When they get out of sight of people, Narcissa grabs Ursa's arm and drags her into their room. Narcissa pushes her into an armchair and puts a Silencing Charm on the room in case someone starts yelling. Both Lucius and Narcissa stand in front of her with their arms crossed.

     "How dare you speak such nonsense?" Lucius says.

     "It is not nonsense." Ursa says. "I am tired of being told that my problems are not valid or I should not be complaining because we are rich and perfect."

     "Rita Skeeter is staying in Hogsmeade too!" Narcissa says. "What if someone tells her what you said?"

     "She's more interested in Potter and his love life. Well the one she made up for him. As if Potter would date that know-it-all Mudblood. At least date someone with decent blood if you are going to date a know-it-all. Wait never mind that would be me."

     "Ursa!"

     "Right sorry."

     "You cannot say these kind of things." Lucius says. "Our reputation has already taken a hit from what Skeeter has dug up on you. Which yes you have excuses for but other people do not know that."

     "What kind of problems do you have anyways?" Narcissa asks.

     "My grades in Divinations and Charms could use some work." Ursa says. "Pressure to preserve our reputation in both behavior and grades. Resisting the urge to hex Draco. Struggling to make the right sort of friends. Not having much time for anything but studying. Being the new student when everyone else has known each other for three years already. Potter being an ass and insulting us. Did I mention resisting the urge to hex Draco? Not sleeping because of nightmares. Do you want more problems?"

     Narcissa sighs. "Why did you not tell us Cub?"

     "What could you do to help? Other than tell Draco to knock it off. I did not see the point of telling you if you could not do anything about it. I did not want to bother you. I do not want to force friendships. I want to get good grades and do better than Draco and Granger which mean studying takes up most of my time. I'm antsy from not being able to train."

     "How about you talk to Severus about the nightmares? As much as I dislike you and Draco taking potions, you need to sleep."

     "Honestly the nightmares are why Draco and I often ended up in one bed during the summer. We cannot do that here. The first night I was homesick and we ended up sleeping on the couch and gross rumors started for a bit."

     "You do not need to worry about getting the best grades Ursa." Lucius says. "Just one of the top five is enough, at least for this year while you are getting used to the school. Have you looked into a tutor?"

     "I have a Charms tutor but it's hard to get one for Divinations since a lot of people just fake the homework." Ursa replies.

     "As for Potter, just ignore him."

     "It is hard to ignore him. You know I am protective of our family and I think he knows that."

     Lucius pulls a normal chair over and sits in front of Ursa. "You need to tell us these things Ursa. You know we will do whatever we can to help you."

     "I know. I'm just not used to having someone who will help me." Ursa looks at her lap. "I also did not want to bother you."

     "What do you mean Cub?" Narcissa asks.

     "Beatrice told me to stop bothering her with my complaints and problems."

     "You could never bother us."

     "If you are struggling you need to tell us, or at the least, tell Severus." Lucius says. "You know he loves you."

     Ursa nods. "I'm sorry for what I said down there. I am just tired of people saying we are perfect and rich so I have no reason to complain about my life."

     Narcissa walks over and sits on the arm of Ursa's armchair. "I know." Narcissa says as she gently lifts Ursa's chin and moves her hair from her face. "Both of us grew up being told we have no reason to complain because our families were perfect and rich."

     "She's right." Lucius says. "We know it is hard. Find friends that are willing to listen and understand instead of telling everyone."

     "Yes Father." Ursa says.

     "I know that you have not had an easy life so far Cub," Narcissa says. "But you know we will do anything to make it easier for you."

     "We will." Lucius agrees.

     "So talk to us and talk to Severus. Okay?"

     "Yes Mother." Ursa says.

     "I love you Cub." Narcissa says as she hugs Ursa. "Now promise me you will not kill your brother."

     "Why not? Wouldn't you have wanted to kill Auntie if she did the same thing?"

     "Ursa... we do not need you getting expelled again or any more family in Azkaban. Do not kill your brother."

     "Yes Mother."

     "Just hex him a bit." Lucius says.

     "Lucius!" Narcissa exclaims and Ursa laughs. "Do not encourage her!"

     "I promise I will not kill Draco." Ursa says.

     "Or..."

     "Curse Draco?"

     "Or..."

     "Hex Draco."

     "Or..."

     "Oh come on I cannot even jinx him?"

     "Fine." Narcissa sighs. "Nothing horrible."

    "Thank you Mother." Ursa says as she hugs Narcissa.

    "Now I suggest going to find your brother before he makes it back to the castle where he is safe." Ursa chuckles before running out.

     "Should we have encouraged that?" Lucius asks.

     "Probably not, but she would have done it anyways." Narcissa replies.

     "She's as bad as Bellatrix."

     "No she isn't. As long as she sticks to jinxes she isn't. We'll stop her before she gets anywhere near like Bella."

     "She knows and has used all of the Unforgivable Curses."

     "What?" Narcissa pales.

     "She said Beatrice taught them to her. She can't get the Cruciatus Curse to work, only used the Imperius Curse on animals and has used the Killing Curse on bugs and small pests."

     "And you didn't think to tell me this before, Lucius!"

     "She promised me she would never use them again."

***

November 21 (Monday)

     "How was your make-up lesson last night?" Draco asks as Ursa sits across from him.

     "Shh headache." Ursa replies.

     "Did you hit your head?"

     Ursa nods and then winces. "Now shut up. I'm still pissed with you."

     Dumbledore walks into the Great Hall and deviates to Ursa. "This should help your head." Dumbledore says as he holds a potion vial to Ursa.

     "Thank you sir." Ursa replies as she takes it. Dumbledore nods once before continuing to the front. Ursa pops the cork and downs the vial without a second thought.

     "How'd he know?" Draco asks.

     "Fawkes probably told him. They can communicate somehow."

     "So run into something or rough landing?"

     "Both." Draco laughs and Ursa looks at Goyle. "Goyle!" Goyle turns his head. "Shove Draco for me. I can't reach him." Draco stops laughing and Goyle shoves him off the bench. "Thank you."

     After lunch, Ursa's walking on her own down the hall when Draco yells out to Ursa. "Hey Teddy Bear!"

     Ursa turns around. "You had better not be talking to me Ferret. I'm still angry at you." She says.

     "Of course I'm talking to you."

     "I'm giving you a chance to walk away before you do anything stupid."

     "What could you do to me in the middle of the hall?" Ursa rolls her eyes and turns away. "Don't turn your back on me coward."

     Ursa spins around, irises black, Ursa draws her wand and shoots Draco with a nonverbal Knockback Jinx that throws him back 30 feet (≈ 9 meters). The window nearest to her shatters. "I warned you! Did I forget to tell you Mother gave me permission to jinx you for lying yesterday?"

     After dinner, Snape grabs her arm as she walks out of the Great Hall. "Hey!" She says as he starts dragging her. "What-"

     "Silence." Snape hisses. Ursa rolls her eyes and lets Snape lead her to Dumbledore's office. He doesn't let go of her until they are in front of a chair. "Sit down."

     Ursa sits. "So I heard you got in trouble." Fawkes says.

     "Why am I here Uncle Severus?" Ursa asks and Snape doesn't answer. Ursa looks to Fawkes.

     "What?" Fawkes asks.

     "Do you know why I'm here?" Ursa asks.

     "Yes."

     "Are you going to tell me?"

     "Who are you talking to?" Snape asks.

     "Fawkes." Ursa replies and Snape looks at her like she's mad.

     "No, how's your head?" Fawkes asks.

     "My head is fine. Dumbledore gave me a potion this morning."

     "Your last crash was funny."

     "For you maybe! That hurt. At least I landed on my feet."

     "Right before you fell on your ass."

     "At least I plan-"

     "Do you really think he is replying to you?" Snape interrupts.

     "He is." Dumbledore says as he walks in.

     "He's teasing me about on of my landings." Ursa says.

     "A crash landing I assume?"

     "I'm getting better. I did land on my feet first."

     "Im so confused." Snape says.

     "What's new?" Fawkes says. Ursa snorts and Snape glares at her.

     "Is it true you attacked Mr Malfoy with a Knockback Jinx in the hall this afternoon." Dumbledore asks.

     "Yes." Ursa replies. "I told him to leave me alone and he wouldn't. And our mother gave me permission to jinx him."

     "Narcissa gave you permission?" Snape asks with a raised eyebrow and doubt.

     "He got me in a lot of trouble yesterday by lying. She knew I was going to get him back anyways so she limited it to jinxes."

     "Are you aware he had to go to the Hospital Wing?" Dumbledore asks.

     "For what? A bruised tailbone?"

     "Ursa!" Snape exclaims.

     "No I didn't." Ursa says with a sigh. "Is he okay?"

     "He is fine." Dumbledore replies. "Just a large bruise. You will be receiving detention with Professor Snape for that and your parents have been notified."

     "Oh fun." Ursa says sarcastically.

     "Watch the sarcasm." Snape says.

     "The sarcasm was at the parents part. Just glad I'm not going to Hogsmeade anytime soon. And I will start watching my sarcasm when you start watching yours, Uncle Severus." Snape rolls his eyes.

     "Now for the big question." Dumbledore says. "Is it true that you casted that jinx nonverbally?"

     "Yes." Ursa says.

      "What?" Severus exclaims.

     "I can do some dueling spells nonverbally. The power tends to depend on my emotions. Today I was angry so he flew far."

     "You're 15. You're a fourth year."

     "And?"

     "We don't even start teaching nonverbal spells until sixth year! How can you do that?"

     "Ilvermorny had a dueling club. You had to know how to use nonverbal spells if you wanted to win. Also I'm a very powerful witch Uncle Severus. I know you know that. You were there when the Dark Lord discovered I was powerful. Pretty sure you were sitting across from me."

     "Wait, Voldemort knew how powerful you are?" Dumbledore asks.

     "Yes, the Dark Lord knows I am powerful. As far as I know, he does not know the extent."

     "You know he's alive?"

     "You mean do I know only his body, not his soul, was destroyed by the rebounding curse? I do." Ursa confirms. "I have no idea where he is. I do have a theory as to why it rebounded but not how he survived."

     "You have been to meetings?"

     "A few." Snape says. "You know how protective Narcissa is of her children. There were only four people outside her and Lucius who could watch her and two were in the meetings. It only happened when Narcissa's parents were busy."

     "Well, we finally know why I am so powerful." Ursa says.

     "You do?"

     "With Miss Malfoy's permission," Dumbledore says. "I can help explain it."

     "Wouldn't it be easier to show him?" Ursa asks.

     "Yes. It would be. Come at your regular time Miss Malfoy. Severus, meet me in the entrance courtyard at ten this evening."

     That night, Ursa leans against the railing of the loft. "Have you been practicing?" Fawkes asks.

     "When exactly would I do that?" Ursa asks as a phoenix patronus flies into the tower.

     "That's our cue."

     On the ground, Snape gets impatient. "What are we doing here? Why did you send your patronus to your office?"

     "Watch my office tower." Dumbledore replies as Fawkes flies out.

     "So?"

     "Just wait." Ursa steps up on the ledge, Snape only seeing her silhouette.

     "Who is that? Is that Ursa? Is she going to jump?"

     "Calm down Severus. Just watch." Ursa takes a deep breath before free-falling. Snape gasps as she falls. He starts to run towards the tower but Dumbledore has a grip on his robes. Snape looks up in time to see Ursa transform and pull up.

     "What in the world?" Snape asks.

     Ursa soars down to the courtyard and comes down for a landing. She lands on her feet but stumbles and falls on her face. Fawkes lands on top of the fountain and squawking, only Ursa hearing it as laughter. Dumbledore helps Ursa to her feet. "Oh shut up! It's not funny." Ursa says to Fawkes.

     "Fawkes laughing at you?" Dumbledore asks.

     "What did I just witness?" Snape asks while Ursa heals her scrapes.

     "I can transform into a Jade Phoenix." Ursa say. "We aren't entirely sure how or why. Eventually I should be able to transform without falling."

     "I will let you continue your lesson and I'll explain the rest to Severus." Dumbledore says.

     "Wait, do your parents know about this?" Snape asks.

     "No," Ursa replies. "I discovered it in the States. Please don't tell them."

     "How many people know about this?"

     "Three."

     "Draco, Minerva, and Hagrid." Dumbledore says. "Alright Fawkes, she's all yours." Fawkes swoops down and picks Ursa up by her shoulders. He flies them back up to Dumbledore's office.