Professor Snape seemed especially critical in Potions the next day about any little thing he could fuss about. Jade wasn't sure why he was more cranky than usual, but the only thing that was different was that it had started to snow outside, earlier than when it had snowed last year. He even snapped at Laverna about her bubbliness, who was across the room working with Angelina. He then took Gryffindor House points away when Alicia stood up for Laverna, before continuing to make his way across the room and stopping at Cedric's table.

"He's coming over, and we haven't finished yet." Cait muttered nervously, her pale green eyes growing concerned. She started to stir the cauldron a little faster.

Jade peered over to look at the cauldron. She took a step closer and laid a hand over Cait's frantic one. Cait stopped stirring, as if her touch had stilled her.

Jade replied in a reassuring voice. "Don't worry. It's almost done. You just have to let it settle again." Cait pursed her lips into a small smile and turned to meet Jade's gaze. She opened her mouth to say something. Jade's heart began to race faster, and before she could stop herself she blurted out. "See? It's the right color now."

Cait snapped her head back at the cauldron before letting out a large sigh of relief, just as Snape came to their table. His gaze then landed on Jade's comforting hand. Cait seemed to notice where he was staring. She blinked a few times when she looked back at Snape and saw him knit his eyebrows together. Cait then decided to pull the stirring spoon out of the Potion, withdrawing her hand from Jade's grasp in the process as she gave a nervous laugh. Jade cleared her throat before awkwardly bringing her hand back at her side.

Snape merely peered his head over to look at their cauldron. He pressed his lips into a thin line. "Mhm," he merely said, before walking away.

Jade patted Cait's shoulder. "Looks like we did it."

Cait nodded, giving a bright smile. "Oh yeah! Great job!"

Jade gave a small laugh. "You too."

They happened to be the last to leave the Snape's classroom. Jade had dropped her quill somewhere, and Cait had stayed behind to wait for Jade. When they left the room, the hallways were a little empty. Jade's heart unconsciously started to race again when she saw the snow outside.

"Cait, I want to ask you something." The words tumbled out of Jade's lips before she could really think. Her heartbeat increased, and Jade wanted to smack her chest to slow her heart rate back down.

Cait stopped walking, turning to face her. "Oh, what is it?" She asked, her voice rising a little higher.

They gazed at each other for a few moments. Jade opened her mouth, but exhaled a deep breath that she was holding in.

Can't back out now. Jade straightened herself. "Do you want to be my date to the Yule Ball?" Her mouth twitched slightly when she heard herself. 'Be my date'? That sounds so lame, Jade. I should have said accompanied. Ugh, my stupid mouth.

Cait's facial expressions slowly morphed into shock, her mouth opening and her eyes widening until she looked like a cute gaping fish. She didn't say anything at first. She didn't even blink. Jade bit her lip at Cait's silence. The seconds ticked by and Cait still wasn't saying anything.

"Sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I understand if you say no. Even if you said yes being seen together in front of the whole school might be daunting." Jade added, not really sure what to say. Though when the words came out, she resisted the urge to clasp her aching chest for admitting that possibility.

Cait shook her head, as if she was shaking herself awake. "No, no!" She then shook her head again, but this time at what she said. "I mean yes!" She then twiddled her thumbs before calming herself. "I mean, no, you didn't make me feel uncomfortable, and yes, I want to be your date." She emitted a nervous laugh, darting her gaze towards the ground. "I'm sorry, I just... I feel so happy." Despite what she said, Cait looked like she wanted to cry.

Jade exhaled a breath. She thought her heart would jump out of her chest. She... she said yes. I heard her correctly, right? I... I have a date to the Yule Ball, with Cait. She actually said yes. The thought of other people possibly judging her didn't stop her.

Cait then said, "I wasn't sure whether to tell you or not, but I'm just going to say it since I'm so shocked." She closed her eyes for a moment and sucked in a deep breath, and then she let the words come out. "I've actually had a crush on you for a while, but I wasn't sure how you felt about me, so I never said anything before. And then you asked me to the Yule Ball and my heart is racing so fast because I never would have thought my dream would come true, but it is and I just... I'm so happy." She then gave one last exhale to signify that she was done. "Sorry, Jade. I probably sound so stupid right now."

Jade widened her eyes at Cait's confession. She hadn't been expecting this, yet alone for Cait to accompany her to the Yule Ball. She noticed Cait's cheeks were red like tomatoes and cracked a small smile. "No, you sound very cute. I... I feel the same way." Her eyes hardened from their previous vulnerability. "I do," she said with firmness this time. "I wouldn't have asked you to the Yule Ball if I didn't have feelings for you."

She saw something shimmering in Cait's eyes. Tears of happiness. Cait hurriedly wiped them away. "It's really a dream come true... I'm... I'm so happy to hear that you have feelings for me too." She then put on a bright smile. "Yes! I'll be your date to the Yule Ball." She repeated herself.

Jade could feel her chest fluttering, but she tried to ignore it as they proceeded to walk down the hallway again. "I'm glad to hear it. Thanks, Cait."

Cait twiddled her fingers around her ponytail before adding. "Oh, you should probably know since we're going to the ball together... I'm not the greatest dancer, so I'm sorry if I step on your feet a lot."

"I'm probably worse than you. It's fine." Jade laughed. They eventually reached a part of the castle where they had to part ways. "I'll see you later, then?"

"Uh huh!" Cait squeaked. "B-Bye!"

"Bye," she replied softly, giving Cait a wave. She watched Cait strut down the hall, nearly tripping over herself again. She then turned to head down the opposite way, clenching her fluttering chest as she could feel her own face turn red from Cait's confession.

--

The rest of the week flew by extremely fast. Jade went with Adonis, Adrian, and Cassius to Hogsmeade the next weekend. Christmas was rolling around, and she felt like she should get some presents for her friends. They all agreed to meet at the Three Broomsticks after they all finished their shopping, as they wanted to buy stuff for their family.

Right... family. Jade gave a sigh as she made her way throughout Hogsmeade. With everything that was going on, she hadn't actually written her parents back ever since they sent that Howler. She didn't know how to respond to her mother yelling at her, and she needed to focus on the tournament and her classes after that. I'll write them something the day after Christmas. They're probably too busy working extra hours to worry about me.

It was a good thing she saved up on her birthday money over the years. She never really had a reason to spend a lot of money during her time at Hogwarts. Her parents paid for her textbooks and clothes, and whatever else she spent was mainly from her birthday money.

She found a quill that was on sale at Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop that was advertised to be a quill that can also turn into any art tool. Jade immediately knew that quill was meant for Cait. She could feel her cheeks turning red, but whether it be from the chilly winter air or from thinking of Cait, or both, she wasn't exactly sure. For Preethi, Jade found a book of adventure short stories at Tomes and Scrolls.

Time to get something for Laverna, and then I'm all done. Jade thought. Adonis was an  exception in that they both mutually agreed in their first year that they would never get each other presents. They all had the same deal with Adrian and Cassius. It was like a Slytherin agreement that any gifts would just to be to hang out with each other.

Jade finally found Gladrags Wizardwear. She blinked from all the floating sale signs. She gently pushed past a few elderly women near the front to head towards the Winter Wear section. She then felt a tap on her shoulder, and she turned around to see Adonis cheekily grinning at her.

"What's up?" Jade asked.

"I decided to get something for Laverna, since she-"

"Likes clothes." Jade finished, a smirk forming on her face when she realized Adonis had been thinking the same thing. "What are you thinking of getting?"

They continued to walk towards the Winter Wear section when Adonis responded. "Not sure yet, but I'm thinking of getting her a nice winter-" He cut his words off, but this time no one interrupted him. They finally reached the section full of winter clothes, and standing in front of them were two familiar people with red hair.

The Weasley twins. One of them held up a winter scarf for the other to see.

"Scarf." Adonis finished his thought when his eyes also landed on the scarf one of the twins was holding.

Fred and George didn't notice them yet. "Oi, Fred! You think Laverna will like this one?" The one with the scarf, George, asked.

Jade went up to the table of scarves to look at the other options, causing Fred and George to see them. Despite seeing Jade first, their attention was now on Adonis.

"Look, George! Carrow's here." Fred commented in a cheery tone, though Jade also detected sarcasm.

"Oh joy! I've been missing Quidditch. You know, knocking people off broomsticks and all." George replied in the same tone as Fred. Jade noticed George clutched the scarf tighter, as though Adonis would rip it out of his hands and use it to smack him.

Adonis's grin from before had completely vanished. His eyes grew more serious as he defensively tilted his chin slightly upward. "Shame they got cancelled," was all he said.

"Definitely a shame." George replied. "Since Quidditch is cancelled it made me especially excited to go to the Yule Ball with a certain someone."

Jade snapped her gaze towards Adonis, who didn't say anything back. His eyes merely narrowed in mutual understanding between him and George.

Her thoughts were confirmed when Fred added on to George's comment. "We were both surprised after George asked Laverna when she told us she was already going with you to the Yule Ball."

Jade resisted the urge to crack a smile. Adonis asked Laverna and she said yes. The air felt heavy. Jade wanted to just get something for Laverna and leave, but she wanted to see how this exchange would unfold and if she would have to drag Adonis outside if they ended up fighting in a clothing store, out of all places. She could practically see invisible lightning sparks emitting between Adonis and the Weasley twins. Fred and George were still smiling, but their eyes didn't seem quite as friendly.

"You should have asked her earlier if you wanted to go with her so bad, Weasley." Adonis replied tightly. He came to stand near Jade and took a peek at the scarves, but his gaze flitted back towards the winter scarf in George's hands. Jade had to admit it was the best looking one from the bunch, and they all knew it.

George looked like Adonis hit a nerve, but he held onto the scarf tighter, wrapping it around his forearm. "Tell me, Carrow. How did you and Laverna become so close this year? If I find any proof you somehow hexed her into hanging out with you, Fred and I will-"

"I don't see how that's your business." Adonis cut George off, glaring back at him. He then saw a red and white scarf hidden underneath a brown one. He went to grab it, but Fred beat him to it when he saw it too.

"Oi, George! I think I'll get Laverna this one!" Fred gave a laugh, as though Adonis and Jade never appeared.

Jade glanced at Adonis, who looked like he wanted to take one of the ugly scarves on the table and strangle Fred with it. Jade rolled her eyes and saw a pair of gloves hanging on a nearby shelf. From where Jade was standing, it had red and green patterns with rows of snowflakes of the opposite color on them.

"Adonis, scarves are getting a little out of fashion." Jade called over. She picked up the pair of gloves and shoved them at Adonis's chest. "Laverna will like gloves better." Adonis looked like he wanted to protest, but then he saw the gloves and his face morphed into satisfaction that Laverna will probably like them too.

She looked through the shelf of hats below and saw a cute white fur one with a fuzzy pom pom on top. That will look great with Laverna's hair. "You all set now?" she asked Adonis, completely ignoring Fred and George like they were ignoring them now. Adonis just gave her a nod.

One of the twins gave a whistle. She turned to see Fred and George grinning at her. Their eyes seemed more amused this time versus hostile. "Joyless Jade coming out with the sass. Laverna spoke highly of you. Gotta say that thing with the dragon was super cool; have to admit."

"Thank you. Laverna never said much about you two, unfortunately." She smirked back at them, twirling the hat around her hand. "Let's go, Adonis. Adrian and Cassius are probably waiting for us."

"W-What-" Adonis started, but Jade was already dragging him towards the cashier.

A/N -- Omg sorry if Fred and George are OOC! They are the hardest of J.K. Rowling's characters to do justice in my opinion haha :'D XD Hope you liked the chapter and please feel free to vote/comment if you want XD