The days of Jade's holiday break were quickly coming to an end and she still hadn't talked to her brother about Christmas. He didn't bring it up, though he had many opportunities. Jade believed it was because he didn't want to argue with her, a smart move on his part. But, it was the last night before Jade had to head back to Hogwarts and she wanted to clear the air between them.
"Rodrick?" She called for her brother from her bedroom and she waited. After a moment, she could hear footsteps coming her way.
"Yes?" He peeked his head in.
"Could you help me?" She gestured towards a small suitcase on her bed and he smiled at her.
"I don't think you need to take more back with you."
"You're right. It's a ruse, I want to talk." She told him and he carefully took a few steps inside before sitting down at her desk.
"About what?"
"Christmas." She told him as she picked up the few random things she'd piled together on her bed and began placing them back where they belonged.
"What about Christmas?" Jade gave her brother a look.
"Your girlfriend." She drawled out for him.
"Her name's Maeve."
"Yes, I understand that. What I don't understand is why you thought it would be a great idea for me to know about her existence by springing her on me during my holiday."
"One, I didn't spring her on you."
"Yes, you-" Rodrick held up a hand to signal her to stop interrupting.
"Two, it's not just your holiday, it was mine too, and Maeve's. Now, I admit that I got the timing wrong and I should've considered how you would've reacted to the surprise."
"The unwelcomed surprise, an ambush is more like it." Her brother barked out a laugh.
"An ambush, was it?" Jade's lips granted a small grin. "You're right, I should've told you about her sooner, maybe then you would've been nice to her."
"Doubtful." Rodrick sighed, "I'm just joking." She wasn't joking but she didn't want to push Rodrick's patience too far where he'll leave and nothing will be resolved. "I'm sorry for how I behaved. It wasn't… lady-like." She fought to roll her eyes so he would take her seriously. "I was just upset when you weren't there when I got home and I was only upset because I missed you."
"I missed you too." He smiled.
"I know you've got a job at St. Mungo's so you're busy now, and then there's Maeve, and so… I guess just write to me whenever you want. I always hear from Mum and Dad." Rodrick stood from his seat and came up to her before enveloping her in a large hug. She relaxed instantly in his arms and threw her own around his waist.
"I promise to write to you more." He mumbled into her hair before giving her a loving peck. Jade enjoyed a few more seconds before pulling away and giving him a smile.
"And I promise to give Maeve a chance." Jade didn't know if she'd be able to keep this promise, from what she saw of Maeve at Christmas she really wasn't impressed with her brother's choice, but she would try. Feeling much better, Jade shooed her brother out of her room so she could get some rest.
The next morning was a blur, everyone was rushing to get to the train station on time. The rushing was stressful but also familiar and when her mother called for her, Jade was already coming down the stairs, showered and ready to go.
"Rodrick, let's go!" Her mother called up the stairs after giving Jade an approving smile.
"Mother, I'm going." They could hear Rodrick call back and then he appeared at the top of the stairs and leaned against the railing. "Would you look at that?" Rodrick glanced at his watch. "Still have plenty of time." Their mother turned on them and made her way to the living room. Amelia was a pleasant woman but when she was stressed out or upset about something they all got to deal with her. The only person who could calm her down was their father and on cue, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close to him before reassuring her everything was fine and having her take a breath. From the look of it, Jade's parents were back to being happily in love instead of distant and tense like they had been recently.
"Jade, dear." Her mother turned to her and Rodrick and Jade made their way into the living room. "If you wouldn't mind?" Jade then reached for the floo powder nearby and huddled together with her family before casting them off.
Jade was only on the platform for a few minutes before someone found her in the large crowd.
"Mr. and Mrs. Maddex." She heard a smooth voice greet and she turned around to find Lucius Malfoy and Draco standing behind her. Jade smiled under Mr. Malfoy's gaze and refused to let her feet back up away from the menacing man. He smiled back at her as if they were friends instead of her and his son. "Jade." He didn't look scary at the moment but she had seen him angry before so she knew it was under the polite and charming exterior.
"Lucius!" Her mother smiled and reached over her to shake his hand.
"How are you doing, Amelia?"
"Very well, thank you." Rodrick grinned at his mother, biting his tongue to keep from commenting on how his mother had been acting just moments ago. "No wife today, Lucius?" Jade's father asked and Lucius sighed,
"She had some business to attend to in town." Jade had inched herself out of the way as her parents talked and now she was standing beside her brother and Draco.
"How was your break?" Jade asked Draco. Draco looked away from his father and at Jade.
"Better now." He hadn't done anything special for the break, just spent time with his mother and a little with his father while he ran his errands. He was dying to get back to school. Jade blushed as Draco's eyes drank her in. He hadn't tried to be slick about it at all and to see Draco just completely happy to see her, without his attitude, without the annoying smirk, it made her smile. The nice moment was short-lived because Jade was then shoved to the side and her brother stepped forward in her place.
"Rodrick Maddex." He offered his hand out, his voice friendly and a grin on his face but his eyes were unnecessarily intense. Draco didn't miss a beat, he stretched out his own hand and shook it firmly.
"Draco Malfoy." Rodrick tightened his grip and pulled Draco in a bit closer.
"Yeah, I've heard."
"Rodrick." Jade hissed at her brother and Rodrick leaned back and released Draco's hand.
"I'm sorry." Lucius called over to them, "Rodrick, was it?" The parents moved to involve their children in the conversation. Rodrick shared a look with his father for a second before chuckling and offering his hand.
"Yes, sir." Lucius smiled and shook his hand.
"A Gryffindor like your parents or a Slytherin like your sister?" He asked.
"Gryffindor, sir. Slytherin got lucky."
"Oh, I completely agree, Rodrick. She's special. Isn't she, Draco?" Lucius purred. Everyone turned to Draco and Jade could see his jaw flexed as he clenched his teeth together.
"Yes." Was all they got out of him, before the train whistle blew, signaling they only had a minute or two left. "I'll save you a seat," Draco told her and then excused himself before turning around and leaving. Lucius quickly followed his son's lead and said his goodbyes. Jade gave him one more smile before turning to her brother.
"The bloke's weird, right?" Rodrick asked and Jade nodded. If only he knew. The way that Rodrick watched Lucius's back as he mixed into the crowd gave a hint that maybe he did know what he was truly like, or at least had an idea.
"Rodrick, stop." Her mother waved him off before focusing on Jade. "I know Christmas was a little rough… but I hope you had a good time."
"I did," She told her mother quickly to reassure her.
"We'll miss you." Her father added, and just like they always did, they all stepped together to take one long-lasting family hug.
