A/N- just a reminder. Not my story. It is my cousins.

Chapter 4: On the rocks

Jade smiled as she breathed in the frigid air of Hogwarts. She hated winter, because of how cold it was. But there was something about breathing during the winter. It was sharp, cold, and Jade loved it for some unknown reason. She couldn't clarify what it was, but she never told anyone about how she felt. Smiling, Jade headed to the library, performing a warming charm on herself. She had to go study. The Professors were piling work on their students, and Jade couldn't help the scowl that crept upon her pretty face. It was almost the Holidays, and the Professor's weren't being easy. Jade walked into the Library, and spotted her sister.

The elder Potter sister immediately felt guilt wrench at her gut. Melissa didn't know about the whole thing with Derek, and seeing as how he would be coming over the Potter's for Christmas Break, she deserved to know. Jade walked over and sat across from Melissa.Her sister looked up and smiled.

"Hi Jade." She said.

"Hey Liss." Jade replied. Her face then turned serious, and Melissa frowned, marked her page and put down the book.

"Alright Jade, spill." And so she did. Jade told her younger sister about everything that had happened so far. Melissa didn't interrupt, and was quiet for a while. By the way she stared at the table seriously with her chocolate brown eyes, Jade knew how deep in concentration she was.

"Well, I personally don't know Malfoy, but I'm not going to discriminate him just because of his surname. I, unlike most people at this stupid school, don't immediately hate Slytherins. If they're general gits, then I'll hate them. Believe it or not, not all Slytherins are out to murder us." Melissa gave a wry smile, then turned her attention back to Jade.

"If you say he's a good person, then I believe you." Jade smiled gratefully, and reached across the table to hug Melissa. Melissa hugged her back, then teased, "But, if he's an arse, I'll make him wish he was never born." Jade laughed, and playfully ruffled her sisters hair. Melissa let out a quiet squeak of indignation, because otherwise Madam Pince would have their heads.

"Anyway, how's the pressure for the O.W.L's?"Jade asked cheerfully, and Melissa made an exasperated face. It was quite clear that the Professors were whipping their students to work to the best they could. Melissa's hands bored ink stains, and her eyes bore the bags of many sleepless nights. Jade immediately became worried.

"Mel, when was the last time you had at least 8 hours of sleep!" She asked, concerned. Melissa shrugged.

"Many times, I'm lucky if I get past 5." Jade quickly glanced at the clock.

"Alright missy, you are going to sleep, right now!"

"What!" Melissa protested.

"I have to study!" Jade snorted.

"I daresay you've done enough to studying to pass the O.W.L's right now." Melissa blushed. "Besides, Lissa," Jade began, her eyes becoming soft. Melissa knew her sister was worried. Jade had emerald eyes of steel. If her eyes became anything other than steely or angry, then it meant that she genuinely cared. "I'm your older sister. It's my job to make sure you're taken care of."

Gathering her books, Jade helped Melissa with hers as well. "Plus, if any things gonna bother you, it's gonna be me."Melissa laughed. "Now, you are going to sleep in my bed, and I AM going to make sure you're sleeping." Jade threatened, and Melissa nodded. She was exhausted, truth be told, and she hadn't even thought of rebelling against her sisters wishes. The two of them walked up to Jade's dorm, and Melissa changed into some of her sisters pajamas, and slept in Jade's bed.

Jade thanked Merlin that it was Saturday, and that they had 6 hours until dinner. She would make sure that Melissa slept very well tonight. While there, Jade studied. She occasionally got up to check on Melissa, but this wasn't necessary. Melissa slept like a rock due to lack of sleep. Jade also put a muffling charm around her bed, so that her younger sister wouldn't wake up. When it was getting close to dinner, Jade woke Melissa up.

Her sister definatly looked better, and Melissa cheerfully put on her uniform. Jade also gave Melissa some cover-up, because there were still some bags.

"If you have to sleep in my bed again tonight, then so be it." Jade told Melissa.

"I'm serious about you getting enough sleep. If mum finds out that I haven't been checking on you, she'll flip on me. I'll be paying attention Miss Melissa, so don't think that this was a one-time thing." Melissa smiled.

"Chill, Jade. I'll make sure I get enough sleep tonight." Jade nodded in satisfaction, and they both headed down to dinner. While eating, Hedwig flew in, and dropped a letter to both Melissa and Jade. Jade winced, and her friends looked at her nervously.

Jade,

Well, it's finally happened! Your mum began labor this morning, and she just gave birth. It's finally a boy! I'd like you and Melissa to know that your new brother's name is Ronald James Potter, or as we're going to call him, R.J. Anyway, as soon as we get pictures, I promise that we'll send pictures! Anyway, love you lots!

Dad

Jade almost whooped for joy. Instead, she did a little happy dance in her seat. Melissa, however, couldn't contain her joy. She hugged all of her friends, and with the biggest grin on her face, sped out of the Great Hall.

Jade had no idea where she was going, but she wasn't all that concerned. There were hugs between her and her friends as they congratulated her. Jade was somewhat numb with shock, but pride was slowly beginning to overcome her, like as though she had been the one to give birth. However, Jade was just plain glad that she finally had a baby brother.

She could barely remember Melissa being born, although she did remember her Grandpa telling her to stop eating those muggle crayons... Smiling slightly at the memory, Jade got good chills down her spine.

She turned her head, and Derek was staring at her, amusement shining in those silvery eyes...Jade felt her heart jump to her throat and butterflies erupt in her stomach. Even though they now got along quite well, just being around him made Jade feel like that. She gave him a small smile, and blushed. Whenever she was around him, her feelings went up and her defenses went down. Her cool, collected self went right down the drain.

And little Miss Unbreakable herself did NOT like this. Jade wasn't used to feeling so...vulnerable. It frightened her, the way she felt around him. Just there merest mention of the name Derek made those unwillingly-familiar butterflies and weak-in-the-knees symptoms. Derek jerked his head to the side, and Jade nodded.

Amanda grinned at her slyly, while Giovanni glared furiously at Derek. Jade placed a hand on her friends shoulder, and he looked at her, coldness in those chocolate brown eyes of his. His eyes immediately softened when they saw Jade. She bent down(Amanda's cheeks tinted. She was utterly jealous)to whisper in Giovanni's ear, "Please, Gio." He looked at her and nodded. Jade gave a tiny smile and walked out of the Great Hall. Derek was leaning casually against a pillar, his grey sweater rolled up to his elbows, showing off his well-toned muscles.

Jade felt slightly warm, and she cleared her throat nervously. Derek smirked, having obviously catching her checking him out. He pushed himself off the pillar, and looked down at her slightly. Jade closed her eyes. She was suddenly realizing just HOW good looking the Malfoy heir was.

"See something you like, Jade?"He asked, his voice low and smooth.

Jade summoned up her cold-as-steel self, opened her eyes, and all she managed to was stare at him with a perfectly shaped eyebrow cocked. He smirked, brought up his hand, and began to stroke her cheek gently. Well, there went the old Jade. The butterflies-in-stomach Jade was back, and she closed her eyes, her breath coming out slightly faster than it normally would.

"Look at me." Derek said gently. Jade's eyes fluttered open. He was staring down at her, a blank expression in his silver eyes. His thumb traced her cheek, her jaw, her lips... Jade licked them nervously after he did that. She opened her eyes and stared straight into Derek's eyes. He smiled, and backed her into a wall. He then grinned at her, and leaned in. Jade did the same, and suddenly, his lips crashed into hers. Had Derek's arms not been around Jade to support her, she was almost positive that she would've fallen. A slight moan came from the back of her throat, and Derek licked the bottom lip tensilely, and Jade opened her mouth to allow him entrance. There was then a battle of the tongues, and Jade began to feel light-headed with lack of air and desire.

Luckily for her, Derek pulled back. Breathing hardly, Jade felt slightly less light-headed. Derek leaned his forehead on hers, and Jade opened her eyes slightly. Derek's eyes were cloudy with what Jade was sure that when she felt light-headed, the latter was what she had been feeling. Jade, feeling brave, leaned back in, and the two of them began to make out again.

About 5 minutes later, Jade pulled back, and Derek kissed her jaw and neck. Jade gasped when he hit a tentative spot, and her fingers tightened ever-so-slightly in his hair. She had no idea how her hands had wound themselves into her hair, and why her legs were now wrapped around Derek's middle. Apparently, her fiancee had his wand in his front pocket, because something was poking her in an area she'd rather not mention.

"Derek..." She gasped, while he bit gently on her earlobe.

"What?" Derek asked huskily. Jade felt overwhelmed with her desire.

"We...we have to stop." She managed to spit out. Derek stopped his wonderful torture, and Jade knew he was frowning.

"Why?" He inquired.

"Because if we take this any further, I won't want to stop you." She told him. Derek sighed, and gently let her her down.

"You're right, sadly." He said. Jade smiled and hugged him, and he hugged her back. "Anyway, I have more homework, so I'd better go finish it." Jade said, smiling. She leaned on her tip-toes and kissed him softly on the lips before pulling back and walking to her Dormitory, grinning. She touched her lips gently. That had been their first kiss, and if Jade had anything to say about it, it DEFINATLY wouldn't be their last.

Jade was lying on her bed on her stomach, legs in the air and crossed, while she chewed absentmindedly on her sugar quill. She had to finish her Charms homework, and her vibrant green eyes were scanning the Charms textbook for any information. Spotting some, she quickly jotted it down. Jade flipped a page uninterestedly. She hated to do homework, especially so close to the Holidays. It was 10 more days until Christmas, and it was Friday.

Tomorrow was Hogsmeade weekend. Derek had asked her to go with him, but as she still had yet to get him a present, she declined, and said she would meet up with him later. He nodded dejectedly, so Jade took his mind off of it, her way. Jade blushed when she thought of Derek. She couldn't even imagine a time without him, and Jade began to think that she loved him.

She wasn't entirely sure, but she knew that her feelings were extremum like, and perhaps, just perhaps, Jade was falling in love with a Malfoy. She smiled when she thought how she would've reacted should anyone had told her this last year. They'd probably be spending a week in the Hospital Wing for just thinking about it. Now... Jade's eyes glazed over as she thought of Derek.

Natalie walked in, and Jade didn't notice until her brunette friend waved a hand in front of her. Jade blinked, then smiled apologetically. Natalie laughed.

"I gather that you weren't exactly thinking about that Charms homework in front of you, were you?" Jade laughed.

"Guilty as charged." She said, grinning. Natalie sat down on her bed, smiling at the eldest Potter.

"Thinking about Derek?" She inquired. Jade smiled at the mention of him.

She wasn't entirely sure just where they stood, although Jade knew that she considered him her boyfriend. Her fiancee, technically. Natalie noticed the content smile that lit her friends face and she herself smiled. It was clear that Jade was head-over-heels for Malfoy.

If she truly loved him, then who was she to stand in the way of it. Jade loved Malfoy, and she was sure the blond felt the same about her. You could tell that they felt this way. It was the little looks they shared that made Jade blush (an amazing feat in itself. Jade was almost always detached) and the way she made up silly excuses when she went to go see him to snog.

Giovanni still wasn't happy about it, but he was just worried for the girl he considered a sister. It was obvious why he hated Malfoy. The Bellino's and Malfoy's had been at war forever. Light and Dark. Gryffindor and Slytherin. The same story. It was such a shame too.

"Earth to Jade!" Natalie said laughing. Jade snapped out of it, and smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry." She began, but Natalie shook her head, laughing and grinning.

"I'm not gonna blame you for it!" She giggled. Jade grinned.

"Anyway, I think I'm gonna go down to the library to finish this." Jade said, gesturing hopelessly to her Charms homework. Natalie glanced at the clock and raised an eyebrow.

"Alright, you'd better hurry. Curfew is 2 hours." Jade nodded.

"Don't worry. I've got half of it done, and I just need a book to finish the rest." Natalie nodded, and grinning again with books in hand, Jade headed down to the Library.

The torches were lit, and the pathways were slightly dark, with a cold chill to them. However, that was how Jade liked it. The hallways weren't squashed with students. Instead, Jade's high-heels made clicking sounds that echoed in the empty hallways. She giggled, then sighed. Her hair was in her face. She turned a corner that was somewhat lit, but most of it was dark.

Jade put down her books, grabbed a scrunchie from her wrist, and pulled her hair back hastily into a low ponytail. Picking up her books again, Jade headed on her way.

"-and now, I have you my dear." Jade heard a seductive voice purr. Jade blushed. She knew it was none of her business, but the voice sounded familiar. To those who said 'Curiosity killed the cat', Jade would reply, 'The cat has 9 lives'. When Jade noticed she couldn't see, she grabbed her wand and muttered,

"Lumos." Jade noticed it was Amanda, and Jade almost laughed...until she saw WHO she was snogging. Amanda had Derek flat against his back, she was snogging him, and it didn't look like he was putting up much resistance. It was just then that the two noticed Jade. Derek looked shocked, and horrible flustered. Amanda, however, was grinning cruelly.

"Awww, poor Jade." She said in a baby voice, then laughed evilly.

"Jade, wait!" Derek called after her, but Jade was long gone.

Tears ran down her cheeks like a river, and she blindly ran into the library.

"Jade?" A quiet voice asked, and Jade turned torwards the voice in the dark corner.

Emma Weasley, Jade's 17 year old cousin, stood in front of her, staring down at her wordily. Jade threw herself into Emma's arms, and blurted out the whole story. The prophecy, how she felt about Derek, and what had just happened. Emma didn't interrupt, something that Jade was glad for.

"I don't know what to tell you, Jade. I don't know what I would've done in that position." Emma admitted quietly. Jade sniffed, and Emma handed her a handkerchief .

"Thanks." Jade said softly.

"No problem." Emma said. The two cousins hugged.

"Thanks, Emma."

Jade told the older girl. Emma smiled thinly.

"No problem." Jade had the strangest desire to laugh. It was quite clear that, given her way, Emma would've killed Derek Malfoy if he appeared in front of her. With a sorrowful wave goodbye, Jade sadly headed back to Gryffindor Tower. However, and idea came to her, and she switched ways. She passed a wall three times, thinking hard. Suddenly, a door materialized in front of her, and Jade yanked it open.

It was a bedroom, quite like her own at home. Jade opened one of the drawers, grabbed a pair of fleece pajamas, and put them on. She then brushed her teeth, and setting her alarm clock for 8:30, Jade dejectedly blew out the candle, and tried to go to sleep.