Slughorns party is full of people from outside the school. I've already made talked with a ministry worker about the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. He told me what I'd have to do to get a job there and what kind of things go on in there.
I'm wearing a turquoise party dress tonight, I think I fit the dress code, but it was hard to know what to wear. I'm here with Blaise, just because we were both already going and we thought it would be easier than finding other dates. Of course, I was going to invite Draco, but decided it was a bad idea. Then Dean, but of course there's Ginny. So Blaise it is, which is fine.
"Cormac is revolting," Hermione says to me, "You have to save me from him." She's attempting to hide from him.
"By the way, he's walking over here." I say.
"Oh, God." She says before trying to make her escape.
There are lots of small canapés at this party, but they all look a bit weird so I'm scared to eat them if I'm being honest.
Just as I'm in the middle of my canapé thoughts, commotion happens, which see's Filtch dragging Draco into the party.
Draco mutters something about Flitch being a squib and I stand there in shock along with the rest of the party. Filtch then talks to Slughorn about finding Draco lurking about.
"Okay, Okay, I was gate crashing." Draco says, he quickly glances at me before Snape goes up to him.
I'm not sure what is going on, but next thing that happens Snape is taking Draco out of the party and Slughorns making us carry on as normal.
Dean walks over to me, "Any idea-"
"Not a clue." I say.
I then see Harry walk out the door, what is going on?
"I'm going to Ana's." I say to Dean.
"What? Now? Why?" He says confused, "I thought you weren't leaving until Christmas day."
"I wasn't," I say putting my drink down on the tray Neville walks past with.
"Right, okay. You're going right this minute?"
"Yes, Dean." I walk over to Slughorn with Dean at my heels.
"Professor?" I say, he turns around, "Thank you so much for having me here, it's been lovely. But unfortunately I have to leave. I'm going away for Christmas."
"Oh, that's not a problem, Jasmine. It was lovely having you here. Have a wonderful holiday. I'll see you next term?" Slughorn says happily.
I nod, "Yes, see you then, sir."
I walk away with Dean still trailing behind me, "Do you still have to pack?" He asks.
"Yes, that's why I'm going now, so I'll have time."
"Okay, well have a good time then. I'll see you soon." He says.
"Thank you, see you soon."
He hugs me, being cautious of my still bruised hip. Then I leave without saying anything to anybody else.
As I walk down the corridor, I see Harry leaning against the wall.
"Harry?" I say.
He nods, "He's one of them, for sure." He says, "I heard him talking to Snape, he has a mission, a mission that Voldemort has given him." He looks at me, "Where are you going?"
"Ana's."
"Oh, okay. If you see him on the way, watch out." He says, "Have a good time." He walks past me and back into the party room.
He's one of them. He's one of them. The words run through my mind on the way back to the common room, as I pack and as I prepare to leave. She doesn't live too far away from Hogwarts so I'm flying there.
The common room is empty as I start to walk through it.
"Where are you going?" His voice speaks.
"To my sisters."
"I thought you weren't going for a while yet?"
"I changed my mind, I'm going now."
"Without telling me?" He says, stepping out of the shadows.
"I don't have to tell you everything, Draco. You don't."
He looks straight at me, "What?"
"You don't tell me everything, I know you don't."
He stands there and looks at me.
"When were you planning on telling me?" I ask.
"I don't know what-"
I cut him off, "Yes you do know what! Draco!"
He stands there silent.
"You do know, and it seems you weren't going to tell me. You know I've noticed you use the words 'trust me' quite a bit, and I tried to trust you, but apparently you have no trust in me, so how could I in you?"
"Jasmine." He says.
"I'm going to Anastasia's." I say, "Have a good holiday." I walk away not listening to what he has to say back, sure he didn't confirm that he is a death eater but he didn't need to, the silence was a big enough give away, although, I'm sure I've known for a while now.
Once outside, I get on my broom and start my journey.
The sky is black, but I can see thanks to the moon and stars lighting up the sky. The sea is glistening beneath me, with gentle waves crashing into one another. The air up here is crisp and fresh, and luckily not too cold to be out in. It's late, 11pm. I don't know why I decided to leave at the time I did. My sister's probably now even awake anymore.
I can see their house, about 100 meters in front of me, this is it, I'm finally here.
I land the broom and walk up the front door, there's a single light on downstairs which gives me hope that that they are still awake. I knock on the door.
I stand for moment, there's no movement inside for a minute, but then I see a shadow on the other side of the door. It opens revealing a lady with ginger hair, minimal makeup and no piercings what so ever, but it's her.
"Hi." I say.
She opens the door wider, "Jasmine? Oh my god, Jas." She pulls me in for a hug and I wrap my arms around her. Geoff appears beside us.
"Hello, Jasmine." He says.
Me and Ana let go, "Hi, Geoff. Long time no see." I say.
I look at Anastasia, "Hi, Ana."
She smiles at me, but doesn't say anything.
"Oh, sorry I'm early, but also really late, you know what I mean."
"It's fine." Ana says, still smiling. "Come in then." She takes my wrist and pulls me into the house.
It's amazing in her, its looks small from the outside but it's actually huge. She takes me into the living room, the whole wall on the far side is made of glass, the furniture is a cream colour with wood textures everywhere, and it's all very rustic.
"Geoff, can get us some drinks please?" Ana asks.
He nods and disappears into the kitchen.
"Jasmine, look at you. You're so grown up. For some reason I thought you'd look exactly the same as the day I left, clearly I was wrong."
"What about you? You don't look remotely the same; for one thing your hair is ginger, what's that all about?" I ask laughing lightly.
"I wanted a change. Black was very, dark." She laughs as well.
This is amazing, I'm so happy to finally be with her again.
Geoff comes in with three glasses of something, "Homemade apple juice." He says.
"Geoff likes to home make things, but this is actually really good." Ana says, referring to the drink.
I take a sip, it's great.
We sit there for a moment until I hear crying, "I'll go." Geoff says.
Ana looks at me, "Yeah, I forgot to tell that. You have a niece, Avery."
Geoff comes walking out with the baby in his arms, "Would you like to hold her?" He asks me.
"Yes." I say putting my drink down on the wooden table in front of me.
Geoff walks over to me, and puts Avery in my arms, she's so beautiful.
"She's 5 months old." Ana says to me, as I look down at this adorable creature.
"I was going to tell you when we started writing again, but when you said you'd come for Christmas, I thought I'd keep her as a surprise."
"Oh my god, Ana. She's so gorgeous. I think this is going to be the best Christmas ever." I say, smiling up at Ana, and then looking down at Avery again.
Ana and I chat for a while until about 3am; Geoff went to bed a couple of hours ago.
"This is your room." Ana says walking me in.
The bedroom fits with the theme of the living room. It's the same colour scheme and there's an entire window wall. There's also a plain brick wall with a small fire place inside it.
"Is this okay?" Ana asks me.
"Okay? Ana this is amazing." I say walking around the room.
She smiles, "Thank you for coming." She says.
"Thank you for having me."
She laughs a little, "Have a good sleep, Geoff makes breakfast."
"I'll be ready." I say as she leaves the room.
I take a seat on the end of the bed and look out of the window. As lovely as this as all is, I kind of miss Draco, more than I care to admit. But I know I can't let the thought of him spoil my trip. So instead I get ready for bed, curl up and sleep.