Finally…..I did it!
A tremendous roar resonated across the Quidditch pitch as a bespectacled black-haired boy crashed on the ground. Gryffindor seemed to have won, but the reason for their victory had been pummeled with a bludger seconds later. It was really the skill of their seeker that he still didn't let go of the snitch. But that was last thing Jade Lestrange cared about as she studied the commotion with a reproving expression.
She knew that hadn't been an accident. Crabbe had pulled that low move as a last act of desperation. Slytherins really didn't stop at anything to achieve success, even if they might kill someone in the attempt. It was good that they were taking the game and the pride of their house seriously, but they should have proved it by practicing as hard as the opponents did!
I can't even feel properly sore for losing the match. She thought scathingly.
Jade clenched her fists; her brows furrowed and anger boiling inside her. She would want very much to walk down to Crabbe and tell him a thing or two and set out a fitting punishment, but Madam Hooch had already cornered him and was now lecturing him while the Gryffindor team celebrated in the background.
The Head Girl's eyes moved towards the red and gold tangle of brooms, unconsciously searching for a mop of red hair. She saw him shaking hands with Harry Potter, his face wearing a radiant grin. Jade stared at him for a few moments before realizing that she had been unintentionally smiling and her face heated up. Averting her eyes and looking hiding her face she contemplated agitatedly on such foolhardiness and felt mortified.
What was she doing! They had just lost to them and she; a Slytherin was staring at one of their members like an idiot!
You shouldn't be doing that anyway. A rebuking voice inside her head added.
She mentally agreed with it and shaking her head looked up again, her face composed once more but it changed rapidly when she witnessed the appalling scene before her.
"Madam Hooch!" she cried almost instinctively as she couldn't think of another way to stop them.
The white-haired witch turned around at her call, her eyes widening as she too was met by the sight of Draco Malfoy being assaulted by two Gryffindors. Jade watched as Madam Hooch took out her wand and cursed both of them away from a whimpering and injured Draco Malfoy.
Miscellaneous questions raged inside the Head Girl's head as she saw both the culprits, who were a minute ago grinning and celebrating were now getting up from the ground; panting and with faces red in fury. She couldn't understand what had happened as she watched Madam Hooch round on them and Professor McGonagall intervening; her gait harried and appearance enraged; taking her students back inside the castle. She saw the crowd thickening around her as more and more people heard about the quarrel and came to see for themselves. Jade was pushed back automatically but she made no effort to resist for her eyes were fixed at the returning three figures walking towards the castle's entrance, feeling totally at a loss of what to think, before her line of sight was obstructed by a white-blond, standing up and being supported by Pansy Parkinson and Professor Snape, and everything fell into place.
She didn't know what made her come to such a conclusion, but it was so fitting that even when she tried to ignore it she couldn't contemplate on the matter without it rising up again. How despicable it must be, to trust a traditional enemy over her own blood. The Gryffindors were in fact provoked to act in such a way. Draco couldn't bear the defeat; when he had worked so hard (however in the wrong places) to assure Slytherin won today's match. But underhanded tricks never got anyone, anywhere.
So as a last resort, he thought that since he had already tasted defeat; he was going to make them feel some of his resentment.
And Jade was sure her cousin would succeed and in front of that his broken nose will seem mild.
She grimaced as Draco, Pansy and Professor Snape ambled to the Hogwarts Castle followed gradually by all the match spectators. Gryffindors were still in high spirits and left chatting amiably; occasionally abusing Draco Malfoy or making fun of his pathetic beating. None of them realized the implications of this, because Jade was perhaps the only one who noticed a stout toad-like witch tail Professor McGonagall and her party shortly afterwards they had gone inside.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?"
The Head Girl burst with a deathly aura covering about a ten mile radius around her. The people who were unfortunate enough to be caught inside it, especially the one closest to her were reduced to a pitiable state.
"Soo-ssorry Miss Lestrange….." Tamaki Suoh, the most unfortunate of the victims, stuttered, "B-but it was all for Haruhi you see! She was going to leave us!" he added in the effect by motioning towards the said girl in a dramatic manner.
Haruhi stiffened at the mention of her name and at the resulting glare towards her direction from the enraged Head Girl. For before she had been lying on the ground holding her stomach and rolling around, giggling uncontrollably. The reason for her merriment and for Jade's incredulity was none other than the five men in the room, who were quite regally, wearing gowns and heavy makeup on them in the utmost attempt to appear as women.
"This is probably the most ridiculous stunt you guys have ever pulled off!" Jade exclaimed. "Though I have always thought that even the existence of such a club was entirely ridiculous…. at least live up to the honor of being allowed to be formed by the Headmaster!"
Jade took a deep breath to calm herself, she wanted very much to tie them in ropes and experiment her newly gained physical strength(courtesy of Auror training with Mr. Levi ) ; because detention did not seem a punishment bad enough.
Regaining some of her composure she diverted her attention to the three lady guests, who guessing from their uniform were from Beauxbatons Academy and had visited Hogwarts last year too. They stood at the entrance of the Room of Requirement, where the Host Club presently held its meetings; looking equally astonished and disgusted by the scene as the Head Girl was. She did not the whole story behind their arrival, but the Headmaster had obliged them to come any time they wanted so Jade did not complain against them. But according to a sobbing and spluttering Tamaki, head of the Host Club they had come here to propose to Haruhi Fujioka (another member of the club) to come and attend Beauxbatons instead of Hogwarts. This information was believable, as Haruhi was an intelligent and hard-working student; but it ticked Jade off for a moment. These women really were quite bold on taking the liberty of inviting her themselves and implying; that their school was much better than here.
Yes, it was quite aggravating.
"Students of Beauxbatons Academy, you are our respectable guests here at Hogwarts and seeing you three ladies I fathom that you are quite mature and bright witches and will understand in me advising that it would be prudent that you would make no more pointless offers to Haruhi Fujioka or," she paused to give effect and then continued, " any other student while your stay here, for the contentedness of everyone." She smiled and gave a subtle inclination of the head towards the five men/women behind her.
The Head Girl's tone had been casual or somewhat cold but it gave the message it ought to. The three Beauxbaton girls looked surprised, then cross before finally exiting with a haughty air.
I really wonder if they'll go and complain against me.
Shushing that depressing thought for another time; she again turned to the cowering Host Club, ready to give them a piece of her infuriated mind.
"Thanks, Head Girl. I had already refused them but your threat might keep them away for good." Haruhi was the first one recovered enough to speak and seemed as she was relieved by how matters had ended.
The self-esteemed Head of the Host Club too regained his spirits after this and jumping towards her, grabbed the Head Girl's hands and bent down on one knee and giving her a charming smile expressed his gratitude, "Thank You, Miss Jade for we were in a great deal of turmoil and we were saved by your generous intervention, I will repay you I hope by an evening at the club with me-"
Tamaki was sent flying away by a powerful punch in his face as Jade couldn't have held back much more longer.
"You colossal idiot! This wouldn't have happened if you had managed to act in a more sensible way. I mean seriously, dressing up like maidens? ARE YOU RETARTED?"
"Mom! She is getting violent!" the wounded Tamaki cried.
"It would be better that you solved your outside problems yourself, Dad." Kyoya Otori, the Host Club's 'mom' replied to the Head and self-acclaimed 'Dad' of the club.
"Waah….Kyoya!" Tamaki cried as the Head Girl, blazing with fury; approached him.
He was very conveniently ignored by all the members.
"I wonder why the Head Girl only corners the King." Kaouru Hitachin spoke up.
"Maybe because the King is so gullible that it is the most easy to bully him." his twin, Hikaru Hitachin suggested and they both grinned.
"You know, I don't think that's right. Miss Lestrange gives him all the blame because he is the Head. No matter what happens, in winning or losing, the leader must face it all." The short, and deceivingly adorable and child-like Haninozuka Mitskuni corrected them and standing beside him, tall and silent; his fellow seventh-year Morinuzuka Takashi nodded in agreement.
Haruhi could nothing but sigh disdainfully at the present scene. Even seeing the boys dressed so absurdly wasn't so amusing now. A distraction however, presented itself almost instantly. Jade who had been on the point of taking out her wand and hang Tamaki upside down in his dress diverted her attention towards the entrance door of the Room where a single, figure was standing or rather trying to remain upright while laughing raucously.
He wondered why he always met her at times like these.
When he had first entered the corridor, he had just intended to take a secret passageway which had a straight and unmoving staircase leading to the roof of the tower. He needed some fresh air, after witnessing the worst tryouts in the history of Gryffindor Quidditch. The captain, Angelina was close to tears by the end of it, so Fred had stayed behind in the changing rooms with her with an intention to cheer her up.
If things had been more joyful, George would have been able to scorn or tease his brother for it. But being banned from Quidditch, having his broom snatched away, seeing his house team in no condition of surviving another match; much less winning the cup and wholly disappointing his friends; were situations in which even he found it hard to smile.
So he never anticipated to have a real laugh before the end the term but now, his feelings, though still damp were lighter than before as he; after convincing the Head Girl that she needed to cool off, walked with her to the airy rooftop.
He was still grinning as he studied Jade, who had stopped grumbling but still held an expression of irritability.
He found himself incapable of holding on any longer and let out a snort and earned an instant glower.
"Stop laughing!" she scolded.
"But Head Girl, you can't think it wasn't funny." He replied, still trying to hold back the chortles that threatened to burst whenever he remembered the scene back in the Room of Requirement.
"It wasn't!" she pressed fiercely.
"Come on. I know you want to laugh, Lestrange." He drew closer to her, voice low.
His nearness caused Jade to fumble a little and awkwardly trying to put some distance between them she let out the giggle she had been holding on to all this time. This small breach in her defenses did not stop to widen and soon she was giggling as much as her companion.
"Well, they did look- heh-look a bit silly." She shyly confessed.
They reached their destination at last and the fresh blast of wind blew at their faces as they emerged on the large, circular but bare terrace. It made Jade unconsciously grin, she had always loved a cool breeze, as it made her feel light as a feather; like all her problems have been solved. Though the thought of ever coming to the top of any of the towers never came to her, because her coming there all the way from the Dungeons where she had her common room, without any serious objective, was tiring and profitless. And perhaps because she had always been afraid of wandering and getting lost; then embarrassing herself by not showing up for her duties or classes in time and there wasn't anyone she could rely on to know the way, either.
She dwelled for a moment on how he had managed to bring her here, and blushed slightly. Hoping he hadn't seen that, she tried to divert her mind elsewhere and found a place in what he was saying.
"I bet Umbridge would have liked to see that, don't you think?" he joked.
"I think she would have freaked out more than me."
"Yeah. Probably would have disbanded the entire club, I don't really get how they got permission to form it by her in the first place." He considered thoughtfully.
"Kyoya Otori." She replied with a significant tone of her voice.
He turned to her, expectant for more.
"He is the son of the owner of the largest chain of apothecaries in the country. He is said to have invested a fair share in the renovating of St. Mungo's too, after talks with the Minister of course; so naturally it gave him a bit of favor. The Ministry won't want to cross him-"
"-So Umbridge easily granted his son's wishes, no matter how ludicrous they are." He finished for her.
Jade nodded, feeling that at that moment both of them shared a mutual dislike towards the Ministry and its appointee at Hogwarts.
The mention of the High Inquisitor on the other hand brought something on his mind that he had been dwelling on since their last meeting at Hogsmeade.
"So Head Girl, what do you think about the High Inquisitor?" he started, trying to sound casual but his heart was gradually trying to hammer against his ribcage.
She looked surprised at the sudden question and answered rather cautiously.
"Well. She is quite a dictator and perhaps a bit condescending. But I don't think we should expect any less when the ministry is trying so hard to interfere-to make Hogwarts as they want it."
Jade was a little apprehensive by the end of her speech, she had really meant what she said; but having not once spoken her mind to anyone before, she was anxious whether to trust him with it. Yet she knew that had she not trusted him; she would never have gotten as far as saying something.
This sudden informality was starting to frighten her.
"And what about the new rules, you agree with them?"
"They are a bit much. Banning all the clubs and teams was harsh and it seemed too abrupt; I think she is misusing the power the Minister has given her."
She was nearing the point, George sensed and tensed accordingly. It was possible that she had forgotten that little conversation they had back at Hogshead and therefore did not make any report and reminding her now might have the extreme damaging effect which had yet been avoided by luck.
But he couldn't help himself, as he couldn't back then of confiding in her, because despite everything he wanted to trust her. He hated the hesitation that always came in between them, even if only a week or two old; their friendship would not survive if they kept secrets.
Before his mouth could form words however,
"You're going to ask about the Defense Group aren't you?"
George immediately became rigid and it was enough for an affirmative.
"I haven't told anyone; as you said so. And if I take it, you guys are still going on with it? Without the High Inquisitor's permission?"
He could only nod.
Jade sighed and mumbled something like 'Gryffindors' under her breath.
"Its fine. As the Head Girl I should report to her…but seen logically I was appointed by the Headmaster and he hasn't said anything about this matter. And," she paused and then said in an important tone, "a dignified person never betrays a friends' trust."
Plus, I owe you too much.
George had been swayed to smile again well before she stopped talking.
In his happiness he forgot to check what he proposed next.
"So Head Girl," he began as they both made their way back downstairs. "We did run into each other in Hogsmeade before; how about we do it again and hang out?"
"No. I have too much work to do. I am not going at all."
Such a blatant refusal.
But George Weasley being the immensely self-confident individual he was, was not thrown off track that easily. He would have been if she had readily accepted, for that could never have been the answer of Jade Lestrange.
"But Lestrange, are you sure about that? I quite distinctly remember you saying that you owed me…"
Jade stopped in her tracks, utterly traumatized.
"You!" she turned on his smirking self. "You are going to try and blackmail me!"
"Name it however you wish, I call it sensible reasoning." He said in a carefree manner which was sure to make Jade more furious.
The Head Girl's overflowing anger seemed to have rendered her incapable of talking, though George was sure she had a lot to say.
"I'll take that as a yes, love." He teased before leaving her red-faced and shaking form behind.
Gryffindors…!
Somebody was violently knocking on the door and shouting; yes he could hear shouts; but what were they saying? Was that his name?
George suddenly opened his eyes and in the mild light saw another person, his twin, stumble from his bed and open the door. Bright light flashed in George's sleepy eyes and he cringed ; closed his eyes instinctively before slowly opening them again.
He recognized McGonagall, in her putrid green dressing gown. It was the harassed expression on her pearly white face that maneuvered him into action when he realized something was awfully wrong.
I assume it's quite obvious what the last part leads to. If it's not, tell me.
And the Host Club? Courtesy of anime Ouran High School Host Club.
Everyone, please tell me if putting in unrelated characters is annoying, I will stop it.
RxR!