And we move on…..

I am actually just writing this to thank a new friend and an amazing writer Sakkim98 for motivating me to write this chapter. I owe you really.

R and R please!

The little girl stumbled forward as her name was called. Trembling slightly, but forcing herself to remain calm she raised her head and proceeded to the withered black hat. The eleven-year old glanced towards the tall, bespectacled witch beside it, but averted her gaze immediately. She had such intense eyes, they scared her.

Her mind kept telling her that it was foolish to be so flustered over a simple sorting test. However, the anxious part of her knew that apprehension was reasonable. This moment was going to decide a lot for her future, at the school and outside it. She could imagine her uncle getting a post next morning about the house she was in. She could also imagine the cold eyes and the steely face of Lucius Malfoy if he read that his pure-blood niece was now housemates with Gryffindors.

If, of course

Though the first-year knew that her uncle wouldn't be satisfied until her she was in Slytherin. It had to be Slytherin. It was something unquestionable and understood. Anything else would be considered a disgrace to the family. Mr. Malfoy had never said this out loud, and perhaps she was being paranoid, but only perhaps. Her family wasn't the one which explained things outright; emotions, expectations, orders; they were shown by indirect gestures and words.

What felt after a long time, the black-haired girl reached the rickety stool, took the ancient hat perched on it and replaced it on her head. It slipped down her small head and covered half of her face along with her black bangs. She was grateful for that, since she didn't want the other kids to see her horribly harassed expression.

She clenched her fists and bit her lip in nervousness when nothing happened. Had she done something wrong? Or was that she could not hear the hat announcing her house? But that couldn't be right, because all the students before her had heard it, since they all got up looking happy. Could it mean that the antique Sorting Hat had finally malfunctioned? Right when it was about to sort her?

The depressing thought hit her like a rampaging bludger and she silently choked on a sob, cursing her fate.

'For your kind information, I am functioning perfectly fine.' A cross voice whispered.

The girl gave a tiny start, and looked around. There was no one near her to have said that. Frowning, it occurred to her that she had not really heard a voice; it was as if someone was speaking in her mind….

The Sorting Hat?

'Yes. Brilliant guess, child.' The voice came again though the eleven-year old, in her utmost stupor; did not discern the sarcasm in its words.

It was talking to her!

She felt the hat sigh in her mind before going on. By now, she had regained her senses and now realized how stupid her behavior had been. Trying to hide her embarrassment, she focused on only one thing.

She needed to be in Slytherin.

'Lestrange, huh? I know that I've heard that name here before. Not that I remember much of the students I sort but…..this one came out to be quite unforgettable.'

The girl drew in a sharp breath at the mention of her father. Nonetheless, it wasn't that surprising; she knew her parents had achieved quite a name for themselves in the wizarding world; although she really wished it could have been something she could be proud of. It was pathetic, she thought; that by even being thousands of miles away rotting in a cell in Azkaban for eight years, they had still found a way to mar her first day at school. There was certainly nothing she could do to remove that persistent shadow following her because of an accursed last name.

'I think it's quite obvious where I should put you...'

The word 'Slytherin' immediately flashed across her thoughts and her feeling of hopefulness almost overshadowed the realization that there was some uncertainty in the hat's tone.

'But I am slightly confused…..'

Her heart missed a beat at these words.

'What are those conflicting emotions inside you? I see ambition and suppleness, of course. But I also see high sense of dignity and rigidity. You would see something till its end if you want to, however…..'

The first-year was getting more and more uneasy as the Sorting hat's words became even more confusing.

Please just put me in Slytherin.

She mutely begged with all her concentration, thinking that it might be enough to convince the hat.

'Slytherin? Is that what you really yearn? Would you truly like to have Slytherin housemates?'

Her focus faltered for a moment after hearing this. But it was gone in a flash. Her opinion was not the one that mattered. She would not, under any circumstances see her uncle and aunt disappointed.

'Well, if that is your decision.'

A second later, she had been sorted into Slytherin, but just before she could have breathed in relief, the Sorting Hat gave her some puzzling parting words.

'Not fear but chivalry, I name it. I wish you the greatest of luck, Jade Lestrange.'

The Head Girl pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a weary groan. Her eyes were strained and her face pale as she scratched on a piece of parchment with her quill. She had barely slept since that night, because she had to stay awake to complete the homework given that day which would not have happened if Jade hadn't been splattered with a freaking dung-bomb! Her schedule had been disrupted for that event which had resulted into more sleepless nights and a towering temper.

She was not one of the students who usually complained about such things, she actually liked to busy herself in work and achieve something every day, but being sleep-deprived seemed to have had an adverse effect on her personality. Thankfully though, her present task was the last one she had for today, an essay on the silencing charm they had learned in their fifth-year. Since they were going to give their Newt's the following June, every teacher was giving revision work along with the main homework.

It wasn't that hard for Jade really, when they had learned the charm two years ago, she had silenced her bullfrog successfully in the second attempt and had been awarded ten points for it. Putting the practice into writing was not really difficult but…

The black-haired witch's eye twitched as she felt his resolute gaze on her.

Clutching her quill hard enough that it might have broken, she turned her head upwards to face the annoying red-head.

"Honestly. What do you want?" She asked half-glowering, half-pleading at the boy who was perched on top of the wooden Library table among Jade's scattered books.

George Weasley looked down at her as if he had just noticed her, causing the latter's glare to intensify. It didn't help Jade's mood or concentration to have the person responsible for all her trouble sitting on her table and ogling at her while she tried to finish her last piece of homework. He had come at his present place around the time she had entered the library and in her utmost effort to complete her work quickly, she had ignored him. He was unperturbed nonetheless and had just sat there.

This silent battle of obstinacy had continued for three whole hours, where Jade, as she proceeded was becoming more and more uneasy of her unwanted companion who on the contrary, appeared quite comfortable.

"Huh? Is it against the school rules to sit with you?" he replied with a feigned confused voice the Slytherin easily saw through. However, this realization did not lower down her steadily rising temper. She had let him off that night because she had been in a hurry but now she could feel her fury returning at full force. This guy had some nerve, he barely saved himself before and now he was here irritating her again.

He's underestimating me!

This awareness was enough to tick her off.

''It isn't against the rules but you're annoying me! Can't you see that I need this work done?''

"Head Girl, you're too fussy. I can't see why you are annoyed, since I am doing nothing wrong."

Jade suppressed an enraged growl with great difficulty and looked around for Madam Pince, the vulture-like librarian, she did consider it childish to be complaining like this; but at the moment she was desperate. It was quite possible also that the librarian might throw the red-head out for sitting so casually on top of one of her precious tables and Jade might not have to say anything at all.

But she was nowhere to be seen. In fact the whole room was empty except for the two of them.

"Madam Pince won't be back for some time." George said answering her unspoken question, "she ran out from here while you were diligently busy in your work," he smirked "she was covering her face with her hands and muttering something about 'being fooled' and 'accursed sweets'."

His tone was still that of innocence but his gradually growing smirk told her otherwise.

"Bastard…"

The red-head's grin only grew wider, causing Jade's thoughts to fill up with all sorts of names she wanted to call him. But after such a long, futile match she had developed a piercing headache and leaving to settle matters another day she got up and started packing her things. This was really just great, her only peaceful haven and she was being forced out of it too…damn you Weasley.

George's face now showed surprise at her abrupt departure. Just as she shouldered her bag, he slid off the table and was about to stop her when…

Jade turned around, directly facing him; with a positively terrifying glare on her face. If looks could kill, George thought, he definitely would have snuffed it ten times by now.

"Look, I'm not doing anything right now because I'm dead tired but-'' her voice was quite but deadly, " if you irritate me again I will make you suffer a lot for it."

And with that she turned on her heel and walked out of the library.

It was amazing how she left him stunned every time they met, George thought, His previously shocked expression twisted when he let out a hearty chortle. Well, the more fascinating the better.

Still smiling he strolled out of the library and made his way towards the Gryffindor dormitories, happily deciding to meet her again tomorrow. Most of his friends would mark him as crazy if they knew he was tailing a Slytherin; But none of them knew yet, and he never intended to tell them either. His twin will find out eventually, but that really wasn't much of a problem. Knowing each other so well, the twins understood one another's senseless schemes and desires more than anyone else.

And of course, he was just a little curious. Like a little boy discovering something new. It was true; he had never quite met a personality like hers. It was exceptional for a normal person but for a Slytherin; it was nothing less than phenomenal. He just wanted to know whether she is what she seems or does she have a wicked side like all her house mates? Her behavior that night had sparked many questions within him and he really was just going to leave once they were answered.

His ponderings were interrupted when he noticed a lone figure standing at the very end of the corridor, pressed against the wall and looking at the left tentatively as if trying to hide and watch something. He drew closer and recognized the person.

He leaned closer to her and whispered in her ear.

"Head Girl, I thought you were going to bed."

Jade let out a squeak and jumped so violently that if George had not pulled back in time he would have been smacked right across his face.

"What are you doing?" he asked somewhat cheekily as Jade put a hand on her hammering heart and cast him a reproachful look.

He grew confused when the girl did not answer but put a finger to her lips indicating that he should be silent. His already raised eyebrows went up a little more when he saw that instead of her usual stern appearance, the Slytherin's cheeks were colored a delicate shade of red.

This caused him to step forward and slide along the wall as she had been doing before peeking round the corner, his eyes widened slightly when he found two Hufflepuff fifth-years engaged in a heated snogging session. He knew that this was somewhere near the kitchens where also the Hufflepuff common room was located. He thought he knew the couple, the girl was perhaps Hannah Abbott, but he couldn't make out the boy.

Feeling even more muddled George looked below to see Hogwarts most intimidating Head Girl blushing more furiously than before as she studied the scene along with him.

They both pulled back and George stared at her, utterly dumbfounded.

"Why aren't you going?" he asked.

Before speaking her complexion darkened more and she was most abnormally, becoming increasingly flustered.

"w-well- they might see me." She replied shiftily looking sideways.

"Then what?"

"It would be embarrassing!" She whispered feverishly, now looking at him as if he was stupid to not understand that fact.

"Embarrassing?" he said with a disbelieving tone, "Then go and stop them."

"I can't!" Jade retorted while gesticulating frantically in an attempt to make him understand.

"Why not? You're the Head Girl! It's almost curfew, and they are snogging in a corridor. I thought Filch banned that."

"I know, but I just can't go and int-interrupt them." She murmured, ashen-faced.

George goggled at her and Jade, though still scarlet looked back at him, a bit disoriented by his emotion-less expression.

They held each other's gaze for at least one solid minute before George turned his head away and let out a snort, before bursting into wild laughter. Jade's face turned maroon as newfound rage and mortification replaced her previous feelings of meek awkwardness. Thoughts of the kissing couple vanished from her mind as she clenched her fists and grounded her teeth as George's sniggers continued.

She had just plunged her hand inside her robe pocket to retrieve her wand and jinx him, but he held up a hand and started vigorously patting her shoulder.

"Sorry, sorry. It's just-just that you really are something amazing, Lestrange." He told her breathlessly after which he straightened up and wiping the tears from his eyes, turned and moved around the corridor apparently with the intention to clear away the kissing duo so that they could all go to bed without breaking curfew again and causing more problems.

But instead George was pulled back by a surprisingly strong tug on his collar by the Head Girl and now feeling slightly exasperated, he faced her with a questioning look.

Her eyes were flashing with anger; maybe she had taken his former comment to be offensive.

"No y-you can't disturb them either." Jade's face which had gone back to normal, blushed again as she spoke.

"So you plan to sleep here?" George asked feeling solely nonplussed.

"n-no" she started coloring once more, "I just thought we could-wait."

George's shocked expression did not change and Jade went once more to the corner to spy on the Hufflepuff students. They still seemed extremely occupied. Jade pressed her face on the corner and watched them with wide eyes, turning pink yet again.

George took a calming, deep breath and spoke in the loudest voice possible.

"SO, HEAD GIRL, YOU DON'T CARE IF WE ARE CAUGHT OUT OF BOU-"

Typically, Jade reacted viciously and brought a hand back to slap on his mouth but it involuntarily became more powerful and George was sent crashing back into a nearby suit of armor.

Jade gasped as the red-head, thoroughly shaken, sat up and rubbed the back of his head which was throbbing painfully.

"That hurt, Head Girl," he whined while trying to get on his feet, "it isn't good for a maiden to be so violent."

The sympathy Jade was feeling for him disappeared instantly.

Scowling, she ignored him and turned to return to her dormitory. This had been a very loud crash, she was sure that the Hufflepuffs would have been startled enough to go back into their common rooms.

But as she took her first step a sound made her freeze in horror.

"Is anyone there?" a sickly sweet but severe voice called.

A door had opened far down the hallway, opposite where she was supposed to go and a squat, toad-like woman wearing a fluffy pink dressing gown; appeared and shuffled their way.

I had a feeling the story was getting boring.

So I hyped things up with a nice cliffhanger.

And I also think I might have to cry next time but please tell me what you think about this. REVIEW!

Thanks.