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

Chapter Twenty

A/N: This chapter was pretty heavy for me while writing so I hope it's okay :'D Hope you like and feel free to vote and comment, thanks! <3

Besides Laverna's birthday, March hadn't really been an eventful month. Jade went back and forth between trying to be proactive on preparing herself for the last task, and wanting to just relax and since she still would have about two months even if she waited. Then realizing that she didn't have to pick between the two and just balance both.

Apparition lessons were still a pain. The test was coming up too and even though Jade had succeeded the first lesson, it definitely didn't mean she could Apparate perfectly every single time. Classes were also picking up. Snape was still crabby, and McGonagall was giving out more assignments that required more time to complete than just a few days before the due date.

Her parents had also Owled her some time ago to check up on her. She had told them about the Second Task and how she's currently in third place. They had replied back that it's okay if she doesn't win, and that they don't expect her to win so she doesn't have to work herself too hard. Jade could understand why. She definitely wasn't as athletic compared to the other champions, but she was competing for her parents. Jade hadn't forgotten that. She needed to win.

Jade needed some time where she didn't have to worry about all of these things at once. She needed to feel at peace. The only person that made her feel truly like that was Cait. She needed some time with Cait. Tonight. Alone.

"What are you doing this evening?" Jade blurted out, but it came out as a mumble.

"Hmm?" Cait looked up from the Potions cauldron.

Right. She was currently in class. On a Friday. Jade closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. When she met Cait's gaze, she repeated herself slowly. "What are you doing this evening?"

"Oh!" Cait exclaimed. "I was planning on painting tonight. I haven't done that for a while."

"Painting?" She remembered when Cait had given her a bookmark that had a colored drawing of Jade.

"Yeah. I think I'm going to paint the sunset over the Great lake." Cait replied dreamily.

Jade was already smiling, already seeing the calming sunset. "Can I watch you paint? We can also... talk, if you want."

She watched as Cait's cheeks flushed bright red. "O-Of course. Yes, you can definitely watch me paint. Not that watching me paint is that great to watch. Honestly, if you wanted to do something else, painting can wait."

Jade chuckled, taking over the cauldron. Cait awkwardly dumped the next ingredients in before Jade stirred. "No, watching you paint and just talking sounds perfect with me."

"S-Sure, okay. Uh, it's a date, then." Cait reached behind her and tightened her high ponytail, giggling nervously.

"It's a date." Jade affirmed.

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Jade met Cait near the Great Lake. Cait set up an easel and there were paint bottles splayed all over the ground nearby. Jade plopped herself onto the grass, gazing up at the blended sky of orange and purple. The clouds swirled like a whirlpool, but rays seeped through them like the clouds had been shot with bullets.

Wow. I'm going to watch my girlfriend paint that. Jade exhaled.

After Cait had set up, Jade closed her eyes briefly, feeling the gentle breeze against her skin and grass beneath her hands.

"How often did you paint before you came to Hogwarts?" Jade asked.

Cait hummed as she answered. "Usually whenever I came home from school. When I came here, though, painting became more of a once in a while thing. It takes a lot longer for me compared to drawing."