Later that day, after Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Orlov and his son Conrad; Herbology with Professor Fitz, and an exhausting Divination lesson, Jade met up with Alana and West on the grounds outside. Students were allowed to roam the grounds, as long as they did not exit and returned in time for classes. Jade had a few friends who would use time between classes as an excuse to slip outside, find one of the many hidden corners at the back of the castle, and chat away.

She settled down under a tree to wait. This was a particularly pretty tree, its branches swept the ground and practically hid anyone who sat beneath it. The students had affectionately dubbed it 'the Meeting Tree' one year, and the name had stuck. Whenever Jade had any time off from classes, she would take a book out and read underneath it. Some people did homework there, some people had conversations or confessions or arguments, all in the bright green privacy of the tree.

She felt a thump, and Alana settled down into the moss next to her. As it was October, the air was brisk, and Alana wrapped herself tighter in her thick green and black robe.

"I," Alana said resolutely, "hate my professor." She threw down a stack of homework about twenty sheets thick. "We have so much Ancient Runes homework, I won't have even a second of free time until next weekend."

Jade shook her head and took out her own Herbology homework. "I like Professor Futhark the Elder."

"Yeah, well, you don't have his class. He's a tough professor."

West joined the girls and immediately opened her spellbook. "I have so much homework! Herbology is such a hard class."

Jade ran a hand through her hair and rolled her eyes. "If we're just going to sit here, then I'm going to study. I have a Herbology exam this very week, and I don't know if I'll be able to ace it. And I have a two-page, single-spaced paper on the Green Man legends, and I have to deliver an oral report on resources."

West laughed. "I've never understood why you like those classes. Here you are with hours of homework, but it's one of your favorite classes."

Jade smiled dryly. "At least I don't get homework for Occlumency."

Alana looked outraged. "How does that work?"

"Well, Occlumency is actually supposed to be a fifth-years and up course, but one of my professors recommended me for the class as an advanced student. She said that I had the advanced learning and mental strength to take the class and learn the methods. It is a mentally and physically taxing class, so I only have that on some mornings and we don't get much homework. We each have to keep a journal of memories, thoughts, and dreams." Jade tried to look humble, but ended up looking pleased as punch.

The sun started to set, and the girls gathered up their things and headed indoors, to their respective common rooms. Jade and Alana bid goodbye to West, promising to see her again at supper, and sank into squashy green armchairs in front of the fire. While Jade solemnly returned to her Herbology essay, Alana struck up a conversation with her friend Clara. The girls talked in hushed voices about the announcement that evening, but failed to come to a conclusion as far as Jade could hear.