Disclaimers: Not mine.
A/N: Latest chapter. Had major writer's block so those of you that do like this story, please review. Even if you hate it and it sucks. Thanks!
Chapter SixHe had his dream again. Twice in fact. And for the first time ever he saw her face. Sure enough it was Jade. He couldn't say he was surprised in the least. It just made him hate her more.
Damn women, he thought sourly as he stared at the concrete ceiling over his head. Why did she have to show up now, of all times? He had an inexplicable feeling that she would ruin all the plans he was making before the year was out. He was going to disappear without a trace. Lucius wouldn't find him and no one would remember him.
He sighed loudly in disappointment knowing it wouldn't take affect for a while yet. He sat up and pulling his bed curtains aside, noticing Crabbe and Goyle had already gone to the Great Hall.
Like that was a surprise. The only thing those two lumps were ever in a hurry for was meals. It was just as well. Draco wasn't in a particularly charitable mood at the moment.
*~*
Pansy Parkinson was impatiently waiting for him in the common room. He regarded her coolly as she stepped up to him and slipped her arm through his.
They'd had a few rounds in the sack, Draco recalled with a shudder. Not very memorable rounds, but it had satisfied his needs at the time.
As they headed up the stairs, he couldn't help but compare the pug-faced girl to Winthrop.
Parkinson had nothing on Winthrop when it came to looks. But looks weren't as important as money and heritage to Malfoys, he thought with disdain.
He tried to shrug her off before they reached the Great Hall, but she had a grip like a bear.
"And after breakfast we could go to my room," she was saying slyly.
His eyes narrowed. "Sorry, Pansy, but you just don't do it for anymore."
She dropped his hand immediately as if he'd burned her. "Since when? I was good enough during the summer."
Draco lifted an eyebrow in slight amusement. "Yes, you were. But I was a bit desperate then."
Pansy went white. "Wait until my father hears about this."
She began yelling then, a horrid sound, but he paid no attention. He was thinking about his father's reaction to him using and dumping Parkinson's daughter. He would not be happy at all. The day was suddenly looking a little brighter.
Draco felt a familiar pair of green eyes upon his back and turned around. Jade was staring back at him, a hopeful smile playing on her lips.
~*~
It had been a long and sleepless night for Jade, and the day threatened to be even worse.
She introduced Em and Harry, and wasn't the least bit surprised as a spark of attraction flew between them. It had always been em's destiny to marry "the boy who lived" (though she didn't know it); just as saving and falling in love with Draco Malfoy was hers.
They were outside the Great Hall. Harry and Em kept glancing at each other, trying to be subtle, while Ginny was anxiously hopping from one foot to the other.
Jade saw Malfoy round the corner, followed closely by pansy Parkinson, who was talking animatedly.
She watched as he whispered something that made Pansy's face go white. And she couldn't help but feel a little joyous at that. There was just something about her that jade didn't like or trust.
Draco rolled his eyes as Parkinson started yelling. It was a horrible sound. Shrill and high-pitched, like a dog whistle. But apparently Draco was used to it. He was looking around, blatantly ignoring her.
She smiled at him when his eyes met hers. His expression was curious, as if he was trying to figure her out.
Ginny tugged on the sleeve of her robe. "Are you coming?"
Jade turned to her. "I'll be right there." She paused and took a quick look at all the students filing past them. "Ginny, Seamus was looking for you earlier."
Her face brightened a notch and jade watched her head happily into the hall. That was enough. At least Ginny wouldn't be jealous when Em and her current boyfriend started dating.
"Don't you have anything better to do than take up space in the halls?"
Jade smiled at Draco when she turned around. Pansy was nowhere to be seen. He didn't look like his normal leering self. His hair seemed relieved of its usual globs of goo and dark circles surrounded his piercing eyes. He wasn't smirking. It was replaced by a pained look of some sort she'd seen many times in her own reflections. He looked almost human for a change.
"I was actually waiting for you, Malfoy," she answered smoothly. "Are you all done with your girlfriend?"
Draco stuffed his hands in his pockets as he scowled at her. "She's not my girlfriend, not that it's any of your business."
Jade shrugged and turned. "You're right, it's not. I'll see you in detention."
He frowned, hardly believing what he did next. He reached out an arm and grabbed hers. "Wait."
She hid a smug grin before she looked at him. "What is it?"
He didn't say anything for a moment, as if he was trying to find the words. His eyes glazed over a bit before studying her carefully. "Why do you care so much?"
Jade didn't touch him, but she may as well have. The air was filled with an odd mixture of tension and electricity. It made the hairs on his arms stand on edge.
She smiled sadly at him and shook her head. "He really messed you up, didn't he?"
"No one messed me up, Winthrop," he snapped out. "So don't even think about feeling sorry for me."
She was looking at him through wide innocent green eyes. Like she believed in him. He had to stop this now. She had to realize the only thing that was important was him. He wasn't going to change. Especially for her.
And then it hit him. He wouldn't admit it then, but deep down he wanted to change. For her. He didn't know why he cared, when he'd only known her for a few days.
It scared him. It was the only thing in his life that really scared him.
Draco let out a shaky breath. "Let someone else be your charity case."
Her smile never wavered. It was as if she could see right through him. She knew he was lying. "You're right. Neville needs a little help this year."
His silver eyes flashed suddenly as she turned to leave. "You're going to help Longbottom?" The words slid out of his mouth in a hiss.
Jade tossed a silky laugh over her shoulder as she shrugged. "I'll see you in detention, Draco."
