't need an excuse if he was found, he was a prefect now. But Jade did dry his hair with a spell so that wouldn't cause any suspicion if he was seen.
When Jade got inside the common room, two people were in there. Draco and Blaise. She sighed. Draco looked at her angrily and she just shrugged her shoulders.
"I know you like doing whatever you want without thinking of the consequences but you are risking it too much. If you were to clean dirty desks or cauldrons or anything normal, I'd tell you, go ahead but Jade what that woman did to you it's horrible and it seems you didn't get the message!" Draco yelled at her as he stood up and took some steps towards her.
"I'm angry! If I don't get it out somehow I'll explode and that will be even worse!" Jade yelled back, Blaise looked rather uncomfortable but didn't leave.
"Who did you play Quidditch with? And don't try to deny it." Draco added quickly when she opened her mouth. "All our teammates are here and you walked in alone."
"I was training with Weasley," she whispered.
"Why?"
"Because he's a keeper," Jade said shrugging. "You would have said no if I had asked you."
"Because I don't want to see you bleeding again!" Draco raised his voice again. "I think it hurts me more to see what that woman does to you than what you actually feel during those ridiculous punishments."
Jade looked away, it was probably true. Her pride was damaged but her hand was okay. It hurt at times but it was nothing she couldn't handle. And at the moment she didn't feel her wounds from Sunday anymore. Jade bit her lip and looked at where Blaise was, realizing he had left at some point.
"I'm sorry, okay? Maybe you're right and I'm just selfish, I just care about myself and I don't think before I act... maybe, it was a good idea that my parents got me into an arranged marriage because I'm too stubborn and no one would put up with me willingly."
"What the hell are you talking about, Jade?"
"What if I can't actually be a good girlfriend? I mean... I only think about myself, don't I? She just makes me so angry I want to... She makes me feel like exploding and I hate her and when I'm angry I tend to think even less about what I do."
"Shh... I know. Look, I'm your friend, I know you since we were babies, so I know what I was getting myself into when we got together," he said with a smirk and Jade just gave him a look. "I know you... better than anyone. I know you are a pain in the ass to everyone if you want to be, I know you are cocky. I know you are proud and want to be the best... You are impulsive but not an idiot... and I also know you are affected by what happened before and during the summer. I know this is not you, normally. I know what happened was a shock and there's so many other things going in that head of yours that are making you even more reckless, more of a rebel. But Jade, I'm here... you don't have to do more stupid things. Whatever you're looking to feel when you are doing those things, you won't get it. Jade, think of all the things that you could lose if you keep acting this way."
"Would I lose you?" Jade asked nervously. Draco smiled.
"No."
"Can I... Can I get a hug, then?" Jade feel a bit pathetic asking for a hug but she needed one.
Draco didn't think it was pathetic. That thought didn't even cross his mind. He smiled once again, approached her and wrapped his arms around her and for a moment, her anger, her worries, her pain, her confusion, everything vanished and she felt safe. Jade rested her head against his chest and hugged him around his waist. Draco, then kissed the top of her head and tightened his grip on her.
I was supposed to post this about a week ago but the computer turned off out of nowhere and I lost all the progress I had made. Luckily everything was already written, just lost corrections I made and things I added, and I was so upset I couldn't just do until now.
And to be honest, I haven't been home much, I've spent a lot of my time at my uncle's. And I've been in a weird room and couldn't concentrate and do the corrections again and reread the chapter. I don't know... but I hope the wait was worth it.
