"Happy Birthday, Jade." Adonis remarked as he took his seat at the Slytherin table across from Jade.

Jade returned a quick smile. "Seventeen..." she drawled. "What a weird age."

"Sixteen felt better, didn't it."

"Eh."

She glanced upwards when she saw the flurry of owls fly into the Great Hall. She made out her family owl, Xue, as he landed where Jade was sitting. Jade petted his soft white feathers, light and pure as snow. She tugged the letter attached to Xue's talons before giving him a tip.

Opening the letter, a Chinese red envelope fell out onto Jade's lap. She picked up the red envelope and set it on the table before reading her mother's cursive handwriting.

Hello, dear,

Your father and I hope all is well for your sixth year. N.E.W.T. level classes are much harder, so make sure you focus on your studies. Less hanging out with your friend and more studying for your exams.

We wish you a happy birthday, dear, and study well.

We love you.

Jade sighed, noticing that the ink at the word 'friend' looked firmer than the other words. The quill had most likely almost teared through the parchment when her mother had written the letter, as though it had pained her to write that word.

Since her first year, her parents weren't fond of her friendship with Adonis in the slightest, but it wasn't like they could come to Hogwarts themselves and force Adonis to stay away from her. After her first year, they tried not to make it too obvious that they still disapproved, but Jade wasn't stupid. Her mother didn't even bother to write Adonis's name in the letter, as though she dreaded it.

They seemed to think Adonis was a bad influence on her and was holding her back from 'her true potential'; that if she had been sorted into Ravenclaw instead of Slytherin she would never have become friends with him, and that if she hadn't become friends with him she would have obtained the highest marks within all her peers.

Maybe her parents were right. Maybe if she had been sorted into her family House, she would have beaten Cedric Diggory, or maybe even achieved the same marks as Laverna McGonagall from Gryffindor and Preethi Patil from Ravenclaw.

Jade wasn't sure how exactly Laverna and Professor McGonagall were related. She heard from someone after she was sorted that Professor McGonagall didn't have any children, so Laverna must've been some sort of grand-niece or something. Preethi had two twin sisters in fourth year with the... famous Harry Potter.

Since first year, Laverna and Preethi were tied in first when it came to grades. They got perfect marks in everything, and everyone knew it. They didn't arrogantly boast about it, which was good, but most of the professors certainly liked to comment on how well both of them have excelled in their classes.

Though Jade didn't really prefer Gryffindor company, she admitted that Laverna was at least respectful. Most of the time, Jade found some Gryffindors quite obnoxious, especially the Weasley twins. Everyone thought they were hilarious, but Jade figured she just didn't have the sense of humor to laugh at their pranks and jokes. It was that or she just found them annoying for some other reason she couldn't think of at the moment. Jade didn't have much reason to interact with Laverna, but she remembered that in their first year Madam Hooch appointed Adonis and Laverna to gather everyone's brooms and put them in the broomshed after class. Jade had waited for Adonis to come back after flying lessons was over, but he never did.

Jade finally had gone to look for Adonis to find that they had somehow managed to lock themselves in the broomshed without their wands. She had let them out, and they all had agreed to keep the embarrassing incident between themselves, as Laverna had said Fred and George wouldn't let her hear the end of it if they had found out. To this day, Jade still didn't know what had happened in the broomshed between Adonis and Laverna, but Jade clearly remembered both of them blushing slightly when she had found them.

Preethi was definitely more quiet. She wasn't adorably awkward and shy like Cait, but at times Preethi would exhibit a moment of wisdom that would awe everybody. Jade heard Preethi was the best person to go to if one needed advice. Her younger sister, Padma, was also in Ravenclaw, but the other twin, Parvati, was sorted in Gryffindor. Jade had ran into Preethi on the train ride here, as they were both looking for the trolley. Preethi had curiously asked her about what Jade had done this summer, remarking that she and her family had travelled to India. Jade had replied that she and her family had travelled to China. Preethi was friendly, to say the least, but just had a reserved exterior. Perhaps if Jade had been sorted into Ravenclaw, she and Preethi may have been good friends. Like the case with Cait, Jade had never shared any classes with Preethi until this year.

Cedric Diggory may look like just a pretty boy who only cared about his looks, but he was actually quite smart. Academics came naturally to him as well as Quidditch. His marks were right behind Laverna's and Preethi's. If he had slacked off in school work, Jade knew she would have beaten Cedric in terms of grades. But alas, Cedric was always hardworking like the Hufflepuff he was.

Jade was always in third place, right behind Cedric. She was the smartest Slytherin, apparently, but not the brightest student in her grade. And apparently, her parents seemed to believe that her being sorted into Slytherin House costed her to join Laverna and Preethi in first place. She admitted that would have been cool, three students tied in first. But when she thought about it again, she didn't love studying to the extent of the Ravenclaws she knew. She did love it, and at times studying helped to calm her mind, but she certainly didn't enjoy learning as much as Preethi and the other Ravenclaws.

Thinking of grades and her parents reminded her of a conversation she'd overheard during her second year. She had been twelve years old. She had a nightmare that night and got up to use the bathroom, but she'd overheard her parents talking while they were lying in bed. It was Christmas Eve, the day before she and her parents would go to Cho's house for Christmas.

"Cho was sorted into Ravenclaw," her mother said quietly.

"Mhm." Her father added tiredly, as though half asleep.

It was silent for a moment, but then Jade heard her mother say. "Did we go wrong somewhere raising Jade?"

"Mhm?"

"I was hoping Cho would have been sorted elsewhere too. Honey, Jade is the only person in our family to not be sorted into Ravenclaw."

"Mhm."

"Jade said last year that the Sorting Hat did see Ravenclaw in her, but felt Slytherin was a little stronger. I know our daughter, dear. Jade has enough Ravenclaw. Those... other Slytherins will affect her studies eventually. How is she supposed to make real friends? That Carrow boy is definitely bad news, and she certainly won't be marrying any boy from Slytherin if I can help it." Her mother grumbled.

"Mhm."

Jade tried picturing herself kissing a boy, and to her surprise it seemed... weird.

"Are you listening, David?"

Jade figured her father was asleep, but to her surprise he responded. "Yes, Mei." Jade heard the bed creak, as though her father were shifting in bed to face her mother. "Though I'm still not happy about her sorting, there's nothing we can do to change it. We talked about this last year."

"Yes, but... why Slytherin out of all Houses? You-Know-Who and many other Dark wizards came from Slytherin. Our daughter is nothing like them." Jade heard her mother sigh. "If not Ravenclaw, Gryffindor or Hufflepuff would have been better. Anything but Slytherin."

Her father moaned. "At this point, as long as Jade does well in her studies at Hogwarts, I will be satisfied. Jade got high marks last year. Let's hope she keeps getting good grades. That will get her a good future."

Her mother gave another sigh. "I suppose you're right."

"Good... now I'm going to sleep."

A part of Jade was a little sad that they were still upset about her sorting, and maybe if she had been a few years younger she might have cried. She didn't feel like using the bathroom anymore, so she quietly made her way back to her room.

If her parents wanted high marks, then she would give it to them. First year hadn't been enough. She would show her parents that she could do it every year, despite being in Slytherin.

"H-Hi, Jade." Jade snapped back to reality when she heard a meek voice. She looked up to see Cait standing on the other side of the table, near Adonis. Most of the other Slytherins had left the table since they finished eating.

Jade gave a light smile. "Hi, Cait." Adonis gave Jade a questioning look, but Jade ignored him. "Was there something you needed?"

"No. I mean, yes. Kind of? Sorry..." Cait shook her head to recompose herself. She placed something on the table in front of Jade. "Happy Birthday."

Jade raised an eyebrow but took the gift to see what it was. It was a bookmark. She almost gasped when she saw that there was a colored drawing of her face and hair on it. The details of the shading on a small piece of paper attached to sturdy green construction paper almost rendered her speechless.

"Thank you," was all that came out.

"I, uh... I noticed you didn't have one for your Potions textbook, and I figured having a bookmark is better than folding pages." Cait started. When she noticed Adonis give Jade another weird look, she rephrased herself. "I mean, not that folding pages is bad. I just meant... in case you wanted one..." She then gestured to the bookmark. "Sorry if I butchered your face too... the other Hufflepuffs said I made you look too mean."

"You're a good artist." Jade replied. "Really, Cait, thanks. You didn't have to give me anything." She looked up and gave Cait another smile.

Cait looked relieved that Jade liked her gift. Jade knew she had a natural sharp face, so she understood why Cait was worried that she wouldn't like it.

Adonis cleared his throat. "Gee, now I look bad for not getting you anything." He remarked to Jade. There was a mixture of mischief and questioning in his eyes. Jade and Adonis had an agreement since their first year that they would never get each other presents, as both of them weren't the type to want any specific gifts.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to make you look bad. I just... figured I'd make something for Jade." Cait tried to explain herself to Adonis.

"Don't apologize, Cait. He's just jealous." Jade shot a 'play-nice' look at Adonis, who raised his eyebrows slightly in challenge.

Adonis turned in his seat to look at Cait. He scrutinized her from head to toe, noticing the Hufflepuff colored tie. Jade noticed Cait took a small step back, most likely from the tension radiating off of Adonis. He wasn't smiling, and his eyes were slightly narrowed, as though not sure what to think of Cait.

"How do you know Jade again?" Adonis finally asked.

Jade answered for Cait. "Cait is my Potions partner this year."

"Really." Adonis glanced at Jade before returning his gaze to Cait. "Jade's never mentioned you before."

"I never expected her to." Cait said, shifting her feet.

"Hmm." Then, to Jade and Cait's surprise, Adonis stuck his hand out. "Adonis Carrow."

Jade glanced at Cait, who met her gaze with nervous eyes. Jade shrugged and gave Cait another smile. Cait took Adonis's hand carefully and gave it a small shake. "Caitlin Gibbons, but everyone calls me Cait."

Adonis clicked his tongue, his gaze hardening slightly for a moment as he recognized Cait's last name. As he slowly withdrew his hand from Cait's grasp, Jade knew he had regretted extending his hand in the first place.

"Well, it was... interesting to meet you, Gibbons," Adonis said, deciding to use her surname instead.

Cait realized it too, because she lowered her hand as well. "Y-You as well," Cait replied slowly, still looking uncomfortable. She then turned to Jade and said, "I'll see you in Potions."

Jade nodded, and Cait turned and made her way out of the Great Hall, her ponytail bouncing behind her.

Before Jade could ask Adonis what his deal was with Cait, Adonis beat her to it. "I had no clue you became friends with a Hufflepuff, a muggle-born too." When Jade met his gaze, he had a smirk plastered on his face.

Jade scoffed. "What, are you disgusted that she's muggle-born, or that I'm friends with one?"

"Neither, just a little surprised."

"Really. We all noticed how you looked like you wanted to wash your hands after Cait said her surname."

Adonis sighed. "Look, I'm sorry. You know how my father raised me to treat muggle-borns. The way I see it, she should be grateful I didn't call her a mudblood."

Jade closed her eyes, shaking her head. "Just because you didn't call her a mudblood doesn't mean she didn't know you were thinking it."

"Again, I was just surprised. Hufflepuff muggle-borns don't just go to the Slytherin table to talk and make friends. It just doesn't happen." Adonis huffed. He then gave Jade a knowing look. "You seemed to smile more when she was around. You like her or something?"

Jade lightly slapped Adonis's hand on the table. "Where did this come from?"

"Come on." Adonis grinned. "You told me the first week of school how cool Potions is now. You used to hate Potions." He gestured his head to where Cait had been standing. "Then, I find out you have a new Potions partner. It can't be a coincidence."

Jade opened her mouth to deny all this. But when she met Adonis's intense gaze, she knew she couldn't lie to him. "I mean... I wouldn't mind kissing her, if that's what you're asking." Though she tried to give a neutral answer, Jade could feel her cheeks redden slightly. Adonis gave a triumphant look, and Jade gave Adonis's hand another slap to wipe the goofy grin off his face.

"You afraid she doesn't like you back or something?" Adonis finally asked.

"I don't know. We've only formally met this year. I can't even tell if she likes girls. I don't even know for sure if I like her in that way, but I know I feel... something..." Jade sighed, running her hands through her hair.

"She likes you." Adonis concluded.

"How can you be sure? You literally just met her minutes ago," Jade asked, growing frustrated.

Adonis gave a laugh. "Jade, she was brave enough to approach you while you were with me, as though she was afraid she wouldn't be able to catch you alone. Also, why the heck would she make you a hand-made gift if she didn't feel something? Even friends don't do that for people they've met for only a few weeks unless they have some sort of crush." He gestured at the bookmark. "Drawing your face and coloring it probably took her a while. Look at that detailed shading, too."

"Maybe she's just being nice. Cait's just that type of person."

"Oh bloody Hell, Jade. You are hopeless." Adonis sank back his chair.

"Whatever." She then decided to open the red envelope her parents had given her. Inside were five Galleons. That's odd. My parents have always given me ten Galleons since she started Hogwarts. No more. No less.

Then she remembered.

Her father got demoted at work because of her. His paycheck must have came in recently. Jade didn't mind that her parents didn't give her ten Galleons, as usual. She knew her parents would have given her ten if she was the type to care, but it meant that there was something going on at home that her parents didn't want her to know about. They still needed to pay off the house and other bills. Her family wasn't wealthy like the prestigious Malfoys. Cutting her father's salary from his demotion would have affected things. It would take some time for her father to work his way back up.

Jade sighed. Was her father really getting that much crap at work just because she was in Slytherin? She knew the world contained many ignorant wizards, but she never expected it would be that bad. Her mother already worked a mediocre job. Her salary wasn't as much as her father's. But knowing her mother, she would feel guilty and try to work more hours and eventually tire herself out.

"Everything okay, Jade?" Adonis asked.

Jade closed the red envelope and rose from her seat. "Fine. I'll see you later."

As Jade walked out of the great Hall, she clenched her fist, unknowingly wrinkling her parents' letter.

She wasn't going to give herself a happy birthday if it meant her parents were unhappy at home. Not a chance.