A/N - Wanted to do a faster update because I was very slow for the last update.  Things might be a little dramatic this chapter so I hope I wrote it well :'D Hope you like! :)

Jade was a bit surprised at how the rest of January rolled by pretty quickly. Some of the snow was starting to melt outside, but the weather was still cold, dry, and wet. No one really wanted to go outside in this damp weather. Luckily, the first Apparition lesson was indoors in the Great Hall.

The Great Hall was a bit crowded by the time she got there, or rather, people were just standing in one big blob in front of the entrance. She silently cursed, gently shoving people out of her way so she could get through. She could make out the back of Adonis's hair over the heads of the shorter people.

"You made it." Adonis remarked.

"Apparition lessons on a Saturday morning, just what I want to wake up to." Jade replied in a rather dry tone.

Adonis seemed like he was about to reply, but then someone stumbled into him from behind. He lurched forward slightly but managed to remain on his two feet. He whirled around, eyes hardening in annoyance. He opened his mouth, probably to yell at whoever had ran into him, but instantly shut it when he saw who it was.

"I-I'm sorry. I was trying to find someone I know, and then I got pushed... into you." Cait leaned forward, her hands on her knees, to steady herself.

Adonis didn't reply, but rather blinked in a perplexed manner before straightening himself. He shoved his hands into his pockets and proceeded to look around the room.

Cait brushed herself off before asking him. "You're okay, right?" She seemed a bit concerned.

"It was a bump, not a Killing Curse. I'm as fine as I can be." Adonis responded, tilting his head downward slightly to glance at her.

Jade couldn't see the look on Cait's face, but Cait merely nodded. Jade gave Adonis a look. She knew it had been sarcasm, but it just seemed really petty in the moment.

"Are you okay?" Jade asked Cait, turning to glare at the various people behind Cait who could have pushed her.

"Oh!" Cait nearly jumped around to face her. "Yeah, I'm perfectly okay. I mean, now that I've found you." She came to stand by Jade. "I've never Apparated before, so I'm a little nervous."

A flutter rested in Jade's chest. "It'll be okay."

She then heard a clap from the front of the hall. Everyone quieted to see Professor McGonagall, Snape, Flitwick, and Sprout, the Heads of the Houses, at the front. Along with them was a man with wispy gray hair. He waved his wand, and the tables in the middle magically pushed themselves to the side.

"Good morning." The wizard started. "I am your Ministry-Apparition Instructor, Mr. Wilkie Twycross. I hope to prepare you for the Apparition test within this twelve-week course." He gestured to the windows, rain drops sliding down the glass panes. "Headmaster Dumbledore has lifted the enchantment preventing Apparition for our class. However, you will not be able to Apparate outside the Great Hall, and I strongly advise against trying." He then cleared his throat. "Please allow yourselves at least five feet of space in front of you. Let's begin."

The big blob that they were all in started to disperse. Jade merely stood her ground, as now there wasn't really anyone directly in front of her anyway. Adonis shifted a few paces to the left to give them both more space, and Cait did the same on her right. The Heads of the Houses were going around the Hall, making sure that everyone had enough space.

"Very good." Mr. Twycross flicked his wand, and suddenly golden circular hoops appeared in front of everyone. "The three most important things to remember when Apparating are the three D's. Repeat after me. Destination, Determination, and Deliberation."

Jade repeated the three words under her breath along with everyone else. He made everyone repeat them again before continuing.

He held up one finger. "Step one: fix your mind on your desired destination, the interior of the hoop. Concentrate on that destination and only that." He then held up two fingers. "Step two: focus your determination to occupy that space. Let your determination flow through your body." He then inhaled as he raised three fingers. "And the last step. On my command, turn on the spot and feel yourself turn to nothingness, moving with deliberation."

Jade closed her eyes, imagining the hoop in front of her.

"One."

Hoop. Hoop. Hoop.

"Two."

I will appear in that hoop or so help me...

"Three."

Jade turned, and she felt the whole world crash upon her shoulders. Her chest suddenly felt extremely heavy, like someone was suffocating her from the inside. When she opened her eyes, though, she gasped when she realized she was in the hoop.

She turned to look around her. She saw the Weasley twins lose their balance for a moment, but then whooped their chests together at their combined efforts. Preethi, Laverna, and Cedric on the other side of the Hall were standing in their hoops too, looking pleasantly surprised. Cait was still in her original spot, staring immensely at the hoop. Adonis had succeeded, but he was hunched over with his head down, clutching his left arm.

Jade widened her eyes when she realized he was in pain. "We need some help over here, Professor!" She raised her voice, flailing an arm in the air.

Professor Snape and McGonagall rushed over a few moments later. Snape snatched his wrist and hoisted him up, revealing a bloody gash on Adonis's left forearm.

"He splinched himself." Snape bluntly commented.

Jade looked at where McGonagall was looking to see that where Adonis had originally been standing was a piece of flesh just resting on the ground. His face was twisted in pain, but he refused to cry out.

McGonagall gently turned Adonis around and took out her wand. There was then a bang and a puff of purple smoke. When it cleared away, Adonis's arm was back to normal.

At least I didn't splinch my- Jade mentally slapped her brain when she looked at where she had been originally standing to see a chunk of her hair. At least I didn't lose any flesh. She rephrased herself.

Mr. Twycross explained how splinching could occur if people weren't determined enough, and encouraged others to try again.

After a few more tries, Cait succeeded. She squealed with happiness and turned to Jade, pointing at herself and then the circle repeatedly, her hazel eyes twinkling. Jade couldn't help but chuckle, her chest that had once felt overwhelming immediately being filled with Cait's warmth.

When Cait turned back around again, Jade glanced at Adonis once more. He was constantly looking at the hoop and then at his arm before he rubbed it constantly. He still seemed a bit shaken up about what had happened.

"Are you okay?" Jade asked him.

Adonis just nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."

His voice was steady, but Jade couldn't help but narrow her eyes slightly in concern. Mr. Twycross shortly ended class, and Adonis told her he would catch up with her later before heading out. Jade stared after him as he left, still running his hand over his left forearm.

Jade pursed her lips. She knew everything was okay, but there was a part of her that told her it wasn't. Maybe if it had been any other body part that got wounded, or maybe if it had been any other person with a less ominous family background, she wouldn't be feeling a little worried.

But it had been Adonis, and it had been the left forearm. Out of all body parts. His left forearm.

Jade closed her eyes, exhaling a deep breath. His skin is clean. She thought to herself.

But for how long? An annoying voice whispered in her head.

A voice she pushed to the back of her mind, because she didn't want to acknowledge that it could possibly happen.

--

Jade spent most of the afternoon with Cait, Preethi, and Laverna, as they had planned another study session together.

"So the Second Task is next week." Laverna piped up. "Have you figured out what you plan to do yet?"

Jade glanced up from her parchment. "I have an idea. I plan to practice it tonight."

"What did the clue say again?" She asked back.

Jade pulled out a small slip of parchment from her bag. She had written down the clue when she had returned so she wouldn't have to open the egg again.

"Come seek us where our voices sound. We cannot sing above the ground, and while you're searching, ponder this: we've taken what you'll sorely miss, an hour long you'll have to look and to recover what we took, but past an hour -- the prospect's black. Too late, it's gone. It won't come back." Jade read aloud.

When she looked up, she saw Preethi glancing at Cait before darting her eyes back to the textbook.

"What do you think they will take?" Cait asked. "If it's something really small that will be hard to find in the water."

Jade agreed. However, there wasn't really any... thing that she could think of that she would miss. She glanced at Preethi, and then at Cait, seeming to get an idea. Maybe the clue is not limited to objects.

"Either way, you'll have to find a way to breathe underwater. Good luck!" Laverna smiled before flipping her textbook to the next page.

Jade nodded, murmuring a thanks before returning to her essay. When the sun began to set, she rolled up her parchment and put her belongings in her bag.

"I have to meet Adrian soon for Prefect duty tonight. I'll see you." She stated.

Preethi smiled lightly at Jade. "Pass Pucey my greetings."

Jade gave one last wave before heading out.

--

"You're early tonight, Lin." Adrian remarked.

"You've waited for me too many times. I decided to be the first one ready this time." Jade smirked.

Adrian scoffed before following her down the halls.

Jade gave him a pointed look. "Preethi wanted me to pass her greetings along to you."

Adrian's head lurched back slightly in startlement. "Oh, that's nice of her."

"Did you think she wouldn't want to say hi? You were the one who asked her to dance at the Yule Ball, remember?" Jade replied.

Adrian nodded, scoffing lightly. "Yes, I remember." He then added. "I was more intrigued that I saw Adonis with Laverna McGonagall in public together at the ball, as though he hadn't been denying his feelings for her these past years."

"Thank you! I'm glad I'm not the only one who has noticed. There was one Quidditch match that Adonis dragged me to watch in third year. She ended up sitting with us, and they would not stop flirting with each other." Jade commented.

Adrian chuckled lightly. "Speaking of Quidditch, we still missed you at the Quidditch World Cup."

Jade shrugged. "Prior family vacation plans." She the glanced at Adrian as they rounded the corner. She pursed her lips. "Since we're talking about it, I wanted to ask you... what happened that night? I saw the news."

Adrian immediately dropped the smile. His eyes grew a little worried. "Didn't Adonis tell you?"

"He did at the beginning of the year, but I want to hear it from you now." Jade repeated herself.

Adrian sighed. "Well, there was a lot going on. My parents were mainly just focused on getting us all out of there, but we managed to get separated from Cassius. We eventually found him." He then added. "We actually found him with your girlfriend. She came to the event with Cedric."

Jade widened her eyes. "Cait was there that night?" Adonis had told her he and Adrian had been looking for Cassius, but she hadn't known this.

Adrian nodded. "Yes. Cassius told me that he ran into her amidst all the chaos and they just decided to stick together until they found who they came with. I didn't know who she was at the time. I don't think Adonis did either, but since she came with Cedric we assumed she was a Hufflepuff. But now that you and her are dating and we're talking about that night, I'm remembering some details and I'm pretty sure it was her." He glanced upwards in thought. "She didn't tell you?"

Jade shook her head. "No, I didn't know she was there." Her heart started to race. She couldn't tell if it was because she was feeling concerned that Cait didn't tell her, or if it was because she was feeling horrified that Cait had experienced such a terrifying night. "Wait, do you think Adonis and Cassius recognized Cait from that night?"

"I don't think so. It was kind of dark so I can't remember what her face looked like, but I don't really know any other Hufflepuff who wears her hair like that. If anything I don't think Adonis remembers much details. Besides us, Cassius only really remembers things if they're food. Everything was happening so fast." Adrian replied, frowning.

Jade swallowed. "I already said this to Adonis at the beginning of the year but I'm glad you, him, and Cassius are all okay." She closed her eyes for a few moments before slowly asking. "Do you think... You-Know-Who is back? I mean, with the Mark in the sky and everything..."

Adrian paused in his tracks and took a moment to move his lit wand around to examine the hallways.

"My family and I aren't really that political, so I haven't really been thinking about that possibility." He gave a sigh. "If it ends up being true, though, what do you intend to do with Gibbons?"

Jade furrowed her eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

Adrian turned to face her, the light from his wand illuminating their faces in mysterious shadows. "Well, if he is back, I'll take the time to remind you that anyone who shares his views will probably view you as a blood traitor since you're in a relationship with a Muggleborn. He and his supporters aren't fond of Muggleborns or blood traitors."

Jade found herself gritting her teeth, clenching her wand in anger. "What are you trying to say, Pucey?" She was a little surprised that it came off as a growl, but she knew she wasn't liking what Adrian was saying to her. Is he implying I should break up with Cait?

Adrian held up a hand. "You misunderstand. I'll rephrase myself. Your relationship with Gibbons isn't my business, but... as your friend I think you should be a little careful. The chances of something bad happening are small, but after the Quidditch World Cup I know that it doesn't take much for things to suddenly just spiral out of control. I don't want to see you get hurt just because... I don't know, the wrong person saw you with a Muggleborn. I don't have anything against Gibbons, but unfortunately because of what she is she will probably have a target on her back. If you got hurt, I think it would devastate me and Cassius. Merlin, It would traumatize Adonis."

Jade could only stare at Adrian. She wasn't sure how to reply. She understood where he was coming from. She didn't like it, but she understood why he was saying this to her.

"You don't have to agree with me. I'm just being honest." Adrian held up his hand again. "Since we're talking about that night and everything."

Jade just nodded. "You're right. I don't like what you're saying, but I understand. Thank you for being concerned." She put her hand to her chest. "With Cait, I think there's still stuff we have to figure out. I don't really know what I'm doing. She's my first relationship. Regardless, I know for a fact that my heart wants her, and I believe her heart wants me. If I don't fight for it, I know I will regret it for the rest of my life."

She could feel Adrian scrutinizing her face. He didn't say anything for a moment, but finally said, "For all the years I've known you, you always do what you want; screw what everyone else thinks. So whatever you decide to do, I hope it works out."

Jade swallowed before raising her gaze to meet his. "I need to take a bath. I have to practice for the Second Task."

Adrian nodded. "Goodnight."

Jade brushed past him to head towards the Prefects bathroom. She rubbed her forehead.

Her studies, the tournament, Adonis and his forearm, Cait being at the Quidditch World Cup, and all the political stuff Adrian had said.

Everything was starting to stress her out.