Year 1291 – during the rule of our Wonderful Wizard

The unadulterated hope I felt after discovering Miss Elphaba lasted about a month or so. It dwindled just a little when I found out that Miss Elphaba's self-righteousness and stubbornness may be more of a challenge than I had anticipated.

It was about a quarter of an hour before our seminar had been scheduled, and I had already set our classroom up and had returned to my office to sort out my never ending stack of paperwork. I was halfway through a letter saying yes, Shiz could take a new student, the boy had already been chucked out of six previous Universities but he was the son of the King of the Vinkus and it never hurt to have people with such power on my side, not to mention his father had made a not-so-small donation to Shiz with the application form, when there was a knock at my door.

"Enter."

A scrubby boy nervously pushed open the door, "Erm… Madame…"

"Well spit it out."

"Madame, Doctor Dillamond said to tell you he had to cancel his class early, some inappropriate message was written on the board…"

So the filthy Goat had got my warning, I'd written Animals should be seen and not heard on the back of his board the previous night as he was still refusing to give up his teaching position or even teach to the curriculum – if he would not listen to this I was thinking of having him removed by force. I rushed over to his classroom to see if my message had finally given him the long awaited reaction I had wished for.

When I arrived I was greeted by a closed door I was about to open it when I heard voices from the other side, one I instantly recognised as Dillamond's infernal bleat and the other was Miss Elphaba's. Curious, I left the door closed and, unseen, listened to their conversation.

My curiosity turned to anger when I realised the old Goat was feeding her lies about the Animals being unfairly treated. I stayed outside for a few more moments – the more incriminating information I could get about the so called 'Doctor' the better – but when Miss Elphaba appeared to be being brainwashed by his false words I stepped in and reminded her that, if she was not careful, she would be late for her seminar. I was pleased to see that she was just as eager to attend, as long as I got rid of any bad influences now I was sure this all would still be fine.

I resolved that the Doctor would be replaced as soon as possible by someone who had the right beliefs – and was completely and utterly human.

The second time I questioned whether Miss Elphaba would be as obedient to my will as she needed to be for the good of Oz, and indeed her own good, was about a week later.

Some students had scheduled a party in the Ozdust Ballroom that evening and the whole university was buzzing. I returned to my room to find Miss Nessarose being helped to prepare for it by her sister, I nodded in their direction but respected their privacy. However, after her sister had been picked up by her date, some oversized munchkin or other, Miss Elphaba approached me, her expression thoughtful.

I gave her a rare smile, "Oh it does my heart good to see your sister looking so happy."

The green girl gave me a fleeting smile back but I could tell her thoughts were somewhere else, "Madame, suppose someone you thought was selfish… suddenly did something incredibly kind… for someone you love very much…"

"I don't follow," I replied briskly, in my experience people were naturally selfish and negative first impressions were rarely wrong.

But in the time it had taken for me to answer Miss Elphaba was already decided, "Madame, I need you to do something for me."

I raised my eyebrows, "Yes?"

"Madame, please may you allow Miss Galinda to attend our seminar?"

I looked at her, shocked, why would she want that annoying cream puff to join our lessons? Miss Galinda had asked me at least three times a week if I was really sure I couldn't fit her in, using her very best persuasive techniques. I didn't fall for them, I had seen far too many students try these tricks on me in my experience of teaching, and this girl reminded me sickeningly of Starina. I wondered why Miss Elphaba wanted her to join. The girls were roommates, I remembered, maybe Miss Galinda had been more successful at influencing her green roommate than she had been with me. Although, judging by the looks I'd seen the two of them share that didn't seem likely.

"Miss Elphaba, I'm not sure Miss Galinda is talented enough to…"

"No Madame, I insist…"

"Miss Elphaba, I don't think…"

"If you don't Madame I will quit the seminar."

She had me there, in tighter hold than she ever could have realised. I thought about continuing to object but the determination on her face told me that it would be no use.

"Fine, Miss Elphaba, I'll tell her tomorrow, although I feel you may regret your decision."

"Tell her tonight Madame, please."

I sighed, but if I was going to admit defeat I may as well keep on the good side of the girl who was going to win Oz and me the glory we deserved, "Yes Miss Elphaba, I'll tell her tonight, she'll be at the Ozdust I assume?"

"Of course," if I wasn't mistaken the green girl was trying very hard to resist rolling her eyes, was she really any keener on the blonde airhead than I was? "Thank you so much Madame, good night."

"Goodnight Miss Elphaba."

After she had left I sat down wearily, resigned, frustrated and, if I was honest, a little scared. This girl had considerable power over me and knew how to use it. If she was not so essential to my plans I would have kept her far away. It was far too late for that now, but if I was careful I still had the upper hand, Miss Elphaba, ignored and unloved as a child, would surely succumb to the temptations of power and adoration. It will be fine, I told myself, but all the same for the following months I kept an even closer eye on the odd green girl.