The Heiress Black—Chapter 4

DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter belongs to J.K.R , KHR belongs to Akira Amano. I'm just using their characters. Don't dis me for ignoring cannon.

**Disclaimer No. 2: The bit about Parsel is inspired by Umei No Mai's Black Sky—one of the best works ever!

Jade took a deep breath, reenforcing her occulmency shields, preparing to tell her father about herself. "Do you want the full story now?" She asked, dreading the positive answer; "or would you prefer for me to just tell you about myself?"

Her father exchanged a look with Xanxus, worried about the dullness of Jade's voice. "Why don't we start with you telling me about yourself? We can discuss the heavy topics later."

Visibly relaxing, Jade began. "After confirming you were alive, all the Nation could say was you were currently based in Europe and involved with the mafia. At the recommendation of Gornip, the current Black Family Account Manager, I began to study languages, focusing on the Latin based first. I was declared fluent in Italian, Spanish, French and German by thirteen, and thanks to the Tri-Wizard Tournament, I am fluent in Russian, and decent in Bulgarian. My Asian dialects, well, the less we say the better. I started my studies after Yule this year. The magical language kits are extremely helpful; I was able to complete the Runic set in less than two years."

"Runic set?" Furrowing his brow, Xanxus wondered over what exactly this girl had been studying.

"Hogwarts allows study of Runes, one of the few things Dumbledore has been unable to ban. He succeeded in simplifying the course, but I was noticed as a Runic Prodigy within the first month in third year. I have a mastery in Elder and Younger Futhark, Anglo-Saxon, Germanic and Medieval runes; currently I am working through the Egyptian Hieroglyphics, as they are a nice challenge.

"Another language I learned is Hindi, thanks to my roommate Parvati. She connected me with her great-uncle in India, as he speaks Parsel, and it is not something easy to study in Britain. He claimed English cannot express the beauty of Parsel, but really, 'Vati told me he struggles with English."

She looked animated, finally understanding why her friends were so excited to brag to their parents about their grades at the end of term. Even though her father had not known her for even an hour, he looked proud of Jade's achievements.

"For my magical studies," Jade continued, "I love Charms. I actually took my NEWT this spring, and I took the OWL at Yule of fourth year. I despise Transfiguration, as Professor McGonagal is in Dumbledore's pocket, while like all Blacks, I excel in History and Astronomy.

"If you look at outward appearances, I am horrible at Potions due to bias from Professor Snape, but in reality he is on my side, and hides my true grades. My detention record is one of the highest in the school, but it is the only way some of my studies could happen without interference."

Jade pulled a folder out of her tiny bag and passed it to her father. "He wrote to you, and said to give this to you when I saw you today. I don't know what is in it aside from my grade report." Removing a second folder, she opened it and selected an envelope and handed it to him. "This is from Gornip, he did not want to wait for you to receive it through your redirect."

"What was your childhood like?" Xanxus questioned, having noticed Jade's avoidance of anything to do with it.

Jade froze.

"Now that is a very long story. A story that needs a lot of alcohol and a place where if explosions happen it would be ignored."

"So you want to wait until after the meeting then?" He offered, seeing how his Mist had blanched at Jade's implications.

"Please," she sighed in relief, grateful for the delay. "I really would rather not talk about this more than once."

"We are almost late for the meeting anyways," he offered. "I'm expected panicked phone calls any minute now." As he spoke, both his and Regulus' phones began to ring. "Ready to cause some chaos?"

"Always."

Mammon opened his Mist corridor and escorted Jade through, and the conference room erupted in shock.

Hi all, hope you are staying safe and are healthy during the holiday season. I meant to post this chapter a couple days ago, but was having internet issues. Hope you enjoy this... and if you don't, that is your opinion. Thanks for the reviews and sorry for the short length. Continuing on in the same chapter did not feel right. Let me know if you are interested in Neville appearing more soon (in person, not just through the mirror calls beginning in a chapter (or two). Also, beginning next chapter various languages start to show up, currently just short phrases, but it's been about nine years since my last formal French class, six for Italian, and the other languages I know several words and phrases are not appropriate to post online... I spent the majority of my Friday nights for years working with Veterans. Did you know Naval personnel (or the few I have met) will refuse to even touch a mop? He said he swabbed the decks for Freedom long enough.

Thanks to all those who have dedicated their life to serving their country, wherever that may be.