Cupid Jane
After filling the other members of the Order in on what had just happened, new measures of security were arranged. Jade would bring more guards. The Order would also request extra ones from other allies.
'That settles it' Jade stood up once the discussion was over 'I will wait for the new shift schedule to approve it once you're done, Mr. Shacklebolt. And make sure to add my two personal guards to reinforce it'.
'Are you mad?' I let it slip, before thinking first.
Everybody looked at me widening their eyes. Well, everybody but Dumbledore, who smiled and peered at me with a twinkle in his blue eyes.
'I mean' I cleared my throat 'I'm sorry, but are you sure about this? They were after you.'
Jade stern face dissolved into a smile.
'That's thoughtful of you Mr. Adams. However, one would think you'd be more confident that I don't need personal protection after I just saved your arse a few minutes ago.'
Everybody around us giggled. I gulped.
'Jade…' her guards looked at me as if they were going to knock me down for calling her that on an official occasion 'I mean, Madam Marteau,…'
'This is already decided. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to take care of these new arrangements.'
Everybody stood up. Jade was already climbing the stairs, her guards behind her. I run to catch up with her. At the corridor upstairs, before I could reach her, her two protecteurs stood between us, their wands at hand. She said something in French to them, and they left to wait for her outside. She kept walking towards the door, but slowly, letting me draw level with her.
'Jade' I outstretched my hands and placed them on the wall, one on each side of her head, as to force her to stop and look at me. I could tell she really wasn't waiting for it, because she just stood there, her back against the wall, completely befuddled, waiting for me to continue, our faces two palms apart. 'I don't care if you're the most powerful witch in the world. I'm worried about you'.
All of a sudden, her expression changed. Her caramel coloured eyes melted as I stared at them, her breathing turned heavy and she loosened her habitual haughty posture. She glanced at my mouth and then looked back into my eyes as if she was trying to tell me a million words without saying them.
She looked… surrendered.
We heard steps coming from the kitchen stairs. She stood on her tiptoe and whispered in my ear, her voice like velvet and her breath warm against my skin, 'I'm staying at Musgrave Street, number 46. Take me the schedule later, will you?' and left through the door just as the first heads appeared at the corridor.
I had to take a cold bath after that.
I stayed for dinner, glancing at Kingsley while he discussed the new schedule with two other members beside him, waiting for them to finish it. Once they did, I stood up briskly.
'I'll take it to her. I know where she's staying' they handed me the parchments sheets without further discussion, and I left for the fresh night air outside.
…
She opened the door in a dressing gown, her hair damp. It was a small apartment, and her guards were nowhere around. We sat by the fireplace and she read the schedule in silence. I was trying to calm my nerves in order to discuss what I had planned, for a part of me just wanted to know what she was wearing underneath that gown.
'It's good enough' she gave me back the parchment 'now, about your attitude today. That's sweet that you're worried about me. However, I ask you don't ever, ever, question my authority like that again, Theo. You need to understand I came a long way to be where I am today.'
'I know, I'm aware I was disrespectful, I'm sorry. But Jade, what if they find you here, alone?'
She rolled her eyes.
'This place can't be found unless I personally give them the address'.
'But…'
'Theo, I won't discuss this further'
'Jade, listen, they can…'
'Theodore, I won't accept having my orders defied or questioned. Please, drop this.'
'What if they…'
She stood up. I knew I had crossed a line. In her eyes there was no clue of the Jade I knew. They were as cold and solid as ice. The eyes of a crossed Vangarde leader.
'I think, Mr. Adams, you're forgetting who is in charge here. You may go now'.
I clenched my jaw. 'As you wish, Ma'am' I gave her a neck bow and left.
...
I felt so ashamed. So ridiculous. So stupid. Each day of that following week I seemed to realize a little further how much I had embarrassed myself. How much she was completely right about it. She had fucking saved my life. And I had treated her like a helpless princess or something.
On the next Sunday, she didn't appear during our patrol before the meeting. Aubert said she would start coming on random shifts to give her hunters a slip and to do not put us in any more danger because of her. He praised such nobility of character. I felt even worse.
At Grimmauld Place, I barely dared to look at her. But I saw with the corner of my eye when she stopped to talk to Jane before leaving. I politely refused staying for dinner. I just wanted to be alone so I could beat myself up it a little more. Before I could step out the door, however, Jane caught up with me.
'Come for breakfast tomorrow' it was funny how it seemed more like an order than like an invitation.
'What? Jane, I have to work tomorrow. Don't you have classes as well?'
'I do, but I'll have the floo network connected to the kitchen's fireplace, I'll be there on time. Will you come? Before your shift?'
'No, I'm sorry, but we'll catch up some other time, ok?'
'It has to be tomorrow'. Was bossing everyone around a family trait?
I stared at her for a few seconds, annoyed, but sinking in that she was not letting this go. 'Alright'.
…
I arrived there to find Jane setting the table.
'Is it just the two of us?'
'Ah… not exactly. Take a seat'. She poured me juice and started frying some eggs and slicing and toasting bread. We heard steps from upstairs. Jade entered the kitchen.
We both looked at each other and then turned our eyes to Jane at the same time.
'What?' Jane asked, trying to conceal a smile 'I thought we could have a laugh remembering the good old times!'
And we did. Jade, unwillingly, took her seat beside me, and at first the atmosphere was awkwardly uncomfortable. But as soon as Jane started on the Slytherin and Gryffindor rivalry, we joined feverishly on the subject, and shortly after we were bursting out laughing recalling stories from our days at school. A few minutes later, Kreacher appeared in the room, bowing and muttering 'finally two beautiful pure bloods in this house for Kreacher to serve', but Jane dismissed him with all the patience she could muster, even though her nostrils were flared with indignation. When she managed to get rid of him, she glanced at the clock on the wall. 'Ops, I got to go or I'll be late, but please stay and take your time to finish that, ok?' she grinned and disappeared into green flames inside the mantelpiece. I drew a deep breath.
'Jade… I'm so sorry for that day. I feel so embarrassed for the way I acted'.
She kept looking down, staring at a scratch on the wooden table.
'Well, I could also have been I little less rude and a little more… understanding' a glooming smile appeared on her face 'I reckon I'm no longer used to have people worrying about me. I am always the one worrying about them'.
There were so many things that I wanted to tell her. That I would always worry and care about her. But I didn't dare say anything. I was afraid I would make a fool out of myself and annoy her once more.
She stood up, and I did too.
'I need to go back to France. I presume you have to be at the Ministry too'.
I reckon I would have to accept that nothing else would happen between us.
'Yeah, sure' I tried unsuccessfully to hide the sadness in my voice 'I'll get going. Have a nice week, Jade.'
I turned around and started walking towards the door. I had only taken a few steps when she called, quietly.
'Theo…'
I stopped and closed my eyes for a few seconds, a battle going on inside me. I have to give it a try.
I turned back around, strode the distance between us and kissed her.
She kissed me back ardently, loosening her body in my arms and letting me lift her to the table. She sat on it wrapping her legs around me, gluing her body to mine.
'Fuck' she breathed between my lips.
I hold her body even closer, her skin burning hot at my touch, her tongue wet and warm against mine.
She felt my trousers swelling and started rubbing herself on it, making both of us moan, the sounds muffled between our lips.
She was driving me insane. I wanted to fuck her right there.
I started pulling up her robes, but she placed her hands on my chest to stop me.
'Theo' she panted 'we… we can't. Not now'.
I pressed my forehead against hers, trying to catch my breath.
'For heaven's sake, Jade, when am I going to see you again?'
'Next Sunday. I'm sorry'. She seemed as tortured as I felt.
She gave me one more passionate kiss and left.
