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 Four: Revelations and Dismissals

Hogwarts, Hospital Wing

Jade groaned as consciousness slowly returned to her, with an accompanying headache that felt like it was splitting her skull open. Even in her haze of pain and drowsiness she could hear her master as he shouted angrily.

"SHE HAD A SOUL FRAGMENT INSIDE OF HER!" He was shouting, and despite the volume of it, the rage it contained was icy cold. "AND YOU NEVER THOUGHT TO INFORM ME?"

She couldn't hear the reply of whoever he was shouting at, but she could hear Kriv's own reply to it. "One reason, Dumbledore," He growled letting Jade know who he was conversing with. "One reason why I shouldn't take Jade and leave this place here and now, as it seems you do not have my apprentice's best interest in mind."

She could hear a murmur in response to his declaration. "It isn't your judgment I question Minerva," her master replied in a calmer voice."It's his. He should consider himself lucky that Nature wouldn't allow such an abomination to continue within Jade."

"I didn't know how to remove it without harming Jade..." This she could actually hear from the Headmaster as she became more aware of her surroundings.

"That is NO excuse for not telling me or her, of whom it has the most effect on," Kriv growled out angrily, reminding Jade of the Dragon she had faced in the Tri-Wizard Tournament last year. "You have to remember, I do not use your magics, and I have removed soul fragments from living beings before."

Jade let out a small groan again as a sharp throb of pain hit her, this had the side effect of catching the attention of the room's occupants as she forced her eyes to open, despite the pain from the light. "Jade," she looked up to see her master over her, concern filling his glowing eyes as Minerva and Dumbledore gasped for some reason. "Are you feeling alright?"

"Aside from the headache, I think I'm alright... my whole body feels sore, though." Jade informed as Pomfrey began to fret over her, her wand flashing through various scanning spells.

"Your magical core is fine, larger than before and... different, then there's the matter of your eyes..." The nurse informed getting a confused look from Jade.

"My eyes?" She asked in her confusion. "My eyes feel fine though..." Pompfrey frowned as she swished her hand and conjured a small hand mirror that she handed to Jade. Looking into the mirror Jade gasped as she saw the glow her eyes held, a glow similar to that of her mentors.

"It's normal, the eyes and the magical core," Kriv said, speaking up. "A result of accepting Nature's magic within her."

Pompfrey nodded her understanding and stepped away from the bed. "What were you saying about a Soul Fragment being in me?" Jade asked getting surprised looks from Dumbledore, Minerva and Pompfrey and a knowing one from Kriv.

"You had a piece of Voldemort's soul within the scar on your forehead," Kriv said glaring over at Dumbledore, his eyes flashing angrily. "And in his oh so infinite wisdom the Headmaster decided to just ignore it and not even speak of it to you, or even myself for that matter."

Jade looked over to Dumbledore who shifted uncomfortably under her now glowing eyes. She didn't say anything to him before turning to Minerva. "Did... you know... Professor?"

Minerva flinched slightly at the formal referral from a young woman she considered family. "Not until recently," she admitted sending a glare of her own to Dumbledore. "I... I didn't know what to do with it, and Dumbledore did make a strong case about worrying you about something that you couldn't control..."

"I... I'm not sure how I feel about that right now," Jade admitted to Minerva. "But... I don't really blame you. Headmaster, why was I not told."

Dumbledore flinched at her icy tone as he bowed his head in guilt. "... I didn't tell you... because... I thought that the only way that it would have been destroyed was if you had died..." he admitted. "The only ways there are to destroy a Horcrux, that we know of, destroys the hosting object, or body, on some level on well, Basilisk Venom is an example, you had seen it in your second year."

Jade paled to a sheet white. "That was a Horcrux, and you did nothing?" She hissed out angrily, the glow in her eyes intensifying slightly. "Are you not the Headmaster of this school? Are you not supposed to be protecting us? First there was the Troll that Quirrell let in, then Quirrell himself, possessed by Voldemort. A BASALISK with a Horcrux controlling it and an incompetent DADA professor to boot! Over a hundred dementors on school grounds! Then the Tri-Wizard Tournament that only adults can compete in, yet you allowed an imposter of Moody to put my name in a cup! Either you wanted those things to happen, or you are going senile old man!"

Dumbledore winced at every accusation as the memory of Jade in the Hospital Wing came rushing back to him after each event, injured in varying degrees, asking why she was the one who had to fix the problem. And every time it was over and she was in the Hospital Wing, she looked at Dumbledore with eyes brimming with tears and asked: 'Why?'. An question to which he had no answer for her.

This time, however, he was pinned, not only by her angry glare, but the hard look from her newest instructor and the professor who thought of the girl as family. "Fifteen years ago... there was a prophecy on the defeat of Voldemort," Dumbledore started, wilting under their eyes. "This was made during the height of his reign of terror, a prophecy that a child would be born at the end of June whom would destroy the Dark Lord, there were two children who were born at the end of June that year, yourself and Mr. Longbottom, in the end, you were the one who was marked by Voldemort as his Killing Curse reflected off of you and hit him, thanks to your mother's sacrifice... but... as you know that was not the end of it, he delved into the darkest of arts, and learned how to split his soul and create a Horcrux, but he created more then one, I suspect he create seven."

"He split his soul several times?" Kriv whispered, his eyes wide. "That... thing is no longer human then, he a Lynch."

"So... why was I never told of this prophecy?" Jade asked quietly, her voice cold.

Dumbledore bowed his head, his shoulder's feeling the weight of his guilt and shame. "I... I just wanted you to experience your childhood-"

"My childhood was over when you placed me with the Dursleys." Jade snapped out harshly. "It was over when they shoved me into a cupboard and treated me as their personal slave. Great childhood you gave me, headmaster."

Dumbledore sagged as Kriv placed a hand on his apprentices shoulder, giving his silent support to her. "Madame Pompfrey," He said getting the attention of the school nurse. "Would it be alright if I brought Jade to my quarters for the night? I believe she could use the privacy."

Pompfrey took a look at the angry Jade, who despite her anger, looked ready to start crying. "Of course, just let me get a couple of potions she may need." She said as she quickly darted to her office and came back carrying a couple bottles and gave the to Kriv with instructions on which ones to use for what situation.

"Come, Jade," He said soothingly as he guided her from her bed. "Let's get you somewhere private."

Jade nodded and allowed her Master to guide her from the Hospital Wing and through unused corridors and into his own quarters without being seen by any of the other students, teachers or even ghosts. Once they were finally in the privacy of his own quarters Kriv set the potions he was carrying down and surprised Jade as her pulled her into his chest in a comforting hug. "Let it all out Jade," He whispered. "Within this room, you can let it all out without fear."

Jade blinked, and unable to stop it she sobbed, a hundred different emotions crashing down upon her as she clutched at her teacher's chest and cried into it. Fear, Sadness, Anger, Confusion... it all came crashing upon her as she remained within her teachers arms. No words were said as she cried, none were needed as she remained within his comforting embrace. His presence alone saying it all.

Jade allowed herself to cry until she could cry no more and her eyes drooping closed from the exhaustion of the onslaught of emotion. "Sleep," Her teacher said soothingly, his voice almost seemingly hypnotic to the tired girl. "Sleep, Jade, you are safe here."

Jade nodded tiredly as she allowed Kriv to pull of her clothing until she was in her knickers and then guided her to his bed and laid her down upon it before drawing the covers up over her. He was just about to move away when Jade gripped his arm. "Stay near me tonight... please?" She asked, her voice groggy and tired.

With a reassuring smile, Kriv placed his hand over her own. "I will never be far, my apprentice." He assured, before he reached up and started running a surprisingly soothing hand through her hair, beginning to hum a tune that soothed her nerves and made her eyelids feel heavy.

Kriv smiled as Jade's breathing evened out as she slipped into a deep sleep, and halted the flow of sleep magic he was using on her. He didn't like using it on her, but it was what she needed, a deep, dreamless sleep to sooth her emotions and allow her subconscious time to process what she had learn.

He looked up as he heard a tap on the window and chuckled at the sight of Jade's Snowy Owl Familiar. "You really are a smart one, aren't you?" Kriv asked as he opened the window to allow entrance to the Owl. Hedwig swooped in when he opened the door and landed on the headboard over Jade and looked down upon the sleeping witch before looking at Kriv, clicking her beak. "She'll be fine," he assured with a smile. "She just needs to sleep."

Hedwig nodded her understanding and shuffled slightly to make herself comfortable, obviously waiting for Jade to awaken. "She's lucky to have you, Hedwig," Kriv said smiling as he moved over to crash onto his couch when a soft hoot stopped him.

"What?" He asked, looking back at the Owl who seemed to be almost giving him a 'McGonagall Stare'. "You do realize that it is highly inappropriate for me to do that, don't you?"

Hedwig hooted again and clicked her beak for good measure before jerking her head towards the sleeping Jade who finally had a peaceful expression on her face.

Kriv sighed and shook his head. "I just can't win against women of any species... can I?" He asked rhetorically, getting a smug look from Hedwig as he moved over to the bed. He shifted Jade over slightly before pulling off his shirt and slipped under the covers, allowing Jade to cuddle up subconsciously to him before looking up at the Snowy Owl. "Happy?"

Hedwig hooted happily and nodded her head in response before hooting again.

Kriv rolled his eyes. "It'd never work," he informed. "For far too many reasons to count and to list." He sent the Owl a look that said to drop the subject.

Hedwig gave a relenting nod before pushing her face under her wing, obviously ready to sleep as Kriv just sighed and reclined back into the bed and placed an arm around Jade. "It never could work, I just live way too damned long..." He whispered, more to himself than anyone else. "It would be way too painful to do, so, don't..."

With that Kriv closed his eyes and emptied his mind to join his apprentice and her familiar in sleep.

The Next morning

Jade groaned in protest as she felt her pillow move, causing her to grip it more tightly as she unwillingly came out of her sleep. "Five mor' minutes 'mione." She whined as she snuggled her head deeper into her large, warm pillow that seemed to rhythmically lift and fall.

Wait.

What?

Her eyes snapped open as she tried to get her bearings in the midst of her sleepy mind. Looking down, instead of spotting her pillow that she thought she was clutching onto tightly, she instead saw pink, scarred, flesh. Her eyes traveled upwards noting several other scars on the body before they finally came to rest on the amused expression on her Master's face.

She stared wide eyed for several seconds as her sleepy brain rebooted and processed the information. Kriv's eyebrow rose as Jade's face became a flaming red that would have put any of the Weasley's hair to shame. "Before you say anything, your familiar browbeat me into sleeping in the same bed," He informed, sending a slight glare to the snowy owl on the headboard next to him.

Jade looked over to her unrepentant Owl who hooted in an almost imperial manner. "HEDWIG!" Jade shouted in protest as she shot out of bed. "WHY DID YOU DO THAT?"

Hedwig hooted innocently making Jade blush even more, if such a thing was possible. "It's not like that..." she muttered out in embarrassment. "Why don't you mind your own business, you manipulative bird."

Hedwig's chest seemed to puff out as if she was proud of being called such. Kriv coughed slightly as he slid out of the bed and headed over to the dressers. "As amusing as it is to see you interact with your familiar, Jade, we have a rather important discussion to have," Kriv announced getting Jade's attention. "And that is, do you wish to continue your education here at Hogwarts, or, the other option is I train you on the road."

Jade blinked in surprise at the options before her, and frowned as she considered the options. On the one hand, despite its rather... archaic attitude towards Muggles and Muggleborns, Hogwarts did have the best educational system amongst the schools governed by the ICW, not to mention all of her friends here.

On the flip side, however, many at Hogwarts were like lemmings where they would follow a crowd over a thousand mile drop with jagged rocks at the bottom because it was popular at the time. I.e jumping onto the bandwagon that she's all that and a bag of potato chips, and then jumping onto the wagon saying she's an attention seeking, crazy brat.

With training on the road under Kriv, she would be able to experience the world and meet all kinds of people and open her mind to all matters of opinions.

On that flip side was the fact that they would no doubt be hunting all manners of dangerous beasts and animals that could very well kill her, as well as the fact that she would be separated from her friends for long periods of time.

"I'm going to need some time to think about this..." Jade informed as she herself started dressing after casting a quick cleaning charm on her clothing. "I... I can't make this decision solely based on my anger towards Dumbledore right now."

Kriv nodded. "Very wise of you Jade," He informed. "Take the day, spend some time with your friends."

Jade nodded and picked her wakizashi, quiver and longbow off of the weapons rack and strapped them on. "I will, Master... thank you for allowing me to make this decision myself," She said gratefully, making Kriv chuckle.

"I may be your instructor, but that does not necessarily mean I am to be your only instructor," He said, a slight smirk on his face. "This is your life, the decisions you make are your own."

Jade nodded and bowed to Kriv before stepping out of his quarters and into the school hallways with Hedwig winging out the window. Jade sighed as she walked through the hallways, the few early riser students giving her odd looks from her clothing and weapons she was now bearing with pride as she strode forward. 'This'll be a tough choice,' she admitted to herself as she moved through the hallways, heading towards the Gryffindor Tower. 'I know that staying here I'll learn some decent stuff and be able to remain with my friends... but then I also have to deal with all of that paparazzi bullshit as well... but if I go on the road with Master... I'd learn a lot about not just being a Ranger, but about the world, in the end I really don't know all that much... and it's not like he wouldn't bring me back to Britain to visit my friends if I asked...'

Jade sighed again as she approached the portrait of the Fat Lady and gave her the password. As soon as she cleared the threshold Jade was beset upon by worried Hermione who was asking questions a mile a minute. "Jade there you are! Where have you been? What are you wearing? Are those real weapons? Why didn't you come back last night? Oh my god, why are your eyes glowing!?" It continued until Jade clamped a hand over Hermione's mouth getting a cross look from the muggleborn witch.

"'Mione, let me actually answer before you ask another question," Jade said slowly giving Hermione a look. "We had this conversation before, remember? Now, I am going to let go of your mouth, and you will ask one question that I will answer, and it will continue like that, understand?"

Hermione rolled her eyes but nodded prompting Jade to let go of her best friend's mouth. "Really Jade," She huffed. "Where were you last night? We were worried about you!"

"As you can see I am completely fine," Jade pointed out. "As for where I was, I stayed the night in Master's quarters, and before your mind goes off with all of the possibilities, I had found out some rather disturbing news about Voldemort's interest in me and the truth about this scar, of which I will explain to you and Ron later in private."

Hermione sighed but nodded, relenting to her friend's wishes. "Alight then, what's with the new clothes?" Hermione asked running an eye over the clothing Jade was wearing. "And what about those weapons?"

"That's two, but I'll allow it because the answers are tied together." Jade said with a smirk. "The outfit is actually what I'm going to be wearing from now on as Master's Apprentice," she informed looking down at the clothing. "He provided these for me, which reminds me, on the next Hogsmeade visit I'm going to have to show you the clothing store I got these at." She shook her head to refocus. "As for the weapons, I got them in Japan, believe it or not, Master took me there to meet a smith who gave these to me."

Hermione nodded her understanding her mind processing the information at rapid speeds. "What about your eyes?" She asked in concern. "They've never glowed before..."

"A side effect of connect with the Earth's Magic," Jade assured her eyes glinting humorously. "As for that... Hermione, I have never felt more complete in my life then I do now, it's... it's like I found something that has been lost for years..."

Hermione's eyebrow rose and Jade could see the wheels turning inside of her friends head as she processed the information Jade was telling her. "I see," Hermione finally said with a nod. "Where do you want to talk about... whatever it is that happened."

Jade thought for a moment. "Let's go near Hagrid's hut," she said gesturing for Hermione to follow. "Right now I need to be able to discuss this rationally without Ron's... overreactions rearing up."

Hermione nodded in understanding and followed Jade back out of the the Tower and towards the grounds. This trip around there were more students who gawked at Jade as she walked past, talking with Hermione about some of the stuff she learned during her outing with Kriv. "I never knew that there was different types of magic like that..." Hermione whispered in shock as they walked along the lake, Jade had just finished telling her about Seamstress Magic and the fact that there were 'specialties ' in magic. "I think if Gringotts supports your idea to test students I'll take the opportunity to get myself tested."

"If they don't, I'll fund you myself, 'Mione." Jade promised with a smile as they finally reached Hagrid's empty hut. "Right, I suppose I owe you that explanation now, right?"

Hermione nodded as the two sat down on a pair of rocks that they had transfigured last year when Ron had been accusing Jade of putting her name in the Goblet without telling him how she did it so she could get all the glory. He had to be dragged up to his room after Jade punched him in the face with enough force to knock him unconscious.

And so Jade told Hermione everything, the ritual she undertook to connect with Nature, Nature destroying the Horcrux in her scar, learning about the Horcrux after waking up, the prophecy and finally Kriv's offer of taking her from Hogwarts and training her on the road.

"Wow," Hermione said a few seconds after Jade finished her retelling, she was reeling a bit in shock from the information she received. "I can see why you wanted a rational head for this, Jade. Honestly, while I would hate to see you go, taking Professor Dragonchild up on his offer may be for the best, even if it's just to get away from the spotlight people keep thrusting you into."

Jade nodded in agreement. "That's true," She agreed. "Although there is the fact that we would undoubtedly be hunting extremely dangerous creatures all year, but then again we'd probably be doing that anyways..."

"There is also the issue of Professor Dragonchild being our DADA professor," Hermione pointed out. "If you two leave, chances are Umbridge would gladly step in and take over the class if he left..."

Jade nodded, frowning in thought. "I think I'll ride out the year," she informed with a sigh. "I can't in good conscience deprive the school of a decent DADA teacher for the year. But... I think I won't be returning after this year..."

Hermione nodded and moved over to hug Jade. "Whatever you want to do, Jade, I'll support you the entire way," she informed, making Jade smile as she hugged her friend back.

"Thanks 'Mione," Jade said gratefully. "C'mon, let's get something to eat, I'm starvin'."

Hermione giggled as they headed back towards the castle. "Me too," she agreed as her stomach rumbled. "So, your new weapons have spirits in them?"

As they walked Jade launched into a detail account of meeting Purity and Kagetora in her mindscape and the tests they gave in order to learn their names. By the time they had reached the Great Hall Jade had finished her account and was repeating Kenshin's words to her on listening to her weapons when she was cut off by a rather high pitched 'Hem Hem'.

Turning the two girls spotted one Delores Umbridge as she walked towards them, a self satisfied smirk on her face. "Well what do we have here, Miss Potter," she said in her gratingly high pitched voice. "Weapons on school property? Out of uniform? I dare say... this looks like grounds for expulsion, and you do know what happens when you are expelled, correct?"

"I throw a celebratory party 'cause it means that I don't have to deal with this shit anymore?" Jade asked sarcastically making Umbridge glare angrily. "Let me point out several points where you are horribly wrong Inquisitor," Jade announced loudly drawing even more attention to them, even as she sneered out the title in a fashion that would have done Snape proud, had she been anyone else and a Slytherin. "First, as for the outfit there are two things for that, first, it's the weekend meaning we don't have to wear the uniform, second I am required to wear this as my Master's Apprentice, now that ties in with the weapons, he ordered me to keep these on me at all times as they are equipment regularly used by Rangers." Jade smirked as Umbridge turned an interesting shade of purple from her anger. "Now, as with the expulsion, you are allow to expel students, but only with the permission of either the Deputy Headmistress or the Headmaster. Now I can only assume that you want to expel me to try and snap my wand, another problem with that, see, I recently had a fascinating conversation with the manager of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter's Vaults, and I learned that I have recently been emancipated when I accepted becoming a Ranger Apprentice, and as such, not only has the trace on my wand been removed, but even if I were to be expelled, you cannot snap my wand without breaking several hundred laws that pertain to the Ancient and Noble houses, notably those in reference to Heirs and Heiresses, so... have fun with that Inquisitor Umbridge."

Jade turned to leave with Umbridge's face nearly turning violet from all the blood rushing to it when Jade paused and turned back to Umbridge. "I have a question first though, if I may Inquisitor." Jade informed as she thoughtfully tapped her chin. "See, during my second year I was interested in Wizarding Law, so I decided to convince Madame Pince to lend me the libraries copy over the summer, no mean feat mind you, and in those rules, are a specific set concerning to that of the position of High Inquisitor, a position that you take some pride in, no? It is a legal position, but... only in times of civil war to prevent either side from influencing the education of the students or the students themselves... tell me, 'Mione, according to the Ministry, are we in a civil war?"

Hermione was suppressing her laughter as the students listened in, slack jawed. "I'm pretty sure Minister Fudge is quite adamant that everything is fine and dandy in Britain right now," she answered using every inch of her will power to keep her voice even. "No Dark Lords or Civil War to speak of."

"I see, how interesting," Jade mused as she looked over to Umbridge who seemed to have difficulty choosing to be either red with rage of pale white in fear. "But I suppose Hermione is just a child and wouldn't really know about 'adult', matters, ah look here's Professor Snape I'm sure he would be able to give us an accurate report, even if he does hate my guts. Excuse me, Professor Snape?"

Snape glared suspiciously at the innocent look on Jade's face, everyone knew she had something planned with that look. "What is it Potter?" He asked in a sneer as he took in Hermione's suppressed laughter, the student's shocked expressions and Umbridge's mixed expression.

"Well, I was asking Inquisitor Umbridge here a question and needed some background information in order to ensure complete accuracy for the information," Jade explained. "And you are quite often a well informed individual, so, could you tell us if Magical Britain, or even Non-Magical Britain, is in a state of civil war right now?"

Snape's eyes narrowed further at her question as he contemplated his response. "According to the Ministry we are not," Snape sneered out. "Perhaps if you actually picked up a newspaper you would know this and wouldn't have to bother me with such trivial questions."

"Thank you, and I will Professor," Jade informed with a cheeky grin before turning to Umbridge. "So, Inquisitor how do you explain your position being legal right now as Britain is not in a state of civil war right now, and mind you, the Minister can't change these rules as these were decreed by the ICW international standard."

Murmurs of realization swept through the Great Hall at Jade's announcement as one of Snape's eyebrow's rose. "For once, you are correct Potter, imagine that," Snape drawled as he turned to Susan Bones, a well endowed, red headed, grey eyed Hufflepuff. "Miss Bones, would you please contact your Aunt and inform her of this serious breach of the law that we have just uncovered, I give you permission to use the fireplace in the Hospital Wing to contact her."

Susan quickly nodded and ran off to contact her Aunt who ran the DMLE. "The... the minister will... will not stand for this." Umbridge said, her voice mixed with fear and rage.

"Mm, that's right, Fudge was the one who supported you being position here at Hogwarts as an Inquisitor." Jade said as if it just dawned on her. "Oh my, that will not look good to the electoral body now, will it?"

Umbridge's eyes darted around looking for a quick escape, however, by this time a massive crowd had formed up around them, preventing Umbridge's escape, unless the witch decided to start hurling spells, and it looked like she was about to as her hand started inching towards where he wand was stashed, that was until...

"Whoa, what's with the mob?" Kriv's voice ran out through the mob from the entrance, and like the Red Sea parting for Moses, the students parted for the Professor as he walked forward, wearing his silvery scale armor and had his weapons strapped on, until he was level with Jade, Hermione, Umbridge and Snape. "Yo, Severus, what going on here?"

"Your apprentice is stirring up trouble like usual," Snape answered distastefully. "However, this time she was actually being of use and revealed our dear Inquisitor is actually doing something quite illegal."

"Oh, that's not a good thing," Kriv stated conversationally, his glowing eyes twinkling in amusement as he clasped his hands behind his back and rocked on his feet. "Such a shame, this will injure the reputation of the Ministry, won't it?"

"Indeed so, Master," Jade agreed with a beaming smile. "Especially since Fudge keeps insisting everything is fine in the land of Britain."

"You... you..." Umbridge was shaking violently as she glared angrily at Jade. "You mustn't tell lies, Potter..."

"Who's the one telling lies, Umbridge?" Jade shot back coldly. "Saying that you're a High Inquisitor when such a position cannot be used unless we are in a civil war, so Umbridge, are we, or are we not in the middle of a civil war?"

Umbridge shook more as her hand darted for her wand and brought it out pointing at Jade with a look of near insane rage and opened to speak only to freeze as she felt the sharp pinprick of a blade against her throat.

Her eyes moved over from Jade to the glowing Ice Blue eyes of Kriv as his eyes spoke of a wish to kill, her eyes then slid over a bit to where Severus had his own wand out, pointing at her, a curse or jinx on his lips ready to be used. Her eyes slide once again back to Jade who had her own blade out and pointing at Umbridge's center of mass.

"Speak your Curse bitch, I dare you." Kriv said in a voice so cold that everyone within hearing range shivered.

"What is going on here!?" A new voice rang out, everyone looked back towards the entrance where Susan stood with a women who could only be her aunt and several witches and wizards wearing Auror robes, their wands out and ready to be used.

"Director Bones." Severus greeted with the barest of nods. "Has your niece informed you of what Delores and the Minister have done?"

"Yes, making illegal use of a wartime position when we are not in a war," Amelia Bones, the director of the DMLE, informed. "Not that there was a Mexican standoff with three people ready to kill the undersecretary."

"Bones, arrest these villains for subverting the Minister's authority!" Umbridge demanded angrily as Amelia strode forward, ignoring Umbridge's demands.

"On something my niece mentioned to me, I made a small side trip to your office, Miss Umbridge," she informed as she held up a blood red quill. "And can you believe what I found, an unlicensed blood quill and several pages of lines, obviously written using this quill, that say 'I will not tell lies' and can you imagine whose blood was was on those pages?" she asked conversationally as Delores paled even further. "Why, the blood of several heirs and heiresses of Ancient and Noble houses! You Delores, have been committing crimes far greater than what you and Fudge are claiming Dumbledore is committing!"

Several students had gasped and whispers ran wildly through Great Hall as more and more teachers arrived along with the headmaster. "As I am sure you know Delores, it is extremely illegal, on an international scale to hold forcefully obtained blood of any witch or wizard, not just those of the Ancient and Noble houses," Amelia continued getting gasps from those who just arrived. "And Fudge cannot change those international laws to protect you, the punishment for breaking these laws? Execution."

Gasps filled the Hall at Amelia's declaration. "Aurors, take Undersecretary Umbridge into custody and transport her to Azkaban pending trial," The director of the DMLE ordered, causing the Aurors to step forward as they forcefully removed her wand and snapped it in half before placing the struggling woman in magically binding cuffs that suppressed her magic.

As the Aurors dragged the raging woman away Amelia turned back to the group with a speculative eye. "Thank you, Miss Potter, Professor Snape, for bringing this little... indiscretion to our attention," Amelia thanked with a bow of her head to the student and Professor, who both nodded in acknowledgment. "I will need the both of you to file a statement. Professor, Auror Daniels will be handling your statement, Miss Potter, would you please come with me?"

"Of course, Madame Bones." Jade agreed with a bow as she made to follow the DMLE Director.

The woman gave her a disarming smile as she lead Jade to a small room off of the Great Hall, a room that Jade idly noted was where the Champions were first gathered for the Triwizard Tournament. "Now, this is a simple process," she informed as she pulled out a pad of paper and, surprisingly, a pen. "I want you to explain everything that happened to me, okay."

Jade nodded her understanding and detailed everything that happened that morning, from entering the Great Hall with Hermione to their Mexican Standoff with Umbridge and the Aurors arriving.

"Hmm, why have you not brought this to our attention sooner, Miss Potter?" Amelia asked Jade in confusion as she read over the notes she had taken. "You seemed to have been aware of this since the start of school..."

Jade shrugged. "Have you seen the papers lately?" she asked, rolling her eyes. "Hell, the papers alone make it very tempting to pack up and leave Britain with Master like he offered..."

Amelia nodded her understanding as she remembered the number of smear articles ran by the Prophet. "I see, thank you Miss Potter for informing us, now I have a long week ahead, with all the weight Fudge was putting behind Umbridge, he's going to end up falling on his ass, and guess who is going to have to pick up the pieces?" She asked, her voice becoming slightly sarcastic, making Jade giggle.

"I'm sure you can't do any worse than Fudge," she informed with a smirk as she stood and gave a slight bow. "If you will excuse me, I have yet to have my breakfast."

Amelia smiled and, with a nod, allowed Jade to leave and head back into the Great Hall where the students were gossiping up a storm, the entire Great Hall was abuzz with whispers as the story of Jade facing off against Umbridge spread throughout the Great Hall and throughout the Houses.

Jade sighed as she shook her head and took her seat next to Hermione. "And the paparazzi goes wild..." Jade groaned as she palmed her eyes. "When will it end?"

Hermione gave her friend a sympathetic pat on the back before a thought came to her. "You were only planning on staying here because you didn't want Umbridge to take over DADA, right?" She asked, getting a confirming nod from Jade as she started to eat. "Well... I suppose you really don't have a reason to stick around anymore, with Fudge about to be disgraced he wouldn't have the weight to try and place another person like Umbridge here. You could still take Professor Dragonchild up on his offer to train on the road, plus it'll get you away from Britain and the Prophet for a while."

Jade paused in her eating and turned to stare at Hermione, her fork sticking out of her mouth. "What?" Hermione asked, feeling a little creeped out as Jade continued to stare.

"So let me get this straight," Jade said, fork still in her mouth. "You, Hermione Granger, the one person in Hogwarts who actually tries to avoid putting me in danger, is acutally suggesting that I go on the road with my Master, who would no doubt put me in unfathomable perilous dangers and call it training."

"Yes," Hermione replied as Jade continued to stare at her. "Why?"

"Just making sure!" Jade chirped happily as she resumed eating her food making Hermione sweatdrop slightly at her friends strangeness.

"You're weird," Hermione said for the thousandth time in their friendship, making Jade grin toothily, her fork still in her mouth, as she formed the peace sign.

"And proud of it," Jade replied for her own thousandth time, making Hermione sigh before grinning herself. "I guess I'm going to be leaving then," Jade said as she became serious. "Can't really say that I'll miss it all... but..." She looked over to Hermione with a smile. "There are some things that I will miss."

Hermione smiled back at Jade. "They'll miss you too, Jade," she informed, making Jade laugh a bit. "You'll return, right?"

Jade nodded. "Stronger and more badass than ever." She informed making a fist as her glowing eyes grew determined. "Moldemort will never know what hit him!"

Hermione laughed at her friends confidence as the two enjoyed their moment together.

Later, Kriv's Quarters

Kriv's lip twitched as he felt his student's magical signature standing outside of his room. "Come on in Jade," he called out, the door opened as Jade glared slightly at him for knowing she was there. "I take it you've made your decision then?"

Jade nodded. "I have..." She informed as she took in a breath, closing her eyes, when she exhaled she reopened her eyes. "I want you to train me on the road," she answered firmly. "I feel that there is much more I must learn of the world if I am to defeat Voldemort."

Kriv smirked in response as he looked at his student. "Are you sure, because once we start, there is no turning back," He informed.

Jade grinned. "You just described my life, Master," she countered. "Bring on your worst."

With a laugh, Kriv stood and placed a hand on her head. "Well said, Jade," he said proudly. "Get ready and sleep well, we leave at dawn."

Jade grinned and nodded as she turned and left the room, leaving the grinning Kriv behind as he turned to the window and looked out over the Forbidden Forest. "Well now... this... should be interesting," He whispered to himself. "Hmph, let's see what the world has in store for us... shall we?"

END CHAPTER