Jade rode her post-audition high for exactly three hours, twelve minutes, and thirty-eight seconds. She used her confidence to ace her Charms test, answer six questions in Herbology, and display such mindfulness in Divination that Professor Clearwater said she would see about getting her into Occlumency classes.

The thrill of excitement, however, ended when Professor Futhark the Elder, of Ancient Runes, told her that her essay was completely incorrect and would need to be redone.

"I spent four hours just doing the research for it!" Alana nodded sympathetically, watching Jade alternatively complain and punch her pillow in fury. "And he said I have to do it again!"

"That's right," Alana said in a soothing, even voice. "Hit that pillow hard. Let it all out."

"I can't believe it!" Jade sat up, red-faced. "You know what? I'm going to march downstairs and-"

"And what?" Alana encouraged. Jade seldom grew angry, and it was always entertaining when she did.

"And research a bit more on the subject. My information was clearly incorrect, so now I have to research more and pull off the paper by the end of the day."

"But you were doing so well with your anger!" Alana moaned. "You were going to pull an epic revenge prank!"

Jade got up and shrugged. "Well, I have an Outstanding grade average, and I don't want to mess that up. My parents said they'll buy me an owl if I can keep my grades up to O for the month. I want my own owl instead of a school owl. Besides, Ancient Runes is my worst class. I chose it and Divination as my third-year extra classes, but I can't wait until sixth year so I can drop Runes."

Alana rolled her eyes. "Okay, whatever. Go ahead and research, nerd." She ruffled Jade's hair in a gesture that would have been affectionate if Alana wasn't eleven. "I'm going to Quidditch practice. I have a game on Friday, remember? Grizzleheart Bears versus Lammasador Lions!"

"Of course I remember, and I promised I would go. I'll be there, cheering loudest of all." Jade adjusted her skirt, re-buckled her Mary Jane, and grabbed her wand from the dresser. She then went clicking out of the room, tripping slightly over a snag in the carpet.

                                                         *                             *                          *

"Results are up!"

Jade was awakened at 7:04 A.M. by West screaming in her ear. She rolled over and pulled her emerald-green Grizzleheart quilt over her head.

"But Jade, it's important!" West whined. "We're about to find out if we made the Choir team!" A wayward pillow flew from the bed and hit her on the tip of her ear. Jade didn't have very good aim in the mornings.

"Five more minutes!" Jade sat up, whipping her blankets to the side. "Is that too much to ask? You and Alana are always parading in here, screaming at me to wake up! I have never, not once, slept until my alarm goes off. Can I please, please PLEASE just sleep until seven fifteen?"

Alana giggled, standing next to West. "You're so cute when you're angry. Like a furious little hamster." Jade glared, looking even funnier than she already had.

"Don't you want to know if you got on?" West asked. She was already dressed, her favorite red and gold skirt, red sneakers, white tee shirt, and red tie making her hair glow even more orange than usual.

"Well, yes," Jade admitted.

"Woo-hoo!" Alana whooped, giggling. Her dark red hair was loose around her shoulders, brushing her long green and white-striped scarf. She was attired in jeans, an untucked collared shirt with green stripes, a plain gray school sweater-vest, and a tall pair of sneakers that reached her knees.

Jade trudged, zombie-like, over to her wardrobe and pulled out some clothes. In no time, she was dressed in one of her customary outfits- collared shirt, black skirt (the short one she was finally brave enough to wear), green argyle sweater-vest, matching knee socks, green tie, and Grizzleheart robes, which she wore slouched on her arms.

After dressing, Jade peeked in her mirror. She looked exhausted, her long curls flopping lankly in her eyes. She attempted quickly to finger-comb her hair, but then gave it up as a lost cause. Alana and West hooked arms with her, and they marched down to the Great Hall.

After swiping some cinnamon toast and an apple, Jade and West joined the throng of other students crowded around the announcement board. West managed to maneuver her way to the front, pulling Jade along with her by the arm. They scanned the list, West shrieking when she saw her name.

"I'm third alto!" West hopped up and down, beaming. "See what you are, Jade."

She peered at the thin, tiny print, searching for her name. As she saw the names of others, but not her own, her heart rose slowly into her throat. She hadn't made it on the team. Now West would have Choir, Alana would have Quidditch, and she had nothing. The choir would perform halftime entertainment for the Quidditch matches, so her best friends would be on the field together and she would be in the stands, alone... She felt herself tearing up, but took a breath- and saw her name.

Jade Pevensie- Soprano Soloist

"I made it!" she whooped, oblivious to the people staring at her. She dropped her toast on the floor as West hit her with a huge tackle-hug. Alana joined in, stepping on her foot, but she was too ecstatic to care. Jade danced in a small circle, beaming. She felt so proud and happy, and a surge of energy filled her. She tucked the moment away in her heart, to save for whenever she was down.