Secrets And Spells

September 2nd 1976

She arrived five minutes late to her and Sirius's study session. She opened the door to find Sirius and Mary snogging by the window.
"You disgust me," She grimaced as they broke apart.

"Whoops!" Mary giggled. "See you later," she said to Sirius as she left.

"Weren't you snogging some Hufflepuff two hours ago?" Jade asked raising an eyebrow.

"That wasn't me," declared Sirius with a grin, streching out on the window sill. "Loyalty is my middle name," he proclaimed, the twinkle in his eye betraying a hint of mischief.

"Sure," she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Oh shut up," Sirius grumbled, pulling out a cigarette with a flourish.

"Sit!" Jade exclaimed, her patience wearing thin with his antics.

"Make me!" he said with a sly grin, taking a drag from his cigarette.

"I wouldn't come near you with a fifty-foot broomstick," declared Jade as she retrieved the notes given to her by Professor Rowle.

Sirius plopped down, snuffing out his cigarette with a dramatic flair worthy of a stage actor taking his final bow.

"I spoke with Professor Rowle about your biggest challenge, and she mentioned palm reading. It's essential for passing your N.E.W.T.s," Jade said as she took a seat beside him and offered her hand. "Go on, read my palm."

"Why on earth would you bother with Divination?" inquired Sirius, staring into her with his piercing grey eyes.

"Dora forced me into it, kicking and screaming, but now I'm a fan. What about you?" she responded with a smirk.

"Because it seemed like an easy 'O' at first," he said, flipping to the chapter on palmistry and seizing her hand. "Hmm, this line suggests you're destined for old age," he mused, running his finger along a line that Jade knew indicated childlessness, "Or is it immortality?" His brow furrowed in puzzlement.

She withdrew her hand and took his, "You're doing it wrong, watch. This line here represents true love, and this one predicts the loss of a friend."

"I hope it's Peter," he mumbled under his breath. Jade burst into laughter, she actually found Sirius Black's joke funny. And it wasn't even one of his better ones! Clearly, the world had flipped upside down.

"Your really fucking annoying, you know that?" Jade said quickly.

"Really?" Sirius grinned, bafflingly cheerful despite the lack of kindness in her tone.

"Absolutely, you're on the top tier of my 'most annoying idiots' list," Jade confirmed with emphasis.

"Pray tell, who reigns supreme on that list?" inquired Sirius, one eyebrow arching in curiosity.

"Your pal Lupin, he fancies himself the king of the castle, but in truth, he's more the court jester." And yet, the grin remained. "Wipe that grin off; you're starting to resemble a five year old,"

"That's just like something my mother would say," he remarked.

"Maybe that's what I'm going for!" Now she was smiling. "We should probably do something before we run out of time,"

***

She didn't tell the others everything. She certainly couldn't them she laughed at his stupid joke.

"He's so fucking stupid! I've already lost my will to live!" She groaned when she got back to the common room.

"Jade," called Corban Yaxley, the Slytherin Quidditch captain, addressing her.

"Yes?" she answered, her gaze drawn upward to meet his towering stature, the sunlight catching his blonde hair just so, and those blue eyes—so striking they could've been plucked from the summer sky itself.

"Would you mind joining me here?" he motioned towards a quaint little round table.

"How can I help you?" she asked, sitting down opposite him.

"I was wondering if you could help me with the Quidditch tryouts tomorrow evening from four to six?" he asked.

"Sure, that's fine," she replied, her eyes casually noting his striking features. "How about a pre-tryout stroll around the grounds?" she suggested with a grin.

He winked at her, saying, 'I think that would be nice,' before turning back to his friends.

***

3rd of September 1976

The afternoon classes were a snooze-fest, but the only reason they ended up with homework from McGonagall was because Evan decided to start a paper airplane war with the Gryffindors.

"Hello, Corban," Jade said with a smile as she walked up to him.

He extended his arm with an air of grandeur, and she accepted it, albeit with a hint of trepidation. As they strolled through the vast grounds, Jade couldn't help but notice that despite Corban Yaxley's captivating looks, his personality was as dull as a documentary on paint drying.

"We should grab our Quidditch gear," suggested Jade, noticing people heading towards the pitch.

“Good idea,” he kissed her lightly on the lips, Jade didn't see this going anywhere.

The broom shed was unlocked. "Merlin's beard, Black!" Jade exclaimed in disgust as Sirius and Mary emerged. "You're revolting!" she declared, clearly repulsed, while Mary's giggles echoed wildly.

"Quiet, Potter!" he said with a smirk. "Catch you later!"

“What are you doing later? Have another date after this?” Yaxley raised his eyebrows.

"I'm stuck tutoring that buffoon," she groaned. The stroll she took with Yaxley was far from romantic—could it even be called a date?

They quickly got changed in the dressing rooms. “Pretty decent turnout this year,” Yaxley smiled, he wasn’t wrong there was a lot of students. “Okay we’re looking for two chasers, a keeper, a beater, and a seeker. Everyone got that?”

The keeper tryouts kicked off with a bang. "Alright, let's be honest, most of you probably couldn't catch a cold, but Rosier, you were the exception. Absolutely stellar performance! Welcome to the team, you're the new keeper!"

Evan's excitement was palpable, a stark contrast to last year when he didn't make the cut for the team. This year, they welcomed two new chasers, Dorcas and Leonard Bulstrode; Leonard might have been only a third-year, but his speed was exceptional. Helena Shafiq took up the beater's bat, a familiar face from the dorm she shared with Pandora and Jade. And for the pivotal role of seeker, they reaffirmed Regulus, marking his second year in the position and his third year with the team.

***

"Why did you not have to try out again?" Dorcas asked as they walked up to the castle after tryouts finished.

"You'll have to ask Yaxley that," Jade said, "I've got to get my bag and then I have to go tutor Black,"

She snatched her bag from the dormitory and headed to the transfiguration classroom. Sirius was leaning against the open window, smoking. "You're late," he remarked.

"I was at Quidditch tryouts," she replied.

"Did you make the team?" he inquired.

"Didn't even have to try out, that's how good I am," she boasted.

"What, did you snog Yaxley?" he jested.

"Wouldn't you like to know. Now put that out and sit down," she retorted.

"No," Sirius said, taking another drag and blowing smoke in Jade's face.

"If you're going to keep smoking, give me one, will you?" Jade requested.

"Why should I?" Sirius teased.

"Just because," she insisted.

"James would be upset to hear his little sister smokes," Sirius remarked but passed one to her regardless.

She lit it and joined him at the window. Five minutes later, they settled down to work. The session was far more sombre than the first, with Sirius casting her probing glances, as if trying to discern something.

***

The following weeks whizzed by in a whirlwind of textbooks, essays, and Quidditch.

7th of October 1976

Jade was feeling the drag lately, but who could blame her? The first Quidditch match of the season was on the horizon—Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff—and it was all anyone could talk about. Even though she wasn't suiting up for the game, Yaxley had the team on spy duty to check out the competition, since they'd be facing off with the victor. Her days were a blur of broomsticks, books, and begrudgingly helping Sirius with his studies.

She might not loathe him as much as before, but she wasn't about to send him a friendship bracelet either.

The Christmas exams were scheduled for late November, and with a bit of luck and good grades, she could hang up her tutoring hat for good.

For the first time, she was on time to the study session. Outside the door, a chorus of elevated voices reached her ears. She eavesdropped, curious about the commotion inside.

"I should have listened to Lily!" The voice sounded like Mary MacDonald's, tinged with anger.

"I assure you, nothing happened with her," Sirius protested, him and Mary must be arguing, but what about?

"Please Sirius, we did loads," Selena McNamara scoffed. Mary had uncovered the truth.

"See! You're a terrible person, Black," Mary shouted, and Jade could hear her footsteps approaching.

"Mary, come back I'm sorry!" Sirius shouted in her wake.

Jade retreated from the door as Mary burst out, her mascara smeared by tears. Entering, Jade fixed Selena with a fierce glare. "Out, now!" she commanded.

"No, Sirius, tell her to be nice to your girlfriend," Selena chirped.

"Go," Sirius groaned. "And you're not my girlfriend,"

"Fine!" declared Selena sharply, before turning on her heel and departing briskly.

"MacDonald won't forgive you," Jade sighed.

"I know, that's the issue. I actually like her," Sirius said miserably.

"Then why did you go off with McNamara?" Jade inquired.

"Her brother sells cigs,"

"You cheated on MacDonald for cigarettes!?" Jade was mad at him, "I could get you those, Evan sells them,"

"Fuck sake!" Sirius groaned, his head in his hands.

Jade felt dizzy, "Get over it Black. So you were a dick, It's not like you don't have your pick of girls in this school," She sat down next to him and kicked him.

"Sod off wanker," He tossed his raven hair and looked at her.

"Make me," she said with a smile, her head spinning even more.

"I wouldn't touch you with a fifty foot broomstick," Sirius grinned back. It had become some sort of inside joke.

"Take out your book," Jade instructed, reaching for her bag as a wave of unsteadiness washed over her.

"Are you okay? You seem a bit pale," Sirius inquired, giving her a concerned once-over.

"Alright, just—" With a dramatic thud, she collapsed to the floor, and like a light switch flipped off by a mischievous child, the room plunged into darkness.

She regained conciseness in the hospital wing.

"Jade?" came a whisper. "Are you awake?"

She opened her eyes to find James sitting beside her. Remus leaned against the far wall, evidently disinterested. Peter stood at the end of the bed, while Sirius occupied the chair next to it.

"What are you idiots doing here?" she inquired. "Why am I here?"

"You fainted from dehydration," James said, "Mum's always on about drinking more water, isn't she?"

"Piss off," she uttered with a quiver, her voice wobbling like a jelly on a high-speed train.

"No problem," Remus said, glancing over at them with an expression of terminal boredom.

"Moony, would you kindly put a sock in it?" James quipped.

"Let him go; I couldn't care less," Jade said with a sneer.

Madam Pomfrey hurried over. "I'll be keeping you here tonight for observation. You need to drink more water in the future, Miss Potter," she advised.

"Being compelled to remain here is one thing, but at least spare me the presence of these wankers," she muttered in exasperation.

"Mind your language, Miss Potter," Madam Pomfrey scolded. "Boys, if she doesn't want your company, you must leave."

"I'm staying because she's my sister," James insisted.

"Jade?" The door flew open as Barty, Evan, Regulus, Dorcas, and Pandora stormed in. "We just caught wind from a chatty first-year Hufflepuff that Black and Potter escorted you to the hospital wing. What the fuck?" Regulus elbowed Peter out of the way to give her a hug. "You alright?"

"I'm fine," Jade hugged him back. "I'd be better if these morons would just get lost," she muttered.

"You heard her," Pandora commanded, "Leave."

"We're not leaving Rosier," Sirius declared fiercely.

"James may remain; however, the rest of you must leave," Madam Pomfrey declared, peeking out from her office. "Should she be uneasy with your presence, you cannot stay."

"Fine," Sirius snapped. Peter, Remus, and Sirius then departed.

"Why are you in here?" Evan inquired, perched on the chair recently abandoned by Sirius.

"Collapsed due to a severe lack of hydration," declared Jade.

"Do you mind giving us a minute?" James sighed. "I need to speak with Jade privately."

They all stepped outside. "Jade," he began, "I know you were in the train compartment at the start of term."

"What do you mean?" Jade asked, sitting up.

"I heard you sniff," James said.

"You heard me sniff?" Jade laughed.

"Your nose was blocked because you were crying from the fight with Mum, and I'm sorry I told her about Mark," James admitted.

"Where are you going with this?" Jade interrupted, raising an eyebrow.

"Listen, all that nonsense they're spouting is just that—nonsense. You? A future Death Eater? As likely as Snape wearing a tutu. I gave them an earful back in the dorms, really let them have it. And I would've done it in the train compartment too, but I didn't fancy giving Lily another reason to think I'm a prat. Still on my 'Lily Doesn't Despise Me' campaign, you know." James ruffled his already messy hair, a sheepish grin on his face.

"Thanks, James," she said with a smile.

"I'll go now," he kissed her cheek, "Remember, you can always talk to me," he walked out and the others returned.

"What did he want?" Barty inquired.

"He knew I was in their compartment on the train," she explained.

"How?" Pandora asked, sitting at the end of her bed.

"I'm not sure, I just sniffed and—" she began.
"You were crying, and you always get a stuffy nose after you cry," Regulus interjected.

"Exactly," She smiled.

***

12th of October 1976

The following morning, she was back to her regular school routine, with a twist of gratitude for Sirius who had heroically delivered her bag to the hospital wing post-faint. The day's agenda included an intriguing lesson on chimeras in the Care of Magical Creatures class.

At lunch, James came over to speak to her.

"Can I have my cloak back?"

"Oops, it totally slipped my mind that I had that!" Jade vowed to hand it over to Sirius later that night. Staying on James' good side was something she enjoyed, evidenced by the letter from her mum. The letter was a snooze-fest, though, just Euphemia penning down her joy about their camaraderie and the house elf's sniffles. Yawn-inducing drivel, really.

Slytherin scheduled a double training session that evening. Jade, Evan, and Regulus arrived at the pitch early for warm-ups. Mark Zabini, observing from the stands, had attempted to visit Jade in the hospital wing previously, expressing a strong desire for Jade to take him back. The session concluded early when Helena Shafiq inadvertently sent a bludger in Yaxley's direction..

Jade escorted him to the hospital wing. "I like you," Yaxley mumbled, his eyes slightly unfocused. "You're really pretty," he continued, gazing into her eyes with a woozy admiration.

"Thanks," she murmured, an all-too-familiar premonition dawning upon her.

"You know the Hogsmeade trip next weekend?"

"Yeah," Oh Merlin, she really wasn't bothered, but what was the harm?

"Do you want to go with me? Like as a date," He looked nervous.

"Okay," Jade smiled back at him, she glanced at her watch. "Shit I've got to go,"

Since they were already in the hospital wing, it was irrelevant whether she left him there or not.

She hurried down to the dungeons to get her bag.

Sirius was late that evening, citing "Strictly confidential Marauder business."

"And what exactly is a marauder?" Jade asked.

He smirked. "Oh, you don't know," he said.

"Yes, but I'd like to," She was intrigued now.

"It's just what people call Pete, James, Remus and I, because of the pranks,"

“Oh, I thought it was Mary’s nickname or something,”
“Why would you think that?” Sirius laughed.
“I don’t know, but I’m assuming she’s all over you, again.” For some reason, the fourth, fifth and sixth year girls were all over Sirius, Jade didn’t see the appeal.

“Merlin no, she hates me now,” Sirius said, “Evans actually slapped me, she won’t talk to any of us accept Moony,”

“Serves you right for being a dick!” Jade smirked.

“That’s what James said,” Sirius scratched his head and tossed his black hair. “There’s a party in the Gryffindor common room on Hallowe’en, it’s also for my birthday. Do you want to come?”

“Are you inviting me to your birthday party?” Jade laughed.

“No I’m inviting the fucking blackboard!” Sirius joked.

“I might go. You’ll have to see.”

As she made her way to the common room, Regulus hurried to catch up with her.

"Jade, I have to talk to you now!" Regulus's hair was dishevelled, a rare occurrence for someone usually so meticulous.

"Okay, talk," What was so urgent?

"No, not here." Regulus looked around. "In here," He grabbed her hand and led her into a nearby broom cupboard.

"What,"

"I was walking to the library," Regulus began. "And James was walking a little bit behind, me so I pretended to tie my shoe, and he started talking to me!"

"Is he not your boyfriend?" Jade raised an eyebrow.

"Well, in a way. He has been avoiding me since Diagon Alley, probably because of the thing with Mary. But I'm not finished yet."

"Come on, tell me."

"I confronted him, then he started apologising and saying he was nervous and- well it ended with us snogging in a broom cupboard."

"Wow, so you two are really a couple?"

"Honestly, I don't know the answer to that myself," Regulus was smiling.

"Maybe I'll snog your brother," Jade teased.

"As if!" Regulus laughed.

***

October 16th 1976

Jade was swept up in a tide of nerves that morning, anticipating her first Quidditch match of the season. Slytherin was gearing up to face Hufflepuff, fresh off their recent win against Gryffindor.

Yaxley suggested that the team sit together for breakfast. Dorcas was quietly recollecting tactics, while Helena refused to eat. Leo Bulstrode, anxious and restless, incessantly tapped his foot, much to Evan's annoyance.

Yaxlet led the team to the changing rooms, where the buzz of pre-game nerves was palpable.. Nervousness was evident on every face. Jade swiftly donned her Quidditch robes, while Yaxley had already begun reviewing plays with the rest of the team.

Madam Hooch's whistle told the team it was time to enter the field.

"And now, strutting onto the field, it's the Slytherins!" boomed Peter Pettigrew's voice across the stadium. "Leading the pack is Captain Corban Yaxley, with chasers Dorcas Meadows and Leonard Bulstrode hot on his heels. Not far behind, the beaters Jade Potter and Helena Shafiq are ready to swing. Guarding the goals is keeper Evan Rosier, and last but certainly not least, seeker Regulus Black, with his eyes on the prize!"

Jade could hear the boos emanating from the yellow-clad supporters in the crowd, with nearly everyone favouring Hufflepuff. Slytherin had become even more despised since the rise of the Dark Lord and the war. When Madam Hooch instructed the captains to shake hands, Yaxley attempted to crush the fingers of Olivia Smith.

"Mount your brooms!" thundered Madam Hooch, and they all promptly did so At the sound of her whistle, they ascended and circled the pitch, taking their positions while Yaxley barked out commands.

The stadium erupted with excitement as Peter's booming announcement, "And they're off!" filled the air. In a flash, as soon as Madam Hooch propelled the quaffle skyward, Yaxley snatched it up with lightning speed and, with a slick flick of his wrist, tossed it to Dorcas.

Jade spotted Amos Diggory targeting Dorcas with a bludger . She swiftly flew towards the other bludger and struck it with all her might in his direction. A loud thump ensued, as the Hufflepuff spectators unleashed a torrent of boos, a tidal wave of cheers broke from the sea of emerald-clad onlookers.

"Yikes, that must've hurt!" Peter exclaimed. Amos Diggory appeared stunned yet persisted in playing. "It appears that Slytherin has adopted a 'take no prisoners' approach this season! Might be wise after last year's narrow loss to Gryffindor!"

Jade recalled the moment of hesitation before deciding not to strike the bludger towards James during the previous year's final, an action that ultimately gave James the opportunity to secure the winning goal.

"Meadows is rocketing down the pitch," roared Peter. "She's going for it!" Everyone in the stands was on the edge of their seats, "She scores! And just like that, ten points for Slytherin." The Slytherins burst into victorious cheers.

Jade swiftly moved toward Regulus, just in time to deflect a bludger that was heading his way.

"Smith's got the quaffle, but Yaxley's chasing him like he owes him money! Oops, that's gotta hurt. Helena Shafiq's bludger hit sends the quaffle flying from Smith's hands. But wait, Leonard Bulstrode scoops it up, flying like he's got a rocket attached to his broom! Hold on, Smith's back in the game, snatching the quaffle back. He shoots—nope, Rosier's not having it today!" Peter was on the edge of his seat, eyes glued to the action.

"Bulstrode thought he was in the clear, but surprise! Amelia Bones whacks a bludger in his direction, and in a blink, Hufflepuff reclaims the quaffle. Michael Abbott dashes ahead, a blur on his broom, and – bam – he lands a goal! Tally 10 for Hufflepuff!" Peter bellowed with gusto.

The game was heating up as Hufflepuff managed to snag 40 points, but Slytherin wasn't far behind, racking up another 30 points on the scoreboard.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the score is 50-40 to Hufflepuff," Peter said. "Who will catch that blasted snitch? Will it be Anne Stomp? Or Regulus Black?"

Jade noticed Regulus darting towards the ground, as did Peter. "Regulus Black has spotted something! Is it the snitch? It is! Regulus Black has caught the snitch! 190-40! Slytherin win!" Peter yelled through the microphone.

Regulus looked exhilarated. The whole team flew to the ground. They'd won the first match of the season, Yaxley always said that set the tone for the rest of the year. Maybe the would be the the year they won it all.