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

Chapter Fourteen

Professor Snape seemed especially critical in Potions the next day about any little thing he could fuss about. Jade wasn't sure why he was more cranky than usual, but the only thing that was different was that it had started to snow outside, earlier than when it had snowed last year. He even snapped at Laverna about her bubbliness, who was across the room working with Angelina. He then took Gryffindor House points away when Alicia stood up for Laverna, before continuing to make his way across the room and stopping at Cedric's table.

"He's coming over, and we haven't finished yet." Cait muttered nervously, her pale green eyes growing concerned. She started to stir the cauldron a little faster.

Jade peered over to look at the cauldron. She took a step closer and laid a hand over Cait's frantic one. Cait stopped stirring, as if her touch had stilled her.

Jade replied in a reassuring voice. "Don't worry. It's almost done. You just have to let it settle again." Cait pursed her lips into a small smile and turned to meet Jade's gaze. She opened her mouth to say something. Jade's heart began to race faster, and before she could stop herself she blurted out. "See? It's the right color now."

Cait snapped her head back at the cauldron before letting out a large sigh of relief, just as Snape came to their table. His gaze then landed on Jade's comforting hand. Cait seemed to notice where he was staring. She blinked a few times when she looked back at Snape and saw him knit his eyebrows together. Cait then decided to pull the stirring spoon out of the Potion, withdrawing her hand from Jade's grasp in the process as she gave a nervous laugh. Jade cleared her throat before awkwardly bringing her hand back at her side.

Snape merely peered his head over to look at their cauldron. He pressed his lips into a thin line. "Mhm," he merely said, before walking away.

Jade patted Cait's shoulder. "Looks like we did it."

Cait nodded, giving a bright smile. "Oh yeah! Great job!"

Jade gave a small laugh. "You too."

They happened to be the last to leave the Snape's classroom. Jade had dropped her quill somewhere, and Cait had stayed behind to wait for Jade. When they left the room, the hallways were a little empty. Jade's heart unconsciously started to race again when she saw the snow outside.

"Cait, I want to ask you something." The words tumbled out of Jade's lips before she could really think. Her heartbeat increased, and Jade wanted to smack her chest to slow her heart rate back down.

Cait stopped walking, turning to face her. "Oh, what is it?" She asked, her voice rising a little higher.

They gazed at each other for a few moments. Jade opened her mouth, but exhaled a deep breath that she was holding in.

Can't back out now. Jade straightened herself. "Do you want to be my date to the Yule Ball?" Her mouth twitched slightly when she heard herself. 'Be my date'? That sounds so lame, Jade. I should have said accompanied. Ugh, my stupid mouth.

Cait's facial expressions slowly morphed into shock, her mouth opening and her eyes widening until she looked like a cute gaping fish. She didn't say anything at first. She didn't even blink. Jade bit her lip at Cait's silence. The seconds ticked by and Cait still wasn't saying anything.

"Sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I understand if you say no. Even if you said yes being seen together in front of the whole school might be daunting." Jade added, not really sure what to say. Though when the words came out, she resisted the urge to clasp her aching chest for admitting that possibility.

Cait shook her head, as if she was shaking herself awake. "No, no!" She then shook her head again, but this time at what she said. "I mean yes!" She then twiddled her thumbs before calming herself. "I mean, no, you didn't make me feel uncomfortable, and yes, I want to be your date." She emitted a nervous laugh, darting her gaze towards the ground. "I'm sorry, I just... I feel so happy." Despite what she said, Cait looked like she wanted to cry.