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'

"Higher Power Talking"

'Higher Power Talking'

Chapter Three: Apprenticeship

Next Morning, outside of the Great Hall

Kriv was waiting for Jade as the Morning Bell rang through the school. "What will we be doing today, Master?" She asked as she walked up to him.

"The first thing we will be doing is properly outfitting you," Kriv informed as he gestured for her to follow and lead her out of the castle and out towards Hogsmade. "You are going to need strong and durable clothing in earthen colors to start with," He explained as they passed by the boundary wards. "We will also need to get you outfitted with a bow and a blade, I managed to find a couple of places where we can find each of those."

Jade nodded her understanding and took a moment to take in her teacher's appearance, he wasn't wearing the silvery scale armor, and instead adopted a black muscle shirt with wood land cameo pants tucked into a pair of sturdy, yet comfy looking, boots. "Where at?" She asked, curiosity winning over.

"For your clothing there is a shop here in Hogsmeade that will do just fine, the bow and arrows you will need along with a good blade we will be going to a smith Dumbledore told me of in Japan," he informed, looking over to his apprentice. "Never be afraid to ask me questions, Jade, how else will you learn?"

"Right," Jade agreed a smile blossoming on her face as they walked into Hogsmeade. Kriv lead Jade to a shop Jade had passed before but had never really noticed, the exterior was looking worn and old with age, but as they entered Jade saw that there was a stark contrast to the old looking exterior and youthful looking interior.

"Ah, Mr. Dragonchild!" A young sounding feminine voice called out bringing Jade's attention to a youthful blonde haired woman with dark red eyes wearing a simple looking sleeveless pale yellow dress. "I wasn't expecting to see you again so soon, and who's this with you."

"My apprentice, Jade Potter, Jade meet Layla Havorstead," Kriv introduced. "Jade here is going to be need a whole new wardrobe suited to Forest travel and fighting."

"Hmm, I see," Layla mused, sweeping Jade over and not even glancing up at the infamous lightning bolt scar. "Well then, Mr. Dragonchild, what colors would be best suited? For what she needs?" Layla asked.

"Earthen colors, dark browns, greens, blacks, maybe some dark reds and yellows for autumn time." Kriv replied after a moment of thought. "Off whites and grays for winter."

Layla nodded and jotted some notes down onto a notepad, Jade idly noted that she used a ballpoint pen and not a quill like most magicals. "Step this way young Miss," Layla stated gesturing to a small room to the side. "I need to take your measurements, so please strip down to you knickers."

Jade nodded and stepped into the small room where she quickly pulled off her plain white t-shirt and blue jeans and stood still as with a flick of her wand Layla had a measuring tape fluttering around jade taking her measurements with Layla jotting down the results. "Alright, now, let's get started, since you'll be in the forest and doing some fighting you'll be needing something more durable than regular cloth, leather perhaps?" Layla muttered as she flicked her wand causing a series of leather samples to appear. "Hmm, I think the Shade Leather will be good for your regular clothing, perhaps Dragon Leather for a couple of formal outfits?"

Jade just blinked as with another flick of the wand Layla had a mirror image of Jade before her, only this one was clothed wearing a simple sleeveless dark brown top that showed a bit of Jade's cleavage while the dark green pants hugged her hips closely. "What do you think of this?" Layla asked the teen who stared at the image.

"What about my arms?" Jade asked looking at her bare arms, she knew from experience that brambles and thorns always seemed to find bare skin. "Also a pair of gloves would be helpful"

Layla hummed and flicked her wand once again causing a pair of dark brown detached sleeves to appear on her image's arms but left her shoulders bare, and with another flick a pair of fingerless gloves appeared onto the image's hands. "How's that?" Layla asked Jade who nodded her approval. "Now, for a cloak," Layla muttered frowning in thought for a minute and flicked her wand causing a dark green cloak that swept down to the back of the image's knees and had a hood covering the the image's head, Jade idly noted that it also blocked the sight line for the scar.

"That looks nice," Jade agreed. "What about boots."

"Ah, thank you for reminding me," Layla said flashing Jade a brilliant smile and flicked her wand creating a pair of black leather boots that laced themselves up to her knees. "Do those look nice?" At Jade's nod she flashed another smile. "Excellent, how are you with heels? Heeled boots will go fantastically well with the more fancy version of this outfit."

"Um, I'm decent in heels I guess, nothing over four inches though." Jade requested.

Layla nodded as with a flick of her want the image of Jade duplicated itself with two new images appearing with one wearing a white and grey outfit, with a fully sleeved top and boots meant for winter, while the second image was mostly dark red with a darker yellow and browns obviously meant for Autumn. Finally a third image appeared, although this one was still in her knickers. "Now this outfit will be meant for official functions and parties," Layla informed as she tapped her wand to her chin looking Jade over. "A nice deep green would really bring out the eyes, and a crimson red to match your hair. Hmm, and a black will tie it all together nicely don't you think?"

Layla flicker her wand once again and started clothing Jade's image, the top was a dark green sleeveless shirt that had a bit of a collar with dark red trim with a similarly colored skirt that fell to just over her knees with a slit that went up the right side showing off a bit of her legs and a pair of black belts, one was set regularly, while the second was put at an angle to the other one, Layla then added a pair of three inch heeled black boots that had dark red laces and topped the outfit off with a dark red cape similar in length to the others.

"Wow," Jade said as she goggled at her image, she never would have imagined it, but the outfit made her look not only beautiful, but dangerous as well. "It's... perfect."

Layla smirked at Jade and gave a flourish. "Thank you for your kind words." She said only with a slight teasing edge to her voice. "Now, just give me a minute and I will get you a set to start with and will Owl the rest to you, do you wish to wear it out of the store?"

"Please." Jade confirmed grinning.

Returning the grin Layla flicked her wand causing the necessary materials to fly out of storage and started to cut themselves according to the image of Jade's new forest outfit. "I don't think I've ever seen this kind of magic before..." Jade said as she watched the process of her new clothing being made before her eyes at an impressive rate of speed.

"It's called Seamstress Magic," Layla informed. "A fairly rare talent that allows the user to create clothing like this quickly, for a normal witch using regular magic, a single outfit like this takes up to a week to make."

"Handy," Jade declared sounding impressed. "It's too bad they don't have any tests readily available to test for magic types."

"Gringotts provides the service, but at a cost though," Layla informed. "I was lucky enough to show markers for the magic that my Head of House caught on to."

Jade nodded her understanding as an idea popped into her head. "And finished," Layla announced causing Jade to look up to see the completed outfit. "Just a heads up, the leather has charms woven into it to keep you warm no matter the temperature outside, it can also be reversed to keep you cool if you need it, the cloak is a little special, it will help divert attention from yourself when the hood is up, while it won't work on those who are actively looking for you specifically, it will help divert general searching from you." Layla explained as she helped Jade get dressed into the outfit, although she stopped Jade from putting on top. "If I may, why don't you bind you breasts instead of wearing a bra, I cater to many females who enter into combat and they have always bound their breasts, they said it helps minimize discomfort, would you like to try?"

"Uhh, sure, but... I'm not sure how to." Jade admitted with a slight blush.

"Quite alright, actually I happen to know a charm meant for that," Layla assured.

Once Jade had the charm down she pulled the top on and marveled at herself in the mirror while tying the cloak into place. "Very dashing." Layla informed. "The rest of your outfits should arrive by the end of the week."

"Thank you very much." Jade said gratefully as they left the small room to find Kriv waiting for them.

He gave Jade the once over and nodded in approval. "Looks good," he informed, getting a slight blush from Jade even as she smiled. "How much Layla?"

Layla quickly ran some numbers over her pad. "125 Galleons and 50 Sickles." Layla informed, causing Jade's jaw to drop in shock as she felt fear that Kriv wouldn't be able to afford it well up in her.

Her fears proved to be unfounded however as Kriv pulled out a sack and handed over the requested coinage. "I may be a teacher Jade, but I have made quite a bit of gold over the years cashing in bounties, hell, I once helped steal a corrupt kings entire treasury," He assured smiling at her and ruffled her hair, making Jade scowl and blush again in embarrassment. "Come on,we still got more stuff to get, thanks Layla!"

"Tell your friends!" Layla called out in reply as they left the shop.

"Alright, the next stop is in Japan so I'll be teleporting us there," Kriv informed.

"Teleporting?" Jade asked. "Is that like apparition?"

"In a sort," Kriv informed as he made a couple of hand gestures. "Close the distance and arrive swiftly."Kriv chanted as he channeled his Magic and grabbed a hold of Jade and in an instant they were gone with barely more than a pop.

Southern Japan

With another slight pop the Master and Apprentice duo reappeared almost halfway across the world in front of a decent sized house in the middle of a forest clearing. "Huh, didn't feel... anything,really." Jade said looking up at her teacher who grinned.

"In good time I'll teach it to ya," Kriv informed. "But for now, we have to get you armed."

Jade nodded as they approach the door of the house, as they reached the porch of the house the door opened up to an average sized Asian looking man with a shaved head and dark eyes. "Dragonchild-san?" He asked in accented English.

"Aye," Kriv informed. "You Kenshin Masamune?"

"Hai," Kenshin replied looking to Jade. "Is this her?"

"Jade Potter, yes," Kriv informed. "I need to get her outfitted with a bow and a sword, preferably long and short respectively."

"Hai, follow me." Kenshin said as he lead them around the house and into the back where a smaller building was. Opening the door he gestured them inside and turned on the lights revealing a vast armory chalk full of various weapons. "Come with me, Potter-san."

At Kriv's approving nod Jade followed Kenshin through the rows of weaponry until they came up to several racks that held over two dozen different types of longbows. Kenshin inspected Jade carefully before looking up at the rack and selected a rather simple looking longbow that was just slightly shorter than she was. "Try this," He requested handing it over to her.

Jade picked the bow up out of his hands and looked it over, despite it's simplicity, it was quite obvious that the bow was a masterwork in of itself. She held the bow out like she had seen archers do and tried to pull back only to grunt as it refused to move.

"I see, not for you then," Kenshin muttered as he took the bow and replace it with a recurved longbow. "Try this." Jade tried to pull the string and was met with resistance again. "Hmm, try this one." He requested as he handed her another bow, this one was about a half a foot shorter than her and had a leaf pattern engraved upon it. Testing the string Jade marveled at how easy it was to pull it back. "Ah, yes, Supple Yew with the hair of a virgin Unicorn as a string."

"Wait... are these bows almost like wands?" Jade asked. "They choose us, instead of the other way around?"

"Very good, Potter-san," Kenshin praised. "Every weapon here is like that, yes, and I assure you, it will be helpful in your future line of work."

"Wow..." Jade breathed, marveling the bow anew as Kenshin lead her to a rack of short swords of various makes.

"Hmm, you will need something to complement the Yew/Unicorn Hair Bow... hmm perhaps... this one, Oni Fang with Darkwood hilt." Kenshin suggest handing Jade a blade that was about two feet in length and sheathed in a dark wooden sheath. "Try to draw it."

Jade followed his request and tried to draw it only for it to remain stubbornly stuck in the hilt.

"Hmm, try this one, Dragon Fang with Elder Hilt." Again Jade tried to pull out the hilt with no luck. "Hmm, interesting... perhaps something a little more... unorthodox, a wakizashi blade forged from Mithril and Stardust with a Cherry Tree hilt."

Jade took the blade from the weapon maker and experimentally pulled the hilt with the blade releasing itself easily, fully drawing the blade Jade gasped, it was beautiful, silver with whorls of gold woven in. "Beautiful..." She whispered.

"Hm, one last thing they need," Kenshin informed Jade, getting a blink of surprise from the girl. "They need to be named, and it is not as simple as taking any random name on, you must meditate with them, here, follow me."

Jade followed Kenshin through the rows of weapons to a door at the back of the armory. "Through here you will find a runic array that will help you meditate and enter you inner mind, there you will learn the names of those weapons," Kenshin explained. "I wish you luck Potter-san."

The way that Kenshin said that made Jade take a nervous swallow and looked down at the two weapons before steeling herself and entering the room. Like Kenshin had said the room was covered in Runic Scripting, setting the weapons down before her Jade slipped into a cross legged position and closed her eyes and took a deep breath before releasing it.

She felt something... weird happen and snapped her eyes open, only she was not in the room, she was in the middle of a large grassy field with a breeze blowing through it rippling the blades of grass.

"You have arrived." A deep voice sounded behind her.

Whirling around Jade froze as she spotted two people behind her, one was a male wearing dark clothing and a mask over his lower face with dark hair and eyes, the second was a woman wearing what looked to be a Japanese kimono with an armguard covering the entirety of her right arm. "W... who are you?" Jade asked as she felt for her wand only to come up empty handed.

"Relax," The woman said in a musical voice. "We are not your enemies, this is your mind."

Jade blinked as everything fit into place. "You're the weapons." She stated in realization, making the male nod and the female smile, hiding her lips behind her kimono sleeve.

"Correct." The male stated with a short nod.

"However, before we tell you our names, you must prove yourself to us," the female informed. "My test is one of perception. Which of your weapons am I, the sword, or the bow?"

Jade blinked in surprise at the question and stared at the woman, studying every detail she could, from the leaf pattern kimono she wore, to the arm covering armguard and even taking in the callouses on her fingers. Jade's eyes narrowed as she spotted the callouses and carefully inspected them, they were uneven, as if she only used her fingers to hold something. "You are the bow." Jade declared. "The callouses on your fingers gave it away."

The spirit of Jade's new bow blinked in surprise and looked at her fingers and spotted the callouses Jade was talking about. Letting out a tinkling laugh she covered her mouth with a kimono sleeve. "Well done Mistress." She said happily. "I will gladly serve one as sharp eyed as you in battle, my name is Purity shoot straight Mistress."

"Well done." The male said as he stood. "My test."

"JADE!" A pair of familiar voices cried out to Jade causing her to look around to spot Ron and Hermione being held at blade's edge by a pair of masked men.

"Save one," The sword spirit stated. "What is your resolve?"

Jade stared at both of her friends who were in mortal danger and felt anger surge through her. Choose, how could she choose between her two closest friends? She relied on them both for so many years as she was developing into the woman she was today, without them...

Her eyes closed, before snapping open angrily. "Both." She stated. "I will protect my friends, no matter what it does to me!"

The image before Jade vanished abruptly as it appeared. "Strong will... Mistress." The male stated. "Kagetora, call me when you need me."

"Thank you, Kagetora, Purity." Jade thanked with the two nodding.

And with a blink Jade was out of her mind and back in the room. Looking around briefly she looked down at the two weapons before her and smiled. "Let's go." She whispered to them and slid Kagetora into her belt on her lower back and slid Purity over her head and made sure that Purity was snug on her back and stepped out of the room.

"Did you learn their names Potter-san?" Kenshin asked as Jade stepped out of the room.

Jade smiled and nodded. "Purity," She announced touching the Virgin Unicorn Hair string across her chest before touching the Cherry Hilt. "Kagetora."

Kenshin nodded his approval and held out a quiver full of arrows. "You will need this, it is charmed with unlimited holding and has lightweight charms upon it." He informed as Jade fastened the quiver onto her back at an opposite angle to her bow before adjusting her cape so that it was covering the quiver.

"Thank you Kenshin," Jade thanked with a slight bow. "These will be of great help to me."

Kenshin smiled slightly and nodded. "Just be sure to listen when they speak," He told her as he lead her back to the entrance where Kriv was waiting. "Much wisdom and strength they can offer you."

"How much do you require as payment?" Kriv asked as he pulled out his money pouch only for Kenshin to hold up a hand stopping Kriv.

"I require no payment from those who are the Earth Chosen Warriors." Kenshin informed seriously making Jade blink in surprise as she remembered the prophecy that Hermione had found.

"I thank you for your kindness." Kriv said his eyes flicking over Jade noting the surprise upon it. "May your roads be sunny and the wind at your back."

Kenshin bowed in response and escorted them outside of the building before returning to his own home. "What's on your mind Jade?" Kriv asked as they stood in the clearing. "Something's bothering you, isn't it?"

Jade blushed slightly. "It's about what he called us, 'Chosen Warriors of the Earth'," Jade informed. "My friend, Hermione Granger found something when she was researching Rangers after I told her about your offer for apprenticeship:

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

In frozen skies they will fly

And destroy the burning evil that cometh."

"A prophecy," Kriv mused thoughtfully. "Interesting choices of words it has, but, no matter, if it does refer to us, there is nothing we can do about it until it is time, other than training and strengthening ourselves, and if it isn't for us, there is nothing we can do period."

Jade nodded her understanding feeling rather calm about the whole matter. Kriv was correct on both counts of the Prophecy. There wasn't anything they could really do at the moment. "What else do we need to get?" Jade asked looking up at her master.

"Adventuring gear for you," Kriv informed after a moment of thought. "Tent, bedroll, climbing gear. The suchlike, I suppose we could go to Diagon Alley, and if necessary Non-Magical London."

"Would it be alright if we stopped at Gringotts?" Jade asked. "I wanted to talk to the Goblins about something."

Kriv nodded as he weaved his magic once again. "Not a problem, Jade." He informed before reciting the chant and grabbing Jade before disappearing with a slight pop.

Diagon Alley, London

Another slight pop sounded as Jade and Kriv appeared in the small alleyway behind the Leaky Cauldron and in front of the entrance to Diagon Alley. At Kriv's gesture, Jade took out her wand and searched for the proper brick to tap and created the entrance to the Alley.

She paused for a minute before entering to pull up the hood to her new cloak and pulled it low enough so that it covered her scar and shadowed her face before following her instructor as he picked his way through the stores, picking up necessary equipment and a camping backpack to load all of the equipment into. As he did this, he showed Jade how to pack the backpack for maximum efficiency, he also showed her how to properly roll a tent so that it would fit on the top of the backpack while the bedroll would attach to the bottom of the backpack.

Once they had the gear that Jade would need with the bag charmed for lightness and durability, they headed to Gringotts for Jade's errand. Upon entering the bank, Jade threw her hood back and strode purposefully towards the front desks with Kriv a few steps behind, watching his student with interest.

"Excuse me," Jade said as they approached one of the available Goblins. "I would like to speak with the manager of the Potter Accounts if he is available."

The goblin looked up from the paperwork he was file with a frown on his face. "And who are you to make such a request?" He asked in a gravelly voice. "Only Potters can access the Potter Account."

"I am a Potter," Jade shot back with a light glare. "The Potter Heiress to be exact."

The Goblin's eyes widened as he finally caught sight of Jade's infamous Lightning Bolt Scar. "My apologies Miss Potter." The Goblin informed hastily before turning to a younger Goblin and said something in the harsh language of the Goblin's, the younger Goblin quickly scampered away as the elder turned back to Jade. "Again, my apologies Miss Potter. Swirlfang should be here shortly.

"Thank you." Jade said with a slight bow of her head. "May your vaults be filled with riches."

"And yours, Miss Potter." The Goblin replied.

The pair didn't have long to wait, as in short order an elderly looking Goblin approached them. "Miss Potter," The Goblin greeted in a more cultured voice than the other Goblins. "My name is Swirlfang, and I am glad to see you once again, the last time I saw you, you were but a babe in your fathers lap, ah, how time flies."

"I wish I could remember you, Swirlfang," Jade replied with a slight smile at the mention of her parent. "May I introduce my Master, Kriv Dragonchild."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Dragonchild," Swirlfang greeted, bowing to Kriv who bowed in return. "I am glad that Miss. Potter was able to apprentice herself to someone as powerful as you are, I am certain the late Mr. and Mrs. Potters would have loved to meet you."

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Swirlfang," Kriv replied. "And I am sure I would have loved to meet them, as well."

Swirlfang gave a fond smile of remembrance as he turned back to Jade. "You have good timing, Miss. Potter, I was about to send a letter to you requesting a meeting with you," he informed. "Come, follow me to my office and we can discuss business there."

Jade nodded her agreement and followed the goblin through the hallways of the bank and to his office. The trio wove their way through the bank, passing by offices and scampering young goblins who were running errands or carrying messages until they arrived at a specific door. "Please, come in Miss Potter, Mr. Dragonchild." He requested gesturing them into his rather large office that had a desk that contained a moderate amount of paperwork on it and a couch across from a pair of chairs with a coffee table in between in them.

"Have a seat," He offered gesturing to the couch as he took a seat on the chair as the two sat on the couch. "Now Miss Potter, I'm glad you came in today, I have been meaning to send you a letter requesting a meeting with you to help prepare you for taking over the Potter Title, that was until we received word about your apprenticeship."

Jade looked at Swirlfang in confusion. "What does my apprenticeship have to do with the Potter title?" She asked, voicing her confusion.

"It emancipated you." Swirlfang stated bluntly. "What that means is that you are now a legal adult in the eyes of the Magical World and allows you to take up the Potter title now, instead of when you turn seventeen."

Jade blinked in surprise at that information. "What exactly is entailed with that?" Jade asked. "I know from my own research that the Potters hold a seat on the Wizenmagot, although I don't know who is holding it in trust right now, also I need to know if the Potters have any debts or contracts that will need to be fulfilled if I am to take the Title, most notably any Marriage Contracts."

Swirlfang nodded his understanding as he rang a small bell, causing a young goblin to appear. "Please bring me file PVF-223901." He requested to the Goblin who nodded and ran off, returning not even a full minute later with a somewhat thick folder that he passed off to Swirlfang before disappearing out the door. "I can say for certain that there are no Marriage Contracts awaiting you, your Great-Grandfather made sure that they were all concluded before your father was born." He informed. "Now, as for other contracts, there is one with the Greengrasses that will require your attention."

"Greengrasses?" Jade asked remembering Daphne Greengrass, a Slytherin in her year. "Are the Potters allied with them?"

Swirlfang nodded. "Quite closely, in fact," he informed seriously. "In fact, had either you or their eldest been born a male, there would have been a marriage contract in the works. Now this Contracts outlines the business partnership between the Greengrasses and the Potters, now the Potter and Greengrass fortune are old money and most of the revenue comes from investments in both the muggle and magical worlds. The Greengrasses also run an Enchantment business while the Potters were often skilled in Ancient Runes working either in Enchantment themselves, Curse Breaking or even Warding."

Jade nodded her understanding making a mental note to speak with Daphne and try to organize a meeting with her father. "I have a question for you," Jade informed as she leaned forward slightly. "I heard that Gringotts offers a test that shows any special types of magic a person is capable of using, is this true?"

Swirlfang nodded a slightly confused look on his face. "It is, it costs about 20 galleons to take." He informed. "Why do you ask?"

"I have a proposition for the Goblins, just today I went to a clothing store where the woman used Seamstress Magic creating the clothing that I'm wearing now," She explained. "I am actually rather shocked that the Goblins wouldn't see the opportunity for building up great businesses if more people knew if they had special kinds of magic when they were still in school, leading them to building their own businesses, perhaps keeping even more Half-Bloods and Muggleborns in the magical world for work."

Swirlfang frowned as he considered Jade's words contemplatively. "What are you suggesting?" He asked for clarification.

"What if Gringotts were to offer a special rate to students that are still in school, something that they can afford, and for those who have magic that can be translated into a business offer aid in getting them started for a modest share in the business."

Swirlfang considered what Jade was saying for a minute before picking up a notepad and wrote something down on it and called out for one of the younger Goblins. "It is not my providence to approve that, but I have sent the proposition to the one who is with my recommendation," He announced to the pair. "But I think he may accept the idea and put it into action."

Jade bowed her head in understanding. "Thank you for that, Swirlfang," she said gratefully. "You have been very and patient with me."

Swirlfang nodded with a smile. "It has been my duty and my pleasure to assist the Potter's since the days of your grandfather," He informed proudly. "And it shall be so until my days come to an end."

Jade bowed to the Goblin. "Your words do me honor Swirlfang," she informed, looking slightly embarrassed. "Is there any other business we need to discuss?"

Swirlfang shook his head. "Not at the moment, no." He informed politely. "A letter will be sent out a few days before your sixteenth birthday informing you of the date for your title acceptance ceremony."

Jade nodded her understanding as they stood and bowed to each other. "I look forward to doing business with you in the future," Jade informed the elderly Goblin. "May your halls be filled with fortunes, Swirlfang."

"And may your adventures return you profit and allow you to return home." Swirlfang returned bowing to Jade before turning to Kriv. "Teach her well, Master Dragonchild, unlike the wizards of Britain the Goblins can see the signs of his return."

Kriv nodded. "I fully intend on training her to the best of my abilities," he informed seriously. "After all... eventually she will be hunting creatures more dangerous than Voldemort."

Swirlfang nodded and bowed deeply to the Ranger. "We of the Goblin Nation remember the days when Rangers walked freely through the world," he informed. "And look forward to when they do so once again."

Kriv bowed in return. "It will happen sooner than you think," he informed. "Shall we, Jade."

Jade nodded and bowed once more to Swirlfang before the Elderly Goblin led them to the entrance to the bank and bid them farewell. "What next, master?" Jade asked curiously.

"Now... we return to Hogwarts and begin your training," Kriv informed as they headed to a secluded area. "We will be doing your training in the Forbidden Forest, in elder woods like that it is easier to connect with Mother Nature and her magic."

Jade nodded and accepted his hand as he recited the chant, and with a pop they disappeared.

Outside of Hogwarts' Grounds

With a pop the pair were outside of the gates to Hogwarts. "I have to learn that spell." Jade muttered to herself as she followed Kriv into the school grounds, not towards the school, but the Forbidden Forest.

"In time," Kriv assured, amusement filling his voice. "But one step at a time, Jade."

Jade nodded as they passed Hagrid's hut, still curiously absent of the jolly half-giant, and into the forest. Kriv led her deep into the forest as they walked for nearly an hour before he came to a stop at a small clearing and looked around with a nod of approval. "This will be a good place to set up camp for the night," he informed Jade, who looked at him curiously. "In order to learn how to be one with Nature, you must know how to live in unison with Nature."

Jade made a small noise of understanding as she took off her pack and, with Kriv's instructions, set up the tent and fire pit. "How do we begin, Master?" Jade asked as they both sat cross-legged facing each other, with the fire between them

"We begin with meditation," Kriv instructed. "Now Jade, I want you to close your eyes," Jade did so. "Slow your breathing," she did. "Listen to the beat of your heart," she could clearly hear it as it thumped against her chest. "Listen to the forest, hear the creatures..." She could hear the chirping of birds echoing through the forest, the hooves of the Centaurs galloping through the Forest, oddly in sync with her own heartbeat. "Listen to to the pulse of magic..." in a way his words were hypnotic, every time he said to listen to something she could hear it clearly, just like how she was now feeling the pulse of magic all around them, the primal power it emitted sent chills down her spine. "Listen to your magic, resonate with it..." She could feel it, her magic pulsing in unison with the primal magic flowing around them, idly she noted how she could feel the Centaurs and other creatures of the Forbidden Forest circling their campsite, watching on.

"Feel the Earth penetrate your very being," Kriv ordered, his voice soft, but powerful. "Feel it fill your very being with it's power," Jade shuddered as she felt it. "Feel your magic resonate even more with it." It was... ti pulsed with something akin to joy as it accepted the foreign power. "Now Jade... awaken."

Jade's eyes snapped open, she felt... complete, as if she had been missing something for her entire life and it was now returned to her.

Kriv smiled proudly at Jade as she opened her eyes, her emerald colored eyes now glowing with the power of Nature. He was about to speak when suddenly, without warning Jade let out an ear piercing scream as her scar split open and started bleeding black blood.

END CHAPTER!