This applies to the whole story: I own nothing! This idea is mine, everything else, the characters, location, yada yada, is not mine. I would think you would know that since your on fanfiction...
"It makes me so happy. To be at the beginning again, knowing almost nothing...A door like this has cracked open five or six times since we got up on our hind legs. It's the best possible time of being alive, when almost everything you thought you knew is wrong."
-Tom Stoopard, Arcadia
Chapter 1: What a Weird Letter
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore looked out the window serenely. The time was soon to arrive. This coming September one of the most famous names in the entire wizarding world was coming to Hogwarts. Young Mr. Potter was going to cause quiet a commotion in his arrival Dumbledore was sure. Though Harry wasn't the only student to be excited over this year, oh no, over the course of the last few years Albus had discovered a few other children that sparked his interest through his large network of information. Small things that most of the wizards who even told him didn't quiet grasp what they may have stumped upon.
There are a couple of hidden communities that had muggles and magical folk living in harmony without the wizards and witches having to hide their talents in any way. Dumbledore had been astonished to hear that these places existed, muggles still living in times without their electricity or cars, but with torches, horses, and magic still around them. One such place was in the highlands of Scotland, this place still they had magic surround them in their forest, mountains, and visiting witches and wizards.
He had wondered how such a place could have remand hidden from the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters. If they had known of this place they surely would have destroyed it since it symbolized everything they stood against: muggles and magic folk living in harmony.
It was investigating this that he had found the young princess with a spark for the mythical.
Merida DunBroch was an undiscovered witch and the moment the old wizard was aware of this fact he added her to the list of letters for Hogwarts. He found why the place wasn't in the papers or the Ministry wasn't investigating it. The wizards and witches that visiting this muggle community were a few teacups short of a full set in the public's view at least. Dumbledore on the other hand was very pleased and though he hadn't discovered the magic that hid this kingdom he had a feeling the mystery would be a great help to his cause and having young Merida around may open a few doors.
The next discovery had been a little less shocking but more mysterious. One of Albus's old friends had been looking around for a unicorn to collect some hair when he had stumbled upon a tower in the middle of a forest in the country of Corona. There was no door to enter and no way to climb up safely. He had heard a young voice singing a beautiful lullaby and felt strong magic. So strong that it seemed the vegetation around him became lusher until the song ended. He had called up to the tower but no answer came.
The man being poor at summoning spells, decided to go fetch his broom to fly up to the only window. When he returned to where he thought the tower to be though, he found himself lost. Wondering around searching, he could not locate the tower again and after many failed attempts returned home. He had written Dumbledore this tale and said it was a voice of a child and he was sure if anyone could find this child in a tower it was Albus. Always excited for an adventure, Albus accepted the challenge and after many months of grueling searching, interviews and research Albus had found that the only occupants of the tower was a single eccentric, untrusting witch and her daughter. The witch he could not find the name of, but the daughter had apparently once or twice written a short message about herself and thrown it into the river. It was obvious that little Ms. Rapunzel Sunworth was a lonely little girl and although the messages had asked for friends she hadn't said anything about the tower where she lived.
As for the tower, Albus concluded it had very strong wards and cloaking spells, the only way to find it would be to not look for it. It was this fact that stopped Albus from further searching. Instead he worked on a charm to use on his owls that after much experimentation would be able to find and pass these defenses for he was sure that the girl was a witch. Her name added to the list, he was to be certain that this girl would be allowed out of the tower to learn her magic no matter what her overbearing parent had to say about it.
The next case had a story closer to what Albus was used to, but with an exciting and somewhat personal twist. An old friend who served in the Order of the Phoenix and a close friend of many including the late Potters. Mr. Jonathon 'Frost' Overland was an amazing Auror with a bloodline gift for winter magic. When the war began his muggle wife had disappeared. No one knew what happened and whenever they brought the subject up with Jonathon he would shut down. Everyone believed that Death Eaters had gotten her. Only now did Dumbledore know the truth behind his old and clever friend.
A little rumor of a boy that froze his school pool in America floated Albus's way. Many stories like this were covered up by the Ministry and the child would be sent to wizardry school at the proper age, but something pulled the old wizard into looking deeper into the case. Apparently this wasn't the first time this boy had frozen something or made it snow indoors. It was in deeper looking that he had found none other than the lost wife of Jonathon Overland and his unruly son and sweet little daughter.
Deceptive Jonathon had hidden his family in America visiting from time to time and made sure that neither friends nor enemies knew of it. He had celebrated with them the death of the Voldemort and shortly afterward the first birthday of his boy. His wife had been pregnant with their daughter when Jonathon had passed saving the lives of many people fighting a Death Eater. When Dumbledore had found the family he went himself to meet them and talk. Mrs. Sarah Overland had known of her husband's passing thanks to a little glass charm he had given her. When it shattered she knew that she would not see Jonathon again in this life. Little Pippa never got to meet her Dad but her mother and overprotective big brother had shared stories about the brave man.
Dumbledore saw a lot of Jonathon in young Jackson and asked his mother that when the time was right, if Albus may take the child to Hogwarts. She had been honored and requested if Albus could hold onto an Overland staff that Jonathon wanted Jackson to have when he was older. The troublesome boy kept trying to find it and she was afraid his wasn't strong enough yet to control the magic it could unleash. The muggle woman didn't want anyone to get hurt. The old wizard agreed and took the staff that looked more like a shepherds crook back to Europe with him. He locked it away next to a certain cloak. The irony of that moment hadn't escaped Dumbledore and he still found himself chuckling over the items of past friends waiting for their sons to claim.
The last case that came to the Headmaster's office door had been only a few weeks ago and a big shock. Far, far to the North an isle existed that no one paid close attention to. In a small village of Berk another community of muggles lived once again stopped in times of old. Once again these people were not magical in nature but were surrounded in, well, magical nature. They had a nasty problem with dragons and instead of leaving like most muggles and a good many of wizards would, they fought. For generations these people fought valiantly against one of the worlds' most powerful and magical creatures of all times and the most surprising occurrence were that they fought well. Without magic these people stood a chance against these creatures. Dumbledore wished he had known about these people during the war. They would have been a huge surprise to the Death Eaters. Muggles that could fight off powerful magic and win.
Dumbledore again chuckled to himself and dropped a lemon drop into his mouth. The great Vikings of Berk were an interesting people and Albus loved interesting. He had not found the time to visit but one of his trusted scouts had found the chief's son had a touch of magic in him. By description the boy was small, scrawny, messy brown hair, and a sarcastic wit and just maybe a hidden genius. Not something you would expect for a Viking boy, but that only made Albus more curious. He added young Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third to his list of incoming students that very evening.
Now the letters were sent. The charm for Ms. Sunworth's letter checked and double checked. All Albus could do now was wait. Well, he could prepare for any complaints he would be getting and call Rubeus Hagrid to send him to collect the children whose parents would not be able to or willing to help them.
The biggest problem Dumbledore now faced was from other schools and possibly the Ministry if the schools got them involved. Hogwarts was one of the three institutes in Europe and inviting children that lived in the far North and in Corona which was practically next door to Beaxbatons was seen as underhanded not excluding the American institutes of course. The only ones that could really change which schools without any complaint from the Headmasters were the parents. Mrs. Overland already chosen Hogwarts and every other parent was a muggle except the unnamed mother of Ms. Sunworth.
Still, not places you would normally send Hogwarts letters to, but Albus refused to let these children go. Indisputably Albus was being selfish, having children taught magic is his job, not talent seeking but he had a feeling. A feeling in the back of his mind that it was crucial that these children come to Hogwarts for a purpose he himself wasn't fully certain as of yet. Their budding gifts may sift fate in some way and serve the greater good in helping- Albus cut the thought off there. He didn't partially like thinking in assets and liabilities, but with the darkness he feared was ahead of them all he had to, but for now Harry and all these gifted children were just that, children. They deserved these times of hope and dreams and wonder.
Let them be happy and grow strong, the old wizard thought, for the sun will keep rising to greet the youthful innocent in the morning and their adventures are just beyond their doors.
Rapunzel was having a normal day in the tower. She was busying herself with breakfast and thinking of a new painting to put in the high rafters. She was a little scared of falling but the picture in her head wanted to be up there so badly.
"What do you think Pascal?" the young girl looked over at the tiny chameleon sitting on her shoulder. The creature seemed to smile and nod and changed a sunny orange color. The girl grinned at her only friend and went for her paints. Just as Rapunzel was placing the paint box up on the first rafter a flutter at the window had her slip and fall on her behind. She looked up panicked at the tittering box until Pascal grabbed and steadied it.
She sighed, "Nice save Pascal." The small chameleon made a happy noise at the approval. The girl stood and rubbed her aching rear end looking to the window. The oddest sight greeted the eleven year old. A large horned owl sat on the window ceil, a letter held gently in its sharp, curved beat. The spotted creature looked at her with yellow eyes that seemed impatient. The large brown bird flapped its wings and dropped the letter next to it.
"Um," Rapunzel hesitantly stepped toward it, "is that letter for me?" The bird turned its head with a look of annoyance practically telling the blonde, 'duh, I didn't fly here for the view.'
"Okay," Rapunzel reached out and took the letter, "T-thank you." The owl hooted and flew off out of the girls' sight to wonder beyond her dreams. She sighed once again wishing for a moment she could fly away as well. She looked down at the letter it left.
Ms. R. Sunworth, The Tallest Tower Deep in the Woods, Corona
Rapunzel blinked in confusion. The only person that should know she was here was her mother. Was this a letter from some bad guys? Why would they send her a letter though? Pascal climbed onto her shoulder and made an impatient noise.
"Okay, I'll open it," she turned it over and gently broke the seal on the back. The parchment that she removed read…
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
Of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin First Class, Grand Sorc., Chief Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Ms. Sunworth,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1st. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Rapunzel's jaw dropped. A school of witches and wizards and they were inviting her to go?!
She was a witch?!
She was a witch?
She was a witch.
That explained so much! And there were others out there like her. She wasn't alone. Her mother would see this and let her go. She could have friends and learn magic and leave the tower, and some day see the floating lights, and, and she was a witch!
Rapunzel squealed with excitement and danced and pranced and jumped. The girl's magical golden hair circled around her and shined brightly in the early morning sunlight as she circled around the large room. She was going to school!
"Oh Pascal what an adventure! This is going to be amazing!" She kissed her little friend on the head, "We're going to school!"
Merida grumbled as she brushed the small horse in front of her. The sun shone brightly in the midday heat of DunBroch castle, "She just doesnae get it Angus. I mean I would niver hang up ma bow but that's wat she wants me to do. Can ye see me doing that Angus?" The young colt nickered at her as she continued to brush the black fur. "Me neither, but its nae lady-like to be shooting a bow. That's the worst problem there. I'm nae lady, I niver want to be one if I have tae act like the way she wants me tae."
Merida sighed, "Ya and I will go out there when we're a wee bit bigger. I'll shoot ma bow aw I wish then. And ye get to explore this here hoomland o' ours. It's a beaut o' a place Angus, just ya wait."
"Merida!" a voice called.
The girl groaned, "Speak o' the banshee, she's returned tae drag me back tae her lessons o' evil!"
"Merida," the voice of Queen Elinor came from the front of the stable, "Ya have a message."
The girl blinked at her mother, "Message? Wat kind o' message?"
"I'm nae certain. Come in so we may see," the queen answered and turned around.
She hesitated a moment then put the brush down, "if I'm nae back in twae hours come an' rescue me." The horse looked at her then turned back to his hay. With that she followed the queen back into the castle. As they entered the dining hall Merida found her father waiting. She wondered why this message was such a big deal.
"Oi, here's the lass now," King Fergus grinned at his daughter, "Dae ye have any idea why yer mum has us here then?" He asked the girl that returned his smile and sat next to him. The queen seated herself and pulled out the letter.
"None wat-so-eiver. Something about a message. She would nae tell me anything else," Merida answer him.
"Merida this letter is a big event here," she handed the letter to her with a masked face. Merida couldn't tell if this was a good thing or a bad one. Fergus raised an eyebrow at his wife. She simply gave Merida a steady look waiting for her to open it. Merida swallows and looked at the front.
Ms. M. DunBroch, The Stables, DunBroch Castle, DunBroch
Merida blinked in confusion. What a weird note. She turned it over and gazed at the crest of the back. She didn't recognize it, maybe from England? What did the English want with her? She broke it. If it was a marriage proposal or a love letter she was going to burn it. She unfolded the letter.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
Of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin First Class, Grand Sorc., Chief Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Ms. DunBroch,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1st. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Merida stared at the strange words silently. She waited for it to sink in. The silence stretched on.
"Well, wat's it say, lass?" Fergus asked his daughter. He had never seen her so still and quiet, at least not without a bow and arrow in her hands. A roar of laughter had Fergus jump as his wee lass clutched her sides.
"Oi, that's a good one mum! A magic school. Me, a witch?" the girl hooted again unable to believe it. Fergus quirked an eyebrow and snatched the letter from the girl. As he looked it over he joined his girl in her mirth. Elinor was not amused at the pair. Eventually the laughter subsided to giggles and gasping breaths as Elinor glared at the two. They noticed her look and Fergus was the first one to respond.
"Oh Elinor," he drew out her name.
"Nae! Donae, oh Elinor me. This letter is real and our lass has been invited to a school of magic," she said severely. Two pairs of eyes stared balefully at the Queen.
"Ya cannae be serious mum," Merida said.
"I am, Merida," she told her, "This will be a big change for us all."
"But Elinor, how do you know it's real? What are ye goin' on about?" Fergus demanded.
"I know because my mother had a friend who received one o' those letters quite a few years back," Elinor explained, "they were about Merida's age when it happened. Ever since then, the girl left fer this school and returned with stories. The school was called Hogwarts Fergus. I've met this woman as well. Why do ye think I believe in magic?"
Fergus stared at his wife silently. She was serious. Fergus had always laughed at the idea of magic. It was idiotic, but could it truly be that…his daughter was a witch? The king was floored.
"Da, wat do ye think?" the young girl asked. Merida was partly excited and partly scared, though she would not admit the later. What would a magic school be like?
The man looked in between the two women that were so important to him. His wife who was silently demanding what he thought about this. She silently asked if he would help his daughter and then his eyes fell on his little girl who trusted him.
"Fine, ma lass is a wee witch. Wat now Elinor?" Fergus said. Merida's eyes grew huge at hearing her father say that.
"We arrange fer her school supplies, her being picked up, and o' course the funds she will need fer this," Elinor answered.
"This is fer real," Merida whispered, "I am really goin' tae a wizardry school? In England?"
"Yes Merida ye are," Elinor said gently.
"Do I get a choice or are ye chosen fer me?" Merida asked.
Elinor was taken aback by her tone. "Eh, ye can choose o' course," Fergus answered for his wife.
The girl snapped up and was half way up the staircase before they heard her answer, "I'm Goin' Tae Magic School!" Echoed back to them, both adults snickered.
"She about as subtle as ye," Elinor said.
"Aye."
"I will send the reply tae the school then," Elinor gracefully rose from her seat.
"First triplets, now ma lass is a witch. Wat next? Mordu dancin' in with a wee skirt on?" Fergus said. Elinor rolled her eyes and smirked at her husband.
"I promise ye that I'll never change," she said.
"I'll hold ya tae that."
"It's here! It's here!" Pippa raced around the small house holding the letter for her brother, "mom! Jack's letter of magic is here!"
Sarah chuckled at her over energetic little girl. She had really been growing fast and Jack was already eleven. Jonathon would be proud of them both. They were both such loving children. Even if Jack was struggling to control his powers and got in some fights at school. It wasn't easy to live in a low income home with no father. He probably got bullied more than the teachers or Sarah knew, but he was a strong boy and Sarah was proud of him. He protected his sister and helped her as much as he could.
Pippa's head suddenly popped up in front of her.
"Where is brother?" she asked, her eyes huge with wonder.
"I sent him to get some groceries. We don't have anything for breakfast if he doesn't come back," she smiled.
"Oh," she said and looked down at the letter. A smile came to her face.
"We'll have to wait for him to come back," Sarah said a little worried the girl would open in impatiently.
"I know. I'll guard it until he gets back," she said with a suddenly serious face. Sarah bit back at her laugh at the cute face trying to be so stern.
"You do that sweetie." The girl saluted then walked over and gently placed the letter on the table and began marched around it. Sarah bit the inside of her cheek to stop the laughter, but she couldn't stop the smile.
At the store Jack was paying for the eggs, the bacon, and the pancake mix. When to his chagrin one of the employees had to recognize him. A man in his late forties with balding, greasy, grey hair and a pot belly Santa would be jealous of.
"Hey, aren't you that Overland boy that froze the school hall floors?" the man sneered. Jack frowned and quickly packed his food since the girl that was supposed to was staring at him like he had just grown horns.
"Yeah you are! Ya know that my niece slipped and banged up her knees on that little joke," the man went on. Jack glanced over at him to see his name tag read Gregg.
"Ya also made it snow in her class and she caught a nasty fever," he grinned without humor, "how did you do that you little freak? You really scared every kid in that building, ya know. The ice freak of Burgess. We could dress ya up for Halloween and sell tickets!"
"Look Greggy," Jack said lazily, his bags held loosely at his side, "I don't really care what you think. I don't care what you complain about, but please don't force me to look at your horrible face a moment longer. I might have to ask the nice miss to give me her pen to dig my eyes out."
The ugly overweight man laughed, "Real cute mutant. I can-"
Jack's eyes widen, "Please don't sit on me! I don't know what would kill me first, the weight or the smell but, I want to live!" The girl that was now leaving chuckled at Jack's barb which made Jack grin and Gregg scowl.
"Don't come back here," he growled, "and if I see any ice around here I will have you arrested you."
Jack blinked, "a lot of kids will be sad on Christmas, but okay Greggy. I'll take my snow and money to the other store."
Jack was out the door before the ugly man could retort. Jack rolled his brown eyes as he began home. Stupid small town rumors, they would be the end of him. Sure a wizard showed up once in a while to wipe a few minds that had seen too much, but the Ministry had been too slow to hide everything from the get go. So, here Jack was, the ice king of Burgess.
Adults hated him, bullies chased him, and other or little kids loved him. As long as his family was happy and safe though Jack could handle it. Bullies are whips, adults could be stupid, and fans are actually fun. The wonder of little kids and praise of his mother and sister were the only things that kept him from resenting his magic. Though he was really sick of muggle public school.
There were only three reactions he got from his fellow students, aw, hate, and fear. He had tried numerous times to show he was harmless and that his powers could actually be fun. Some kids even liked him for the snow fights and such in spring but then the idiots came in. These bullies called him a freak and trying to mess with him. He could handle it no problem it was when they brought up his family that he could lose his cool…and control. It was a pain that his powers reacted to his emotions. It felt like he wasn't allowed to get scared or angry or even sad without frost creeping in and making everything worse. It was a good thing that Greggy was an idiot and Jack had practice otherwise he could have accidently frozen the store doors on the creepy.
Jack shook his head knowing that if he had done that his mom would get that sad look on her face. Now instead, Jack would have to walk a couple miles for groceries instead of a couple blocks. Whatever, Jack thought to himself; I'm going to a wizard's school this fall so I don't even have to worry about it. Just one more summer and then he'd be out of here.
Jack glanced around the street and in finding it deserted he formed a ball of solid ice and began kicked it down the sidewalk. It rolled lazily ahead of him distorting the image beyond it and reflecting the sun rays around it. He let his imagination take him to the school where his father learned magic. Hogwarts was a huge castle by a beautiful lake. It was surrounded by forest and rolling mountains. He tried to imagine the huge rooms, the smell of the woods, the feeling of magic all round him. It would be a hundred, no a thousand times better than this place.
With his mind still an ocean away he came to the small house that served as his home. The white paint was peeling away and faded. The old tilted mailbox was dented from kids hitting it as they passed by it for years. The yard was small but the potted flowers were still blooming in blues, yellows and pinks. His mom loved planting and had a green thumb, but everything Jack touched either died or went into hibernation. The plain wooden door creaked as he opened it.
"I'm bac-ugh!" Jack was tackled by a blur of brown in a little sun dress.
"Jack! Jack! It's here!" Pippa shrieked excitedly.
"Pippa! Be careful, his hands are full," mom chastised her.
"Sorry Mama," Pippa said taking one of the bags from Jack and helped put it in the small kitchen/dining room. Jack chuckled and followed her out of the living room that homed two book shelves, one for books, the other for pictures and mementos, a couch, a small TV, and a table with a lamp.
It the kitchen Pippa had given the bag to her mother and was bouncing in a chair at the scarred wooden table. Jack also handed over his bag. Sarah sighed as she unpacked and found two eggs broken. She saw Pippa wince from the corner of her eye and hide her smile.
"Jack, there's a letter for you," Sarah said put the rest of the eggs in the frig. Jack perked at this and looked over at the table to see Pippa waving the letter at him.
"Open it! Open it! What if it talks or sings? Oh, or, or it could shoot out sparks and make party noises!" Pippa went on and on about what the magical letter might do. Jack laughed at her which didn't deter her excitement in the least. Sarah sat down next to the girl in the last rickety chair at the table.
"How will we know if you keep talking?" Sarah brushed some of her little girls' hair behind her ear. Pippa stopped midsentence and looked first at her mother then Jack.
"Sorry."
Jack had his half smile on his face as he broke the seal and removed the letter.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Overland,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Pippa pouted, "It didn't sing."
"No, it didn't, but when I send you a letter I'll make sure it sings to you," Jack ruffled up Pippa's hair.
"Jack," she whined playfully, suddenly her giggles stopped and she looked at her mama. It seemed something dawned on the little girl.
"His going away huh?" she said then turned to Jack sadness in her eyes, "Your leaving," she accused.
"Honey," Sarah wrapped her arms around Pippa, "you knew that he would be. Why are you so sad?"
"I know, b-but it wasn't real until now," she sniffed hiding her face in her mother's shoulder, "I-I don't want Jack to leave! I don't want brother to disappear like Daddy!" The girl started to sob.
"Oh sweetie, he won't," Sarah hugged the girl tighter.
"Hey now Pip," Jack got up and put a hand on her back to have her look at him. The teary eyed girl sniffed as she looked at Jack, "I promise I'll come back. Every summer and I'll write every week. I'll tell you amazing stories about magic out there. Maybe I'll even send you a present."
"You promise you'll come back?" she asked.
"Promise on forever."
She lifted her pinkie finger up. Jack smiled and linked his pinkie with hers.
"A forever promise," she demanded.
"A forever promise," he repeated. Sarah smiled gently. Jack had started that promise tradition when Pippa was being teased by kids for having second hand clothes. She had always been afraid that Sarah or Jack would just disappear like the man she never met, but heard about. Jack had convinced her that a pinkie promise was magic and could last forever to calm her down.
"What going to be at the school?" Pippa asked Jack.
Jack theatrically scratched his chin, "well, fairies, and mermaids for sure. I'll find unicorns in the gardens and dragons in the cafeteria. People will fly on brooms and pet talking cats. Candles will float around the rooms and the clocks will sing the time." Pippa's eyes grew huge. Jack laughed. Sarah rolled her eyes at her son and set her daughter down.
"Owls bring the mail and elves clean your shoes," she added.
Jack nodded, "the paintings will dance and pixies will bring me hot chocolate and cake."
"I want to go too!" she giggled.
"Oh do you?" Jack lifts her up and swung her around," Pippa the flying little witch!" Pippa was laughing and threw her arms out to fly.
Sarah began dinner and listened to her happy kids. She prayed Jack would be safe there. She knew that having him around Dumbledore was one of the safest places in the world for him, but she couldn't help the fear. It circled the back of her mind that Jack would disappear into a world she would never truly understand. Just like Jonathon did.
Hiccup grimaced again as he got up. He rubbed his bruised elbow and picked up the way-too-heavy sword again. His cousin snorted at him.
"Come on Hiccup. Use yer feet an' shield or Snotlout will trip ye every time," Gobber said exasperated. The kids were learning basic skills with shields, axes, swords and hammers. They had been at it for months now and where Astrid, Snotlout and Ruffnut were showing promise. Tuffnut and Fishleggs were falling behind. Hiccup was still on square one!
Gobber didn't know what to do with the boy. He and Stoick had arranged him to be Gobber's apprentice a wee time ago. At eleven, most of these wee ones were scrawny except Fishlegs. They had hoped it would build his strength so he could at least lift the weapons like the others. Now though, instead of growing strong the boy was coming up with crazy contraptions and ideas. Gobber was still happy, the boy had talent and creativity and a great eye for detail.
But then again, Hiccup was smaller than all the others. He was a fishbone even. If he didn't pick up soon he would never be able to defend himself. Gobber shook his head once more as he circled the arena. Astrid put Ruffnut down with a painful thunk. Tuffnut tripped Fishlegs and laughed.
The sky was steel gray and the wind gave a nice cool breeze no one in the arena could feel. Gobber could hear the construction of the repaired or new buildings from the dragon attack two days ago. The snow finally melted after nine months, just in time for those fiends to fly in and dose the place in fire. Yep, just a normal day in Berk, Gobber thought a little bored.
Of course the minute you think you're bored in this Viking town is the minute something crazy flies in. In this case it was an owl that dived over Gobber and straight for Hiccup. Hiccup yelped and ducked. The bird expertly went through the chain netting and circled the arena. The other kids stopped their practice to see it land gracefully in front of Hiccup.
Gobber started forward.
"What's wrong with it? Is it like, mental?" Ruffnut asked.
"Think we can catch and eat it?" Tuffnut asked. Both of them were ignored.
"It's holding something," Astrid observed. The white bird dropped a letter at Hiccups feet and flew off without another look. Tuffnut and Snotlout made a lung for the creature, but missed pathetically.
"What's this?" Gobber asked reaching Hiccup. They both looked down at the letter.
"Ah…uh..." Hiccup stooped and picked up the strangely delivered thing. This was just what he needed, weird messages from birds.
Mr. H. Haddock, The Dragon Arena, Berk Isle
Hiccup blinked. What the name of Odin's eye was this?! Hiccup looked to Gobber for an explanation but the stone-toothed Viking only shrugged.
"Got a love letter from a bird?" Snotlout sneered.
"It's strange to have an owl fly during the day. It could be-"Fishlegs started rabbling which everyone ignored.
"Well, aren't ya goin' to open it?" Ruffnut demanded.
"Yeah, what'd the bird say?" Tuffnut added. Ruffnut thunked him on the head. The two started to go at each other which was also ignored. Hiccup awkwardly shrugged and opened the yellow letter with a small dagger he usually kept with him…because it was the only weapon he could actually hold right.
Unfolding the heavy page the youths pushed each to get a look at it. Gobber pushed all of them back.
"Okay, Good 'nough today. Lesson dismissed. Go on shoo!" Gobber crowded the others out of the arena as Hiccup started to laugh. The others gave him a confused look before Gobber forced them away. Returning to the chief's son Gobber found Hiccup laughing and shaking his head at the letter.
"What's it lad?" he asked.
Hiccup took a moment to get control of himself then to Gobber said, "Apparently I've been invited to a school for wizards on the mainland…What's a mugwump?" Gobber's eyes widened and he snatched the letter from Hiccup. Gobber read it and then reread it. His face was somewhat slack but otherwise unreadable.
"Gobber who came up with that joke? Was this you or Snotlout? It couldn't have been Dad," Hiccup asked a little disturbed that his teacher wasn't laughing. Actually the longer the old Viking stared at the seemingly harmless paper the more tense he got.
"Hiccup come with me," Gobber turned and marched away. Hiccup's jaw dropped. Gobber looked…serious. He was never, well, rarely serious. He could laugh his way through most dragon raids, or Hiccup blowing up the forges…again, but this had struck something with the man. Hiccup stared after him confused. Could a little note that Hiccup was sure was a poor joke really scare Gobber? Gobber doesn't get scared!
"Hiccup!" He shook his head and followed after the limping Viking. He was acting, pretending. It was a big joke. Hiccup didn't have magic. He couldn't be a wizard. That was ridiculous. If he had magic how come he was picked on so much? How come he couldn't find the trolls or fairies he hunted for in the woods? It didn't make sense that Hiccup couldn't do anything…amazing.
Half way through the village Hiccup decided to try again and talk to Gobber, "Where are we going?"
"The meetin' hall," he answered not looking at the child. Hiccup raised an eyebrow. His dad should be there if they were having another meeting about the dragon raids. Which they were. Hiccup was certain since most of the villagers seemed to be missing. Besides the guys working on repairs.
"Why?" he asked.
"Stoick needs to know," he answered again.
"He needs to know about an owl message?" Hiccup felt weary. His dad was the last person he wanted to know about this weirdness. He'd give Hiccup that disapproving scowl like the owl was all his idea.
"Do we have to tell him?" Hiccup half whined half asked.
Gobber let out a heavy sigh the way most adults do when children ask stupid, but difficult questions.
"Aye, if his son is goin' to disappear fer a year or so he best know where to," he replied and quickly climbed the stairs to the hall and pushed at the door. Hiccups mouth went dry and he had frozen at the bottom of the stairs, staring at the ground. It was a joke right? What if it wasn't? No that would be crazy, Hiccup tried to tell himself, even if it was true. Him, leave to a strange land? To learn magic of all things? No way. The Vikings were superstitious people. Anything with magic, like dragons, was usually thought of as evil, veil, creepy and greedy. They were out to steal and twist everything good in the world. There were few acceptations. Would Hiccup be in trouble if it turned out he did have magic? Or would he be respected like some of the ancient stories of heroes preforming miracles?
Hiccup was shaken out of his thoughts by the opening of the doors. Vikings poured out the building chatting about the next battle plans and ignoring the kid stand at the foot of the stairs. Hiccup pushed up through the crowd of humans and finally clawed himself to the entrance just in time to see Gobber hand the strange note to Stoick the Vast.
Great another thing he can yell at me about was, his first thought, this is going to be the most awkward moment of my life.
He clenched his small fists when he saw his father tense. Hiccup crumpled something in his hand. He noticed that he still held the envelope and the list of items he didn't bother to look at in his hand. The letter had known where he would be instead of going to his house…
"Hiccup!" a voice boomed. He fought the urge to wince and stepped forward to the two grim men.
"Is this true? Did a white owl bring ya this letter?" Stoick asked. More like demanded in Hiccups opinion. Yep there was the scowl he expected.
The boy nodded mutely not sure what to expect.
"This can't be happening," Stoick shook his head.
"It is," Gobber said, "so what are ya wantin' to do about it?" A strange spark was in the blonde's eye.
Stoick made a frustrated gesture, "he can't go." The spark brightened in his friends eyes in a silent challenge.
"Magic Gobber! My son is no sorcerer! He is a Viking! I won't have him messin' with that-that evil!"
Hiccup flinched at that.
"That might as well make him a half step above dragons!" Stoick bellowed. He saw that his argument got nowhere on the other mans' nerve however. Gobber had a sly smile on his face. Hiccup on the other hand felt sick. His dad had compared him to dragons in a horrible way. Was he a pest? A demon to his own dad? Was that what he really thought? Hiccup really wanted to sink into the floor or disappear right now. If he was magical why couldn't he at least do that much?
"Now Stoick," Gobber said in his your-being-absurd-voice, "You know the stories about these letters-"
"There hasn't been one for two hundred years!" he barked.
"True, but some of those that came back became heroes or miracle workers. They helped save people Stoick," Gobber said.
"Aye, or tortured and killed them. Even heard of a man being turned into a boar," Stoick said back. He knew Gobber had something up his greasy sleeve, he just wasn't sure what. Hiccup through this argument had been forgotten. Ironic since the topic was about him. He sat there listening to their opinion and unable to believe what he was hearing. Besides how hateful his dad was being, he couldn't see himself doing any of the amazing things Gobber was beginning to describe or the horrors his dad threw back. Finally Gobber decided to pull his ace that he knew would end this.
"They were said to slay dragons most beautifully too. Even used the dragons' magic and power against them," Gobber grinned like a fox that got away with a chicken. Stoick pulled up short.
"We kill them just fine," Stoic said weakly knowing he couldn't beat this fact. Hiccup on the other hand choked. This finally got the attention of the other two who both looked at him. Gobber had a gloating gleam and a matching grin on his face. Stoic looked at him a little defeated and disappointed that in his mind at least, he couldn't save the boy from a strange fact.
"M-me? No way! B-but a whole year to magic school? Dad really? So far away?" Hiccup stammered not sure if he should feel scared or excited. His dad was telling him to leave?
"Aye, boy," Stoick said, "We'll be sending the reply and next time with go down to trade we'll leave ya to someone there." His tone rang with finality. Hiccup stood up astounded. He couldn't find his voice. Stoick stood and at the door paused.
"In a months' time we'll ship out," and with that said he left. Hiccups knees were shaking. He suddenly went to the saddest excuse of a Viking to a sorcerer. He couldn't figure out if that was a good thing or a bad one. He tried to remember some of the old legends but at that moment he was drawing a blank. Gobbers' hand dropping on to his shoulder made him stubble.
"Good fer ye lad," he was still grinning, "ya'll do great! A flick of yer fingers and dragons will drop out of the sky! Imagine the adventures! Don't know what magic types do but I'm sure ye'll be fine!"
Hiccup sighed. Knowing himself, he'd probably crash and burn before he got off the ship. Thor help him.
After Class Speech
A bright light turns onto a dark wood stage with an elegantly carved podium that gleamed in the stage light. A figure in a long black cloak with red trim steps up and shuffles papers loudly. His hood hide his eyes, but a view of the lower half of his face shows itself in the bright light, the audience (you) fall silent. After he clears throat he begins.
The figure grins widely, "Hello readers. It's a pleasure to see you all." The Critic shifts through the pages, "now, I'm not sure of how often I can update my story, but I assure you it will be updated. I can't help that college work will take priority. I know it was a slow beginning, but I'm sure it'll pick up." The Critic mutters to himself. " Also I have an opening for a Beta so if you are interested please PM me." He frowns down at the page. "Oh and leave a review if you want the next chapter sooner." There stands a long awkward pause as the Critic shifts through papers. "I guess I should also thank you for reading. Honestly reading this script sucks." The Critic tosses the papers over his shoulder, "I'm burning whoever wrote this. See ya."
With a deep bow the Critic disappears in a cloud of smoke that has the front row coughing and their eyes watering.
