"You are making an Inquisitorial squad, Professor?"

"That is true, Miss Lestrange. As High Inquisitor, I believe that I must have a personal council of the more trustworthy students."

Jade remained calm at the obvious jibe, though her mind raced with a million thoughts. The most prominent of which was worry. Not worry about her position. Umbridge knew the Head Girl had authority and diligence few others had which she could not lose. She was more worried about someone else. Someone she should not have anything to do with, but still wanted to catch a glimpse of everyday.

Ugh….

"Forgive me, Professor, but some of the said members of the Inquisitorial squad had cornered a first year and demanded all his galleons from him. I do not see why you just let them go with one detention. This is obviously a misuse of power."

Umbridge gave a delicate laugh.

"My, my Miss Lestrange, it is quite a surprise how naïve you are. It is important to give those under you a degree of leniency or they will never be loyal to you. You will not meet your Uncle's expectations like this."

Jade's lips twitched for a moment as she held herself from shouting out how incredibly tyrannical and disgusting those words were to her. But it was apparent that such an action will bring her no satisfaction, just more problems.

She forced a smile on her face. "That must be the case. I beg your pardon Professor. Please teach me how to fulfill my prospects." She said, feigning embarrassment.

Jade half wanted to wrinkle her nose in disgust as Umbridge's pouchy face became haughtier. Half of her wanted to smile because this was the exact reaction she had expected.

The High Inquisitor is becoming steadily powerful…

I wonder why Professor Dumbledore allows it….?

She is obviously usurping his authority…does he want to give in?

Jade gulped at the thought.

No, he won't abandon Hogwarts….he can't…..

Well, this only means I don't have much time left….

Jade paused and took a deep breath, feeling a slight wave of nervousness engulf her. She had planned and reviewed the discussion about a million times, but still raked with fear of everything that could go wrong. She could offend him. He would probably think she was not worthy. Not capable.

She has lost numerous times, but this is one defeat Jade would not be able to handle.

I am scared….but that is useless right now….

After all I had to sacrifice….

Jade's mind flashed with the image of the red-head nonchalantly leaving the other day. He had saved her, again. She pictured what he would say if she let cowardice get the better of her now, even if he was unaware of everything. A chuckle escaped her lips.

Bloody Gryffindor…

If someone like him is supporting me…maybe it is enough.

Her lips still twitching upwards, she sauntered towards the Owlery, a new confidence in her gait.

Chickening out at this point is almost as unacceptable as not repaying you for all you did.

Whatever happens, I will not regret.

Green eyes stared unblinkingly at Jade as she fastened the small piece of parchment to the black owl's leg. She straightened up and held out half a piece of bacon towards him, which it readily gobbled up at once.

"Your journey isn't that long, but if you don't get caught I might treat you to more." Jade told him.

He blinked once, as if determining whether to trust her or not; then with a mighty flap of his wings, speeded away. Jade gazed at him until he disappeared in the rapidly darkening sky, knowing that the reply will not take long and she intended to go back to her dormitory with it.

The door behind her burst open.

"Who is-Oh!"

Umbridge stood at the dropping-ridden threshold in a baby pink dressing gown, her hair held up and being styled by small, colorful curlers. Her triumphant eyes lost their glow when she beheld Jade, who was leaning casually against one of the grills.

"Is there a problem, Professor?"

"Who are you sending a letter to at this hour?"

"There are still forty minutes until curfew, Professor. Uncle instructed me to send a letter to him every week, because you see, he is very interested in how Hogwarts is changing."

Umbridge looked flustered for a moment. "Oh, yes, yes. That is understandable of course. But every letter is checked, before leaving the castle, Miss Lestrange."

Jade's eyes widened and she pursed her lips as if ashamed. "I am sorry Professor, for assuming that you trusted me since I was the Head Girl. I must also tell Uncle that you check the letter to him every time."

Umbridge's eyebrows furrowed and she spoke after a long, thoughtful pause. Lucius Malfoy was an influential and wealthy ally to the Ministry. Typical of every arrogant noble, he would never take kindly of his personal letters being forcefully read. And if Umbridge told the Head Girl to keep the information to herself, it would only backfire on her. Lucius had more power over this girl than her.

"No. I suppose that is not needed. But abstain from doing it so late."

"Is that so, Professor? Uncle might have appreciated how strictly you enforce your rules."

Of course he would, but not on himself.

I can't believe Dumbledore put such a stupid brat as Head Girl…..well…it only makes it easier for me to use her.

Her and the young Malfoy-both idiots.

"We will discuss this later, Miss Lestrange. Make sure everybody is in their dormitories before curfew. I will be going then." With that, Umbridge hurriedly trotted out of the Owlery, shutting the door behind her.

The Head Girl released her pent up breath in relief. It was pure luck the owl did not return while Umbridge had been here or things might have ended for her before they even started. She studied the horizon out of the corner of her eye, in search for some kind of black dot.

Anyways, shouldn't it be back by now…? Is The Headmaster not going to reply?

The horrible thought had just passed through her head when there was a flash of gold and red above her. Reflexively Jade brought a hand to shield her eyes from the brilliant light when it altogether disappeared and a note floated down at her feet, a few golden sparks falling with it.

Feeling her heart inflate with elation and nervousness, Jade bent on her knees and with a shaking hand, picked it up.

The rumbling of the spinning marble staircase echoed in the eerily silent surroundings. But Jade knew the surrounding mahogany walls were charmed so that no sound escaped outside. All too soon, the rumbling stopped and Jade was left to stare anxiously at the large twin doors, with growling lion heads engraved as knockers.

She took a deep breath to calm her pounding heart.

I cannot believe how nervous I am…..

It is okay.

You have to do this.

You must.

With that she purposefully stepped towards the door, a white knuckle reaching forwards to knock when a voice from inside jolted her.

"Please come in, Miss Lestrange."

Dumbledore sounded more or less like his usual self, but with a tired tinge that instantly made Jade feel guilty of having disturbed and whether or not it was possible to have a conversation with positive results with his sleep-deprived mind. Her forehead furrowing with depression, Jade quickly pushed open the door.

It was now or never.

Her footsteps were annoyingly loud as she ambled towards to Professor Dumbledore's desk. She noticed the red and gold phoenix studying her with its blazing amber eyes. Jade still felt her eyes widen at its breathtaking beauty, now even more prominent than it was in the Owlery. A sleepy fire burned in the bronze fireplace, casting a dim glow on the office.

"U-um….Good Evening Sir."

"Good Evening, Miss Lestrange." was Albus Dumbledore's weary reply.

Silence.

Jade felt embarrassment boil inside her. Why was it so hard to speak? Dumbledore would not curse her if she stumbled over a few words. Then why, what was she so afraid of?

"Have a seat, Jade."

Stiffening in a manner that would have no doubt been comical to Dumbledore, Jade marched towards one of the mahogany leather chairs and sat down.

More silence.

Ugh…even I frustrate myself.

Jade gulped bracingly and tightening her curled fists she looked up straight into the Headmaster's twinkling blue eyes. He barely took any notice of her actions; just matched her determined eyes with his tranquil ones.

Let's be totally straight.

"Professor Dumbledore, I am here to make a request."

No reply.

"I want to join the Order of Phoenix."

He remained quiet. Jade took a deep breath.

"I will be graduating this year. I have maintained my record in Potions, Care of Magical Creatures, Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology, Ancient Runes, Astronomy and Divination. Those are the standard eight required for any field. I have also taken internship classes with skilled Aurors, so I have training for duels. I think-"

"That is all well, Miss Lestrange. But joining the Order will not supplicate for a job. And it is highly dangerous work. Do you think you should sign up for such danger, the moment you step out in the real world?"

Jade blinked once. Even Dumbledore thinks she cannot handle the world alone. It's almost hilarious the number of times she has been told that.

"I don't have any intention of living off on the Order, Professor." She continued, "I have given an application at Madame Malkin's and she has replied favorably. I will start working at her boutique this June."

"Are you sure that you want to waste away your life working as an assistant saleswoman in a small boutique, after all your hard work?" Dumbledore's voice did not have any surprise.

"I do not intend to work there forever. I will leave and look for better prospects once the surroundings are safe enough."

"And when will it be safe enough?"

"When the war ends."

"And you are sure the war will end that quickly? What if it takes five years? Ten years? Or fifty?"

Jade's shining eyes now adorned a grim tinge. Lowering her gaze she mumbled her answer.

"It won't take that long, because the Dark Lord will not wait that long."

The air around them changed, as if the simple mention of a name had lowered the temperature several degrees. Looking up again, Jade noticed Dumbledore's benign eyes become more alert and study her carefully.

"Why do you think so?"

"The only thing stopping him taking over is the threat that he might be defeated. He is impatient to establish his rule. But first he needs to weed out the threats. He will not stop until he finishes that and," a light smile came upon the Head Girl's lips, "it is obvious you will not make that easy for him. That is why, one way or another, a deciding war will happen soon."

"What if we fail to win?"

"What if we do? That is no excuse to surrender before even trying."

This abrupt answer was followed by a silence in which Jade pondered that she might have finally offended the Headmaster. However, there was no taking it back now.

Albus Dumbledore sighed.

"Those were brave words indeed. Ones I would expect from you…" he trailed off, looking amused, "if you are sincerely ready-which by your preparations, it would seem so- then the Order welcomes you."

Jade had not anticipated what would happen if her request was granted. She did not feel any different actually, no rush of accomplishment, no relief of having the anxiety of the past few nights blow over.

Why?

Because this was just the start

"On an afterthought though, Miss Lestrange." Jade roused herself to face Dumbledore again, his face now bearing seriousness, no twinkle in his eyes. "I still do hope that you know all the consequences this will have."

Some of Jade's anxiety showed through her face and exhaling slowly, she nodded. Of course, a job, residence, danger; were the smaller of her problems.

"I intend to run away." She forced out, no matter how much her head ringed with a chorus of 'coward!'

She did not have any choice. Displaying her intentions directly to them and then walking away, would never work. Her story would end with a flash of green light and she would be bundled up and thrown to the werewolves.

Jade gave an involuntary shiver.

"What if they give chase?"

"I am pretty sure; a runaway brat is the least of the Dark Lord's concerns. He will put no extra effort to find me and considering the way the situation is going, I am in no more danger than the rest of the Order."

"You are determined to have your way, I see." Dumbledore stated.

"Yes."

"Are you not scared, Jade?"

Jade's eyes widened. The Headmaster's tone was soft and concerned. It nearly made Jade spill her anxiety out to him. Yes, she was scared. More than she had been her entire life, so much depended on just her intuition that the possibilities of a hitch were endless.

But then, life was the same.

"War is not a place for a child."

"War is not a place for anyone, Sir. But I won't change anything if I refused to fight."

"What do you wish to change, Jade?"

"I fight to control my fate. It has been in the hands of others for too long. I want to become my own person."

Jade's eyes shone with candor as she spoke. Yes, she was aiming for something larger than this war. Something more personal, but just as grand.

Man…it's going to be hard isn't it?

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Ah! It has been loong!

Well, there has been lack of inspiration, exams, cold and a bunch of other meaningless but important things happening.

Hope you like this.

And Happy New Year! (fashionably late, aren't i?)

And to this o.o

I don't know what to say.