Yes another Hogwarts AU with the big four. I still hope you give it a try. This chapter and the next will be a bit shorter, since it is an introduction. Also, since Hogwarts is supposed to be hundreds of years old I will keep the characters in their own time. Sorry in advance for any grammatical errors.

Warning: There will be slash in future chapters, but not for awhile. I want the relationships to grow first.

Disclaimer: I own neither the Harry Potter universe, nor any of the characters (except for my own OCs).

Merida P.O.V

Things have changed drastically since I turned my mother into a bear. First, it opened my eyes up to my family. My mom, Queen Elinor, has tried so hard for me and she and the rest of my family loves me so much. I have never been closer with my family as I am now. Second, now I want to make them proud; show my family that all their hard work is paying off. To show them I was becoming a proper princess; one who can meet responsibilities and kick butt. Third, maybe I was growing up a wee bit

So, after the magic incident and the big speech I made, the three tribe boys have started courting me. I have really been trying to get to know them and find their good points. But it's so hard! Macintosh is so arrogant and vain about his looks. He even flirts with other girls while he is courting me! I don't like him, but it is still very rude to do that. Have some manners at least. Girls, including my tom boy self, were not a prizes to be won. Sometimes I wanted to hit him with my bow.

Dingwall is actually quite funny. However, he is also the biggest space head-stopping mid sentence sometimes. We would be walking somewhere and he would pause mid-step. Just stand there till I wake him out of his stupor. My brothers also terrorize him the most for some reason, which has lead him to being afraid of the boys. I'm sorry, but my future husband must like my family. I would fight tooth and nail if they did something to hurt them. It's good thing that he only runs away when he sees them, instead of his strange mouth attack he does. Not only that, he also has a habit of picking his ear. If it was not that often it wouldn't be so bad, but he does it constantly. When he's off in space he picks his ear, so it's all the time.

MacGuffin seems okay too be honest. Surprising he is quite good with a sword. I watched him the other day training with some guards. It was impressive, unfortunately when he saw me watching him he about ran away. I've also seen him admire the flowers that my mom grows. Makes me wonder if he does any gardening himself. When we does try to court me, I find I am the only talking. He only speaking up very seldom. I think he's said ten things to me max and it's still hard for me to understand exactly what he is saying. He's so shy around me. It's hard to find out about someone if they won't talk. Am I really that intimidating?

Honestly I just need a break from it all. I am a princess and have duties. I will not run from them again, but this courting is annoying me. I know there is no perfect man for me, but my choices are so…sad. Ugh, I am trying not to see them is a negative light, but I see the three males so often now. Maybe with a break I can get a clear head and take another look at my suitors under a different light. Eventually I will make my decision, but I need time….Maybe I could talk to mom and dad about maybe traveling for awhile?….but mom has such high hopes. Crushing them would be horrible. I just need time to rest and have a fresh start. Completely begin again. Would mom understand that? I'd sighed and Angus, my horse, snorted afterwards-as if he understood what I was thinking. Stroking his neck for a bit, I then turned him around to head back to the castle. Time for my lessons.

Mom and I have a deal. I do some archery and then I take lessons. So far it's working, but it is still so boring. I wish I was born in a Viking village sometimes-I hear the girls there are taught to be warriors from the start. The image of my mother is Viking dress and holding a battle-axe suddenly appeared in my mind. Oh god that would be a sight! Angus looked at me as if I went daft when I started laughing out loud to myself.

As I was just reaching the edge of the forest there flew an owl onto a nearby tree branch. It was pure white which made me stop Angus. For there are never any white owls around here, even in winter. In it's beak was a letter-very odd. What is an owl doing with a letter? Quick as a flash the owl dropped the letter in my lap and flew back to the branch. Watching me as if it was telling me to get on with it-might as well. I opened the letter.

I rode Angus back to the castle in full gallop. My parents had to see this.

Running up the stairs almost knocking over a candle stick holder in the process, I ran to the chamber where my mother was going to teach me today's lesson. Bursting through the door I startled my mother and father, he was holding her like they were about to kiss passionately. Can you say awkward? I stood there awkwardly as my mom pulled away fixing her hair and dad looked off to the side like nothing happened. Clearing my throat I then spoke, "Well I glad you are both here. I have something to show you." Handing the note to mother her eyes moved as she read the letter and dad peered over her shoulder to read it as well. Mom rushed over to sit down as if she is was drained of all her energy after she read it. Even with fireplace burning hotly in the room, for some reason she looked cold. Turning to my father, King Fergus, she asked, "Did you know?"

Shaking his head he replied quickly, "I didn't. I thought it died with my mother." His eyes were filled with so many emotions I could not read them.

"What died?" I piped in. What where they keeping a secret from me?

King Fergus looked at me and took a moment to collect his thoughts before he spoke. "My mom, your nana, was a witch. Not a very powerful one and she mainly made healing potions. I thought the magic died with her, since I nor any of my other siblings had any magically ability," Dad had five other siblings so I can understand why he thought that, "but it seems you do. She did say that she knew one of her grandkids would gain the ability. She always had an uncanny ability to know things about the family. I think that's why my brothers and I were always found out when we caused trouble." He had a small grin on his face as dad recalled old memories. That changed as he continued his monologue. "Though mom loved dad, on her deathbed spoke of how she wished she followed her dream and went to that school, instead of marrying father….it's a good school Hogwarts."

So it wasn't a joke! I rocked on the balls of my feet in excitement. A witch! All the things I could do! Could I make flaming arrows? Or make my brothers toys move for their amusement? Going to a school would be an escape and then maybe I can finally have a best friend! I've always wanted a girlfriend. There was not any girls around the castle my own age….Real magic-hopefully more than just turning people into bears.

Oh god. What if I turned mom into a bear again?! I don't want to ruin my family again. I couldn't live with myself if I did that. Am I dangerous? I don't want to hurt anyone again. No, I don't want to be like that witch!

Dad interrupted my inner conflict, "Daughter you are at that age were your magic will start to show itself. This school will help you control it and refine it. You won't hurt anyone. You will glow like the sun. Your fate keeps changing it seems." Maybe my dad was magic, for he spoke that soothed my trouble mind.

Looking over at my mom's face I saw it looked conflicted, but I still had to ask. "Can I go? Please?"

Mom turned to me and spoke barely more than a whisper, "Will you come back?"

Will I come back? Oh mom, I never going to leave my family again! I love them to much to think of doing that again. I will not run from my family. Running over I wrapped my arms around her. "Of course I will. I still have to choose a suitor and be taught how to be proper queen. We all know that none of them will make a great king," I said with a grin. Mom chuckled a bit at my joke, "I love you all. I won't disappear into a magical school. I won't run."

Dad nodded at mom and she smiled, "Okay then. We need to go find somewhere where you can get a wand. Any ideas honey?"

I imagine my grin looked like my face split in half.

Reviews are loved as is criticism! Give me all of your opinions. Hope to see you in the again in the next chapter. Thanks for reading.