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

Chapter Eighteen

A/N: Sorry for the wait! This was a hard chapter to write so I hope you like! <3 Thanks for all the support! :) Feel free to vote and comment, thanks! (Jade can sing part 2 xD)

Jade was grumpy and drowsy when she woke up the morning of the Second Task. She had planned to get a good night's rest the night before, but while she was sleeping a few of roommates had came back to the room later that night, noisily as ever. They had apologized when Jade had snapped at them, but it had been too late. They had already disrupted Jade's sleeping cycle.

She forced herself to get up and make herself down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Since rest didn't really work in her favor, she needed energy before the Second Task. Jade was hoping she would see Cait there, but she frowned when she'd failed to spot her.

"Have any of you seen Cait?" Cedric, who happened to be standing close by, asked a group of Hufflepuff girls who walked by him. "I don't think I saw her come back to the Common Room last night."

The group of Hufflepuff girls shook their hands. "She didn't come back to the room last night. We thought maybe we should ask Professor Sprout later if we don't see her by tonight."

Jade was definitely awake now. She snapped her eyes more alert, her breath quickening as she scanned the Hufflepuff table again just to make sure.

No Cait.

'We've taken what you'll sorely miss.'

Jade clenched her fists. I knew it. The nerve. She had seen Preethi glancing at Cait in the library the other day, which gave Jade the idea that the clue wasn't limited to just objects.

'Too late, it's gone. It won't come back.'

It seemed like someone had dropped the weight of the world onto her shoulders. She gritted her teeth. Over my dead body. She pushed past some people who were in her way to get to the Slytherin table, shoving down her breakfast before standing up to leave.

I'm getting you back, Cait. Whatever it takes.

She proceeded to head towards the door, taking purposeful steps and her thoughts repeatedly running through her game plan.

"-ade! Jade!" She barely heard a familiar voice from her loud thoughts, but a hand turned her around.

Jade was about to spin around and snap at the person to get their hand off her, but her negative mood immediately dissipated when she saw Laverna, holding out a bag in front of her.

Laverna smiled. "Here's the swimsuit you asked for a few days ago."

Jade put her hand to her face, feeling utterly stupid. "Of course, I totally forgot. Thanks, Laverna." She took the bag, taking a deep breath out.

Laverna tilted her head, obviously sensing that Jade wasn't at her top today. "Hey, you're going to do great today."

Jade didn't even nod. Even though she was more calm now, she couldn't get the idea that Cait was in danger out of her head. Before she knew it, Laverna gave her a small hug. Jade blinked, but she found herself awkwardly patting Laverna's back in return. It was better than just standing there.

"Thanks," she finally mustered out. "I have to go prepare."

They broke apart. Laverna waved before heading back to the Gryffindor table, and Jade turned to leave the Great Hall.

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Jade gave a yawn as she made her way to the Great Lake. Why are we doing this at nine thirty again? Why couldn't it have been after lunch?