World's Clash

Chapter Two- Beginnings

Jade sat close to Tariq on a stone bench in front of a beautifully blooming rose bush.

"So, why did Grandfather turn you?" she asked.

"I'm not sure. I was a very sickly mortal child. That may have had something to do with it," he replied.

"If you'll forgive me, but I have read up on the infamous Tariq. You seem to be very outspoken, quite the opposite of most vampires. Why?"

"I get so sick of being so powerful and handsome and never have been heard of," he laughed. "Besides, what's so bad about letting yourself be known to the world?"

"Known to the world you belong to. You shouldn't stray from the safe."

"You certainly are a strange child, darling."

The band could be heard starting up a new song. A slower one. Jade scooted back a bit from Tariq and scoffed in offense.

"I am a young woman, sir," she said.

"Yes," Tariq said, his voice lowering and his index finger stroking her face. "A woman, indeed."

Jade shuddered from the cold of his touch. "What are you doing?"

"I like you, Jade. I like you a lot. I want to see you again after this night."

She stood, escaping his reach. "Moving a little fast, aren't we? I don't know…if we can see each other again."

Tariq stood as well. "Are you afraid of me? Or are you afraid of what your grandfather would say? Believe me, I will do nothing to harm neither you nor him, pretty girl."

Suddenly, the painfully recognizable voice of Draco Malfoy leaked out from Hogwarts.

"Jade? Jade, are you out here?" he called.

She motioned for Tariq to stay quiet.

"Why?" he mouthed.

She rolled her eyes and mouthed back, "I can't stand that spoiled brat!"

Tariq grinned. He closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, he said, "He's gone. I heard his footsteps retreating."

Jade sighed. Then, with a heavy look in her eyes, she said, "Christmas vacation. I'm going home for it. Come to L.A. I'm sure you can find me there."

Tariq leaned forward and gave her a tiny peck on her forehead. "Of course I can. But look, here comes Tobias and Mini."

Pushing their way through some rouge rosebushes, Tobias and Mini rejoined the group. They both looked a little flustered. Jade narrowed her eyes at them.

"How are things, Mini?"

The Gryffindor was tapping her foot impatiently. She glanced at Tobias, then back at Jade.

"We're cousins," she said.

"Yeah, I know. But not by blood," Jade replied.

Mini's eyes widened. "Oh, no, no, no. Jade, meet my grandfather, Tobias Snape."

Tobias seemed slightly taken aback. Perhaps it was the bluntness of Mini's words. She scoffed at him.

"What, I thought you knew that I knew."

"I did," Tobias said, still in a state of shock. "I guess I just didn't think you would be so forward with it."

Jade, for her part, was equally as shocked. Tariq seemed to be taking it all in stride.

"How--" Jade began. She paused, thinking better. "Wait. I don't want to know."

Tobias smiled and hugged the Slytherin. Then, turning to Mini--who was defending against a possible hug--he said, "Well, it was nice to see the both of you, but we must be going. Goodbye."

Tariq and Jade exchanged muttered goodbyes, and then, in a blink of an eye, the two vampires had taken flight and wee gone. Without a word passing between them, Jade and Mini began their return to the ball. As they crossed the threshold of Hogwarts, Jade turned to her cousin.

"Are you okay, Mini?" she asked.

The sarcastic young girl rolled her eyes. "You just spent twenty minutes outside with a blood-sucking fiend and you're asking me if I'm okay?" She paused for a moment, then added, "Yeah, I'm just peachy."

They entered the Great Hall, and Mini was immediately led away from the "devious Slytherin" by Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Jade shook her head. In the distance, she could see Kimmi dancing wildly with the Weasley twins. She contemplated joining them, but suddenly realized that she had lost her taste for this party. Jade had a feeling that she had found the beginning to the adventure she had been looking for. She turned to leave, but came face-to-face with her father.

"Where have you been?" Severus Snape inquired.

"Outside," she responded.

"With?"

"Mini."

"A Gryffindor?"

"Yes."

"You're a Slytherin."

"Gee, took you long enough to figure that out. So?"

Snape's eyes flashed, and Jade quickly gave an apologetic grin. Her father's eyes narrowed.

"Too late. Come with me."

Snape turned on his heel and started toward the dungeons, Jade following obediently behind.

0 0 0 0

Marnea Griyl strode down the hall, gripping the upper arms of two younger students--a fifth year Slytherin Boy and a third year Ravenclaw girl. Marnea frowned as she heard Professor Snape's voice in the corridor ahead. She caught up with him and what appeared to be Jade Snape, a Slytherin in her year.

"Professor?" she called, and both Snapes turned to stare at her.

"Yes? What is it, Griyl?" the Professor snapped.

Apparently, Jade was in trouble with her own father. Marnea moved so her Head Girl badge caught and reflected the candlelight. That would show that this situation demanded Snape's attention.

"These two were outside in a clump of bushes and as far as what I caught them doing…" she let the rest of the sentence hang as she raised an eyebrow at the glowering professor. "As one of them is in your House, sir, I thought you'd want to talk to them?"

Jade had been moved behind her father. Now, she glanced around him to smile at Marnea. The Head Girl blinked in her direction to show that she had noticed the smile and knew not to tip off the potions master.

"Very well. I will deal with them in my own time. Release them and return to the dance where you belong."

"Yes, professor," Marnea said as she let go of the students, both of whom looked very relieved.

Snape glanced down his nose at the Ravenclaw girl.

"Now, go!" he snarled.

Marnea nodded as the girl turned to leave.

"We will talk before you go to bed, Maggie!" she said sternly. Maggie--the girl--yelped quietly and ran off, followed by the Slytherin boy.

Snape turned to leave, but the Head Girl stopped him.

"Professor, if you don't mind, I wanted to talk to Jade about our Astronomy class."

More on an idea I had during class than on the actual work, Marnea thought.

0 0 0 0

"Jade's occupied at the moment," Snape said.

Jade looked imploringly up at her father.

"Professor," she said sweetly, "can't I speak with her for just a few moments? I could come to your office when we're done."

Snape stared at her. Seeing that his daughter was not the type to glance away, he sighed.

"Oh, very well! Come to my office immediately after you are finished!"

"I'll make sure she does," Marnea chipped in.

Giving them his classic glare, he turned and disappeared down the corridor. Jade turned to Marnea, both relieved and grateful for the Ravenclaw Head Girl's interruption.

"Thanks," she said. "So, what about Astronomy class?"