While Harry fantasized about her as a formidable figure, Jane Yu was far from pleased.
She realized she had accidentally altered the storyline again.
According to Barty Crouch Jr., he was supposed to act during the final task of the Triwizard Tournament, but now, due to the lack of Polyjuice Potion, he had acted ahead of schedule!
And Harry, completely powerless against Voldemort and Wormtail, had his blood extracted without even thwarting their resurrection plot!
Her butterfly effect had inadvertently given Voldemort a buff, allowing him to resurrect earlier! He might even be stronger now because of Harry's blood!
On top of that, she had shown her face in front of Voldemort, effectively putting a hatred buff on herself!
No one else seemed to realize this!
Could she even stay at Hogwarts anymore?
The British wizarding world was likely to become Voldemort's slaughterhouse!
But this time, she hadn't expected her guardian to play a trump card.
After everyone had left, Dumbledore slid a piece of paper in front of her. With his fingers interlocked, he seemed to be lost in thought:
"Take a look at this, Yu. What do you think?"
Jane Yu focused her gaze—
It was an exchange program application!
Exactly what she needed!
It came so easily!
What was going on? Was today her lucky day?
Jane Yu blinked in confusion, confirming she wasn't in some Horcrux-induced illusionary version of Hogwarts.
It was real! Dumbledore had agreed to let her go!
"I fully support this plan," she eagerly replied, her eyes sparkling. "It's a great way to promote inter-school friendship!"
She picked up a quill to sign her name but hesitated mid-stroke.
Why didn't Dumbledore stop her?
This didn't feel right.
Could it be Polyjuice Potion?
Could signing her name trigger some curse?
Her pen halted as she pinched Dumbledore's arm hard to confirm he was real.
"Ouch—" Dumbledore winced, snapping out of his thoughts.
"How can you prove you're really you?" Jane Yu asked warily.
Was she in an illusion again?
Dumbledore was dumbfounded!
He never thought he'd have to prove he was himself one day!
"I can sit here—in the Headmaster's Office?" he answered hesitantly.
"But I can sit here too," Jane Yu replied earnestly.
For the first time, Dumbledore felt the wizarding world needed some form of identification: "I have your guardianship papers?"
"Everyone knows that," Jane Yu retorted.
Dumbledore pondered for a moment before saying:
"Your Obscurial—"
Confirmed, this was indeed her guardian.
Jane Yu let out a sigh of relief.
But what was he thinking, agreeing to the exchange program?
Realizing what had just happened, Dumbledore was both amused and exasperated. He chuckled and said:
"How can you prove you're Jane Yu?"
Both of them burst into laughter.
"Why did you agree?" Jane Yu signed her name swiftly and asked.
Had he finally realized keeping her at school could lead to worse consequences?
But Dumbledore sighed deeply, his smile fading into a weary expression:
"Your identity has been exposed to Voldemort, and you disrupted his resurrection plan. He and his followers will stop at nothing to hunt you down."
"And Beauxbatons—its remote location, along with Madame Maxime and the Flamel couple, will ensure your safety."
Jane Yu understood.
This was to move her to another country to avoid being targeted by the dark forces in Britain!
But Dumbledore clearly had more in mind. He drew his wand and cast various spells on Jane Yu:
"Moreover, I don't want you risking your soul. I know what you've sacrificed, but the damage the Killing Curse inflicts on the caster—sigh—"
"Your soul was already injured before, and this could tear it apart again—"
If defeating Voldemort required someone to compromise their soul, such a victory was not what he wanted!
But his child always gambled everything, trying to shoulder it all, even at the cost of her soul.
This time, she had been sent straight to Voldemort. If not for those alchemical products, she might have...
Some inexplicable emotions—perhaps a longing for familial bonds, or maybe guilt—flooded Dumbledore's mind.
Though he was willing to sacrifice himself to defeat Voldemort—
He didn't want anything to happen to her.
Jane Yu was taken aback.
She hadn't gambled her soul at all!
She had merely wanted to use a Killing Curse to annihilate Voldemort entirely, body and soul.
So he wouldn't keep coming back in Horcrux form to haunt her.
But this time, she got greedy.
Who would've thought that the Killing Curse skill, which worked perfectly fine against Horcruxes in the illusion, would fail against baby Voldemort? Could skills even be locked?
She thought her enhanced self could spam Killing Curses and tank the soul backlash.
She had overestimated her talent.
Careless.
She might as well have knocked Voldemort out and handed him over to the Ministry for the Dementors to deal with!
As Dumbledore waved his wand, his expression gradually relaxed:
"Fortunately—your soul is intact, unscathed and untainted."
Soon, Madame Maxime appeared at the door of the Headmaster's Office.
She was as elegant as ever, though her brows carried a hint of worry. She approached and hugged Jane Yu:
"I'm sorry, child. Albus has told me what happened, and I apologize for my previous misunderstanding."
"The doors of Beauxbatons will always be open to you. I sincerely hope you'll join us."
Jane Yu quickly reconciled with the Headmistress.
After all, she would be under her care in the future!
"It's alright, Madame," she replied. "I believe a small misunderstanding won't affect our friendship."
Madame Maxime smiled and leaned down to embrace her again, the large opal necklace around her neck brushing against Jane Yu's shoulder.
"Then, Albus, I'll take the child with me."
"As for your request to send letters to the giants, though I'm not a giant myself, I'd be happy to help."
A smile appeared on Dumbledore's face. Though he was about to part with the child, the joy of uniting allies slightly alleviated the sadness of farewell.
But Jane Yu suddenly remembered the ongoing Triwizard Tournament.
"When are we leaving? Do I still have to participate in the Triwizard Tournament?"
Madame Maxime and Dumbledore exchanged glances, both showing helpless expressions:
"The news of Voldemort's resurrection has been sealed, and the Ministry of Magic refuses to halt the tournament midway."
"Once the Goblet of Fire chooses its champions, the contract must be fulfilled."
Jane Yu's face fell in disappointment.
Why did she still have to participate in this dangerous competition?
Especially under Voldemort's watchful eyes?
She really was too unlucky!
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