The Fox In A Snake Pit!

The Pain is Deep ~Edited Sept, 2025

However, Jade wasn't fooled. She had a keen sense for when adults were hiding something. This only fueled the doubts regarding his qualifications as a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. The class couldn't help but think that Quirrell's garlic obsession was more of a desperate effort to cover up his shortcomings in the subject rather than an effective defense strategy. Quirrell also bragged about an African prince who had apparently given him the turbine as a token of appreciation for eliminating a troublesome zombie. 

However, Jade was skeptical about the authenticity of his tales. She found it hard to accept that such an incredible event had actually occurred, especially considering how cowardly he seemed in the face of the slightest disturbance. Several interesting incidents involving Quirrell piqued the interest of Seamus Finnigan and Jade Green. 

When Seamus first asked how Quirrell managed to fend off the zombie, Quirrell became noticeably flustered. He quickly shifted the topic to the weather. This sudden change seemed suspicious, leaving Seamus and the others to ponder Quirrell's capabilities.

~

Jade felt a wave of relief wash over her when she realized she wasn't as far behind her classmates as she had initially believed. It dawned on her that many of her classmates also came from Muggle backgrounds, and some were just as unaware of their magical heritage as she was. This realization helped ease her anxiety about potentially falling behind in her studies. Even people who appeared to be more knowledgeable, such as Ron and Draco, didn't really have a noticeable advantage. They had been raised in magical households, but their knowledge was still limited by their age and experiences. 

When Friday came, Jade felt uncertain about how to spend her day. With no concrete plans or responsibilities, she considered her options. Perhaps she could take this time to dive deeper into her magical studies and catch up on the areas where she felt she was falling behind. After all, there was an immense amount of knowledge to take in, and every learning experience was important.

On the other hand, she was aware of how crucial it was to take breaks and allow herself to relax. She had been working hard all week, diving deep into her textbooks and adjusting to her new surroundings. Perhaps this day could serve as a chance for her to unwind and recharge her mental batteries. 

Jade had finally found her way to the Great Hall for breakfast without any detours. The room was already ablaze with early morning light, which streamed through the high windows, casting an enchanting glow on the four long, house-divided tables and the students bustling around. As she entered the lively room, she overheard Harry at the Gryffindor table asking Ron about the menu for the day while the redhead was adding sugar to his porridge in generous amounts. She inwardly grimaced at the overwhelming sweetness, even though she had a soft spot for sugar herself. 

With a confident stride, Jade made her way to the Slytherin table, her gaze sweeping over the familiar faces in search of her friend, Daphne. To her surprise, Daphne was absent from her usual seat. "Maybe she's sleeping in." She thought with a shrug. 

"Where's Daphne?" Draco asked as she took a seat next to him, Crabbe and Goyle nodding in silent agreement. It was then that she noticed Pansy was also absent. 

"That doesn't seem normal... Maybe she's with Daphne?" Jade thought to herself, though she didn't voice her concerns. The four of them, Jade, Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle, sat in silence for a few moments before Jade spoke, "I'm not sure... I thought she would be here by now... Maybe she's with Pansy?" 

Draco's expression grew slightly concerned, "Pansy is absent too? That's odd." He took a sip of his pumpkin juice and glanced around the hall as if expecting one of them to appear out of thin air.