- Boys-

Today Gryffindor were playing against Slytherin. Im walking to the Great Hall when I spot Ron where his kit and his hat.

"Cute hat Ron." I smirk, walking next to him.

"Shut up Jade. You not playing Quidditch this year?"

"No. Lucky you though, at least you have a chance of winning now." I tease. As we enter the Great Hall everyone starts to heckle Ron, I look over at the Slytherin table and notice Draco sat on his own, staring again. He looked worse.

"Well Good Luck then." I pat him on the head before heading to Draco.

"Not hungry?" I place my hand on his back as I sit next to him. He doesn't say anything and I pick a piece of his toast. "It feel weird not playing the match today. Kind of wish I was, I'd love to play against Ron."

Blaise walks past us, "Hey you two, it's going to be weird not having you on the team this year."

"Hmm I was just talking to Draco about that."

"You mean talking at him. The guy doesn't seem to be in the mood for anything anymore." Blaise notes, as the other players appear next to him.

"Leave him alone Blaise, you've got a game to focus on."

"Yeah, alright. Come on lads." He smirks, leaving the Great Hall.

"You going to watch the match?" I ask Draco, he shakes his head.

"Okay, want company?" I smile softly, he looks at me.

"I have things to do."

"Can't you take a day off? or even a morning?"

He doesn't say anything and Harry approaches the table. "You not playing this year Jade?"

"No. Honestly had enough of the constant remarks from some of the boys." I huff.

"What's wrong with you Malfoy? Ginny says you're off sick this game"

"Why do you care Potter?" He glares.

"Are you going to watch the match?" Harry looks back at me and I shake my head. "What are you going to do then?"

"Do you really want to know?" I smirk

"Yeah because it's your business, Potter... You'd better hurry up, they'll be waiting for 'The Chosen Captain' — 'The Boy Who Scored' — Whatever they call you these days" He waves him off, and I laugh.

"Don't worry Harry, I'll write down exactly everything we do." He rolls his eyes before finally walking away.I look back at Draco and see him watching Harry nervously, being this close to his face i could see that his skin was grayish and the circles under his eyes had gotten darker. I peck the corner of his mouth.

"Jade, I really need to-"

"No." I stand up and lean over his shoulder. "Draco I haven't really seen you since the trip to Hogsmeade... that was almost two weeks ago"

"Like i said, I have things to do." He states.

"Fine. Go do whatever you have to do." I huff, walking off. I immediately felt bad, clearly what he was doing had to do with the Voldemort.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

"Hey, Jade." Blaise calls out from the Sofas.

"Hi, how was the match?" I ask.

"We lost."  A boy huffs.

"Shame.... maybe I should've played. Um have you seen Draco?"

"Uh a  couple of hours ago, just yelled at us all when I said i hadn't seen you... I mean i know he has an attitude but this was worse. He's a right old grumpy git these days. "

"He asked where I was?"

"Yup. No clue where he is right now though."

"Okay, thanks." I head out the Common room.

Im walking down a corridor when I hear Hermione.

"I know." She sniffs. "I see the way you look at her, it's the same way Jade and Draco look at each. Plus you're my best friend."

An annoying giggle interrupts the conversation, and I step back out of the way.

"Oops. I think this room's taken."

"What's with the birds?" I hear Ron ask.

"Oppugno." A couple of seconds later Ron walks past me.

"What's up with Hermione? Mental." He whispers and I shrug before heading towards her. I see her sobbing on Harrys's shoulder.

"It feels like this." Harry states before spotting me. "Jade.. um." He nods to Hermione.

I kneel down in front of them, "Boys" I scoff, "Ronald really needs to grow some brains and realise what he's missing out on."  Hermione smiles.

"What are you doing walking around here?" Harry asks. "Are you looking for Malfoy?"

"Harry, not now please." Hermione sniffs.

"I know where he is... I was just heading there."

"Really?"

"Umm.. could I use your map please?" I give in, but he grabs it out his pocket, handing it to me. I open it and scan the parchment for Draco's name, my eyes land on it.

"Shit." I mumble, he was at the Astronomy tower.

"What is it?" Harry asks eagerly.

"Calm down Harry." I sigh, sitting next to Hermione. "He's just at the Astronomy Tower... why can't boys express their emotions?"

Hermione sniffles a laugh before asking, "Did something happen between you two?"

"No. But apparently he told the other Slytherins to piss off earlier and has been in a mood all day."

"You haven't been with him all day?" Harry asks.

"No. I stormed off after breakfast, I shouldn't have."

"I bet he's been-"

"I bet I don't care what you have to say." I interrupt before walking off.

Moments later Harry stands up. "You're not seriously going to follow her?"

"I just want to make sure. Want to come?"

Hermione sighs, "Only to make sure you don't ruin your relationship even further with your sister." The two of them follow Jade, stopping right outside the entrance of the tower, watching the interaction between the couple."

He's standing at the rail, looking out, "Heard you were looking for me?" I place my hand on his shoulder and he jumps slightly.

"Jade...didn't think you would come find me though."

"Why not?" I bite the side of my cheek.

"Because i'm just being a burden. And a grumpy git according to Blaise."

"Ah he did say that, yes. But Draco you're not- you're not a burden." I hold his hand, "You'll never be a burden to me, honestly i don't know what i'd do without you."

I hear him sniff, as he looks down over the rail. "Dra-" He turns around, pulling me in tightly.

"I-im sorry." He mumbles against my neck. "I can't do it... "" His body starts to shake, and I kiss the side of his head.

"Do what?"

"I can't... have help..."

"Well... surely I can make sure you're looking after yourself?" I ask and he lifts his head up, his eyes slightly puffy and red from crying.

"Why?"

"Because. I. love. you. Draco. Malfoy." I say between kisses. "So it breaks my heart to see you like this."

His breath shakes as he inhales, his eyes scan my face while his hands play with the end. "I didn't- I have to-" He starts but something makes a sound and we both look over.

"Harry I swear to god if that's you." I yell and the boy emerges from around the corner scowling.

"Potter." Draco lifts his wand but I push it back down.

"I tried to be civil Jade." 

"When?"

"With you... but this." He motions to the two of us. " I can't stand it... you're going to get hurt, you're going to regret it."

"Well if that happens you can say I told you so."

Draco gulps as Harry storms off.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Draco was nowhere to be seen as I head to Slughorn's party. Instead I spot Hermione hiding behind the curtain.

"What are you doing back here?" I ask, as Harry also arrived.

"What happened to you?"

"I've just escaped. I mean, I left Cormac under the mistletoe."

I laugh, "You invited Cormac?"

"Why did you invite Cormac?" Harry asks.

"I thought it would annoy Ron the most."

"Honestly you two" I tease.

"It's nothing. He's with Lavender Brown. I don't care."

"She's annoying"

"You're one to talk." Harry states and I glare at him.

"Dragon Tartare?" A waiter appears.

"No, im fine. Thank you." Hermione sighs,

"Just as well. They give on horribly bad breath."

"On second thought..." Hermione grabs the tray off him. "Might keep Cormac at bay. Oh god here he comes." She runs out as he arrives.

"I think she just went to powder her nose." Harry tells him.

"Slippery little minx, your friend." He looks at me, "oh hello Jade, brought your brother as your date?"

"No." I glare as he shoves the tartare in his mouth.

""Hmm. What's this i'm eating by the way?"

"Dragon balls." I grin as Snape, dramatically walks through the curtain just in time for Cormac to vomit on him. I press my lips together holding in a laugh as Snape stares at him. "You've just bought yourself a month's detention, McLaggen. Not so quick, Potter." He stops Harry.

"Sir, I really think i should rejoin the party. My date-" He looks around.

"Can surely survive your absence for another minute or two. Besides, I only wish to convey a message." He looks at me, "Miss Potter don't you have a date to attend to?"

"I think they can survive a minute or two."

He turns back to Harry. "A message from Professor Dumbledore. He asked me to give you his best, and he hopes you enjoy your holiday. You see, he's traveling and he won't return until term resumes."

"Traveling where?" Harry ask but Snape just walks off, so he turns to me, "So where is this date of yours?" he asks just as Filch walks in with Draco in his hands.

"Right there." I grit through my teeth.

"Take your hands of me, you filthy Squib!"

"Professor Slughorn, sir. I just discovered this boy lurking in an upstairs corridor. He claims to have been invited to your party."

"Yes, he was. He's my date. So you can let go of him." I walk up to them.

"See? You stupid squib!" Draco pulls away from Filch's grip.

"Right no need to be rude Draco." I look up at him. "Get lost or something? Honestly , you've been at Hogwarts for how many years now? You think you'd of learnt your way round. "

Laughing, slightly I drag him away from the crowd. "Where were you?" I whisper.

"Just running late. Why are you yelling at me?"

"Im not yelling at you, god Draco! I was just asking a question." I spot Harry watching us, so I grab Draco's arm leading his into the corridor.

"What so I finally arrive at the party, and now you want us to leave?" He argues.

"No, but I don't want my brother prying on our conversation again." I glare up at him. "Now, are you going to tell me what's going on?" I ask as Snape appears.

"Mr Malfoy, a word please."

"But, sir." he points at me.

"I think she has figured it out but it's up to you if you want her to hear or not."

I look between the two of them.

"Fine. What do you want?" Draco stares at Snape.

"Did you hex Miss Bell?" Snape asks, and I glance at Draco.

"Maybe I did hex that Bell girl. Maybe I didn't. What's it to you?"

Snape pushes Draco against the wall, "I swore to protect you. I made the Unbreakable vow."

"I don't need protection." Draco hisses. "I was chosen for this. Out of all others. Me. And I won't fail him."

"You're afraid, Draco. You attempt to conceal it, but it's obvious, even Jade has noticed. Let me assist you."

"No! I was chosen. This is my moment. "

"Alright then." Snape let's go of him and walks away. I watch him turn the corner before looking back at Draco. I don't say anything but drag him into an empty classroom.

"So that's what you were trying to hide. Voldemort, he's given you a task?"

Draco sits on a table, not making eye contact with me. "Yes."

"Well let me see it then?"

"See what?" He looks up, and i nod to his arm.

"I gather he's marked you."

Draco gulps nodding, and rolling up his sleeve revealing the dark mark. I hold his arm looking at it, in shock.

"Jade. You can't tell a soul."

"Of course I won't tell anyone Draco, are you mad?" I snap my head up, and my eyes meet his watery ones. "Draco, you have to let me help you." I hold his face.

"No. I don't need your help, I don't need Snape's, I don't need anyones." He hisses.

"Okay, okay. Snape is right though there is a lot of pressure on you to complete this...what do you have to do?"

He shakes his head,"I-i have to k-kill Dumbledore." I bite the inside of my cheeks trying not to react too much. A tear rolls down his face, "Draco." I hug him, and his body shakes as he cries into my shoulder.

"It's okay to be afraid, anyone in your situation would be. You should of told me sooner, even if you won't let me help with the task."

He looks up, his eye slightly blotchy, " I love you Jade. I don't want to lose you."

"You won't. I promise." I press my lips against his, tasting the salt from his tears. Wrapping my arms around neck, I pull him in closer and he melts into the kiss.