Yay! I finished this chapter after at least 4 different versions. Nothing seemed to flow at the end, I am not entirely pleased with it, but all I wanted to write was inserted. Chapter 8 will not be up until sometime in February, unless a breakthrough on Jade's call with her friends occurs.

Any ideas for vengeance against the Dursley adults are welcome... and extremely appreciated.

**DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and KHR do not belong to me. If they did, I would not have $10,000 in student loans.**

Chapter 7

Despite having gone long over the scheduled time, the majority had stayed to learn more after Mammon's revelation and accompanying files. Hibari stalked the perimeter of the lounge the Guardians, VARIA, Acrobaleno and Cavallone had transferred their gathering to after the destruction of the initial furniture in the conference room.

Jade watched as the Skylark paced, her instincts screamed DANGER! Prevented from accessing the trove of Flame Lore in the Family Library, Jade honed her Flames through experience. She could feel the power and strength of others in the room, but none caused her to be wary on the scale of the antsy Cloud.

She quickly recalled the meaning behind the color of the flames. From the small journal hidden in the secret, blood-locked room deep within the Black Family Library and winced. She quickly realized that what they called Dying Will Flames were what she knew as the Fire of the Soul, or SoulFire. Having been introduced to her as a Cloud, and being called one herself, she connected the dots. The Amethyst Fire was a possessive flame, and she was an intruder on his territory.

Wanting to break the tense atmosphere of the room, the instinctual clash of her Fire with those of Hibari, she spoke up. "I do not want to intrude, if you would prefer a neutral ground Signore Hibari. I learned about SoulFire a year ago when I woke my flames after being forced into the TriWizard Tournament. Unfortunately, I lack information aside from a slim journal from the Family Library."

As she spoke, slowly the Cloud relaxed; she was not invading what was his. Instead this omnivore sought her own, was seeking knowledge.

With a sigh of relief, Tsuna opted to question the young lady having been informed by Xanxus of her prior offer to share more her past. "We reviewed the files you gave; as a member of Vongola you will be avenged. You said you developed a network within the neighborhood. Would you expand upon that?"

"The network began when Alicia, a prolific journalist, realized her memories were not matching what she had previously written. Mrs. Dursley had no interest in even giving me basic care during the day, and when the holidays came, she took advantage of available students so she could focus on her precious 'diddykins', using cheap labor so she did not have to see me."

Without her realizing, a tear slid down her cheek. "Alicia spent four days a week caring for me. For two years, she spent her holidays watching me almost all day, and would watch me thrice weekly after school.

"She learned of the abuse rather quickly, she spent the most time with me. After my third birthday, she had physical evidence rather than hearsay, and reported it to the police. I was removed and taken to the hospital for an examination and two days later, I awoke in the cupboard.

"Alicia is from a Squib line and she fought the memory charm, causing her core to strengthen as she battled it whilst she was rereading her journal. After breaking the charm, she spoke to her parents and later told me it was as if they could not even hear what she was saying. Her core was not considered strong enough for her to attend Hogwarts, so she did not know what was occurring.

"She suggested to her friends that they keep a record of their school years, photos and all, and they started. After six months, and another attempt to get me help after my first broken arm, her friends made the connection. And they began the network."

"How so? How could a bunch of teenage girls begin a network?" Reborn asked, doubting what this girl was saying, yet knowing she wasn't lying and he needed answers.

"Tears are an effective tool," Jade replied, her pure blood mask in place. "Bribery, tears and blackmail began the network. Pure anger and spite expanded it."

Jade chose to elaborate, confused faces looking at her in disbelief. "For almost four years, several attempts to get me out of the house and even running away multiple times, led to more being brought into the group. Then Aunt Cissa managed to reach me."

Jade took a few deep breaths, trying to keep her mask in place. "Discovering the truth broke something in me. When the first exam revealed the amount of compulsions placed, and that they were dated even before Lily's death, I sort of, err... how do I phrase this?" Jade quietly muttered, shifting uncomfortably in the chair, Xanxus' brow furrowed as he studied the anxious Cloud. "Well, thankfully Aunt Cissa was able to authorize payment for the, well, let's just say I would still be paying the Nation if she had not used the main vaults."

Having admitted to the fine, Jade expounded rapidly. "I may have blown up a ritual room and shattered a few focus stones. And the Nation forgave a majority of the cost due to my age; additionally, I may have shattered a few of the binds during my explosion."

He could not help it; the look on Juudiame's face from this pixie's admittance of her pyrotechnics was extremely amusing. As a explosive enthusiast himself, he knew how powerful the protective runes in a Ritual room actually were. For a young one to actually damage anything with a restricted core, he would have liked to see the explosion himself. But Juudiame's face... he snickered, shattering the quiet engulfing the room.

"Impressive. What exactly did you destroy?"

"Sorry, there were so many names earlier. Whom am I addressing?" Jade asked, a soft blush coloring her cheeks.

"Hayoto Gokudera, at your service," he said with a theatrical bow, wanting to lighten the atmosphere of the lounge. "Call me Hayoto."

"Ahh yes, well Singore Hayoto, the final count was a cracked wardstone, eight shattered focus stones, and three annihilated gemstones."

The members of the VARIA were impressed, for such a petite lady, she had a lot of power behind her. Xanxus, having been studying Jade, noticed how her mask would slip when others in the room were discussing her plans for Revenge. He looked over at his Mist and nodded, Regulus having sensed his daughter's well disguised exhaustion.

"It is late. Jade, may I escort you to VARIA headquarters? We have guest suites in the Officers' Hall, or a guest room in your father's suite, if you prefer. I would like to introduce you to assure your safety if you are ever alone before all know of whom you are."

A soft giggle escaped the composed Cloud; Jade opting to then remind Xanxus of her knowledge of the VARIA. "I know the VARIA is comprised of assassins Signore Xanxus, I have actually used your services twice in the past two years. Whomever was assigned to remove Gerald Greengrass did so beautifully... his three claimed children were almost as gleeful as the nine illegitimate children. I learned from Marvolo, sorry, I meant Lord Slytherin," she quickly corrected, "that if Greengrass had been in his ranks, he would have been able to remove him earlier. Due to his declared neutrality, it was sadly out of his hands, as to kill him would impose on his right as the Grey Lady."

Jade reveled at the stunned looks in the room after her admittance. Only her father, Xanxus and his Right-Hand appeared unnerved. Her inner Black was gleeful, desperately attempting to refrain from cackling at the sight. "I must admit I am tired, and would appreciate the room you offered, if only for the night. There are three residences nearby, and I can easily take possession in the morning."

To Xanxus' surprise, neither Regulus or himself were the first to object to the offer; Squalo rapidly refusing her suggestion. "You are family, you have bonded with Xanxus as his Cloud. It would be best to have you close. Additionally, your father might explode if you separate soon after your reunion." Squalo rolled his eyes at the looks he got from the others, and retorted "Like any of you want to deal with paperwork from them snapping. This is just the easiest solution."

"True. Simple is often best," Skull spoke up. Having lurked in the background for hours mulling over his new cousin, he startled the Tenth Generation Vongola as they had dismissed him.

Jade smiled at her cousin, recognizing the shadow-trick she had perfected in her adolescence; a sign of the Death Arts was the ability to wrap oneself in the darkness naturally, an ability which could never be hindered.

Tsuna shrieked, a trait Reborn never managed to torture... err... train away. "Where did you come from?!"

"You've never seen him use the Shadows?" Confusion dominated the teenager's face. "The Shadows are a trait of a Peverell, one that only those Blessed are capable of using. Not all of the blood are a True Peverell: a Peverell is one Chosen by Lord Death, Blessed by Lady Magick, and often, well, how to say this?" Jade muttered. "Simply, Lady Destiny and Lady Fate enjoy playing with Our Life. It is why multiple Peverells have been Acrobaleno; out of the known eleven chosen, three became Vindice.

"For Skull to have used the Shadows unnoticed, he is a Master. Personally, Shadows are a comfort; I find strength dwelling within."

Skull gaped at the Black Cloud; how was she able to express the Arts so easily? For years he longed to share the Shadows with Viper, with Xanxus, even Belphegor: he never was able to tell of his Magicks without becoming tongue-tied. Could the Aspects have been preventing him from speaking before Jade arrived?

Before any more was discussed, Xanxus stood. "Trash, we're leaving. Jade is exhausted, we can finish this later." As he spoke, Jade sighed in relief, her mask slipping briefly.

"Thank you," Jade inputted softly. "There are a few calls I need to make before we retire for the night." Her gaze landed on her father, elaborating at his questioning look. "The only way to get off the calls with Lee, Neville, Marcus and the Patils was agreeing to a conference call before the Witching Hour or they would track me down. And trust me, Marcus alone is a fierce protector, if he teams up with Nev, you are screwed," Jade ended, her tone amused.

"Then Daughter, let us go home." Regulus stood, arm extended to escort her. "Any going to Headquarters now get 50% off."

Squalo, Belphegor, lussuria and the other trusted assassins present bolted to their feet. If there was a discount, they were not turning it down. Xanxus lazily rose and stretched, picking up the two bags Jade had brought.

When all had passed through the Mist Corridor but Mammon, Xanxus and Jade, Tsuna spoke up. "Be assured Vongola stands with you Jade. Rest well."

Mammon escorted his daughter through so she did not have to respond. "Follow me," he said, his voice gentle. "I have a room for you to use tonight. In the morning we will decorate your suite."

Taking her to the room, Xanxus put down her bags, then rested a hand on her shoulder. "Make your calls and get some sleep. The rest can wait till morning."

***Comment Reactions***

Sorry I haven't done this before, but I truly appreciate each and every comment posted.

shadewatcher: yes, Xanxus is feeling the soul bond stronger than Jade. The bond was blocked for so long that she struggles with identifying emotions [will be mentioned in chapter 8] but she is feeling a pull to him.

mizzrazz72: I am not sure what you meant by saying something should be left for Ron and Hermione. I have plans for them to receive some VARIA Justice.

Again, thank you for reading and any reviews left. I broke 500 favorites and am close to 700 follows... hope you all are enjoying this story.