The train whistle shrilled as the four students made their way to their usual compartment. Once they were settled in, Rapunzel pulled out Pascal, now a green chameleon, and set him on the windowsill.

"You're looking well," Merida said, looking over Hiccup.

"Yeah, we were a little scared that you'd become some dragon's meal," Jack said, though his smile suggested he had not been worried in the least.

"I'm okay. Still alive and well. A little humiliated, but that's nothing new," Hiccup sighed.

"What? But you were great," Rapunzel said.

"No, I wasn't," Hiccup said. "All I did was not die."

"That's something," Merida encouraged.

"Not on Berk. Around there, killing dragons is everything. You aren't anyone until you've killed a dragon."

"I could never kill a dragon. Facing that one last year was terrifying enough," Rapunzel said softly.

"Yeah, dragon killing doesn't exactly sound like my thing either. I mean, maybe I could freeze one, or something, but I don't think I could kill it. I can't even hunt," Jack said.

"Well, I would," Merida boasted, "but I doubt I could. When I shot my arrows at Mor'du they just stuck in his thick fur and he kept charging. I guess the same thing would happen with a dragon."

"Tell us the story again," Rapunzel begged.

Once more, Merida regaled them with the tale of how she turned her mum into a bear. Rapunzel hung on every word. When Merida got to the part when she chose archery as the contest, Jack interrupted.

"Now, see, that was your mistake," he said.

"What mistake?" Merida asked. "You think I should have picked tossin' cabers or something?"

"Nah. You should have done what that Greek chick did, the one who didn't want to marry. Declare early on that you would only marry a man who could best you in archery."

"How do you know anything about Atalanta?" Hiccup asked.

"Who's that?" Merida asked.

"A mythological princess from ancient Greece," Hiccup said. "She's a bit like you. Raised by a bear-"

"I wasn't raised by a bear!"

"Isn't your whole story that your mother was a bear?" Jack asked, shutting Merida up. Hiccup continued.

"Fought off a boar. Refused to marry anyone unless he could beat her in a foot race. Anyway, she's a legend now. I know about her because, as a Viking, I'm enemies with the Romans, so I've studied their culture a bit."

"I thought she was Greek?" Rapunzel questioned.

"All that stuff is a little mashed up. I guess if I were a Roman, I would know the difference, but as a Viking, it all goes into the 'stuff about possible enemies' pile. The question is, how does Jack know any of that?"

Jack smirked and shrugged, "I spend a lot of time hiding from people in the library. I know I don't seem the type, but every so often I do pick up a book. Especially if it looks interesting. When I was looking for Ice Elf stuff last year, I ran into her story."

"But how did you remember it? It seems so obscure," Rapunzel commented.

"I remember stuff," Jack defended. "I have a great memory. I don't pay attention all the time, but when I do, I remember it. Jack Frost never forgets anything!"

He had to stop his boast as the train rolled to a stop. Rapunzel tucked Pascal away and the four started out. Before they had gone ten feet Merida stopped dead in her tracks. Staring at her from a park bench were the lords' sons who had played for her hand: Young MacGuffin, Dingwall and Macintosh.

"What are you doing here?!" Merida demanded. Hiccup looked over the three teenagers. Not so different from the teens on Berk.

"Who are they?" he asked.

"Proof that my story is true," Merida said, "but they're muggles."

"It's jist our das wan' us ta ply for the hand o the quine, ken?" the boy who looked a bit like Fishlegs said.

"And I thought Merida couldn't speak English," Jack said. "What did he say?"

"I have no idea," the boy with black curls said, "but I can tell you why we're here. Our fathers agreed to let us win your heart, before your hand, right?"

"Aye," Merida nodded.

"But they wouldn't just leave it at that. We're all supposed to try and win your heart now."

"I don't want you!" Merida said, taking a step back.

"We aren't too thrilled with this either," the dim looking one said. "It was our fathers' idea."

"And so you're staying at the castle?" Rapunzel asked. "How romantic!"

"They can't stay at the castle. Hogwarts is for wizards and witches only! You're not staying at the castle," Merida commanded.

"No. We've booked a room at an inn in Hogsmeade. They weren't thrilled about letting muggles in, but I suppose your father pulled a few strings, as favors to our dads. Good to see the King of Scotland has some pull among these freaks."

The boy who looked like Fishlegs tried to say something else, but Hiccup was at a loss as to understanding him. No one on Berk spoke like that.

"Are your dads here?" Merida asked.

"No," the tall one answered. "Thank goodness, am I right?"

"Yeah, sure. I have to get to school." Merida walked away.

"It was a pleasure meeting you," Rapunzel said, shaking each of their hands. Jack waved and Hiccup nodded as the three students followed Merida.

She was walking briskly. The others had to jog to keep up with her. Hiccup noticed that the guards from last year were gone.

"Who were those guys?" Rapunzel asked as they climbed into a carriage pulled by the black threshals.

"My suitors."

"No wonder you didn't want to marry them," Jack laughed. "I mean, I know not everyone can look as good as me, but jeesh."

"I know, right?" Merida said. "Those guys were just pathetic, and not in a cute way like Hiccup."

"Hey!" Hiccup yelled.

"No offense," Jack and Merida said at the same time.

"So … who are they?" Rapunzel asked. "Their names?"

"Um, Dingwall, MacGuffin, and Macintosh," Merida recited.

"Those are their first names?" Hiccup asked.

"No. They were so focused on trying to marry me off, no one bothered to tell me their given names."

"It's times like this I'm glad I'm not a prince," Jack said reclining. "Though if I were a prince I would make all those muggles stop fearing magic."

"Your muggles fear magic, too?" Merida asked.

"Yeah. I thought when my sister got better it would fix everything. It did help a little, but not as much as I'd hoped. And it's not just my village. When I was flying to Diagon Alley, I saw a few kids playing outside, and they screamed when I flew overhead."

Hiccup leaned back, "Wow. There's none of that on Berk. I guess it's 'cause there are no muggles. If muggles ran from me, I'd think it was because I was a Viking, not because I was a wizard. You all know what kind of spells I can cast. Even the wimpiest of muggles wouldn't be afraid of me."

Hiccup sighed. Rapunzel leaned over and patted his hand, "Don't worry. Someday you'll find something you're great at. You'll be the best."

Merida and Jack agreed, though Hiccup still had reservations. Maybe they were right. He might be good at something. But if it wasn't killing dragons he would never be accepted on Berk.

The carriage pulled into Hogwarts and the students disembarked. Together they walked into the Great Hall and took their respective seats. Everyone at the Hufflepuff table was abuzz with talk of summer vacation. That was normal. What wasn't normal were the bags under several of the students eyes.

Hiccup picked a seat next to William. The boy was talking to Robert.

"...And that was when the muggles mobbed us," Robert said before he took a sip of pumpkin juice.

"Wait, you're having trouble with muggles, too?" Hiccup asked.

"Not so much. My town is about half muggle, half magic. We're still fine. It's Crispin who's having the problems. Since he lost his magic, he's been hanging out with the muggles in his town. But they turned on him. Started to boycott his dad's wares. And when I went to visit him this summer they attacked us. Not everyone, just a group of teenagers. Their parents called them off pretty fast, but as one of them went inside I overheard his mom say 'Cut it out or they'll curse us, better to not speak to them at all.'"

"Where does he live?" Hiccup asked quietly as the new students filed in for the sorting.

"Ireland," William whispered as the sorting hat was brought out. Hiccup didn't say anything but his brain was moving fast. Scotland, Ireland, even southern England where Jack lived. He wondered if it stretched down to Corona, too? Of course, there wouldn't be any fear of magic in the Archipelego, since it was all wizards. But Hiccup had to wonder how far spread this was. Did it cover all of Europe? All of the world?

Hiccup didn't notice any of the students being sorted. He was still trying to figure it out when Headmaster Ombric took the stage.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I hope you all had wonderful and safe summers. Before the year begins, I have a few announcements. I'm sure you all remember Professor Black's abrupt departure last year. If any of you wish to talk about the professor, my doors are always open, as are the other professors'."

Hiccup could have laughed. He tried to bring the case against Black several times last year. But the headmaster wouldn't even look at him then. Now, thanks to Mother Nature, Ombric was able to see the truth. Of course, it would have been nice if Ombric had listened back when they needed it. Poor Jack was mistreated all year.

Hiccup didn't deny he was partially responsible for Jack's suffering as well. He had been so focused on becoming chief, he didn't notice Jack at all. But after overhearing Stoick and Spitelout talking about him, Hiccup knew he had no chance of being chief. The best he could hope for would be killing a dragon and being a regular citizen. He might even get a girlfriend. All he needed was to take down a gronckle.

Ombric continued his opening speech, "We have a new professor this year, may I present Professor Nicholas Flamel, your new Potions master."

A new teacher stood up and gave a short bow. Hiccup clapped along with the rest of the school. Hopefully this Potions professor would prove better than the last. Not all Potions professors were bad, right?

Merida looked up as she clapped with everyone else. Maybe this new professor would go easy on her. She was just about to get back into a conversation with Todd when her eyes drifted to a witch with a hooked nose in green robes. She looked just like the witch Merida had met over the summer, the one who gave her that awful spell. What was that scaffy witch doing up there?

"Who is that?" Merida said, pointing to the old woman who had given her the spell.

"Professor Hallows?" Todd asked. "I think she teaches Muggle Studies."

"How long?" Merida demanded.

"I dunno. I never took the class. Why not try someone actually taking the class? Aren't some of your other friends taking Muggle Studies?"

Merida looked across the room. She clearly remembered that Jack was taking it. She thought it was moronic for a muggleborn to take Muggle Studies, but Jack had insisted. She thought Hiccup might be taking Muggle Studies, too, that at least made a little more sense, especially with his whole tribe being purebloods. She wondered which of the boys she would have class with next. She'd have to ask them about the witch. Oh, if she could just get her hands on that woman! Make her pay for the gammy spell!

Merida spent the remainder of the feast trying to pump her fellow Gryffindors for information about the witch, but she didn't learn much. Even those who were taking the class didn't know much about her.

When the feast ended, Merida had just about given up learning anything about the witch from Gryffindor students. As she climbed the stairs to Gryffindor Tower, she made up her mind to ask Jack and Hiccup when she had the chance.

The younger students were all eager to get up to their bedrooms, but Merida didn't feel tired yet. Just as she was getting settled on the sofa in the Common Room, Professor Bunnymund came over to her.

"Look, I already had it out with me mum," Merida said. "You don't need to hover over me this year."

"Oh. Good. I was just coming to tell you that I can't be givin' you special attention, anyway," the professor said.

"Did mum write to you?" Merida asked. Queen Elinor was planning to reduce Merida's lessons, but Merida didn't think her mother had gotten around to telling him yet.

"No, though she hasn't been buggin' me about it the way she did last year. Don't tell 'er I said this, but she could be quite the nag."

Merida smiled. At least she hadn't been the only one Mum was picking on. Out loud she said, "Well, we've worked things out this summer, so I doubt she'll trouble you more. But if you dinea get a letter from her, what's making you back off?"

The professor checked the room to make sure no one was eavesdropping. He leaned in close and whispered.

"I suppos' I can tell ya, seein' as you was one 'o the students who helped ta out 'im. I can't be payin' ya extra attention 'cause I've got to be on the lookout for Pitch."

"Then ... are you ... one of the Guardians?"

"E. Aster Bunnymund, better known as the Easter Bunny, at your service." The man gave a slight bow.

"I always thought the Easter bunny was … I don't know, an actually bunny," Merida said.

"Not a bunny, a pooka. And I'm a Magianima."

"A what?"

"It's the inverse of an animagus. Animagi are wizards who can turn themselves into animals. I'm an animal that can turn myself into a wizard. But enough about this. Ya done the school a service by outin' Pitch, so I figure ya deserve a bit 'o explanation, but really, this ain't fer students ta know."

The professor was about to leave to check on his other students when Merida thought of something.

"Hey, you know a lot about transfiguration, right?" the princess asked. Bunnymund nodded. Merida continued, "Well, I was wondering, does Eve Hallows, the Muggle Studies professor, know much about it?"

"Don't tell me you've been talkin' to her? The only thing that woman can transfigure is a bear! Batty as a loon, I say. Don't know why Ombric hired her. If you have questions about transfiguration, you'll do well to come to me, not some half baked Muggle Studies professor."

Bunnymund left, giving Merida a lot to chew on. So he was one of the Guardians. Hiccup would be interested in that. He'd been the most obsessed with Guardians since they found out about them last year. And the whole Magianima thing? She didn't know how it was possible, animals didn't even have wands. And what was a pooka?

But the one thing she was sure of was that Eve Hallows was the witch who turned her mum into a bear.

Rapunzel laughed with her friends in Ravenclaw tower. Just like last year, Mother Gothel had said she could stay wherever she wanted. Rapunzel had chosen to be with her friends in the tower.

She was laughing about something her roommate, Ella, said when Professor Toothiana came over.

"Alright girls, I know you're glad to be back, but it's time for bed. You have a busy day ahead of you tomorrow. First day of school. Now let's go brush our teeth, and get a good night's sleep so you'll all be fresh and perky in the morning."

Ella and the other girls jumped up and ran off. Rapunzel paused, "Professor … you don't think there's anything to be afraid of here?"

"Of course not, sweetie," Toothiana said gently. "Well, of course, there are the normal Hogwarts dangers, like the dark forest, and the squid who lives in the lake, but nothing that should trouble you here. All the professors are dedicated to keeping you safe."

"Okay," Rapunzel started to walk off. Toothiana gently touched her shoulder.

"Is something bothering you?"

"No. Yes. I don't know, it's complicated. Mother was a bit freaked out when we found out about Professor Black last year. She says the school isn't safe anymore."

"I admit, Professor Black had us all fooled. He shouldn't have gotten that far. But don't let it trouble you. Everyone is extra alert now."

"But...Sandman left."

"Sandy might be the only person who can change Fearlings back, but he's not the school's only defense. I've gone toe to toe with Kozmotis Pitchiner before, and there's all the other guardians."

"Wait, you fought Professor Black? When?"

"Oh...a long time ago. Maybe someday I'll tell you the story. But for now, you really do need to get to bed. I have a lot of ...patrolling... to do at night, and I can't do it when my students are awake. Go brush your teeth, and I will personally guarantee that Pitch Black won't bother you."

Rapunzel nodded and did as the professor asked. She then settled into bed, reassured that no nightmares would trouble her.

Jack Frost glared across the room at Derek. They were both in the Head of House office, now occupied by Emily Jane Pichiner, who had decided to go by her old name again.

"Well?" she questioned, raising an eyebrow. Jack squirmed under her fierce gaze.

"Derek started it!" Jack said angrily. "He said my sister should have died."

"Jack threw a snowball at me!" Derek said. "And I was right, muggles like that have no business living!"

Ice started to spread out from under Jack's feet, crackling with his temper. Derek smirked and Jack jumped out of his chair to lunge at the boy. Derek pulled out his wand, but before either boy made contact, Mother Nature slammed her hands down on the desk and vines grew up around them, pinning both boys back in their seats.

"You are both behaving irresponsibly. Derek, you have no business saying such things about muggles, especially to their relatives. And Jack? You are not to use ice to get back at people. Nor are you allowed to attack them. Am I clear?"

Both boys mumbled yes, but the vines grew tighter.

"Yes, ma'am," they said louder. The vines relaxed, then disappeared completely.

"You were both responsible for this fight, and so, you shall both be punished for it. Together." Emily Jane said.

Jack started to protest, "But I don't want to be raking leaves with him."

"Well, that's fortunate, because you won't be raking. You have proven that you enjoy outdoor work. Punishment should not be something you enjoy. You and Derek will assist me in cleaning up the mess my father left behind. Going through his office, organizing papers, and other such tasks. But, you will have each other's company, and if you can learn to get along, then, hopefully, I will never see you in detention again. You will serve your detention on the third Saturday of every month, until I am convinced that you can cooperate. You may go, Derek."

The blond boy left. Jack stayed with Professor Pitchiner. She was frowning.

"You have dirt in your hair," she said bluntly. Jack reached up and brushed it out. He washed his hair before boarding the train, but apparently a summer of keeping it dirty did not do wonders for it's cleanliness.

"You don't have to rub dirt in it, you know," she said gently.

"How did you know?" Jack asked.

"Please, I can watch wherever I want. I feared my father might attempt to take revenge on you, so I checked up every now and then. I saw what you were doing. You want your hair to be brown, the way it was before, right?"

Jack nodded. Emily Jane waved her arm and a flower grew right up out of the stone floor. She plucked it.

"Take the leaves off this flower, and use them to make the potion on page 467 of this year's Potions text book. Rub the potion into your hair, and it will turn brown again. But if your hair gets wet, the potion will wash away."

She pulled out the seeds before handing the flower to Jack.

"Thank you," Jack said as he looked at the blossom. Emily Jane waved her hand and the seeds flew into the air.

"I've just planted a bush next to your house. By the time you go home for winter break, there will be a flourishing bush."

She waved her hand and the boy left. The Common room was empty; all the other students had already retired. Jack went to his dorm. The other students were all asleep, all except Derek.

"This isn't over," Derek whispered. "She can't be watching us all the time." Derek climbed into bed. Jack smirked. Derek didn't know she was Mother Nature. Jack wasn't sure if she could be watching at all times, but he did know that she could be watching over great distances. Jack didn't need to plot revenge with Mother Nature watching. Derek would do himself in.

He climbed into bed wondering if Professor Pitchiner's detention would would be as bad as her father's.

A/N: Okay, classes are starting. Polls for the House Cup winner will now be opened. Visit my profile if you want to give house points.