Note: Hey guys! Welcome to this fic! So I really ship Jack and Elsa together, and I've had the idea of the both of them at Hogwarts for a while. I'm already writing a fiction about them, though that one is more serious and dark; this one is for fun, and I'm actually going to have so much fun writing it! I really, really love the Harry Potter universe, and can't wait to see those two evolve in it! For the timeline, you're going to have to be lenient; all our favourite Hogwarts professors are here (looking at you, McGonagall), but that also means Snape, and Flitwick, and Dumbledore, and Sprout. You get the gist. But Elsa is the crown princess of Arendelle, so... just roll with it. Let's just say that these are the years between when Tom Riddle has left Hogwarts, and when he begins killing people. Rapunzel, Flynn, Merida, and Hiccup are also in this fic; I don't particularly ship Merricup, but I thought they'd make a cute couple, so I'm trying it out. There, I really hope you like it, and have a great day!
Explanations for the Hogwart Houses:
I know Jack is represented a lot as a Slytherin, but I don't think he has particular ambition, though he is loyal to his friends; but that is also a Gryffindor quality, and he's brave so… yep, Jack's definitely a Gryffindor to me.
Flynn is a Slytherin. I don't know if people are going to agree with me on that one, but in 'Tangled' Flynn definitely has an ambitious streak, and I definitely think that he's a Slytherin. Anyway, Slytherins are great!
Merida is a Gryffindor. I mean, the title of her movie is 'Brave', I don't think I had much of a choice.
Rapunzel is definitely a Ravenclaw. She's curious about everything, reads a lot, wants to learn and learn and learn, so… Ravenclaw, without hesitation.
And Hiccup's a Gryffindor, because the guy freaking rode a dragon in his movie, and that takes guts!
Chapter 1: Eagle or Lion
Jack arrived at King's Cross Station late, as usual, and pushed his trolley towards the concrete wall that would lead him to platform nine and three quarters. He was nearly running, worried that the Hogwarts Express would leave without him.
It wouldn't be the first time.
Muggles around him threw him curious glances, and he had to patiently wait- five minutes before eleven- that they all look away before casually leaning against the barrier.
He felt himself slide through, and a second after he was on the platform. He grinned at the sight of the huge, red train, but set off again as he saw that students were waving goodbye to their parents from the windows. The train would be starting any minute now, and Professor McGonagall would kill him if he missed it again. Abandoning all pretense, he launched into a run, just as the train whistled.
"JACK!" he heard a girl scream. He looked up, and sure enough, Rapunzel was leaning out of the window, her blond hair tied back. "You are unbelievable!"
Jack grinned.
"Hi, Punzie," he said.
"FLYNN! HICCUP! HE'S HERE!" she shouted behind her, and Jack heard a scuffle and exclamations, and two brown-heads joined Rapunzel at the window. The two boys grinned at the sight of Jack.
"Jack! We were wondering if we would have to jump off the train to wait for you! Planning on going to Hogwarts on a broom again, eh?"
"Nope," grinned Jack at his two best friends. "Just woke up late."
"Hurry!" urged Rapunzel, as the train whistled again and fumes billowed out from the rails. At once, Hiccup ran and jumped from the train and heaved, with Jack's help, Jack's trunk onto the train. Quickly, he climbed onto it, and the train started moving. Jack jumped onto it, ignoring the gasps and scoldings of the parents behind him. He heaved the door closed behind him, and allowed himself to breathe in relief for a second. That had been close.
Then, a girl slammed into him, and he laughed into Merida's fiery hair.
"Hey, Merida," he said, as he wrapped his arms around her. She pulled back, her hair, as always, a mess around her face.
"You dumbass, I thought we'd have to cover for you to McGonagall," she laughed, punching him playfully in the chest- though his breath was robbed for a second. She was stronger than she looked. Jack turned to his other friends, and beamed to Flynn, Hiccup, and Rapunzel. They were cramped in the tiny corridor of the Hogwarts Express, so after hugging everyone, Jack followed them back to their compartment. The train had barely left the station, and the compartment was already a mess. Rapunzel's chameleon, Pascal, was staring without any emotion at Merida's red-haired cat, who was hissing at the chameleon, apparently too afraid to attempt an attack. Flynn didn't have any pets, but Hiccup had a black, rather scary and impressive-looking owl named Toothless, though why Hiccup had named it that way, Jack would never know. Around the animals were a dozen empty Chocolate Frog boxes.
And it hadn't even been ten minutes yet.
"So," he grinned as he sat amidst the mess, "How is my favorite Slytherin?"
"Fantastic," said Flynn, dropping down opposite from him. "Summer was great. Passed it with my girlfriend, you know, so it was entertaining."
"Entertaining?!" said Rapunzel, outraged, and Jack and Hiccup burst out laughing as Flynn winked at her.
"Just kidding, Blondie," he said, and he pulled her to him, kissing her. Merida groaned as she slammed the door of the compartment shut.
"I am not going to spend the year looking at you two snogging, I'm warning you!" she said, as she slumped down next to Rapunzel, who broke away from Flynn, blushing.
"Don't complain, Mer'," said Hiccup, "I found them making out in my bed last year." He shivered in fake-horror. "I will always remember that. It was traumatizing."
"One time, Hiccup!" said Rapunzel, as Jack burst out laughing again. "It happened one time!"
"He's just jealous, Blondie. Of you."
"Yeah, right," said Hiccup, as Merida burst out laughing. The train had exited the station now, and rolling, green countryside was around them, as the train sped past them. Jack looked around at his friends. He remembered how, all those years ago, he'd met Hiccup and they'd sat in the first compartment they'd found nearly empty; apart from a small, blond girl and an equally small red-head. Flynn had joined them later on, and though they'd all been sorted into different houses, they'd built a strong friendship; he loved all of them the way you can only love a family you've chosen for yourself.
"So, Jack," Hiccup said, and Jack turned to look at him. He grabbed a Chocolate Frog from the floor, and opened it. "Show us."
"Show you what?" he said innocently, though he knew exactly what Hiccup was talking about. He fought his mounting grin.
"Cut the crap, mate," said Flynn, "And show us the freaking badge."
Flynn had disentangled from Rapunzel and was looking eagerly at Jack, as Merida leaned forwards, her eyes narrowed. Jack opened the Chocolate Frog box, rolled his eyes as he saw Dumbledore blinking up at him from the card inside- that would be the fifteenth Dumbledore in his collection- and popped the Chocolate Frog in his mouth.
"Jack, would you please show them the badge?" said Rapunzel, exasperated. Jack grinned, his mouth still full, and grabbed his badge from inside his pocket. Flynn whistled, and Hiccup grinned.
"Yeah, well, we always knew it would be you, didn't we?" said Hiccup, as Merida took the badge, turning it between her fingers.
"Blimey, Jack, Quidditch Captain!" said Merida in awe. "This is great!"
"Hope you'll let me back on the team," laughed Hiccup.
"Of course I'm letting you back on the team, I've watched you play for three years!"
"Now don't start going into it thinking like that!" warned Rapunzel. "Maybe someone better than Hiccup will turn up, you can't decide to put him back on the team just because he's your friend-"
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Punzie," said Hiccup, at the same time Jack said, "I'm not letting him back on the team because he's my friend, I'm letting him back on the team because he saved my life on the pitch in fourth year, remember?"
Hiccup's eyes glinted mischievously as Flynn roared in laughter.
"Yeah well," Hiccup shrugged modestly, "That Bluethorn guy had that Bludger coming to him."
"I still remember his face," said Flynn, coughing with laughter, Rapunzel biting down a smile as she looked at him with disapproval.
"Aren't you supposed to support the Slytherin Quidditch team?" she asked, eyebrows raised.
"I do, Blondie, but I really, really hate that guy."
"We're winning the Cup this year," said Merida in a convincing tone, "I can feel it."
"Like you felt it last year?" teased Flynn, and she shot him a dark look.
"You cheated in the finals," she retorted, and Flynn opened his mouth, looking affronted.
The next few hours were spent debating on if the Slytherin team had cheated in the final match of last year, that had opposed Gryffindor to Flynn's house. Rapunzel fell asleep, her head resting on Flynn's thighs, bored by the conversation. She'd never had more than a vague interest in Quidditch, while all the others were passionate about it; Jack was Seeker on the Gryffindor team, and Hiccup was Beater. Flynn and Merida were every bit as passionate about the sport as the two boys were, but weren't part of any team.
"Merida," said Hiccup, interrupting Flynn as he was about to justify for the millionth time the Slytherin team's Beater, that had broken Jack's broom, 'totally by accident, Jack, it happens,' with a well-aimed Bludger. "Why don't you try out for the team?"
"Wha- Oh no. I don't have vertigo or anything, but I like watching from the side-lines."
"That's not you, Merida," teased Jack, leaning back, folding his arms behind his head.
"Yep well, Quidditch is the exception, sweetheart," she said haughtily to Jack, and he grinned. A tranquil silence settled in the compartment, as Flynn idly stroked Rapunzel's hair, staring out the window. Merida grabbed a book out of the open satchel she carried everywhere and buried herself in it, and Jack and Hiccup conversed in low voices. Finally, about an hour later, the sun began to set, and Merida looked up from her book. Flynn gently woke Rapunzel up, and they all slid their Hogwarts robes over their Muggle clothes. Jack's heart seemed to pound harder as he looked out of the window every few minutes, trying to see Hogwarts, or Hogsmeade, at the very least.
"I forgot to tell you something!" said Rapunzel suddenly, and Merida, Hiccup and Flynn stopped talking abruptly.
"If you're announcing that you're pregnant, I just hope that baby wasn't conceived in my bed," grumbled Hiccup, and Flynn winked.
"It was, that's why we're naming you godfather," he retorted, and Jack grinned at the bickering.
"Stop being stupid," scolded Rapunzel, "Mother told me that there was a new girl this year."
The effect of the statement was immediate; Merida's satchel slid off the bench, as they all gaped at her. Jack frowned.
"What do you mean, a new girl? You mean, like a first year?"
"Of course I don't mean like a first year, why would I tell you about it? No, there's a new sixth year."
"I didn't even know we could have new students in the middle of the years," said Hiccup. "Is she transferring from another wizarding school?"
"No idea," shrugged Rapunzel, though Jack knew that she was quite pleased with the effect she'd caused. "It's all really mysterious. I know it's like top-secret, so I only know about it because mum's one of the school governors. I don't even know which house they're going to Sort her in."
"This seems interesting," grinned Hiccup, a familiar glint in his eyes. Hiccup was notorious at Hogwarts for his good-looks, and he fully knew it. He loved seducing. "Wonder what she looks like. And how much time it takes me to convince her that I'm the most handsome guy she ever met."
Jack thought he saw a flash of hurt in Merida's eyes, but it was gone so fast that he thought he'd imagined it.
"Don't be a douche, Hiccup," said Jack, turning to the window, seeing the landscape passing them finally slowing down. Hiccup merely grinned, completely unfazed by Jack's words.
"Maybe she'll be in Ravenclaw. I hope she's nice," said Rapunzel. "I could use some nice girl to share the dormitory with. I'm getting tired of Ilra and her band of girls. Giggling constantly."
"Because you never giggle," teased Flynn.
"Actually, Eugene, I don't," she retorted.
"I remember a few times I made you giggle," he said, grinning, and Rapunzel rolled her eyes. She was the only one to call Flynn by his second name, Eugene.
The train lurched as it came to a stop, and Jack instantly sprung to his feet. All thoughts of a new girl forgotten, he opened the compartment door, the others following suit. Students passed him, smiling and grinning.
"Hey, Jack!"
"Hi, Jack!"
He waved, and waited for them to pass before engaging in the corridor. He jumped out of the train.
When his feet finally hit the platform, an overwhelming joy seemed to seize him. He looked around, at Hagrid, who was waving the first-years towards the boats; and the rest of the school, progressing towards the carriages. Though Jack couldn't see the creature that was pulling the carriages towards the castle, he knew they were Thestrals.
"Let's hurry and get an empty carriage," said Merida, and they all walked over to one carriage, checked it was empty, and climbed inside. Jack didn't listen to the others' conversation as he looked out of the window eagerly. The carriage started climbing the steep hill that would lead them to the school, and Jack's heart gave a lurch as he saw the castle emerge out of the gloom.
"Someone's glad to be back," noticed Rapunzel, and he pulled his head back inside, shrugging.
"Missed the place," he grinned. That was an understatement; he'd counted down the days that would lead him back to the castle, wanting nothing more than to see his friends again, to sleep in his four-poster bed, to sit in the comfiest armchair of Gryffindor tower by the roaring fire…
"You do know that every girl's going to come after you this year, Jack, right?" said Rapunzel, interrupting his thread of thoughts. He snapped back to attention. "Quidditch Captain, notorious rule-breaker, and probably one of the most handsome boys in the school. I don't know how you're still single."
"I'm right here," remarked Flynn, and Rapunzel rolled her eyes, kissed him, and muttered something in his ear that made him grin. Jack decided that he would rather not know what she'd said.
"What?" he said, frowning, unsure of what he'd heard. Rapunzel chuckled breathily.
"You are completely oblivious, aren't you?"
"Oblivious to what?"
The others looked at each other, grinning, clearly having a marvelous time. Jack couldn't help but feel a little irritated.
"Listen, if you're not going to let me in on the joke-"
"It's not a joke," said Merida, smiling, "It's just- it's charming, how you don't know the effect you have on people."
Hiccup stiffened next to him, as if Merida had said something insulting towards him. Jack looked curiously over, and saw that there was a hint of… jealousy?
He signed. It had always been this way between the two of them. Merida being as independent and free as the wind, and Hiccup always trying to impress her… though he went about it the wrong way. The long list of his conquests wouldn't work on Merida, or his care-free charm. And Merida seemed to be the only person on earth that hadn't noticed that.
"What effect?" he said, though he thought he knew what was coming.
"Oh cut the crap, Jack," said Hiccup, and Jack thought he detected a hint of irritation in his voice, "He knows. He's being modest. He's always fooling around with girls."
"I'm not fooling around-"
He decided against the idea of arguing, and resumed his staring out the window. He ruffled his hair in frustration, trying to block out Merida and Rapunzel betting on which girl would ask him out on a Hogsmeade weekend first, and instead concentrating on the upcoming feast, the Sorting, Dumbledore's speech, his bed, high up in Gryffindor Tower, and his lessons tomorrow… Everything that made life at Hogwarts worth living.
…
Elsa felt like she was spiraling around and around, glimpses of rooms flashing past her. Then, she felt a sudden lurch, and she felt herself slam forwards, into a room. She picked herself up from the floor hurriedly, brushing soot off her. She looked around, and to her great embarrassment, saw that the Headmaster himself was sitting behind his desk, a kind look in his stunningly blue eyes as he took her in. Elsa brushed a stray strand of pale blond hair that had escaped her braid behind her ear.
"Hello, miss Wynters. I take it that that was your first time travelling by the Floo Network?"
"Yes, sir," she said, wondering if she still had soot on her face.
"Please sit down," said Dumbledore kindly, and Elsa walked to his desk and sat on the chair opposite him. A desk now separated them, and Elsa clasped her hands together on her knees. She still wasn't used to the absence of her gloves.
"Madame Maxime tells me you've been working very hard all summer," he started, and Elsa didn't say anything, but it didn't look like Dumbledore was expecting her to. Instead, she looked around the room; the office was filled with bizarre and beautiful things. Next to the desk was an empty perch, where it seemed that some kind of bird resided usually. She remembered what Madame Maxime had said, about Dumbledore's phoenix, and recited the paragraph from her textbook in her head.
Phoenixes lead extremely long lives, as they have the power to burst into flame once they reach an old age, and to emerge as a baby from the ashes. During their very long life, phoenixes usually bond with only one wizard, and go back to the wilderness once the wizard passes on. Their tears have very powerful healing properties, being the only known antidote to Basilisk venom. Their feathers also have powerful magical properties, and are used in the making of wands.
She felt calmer somehow, and turned back to Dumbledore, who hadn't said a word, but was watching her intently.
"I have to admit, I am surprised that you managed to pass your Ordinary Wizarding Levels with such outstanding marks," said Dumbledore, "seeing as until six months ago, you had no idea that you were a witch."
"I had an excellent teacher, sir," she answered simply, and Dumbledore smiled, an amused look in his eyes.
"Yes, Madame Maxime is quite an unusual witch, isn't she?"
For the first time since she'd entered his office, Elsa cracked a smile. She smiled more and more these days, and she felt as if her mouth was waking from a very deep sleep each time.
Unusual was one way to describe Madame Maxime.
"I am very impressed, Elsa, and I'm sure Madame Maxime was very proud."
"Thank you, sir," she said simply, still feeling very nervous and intimidated by all this. A few minutes ago, she'd been in Madame Maxime's office, listening to her last recommendations, and now she was here, in a different country, in a different castle, in a different school… Panic threatened to engulf her once more, and she dug her nails into her palm. Dumbledore seemed to notice her unease, and stood from his chair.
"You'll get used to the castle very quickly. The other students are arriving at Hogwarts as we speak. They will proceed to the Great Hall, where the first years will be sorted in one of our four houses; Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."
She nodded. Madame Maxime had already told her all this, but she didn't interrupt the Headmaster.
"It is tradition for first years to be sorted in front of the whole school, but seeing your… unusual circumstances, I have decided that you would be Sorted in my office. You'll be enough of a curiosity already, seeing as we don't usually take new students."
"Thank you so much, sir, for taking me," said Elsa, thinking that maybe it would be what he wanted to hear. To her surprise, Dumbledore batted a hand, as if it was nothing.
"No need to thank me, miss Wynters. I have to admit I blame myself a little, that you weren't discovered sooner. Usually, Muggle-borns are tracked down very quickly, but because of your parents'… discretion (at that, Elsa noticed that something like anger flashed in Dumbledore's eyes), it took a little longer than was expected." She was taken aback at his declaration, and felt herself relax a little.
"Anyhow, we must hurry, because they will need the Sorting Hat to sort the first years!" said Dumbledore briskly, and Elsa watched as he strode to a shelf on the wall, where he picked up an old, pointed, shabby-looking hat. Dumbledore set it down on the desk in front of her, and Elsa watched, amazed, as a rip opened where a mouth would have been on a human face. She had been told about the Hat, but seeing it herself took her breath away; it was kind of proof that all of this was real. The Hat didn't burst into song, as she'd been told it did at the start of the year feast. Elsa looked tentatively at the Headmaster, and he nodded. She turned back to the Hat, and slowly took it in her hands, and put it on her platinum blonde locks.
'Hello, princess,' she heard, as if someone was whispering in her ear. She jumped, and looked at Dumbledore, who hadn't seemed to hear but was watching her intently. 'Very interesting. I don't usual Sort older students.'
I know, she thought. I'm late.
To her surprise, the Hat seemed to chuckle.
'Yes, well. You surely are very fascinating. I see the hardships you have endured, and I see great bravery in you. Loyalty and love to your sister, that led to your sacrifice. Great fear in you too. Will you be good enough? And curiosity. So much curiosity. You want to learn everything about what you are, don't you? Prove to your parents, and yourself, that you're not a danger to your little sister, or anyone else.'
Elsa thought with a pang of Anna.
'You aspire to learn. You want to learn everything. Are you a Ravenclaw, or a Gryffindor? You would be suited for both.'
She waited, hands still clasped together. She closed her eyes tightly.
'I think it will be…. RAVENCLAW!'
The hat had shouted the last word, and Elsa gratefully pulled it off her head. She hadn't liked the feeling that it could see her every emotion, pick through every memory and aspiration…
"Well," said Dumbledore, "That's that. It took some time."
Dumbledore looked at her in such a way that she felt he knew exactly what the Hat had hesitated with.
"We must go," said the Headmaster, "I'm sure you will love Hogwarts. If you have any questions, fell free to ask any of the teachers. And you must know that I have withheld the information that you were a princess. I thought you should decide for yourself if it was something that you wanted known."
She was taken aback by this.
"Thank you," she said, "That was very kind of you."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled behind his half-moon spectacles.
She followed Professor Dumbledore out of his office, relieved that she hadn't been sent home… but also extremely worried about what was waiting for her downstairs.
…
Jack, Merida, Hiccup, Rapunzel, and Flynn walked inside the Great Hall. Flynn kissed Rapunzel goodbye, and they all went to sit down at their house tables. Merida, Jack, and Hiccup sat down on a free space, and Jack looked up to the table where the teachers were sitting.
"Where's Dumbledore?" he asked, and Merida looked up at the table too. Hiccup, though, seemed more interesting in searching the tables. Jack thought he was probably looking for that girl Rapunzel had been talking about.
"No idea," said Merida, "He's usually already here when we arrive."
"Are you sure Rapunzel was telling the truth, about a new girl? I don't see any new faces," interrupted Hiccup, and Jack turned away from the teachers' table, and looked around. He couldn't see anyone that he didn't know.
"Congrats, Jack, new Quidditch Captain!" shouted someone over the hum of conversations, and Jack smiled.
"Thanks!" he shouted back, and Merida grinned triumphantly.
"She was just saying congratulations," he said when he saw her face.
"Yeah right," she said, rolling her eyes, but before he could answer, Dumbledore strode in by the entrance. All students were now seated, and Jack's eyes followed Dumbledore as he smiled at students, walking up to the teachers' table. Then, he stopped, and pointed towards the Ravenclaw table, before continuing up the aisle, leaving a girl behind him, looking pale and nervous. He hadn't seen her before because she'd been hidden behind the Headmaster.
Hiccup elbowed him in the ribs.
"I know," he hissed, "I saw!"
He looked at the girl. She had long, platinum blond hair that was tied back in a braid, and even from where he was seated, Jack could see her unusually blue eyes. Curious whispers were spreading across the four tables, as nobody recognized her.
Jack couldn't help but stare, though he knew that that was probably what the girl was trying to avoid. She walked quickly to the Ravenclaw table, and sat down. She looked like she was resisting the urge to hide her face behind her hands. She was beautiful, no-one could deny that, and Jack saw that a lot of the male students (and some of the female ones) were looking at her with great interest.
"Geez am I going to have fun with this one," scoffed Hiccup, and Jack felt a flare of rage in his belly.
"Stop it, Hiccup, can't you see she looks terrified?"
"Exactly. I'm going to give her a helping hand."
He winked, but Jack didn't smile back.
Merida looked at him, with a knowing look in her eyes.
"What?" he asked, in a sharper tone than he'd intended.
"Nothing," she said. "Look, Rapunzel's just moved to sit next to her."
Indeed, she had; Rapunzel was now talking to the girl, and Jack saw with a start that she was now smiling a little, as if Rapunzel had made her laugh.
"Good old Rapunzel," Merida said, and Jack couldn't help but agree with her. Then, Rapunzel turned towards them, pointing, and the girl looked over at them. Jack hurriedly looked away, though Merida waved cheerfully.
"She's waving back," said Merida excitedly, "She looks nice. Rapunzel's giving us the thumbs up!"
Jack looked back at them, trying to be discreet. The girl had turned back to Rapunzel, and they were talking. The candlelight shone in her blond hair, and Jack saw that she was smiling, though she still looked a little tense.
The doors opened, and a trail of first years entered, looking almost as nervous at the girl had looked. They proceeded towards the Sorting Hat, which was now on the stool, and Jack turned his attention back to the front.
…
"And that's Professor Flitwick, he's our head of house," indicated Rapunzel, nodding in the direction of a small man, looking comically like a child as he was seated next to a huge man, who was maybe as tall as Madame Maxime; Hagrid, she recalled Rapunzel saying.
"That's kind of it," she said, and she turned back to look at Elsa. She looked at the blond girl, with big green eyes, that had immediately sat next to her when she'd seen her alone. She was grateful to her, and felt reassured. Maybe Hogwarts wouldn't be so bad.
"Hey, Rapunzel!" said someone, and Elsa turned to see a girl, tall and dark-haired, followed by two others coming their way. "Missed you over the holidays!"
"Uh- yeah, I missed you too," said Rapunzel, obviously confused. Elsa guessed that they weren't particularly friends.
"And who's your friend?" she asked, sitting down opposite from them.
"I'm Elsa," she said, and saw that the girl was observing her, and she reminded Elsa of a hawk. "I'm new."
"I'm Ilra, and these two are Rowena and Kiara."
"Hi," she said shyly, but the two girls didn't answer, instead looking at her as if she was something dangerous to be squashed as soon as possible.
"So, Rapunzel has introduced you to her little club, has she?"
"Ilra, she just got here," Rapunzel said, and she didn't sound confused at all now, as if she knew very well what Ilra was here for. "Give her a break."
"I'm sure Elsa here has already spotted what she wanted, didn't you?" Ilra said, ignoring Rapunzel, and talking in a tone that she thought would invite confessions.
"I'm sorry," said Elsa, frowning, "I'm not sure what you mean."
"Boys," said Ilra, as if it was obvious, and Elsa was taken-aback. The last thing on her mind had been boys. "I'm sure you've noticed some of them."
"I think what Ilra is trying to know," said Rapunzel coldly, "Is if you like Jack Frost. Isn't that it?"
"Wha-" said Ilra, laughing nervously, "don't be ridiculous, Punzie (Rapunzel stiffened at the use of the nickname). Everyone knows Jack and I have a thing, there's no competition there."
"They don't," said Rapunzel quietly, and Elsa swallowed back her grin. Though she had spent a good deal of her life in the palace, not talking to strangers a lot, she wasn't as naïve as you'd think.
"I don't even know who this Jack Frost is," she said, trying to be reassuring, though she found the girl a little ridiculous. "I just arrived here, and I don't intend on dating or anything."
"You don't know who Jack Frost is?" said Ilra, sounding astounded. Elsa saw Rapunzel roll her eyes. "His real name is Jackson Overland, but everyone nicknames him 'Frost' because of his hair."
"His hair?" she asked.
"He fell through some ice on a lake when he was smaller," explained Rapunzel quietly, "And he survived because he was a wizard, though even he doesn't really know what he did. Anyway, the water heated up, and he made it to the surface again. His hair turned white after that."
"That sounds horrible," said Elsa, and Rapunzel looked at her appreciatively. Ilra shrugged.
"Who cares how he got the hair? It looks really good."
Her two girlfriends nodded fervently, and Rapunzel and Elsa exchanged a look. Elsa liked the way the two had instantly connected.
"Well, I don't intend on dating anyone," Elsa said quickly, just to get rid of Ilra. "I just arrived, and I'm really focused on my studies."
That wasn't a downright lie, but it wasn't exactly the truth either. Though Elsa was focused on her studies, that's not why she didn't intend on dating.
"Good," said Ilra, before adding, "Not that I was worried."
Rapunzel cocked an eyebrow, grinning.
"Right," said Elsa, resisting the urge to laugh.
"You should know, Rapunzel and her gang of popular friends are really elitist," said Ilra, "It's a very tight-knit group."
"We're not elitist, Ilra," snapped Rapunzel, but Ilra ignored her again.
"You can come with us, once you've figured out that they won't let you be part of their little squad. Or save yourself some time, and come sit with us now."
Elsa blinked. It sounded like Ilra had just given her an order. She lifted her chin.
"I'm fine here," she said calmly, and Ilra's lip curled.
"Suit yourself," she said, and went back to her seat, followed closely by her two friends. Rapunzel beamed at her.
"I really like you," she said, and Elsa grinned.
"Is she in our dormitory?"
"Sadly, yes," said Rapunzel, "But, hey, I've been alone with her for five years, so you'll be fine."
Elsa smiled.
"What are we waiting for?" she asked, looking around. A lot of stares were still fixed on her, and she fiddled with a strand of her hair nervously. She didn't like the attention.
"The first years. They're going to get Sorted soon."
Elsa nodded. She was grateful that Rapunzel had asked her no questions at all about how she'd ended up here, but she was still very nervous.
"What tight-knit group was Ilra talking about?" she asked, just to make conversation.
"My friends," said Rapunzel. "They're over there, look."
Elsa looked up, and saw from afar, on another table, two girls and a boy staring at them. One of the boys looked away quickly, and Elsa saw that he had a shock of white hair.
"That's Jack," said Rapunzel. "And that's Hiccup."
She waved merrily, and a girl with bushy red curls waved back. Elsa lifted a hand hesitantly, waving too.
"And that's Merida. There's Flynn, too, but you can't see him from here."
Elsa noticed that Rapunzel had flushed when she'd said his name.
"They're all really nice, though be careful of Hiccup. He's going to try to make you number five hundredth on his list of conquests."
Elsa laughed, thinking that Rapunzel was joking, but stopped abruptly when she saw that she was dead serious.
"He hasn't really gone out with five hundred people, has he?" she asked nervously, and Rapunzel chuckled.
"No, of course not. But he's determined to."
Elsa looked back at the brown-haired one, and saw him wink at her. She refrained from rolling her eyes, instead looking back at Rapunzel. Before she could ask another question, a file of small children walked in through the doors. The first years.
One by one, they filed in the Great Hall, and she saw that the Hat was now waiting on a stool. The rip it had for a mouth opened, and Elsa leaned forwards, intrigued.
Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find,
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true,
And unafraid of toil.
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin,
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means,
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands, though I have none,
For I'm a Thinking Cap!
When the song ended, Elsa laughed and clapped along with everyone else.
"Brilliant!" she said, and Rapunzel turned towards her, still clapping.
"I know, right?" she grinned. "He spends all year composing a new song."
"It's great!" she marveled, and was about to ask a question when a stern-looking witch stepped forwards, and started reading names of a list. One by one, the first years progressed towards the stool, looking frightened. For some, the Hat cried out the second it made contact with their head; for others, it took longer, in a similar fashion as it had for Elsa. She joined in the clapping when a new Ravenclaw walked towards the table, and couldn't help but smile when a nervous first year took off still wearing the Hat, and had to be called back.
When 'Kylie Tjaruan' became a Gryffindor, she smiled as her eyes followed the girl to the table. Then, her gaze met the white-haired boy's- Jack's. He was looking at her intently, as if he was trying to figure something out, but when he saw that she was looking, he smiled a little and turned away. She frowned.
At long last, it seemed like the first years were all sorted, and the Hat was carried away, as Dumbledore rose from his chair. Instantly, the room fell silent.
"To our new students, welcome! To our old students, welcome back! There is a time for speech-making, but this is not it. Dig in!"
Laughter rippled across the room, and Elsa joined in- then, quite suddenly, she squealed in surprise, as the empty plates before her found themselves suddenly filled with all sorts of food.
"What the-" she said, loud enough that even Dumbledore heard her, and chuckled. Rapunzel burst out laughing, and Elsa heard her friends do so too. She looked up, and saw Jack laughing, looking at her. He winked at her, with an easy confidence, and she had no urge to roll her eyes as she'd had at Hiccup's wink. She blushed in embarrassment.
"Sorry," she said to Rapunzel. "Wasn't prepared for that."
"Muggle-born, are you?" she asked, as she pulled a tray of lamb chops and potatoes towards them. Elsa nodded as she watched, amused, Rapunzel piling up her plate with food. She took a bite before continuing.
"I'm a half-blood. My mother's a witch, and my father's a muggle."
"When did he find out?" she asked curiously, as Rapunzel pushed the tray towards her.
"Third date. She stunned a thief that was trying to get at them with a gun."
Elsa grinned. She was liking this girl more and more.
Once the plates had been washed clean by many hands, the plates disappeared from the table and everyone looked towards the staff table again. Dumbledore raised from his chair again.
"Students of Hogwarts, welcome! Usual start of the year notices. Mr. Filch has informed me that all the usual magical objects are forbidden, including (Elsa noticed that Dumbledore's gaze seemed to flit to Jack) Eternal Fireworks and Multiplying Fountains. You can find the whole list at his office."
"That was fun, that was," muttered Rapunzel, grinning at some memory.
"What happened?" Elsa asked curiously.
"Jack snuck into Snape's office and hid a Multiplying Fountain. It's kind of like a small tap, and it multiplies. Anyway, Snape's office was flooded for weeks, they couldn't find all the Fountains."
Elsa lifted her eyebrows, and saw that Jack was grinning, sharing a look with Hiccup. He turned, caught her looking, and she looked away quickly.
"The Forbidden Forest is out of bounds," was saying Dumbledore, and she turned her attention back to him. "For everyone except the staff." Once again, it seemed as if he was watching Jack as he talked. Elsa wondered what the guy hadn't done. "Quidditch try-outs will take place on the second week of September, though the Quidditch Captain is at liberty to decide on which day. Now, I think that's it. Off to bed, all of you! I'm sure you all want to be fully rested for your lessons tomorrow. Chop chop!"
The Great Hall was filled with a scraping noise as students all stood up from their chairs. Elsa did the same, and Rapunzel linked her arm in Elsa's. Though she was surprised at the familiarity, she was also pleased by it, as Rapunzel led her away from the Great Hall, elbowing her way through the crowd. Elsa didn't catch sight of any of her friends, as Rapunzel led her up the stone staircase, warning her to skip the tricked stair, and led her up a few flights of stairs, and up a spiraling one. They finally reached the top, and Elsa saw that in front of them was a line of first years, and someone wearing a Prefect badge- Madame Maxime had explained to her what Prefects were- looking at something.
"What is he doing?" Elsa asked quietly, as the first years fidgeted.
"I think he's having trouble with the riddle."
"The riddle?" Elsa said, frowning. Then, the boy turned around, throwing his arms in the air.
"I give up. I have no idea."
"Let me try," called Rapunzel, and she passed the first years. Elsa followed her, and gasped. In front of her, there was a door; and on that door, there was a knocker shaped like an eagle. She looked in awe as the eagle blinked at Rapunzel.
"Could you repeat the riddle please?"
"Of course," said the knocker, and Elsa's eyes widened.
"One by one we fall from heaven,
Down into the depths of the past,
And our world is ever upturned,
So that yet some time we'll last.
Who are we?"
"Huh," said Rapunzel, "I actually have no idea."
"Come on, Rapunzel, think, I'm tired," said the Prefect, and Elsa turned to him.
"We have to answer the riddle to get in?"
"Yes," said the Prefect, "And if you don't know, you have to wait for the next person to come. That way you learn, see? Except I'd like to learn tomorrow."
"No, seriously, I have no idea," said Rapunzel. "Elsa?"
Elsa looked at the knocker and thought hard.
"Could you repeat the riddle please?" she asked, and the eagle's beak opened again.
"One by one we fall from heaven,
Down into the depths of the past,
And our world is ever upturned,
So that yet some time we'll last.
Who are we?"
She mauled the words over in her head.
"One by one, we fall from heaven…" she muttered to herself. Rapunzel looked at her curiously. Suddenly, Elsa clapped her hands together.
"The sand in an hourglass!" she cried triumphantly.
"Correct," said the knocker, "You may pass."
The door swung open, and with a sign of relief, the students filed in the common room.
"I'm officially impressed," laughed Rapunzel as they entered too, and Elsa stopped in her tracks. The Ravenclaw common room was round, and she was enchanted to see that the wall was made out of towering bookcases, that reached the ceiling. Blue carpets and armchairs surrounded them, and tall windows offered a view of the castle grounds; a roaring fire warmed her bones in the fireplace, and the tall statue of a woman towered over them.
"Do you like it?" Rapunzel asked, and Elsa turned towards her, smiling from ear to ear.
"Like it?! I love it! This is great!"
Rapunzel laughed, before pulling her towards a white staircase.
"Come on, our rooms are this way."
A few minutes later, Elsa gladly changed into a white, flowing nightgown, and slid under her covers. She wished Rapunzel a good night, and drew the blue curtains of her four-poster; she'd thought that there was no way she would find sleep, but her nerves, though still there, had greatly subsided, and Rapunzel was a great deal responsible for that. She smiled in her pillow as she sunk into sleep.
Maybe, after all this time, things were finally taking a turn for the better.