The Fox In A Snake Pit! Story 3

Trelawney's Batty

~thirty-minute time skip~ 

Jade seized her opportunity when Dumbledore signaled that it was time for the students to retire for the night. She rushed over to congratulate Hagrid, only to discover that Harry and his friends had the same idea in mind. 

"Congratulations, Hagrid!" Jade exclaimed, a small smile lighting up her face as they approached the teachers' table. 

"All thanks ter you four," Hagrid said, wiping his shiny face on his napkin as he looked up at them. His eyes were red, but the warmth in his voice was unmistakable. 

Jade averted her gaze briefly, striving to conceal the disappointment that flickered across her features as her mind replayed her father's remarks to Harry regarding Hagrid. 

"Can' believe it... great man, Dumbledore... came straight down to me hut after Professor Kettleburn said he'd had enough... It's what I always wanted..." Overwhelmed with emotion, he buried his face in his napkin, and Professor McGonagall shooed them away. 

As Harry, Ron, and Hermione ascended the grand marble staircase, they were enveloped by the lively chatter of their fellow Gryffindors. Meanwhile, Jade hurried to reunite with Draco and Daphnee, who had been watching Vix in her absence. 

Upon spotting Jade, Vix sprang from Daphnee's shoulder, landing gracefully into Jade's open embrace. Jade caught her effortlessly, a warm smile lighting up her face as Vix snuggled around her neck like a cozy scarf. 

As Snape uttered the new password, the portrait swung open, granting them access. The boys and girls dispersed in the common room, each heading to their respective dormitories. Jade made her way to her bed, where Vix was nestled comfortably among the plush pillows, her mind blissfully blank as she surrendered to slumber for the first time, free from the usual enchantments of a sleeping potion. 

~Time Skip-with Harry~

The following morning, as Harry, Ron, and Hermione made their way into the Great Hall for breakfast, they were immediately drawn to the sight of Draco Malfoy and Jade Green. They appeared to be captivating a crowd of Slytherins with what must have been an incredibly amusing tale. Walking by Harry couldn't miss the spectacle of Malfoy dramatically pretending to faint, which sent waves of laughter rippling through their table. 

"Don't pay any attention to him," Hermione urged, her voice steady as she stood just behind Harry. "It's not even worth your time..." 

Pansy, a Slytherin girl whom Harry couldn't help but think resembled a pug, called out with mockery, "Hey, Potter!" Her voice was sharp, taunting him, "Potter! The Dementors are coming, Potter! Woooo!" 

Harry sank into a chair at the Gryffindor table, beside George Weasley. "Got the new third-year course schedules," George announced as he passed them out. "What's bothering you, Harry?" he added, noticing Harry's distracted expression. 

"Malfoy," Ron remarked as he settled onto the bench beside George, casting a glance toward the Slytherin table. His voice was laced with contempt. 

George glanced upward just in time to catch Malfoy feigning a dramatic swoon, his face twisted in a mock display of fear. "What a little brat," he remarked with an air of nonchalance. "He certainly wasn't strutting around with that same bravado last night when the Dementors descended upon our part of the train. Remember how he came running into our compartment, Fred?" 

"Nearly pissed his pants," Fred remarked, casting a scornful glance at Malfoy. "He told us his cousin had died and that a Dementor had done it."