"Your dad?!" Jack exclaimed. Several of the professors had set off in search of Black, but a few, including Serephina a.k.a. Emily Jane and Katherine, stayed with the four students and Gothel.

"Yes," Emily Jane said. "Much as I loathe to admit it. I would much have preferred to stay out of this, of course, but I felt it was time to speak."

"I suppose you couldn't be bothered when the first Fearling showed up," Katherine huffed.

"It is not my place to intervene. I am no Guardian. And are you not surprised by my appearance?"

"Please. A fake name couldn't hide you. Both Nightlight and Tooth can tell when you're watching them. You really didn't think we'd notice?"

"But...you didn't say anything. Not even during the Fearling incident."

"We're not like your dad. We're the good guys. We know you were estranged before he learned how to make Fearlings. But we didn't think you would keep the fact that he was hiding right under our noses a secret."

"I do not intervene in the affairs of my father or the Guardians."

"And you couldn't tell Sandman, I suppose? After all, you were such great friends before," said Katherine as she rolled her eyes.

"There was no reason to tell him. All the children were found safely. How would you feel if it were your precious Ombric? Would you be so quick to betray?"

"I wouldn't have to. Ombric would never do something so horrible."

"But if he did? If he did, how could you choose? You couldn't. I couldn't. So I stayed out of it. If Sandman could catch my father, so be it. If my father could evade him, that is fine as well. I will not get involved. Sanderson respected my wishes to be uninvolved."

"Why now?" Hiccup asked. "Was it something I said?"

"No. It was Jack," she announced. "I grew rather fond of the boy, due to his ice powers. I was watching as you convinced my father to undo his expulsion. And I followed you."

"You followed us?" Merida asked. The professor nodded.

"I saw what happened when Jack met his father. Since my own paternal relationship is a bit rocky, I suppose I was pulling for you."

"Wait!" Jack said. "You were watching us? Then you saw us get caught in that tempest?"

"Yes. I'm afraid that was my fault. I saw what you were trying to do. I decided to help. Apparently our powers are not so compatible. While I could have blown you to England, or you could have done it, apparently by trying together we created that."

"How can you create wind? Are you an ice elf, too?" Rapunzel asked.

"I don't suppose they know who we truly are," Katherine said. "Are you going to tell them?"

"I am Mother Nature," Emily Jane confessed.

"I am Mother Goose," Katherine announced, "and I am one of the Guardians."

"The Guardians?" Merida said. "So, what are the Guardians and why is Pitch Black against them?"

"We're the Guardians of Childhood. We are supposed to be protecting the innocence of childhood. You know, their wonder, hope, memories, and dreams. That sort of thing. We formed specifically to combat Kozmotis Pitchiner when he started turning children into Fearlings the first time. We thought we had defeated him for good. Apparently we were wrong."

"But why would anyone want to turn children into Fearlings?" Merida asked.

"My father is a complicated man. Ever since the Fearlings consumed him…I cannot explain him. This has been a trying day for me. I would like to go."

The professor's hair swirled and she disappeared.

"I'll never understand her," Katherine said, shaking her head. "Now, you kids have had a very long day, and it doesn't sound like you've slept in a day or two. Your questions can wait. I suggest you go to bed."

"What about Professor Black?" Jack asked.

"Don't mention what has happened. We will make a formal announcement tomorrow, but it would disrupt the school now. I'm sure Slytherin House can manage without a head of house for one night."

"Oh, I don't think you know us very well," Jack said to himself. Nevertheless, he headed to bed. As he walked down to the dungeon, there was no movement. At all. All the other students were asleep. Some in beds, some in chairs, some on the floor. It looked like a scene out of Sleeping Beauty. Jack suspected that the Sandman had put the whole castle to sleep, probably to ensure that no one got in the way during their search. As soon as Jack's head hit the pillow, he joined them in dreamland, with a blissful dream full of snowball fights and dolphins.

Hiccup flipped through his books. Pitch had escaped a month ago. The school year was almost over. Final exams were completed. Now that Pitch Black's plan had been revealed, there was nothing left for him to research.

Sure, he had given the whole 'Guardians' thing another search in the library, but there really wasn't much about them in the books. All he really knew about them was that several of the professors belonged to that organization. Once or twice, during Care of Magical Creatures, he had tried to ask Professor Katherine about it, but she just brushed him off. Apparently getting Pitch busted didn't entitle him to confidential information.

Sandman had gone to search for Pitch Black outside Hogwarts. Maximus had made it back safely. The Guards were staying until the end of the term, but they wouldn't be back next year. The King and Queen of Corona had apparently decided they were no longer necessary at the school.

Hiccup set his books down. It was time to pack up anyway. As he put each book back in his trunk, he thought of the classes he'd taken.

Potions lessons hadn't been canceled for the remainder of the year, but they were a bit of a joke. The substitute professor alternated by whichever professor had that hour off. Usually it was Wilhelm Grimm, the flying instructor, as he only taught first years and thus had a lot of spare time. Clearly, he had only barely passed Potions when he was in school. Most classes consisted of simply reading out of the book. Not that anyone minded. Even the students who were good at Potions, like Hiccup, seemed glad Pitch was gone.

Herbology had been weird since Pitch left, too. Emily Jane was more prone to snapping at students who got wrong answers, and especially anyone who asked questions. Hiccup liked Herbology, but he was kind of glad that it was almost over. Now that he knew she was Mother Nature, he was more than happy to steer clear of her.

Care of Magical Creatures hadn't changed too much. If Professor Katherine was bothered by the fact that Pitch was on the loose, she didn't let it show. Hiccup was kind of sad that they hadn't talked about dragons more in that class but, other than that, he enjoyed it. And maybe, for the non-Viking students, dragons really weren't a third year subject. He wondered when they would get to them.

Hiccup packed up his Defense Against the Dark Arts book, his Astronomy books, Arithmancy and History books. He'd been okay in all of them. Not a natural, by any means, but solid enough that he didn't fear flunking.

Transfiguration was a different story, he could still barely do the matchstick to needle spell. Maybe if he had been able to do that he could have transfigured something into a weapon to fend off that dragon. He really liked Rapunzel, but having her defeat the dragon when he couldn't...he was glad that nobody on Berk had seen that. If he wanted to kill a dragon, he would have to start carrying some kind of weapon. If only there were one he could lift.

Hiccup packed his charms supplies next. It was too bad his levitation spell wasn't stronger. If it was, maybe he could levitate the heavier weapons. But no. He could barely lift his books with the stupid spell, let alone anything he made in the forge.

What he needed was something that could lift things for him. As Hiccup picked up his Ancient Runes book, a sketch fell out. It was of his lifting weapon. Maybe that was what he needed. No more classes. No more trying to figure out who made the Fearlings, or what Professor Black was up to. No more trying to be chief. Hiccup pulled out the sketch and tucked it in his pocket. That was what he would work on next. All it needed was a good name. A name like The Mangler!

Rapunzel looked around her room. It was almost all packed up. She was kinda sad to leave Hogwarts. It would be harder to keep Pascal hidden in her tower but she had no doubt she could do it.

Gothel very rarely spent time there. As long as Pascal used his chameleon ability to hide, Mother would never need to know.

Rapunzel bent down and noticed Pascal was sitting in her shoes. She felt bad for Jack. She hadn't realized that he was so poor. She knew Gothel would try to say that Jack was only using her for her money and influence, but Rapunzel didn't believe it for a second.

Jack had been going to and from classes barefoot for the past few weeks. Rapunzel had offered him a few pence to go down and buy some shoes in Hogsmeade, but Jack wouldn't take them. He was too proud.

Still she wanted to help. Rapunzel scooped Pascal out of her shoes, putting him on her shoulder, then grabbed the shoes and ran off.

Jack was sitting outside breaking the burned branches off the end of his broom. Combine those with the ones that had already broken off and his broom was rapidly becoming a staff.

He looked up in time to see the girl approaching. Rapunzel held out her shoes.

"Jack, I know you said your sister needed new shoes. I've decided to get rid of these. I thought you'd make sure they got good use."

"No thanks, Rapunzel," Jack said without stopping. "I've arranged it with Professor Pitchiner. She's taking over as Head of Slytherin house, so she'll have less time to be groundskeeper. Since I did such a good job before, and especially since I have weather powers, too, and can stay out in the cold longer, she's offered me the job. If I keep up the grounds here, she's going to pay me. I should be able to afford new shoes for Emma. Nice shoes."

"And your own shoes?"

"Don't need them," Jack said. "Turns out being barefoot is way more comfortable than wearing shoes that don't fit. And anyway, no one can steal my feet and throw them into the fire."

"Then take my shoes," Rapunzel offered again. "As long as you don't wear shoes, then I won't either. I won't let you be alone in this."

"Punzie-"

"No arguments, Jack. If I have to write to my parents and make it a law that no princess is allowed to wear shoes, I will!"

"Thanks." Jack dropped his staff and hugged the girl.

"You know, as long as I'm not going to wear these shoes, you may as well let your sister have them. I know they'll be a bit big at first, but I'm sure she'll grow into them."

Jack nodded and took the shoes. Rapunzel wondered if she should leave, but Jack still looked pensive.

"Is something else wrong?" she asked.

"It's just...I'm worried about Flynn. He seemed like he was in real trouble with those guards, and what if Pitch goes after him?"

"You know...now that Pitch has been exposed, I'll bet Flynn could come back, if he wanted to."

"He probably doesn't even know what we've done." Jack sighed. Rapunzel looked up. Grazing nearby was the horse.

"I bet we could ask Maximus to find him," Rapunzel suggested. The teenagers went over to the horse. Rapunzel spoke to him.

"You're a very good boy, aren't you Maximus, and you'd do anything to help me, wouldn't you?" The horse nodded.

"Well, we need you to find someone for us."

Jack felt a lot better now that Maximus was on the case. And having shoes for Emma...that was a godsend. Rapunzel had healed Emma, and now was giving her shoes. To top it off, she was willing to make a spectacle of herself by going barefoot just like him. He couldn't imagine having a better friend.

Jack decided to head down to the Slytherin dungeon and start packing his trunk. When Mother Nature took over as head of Slytherin she put a stop to the other students' bullying of Jack.

It wasn't that she was on his side, so much. She ignored much of what Jack did, but when Derek tried to blackmail Jack by telling her that Jack had used his ice powers, she gave Derek the detention. Still, she couldn't stop everything. Derek was in their dorm room when Jack came in.

"I've written to my father," Derek said coldly.

"Good to know. Now I won't have to bother writing to him," Jack said, focusing on his own trunk.

"The House of Gaunt has a lot of pull in this school, you know," Derek said. "I bet I can get you expelled."

"Your efforts this year have been remarkable. I'd like to see you top that."

"You'll see. You're still a freak! Salazar Slytherin may not have been able to get mudbloods kicked out...but I don't think the school should accept ice elves."

Jack almost dropped the book he was holding. Aside from his friends, he hadn't told anyone about his father. Derek seemed to pick up on it. He smirked.

"Professor Black told us all about you," he said. "About why you have such freaky little powers. My father should have no problems convincing the school that an ice elf is too dangerous to have around."

Jack ignored Derek. Nothing good could come from acknowledging him. Eventually Derek did get bored with his game and left to go find someone else to pick on. Jack finished packing his trunk, all but his staff as he would need it to fly home. Jack went to find a professor, taking his staff with him so Derek couldn't damage it. They wouldn't expel him for being an ice elf, would they?

He found a group of professors gathered in the teacher's lounge. Professor Pitchiner, Katherine Shalazar, Headmaster Ombric, Bunnymund, Toothiana, and Manny Lunanoff.

"Jack?" Toothiana said, being the first to notice him. "Did you want something?"

"Um...yes," Jack said coming in. He stood awkwardly, leaning on his staff. "Does being part ice-elf affect anything?"

"Of course not," the headmaster said. "I know it's surprising, but not all of us are humans. We would never turn away a capable young mind who had the ability and desire to learn."

"Where would you get the idea that we would? Sweetie, if we didn't accept ice elves, you never would have gotten the letter in the first place," Toothiana said. "Letters go out to all eligible students."

"It's just, this one kid said I was too dangerous to stay at school."

"I've told you before, Jack. You do not have problems controlling your powers," Professor Pitchiner said. "You are no more dangerous than any other Hogwarts student."

"What about when our powers combined? On the ocean?"

"An unfortunate accident that was as much my fault as it was yours. You needn't be concerned about it."

"I would feel a lot better if I could be sure," Jack said. "Is there any way we can be sure I won't accidentally lose control?"

The professors all looked thoughtful. It was Bunnymund who spoke first, "Well...the only way to be totally sure is to bind your powers."

"Binding powers...We haven't done that in a long time," Manny said.

"Bunny, are you sure it's a good idea?" Katherine asked.

"You 'eard the anklebiter, he wants this."

"What exactly is power binding?" Jack asked.

"It's when we lock your powers into an object, like a wand. You still have the power, but you can't access it unless you're using the object. That way you'll only do things consciously."

"So...if I put the power in, say, this staff, I would be normal unless I had the staff?"

"Almost. The power is still technically inside you, so you might still be able to use it, but it would be muted. If you can cause blizzards with your staff, you'd only be able to cause ice without it."

"Perfect. That's exactly what I want," Jack said.

"Very well, we will grant your request," Headmaster Ombric said. Jack handed him his staff. The professor examined it. "This is a fine choice, it appears there is some unicorn hair already inside it."

The professor started chanting. Jack could feel his energy draining into the staff. The staff glowed as the professor finished. Jack felt a little weak, but the second his hand touched his staff he felt better again; whole again.

"You and the staff are connected now," Ombric explained. "If it gets damaged, you will feel it."

"Now, your powers are still inside you, not the staff, of course. It just acts as a conductor," Manny added. "If you are ever really in need, you will be able to overcome the block with concentration."

"Thank you," Jack said, bowing. He was glad for the block. Not only would this prevent him from accidentally lashing out against Derek, but if he truly was the reason Emma got sick, this should keep it from happening again. Jack hoped.

He left the professors to their meeting and went down to find his friends, and show them his cool new staff.

Merida slid down the grand staircase on her way to the End-of-the-Year Feast. This might just be her last chance to enjoy herself. She wasn't going to waste it. Bunnymund had kinda eased up on her now that he was distracted trying to find Pitch, but her mum hadn't. She still got letter after letter telling her about this and that and what to do.

It was destined to be a very boring summer. Mum was going to meet her at the train station, so this was the last night where she didn't have to be a princess. She was going to make the most of it.

She sat at the Gryffindor table, close to her friend Todd, and close to the Ravenclaw table where Rapunzel was sitting. She waited for the announcement of house points, but unlike previous years, it wasn't the first thing mentioned. Today, it was not the headmaster who spoke, but rather the astronomy professor Manny Lunanoff.

"Well, students, it seems we are at the end of the year," he said. "As you all know, Professor Black was found responsible for the Fearling attacks last year. I urge you all to be careful on your journey home. You must not fear. I see dangerous things in the future, but know that Hogwarts will always welcome you. Be safe over the summer and I hope to see all of you, except the seventh years, next year."

That was a first. Manny Lunanoff rarely talked. Merida wondered if he was one of the Guardians? Ombric then got up and started talking about the house cup. Merida forgot all about the Guardians.

Slytherin won. Merida sulked and looked across the room at Jack. He was cheering with the rest of his house. He almost looked like he belonged with them. She might have been happy for him if she didn't hate the other Slytherins so much.

Soon the festivities were finished and the children were on the train. Only a few hours left where she could comfortably slouch. Rapunzel and Jack were playing 'spot the chameleon'. Hiccup worked on his sketch. Merida polished her bow.

"So...what do you think of the announcement?" Hiccup prompted.

"I don't know, it was weird," Rapunzel said as she found Pascal for the tenth time. "What do you think it means?"

"I think it means they haven't caught him yet," Hiccup said. "He wants to make war with the Guardians, at least one of which is a professor. He might attack the school again."

"He wants to kill us. At least, me and Merida," Jack said. "We should be on our guard. I was attacked by the Black Horses on my way home once already. Just be careful. I know I'm ready to fight them off again if they come anywhere near my village."

"Speaking of your village," Rapunzel said, "I was wondering...do you get enough food there?"

"Well, no one's died of starvation since I was seven, so I have to say, yes. It is a bit scarce at times, especially this year,...but nothing epidemic. And now that I'm working for Professor Pitchiner, she has an interest in keeping our town afloat. I have a feeling Mother Nature will keep our crops from failing this year."

"I was thinking, if you should ever have need, just write to me. It's my understanding that Corona is fairly well off. I'm sure we have some extra. And I do believe that if I wanted to send you something, I could ask the Captain of the Guard to do it."

"Oh he'd do it alright," Merida sulked, "and ignore everyone else in the process. 'Rapunzel wants this! Rapunzel wants that! I swear that guy is in love with you."

"He was just doing his job," Rapunzel said defensively.

"Oh, Aye, and his job includes ignoring me. What's the point of being a princess if I can't get anyone to do things?"

"Maybe you should act more like a princess," Jack said, "instead of being so whiny. All you've done all year is complain about your mum, or your classes, or Professor Bunnymund."

"Have not!"

"Have too!"

"Have not!"

"Have too!"

"Have not!"

Rather than continuing to argue, Jack threw a snowball at her.

"No fair! I can't make a snowball out of thin air."

Jack smirked and grabbed his staff. It started snowing in their cabin. Rapunzel and Hiccup got into their trunks and pulled out their winter cloaks. Merida scooped up a handful of snow and chucked it right at Jack's face.

It may have been the start of the summer, but the kids pulled into the Hogwarts station after a long play of winter fun. Merida saw her mum waiting, impatiently tapping her foot. And to think of all the lectures on princesses being 'patient'. Apparently those don't apply to the Queen.

Summer was only beginning, and yet she knew it was over. There would be no more fun, only boring lessons. Merida watched as her friends took off. Hiccup in a boat, Rapunzel in the floo, Jack on his staff. Nothing exciting would happen this summer without them. She was the Princess, the example, she had duties, responsibilities, expectations. From this point on, her whole life was planned out. Silently she resigned herself to her fate and left with her mum.

Pitch Black hid in the shadows of the Castle of Arendelle. After being driven out of Hogwarts by his own daughter, he'd come here. Princess Elsa was a fairly consistent source of fear. She alone could keep him strong. But that wasn't enough. He would never be able to take out all the Guardians on the fear of one sixteen year old.

If he wanted to succeed in his battle, he would need more fear...and what caused more fear than war? Pitch smiled to himself. If he could get a war started, that should distract the Guardians as well as present a near constant source of fear. Not to mention the possibilities for revenge.

Yes, he wanted revenge. Not on Emily Jane. He loved her too much to try, but on the boy she betrayed him for. He would get his revenge on Jack Frost if it was the last thing he did. He'd already planted the seeds of fear in Jack's town. All it would take was a little expansion of that.

Besides Jack, Pitch would have to get revenge on that girl, Princess Merida. He had already set his plan for her into action. Then it was just that Viking boy. Gothel would take care of the sun child.

The last person he wanted revenge on he was already well on his way to taking out. Pitch looked at the two men before him.

The redheaded twins, one with sideburns and the other with an eye patch, gave wicked scowls as they looked back.

"So, you said you had a business deal for us?" the twin without an eye patch said.

"Not a deal so much, more like a suggestion," Pitch said.

"We're listening," the same twin said.

"There's a boy, a thief, hiding in a cottage not far from here. He's a wizard."

"So?"

"Tell me, Mr. Stabbington, wouldn't thieving be easier if you could just levitate objects away? Or conjure money out of nowhere?"

"I guess. So this kid is a good thief? What's the proposition?"

"The boy has the talent, but he doesn't use his powers properly. I'm no thief. I'd have no use for the boy. But I would feel much better knowing he was under your wing. And just think of all the things you could make him steal for you."

The brothers smiled. Pitch gave them directions to the cottage where Flynn Rider was trapped in a heavy nightmare sand induced sleep. The Stabbington brothers weren't that bright, but they should be able to keep control of Flynn. The boy wouldn't be getting in his way again.

"Poor Eugene." -R

"Poor Eugene? What about poor Merida? I had to go home with me Mum! I had to be a princess, an example-" -M

"Aw, shut up, Merida. You didn't have it so bad!" -J

"No? Look what happened to me Mum over the summer."-M

"Entirely your fault. And, anyway, what about me? I had to put up with Pitch, Gothel, Derek, the other Slytherins, the pastor, the -" -J

"Yeah, yeah, I get it, you were miserable." -M

"You know, you could have come to us." -H

"I tried, you were all too busy." - J

"Blame me mother. She's responsible for ever single day of my life!" - M

"How did this get so off topic? I thought we were talking about me?" -E

"Sorry, dear. You know we all love you." -R

"And anyway, I truly had it worst. I barely got any screen time." -E

"Well, as you said, this isn't your story." -H

"But now that I'm part of the action, I will be in it more...I hope. My years of putting up with those brothers better not be in vain!" -E

"If you hadn't survived it, you wouldn't have ended up with me. Isn't that worth it?" -R

"Ah, well, I guess I did get the happiest ending. Anyone else want to take a turn as lead narrator?" -E

"I'll give it a go. Some say our destiny is tied to the land, as much a part of us as we are a part of it." -M

"You know, this is starting to sound very familiar..." -H

"Others say fate is woven together like a cloth, so that one's destiny intertwines with many others." -M

"Yeah, I'm sure I've heard this somewhere before." -J

"It's the one thing we search for, or fight to change. Some never find it, but there are those who are led…" -M

A/N: To hear the rest of Merida's narration, please refer to the movie Brave at this time. Also, coming shortly to a URL near you will be my One Shot: Brave. I will post a teaser chapter with the link very soon (likely next week or the week after).

The final tally of the house points was: 39 Hufflepuff, 173 Slytherin, 4 Ravenclaw, 5 Gryffindor.

Big Fan: I always reply to guest reviews. For the longest time I didn't have an account, either - not until I wanted to start posting. I understand not having an account, so I always try to accommodate those who choose not to. The only time I won't answer your question is if you ask something that would be a spoiler.

Annoyed Person: Hiccup got Toothless over summer, judging from the lack of snow in a place described as a few degrees short of freezing to death. He got Toothless when he was 15. Since students start Hogwarts at 11, if his birthday is in February, that puts HTTYD between years 4 and 5. I decided early on that movie canon would always take precedence over book canon. I'm only using the book to fill out the background. And anyway, Cressida Cowell made a mistake there. Hiccup was 10 and a half at the start of the first book. As the book starts in winter and ends in spring, a February 29th birthday would mean he was 11 by the end. The next 3 books could take place that summer, then book 4 is in winter, and book 5 is in summer. Hiccup should be 12 here. But he celebrates his 12th birthday in book 6, after another winter.