Jade was still thinking about the lyrics from the egg. She would have one hour to rescue something, but what she had to rescue she did not know yet. She had a very strong feeling in her gut, though, that the second task would involve water. The egg would only give her the clue when opened underwater. Water would be a big factor in the second task. Jade was sure of it.

She had just finished her Potions classwork with Cait, who jumped up happily before randomly giving Jade a brief hug to celebrate. Jade snapped out of her serious daze, giving a soft chuckle at Cait's lightheartedness.

"We finished right on time!" Cait cheered again.

Before Jade could respond, she heard Snape clear his throat in a loud and irritated sort of way from the front of the room. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to face Snape, who crossed his arms.

"It is almost the end of class. Those of you who did not complete your work in time, you won't be going far in the workforce." Jade rolled her eyes as Snape ranted his usual spiel of work ethic within the span of one class. "Before all of you imbeciles leave today, Headmaster Dumbledore has told me to say this to you all." He cleared his throat once more before finally declaring. "The Yule Ball is approaching soon, a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament." His gaze shifted to Jade for a moment. "Fourth years and above only unless invited. Dress robes must be worn. The ball will be on Christmas Day and will start at eight o'clock in the Great Hall, and will end at midnight."

Jade raised her eyebrows slightly as she heard people start to excitedly talk amongst themselves. A ball on Adonis's birthday? From where she was standing, Jade saw Preethi merely cleaning up the classwork. Laverna was exchanging smiles and whispers with Angelina and Alicia. She glanced at Cait, who looked electric. Her hazel eyes were wide with wonder, and Jade could practically see the gears spinning in Cait's head as Cait was probably picturing what the Yule Ball would look like at that very moment.

Snape then narrowed his eyes at the chatter and slowly spun his head around the room to scrutinize everyone. "It is expected that everyone attending will be on their best behavior, as our foreign guests are also invited." He then gave a small sneer before saying. "That is all. I expect your essays on my desk next class." Jade bent down to put her textbooks in her bag, but then she heard Snape's irritated voice once more. "Miss Lin, I require a word with you privately before you leave."

Jade shoved her textbook in her bag, wondering what else Snape wanted to say to her. It wasn't like she had planned to go to this Yule Ball anyway. Christmas was going to be at Cho's house this year. Did Snape have a problem with the way she and Cait were doing their work? She knit her eyebrows. Then why didn't he also ask Cait to stay back?

She looked up at Cait, who gave her a questionable glance as she gestured her head towards the door. Jade merely gave a wave, silently telling Cait to go on without her. She didn't want Cait to have to wait for her because she had to talk to Snape, out of all people. Cait's eyes softened and she gave a light wave before following Preethi and Laverna out the door.

Jade crossed the room to stop in front of Snape's desk. He was scribbling indecipherable words on a parchment.

"You wanted to speak with me, Professor?" Jade asked.

"Yes." Snape replied in a clipped tone. "As... one of the Hogwarts champions of the Triwizard Tournament, you and your dance partner are required to open the Yule Ball with the first dance."

Jade blinked, repeating Snape's words in her head. Her eardrums probably haven't recovered yet from the egg. "Dance partner." She repeated dumbly.

"Are you so daft that I need to repeat myself? Yes, Lin, you and your dance partner." Snape gave an annoyed huff, as if he was just as eager to end this conversation as Jade. "I don't care who your dance partner will be, but you need to find one for the ball."

Before Jade could hold herself back, she let out a loud scoff. She was supposed to go home for Christmas. She didn't have time for a ball. "I don't do balls, Professor."

Snape set his quill down and snapped back at her, slowly enunciating each word in her face. "I don't care how you feel about the matter, Miss Lin. You will open the ball with your dance partner. It is required." He picked up his quill and started writing, the ink nearly splattering all over the place. "End of discussion, now get out of my classroom."

Jade could only stiffly nod and leave, making sure to control herself as to not stomp out of Snape's classroom.

She had zero interest in balls. They were too dramatic for her taste. She knew her parents were still upset with her, and she hadn't written them back yet since the Howler, but she found herself preferring to leave for Christmas to face her parents than attend a ball.

Jade sighed. Well, apparently she was required to attend, and not only that, open the ball with a dance partner. She felt sorry for whoever her dance partner would be for having to put up with her terrible dancing. On the positive side, though, at least she could at least celebrate Adonis's birthday with him for once. Since his birthday was on Christmas, he usually only celebrated with family since everyone else had holiday plans. Jade guessed she would just have to tell her parents that she couldn't come back this year.

"Dress robes must be worn." Snape's gruff voice suddenly repeated in her mind.

Jade resisted the urge to cry out in frustration. She didn't own any frilly dress robes. Even if she did, she wouldn't ever pack one to bring to Hogwarts. She was already stressed about school work, the tournament, and now she had to worry about getting dress robes? Where was she going to get dress robes? She didn't want to go to Hogsmeade just to waste her money on dress robes she was only going to wear for this one ball.

An insightful thought suddenly came to her mind.

I'll ask Cho.

--

Before people knew it, Saturday rolled around. Chatter about the Yule Ball was everywhere. There were still a few weeks left before Christmas, but Jade had never seen a student body talk about something that much. She almost admitted to herself that chatter about Harry Potter and his friends were more preferable than this.

As Jade walked with Adonis towards the Great Hall for lunch, her eyes snapped more alert when she saw Cho exit the Great Hall with some of her Ravenclaw friends.

"I have to talk to my cousin, but I'll meet you inside." Jade told Adonis.

Adonis nodded. "Sure, Jade. I'll be at our usual seats." Adonis gave a peace sign as he strolled ahead of her, brushing past Cho and her friends.

Jade cleared her throat before saying in a serious tone. "Cho."

Cho, who had been laughing at something her friend was saying, turned to see who had called her name. Cho's expression shifted into a slightly surprised look, obviously not expecting Jade to call out to her in the halls. She said something to her friends, who eventually walked ahead, that Jade couldn't hear. They sent her a wary but friendly glance as they passed her. Cho stayed near the entrance of the Great Hall, allowing Jade to come up to her.

"Hi, Jade." Cho smiled. "It's been a while since we talked. You were awesome in the first task. My Housemates still talk about it sometimes."

Jade gave a curt nod. "Thanks. So, I'm required to open the Yule Ball. I'm assuming you've also decided to stay at Hogwarts for the holiday."

Cho burst out laughing, clenching her stomach for a brief moment. "There is no way I am missing the Yule Ball. It's the first time they're holding it for centuries, since they brought back the tournament this year. It sounds like a lot of fun!"

Jade lightly scoffed. "I figured you would say something like that. Well, I don't have any dress robes, and I know you probably brought a ton. Can I borrow one of yours for the night?"

Cho immediately nodded enthusiastically. "Sure, the ones in Hogsmeade can get pretty expensive," she said. Cho knit her eyebrows together and let out a small 'hmm' as she examined Jade. "I think I know the one for you, but I'll have to double check for you. Come by the Ravenclaw tower tomorrow morning and I'll give it to you."

"Thanks, Cho. I appreciate it." Jade merely replied. "As long as it isn't frilly or poofy..." She unconsciously wrinkled her nose at the thought.

"Don't worry, I know your taste well enough," Cho said reassuringly. "Well, if you end up writing your parents anytime soon, tell Aunt Mei and Uncle David for me that I'll see them next winter at your house." She gave a wave and proceeded to walk towards where Jade had came from.

"Same with your parents. I'll find you tomorrow, then." Jade gave one last nod as she watched Cho eventually disappear around the corner.

Glad I got those dress robes out the way. Jade sighed with relief, bringing her hand up to rub the back of her head.

Then, all of a sudden, she froze when she suddenly heard a familiar voice from behind her.

"Cho is your cousin?" Harry Potter incredulously exclaimed.

--

Jade winced slightly by instinct. Not many people knew that she and Cho were cousins, as people usually saw them as two different types of people. Her, or 'Joyless Jade', as the ice queen who didn't give a damn about most things in life. And Cho, the outgoing, athletic, and extremely social popular girl.

When Cho had first started Hogwarts, she and Jade had privately talked, and Cho had expressed she would rather if not a lot of people knew they were related. Jade hadn't really cared that much, but she presumed that Cho cared at least a little at the time for reasons Jade also didn't really care about. It kind of made sense in a way when Jade looked back on it. She would have tanked Cho's social reputation if a lot of people found out 'Joyless Jade' was Cho's cousin. Jade wasn't sure if Cho still felt the same way or if things were different now because she was a Triwizard Champion or for other reasons, but Jade didn't really feel like clarifying that with her.

Jade eventually turned around to face Harry, who was standing on the other side of the hall. She strolled over to Harry with purposeful steps. He still had a flabbergasted expression on his face, his eyes wide behind his round glasses.

"Yes, Cho's my cousin." She tilted her chin a little higher.

"But... you two are so different." Harry replied, blinking rapidly.

Jade resisted the urge to scoff in Harry's face, but replied. "Yes, we're both aware of that. We're cousins, Potter, not duplicates. We don't go out of our way to advertise it, but we won't deny it if someone asks."

Harry still looked like he was trying to process everything. Jade pursed her lips. She could guess that Harry was probably least like a Ravenclaw out the all the Houses. He looked even more lost compared to when Bagman had announced him as the fourth Triwizard Champion.

The few moments of awkward silence between them allowed Jade to remember what Harry had done for her. She took a breath and decided to say. "It took me some time, but I realize that you were genuinely trying to help me with the first task. I... shouldn't have yelled at you in the library. Despite how I initially reacted, I want to thank you for helping me."

Harry snapped his eyes to meet hers, perhaps trying to see if she was playing some sick joke on him. Jade just stared right back at him. She had finally gotten the chance to thank him for his help.

He eventually gave a small nod in acceptance. "I heard rumors of what you did. That was great on your part, going first and all."

Jade snorted. "I picked the number one dragon, that's all. I heard about what you did too." When she glanced at Harry, he looked like there was something he wanted to say, but wasn't sure how to say it. She decided to fill in the awkward silence again. "Was there something else you wanted, Potter? I have a friend waiting for me inside."

Harry clenched his satchel a little tighter, but he eventually started. He mumbled something Jade didn't quite make out at first.

"Excuse me? I didn't catch that."

Harry bit his lip, but took another deep breath and repeated what he said, a little more coherent this time. "I'm... thinking of asking, uh, Cho to the Yule Ball." Jade's eyebrows shot up in surprise as Harry added. "I'm... not sure... how to ask her." He made an awkward gesture towards Jade. "You're her cousin, so... what do you think I should say?"

Jade couldn't even blink for a moment. Ever since she became a Triwizard Champion, surprises just kept on hitting her and hitting her one by one.

The Boy Who Lived... is asking me, me, 'Joyless Jade', for love advice. Jade thought. She had to hold back from cracking up with laughter at how ridiculous that sounded in her mind, but it had just happened.

She eventually regained composure, giving Harry a shrug. "It's simple, really. Just go up to her and ask her."

Harry's green eyes sparked with slight frustration at Jade's blunt answer. "It's not that simple. She's always with her friends. I can't seem to catch her alone."

Jade rolled her eyes and shook her head in disbelief. "Cho is hard to catch alone, yes. Well, I guess you'll just have to man up and either ask her if you could talk with her privately, or ask her in front of her friends."

"I... don't know if I can do that..." Harry's expression returned to anxiousness.

"You're a Gryffindor, a Gryffindor Triwizard Champion, I'll add. I thought you lot are supposed to be brave." Jade remarked.

"Well, we haven't talked much since we're different years and Houses, so I'm just not sure how to go about it." Harry explained.

After pausing for a moment, Jade understood a little better what Harry was getting at. Since he had never really spoken to Cho, it did seem a little jarring to just walk up to her and invite her to the ball, no other conversation beforehand.

Well, Jade knew something that might make Harry feel a little more at ease. "Cho has spoken about you a few times before." Yes, at a few of the Christmas gatherings. Jade mentally added. "She admires your Quidditch skills, since you both play the same position." It's always 'Cedric and Harry' with Cho when it comes to Quidditch.

"Are you serious?" Harry pushed his glasses up, his eyebrows shooting up and wrinkling his forehead slightly.

Jade nodded. "Yeah, you're not a stranger in her book, so don't overthink too much." She gestured towards the Great Hall. "I have to go, but I'll tell you this now. If you want to ask Cho, you should do it soon, or else she'll already end up having a date."

And with that, Jade parted ways with the Boy Who Lived.