The Slytherin Champion (The Four Maidens of Hogwarts #1)

Chapter Seven

Jade was still feeling stressed from the day before, but she was glad when she got to work with Cait the next day in Potions. Adonis was the type of person Jade liked to hang with when she wasn't feeling annoyed. When she wasn't in her normal mood, Adonis and his friends usually gave her a little space to allow her to cool off. With Cait, though, there was something about her, perhaps her purity or adorable awkwardness, or both, that just erased all of Jade's current negative thoughts, something that not even Fleur, the enchanting Veela had.

"Congratulations!" Cait smiled brightly. "I'm so happy for you!"

Jade couldn't help but smile back. "Thanks, Cait."

Cedric, who had just entered the room, came over to their table. "Hello, Jade." He greeted. "Congratulations, I must say I'm impressed."

Jade nodded. "Thank you, Cedric."

Cedric grinned and replied. "Cho told me she was very surprised you entered."

Jade shrugged. "I'm sure she was."

Cedric gave one last smile before going to his seat a few tables over. A few tables from Cedric, Jade caught Preethi's eyes once more, who gave her another congratulatory nod and smile. She was kind of relieved that Preethi didn't come over in person to congratulate her. It was like Preethi knew that Jade was starting to get tired of people congratulating her. Laverna walked in with Angelina, talking about Charms homework as they found their desks.

After Snape gave a brief lecture, he set them to work. When Jade came back with the ingredients, Cait was still calculating measurements for the potion.

"So, Jade, I'm a little curious." Cait asked, briefly looking up. "Do you have an idea yet of what you want to do after Hogwarts?"

Jade set the ingredients down the table, tilting her head in thought. "I don't know for sure yet, but when I met with Snape last year to discuss my future, he says I could qualify as an Auror."

Cait's hazel eyes lit up as her mouth dropped open in wonder. "I can totally see you as an Auror."

Jade gave a light scoff, the corners of her lips lifting in a small smile. "I guess," was all she said. "You?"

Cait stopped writing for a moment, bringing her quill up slightly and twirling it thoughtfully. "Um... it kind of sounds silly..." Her eyes lost its spark for a moment, replaced by hesitancy.

"I won't judge," Jade immediately said.

Cait gave a light smile from Jade's words. She finally lifted her eyes to meet Jade's. "I've always wanted to be an artist, maybe like... the ones that paint all the Hogwarts portraits."

Jade shrugged, not seeing the silliness in art. She nodded in agreement. "That's not silly at all. I think it suits you."

Cait's hand twitched from Jade's compliment. "Thanks. Sorry, I just... I noticed most people I know want to be Aurors or professors, but Professor Sprout told me last year during career counselling that becoming a renowned artist is very hard. So... I don't know. I don't know if I'm good enough to make it." She set her quill down on the desk. Judging from her limp hand, Jade could sense Cait was starting to feel stressed about the future.

Jade licked her lip, and then placed a comforting hand on Cait's, just like how Cait did to give her hope and strength before the Triwizard tournament. "It's not impossible, though. If that's what you like and that's what you want to do, then go for it. I'll support you." Jade responded. Her eyes set in seriousness.

Cait closed her eyes and smiled. "Thanks, Jade."

Jade had expected Cait to pull her hand out from under Jade's, but to her surprise Cait left her hand there. She moved her hand slightly, but found that she also didn't want to remove her hand. They remained touching for a few extra moments, until Jade finally cleared her throat and withdrew her hand, proceeding to search through her satchel for the Potions textbook.