Hey guys! In this chapter a new character is introduced.
Also, this chapter is set roughly a year after they left Hogwarts, so it's a rather big timeskip. There isn't much worth adding during this year, as Elsa has a rather boring life at the castle, but it's explained in the chapter anyways.
Warnings: Aside from language, the following chapters gets a special warning for creepy behavior. If you start to feel disturbed, I suggest you stop reading or skip the parts. I'm actually thinking about putting the Rating to M for the following chapters. I know some of you won't like that, but I've known from the beginning this fanfiction would get pretty mature towards the end and I can't just throw over all the plans I made to come to a closure. I hope you understand.
Disclaimer: I don't own HP or Frozen
Enjoy!
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Months had passed quietly. After the funeral there was a week of mourning before the kingdom began to get back to their usual lives. I was lucky Kai and Gerda had been briefed to take care of any businesses while the king and queen were traveling, so I didn't have to worry about that for a while.
However, I couldn't hide away forever, so after some weeks I was starting to learn how to take care of the royal business matters on my own.
I refused to plan the coronation, as it was still a year until I became 18. There had been long discussions with some royal consultants, telling me this was a serious matter, Arendelle needed a queen as soon as possible, it was an irresponsibility to put it off for so long, and so on. I knew all of this, but I didn't want to become queen just yet. I could rule the kingdom as a princess just as good, at least until I was ready for the crown.
With Kristoff around Anna felt better quite fast, which I envied her for. With Draco here with me I would feel better too, but alone the only way to keep sane was to bury myself in work or in Draco's memories.
Anna did everything to distract me and make me laugh more often.
Once a day Buckbeak would visit us in the garden to make sure we were okay. He had appeared the day after our arrival in Arendelle, and stayed in the forest most of the time.
Every day I would read the Daily Prophet an owl brought to me, hoping for better news. But it didn't bring any good news at all.
Dumbledore was dead. Killed during a Death Eater attack on Hogwarts. That was the biggest shock yet. How did they enter the castle? How were they able to kill the most powerful good wizard? And who did it?
Snape took over the position as headmaster. More Death Eaters posed as professors for Dark Arts. The Ministry was taken over by Voldemort's people too. All Death Eaters were released from Azkaban. The news got worse each day.
I half expected Death Eaters to swarm around the shield, waiting for an opening or for me to make a mistake, but there were none in sight.
I didn't receive any letters. Not from my friends, Draco or any aurors. It almost drove me crazy to not know if they were okay. Anna had asked if we would attend Hogwarts when it was July, but I told her no. Headmaster Snape had banned every muggleborn student from Hogwarts. She didn't seem too disappointed, also quite shaken by the recent happenings, but working through it quite bravely.
In the middle of March, our dull daily life was interrupted.
"Hey, did you make this?"
I looked up from today's Daily Prophet when Kristoff spoke up. Putting the newspaper aside I stepped up to the window to see what the blond was referring to.
A deep frown of confusion appeared on my face. The garden was covered in snow. Anna looked at me with wide eyes when I didn't reply. She must have realized it wasn't me.
"Stay here." I ordered and ran towards the gate, rolling my eyes with a sigh when I heard two sets of footsteps following me. On our way we passed other windows. The other side of the garden was green and orange from the autumn leaves. What on earth was happening?
I stepped out into the snow parts, trying to thaw it, a puzzled expression on my face. Nothing happened. Anna started to reach for her wand.
"You won't be able to thaw it." a male voice rang out.
I spun around to see a cloaked figure leaning casually on a snow covered tree. I narrowed my eyes, stepping a little in front of Anna and Kristoff.
"Who are you? And how did you get in here?" I demanded, voice sounding strong. On the inside I was on the verge of panicking. If he let it snow in my garden he must be a wizard, and wizards shouldn't be able to enter Arendelle.
There was no reaction from the figure, agitating me further. Anna had her wand drawn, despite probably not knowing any real dueling or protection spells, and I could only guess it was more for feeling safe than anything else.
"Show yourself."
Finally the man moved away from the tree, slowly lifting his head and pulling the cloak off. I took a step back in surprise and disbelief.
The rather skinny man was around 20, very pale skin and silvery white hair that boyishly fell into his icy blue eyes. He smirked and did a small mock-bow.
"Princess. Or are you already the Queen?" It took me a few seconds to find my breath again. Had forming words always been this hard?
"You're the Spirit of Winter..." I finally managed to get out. This man was my biological father. The Spirit of Winter came down from his spirit world and found me.
The smirk on his face grew to a grin as he stepped a little closer. "So you did get my dream-messages!"
Anna held her wand higher to stop him from coming closer, a fierce look on her face.
"Stay away." she commanded easily, not showing fear in front of this stranger.
"Dream-messages...?" I whispered to myself, still not really knowing how to react. He sent me those dreams on purpose? So he knew all along? He had been watching me all this time and never even thought about showing up once?
He took another step closer, an annoyed look appearing on his face when Anna pointed the wand at him again and I made no move to stop her, still trying to find out what to make of the situation. Blue eyes focused on me.
"Hey, is that a way to greet your father?"
"WHAT?!" Anna turned to me with force, disbelief written all over her face. "This guy is your real father?! He's barely older than you!" Kristoff seemed surprised too, and uncomfortable. He carefully took Anna's arm that was wielding the wand down, afraid she might hex anyone by accident.
"For the record, spirits don't age." He lifted one eyebrow when Anna spun around at him again, wand held up dangerously. "You shut up! I don't trust you!"
"Would you take that thing down already?! You can't hurt me with your little stick." That seemed to put Anna off even more and she sent an Incendio his way.
"Anna!" I scolded her, but the spell didn't hit Winter. It looked like it was absorbed by his skin, and judging his calmness and bored look it didn't even hurt at all.
"Want to try that again? I could do this the whole day, but I'm not here for you." It almost seemed as if he was glaring at my little sister, but as soon as he faced me again he had a smile on his face. "Proof enough?"
It was a risk. It could be a trap. But what if it wasn't? I have seen him in my dreams, he was just as Professor Binns had described him some years ago, he made it snow without a wand and Anna's spell didn't do anything to him. If he wanted to harm us he would've already done so.
"Thaw the snow and come inside. I don't want the villagers to get suspicious." I told him, deciding to hear him out, but definitely not trusting him. Anna was about to protest, but one look had her shut up. She was glaring at our guest all the time though, feeling very protective even though there was nothing she could do to help me if he really wanted to attack me.
We stepped inside, Winter following us after a few seconds.
"Kristoff, please tell Gerda to prepare some tea. We'll be in the sitting room." I briefly thought about taking this to the conference room, but decided against it. Discussing whatever family matters would feel wrong in a room made for business meetings.
"Quite a nice castle you got here. Not exactly my taste, but hey, who would complain about interior design, it's a castle." His relaxed and easy talking was unnerving. He acted as if he had no cares or worries in the world.
He flopped down on one of the armchairs while Kai prepared a fire. He continued babbling about trivial things, until tea arrived and we were alone. Well, as alone as we could get with Anna glued to me and Kristoff glued to Anna.
When any glaring at their direction didn't have the desired effect he seemed to accept their presence and smiled at me.
"You look exactly like your mother." I forced back the urge to roll my eyes at hearing that statement.
"I know. Why are you here?" His face fell a little at my business tone, but I couldn't let myself be taken over by excitement. Not in dangerous times like these.
"You could at least try to be nice to your dad. I'm here now, trying to get to know my daughter, after assuming she was dead for so long." I kept a straight face on.
"Why didn't you come sooner?" He held his hands up in defense.
"Hey, I only learned you were alive a short time ago. I needed to prepare things and wait for the right moment. Couldn't just enroll Hogwarts as a new student, run up to you and tell you I was your father. How would you've reacted?" Alright, that sounded logical. In a way.
"How did you find out I was alive? I've been using my powers since I was a child. You should've noticed me sooner." Winter leaned back and shrugged before putting his hands behind his head.
"I've stopped watching earth when I thought you and your mother were dead. That hippogriff never left her side. When I found him alone and mourning, not even trying to trace her, I knew it was over." His face darkened with these words. "Of course I couldn't be sure, and I still had the hope you were still alive, so I watched over her hometown, her old school, France in general. I thought if she were alive, or if she gave you away, it would be to someone she knows and trusts. I've had a friend send out little dreams for you to receive – if you were alive – to make sure you'd know. Even though my friend said he wasn't sure if or when they'd reach you. When there was no sign of you in France after a few years I gave up." He shook his head. "I never thought she'd leave you with strangers, miles away from her family."
It was a weird feeling. Finally, finally I was getting answers. After years of wondering and waiting. I nodded, trying hard not to show my excitement now.
"Do you... Do you know why she ran away?" Something bitter crossed his features as he took his time to answer.
"I do. She was overwhelmed. Missed her family. Was sick of the snow. Didn't want to stay in spirit world forever. I tried making it as comfortable as possible for her to keep her happy, but she was slowly going insane. And one night she just grabbed you and her hippogriff and left. I still don't know how she did it, you can't leave spirit world without a spirit or an elemental, but she managed. I suspect Fire helped her, but I haven't able to get a hold on her for years."
Isabelle... my mother left because she would have had to stay up there forever and couldn't take it?
"Didn't she know she'd have to stay in spirit world forever...?" I asked out loud. Winter let out a sigh.
"Of course she did. That's why she asked to bring her hippogriff. To have something that reminded her of home. I don't know why she wanted to leave so suddenly."
I should feel happy to finally complete this puzzle in my head. Isabelle couldn't take the thought of her and her daughter being stuck in eternal winter forever, that's why she ran away with me. Winter, of course, tried to get her back, but she was too good at hiding. She was running from the Spirit because she was scared he would keep her caged up there, and she just wanted her freedom. I assumed she was on the verge of being caught when she gave me to the trolls, hoping to at least save me from my own father... or to ensure I wouldn't give her location away with my powers. So she was still hiding? Afraid he would see her from up there and chase her down again? It was likely. And it made me be a little mad at my mother.
But... something felt off. It made so much sense, but there was a nagging feeling in the back of my head. I just couldn't grasp it, so I shoved it aside.
"And now that you found me... you what? Do you want to take me with you?" I asked him directly, aware of Anna's shocked gasp.
"I would love to have you up there with me. But I can't force you. You're old enough to make your own decisions. If you want to come with me, you can. However, the main reason I came here is because I want to get to know you. You're my daughter, after all."
"You're not seriously considering going with him, are you, Elsa?" Anna grabbed my hand, giving me a pleading look.
"Of course I'm not going with him. I would never abandon you." I smiled at her reassuringly. It was true. Even if I had the chance to live up there now, I would never seize it. I had Anna and a kingdom to take care of, and there was Draco too. I wouldn't throw that away for a life in isolation, even if it was with my father.
Anna relaxed visibly, still a little unsure about the white haired man, who watched us with a rather calm and neutral expression.
"You're free to stay at the castle for a while. Be our guest. But I swear, if you hurt my family, I will-" I was interrupted by Winter lifting up a finger.
"You don't have to worry about that. I can't harm people. I'm a Spirit. I'm not allowed to meddle with fate. She's a pretty possessive thing when it comes to her work." I frowned at that. Fate was a person too? Alright, I've already had too much information for one day.
"Fine. But I won't call you father or dad." I clarified and raised an eyebrow at him when he nodded.
"Totally understood. You can just call me Jack." I didn't like his grin at all, even if it showed nothing but kindness. "I guess we just had a bad start, huh? Look, a peace offering." Anna, Kristoff and I watched him warily as a small ice sculpture of a pony appeared in his palm. He placed it in Anna's hand before patting her hair and stretching.
"Uh... thank you." I frowned when the horse stayed still. Why didn't it start moving? "But Elsa's are way cooler. They become alive."
Jack, who's been busy playing with a snowball in his hands, looked up in surprise. "They become alive? ...Oh, one of those witchcraft-y charms, right? I'm no wizard, so sorry, I can't create life like that. Maybe Elisa can animate it for you." he grinned at me when I flinched at the use of my real name. It was really weird hearing it.
I saw Anna frown and open her mouth, but a small pinch to her arm shut her up. I couldn't have her babble about my powers not needing witchcraft to animate things. If Jack didn't know about it, it had to be something special, and I wasn't sure if I wanted him to be enlightened. At least not yet.
"So... what's for dinner?"
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Having Jack around was... weird. He was loud and didn't really show respect to anyone. During dinner he talked about trivial things, asked about Hogwarts and compared it to how things were when he was at Beauxbatons when he was courting my mother. That parts were actually pretty interesting, and even Anna warmed up a little to him. He played around with snow at the table, froze some water when he spilled it, creating a little snowstorm in the corner of the dining room.
All in all we were starting to accept him here. There were still so many things he could tell me about Isabelle and the Spirit World, and he was a welcome distraction from my worries about Draco and my friends.
It had been a rather pleasant evening, mostly because it was so different from our usual routine. Despite Jack seeming to get along quite well with Anna now, Kristoff and I were still a little suspicious. Sure, he said he couldn't harm us, but still...
When it was time to go to bed I led him to the bedroom farthest away from ours. I wasn't sure if he even needed to sleep as a spirit, but he didn't say anything, and since I didn't want him to roam around the castle alone it would have to do.
"This is your room." I said, standing next to the window leading out to the ocean. I've tried to appear relaxed, but my arms crossed themselves as he stepped into the room, barely glancing around. I even tensed a little when he stepped to the window too, getting way too close for my taste.
"Thanks. It's a wonderful view." I tried not to scrunch up my face when he didn't even glance outside. Instead, his unsettling blue eyes were fixated on my throat. "This is a very beautiful necklace. You sure have taste when it comes to jewelry." He toyed with the silver snowflake until I took a step back and gripped it myself.
"It was a gift." He smiled a little at my defensive tone.
"From your parents?" He took a step closer.
"No." I should've just said 'yes', because the look on his face was actually really creepy.
"Oh... a boy? A boyfriend, perhaps?" It was unsettling enough to have a boy barely older than yourself be your father, but seeing such a possessive glint in his eyes was downright scary.
I forced myself to let out a small laugh and pat his shoulder before turning towards the door.
"I'm not discussing my love life with my father." I attempted to joke and practically fled the room, shutting the door behind me. I wondered why he hadn't known about Draco, if he had been watching me for a while now. Maybe he didn't see things going on inside of Hogwarts...? It was a possibility, and I decided I didn't want him to know about Draco. Who knew what he was going to do to him? My boyfriend had way too much on his plate, he didn't need a possessive spirit bugging him too just because he was dating its daughter.
Later I laid in bed, trying to get some sleep. I bit my lip as I gripped the necklace, shivering when I recalled Jack's face. Something was off, I just couldn't tell what it was. Was that normal father-behaviour? Just the want to protect his daughter from any man trying to steal her away? But the king hadn't been like that... on the other hand, that was a completely different situation.
I sat up when there was a thumping sound from the outside. I frowned as I got up from the bed and stepped over to the window. Down in the garden was Jack, freezing the ground until there was a thick layer of ice on it, creating a smooth surface to skate on it.
I crossed my arms as I watched him glide around on bare feet. It was a childish behavior, and it was unnerving I couldn't get a clear image of his character in my head. Maybe he just really was childish, and I was just over-worrying again? But when I closed my eyes to recall the situation in his bedroom again I shook my head. No, there was more to it. I had to be careful, he could not be trusted...
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As I've mentioned in some earlier chapter, the Spirit of Winter is portrayed by Jack Frost, but I've really only taken his appearance and name. He will probably be out of character, but you're going to see for yourself in a little while.
Another shorter chapter, sorry. I just saw this as the best place to stop. But don't worry, the next chapter is already written, so you don't have to wait too long for an update.
I also wanted to tell you that I've already got some rough plans for the sequel, so there's definitely going to be one.
The next chapter we see more of how things are with Jack at Arendelle...
See ya next chap!
Xoxo, B.
