Disclaimer: J.K Rowling owns Harry Potter and whoever created Dungeons & Dragons, aside from being some of the richest people there are – whoever they are – own that as well. The only thing I own is my plot and the OCs used in it.

"Talking"

'Mouthing/sign language'

'Thinking'

"Radio/Telephone/Telepathy/Eavesdropping"

"Spells"

'Notes, Books, Scrolls'

"HigherPowerTalking"

'HigherPowerTalking'

Chapter Two: A New Semester

King'sCrossStation

Jade shuddered as the sensation of passing through the faux wall between Platforms 9 and 10 washed over her bringing her to the hidden platform 9 and Three Quarters and fear of slamming into the wall abated, she had never trusted the faux wall after her second year when the slightly crazed House Elf Dobby used his magic to seal it shut to her.

She went through the usual goodbyes with everyone when Sirius, in his dog form, stood up on his hind legs and put his paws on her shoulder with a concerned look in his eyes. "I'll be fine, Padfoot," She assured scratching behind his ear. "Now stop that, people are getting curious."

Sirius complied after giving her a messy lick that caused her to laugh before dropping off of her shoulders and barked. Kneeling down Jade gave him a hug before scratching his ear one last time before climbing onto the train and started searching for a Compartment with Ginny and Neville, whom they ran into on the train, while Hermione and Ron went off to their first Prefect's Meeting.

She looked into a compartment where a protuberant eyed girl wearing glasses with dirty blond waist length hair sat reading a magazine upside down. "Excuse me," She called out. "Is it alright if we sit here?"

The girl looked up and stared at Jade for a few seconds before nodding her allowance. "Hey Luna!" Ginny greeted the girl as she put her bags on the rack alongside Jade's and Neville's. "How was your summer?"

"Yes," Luna informed with in a dreamy voice her eyes never leaving Jade. "Yes, it was quite enjoyable, you know. You're Jade Potter." Jade resisted the urge to come back with a sarcastic response to Luna's statement as the girl turned her attention to Neville. "And I don't know you you are."

"Ah, I'm no one, really." Neville sputtered out with a blush of embarrassment.

"Bullshit," Jade accused getting a startled look from the nervous boy. "You are not just anybody, you're Neville Longbottom, the Gentleman who escorted me to the Yule Ball last year."

Neville's blush deepened horribly as Luna looked at him in renewed interest. "Uhh, so Luna, what house are you in?" Neville asked changing the subject quickly.

"Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure." Luna said quoting a popular Ravenclaw saying in a singsong like voice. "I'm in Ravenclaw."

She then raised her upside down magazine to cover her face and fell silent. Jade and Neville exchanged raised eyebrows as Ginny giggled at her acquaintances actions.

The train rolled onwards as the trio dissolved into conversation with Neville pulling out a cactus looking plant to show off his birthday present.

At Hogwarts, Kriv's quarters

Kriv sighed as he set aside the final student folder and looked at the single file that remained on his desk, this was a potential apprentice, he wasn't sure why he was considering this course of action, but he was.

The most obvious choice out of all the students was one Jade Potter, not only did she have a natural connection to the Natural Magic, but she also was reported to be naturally skilled at navigating through the forest that surrounded the school.

A knock at the door interrupted his musing as he looked up to the door. "It's open!" He called out, the door opened up to reveal one Albus Dumbledore as he strode in his eyes flicking about Kriv's quarters. "I see you're settling in quite nicely," Dumbledore said with a smile, nodding towards the half-dragon who shrugged in response. "The House elves passed on the message that you wanted to see me today?"

Kriv nodded as he turned back to the folders. "There's something I wish to ask you about," He informed drumming his fingers on the desk. "There is a student that piqued my curiosity, I believe that she's what we call a 'Natural Ranger', someone who as a natural connection to the Earth and the magic provided by it."

Dumbledore nodding his understanding as his eyes narrowed slightly at the implications. "So then,you believe her to be compatible with your type of magic?" He asked trying to figure out who the student could have been.

"A possibility that I would like to attempt at the very least," Kriv informed as he brought the law book over to his lap and opened it up to a marked page. "According to this apprenticing a student is allowed, however, the permission of the school's Headmaster. So, Headmaster Dumbledore, I Kriv Dragonchild request permission to apprentice one Jade Potter and teach her the ways of the Ranger, should she agree with this of course."

Dumbledore stared at the young appearing man before him as Kriv's own eyes stared right back. The Headmaster's mind was whirling with possibilities that Kriv's proposal hand, could this be the 'Power-He-Knows-not' spoke of in the Prophecy? Could this be the beginning of something completely unknown or unthought of by the Prophecy?

Gathering his thoughts, Albus came to a decision. "If Jade wishes to learn from you, then I Albus Dumbledore give my approval to your apprenticeship of one Jade Lillian Potter." He replied with a nod. "I hope you will forgive if I say that I truly wish she can learn your skills Mr. Dragonchild."

Kriv smirked as his fingers stopped drumming and looked out the window. "I don't blame you at all Headma ster," He assured. "I find myself praying for the same thing, although, probably to someone different..."

The pair were silent for a second before Dumbledore took his leave to prepare for the coming students and Kriv stood heading over to his duffel bag. "I hope this works." He muttered to himself as he shifted through the bag. "Cause this will be a long year otherwise."

Later that evening, Great Hall

Jade sighed contently as she patted her full stomach, the Sorting Feast of Hogwarts was always a great meal that she always enjoyed immensely. She found her eyes drifting up towards the Head Table where, not for the first time, her eyes landed on the stranger who sat there chatting animatedly with Professor Flitwick who was laughing so hard he had trouble keeping on his seat.

"That must be our new DADA Professor," Hermione said as she finally noticed where Jade's attention was. "At least, I hope he is, and not that other woman."

Jade's eyes flicked over to who Hermione was talking about and saw the Senior Undersecretary of Fudge sitting primly in her seat dressed completely in pink making Jade almost want to vomit. The sudden hush that fell over the crowd broke her away from the Undersecretary and focused on the podium where Dumbledore stood to make his start of the year speech.

"Welcome to all you newcomers, and to all who are returning, welcome back!" Dumbledore announced with a beaming smile his eyes twinkling. "Now before you all scurry off to bed I have a few announcements to make, first, please let me welcome Professor Grubby-Plank back to cover for Professor Hagrid who is currently away." There was a mild round of applause for the woman who only nodded in response. "Also I would like you all to give a warm welcome to our newest member of the Staff, Professor Dragonchild who will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts."

The applause that followed the statement had a few chuckles of laughter added to it as the newest Professor stood and gave a great flourishing bow to the hall full of students an amused grin on his face as his ice blue eyes seemed to glow.

"He's good looking at least." Jade heard her roommate Lavender mutter over to her second roommate Padma making the teen giggle in agreement. Looking back at the Professor Jade had to agree that he certainly was attractive with an exotic sense of danger about him with the visible cars and the silvery scale armor that he was wearing instead of robes.

"Is it just me," Jade whispered to the others around hr. "Or is there something... strange about him?"

"Yeah, I think I know what you mean," Hermione agreed with a small frown as Dumbledore introduced the Undersecretary as something called a High Inquisitor. "When you look at his eyes, they seem to glow..."

Jade nodded as she watched the professor as Umbridge made her way to the podium. A few of the students, and a couple teachers, were having trouble muffling their laughter as the DADA Professor mimed Umbridge behind her and puffed his cheeks out like that of a frog. Jade started slightly as their eyes met and he seemed to give her a long searching look before nodding a slight grin on his face before continuing on with his antic mocking the unaware Umbridge.

"Well, that was illuminating," Hermione announced as Dumbledore finally dismissed them at the end of Umbridge's droning lecture.

"What was?" Jade asked blinking a few time as she returned to reality. "What was illuminating."

"Honestly," Hermione groaned as Jade and Ron looked at her in confusion. "Umbridge's speech!" She hissed out. "She's an agent of the Ministry planning to interfere with Hogwarts," She then gave Ron's arm a tug. "C'mon Ron, we need to show the First Years where to go."

"What, oh, right," Ron said as realization dawned onto him. "Hey, hey you lot – Midgets!"

Jade giggled as Hermione reprimanded the ginger and shook her head and turned to head out of the Great Hall and up to the Gryffindor Tower catching Neville who actually remember the password for once along the way.

Later that Week

Jade growled angrily as she sat at the Griffyndor table across from a slightly alarmed looking Ron and Hermione. "Not. One. Word." She growled quietly to the pair cutting off their questions before they voiced them. "I am in no mood for anything right now."

For Jade, her first few days back at Hogwarts were complete trash. Throughout the summer the Daily Prophet had been running a smear campaign on her and Dumbledore, one that was undoubtably funded by Fudge's administration. Jade had just snorted when she saw and welcomed the drop in popularity hoping people would start leaving her alone. Instead, however, everyone seemed to be judging her now, and doubting her word about Cedric dying last year.

That was what was really pissing her off right now, over the summer she had written a rather long and detailed letter to Cedric's parents in apology of what had happened that night in the graveyard and, even though it pained her to do so, she described Cedric's final moments to them so that they would know how he died and not left in a constant state of wondering. The response she had received left her unable to leave her room for the day as she cried clutching the letter that only said one phrase.

'We believe in you, and you are not at fault.'

Now everyone seemed to be spitting on Cedric's death and his parents grief as they all started questioning what had happened.

Hermione and Ron exchange looks remembering Jade's blowup on their first night back when Seamus accused Jade of lying, the Irishman was close to being on the receiving end of Jade's wand before Hermione managed to pull Jade up to her dorm with help from the Gryffindor Chasers, Angelica, Katie and Alicia.

Since then whenever Seamus entered the room, the entirety of the Gryffindor Quidditch team that was in the room would gravitate around their Seeker, both in support and to ensure Jade didn't do anything she would regret later.

"We have double DADA this afternoon." Hermione offered diplomatically as Jade seemed to start to cool down. "What do you think of the Professor we have?"

Jade took another calming breath before biting into her lunch as she thought of a reply. "Interesting," She summed up. "He's undeniably powerful as well, but until I have a class with him, dunno, for everything he could be a crap teacher."

"Well then," Fred stated as he and his twin came up on either side of Jade their 'Unofficial Long-Lost Sister'. "It's a good thing,"

"He's a good teacher," George finished his brother's sentence. "Not much,"

"For 'Silly Wand Waving',"

"As he calls it."

"Right scary he,"

"Can be though,"

"Like to conjure Ice too."

"Amusing as well."

Jade groaned from the constant switching back and forth between the two. "Gred, Forge, stop that." She ordered planing a hand over each of their mouths. "Now, Gred, what did you mean 'Silly Wand Waving'?"

"It appears that our newest Professor doesn't use wands, at all," Fred answered grinning as Jade released his mouth. "Uses a longer incantation though for some stuff."

"Thank you, now Forge, what about scary?" She asked releasing the second twin.

"Ties in with the conjuring Ice," George explained matching his twin's grin. "A Slytherin decided to annoy the Professor today constantly questioning him at every turn when Professor Dragonchild finally had enough and let some of his power slam a dozen spears of ice on the guys desk, never saw someone shut up so fast."

The 'Golden Trio' exchanged wary looks with one another at the information. "Alright, and how was he amusing?" Jade asked them both making the twins grin widely.

"A right riot he is," Fred announced.

"Makes learning fun again." George informed.

"It's the little things he does."

"Enters in and tells us a joke."

"Purposely says names wrong."

"Had an argument with animate chalk."

The two looked at each other around Jade. "He just has to be related." They coursed simultaneously.

"Alright, now I'm interested." Jade announced her anger now completely forgotten. "DADA should be interesting this year."

That got agreements around the table as the twins started talking about what else the teacher did in his class room.

DADA CLassroom

Jade sat in her seat with the book assigned to the class as she waited for the class to start. Many of the other student were just as eager as she was having heard stories of the humorous teacher. "GO-O-O-OD AFFTERNO-O-ON!" A voice called out from outside of the door that suddenly opened up to the new teacher as he strode into the classroom.

Only to trip on his own foot and fall flat on his face causing the entire class to erupt in laughter. "Well, how embarrassing," Kriv announced as he got to his feet and dusted himself off. "Any who I am Professor Kriv Dragonchild, a pleasure to meet you all. Onto roll call."

The class had gotten a few laughs during roll as Kriv seemed to struggle with their names. "Longbottom, so just how long is your bottom?" He had asked Neville making the nervous boy blush horribly in embarrassment as the class laughed uproariously. "Her-mi-o-ne," He said slowly sounding out each syllable of the girl's name. "Most complicated name I've seen in a while, still doesn't beat Eric McMikemaster the Third though."

"So, you are all in your fifth year now, and I'm certain all of your teachers have given you this speech by now, but it is time for you all to take the OWLs." Kriv announced. "You may all now have a nervous breakdown." The class chucked slightly at his announcement. "Now, I'm sure you all are wondering what I'll be teaching you this year right? I'll tell you what I'll teach y'all," He flicked his hand and muttered something under his breath causing a calk to levitate and start writing out something on the board.

'S-E-X E-D-U-C-A'

"And enough of that!" Kriv shouted out to the calk that bobbed slightly as if it was laughing with the class. "As if I'm going to teach a bunch of teenagers the birds and the bees dammit! But the real lesson plan on there!"

'H-O-W T-O B-A-K-E C-A-K-E-S?'

"NO!" Kriv shouted out again as the laughter doubled in the room. "I am not teaching them how to bake cakes! I don't know how to bake cakes!"

'P-H-Y-S-I-C-A-L C-O-N-D-T-I-O-N-I-N-G'

"YES!" Kriv explained thankfully. "Physical Education, is something that I feel you are all lacking in, some less than others, others more that some." There were a lot of groans through the class at his announcement. "Oh, stop whining!" Kriv ordered lightly. "There are perks to working your body, and they are!"

He pointed to the chalk that started to write.

'S-E-X A-P-P-E-A-L'

"BY AVANDRA!" Kriv shouted out. "No! Well, yes... but no!"

'S-T-A-Y-I-N-G P-O-W-E-R'

"Yes, staying power, I.e endurance, will allow you to last longer in a fight and outside of a fight, maybe you won't be as tired when you reach the top of the stairs, eh?"

Laughs continued as the chalk continued to write.

'L-I-K-E Y-O-U?'

Kriv's eye twitched as the class howled in laughter. "Next item." He growled to the chalk.

'S-E-L-F C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-C-E'

"You look good, you feel good," Kriv announced. "Pretty simple no?"

'S-E-L-F D-E-F-E-N-C-E'

"Most important of all," the Professor stated seriously. "If you can take out the enemy without even using magic, then no need to worry about the Statute of Secrecy is there? Now, any questions?"

Hermione immediately raised her hand. "What about learning magic?" She asked politely. "Will there be time in class for that?"

"Yes you will, although I will mostly be doing that out of the books here," He announced borrowing a student's copy to hold up. "I don't use your silly wand waving so it will be a lot of trial and error work here. Physical Education will be every other week starting next week, so make sure you dress for it."

'S-E-X-I—'

The class laughed as the writing chalk was interrupted by a bolt of ice from Kriv. "Enough of that." Kriv growled to the chalk that seemed to shiver in fear.

"So, let's do some review so that I can get an idea of how much you all learned in these last five years." Kriv announced with a clap of his hands. "Now, according to my sources you were doing basic curses in your first year, anyone think they can remember anything?"

Jade couldn't help but smile as she felt her body relax looking over to her bookish friend as Hermione's hand shot into the air. Throughout the course of the class, Kriv was quickly setting himself up as one of the most popular teachers right up there with Lupin in their third year just due to how he involved the class by making them laugh and enjoy themselves.

"Miss Potter?" The professor called out as the class began to file out of the classroom when the bell sounded. "May I speak wit you for a moment?"

Jade looked rather dumbfounded sharing a confused look with her friends, she didn't remember doing anything in the class to warrant the professor calling her out. "Yes Professor?" She asked standing before his desk as the last student filed out, it was a rather reluctant looking Hermione and Ron.

"No need to be so nervous Miss Potter," Kriv assured flashing a charming grin to the girl. "I just wanted to talk with you, that's all. Tell me Miss Potter, have you ever heard of something called Nature Magic?"

Jade blinked at the question. "Can't say I have sir," She answered after a minute of thought. "What is it?"

Kriv let out a hum as he lent back in his chair,considering how to answer the question. "Nature Magic is a school of magic from my homeland that is used by two sects, the druids: an order that protects forests from outside forces. And the sect I belong to, the Rangers: we... we are guides and hunters, while for the most part we are seen in forests, there are those of us who travel the world. Nature magic allows us to 'tap into' the magic of the very earth itself." He explained to the enraptured Jade who listened with growing interest."I have went over your file Miss Potter, as many others, and found that you may have a natural talent towards this magic, and so I have a proposition for you Miss Potter, I would like to apprentice you and teach you the ways of the Ranger."

Jade stared at the man before her. "You want to apprentice me?" She asked floored, apprenticeship in the Magical World was a big deal, when someone was apprenticed, they were essentially at the 'heir' to their new teacher. "I... I'm not sure what to say sir."

Kriv gave her an assuring smile. "Quite alright Miss Potter," He assured. "Take some time to think about it, even back at my home, apprenticeship is a very big deal, feel free to discuss it with your friends and Head of House if it will help you."

"Thank you sir," Jade said with a thankful smile for the fact that she didn't have to decide then and there. "I will try and make a decision soon."

"Don't rush it," He advised with a smile. "You're free to go now Miss Potter, enjoy the rest of your evening."

"Thank you sir." Jade said before walking out of the room as quickly as possible without being disrespectful. She didn't head straight for the Great Hall, instead she found that her feet had taken her te her Head of House's office.

The relationship between Minerva McGonagall was one that had many levels to it, on the one hand they were Teacher and Student, but at times they were also Aunt and Niece, or even vary rarely Minerva would sometimes be a mother figure for Jade that the girl never had before. She rose up her hand and knocked at the door wondering if the Transfiguration teacher would even be in.

But, luck was on Jade's side that night as the door opened to reveal Minerva looking rather surprised to have Jade at her doorstep. "Miss Potter, is there something wrong?" Minerva asked stepping back upon seeing the apprehensive look on the girl's face allowing her to enter.

"Ah, not really," Jade informed blushing slightly in embarrassment. "I... I just need some advice Aunt Minnie," She only referred to Minerva like that when they were n private, a sign of how much the girl became attached to the Professor. "Umm, I just had a conversation with Professor Dragonchild, he was telling me about a type of magic they used in his homeland, it was called Nature Magic, and... he told me about who used it and that he wanted to... apprentice me and teach me how to use it, he said that according to my school file, I had a possible talent for it." Jade paced in front of the seated Minerva as she spoke, her hand wringing slightly. "I... I just don't know if I should... what if he's just wanting to have the fame of being the teacher of the Girl-Who-Lived? Or, if I don't have a talent for it like he thinks?"

"Jade," Minerva said firmly getting the Potter to stop pacing. "I can assure you Mr. Dragonchild has no care for fame of any sort. Second, I doubt that he would simply toss you away if it turns out you don't have the natural talent he thinks you do, he doesn't strike me as that type of person. Finally, Mr. Dragonchild is a very powerful person, you could learn much from him."

Minerva stood up and brought Jade over to the couch where she sat the girl down on the couch and summoned up a pot of tea with cups and poured them some tea. "There is the flip side to consider as well, Mr. Dragonchild and I actually had a long conversation on his homeland and his work as a Ranger, you spend long hours deep in forests far more dangerous than the Forbidden Forest hunting and killing dangerous creatures. That was in his homeland, here in Britain and Europe that might not be as needed."

Jade listened to her pseudo-aunt as she outlined the conversation she had with the new DADA professor. She sipped her tea as her mind processed the information. "If... if I decide to accept his offer," She started slowly trying to think of a way to carefully phrase the question. "Will it help me against Voldemort?"

Minerva flinched slightly at the name but gathered herself for a proper response. "Undoubtedly." She replied. "But don't make that your only reason for accepting Jade, you don't want to regret it for the rest of your life."

Jade smiled at Minerva and gave her a tight hug. "Thanks Auntie." She said smiling impishly as Minerva pulled a face at that title. "You really helped out."

"Glad I could help." Minerva said with a smile as she escorted Jade to the door. "Just know Jade, I'll support you no matter what your decision is."

"Thanks." Jade said stepping out of the office feeling far more clear headed then when she arrived "I'll see you in class professor!" She called out as she headed down tot he Great Hall for dinner.

As soon as she had sat down on the seat saved for her by her friends, they had immediately set upon her with questions. "Guys calm own," Jade said with a sigh as she piled food onto her plate. "He just wanted to talk about something." She informed quieting her voice. "He's offered me an apprenticeship. I had went to talk with Professor McGonagall afterwards."

"An apprenticeship?" Hermione asked in whispered surprise. "In what? DADA?"

Jade shook her head. "No, according to him I may have a talent for using what he called Nature Magic," Jade informed. "He said that he wanted to teach me how to use it by taking me on as a Ranger Apprentice."

"Ranger." Hermione asked. "Like a Forest Ranger?"

"Kind of, Rangers from where he comes are guides and hunters of dangerous creatures." Jade explained. "Apparently they often operate in woods that are far more dangerous than the Forbidden Forest."

"What did you say?" Ron asked looking over to Jade.

"He told me to think about it for a while before answering," She informed. "He said that it's a big decision to make and I shouldn't rush into this."

"I need to get to the library, maybe I can find something in there to use for research..." Hermione muttered as she began to think about the possibilities this presented.

Hermione quickly finished her meal and dashed off towards the library eager for something ew to research. "Blimey," Ron muttered shaking his head. "So Jade, when are the Quidditch tryouts this year?"

Next week

Jade panted as sweat poured off of her body as she finished her second lap around the school Lake and bent at the wait planting her palms on her knees as she gasped for air, not even Woods dawn training sessions were as bad as Kriv's training regiment from hell! Thankfully it was Friday and next week they would be in the classroom for the week as they did bookwork and started practicing new spells.

But, she wasn't the worst off though, actually out of the entire class she finished her laps second, shortly after Seamus who was used to running for soccer. Hermione on the other hand was still struggling with her first lap. "All right everyone, that's good! Bring it in!" Kriv announced loudly his voice carrying out to the stragglers who gasped in relief. "So, I hope you all enjoyed that little warm up, cause the real work starts now."

The entire class stared aghast at the grinning professor who, just as quickly as he rose in popularity, dropped in popularity to the DADA teacher from hell.

And so at the end of the class the entire class was dragging themselves from the school courtyard where Kriv had them going through various strength and endurance building exercises earning back some of his respect when he did the entire thing alongside of them, and had many boggling when he lad them through the cool down stretches with how flexible he was, the only two person who were able to closely match his flexibility were Jade, who trained her flexibility for an added advantage as a Seeker, and the blonde haired, purple eyed Daphne Greengrass who mumbled out something about dancing as an explanation for her flexibility.

Jade collapsed into a seat at the Gryffindor Table with a content groan. "My entire body is sore." She groaned out as Ron and Hermione joined her, across from the Ginny had a raised eyebrow of confusion.

"Was it really that bad?" Ginny asked looking around the Great Hall taking note on just how many students were walking with a limp.

"It was," Hermione groaned. "He's a slave driver... I can't even research like this..."

"It'll get better... eventually," Jade assured as she dragged herself upright. "Our bodies will grow stronger eventually."

A pair of groans was her response from the pair before Hermione rose herself up as well. "I did manage to find some stuff out in the books here in Hogwarts about Rangers." She informed Jade who looked over in interest. "They're a really old sect, mostly legends now, but there's one phrase that jumped out to me."

In the darkest hours, Mother Earth's chosen warriors will rise

In frozen skies they will fly

And destroy the burning evil that cometh

Jade's eyebrow rose. "A Prophecy?" She asked skeptically. "How old is it?"

"Nostradamus old." Hermione replied. "Around the time this prophecy was made the Ranger's who protected the forests, for both humans and non-humans, began to disappear, every now and then people will talk of seeing a powerful wizard in a forest who would use Nature itself."

Jade frowned as she recited the prophecy once again in her head, normally she wouldn't put much stock into a prophecy, but, something about this one felt... different.

"Destroy the burning evil that cometh?" She whispered getting the pairs attention. "The entire thing is vague, but yet... specific? But how?"

"It's probably nothing Jade," Hermione informed the teen who looked back over to the book smart witch. "I don't even think it's legit."

"What I want to know," Ron said getting the girl's attention. "If these Ranger's are now essentially vanished and gone, why is Professor Dragonchild here?"

It was actually good question, Jade thought, if the young looking professor was truly the Ranger he claimed to be, not that Jade didn't believe him, then why was he in Hogwarts teaching DADA?

"Could it be related to Voldemort?" Jade offered as an explanation. "It could be that he's become a threat to the Rangers."

"Why don't you ask him?" Ginny said bluntly across from them. "Fact is, if he's interested in taking Jade in as an Apprentice, then chances are, he'd answer any questions you'd have."

The three stared at the youngest Weasley looking dumbfounded. They were so used to the teachers not listening to the them or being evasive, that they had immediately went to trying to solve the mystery themselves.

"That's an option," Jade said finally. "I... I think I might accept his offer for the apprenticeship though."

The group looked over to her in surprise. "Why?" Hermione asked, it wasn't accusing, just curious.

"Well, I never really had thought about what I was going to do after we're done at Hogwarts," She admitted. "And with everything that's going on with the Ministry, any hope for a job there has been shot to hell, plus with my knack with animals, I think I'd do well at being a Ranger."

"If you're certain Jade," Hermione responded with a concerned look. "We'll support you, right guys?"

The two Weasley's nodded their agreement as the food began to disappear signaling the end of dinner. "I'm going to go talk to him now, cya guys when I get back." She informed standing from the table and headed off towards the DADA office.

As she walked to the officer Jade reflected on how easy the decision came to her, she didn't really feel nervous about it, what she had said about her likely not being able to get a job in the Magical World was true. But there was a bit more to then that, she didn't want to get a job in the Magical World.

The fact was that as a whole the entire Wizarding World, the British one at any rate was incredibly stupid and denied reality because it was to hard to face the truth. The 'pureblood' lines were becoming so inbred that Jade was certain that Malfoy's continued stupidity was due to mental retardation, not to mention anyone with 'unpure' blood found it impossible to get a decent paying jobs, or even proper rights and treatment as a human being. Jade was half tempted to start suing the government on behalf of the Muggleborn and Half-Bloods on account of discrimination.

The life of a Ranger called to her, it sounded so free and free of the everyday worries, being able to explore the unexplored, finding fantastical creatures never seen before. She knew the dangers of the job, if she was injure so far from civilization while fighting a dangerous creature then she would have to rely on her own wits to at least bandage the wound. Some the creatures that she would encounter she had no doubt that they would make Voldemort pale in comparison.

But... she wanted to do it.

And so with that thought firmly in her mind she came up to Kriv's office and raised a hand and knocked.

The door opened revealing Kriv who was wearing the same silvery scale armor as always. "Miss Potter," He greeted with a bow of his head as he invited her into the room. "It looks like you made a decision."

"I have, but... I also have a question," She informed as she sat down in a chair across from the Ranger and receiving a gesture for her to ask. "Why are you here?" She asked bluntly. "From what me and my friends found out, teaching DADA doesn't seem like something a Ranger would do."

Kriv leaned back in his seat his right hand idly rubbing the stubble on his chin wondering how best to answer the question. "I am hunting someone," He finally answered. "A Dragon of the likes this world has never seen before, this one is intelligent, he is powerful, and he seeks to rule everything. From what I have learned from the Headmaster, I believe that he would be 'allying' himself with Voldemort to manipulate him into doing all of the work, then seizing control himself when he desires."

Jade was silent or a minute as she took the information in. "Is he more powerful than Voldemort?" She asked hesitantly.

"Yes." Kriv replied without hesitation.

"Will you be able to defeat him?" Jade asked finally after a few minutes of silence.

Kriv paused for a second as he thought. "It is not a question is I am able," He informed in a whisper. "It is that I must defeat him."

Jade swallowed at the reply, understanding what he meant by that statement. "Then I Jade Lillian Potter agree to be the inheritor of everything you have to teach, so mote it be." She swore, reciting the Apprenticeship Pact.

"I Kriv Dragonchild agree to teach you everything I am able and show you the path of the Ranger, so mote it be." Kriv replied using the Mentor Pact, as soon as it was recited a thunderclap of magic echoed through the room as their magics accepted the pact and bonded them together. "Rest tonight Jade," Kriv informed with a smile. "For tomorrow you take your steps into a world you had no idea existed."

"I will," Jade agreed, she blinked a few times as she began to feel her knew mentor's hidden power, it seemed so... vast and endless. "I will not let you down Master." She informed, it was customary for the apprentice to refer to their mentor as such.

"I know my Apprentice." Kriv informed dismissing her. "Meet me outside the Great Hall at the morning bell, we have much to do."

Jade nodded and headed off towards her Common Rooms, deep inside feeling a new joy springing up withing her. Somehow, she knew everything would be alright.

EMD CHAPTER