Title: Never Give up

Summary: Placed 17 years after "Giving In", Oliver/Angelina and Harry/Ginny's kids spend their last summer as kids. Read and see what unfolds. *Sequel to "Giving in"*

Author: Jess/Jeeka and Carrie/Spazzie

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Jade, Alex and Eric stepped off the Hogwarts express; it was the summer before their last year at Hogwarts. All three of them were in Gryffindor. It would be their last summer as kids, in a matter of speaking. Because as far as Jade was concerned, Eric and Alex would always be childish.

They walked through the barrier between 9 and 10, to meet their parents.

"Jade," Her mother yelled.

"Hey mum, where's dad?" she asked.

"Work, as always, him and his Quidditch" her mother rolled her eyes. Jade shook her head 'Oy, dad and his Quidditch, mum's right' she thought.

"Even I'm not as bad as dad," Jade said thinking of her father, Oliver Wood. "And I'm on the Quidditch team. When is he going to be home anyways?" She asked her mother, Angelina 'Johnson' Wood.

"Oh shortly, I hope," Angelina told her daughter. "Oh boys, you're riding with us, Harry and Ginny couldn't make it, both of them are at work," Angelina told them.  The boys had been talking about Quidditch too, Eric was on the team as a beater, while Jade was the seeker.

Eric looked over at the woman he thought of as an Aunt, "Alright, let's go!"

The four of them walked over to the car that the Wood's owned. "Oy, Mum, when do I get my car? You said if I did well this year, I could get one!" Jade whined, and put on the best puppy dog eyes that she could.

"Jade, you can talk to your father about it when we get home," Her mother told her, as she looked out the window and pulled away from King's Cross.

Around twenty minuets later, they arrived at the Woods house, which was no bother to the boys; sense they lived right next door.

Jade had been looking out the window as they pulled up to the house, and didn't notice her father standing in the driveway next to a bright red mustang. But the boys did, "Oy, Jade, look at that!" Alex squealed to his best friend as he pointed to the driveway.

Jade looked from the window to the driveway, and saw her father leaning on the car. She squealed with excitement. "Oh Merlin, is it mine?" She asked as she jumped out of her mothers' car, and rushed over to her father.

"Yes it is Jade, Happy belated Birthday!" Her father said, giving her a kiss on the forehead.

With a shocked look on her face, she grabbed the keys that dangled from her fathers' hand. "Can I go for a drive? I mean I already have my license," She begged her father with puppy dog eyes.

"Of course you can, just be careful. I'll take your trunk to your room, and if the boys want to go, I'll take their trunks to their house." Oliver stated.

Alex hadn't been paying much attention to Oliver, until he said "if the boys want to go" he was too busy admiring the car.  He looked over at Jade, and she nodded, so he hopped over the door and into the passenger seat. (It's a convertible)

Eric also looked at Jade expectantly. She looked over at him, "Are you going to get in, or am I going to be waiting all day?" with that Eric smiled and jumped in the back seat. Unlike Eric and Alex, Jade opened the door and climbed in the drivers' seat and started her car.

Just as they were about to pull out of the driveway, they saw a moving van at the house across the street. Jade pulled out, and slowed to almost a stop to see who was moving in. She didn't see anything until both boys gasped.

"Alex, chick, hot chick, right there!" Eric pointed out, trying not to be too loud and draw any attention.

Alex looked over at where Eric had pointed, he saw a very beautiful girl in a short plaid shirt, white dress shirt, (kind of like Brittany spears, sorry, yuck but yeah) and knee high dragon hide boots. She had long silver blonde hair, which she had pulled back into a ponytail. She was out side playing with a dog, from what Jade could see, it looked like a Doberman.

Jade rolled her eyes at the boys. "Is all you ever think about, girls?" she asked not waiting for an answer. "She's not even that pretty!" she said and sped away.

The guys looked at her in shock. "Not pretty? Jade, are you blind?" Eric asked.

Alex on the other hand kept opening his mouth to say something but thought better of it. He knew how Jade could get.

"So where to guys? I kinda want to go to the skate park," She said. "Oh shit, I forgot my board at home." She muttered doing a u-turn and heading back to the house.

She jumped out of the car and ran into the house to grab her skateboard. She went back outside and, noticing the guys weren't in the car anymore, looked around. She spotted them talking with the new neighbor.

With a huff, Jade walked over to them, board in tow, and tapped them on the shoulders. "Guys? You ready to go? Oh you might want to go get your boards, too," She said, knowing good and well that she was interrupting; but she didn't care.

"Huh? Oh, yeah," Alex said and ran over to his house.

Eric just stood there, gapping at the girl. Jade reached her hand out, and said, "Hi, I'm Jade."

Reluctantly the girl took her hand and shook it. "I'm Ebony," she replied, "Ebony Malfoy"

With hearing her last name, both Jade and Eric gasped.

A few seconds later Alex came running back holding his and his brothers board in his arm.

***

They arrived at the skate park about ten minuets later, and Eric and Jade wouldn't say a word. Even though Alex kept asking them what happened, and why they were so quiet.

"C'mon guys, something's up? So what is it? Just tell me!" Alex whined, and then turned to Jade, and hit her with a low blow. "Jade you can't keep this from me, I'm your best friend….Please…" he said doing his puppy dog eyes, just as good as Jade did, and he knew it always worked on her.

Jade sighed, and blurted out, "She's a MALFOY!" And with that she grabbed her board and started skating up a half-pipe.

Alex looked at his best friend as she skated off. He then turned to his twin brother. "Ok, so I know why she's being quiet. But why are you?"

Eric turned to Alex and simply stated, "I'm contemplating how mad dad would be if one of his son's was dating a Malfoy."

Alex gave Eric a puzzled look and then said, "She's really hot, I wouldn't mind dating her." He then took his board and skated after Jade.

Jade glanced out of the corner of her eye, she saw Alex skating towards her. 'Merlin, he's hot, why can't he notice me? I feel like I should be his sister. He's never going to see me as a girl, not unless I start dressing like that Malfoy.' Jade thought angrily to herself. She stopped abruptly, which made Alex crash into her. She didn't realize how close he was following her. They both went tumbling to the ground. "Ouch" Jade exclaimed.

Alex looked down at his best friend; he was now lying on top of her. He gazed into her eyes. 'Merlin, if she wasn't such a great friend.' He thought, and then realized he was still on top of her, and hurriedly pushed himself up. He offered his hand to help her up, which she took. 'Is it just me, or is she looking at me funny? She looks kinda confused.'

"Thanks." Jade said as she hoisted herself up. 'Oh Merlin, what just happened?' she thought to herself. "Why were you following me so closely?" she asked suddenly.

"I wanted to make sure you were ok. I didn't notice you stop until it was too late. I'm sorry." He said looking a little bit sad.

"Oh. Well, it's alright, but I think I tore my shirt." She said with a slight giggle. She was wearing a black tank top with a black long sleeve fishnet over it. Along with her usual baggy blue kik wears and her Osiris Flux.

Alex smiled and turned her around, and found that she was right, and that she was a little scrapped up too. She had a long gash on her shoulder. It wasn't deep but it still needed to be cleaned. He turned her back around so they were facing each other. "Well you're right, as always, you did rip your shirt. And you have a pretty mean looking gash on your shoulder. We should get you cleaned up."

"I cut myself? Hmmm wonder why I didn't feel it." She stated as they walked over to the first aid kit that Jade always carried with her when she went skating.

She took off her fishnet shirt, and Alex cleansed the wound with the alcohol pads that she had. She felt it now, it started to burn. He could tell, as he heard her gasp every once and a while. He also knew she was trying to be strong and not let it show. "You're all good now."

"Thanks. Maybe we should get Eric and go home."

***

The three pulled back in the driveway to the Wood's house. "So, you guys staying for dinner tonight? You know its tradition." Jade stated.

Eric nodded, but said nothing. Alex on the other hand stated, "Of course, I would never miss our celebration supper. Summer is finally here."

"Ok," she said as she climbed out of her new car, and grabbed her board from the back seat. "Lets go, and would you guys mind using the doors of my car. I don't want it scratched already." She told them as she noticed they were both going to just hop over the doors.

When they entered the house, they found their parents sitting in the Library that Angelina had set up.

"Eric, Alex!" Their mother, Ginny 'Weasley' Potter squealed, as she enveloped her sons in a very tight hug.

"Mum, let go, you're choking me!" Eric managed to say.

"Dad, Help!" Was all that Alex could muster.

Harry stood up and walked over to his wife. "Dear, they're grown up now, don't embarrass them." He said sarcastically.

Jade giggled at her friends, as they struggled to get out of their mothers grip. "Jade dear, how are you?" Ginny asked as she gave her a hug also, but not as tight.

"I'm doing good." She answered simply. She noticed the somewhat angry looks on Eric and Alex's face. And she knew it was because she didn't get choked like they had. She giggled inwardly to herself. She glanced at Alex, as his expression went from slightly angered, to a smile. 'Merlin, he looks so hot when he smiles, I really wish he didn't think of me as a sister.'

"Oy, Mum, do you think you could heal my shoulder? I duffed skating today, thanks to Alex." Jade said as she smiled at her mom, and then gave a mischievous grin to Alex.

"Sure dear," Angelina said.

Just then the doorbell rang. "I'll get it." Jade said and rushed to the door. She opened it, and was in total shock. She couldn't mutter a coherent word.

Draco Malfoy, who recently lost his wife, stood in the doorway with his daughter Ebony. "Excuse me child, are your parents home?" He asked with a voice as cold as ice.

All Jade could do was shake her head, and let them in. She quickly walked to the library, and motioned for her father and mother. "There is someone here to see you. I think?!"

Oliver looked quizzically at his daughter, as he stood up and walked out towards the foyer. Angelina, Ginny, and Harry followed.

 "Malfoy!?" Oliver, who arrived in the foyer first, sputtered.

 Draco blinked, "Wood?"

"What are you doing here?" Harry asked with distain.

"I was simply coming over to greet my new neighbors," He sneered. "But I see I'm unwelcome. Come on Ebony, let's go.

  **Back in the library*

"Who was at the door?" Alex asked.

"The Malfoy's…"

"As in, Ebony Malfoy?" Eric asked eagerly. Jade just nodded her head. With that Eric was off towards the front of the house faster than the blink of an eye.

 "I-uhh…" Alex trailed off, looking uneasily at Jade.

"Oh just go!" Jade huffed, falling back onto the couch. But Alex didn't leave; he just stood there staring at the couch. He wasn't sure whether to go talk to Ebony, or stay with Jade. He was torn…

 "Jade… I," Alex started slowly, unsure of what to say.

"You…?" Jade asked, sitting up and looking at him with an eyebrow raised.

"Damn it! I missed her!" Eric cried, rushing back into the library. Alex's face flashed relief, but only for a moment, he didn't want Jade to see.

"Oh poor you, you missed getting a glimpse of the slutty-whore-next-door," Jade scowled. She had seen the relief wash over Alex when Eric said he had missed Ebony. And it upset her. She thought he was better than that. Than going after some girl just for her looks.

Both of the guys just stood gaping at her. "What!? I'm going to get washed for dinner." She muttered and brushed past the two boys, out of the library.

"Dude… what's her problem?" Eric asked.

"How should I know?" Alex mumbled.

"Well, she is your best friend. Thought you would know," Eric rolled his eyes.

"And you're my twin, that doesn't mean I know everything that goes through that thick skull of yours," Alex retorted angrily, before storming out of the library after Jade.

He went up to her room and knocked on the door. "Jay… I know you're in there! Please let me in," Alex called.

The door swung open forcefully. "What?" Jade spat out.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?" Jade asked walking back into her room. Alex raised an eyebrow at her back. He noticed her hand was all red, and smirked.

"For upsetting you. Whatever it was I did this time."

"I'm not upset!" Jade snapped back at him.

"You're not upset…. If you're not upset, why did you punch the wall, Jay?" Alex sighed.

"I felt like it." Jade huffed.

"What's wrong?" Alex asked softly, sitting down next to her and putting a hand on her shoulder.

"It's nothing. I just don't like that new girl. She rubs me the wrong way," Jade scowled.

"You haven't even given her a chance! How can you dislike her already?" Alex exclaimed.

"I just can okay!" Jade yelled pushing his hand away. 'You wouldn't like her either if you could see past her looks!' She screamed at him in her mind.

"Okay! I'm sorry! Sheesh!" Alex said waving his hands in the air in surrender.

"No you're not. You just don't want me to be mad at you!" Jade yelled.

"You have one part right," Alex scowled looking down at the floor. "I don't want you to be mad at me! Because you're my best friend and I care about you! And tonight is our first night of summer vay-cay! It's not the same if you're mad at me! But you're wrong, I really am sorry," Alex shot at her, before storming out of her room, slamming the door behind him.

Jade sat there, shocked as hell that her best friend just stormed out, ON HER! He never did that. She got up and ran to her door. When she opened it, she found Alex was still standing there, looking at the floor.

"I'm sorry," she muttered quietly, so quietly in fact that Alex had to strain to hear her.

"I'm sorry too," he muttered back, equally as quiet.

They both looked up and smiled. "So…." Jade trailed off.

"Yeah, so..." Alex said as he started tickling Jade, like they were little kids again. They both moved back so far that they fell on to Jade's bed. She was scrunched up in a ball, laughing hard; Alex stopped tickling her, and lay there staring up at her ceiling. He sighed. "I miss when we were kids."

Jade rolled onto her back, "Yeah, me to, sort of. But in a way I kinda like not being a kid." She told him. "But I really don't think you and Eric will ever truly grow up!" she teased.

"Hey!" He said, and then rolled back to his side and started tickling her again.

*Later on that evening*

Eric looked at Jade and Alex as they both came down stairs smiling. "So what were you two love birds doing up there for that long?" he asked.

Jade blushed, "For one Eric, it's none of your business, but we were talking. It's what best friends do." She semi-yelled at him.

Alex looked at her shocked, was she blushing at what Eric had said? 'She couldn't be blushing because of that! She doesn't like me like that. Does she?' he thought. "She's right you know." Alex said to a very shocked Eric, as they both watched her leave and enter the dining room. "It is none of your business, and talking is what best friends do."

"I was JOKING; can't anyone around here take a joke?" Eric told his brother.

"I know you were joking, and you know that you were joking. But Jade is a whole different story, you know how she is." Alex told him, not wanting to get in yet another fight in the past hour.

Eric shrugged and walked into the dining room, with Alex right behind him. Alex sat next to Jade on one side of the table. Eric sat on the other, next to his father.

"So, what are we having tonight mum?" Jade asked Angelina.

"I'm not sure, the house-elves wouldn't tell me, and they said it was a surprise." Angelina shrugged.

"Oh, hmmm" Jade mumbled. She suddenly felt Alex squeeze her hand and she smiled. As he took his hand off of hers, she looked around the dining room, it wasn't huge, but it wasn't small either. You could fit at least fifty people in there, and the table sat twenty. There was a rather large fireplace on one side of the dining room, over which was a rather large mirror. It wasn't an ordinary mirror; it reflected happy memories, like Oliver and Angelina's wedding day. But as far as Jade was concerned, it didn't seem that happy. Angelina had gotten into a fight with Katie. And they still didn't talk to this day, and that was over 17 years ago. Shortly after they were married, they had Jade, and that also reflected in the mirror, not the birth itself, but the hospital, and you could see her mother holding her, and her father crying. It was the only time she saw him cry in front of her, even if it was just a reflected memory. She kept gazing in the mirror, and another image floated up, it was of Harry and Ginny's wedding day. It wasn't long after Angelina and Oliver returned home from their honeymoon. It kept jumping from memory to memory. The day she got her letter to Hogwarts. The day the twins were born. When she lost her first tooth. She quickly turned her gaze from the mirror as she heard someone speak her name.

"Jade?" Eric asked.

"Hmm? What?" she asked back.

"Are you going to eat or just stare at that mirror?" Eric asked.

She looked down at her plate; to her surprise it was pepperoni pizza. Her favorite thing to eat. She picked it up, and before taking a bite, told her mother, "Remind me to thank the house-elves later." She knew they did this because her birthday had just recently passed. She was now seventeen; she had turned seventeen a week before Hogwarts had let out. And the boys turned seventeen no more than a month before her. She never quite understood how they were older; her parents got married before theirs. 'Oh well, it doesn't matter that they are older than me, I'm actually kinda glad. My big, bad protectors' she smiled inwardly as she took a bite out of her pizza.