Disclaimer: I only borrow these characters, they do not belong to me.

It was quiet in the town of Burgess as the hot morning sun rose steadily in the July sky. Adults sat on their front porches sipping tea and watching their children laugh and play. Everything was perfectly normal and happy.

The only unsettling aspect of that fine morning was the the arrival of a stranger, who seemingly appeared out of nowhere. He had no horse, no carriage, no suitcase, and no apparent reason for being in Burgess, which was hardly a tourist attraction. Strangers were unwelcome in the close knit community that had been there for generations both in times of peace and war.

This particular stranger looked odd as well, with his massive size and long red cloak fringed in black fur. When he was spotted moving in the direction of a red brick house on Alder Road, intense whispers erupted among the neighbors. They all hoped there wouldn't be any trouble: the poor woman in number 16 didn't deserve any more trouble. Her husband had passed away a few years prior, leaving her to raise two young children by herself.

Still, the neighbors whispered.

He knocked on the door and a tiny, dark haired girl opened it in the middle of a laugh that died when she saw the enormous stranger.

"Hello, miss," said the man gruffly. "Are your parents home?"

The little girl trembled and nodded slowly. "My mummy is."

"Could you get her for me?"

She vanished into the house and reappeared moments later with her mother, a kindly looking woman wearing a stained apron and a worried expression.

The stranger bowed slightly. "Do I have the pleasure of speaking with Mrs. Frost?"

"Yes." said Mrs. Frost, wary but not impolite.

"My name is Professor North, and I am the Headmaster of a very unique school that has taken an interest in your son."

Mrs. Frost blinked in confusion. "In Jack? But I haven't applied him for any school."

"Actually, he's been on our list since birth," said Professor North. "Maybe it'd be better if I came in?"

She was hesitant, but reluctantly let him inside. It was a cozy little house that smelled like cookies and hot tea, with muddy footprints on the floor and a broken vase on the counter. Mrs. Frost sighed, but she ignored the mess and focused instead on her guest.

"How has my son been on a list since birth?" she asked when they were settled. "And what kind of school is this anyway?"

Professor North's eyes twinkled. "It's a school of magic."

There was a moment of silence in the cabin. Then, "Excuse me?"

"I am the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." said the man grandly. "And your son is a wizard, which means he'll be right at home. So if I could just see him-"

"Absolutely not," said Mrs. Frost firmly. Her voice was cold and only her trembling lip gave away her emotion. "This is completely ridiculous. How dare you come in here and claim my son has 'magic powers'?"

"I think we both know that I'm speaking the truth," said the professor softly. "Even though it may hurt, you should look at the facts."

"What facts? This is preposterous!"

Professor North turned his head slightly. "Shouldn't you at least let your son into our discussion? It does concern his future, after all."

"You must be crazy."

The man looked at the window to his right and at the thick navy curtains that rustled ever so slightly. "But he's already listening."

Mrs. Frost followed his gaze and pulled back the fabric, revealing a young boy with dark hair and ice blue eyes. "Jackson Overland Frost! Were you eavesdropping?!"

Jack's face was glowing. "Am I really a wizard?" He went directly to the professor, who smiled kindly at him.

"Have you ever done something that couldn't be explained? When you were angry or excited or scared?"

Jack glanced sideways at the pieces of glass still on the table from the shattered vase and reddened slightly. His mother looked surprised and then upset. "I thought you said that wasn't happening anymore."

"I tried," said Jack sheepishly. "But it was an accident! I swear!"

Professor North ruffled his hair gently. "At Hogwarts, we'll teach you how to control magic, so you don't hurt yourself or others." He looked closely at the boy's face and smiled sadly. "You have your father's eyes."

"My father was a wizard?!"

"Yes, and a very good one at that." said Professor North, looking at Mrs. Frost when he spoke. Her face was a portrait of grief.

Jack didn't appear to notice the exchange. "Are you a wizard too?"

"Of course!" laughed the old man, taking a thin, honey colored stick from his pocket. He waved it a few times and the vase repaired itself instantly. Another flick and the dead irises became full and purple again. Mrs. Frost gasped and dropped her spoon to the ground with a sharp clang.

"I'm telling the truth, you know." said the Headmaster with a wink, and he pulled out a letter from another pocket. "This is for you, my dear boy."

Jack quickly ripped it open and pulled out the yellowish parchment inside and read:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Nicholas North

Dear Mr. Frost,

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 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Sincerely,

Edna Mode

Deputy Headmistress

He set down the paper with a thousand questions exploding in his head and excitement coursing through his veins. "How do I send an owl? I want to go!"

His mother looked at him sadly. "I knew that you would," she whispered. It seemed that the letter had turned her anger into understanding. "But I'll miss you."

"I won't...I won't be living here?"

"Hogwarts is far away," said Professor North. "You can see your family over Christmas and Easter. I know that doesn't seem like much, but it'll be worth it."

Jack hugged his mother and then his sister, who had been standing at the door, unable to speak. "Rosie..."

"This isn't another trick, is it?" asked the little girl, with big hopeful eyes. "I don't want you to go."

He laughed. "I'll miss you too. But I'm not going yet!"

Professor North tapped him on the shoulder. "While I'm here, we're going to need to get your supplies. Can I borrow him for the rest of the day?"

"Will he be home for supper?" asked Mrs. Frost, after a moment of thought.

"Yes, ma'am." Professor North bowed his head again and turned to his newest student. "Ready to go to London?"

"London?"

"There's a special street in London where you can buy magic supplies," said the man with a grin. "It's called Diagon Alley."

OoO

A young girl sat alone in her bedroom, counting the minutes as they passed. She had spent the last few hours painting and drawing and doodling, and was now waiting for the sun to set from her bed. Life was a blur of sleeping, eating, and in between. The familiar sound of her mother's footsteps didn't even shake her from her lethargic state. Life outside seemed so wonderful and warm and bright; she could hardly stand being cooped up any longer.

"Rapunzel, darling, let down your hair. It looks awful tied in a bun like that." Rapunzel's mother entered grandly, eyes gleaming sharply and cranberry cloak slithering on the freshly polished floor.

Rapunzel flushed and started to take down her intricate braids, but her mother waved her hand. "I'm just teasing, my dear. You know I love you."

"Of course, mother." said Rapunzel, climbing down from the bed to embrace her. The hug was a little too long and a little too forced, but the newly-turned eleven year old was happy not to be alone. "How was your day?"

"Same as always." But something was not the same. Madam Gothel was nervous and jumpy in a manner that absolutely didn't suit her.

Rapunzel looked at her mother with wide, green eyes. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes..." said Madam Gothel absently, before her face hardened. "Actually, there is something on my mind." the older woman pursed her lips and clasped her hand around a piece of thick parchment in her pocket. "Although I suppose it does concern you. Try not to worry too much, my darling. Mummy will handle this." Madam Gothel gave the envelope to her daughter.

Ms. R. Corona, Room-at-the-Top, Tower-in-the-Field, was written in royal blue and there was a purple wax seal bearing a coat of arms; a badger, a snake, a lion, and an eagle around the letter H. Butterflies flew around in Rapunzel's stomach. Could this really be it?

She opened it, fingers trembling and breath shaking. "Hogwarts... it's like a dream!"

"More like a nightmare," scoffed Madam Gothel. "I spent the worst seven years of my life there in that nasty castle and nasty dungeon." She sniffed. "You simply cannot go; it's far too dangerous."

"But mother-"

Madam Gothel's eyebrows shot up. "You want to run off and leave your poor mother alone? After all I've done for you?"

"You wouldn't have to be alone," said Rapunzel shyly. "You could always move down to the village-"

"Oh goodness gracious, there are far too many people in that dirty village. And too many mudbloods as well, just like you'll find in that sorry excuse for a school." Madam Gothel clapped her hands. "That settles it, then. You're not going."

"Mother, please." Rapunzel begged. "I want to go to Hogwarts! More than anything!"

That stopped Madam Gothel in her tracks. "More than anything?" she said slowly.

"I want to meet new people and learn magic-"

"I could teach you magic! I've taught you some already, and you won't learn anything like that there."

Rapunzel's lip trembled. The chance for freedom and adventure was so close she could almost taste it. "Don't you think I'm ready?"

Immediately, Madam Gothel was at her side. "Of course, darling, but I just want you to be safe and happy. If you think Hogwarts of all places would make you happy..."

"It would! It really would!" Rapunzel jumped into the air, her face filled with delight. "When will we go shopping? Today? Oh mother, let's go today!"

Madam Gothel had a dark look in her eye. "No, Rapunzel. Not today. I must prepare a few things first. In a week, I'll take you to Diagon Alley." she sounded bitter, but forced a smile on her face for her beaming daughter. "I've got to go out again my dear. Fix up dinner, alright?"

"I'd love to!" Nothing could bring her down at that point. Rapunzel Corona was going to Hogwarts!

OoO

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III wondered vaguely if the owls would be able to get through the heavy rains that permeated the air around Berk. They had for as long as he could remember, but this storm seemed particularly nasty. He didn't know why he was so excited for a piece of paper containing a message he already knew. He didn't know why he was so excited to get away, when five of his neighbors would be coming along as well.

There was a loud bellow from outside, "DRAGONS!", and then a rush to fetch wands. The people of his village were known for their incredible, destructive spellwork, which was useful when dragons attacked frequently. Very frequently.

Hiccup ran outside to watch, and see if he could help somehow, which he knew in the back of his mind was ridiculous, but it didn't matter. Hogwarts was where he would learn the spells needed to kill a dragon. You weren't worth anything in Berk if you couldn't kill a dragon.

Apparently, the attack wasn't too difficult to handle, because the dragons were gone within a few minutes.

"That's how we handle it, right boys and girls?" boomed Hiccup's father to the crowd of cheering wizards, all riled up and ready to fight again.

Stoick Haddock was massively built, with enormous muscles and a curly auburn beard. He was impatient, stubborn, tough, and an absolute demon with a wand. And when wands didn't work, he was more than willing to pick up an axe and get down to business.

The sound of fluttering wings made everyone stop again and look at the cloudy sky. Stoick squinted before his lips curved into a smile. "The owls have arrived!"

A great cheer erupted and the six children who would be starting Hogwarts that year stepped forward eagerly. Six owls flew down and found their respective owners, letters in beak. Hiccup cut his open neatly and read the words he already knew by heart.

"Let's celebrate the next set of dragon wizards!" roared Stoick, clapping his skinny son on the back. "Drinks are on me!"

The village yelled in pleasure and surged forward. Hiccup noticed a certain girl still reading her letter in the back and he slowed his speed. "Hey Astrid, are you excited?"

"Of course I'm excited," she snapped. "I just want to make sure I get into Gryffindor, that's all."

Hiccup's stomach lurched. He'd forgotten about the sorting!

"Do you...Do you know how they sort us?"

She looked at him like he was an idiot. "That's part of tradition. We're not supposed to know. Anyway, it can't be too dangerous. Muggle-borns go too, you know."

"I'm not nervous at all!" Hiccup attempted to laugh, but Astrid didn't smile.

"Going to Hogwarts is a big step." she said seriously. "We'll learn how to fight dragons and defend our village."

They walked in an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes, until Hiccup burst out, "What else do they teach there?"

"What?"

"Are there other classes?"

Astrid raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, but they don't really matter, do they? All that matters is Professor Gobber's class."

Professor Gobber was practically legend in their village. He was so good at defensive magic that he stayed on as a teacher for the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, or as it was known in Berk, Dragon Fighting 101.

"That makes perfect sense. Only pay attention in one class. Great idea."

Suddenly Astrid was in his face. "Do you think this is some kind of joke? We all know you have the most to learn, Hiccup. Stop messing around." Then they reached the big room and parted ways in the nearly drunken crowd.

Hiccup could still smell the strawberries from her hair, and was lost in imagination for a moment before coming to his senses. Astrid Hofferson was the prettiest, strongest girl in the village and wouldn't look twice at a shrimp like him, even if he was the son of the village leader.

"There you are, son!" bellowed Stoick, after letting out an impressive burp. "Come on, take a swig!"

"I'm fine."

"More for me, then!" Clearly, Stoick was pleased that his son would be under someone else's tutelage for a while. "You'll love Hogwarts. Everyone loves Hogwarts!"

Hiccup grinned and tried to enjoy the enormous piece of meat in front of him, but his stomach was still twisting.

Did he have what it took to be a dragon wizard?

OoO

As each day in July passed, Merida Dunbroch became more and more impatient. When was her letter going to arrive? The idea that she would finally be getting away from her mum's stiff rules and pureblood expectations pushed her to keep on waiting and ignore pleas from other schools. Lady Elinor Dunbroch chastised her daughter over this very matter during a tense dinner.

"Beauxbaton is a lovely school; I don't understand why you refuse to consider it!"

Merida rolled her eyes. "I'm not even French!"

"Don't talk with your mouth full," said Lady Elinor, setting down her fork gracefully. "And don't roll your eyes, either. Perhaps you should consider the Well-Mannered Witch Institute."

"I don't want to go to an all-girl's prep school! And they don't even have an archery team!"

Her father, Lord Fergus Dunbroch, grinned. "She's right. Hogwarts has the best archery team in the world, Elinor."

"You can't pick a school because of athletics."

Merida sighed loudly. "You went to Hogwarts, didn't you? And dad! Now it's my turn!"

"Elinor, let her be." said Fergus when his wife opened her mouth to argue. "Hogwarts is a fine school!" He looked at his daughter with a twinkle in his eye. "And speaking of Hogwarts, a certain letter was delivered today."

Merida gasped and leapt out of her chair. "It came?!" She ran over to her father and ripped open the thick letter without hesitation.

"Dear Miss Dunbroch..." She stopped and beamed. "I can't believe it!"

"I suppose you'll want to go shopping, then." Lady Elinor's exasperated look melted into a fond smile. "That'll be fun, won't it? Getting a wand and everything. I was planning to go sometime next week anyway."

Merida's smile was so wide, her face almost cracked in two. "A real wand...I'm going to get a wand!" And she charged out of the dining room enthusiastically, curls bouncing all over the place.

"I'm going to Hogwarts!"

OoO

Hello there. I've put together this story after seeing loads of fan-art and enjoying it immensely. To those who are interested in my Naruto fan fiction, I'm sorry, but this takes first priority now.

A few items that may interest you, my darling reader. 1) Updates will be weekly for Year One at least, no exception unless emergency. 2) This takes place in the 1880s-90s, but there are a few instances of non-canon timeline and some language that is not period. My apologies. 3) I have not, as of yet, decided on pairings. Everything is fair game :)

Please review and tell me what you think!

owlgirl16