The Fox In A Snake Pit! Story 3

Permission or not?

Ron, unable to resist a jab, chuckled as he asked, "What would your fear even be, anyway?" His tone dripped with sarcasm. "A piece of homework you only scored nine out of ten on?" 

Jade's eyes narrowed into slits at Ron's remark, her frustration boiling just beneath the surface as she collected her belongings. "You know nothing," she hissed, her voice low and menacing, "but maybe one day you'll find out." She pushed past him and began to leave the room. 

~Time skip~

Before long, Defense Against the Dark Arts emerged as the top choice among students. Draco was the sole voice offering commentary on Professor Lupin. As Lupin strolled past, Jade caught his pointed whisper, "Can you believe his robes?" He disdainfully examined the professor's attire, scoffing, "He looks just like our old house-elf." 

Jade immediately thought of Dobby, but it was clear that the others were indifferent to Lupin's worn and tattered clothing. Lupin's next lessons proved to be just as captivating as the first one. Following their exploration of Boggarts, the class delved into the unsettling world of Red Caps—mischievous, goblin-like beings that thrived in locations marred by violence. These creatures could be found lurking in the shadows of castle dungeons or in the muddy craters left on forsaken battlegrounds, eagerly awaiting the chance to pounce on any lost soul who wandered too close. 

From Red Caps, they moved on to Kappas, the unsettling aquatic beings resembling scaly monkeys, complete with webbed hands poised to ensnare any unsuspecting souls venturing too close to their murky ponds. 

Jade found herself longing for the same joy in her other classes. Among them, Divination stood out as the most frustrating. Professor Trelawney's incessant ramblings grated on her nerves, and she and Hermione remained skeptical of the class, which only fueled her desire to drop it entirely. 

Once a source of joy for Jade, Potions had turned into a challenging ordeal lately, largely due to Snape's increasingly foul temper. The story of the Boggart that had taken Snape's form, and the way Neville had dressed it in his grandmother's clothes, had spread like wildfire around the school. Meanwhile, Snape himself appeared far from amused. 

Each time Professor Lupin's name was brought up in conversation, his eyes would narrow with a dangerous glint, and he unleashed his fury on Neville with renewed vigor, making the young Gryffindor's life even more miserable. 

Care of Magical Creatures had quickly lost its charm, leaving students feeling disillusioned after the thrilling first lesson. Hagrid appeared to be struggling with his confidence, and the excitement that once filled the classroom had faded. Instead of engaging with mesmerizing creatures, they found themselves stuck in a monotonous routine, committing endless hours to the care of flobberworms, which Jade and Draco considered to be among the dullest creatures imaginable. 

"Why would anyone take the time to care for them?" Draco grumbled, his patience wearing thin as he continued to force shredded lettuce into the flobberworms' mouths. 

Jade nodded in silent agreement, her eyes scanning the area for anything more interesting than the sluggish creatures before them. 

As October rolled in, Draco found his thoughts drifting to a far more exhilarating pursuit, overshadowing his classes' monotony. The thrill of the Quidditch season was just around the corner, igniting a spark of excitement within him. This year, he was determined to outshine Harry, and he had shared his cunning strategy with Jade, fueling his anticipation for the upcoming matches.

~Time skip~

Jade was immersed in her studies with Hermione in the cozy Gryffindor common room, where she had received a warm invitation to join. The atmosphere was alive with chatter when Harry strolled in after wrapping up a Quidditch practice. His eyes locked on the two of them, a mix of confusion and suspicion flitting across his face.