WHEN JADE entered Defense Against the Dark Arts, everything seemed okay. Kids were throwing paper airplanes, a few of the Slytherins scribbled on the tables in front of them, and some of Jade's housemates were whispering among themselves. Jade crept over and tapped on Mandy's shoulder, making her leap off her seat.

"Jaaaaade, you scared me." She whined, sticking out her bottom lip.

"Sorry Mandy, I definitely didn't mean to." Jade winked at Anthony, who laughed and shook his head.

Mandy threw her legs across Terry's lap, using him as her own personal stool. Jade sat across from him, in between Anthony and Padma, who had her nose buried in a book. She got along with Padma, and, since they were both half-bloods, they could talk about Muggle things Su and Lisa didn't fully understand. Sometimes Mandy would join in, but she always fell asleep early, no matter how loud the other four were being.

This time, Padma was reading a Muggle book titled "In the Time of the Butterflies", and she was at least one hundred pages in. She always brought mountains of books to Hogwarts, in the first year she hid in them, until Mandy and Jade recognized the book she was reading. Then, they bonded and were friends ever since.

"I wonder how this new Professor will be."

As if on cue with Anthony's words, the door opened quietly and a bright pink blob, which Jade assumed was Professor Umbridge, began to strut down the aisle. She flicked her wand and the three paper airplanes flying around the room disintegrated, becoming piles of ash on the desks.

"Get into seats, Slytherins." She commanded in a sickly sweet voice, and the three sitting there quickly jumped into their seats.

Jade had heard that, in the fifth year class before theirs, Harry Potter caused a scene and made Umbridge very upset. He claimed that Voldemort was back. Jade believed him wholeheartedly, but she knew that someone from the Ministry wouldn't believe him.

She droned on about how they would be practicing defense "safely", which Jade soon realized meant no spells, it would be strictly textbook learning.

For the first few years of Jade's life, her parents tried to teach her from home, but she struggled with learning everything straight from the book, she needed a visual or auditory item too. It was why she hated History of Magic so much, not only was Binns ridiculously boring, but she hated that it was all book based.

The class let out without incident, though Jade could tell from Anthony's beet red face and puffed cheeks that he was biting his tongue the whole time. Sure, they weren't the best of friends with Harry, but they knew he wouldn't lie, and Anthony hated liars.

"She was preaching complete and utter nonsense!" He bellowed the minute they exited the class. "She's a pawn! She's a lunatic!"

"You're going to look like a lunatic if you don't stop shouting." Jade asserted, smiling sheepishly at the other students observing the outrage.

"I don't care! She's a farce." He groaned, lowering his volume the tiniest bit.

"Anthony, don't get in trouble. She assigned Harry a bunch of detentions I heard." Jade could see the love in Mandy's eyes. How Anthony was so blind to her crush on him was beyond Jade.

"I'll try to keep my mouth shut."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

"Swear on it." Jade stood in front of them, making them lock pinkies.

The three of them burst out laughing, realizing how stupid they must look. Pinkie promises had been their tradition since first year, however, and they wouldn't pass up the chance to do one.

They walked to the Great Hall, Mandy and Anthony talked animatedly the whole time while Jade watched. Mandy's body language was glaringly obvious, she was always attached to his hip, her pupils were huge, the corner of her eyes crinkled when she smiled. She was in love with him.

Anthony took off running once they entered the Hall, trying to get to Terry and his brother. Mandy sighed, her face beaming and her smile radiating throughout the whole room. Jade laughed, putting her arm around her best friend.

"You're in loooooove." She drawled, giggling like a schoolgirl. "You have huge pupils, you're genuinely smiling, you're absolutely in love."

"So are you." Mandy replied, putting her arm around Jade's shoulders.

"Well, what makes you think that?" Jade exclaimed, exaggerating her gasps and tone.

"It's so obvious Jade. Every time you see Luna it's like the world stops turning and all your eyes see is platinum blonde."

"I may be a little affectionate."

"A little?"

Jade sighed, punching Mandy in the arm. She loved being close with her, but they always got into each other's personal business and picked on each other for it.

"You'll tell her soon, right?"

"Maybe."

"Swear on it."

The two of them locked pinkies as they sat down at the table with Anthony, his brother, and Terry.

"What're we swearing on now, ladies?" Terry asked, leaning forward to hear the big reveal.

"It's a secret," Mandy giggled. "but I'm sure you'll find out soon enough."

The spot to Jade's right was soon filled by another presence, an airy, lovely presence. She knew immediately who it was. Luna said nothing during lunch, just ate potatoes quietly, and Jade watched every movement from the corner of her eye. Was it creepy? Yes, but Jade didn't care. Luna was a beautiful person, and her actions were just as beautiful.

"You're in love, you have huge pupils and you keep inching closer to her." Mandy whispered to herself before shoving a fork full of potatoes into her mouth.

"Touché."