The Fox In A Snake Pit!

Daphne's Worries & Jade's Tears ~ Edited Sept, 2025

Moments later, Jade found a perfectly quiet spot near the lake where they first arrived at the school. The water shimmered beneath the fading afternoon light, reflecting the towering castle walls. Having experienced failure in Professor McGonagall's class earlier, she decided to practice Transfiguration. She pulled out her wand, focusing on turning a stone into a living creature. In her opinion, any creature would do. 

For over an hour, Jade diligently attempted to breathe life into a simple stone. She focused intently, whispering incantations with unwavering determination. Despite her best efforts, success remained just out of reach. Frustration began to seep in as the stone stubbornly refused to become anything more than a stone. Feeling disheartened, she lost her patience and hurled it into the lake. 

When the stone hit the water, it created ripples, and she grumbled in discontent. She slumped onto the grassy bank, letting the cool breeze rustle her jet-black curls as she watched the ripples fade. However, her frustration wasn't merely due to her failure to transform the rock into something alive. McGonagall had told them that they wouldn't be expected to do something like that for quite some time. 

Jade felt frustrated, primarily because she hadn't received a single letter from the Greens, the only people she had ever considered her parents. "Did they not want anything to do with me anymore? Would they still love me if I found my real parents?" She thought, letting out a sigh as she realized her anger was affecting her so much that her hands had started to tremble. 

After taking several deep breaths, she sat calmly near the edge of the water. She knew exactly how to calm herself down. It was time to express her feelings the only way she knew how. She pulled out her MP3 player to provide instrumental music and sang the words to a song she made up on the spot. 

~Draco POV~

Draco's anxiety grew as he realized he hadn't seen Daphne all day. They had been inseparable since childhood, and she had become like a sister to him. They had nearly grown up side by side, creating a wealth of shared memories and experiences. One thing he was certain of was that Daphne would never skip a meal, regardless of her mood, but she had been absent from both breakfast and lunch. She often chided him for neglecting his meals, especially during times of illness or stress. This was a reflection of her nurturing spirit and the friendship they shared. 

With a determined look, Draco made his way to the Slytherin common room, his footsteps echoing softly on the stone floors. Upon entering the dimly lit room, he looked around, hoping to spot Daphne curled up in one of the emerald-green armchairs. 

The common room glimmered with the soft light of the fireplace, casting flickering shadows on the walls. Fellow Slytherins were sprawled across the plush green sofas and armchairs, engaged in quiet conversations or studying. 

Draco looked around the room, his eyes flickering from one group to another, searching for Daphne. When he finally caught sight of her, she was enjoying a cup of tea closest to the fireplace, her long blonde hair shimmering softly in the warm light. 

A wave of unease washed over him, and he couldn't help but ponder why she hadn't shown up for breakfast or lunch that day. His mind raced as he considered the possible reasons behind her absence. Could she be upset with him? Had he done something to offend her? 

"Uh-oh..." he thought to himself. His gut screamed that something was off. A swirl of possible scenarios erupted in his imagination, each one more troubling than the last. "Either I've upset her again, or she has something important to tell me that she's been trying to tell me..." His heart skipped a beat, fervently hoping it was the latter.