Chapter 6
The gatecrasher
Everybody turned to see what had crashed through the ballroom windows. What everybody saw was a thick gray cloud of smoke. Suddenly, out of the smoke appeared a woman on a broom - Neila the witch.
"Well, good evening, Princess Lucinda" Neila sneered. "Did you think you could escape me that easily?".
Lucinda, Sofia, and Madeline pulled out their wands.
"Oh! How sweet!" Neila mocked as she looked at Sofia and Madeline. "The two muggles have wands!".
"Don't you recognize Sofia's wand?" Lucinda asked Neila. "It's my birth mother's wand - the woman you murdered, along with my birth father!".
The guests in the room gasped.
"And now, I'm going to finish the job!" Neila said to Lucinda.
Amber raced over, picked up a chair, and flung it at Neila. "You get away from my sisters!" Amber yelled. Neila was just able to avoid being hit by the chair. Neila then looked at Amber.
"You'll pay for that, you filthy muggle!" Neila screamed as she went for Amber.
"No!" Lucinda, Sofia, and Madeline screamed as they raced in front of Amber. At that same moment, Neila raised her wand and fired off a powerful magical blast. As the blast was about to hit Lucinda, Sofia, and Madeline, their amulets glowed brightly, producing a magical force field that protected them from the blast.
"What?!" Neila exclaimed, being taken off guard.
At that same time, Wormwood flew into the ballroom and dove straight for Neila's face. As Neila tried to shoo Wormwood away, Cedric raced in and fired his wand at Neila. The shot knocked Neila's wand out of her hand. Cedric then fired a second shot which knocked Neila off her broom.
Neila got herself off the floor. As a guard raced over with his sword drawn, Neila kicked his legs out from under him and grabbed his sword. Neila then started running toward Lucinda. As Neila raised the sword, Lucinda's amulet glowed. Suddenly, a teenage girl with a sword appeared between Lucinda and Neila. The teenage girl was Princess Merida.
"So, you like to play with steel?" Merida asked Neila. "Then lets have at it!".
Merida and Neila exchanged sword blows, but it soon became obvious that Merida was gaining the upper hand. With each blow, Neila was getting more and more exhausted. Neila then managed to break away, and run over to her wand and broom. Neila was exhausted from Merida's sword attack, and was looking to escape. As Neila mounted her broom, Lucinda grabbed a full bottle of champaign and threw it, hitting Neila in the back, causing Neila to fall to the floor.
"Where do you think your going?!" Lucinda screamed at Neila as Lucinda kicked Neila's wand and broom off to one side. Sofia, Madeline, and Cedric raced over and pointed their wands at Neila, while Merida came over and pointed her sword at Neila.
Lucinda picked up Neila's wand, and broke the wand in two. Lucinda then looked at Neila's broom, pointed her wand at the broom, and set the broom on fire. The broom burned into nothing within a few moments.
"Neila" Cedric started, "I'm placing you under arrest for the murder of Princess Lucinda's birth parents".
"Nice try, sorcerer!" Neila scoffed. "You'll need witnesses, other than the princess".
"You want witnesses?" Miranda said as she walked over. "Sofia and I were in the woods that morning, and witnessed what you did, Neila".
Cedric walked over to Neila, and slapped a bracelet on Neila's wrist. Neila glowed for a few moments.
"What did you do?!" Neila demanded.
"The bracelet has suspended your abilities" Cedric answered. "Guards, take her away!".
As the guards took Neila off to a cell, Lucinda turned to Merida. "Thank you Princess Merida, for coming to my aid".
"Anytime" Merida smiled. Merida then disappeared.
Amber walked over to Lucinda as she motioned Madeline and Sofia to come over as well. Amber then hugged Madeline, Sofia, and Lucinda.
"Are you three alright?" Amber asked.
"Yes" Lucinda, Sofia, and Madeline answered.
"I am so sorry for how I've treated the three of you" Amber sadly said. "I promise that from this point forward, I will try to be the best sister I can to you. I can only hope that you'll see fit to forgive me ... someday".
Lucinda looked at Amber. "I forgive you".
"I forgive you, Amber" Sofia added.
Madeline then looked at Amber. "I forgive you".
As Amber continued to hug Lucinda, Sofia, and Lucinda, an amulet with a green gem stone suddenly appeared around Amber's neck. Amber looked at the amulet as Lucinda, Sofia, and Madeline smiled.
"Well, now the four of us are sisters in every sense" Madeline smiled. "I for one look forward to seeing what gifts your amulet gives you".
King Roland then stepped forward. "I think because of what has just happened here, we should suspend the ball until a future date".
"If I may, sir?" Lucinda started. "If we do that, Neila wins. We can quickly clean up the ballroom, and go on with the ball. For Madeline, this ball has been a long time in coming".
"Let Madeline have this night" Sofia added.
Madeline then stepped forward as she put her arms around Sofia and Lucinda. "And let my sisters have their night".
"It's decided, then" Roland smiled. "After the ballroom is cleaned up, the ball will continue".
Everyone in the ballroom cheered.
The servants started to clean up the ballroom, as Sofia, Lucinda, and Madeline took their wands and started to magically repair plates and drinking glasses that had been broken. Cedric walked over to the broken ballroom windows, pointed his wand at them, and said "Fenestra Reparo". The windows then returned to the unbroken state they had been in before Neila crashed the ball.
As Sofia, Lucinda, and Madeline were finishing up, Wormwood flew over and perched on Madeline's shoulder.
"Sofia, Lucinda" Madeline started. "This is Wormwood, Mr. Cedric's raven".
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Wormwood" Sofia smiled.
"Nice to meet you, Wormwood" Lucinda smiled.
"The pleasure is mine, young princesses" Wormwood smiled back.
The ball continues
After the ballroom had been cleaned up, Roland approached Sofia, Lucinda, and Madeline.
"Are you ready, ladies?" Roland asked with a smile.
"We are" Sofia, Lucinda, and Madeline smiled back.
The small orchestra started to play a waltz as Roland, Sofia, Lucinda, and Madeline started to dance.
"The three of you dance wonderfully" Roland commented.
Sofia, Lucinda, and Madeline smiled.
"Your majesty ... I mean, Dad?" Sofia started. "I was wondering, why do they call you King Roland the Second?"
"My father, who was king, was also named Roland" he answered.
"I guess that would make me Sofia the First" Sofia smiled.
"And I guess, then, that would make me Lucinda the First" Lucinda smiled.
"And then, I guess that would make me Madeline the First" Madeline smiled.
"I guess it would" Roland smiled back at his daughters.
As the four danced, Miranda, Amber, and James looked on at the touching scene. At one point, the four approached Miranda, Amber, and James. Madeline then held out her hand to Miranda, Amber, and James.
"This is your night" Amber smiled at Madeline.
"Please?" Madeline smiled
"There's room for more" Sofia and Lucinda chimed in.
"Shall we?" Amber smiled at Miranda and James.
Amber, Miranda, and James then joined in the dance. The seven had a wonderful time dancing together. It was a wonderful night that would be remembered always.
The next day
At the castle, it was time for lunch. As everybody sat down, Amber made an announcement.
"I have a surprise for everybody" Amber smiled. "The Golden Wing Circus is in Dunwitty ... and I got us tickets for this afternoon's show".
"Thank you, Amber" Sofia, Lucinda, and Madeline smiled.
"Your very welcomed" Amber smiled back.
"Oh, that brings back memories!" James smiled. "It will be nice seeing the Golden Wing Circus again".
"Dad?" Lucinda asked. "Will you and Mom be able to go?"
"Your mother and I have an appointment this afternoon" Roland answered.
"You five go and have a good time" Miranda smiled.
That afternoon, Amber, James, Sofia, Lucinda, and Madeline arrived at the Golden Wing Circus. As the five walked up, Sofia, Lucinda, and Madeline saw Ruby and Jade standing in line.
"Ruby! Jade!" Sofia, Lucinda, and Madeline exclaimed in joy.
"Hey, you guys! Nice to see you!" Ruby smiled.
"Hi, guys!" Jade smiled.
Amber took Madeline aside.
"Who are those two girls?" Amber inquired.
"Their Ruby and Jade - friends of ours from the village" Madeline smiled.
Amber thought for a moment. "Madeline, I have an idea" Amber smiled. "Since Mom and Dad won't be attending the circus, we have two extra tickets. We could let Ruby and Jade have those tickets, and let them sit with us".
"Oh! Thank you, Amber" Madeline smiled. Madeline then went over to Sofia, Lucinda, Ruby, and Jade, and told them what Amber suggested.
"It would be an honor!" Jade smiled.
"A huge honor!" Ruby smiled.
Sofia, Lucinda, Madeline, Ruby, and Jade then followed Amber and James into the circus tent, then into the royal seating area. After they had got themselves seated, the circus performance began.
The seven had a fun time watching the circus perform various acts. As Amber watched the circus, she started thinking back to her childhood.
"You know" Amber thought to herself, "being a kid wasn't all that bad. If only it were possible to revisit that, even for a little while". Suddenly, Amber's amulet started glowing for a few seconds. Before she knew it, Amber transformed into a nine-year-old girl. In Amber's mind, her amulet gave her information about the transformation - that she could change from a teenager to a child, then back to a teenager, at will.
"Amber!" Madeline whispered in surprise. "What's going on?".
"My amulet has just given me a power" Amber whispered back. "I have the power to change from a teenager to a child and back again".
"Nice!" Madeline whispered. "Does this mean we could play together?"
"Let's take this a little bit at a time, Maddie" Amber whispered back.
James then made his way behind Amber and Madeline. He too was now a nine-year-old.
"James?" Amber whispered.
"My medallion is magical, too" James whispered. "I can transform back and forth at will". James then turned to Madeline. "Maddie - Amber and I have responsibilities as teenagers. But maybe, every so often, Amber and I could transform into kids when time permits. The three of us could have some play time together, along with Sofia and Lucinda".
"Maddie" Amber whispered. "I realize I hurt you when I said no when you asked to hang out with me in the past. For that, I am deeply sorry. For those times when I have some free time, and I'm able to transform into a kid, consider it to be a way for me to make it up to you".
"Thank you" Madeline whispered while smiling.
Amber and James hugged Madeline, as everybody in the royal seating area continued to enjoy the circus. After the circus performance had ended, Amber and James transformed back into teenagers.
As the afternoon wore on, Amber, James, Sofia, Lucinda, and Madeline went to a shop in Dunwitty. The shop sold supplies that Madeline would need when she became a Buttercup scout. After the trip to the shop, the five returned to the castle. Upon returning to the castle, the five found Roland and Miranda waiting for them.
"We have a surprise for Sofia, Lucinda, and Madeline" Miranda smiled.
"Please come to the ballroom" Roland invited.
Everyone went up to the ballroom where some packages were sitting on a table. Roland handed Sofia a small package, Lucinda a small package, and Madeline a small package.
"Go ahead" Roland smiled. "Open them".
Sofia, Lucinda, and Madeline opened their packages. As each girl unwrapped her package, each girl discovered her package contained a sterling silver wand.
"Thank you" Sofia, Lucinda, and Madeline beamed.
"There's more" Miranda smiled. She then handed Sofia a long package, Lucinda a long package, and Madeline a long package.
Sofia and Lucinda opened their packages, and discovered brand new brooms.
"Firebolts!" Sofia and Lucinda exclaimed in glee. "Thank you".
Madeline opened her package, and also discovered a brand new Firebolt broom.
"Thank you" Madeline smiled at Roland and Miranda.
"Sweet!" Sofia and Lucinda smiled as they saw Madeline's broom.
"Sofia and I will teach you how to ride and control your broom" Lucinda smiled at Madeline.
"And, you have a Firebolt" Sofia smiled at Madeline. "You'll be starting off in style".
Madeline smiled at Sofia and Lucinda.
As Sofia, Lucinda, and Madeline were admiring their gifts, Amber and James walked up to Roland and Miranda.
"I take it this is what the two of you were doing this afternoon?" Amber smiled at Roland and Miranda.
"Yes" Miranda smiled back.
"It was nice of the two of you to do that for them" James smiled at Roland and Miranda. "And look at them. Those three girls really love those gifts".
That Monday
After Amber, James, Sofia, Lucinda, and Madeline left for school, Roland and Miranda talked in Roland's study in the castle.
"I've made arrangements for Madeline to have a slumber party in the observatory" Roland smiled. "It will be this Friday night".
"Oh, Rollie!" Miranda smiled. "That's wonderful".
"We'll invite Sofia and Lucinda, of course" Roland started. "We'll also invite Ruby and Jade, as well as two of Madeline's friends from school - Vivian, and Jun".
At Royal Prep, morning classes had begun. In her first class of the day, Madeline saw Vivian.
"Good morning, Vivian!" Madeline smiled.
"Good morning, Madeline!" Vivian smiled back.
"I'd like to suggest something" Madeline said.
"What?" Vivian asked.
"I just became a Buttercup scout" Madeline started. "I was wondering if you would like to become a Buttercup scout, too?".
"I don't know" Vivian said, nervous.
"We'll have so much fun" Madeline smiled. "Sofia and Lucinda will be there as well. I think you'll like it".
"You know how I am" Vivian started. "I get so shy, and new situations don't help matters any".
"I know" Madeline gently said. "But I think you'll like it. As I said, Sofia and Lucinda will be there, and they are two girls you already know. There will be two other girls there as well - Ruby and Jade, and they are just as kind and understanding as Sofia and Lucinda are".
Vivian thought about it for a few moments. "Okay" Vivian declared. "I'll do it".
"Good" Madeline smiled as she pulled out a form from her purse. "You'll need to ask your Mother's permission, and fill out this form".
"I'll do those things as soon as I get home" Vivian smiled. "And thank you ... for thinking of me".
"Your welcome, Vivian" Madeline smiled. "That's what friends are for".
After school
School had ended for the day, and Amber, James, Sofia, Lucinda, and Madeline had just arrived back at the castle. After climbing off of their carriage, Sofia, Lucinda, and Madeline walked to Cedric's workshop, and knocked on the door. In a few moments, Cedric answered the door.
"Ah! Princesses" Cedric smiled. "Please, come in".
Sofia, Lucinda, and Madeline walked into Cedric's workshop.
"Welcome to your weekly magical class here at the workshop" Cedric started. "This weekly class is designed to expand upon the magical education you are receiving at Royal Prep. Please bring out your wands".
The three princesses pulled out their wands.
"I'll start off by teaching the three of you something you won't learn in Royal Prep" Cedric announced. "It is a very useful defensive technique called a Patronus Charm".
Author's note
Firebolt, Muggle, Patronus Charm, and Reparo are all terms from "Harry Potter".