(Author's notes: People don't really read these notes so I can't stop some complaining about lack of romance. DUDES, NO OUTRIGHT ROMANCE IN THIS FIC AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.

I failed a course. Classes shall be taking up my summer, much apologies. This story shall be on official hiatus starting April 21st until the end of my summer classes. I wish you all the best wherever you are, and thank you for sticking with this story.

You have my word that it shall be finished.

Enjoy!)


Jack's eyes widened, "No…." he said in disbelief, gaping.

It was hard to believe that he was simply frozen there where he stood, staring at the spectral boy that very nearly mirrored himself. Pointing a spear right at his throat, at that. Bizarre. Yet Jack could not help but stare.

"Where is she!?" the spectral lad repeated sharply.

His skin was pale, but not pasty, almost looking silvery in the moonlight as he jerked the spear threateningly at Jack. His cloak fell about him, as normal as they come. In the night he could have been mistaken for a student by anyone. But with his forearms freed from the heavy fabric, Jack could see that he was armoured.

Like an Auror if Aurors took to metals with silvery-black sheen.

Jack glanced down at the end of a spear nervously. A crystal knife was secured at the end of it, terribly sharp, the sharp edges glinting in the dim light. An ever present threat to cut his easily soft cold skin like butter.

"…you're him." Jack breathed, pale eyes rising back to the furious face that closely resembled his.

The boy did not react to his quiet words, echoing in the air of the library, like a trained soldier.

Jack stared, fear being replaced by awe and disbelief, a grin cracking on his pale lips.

There were five Guardians.

There always have been…to the eyes of outsiders.

But North had told him stories.

Of days long past, of the Order and yonder. Long before any thought of him was even conceived. They were not like the others. Not human nor wizard-kind or any beings in-between. They were mixtures of one or the other, blending in perfectly in the wizarding community and in muggle folklore. But they are not completely part of either.

Like Jack who awoke to a new life and new abilities.

North was once a renowned thief in Russia and did not particularly change much in matters of powers like Jack.

Bunnymund and Sandy were born as they were, with magic. Being ordained a Guardian did not change much of them, as well.

And Tooth…she was the cross between the two worlds, half-human and half-fairy (or at least how humans would view 'fairies' in there sense since true fairies in the wizarding world were minute winged creatures, perhaps where Tooth took her inspiration for her tiny clones).

Which made Jack think of his friends' inquiries.

"…how can ye have magic if ye were born a Muggle…?"

"…I know, that's just…that's impossible, Jack."

He was not a muggle nor a wizard. None of them were.

And North told him stories that stretched to his knowledge. Of the Man in the Moon, the Tsar Lunanoff whose knowledge and secrets were as vast as Merlin's and Nicholas Flamel, themselves.

There were five Guardians…so far as anyone knew.

"No," North had told him, "There are more than just the five of us…'zere is Katherine…'zere is Ombric Shalazar…and the aide of Manny, himself, a boy like you…the first guardian."

Jack's eyes widened, "You're Nightlight."

The boy's eyes softened despite his fierce look remaining stock-still. He slowly drew his weapon away, looking Jack up and down. Jack kept his hands up, showing that he meant no harm, mischief drained away from him in seeing the direness in Nightlight's actions.

"I don't know where she is," Jack said, "…I'm as clueless as you are."

A flicker of dread showed in Nightlight's face, a breath escaping his lips.

"Look, it's gonna be fine, I'm sure the others know," Jack said reassuringly, stepping back slowly to pick up his staff.

Nightlight flinched at his movement like a startled wood-creature, the grip on his spear tightening.

"It's okay! I'm a Guardian!" Jack said with a smile, straightening up, holding his frosted staff gingerly at his side, "I was chosen like you."

Nightlight gave him a doubtful look, greenish-grey eyes scanning him from head to toe.

"We've never met before," Jack said as Nightlight took to a relaxed stance.

Wondering why Nightlight spoke no more beyond his initial inquiries, Jack recalled was North once said about Nightlight. That he was more like Sandy than anyone else. That he never spoke except in the direst of times.

"Look," Jack said, hoping to reach out to him, "Things have been happening at Hogwarts. Bad things I'm sure you've seen with your own eyes…we were supposed to stop it but we don't know what we're up against…"

Nightlight seemed to only half-listen to him as he slowly walked to Katherine's cluttered desk, running his silvery fingertips over one of her books.

"Please," Jack implored, feeling helpless, "We've lost a lot already…I don't want to lose anyone again. I…I don't know what to do."

Nightlight's back was on him, Jack unable to see his face.

"People thought I was you," Jack told him, "At first we thought it was another trick those shadows were doing…then you helped Hiccup."

Nighlight looked to him over his shoulder, remembering the incident and turning away.

"You helped," Jack said with a smile, walking towards him, "When no one couldn't. Even Tooth or Bunny or the others. You know what's going on, Nightlight."

Jack knew it in his heart. And they were in dire need to know whatever they can.

"I didn't even want to be here, but MiM said that I had to—of course he didn't tell me personally but…now I don't want to leave until all this is settled," Jack said in one breath, a wave of guilt washing over him, "…I should have been able to stop this a long time ago."

He remembered it all now. MiM sent him here. The year was nearly ove rand everyone is still in danger. Hogwarts might even be closed eventually if things keep on going like this.

"You have to help us," Jack said. Nightlight looked up without turning to him, "…please, tell me what you've seen."

"…Katherine's gone, isn't she?"

Jack blinked at him speaking. There was a certain sound to his voice. Innocent and world-weary at the same time. That of an ageless boy trapped in childhood and silence. He had seen much more and way worse than Jack ever had. He reminded him of Sandy. Except that in Sandy's eyes there was acceptance, like a lullaby bringing a child to sleep despite the pains of that day. In Nightlight's there was simply…sadness and dread of seeing tomorrow and losing yet another day to time.

"I…I don't know." Jack replied hesitantly.

Nightlight turned to him, a mixture of conviction and sadness in his eyes.

"The others would know, wh-why won't you talk to them?"

That was one part in North's stories that the old headmaster refused to say. Why Nightlight was nowhere to be seen.

Nightlight closed his eyes slowly like one trying to come to terms to something terrible that had happened, "…him." He whispered.

"Who?" Jack said, eyes wide as he took an eager step forward.

Nightlight opened his eyes and looked to him, drawing away, hands trailing on the desk.

"Kozmotis Pitchiner."

"What?" Jack breathed.

There was a scuffle in the hallway outside. Jack turned in surprise. Since the shadows' attacks, the slightest stir in the air made everyone wary. After all, no one knew if their attacker would make his move.

The footsteps walked right past the closed library doors.

Jack turned back to Nightlight to find him absent. He had slipped off once more.

He hissed a curse, running a hand agitatedly through his hair before spotting something unusual.

A book now lay open on Madame Goose's desk.

Katherine never left books hanging open or dog-eared, taking care of them like children.

Yet there it sat, the leather-bound journal splayed over her unarranged papers.

Jack crept towards it in curiosity.

There was simply one line that was written on the earlier pages of the book, the ones that were marbled and the edges stained and nipped at some parts, almost as of Katherine had been carrying it about for years.

"He took the locket."

Jack knew he had to know what happened to the librarian. It didn't make sense, only a random page Nightlight flipped to. Jack knew it was too much of a long-shot. A grin crossed his face as he stepped away, a chuckle elicited from his throat.

Who knew that there was a helping hand in the dark all along?


Those sweet several moments before a professor arrives into the classroom are undoubtedly an overlooked gem in school life. People get to talk, exchange laughs and worries, wasting time away in chattering bliss.

Today was the day of the Ordinary Wizarding Level examinations. Or the first of it. And despite wearing the usual school uniforms, the sea of black was brightened by the colors of red and green.

O.W.L.s day, coincidentally, was also the day of the Quidditch finals. And no was afraid to wear their colors. Friends of Gryffindor or Slytherin opted for their colors instead of the ones of their own house.

As usual, Lorcan Scamander was seen wearing a lion's head hat at breakfast.

Even as they waited to be instructed for the exams, people were excited by the thought of the game that afternoon. Some chose to ignore it.

"His hide got a little bit rougher, more bumps at parts, if anything…" Hiccup said as he bent over his notebook, drawing carefully with the iridium tip of his crafted fountain pen. More trusty than a quill in terms of drawing.

"Oh, I wish I could have seen him," Rapunzel sighed, resting her cheek on her hand as she watched him draw, Merida beside her, doodling absentmindedly on the back of her Potions book.

"Yeah, he looks awesome," Hiccup smiled, drawing Toothless' folded wings carefully.

"Will he grow bigger?" Rapunzel wondered in earnest, glancing up at an enchanted paper bird flitting under the ceiling of the Transfiguration classroom.

"He's grown a bit since I met him," Hiccup mumbled, "Wingspan's now a feet or so longer…"

Merida looked up to see some of their classmates huddled together, talking about the Championships.

"…oh, I can't wait to see Slytherin get beat."

"Hey! I bet two Sickles on Slytherin."

"Thick, aren' they?" Merida huffed, slightly annoyed.

"We're gonna do fine…" Hiccup reassured, looking up from his work. Rapunzel sat back, letting Pascal curl on top of her notes.

"Easy fer yeh ter say, ye're the best Keeper we've ever 'ad," Merida sighed agitatedly, running a hand through her red curls, cheeks flushed as if she had been running about, "I've barely practiced bein' Chaser with the exams an' all."

"It's exams day," Rapunzel smiled to her, "After this, you wouldn't have to worry about anything but Quidditch."

"Technically, no," Hiccup pointed out, feeling cross about it, himself, "Championship is set on the first day of exams. After that we still have two weeks to go, remember? Sit-downs in the mornings and practicals in the afternoons?"

"Damn O.W.L.s…" she grumbled, cracking a smile, "Yeh know, a lot of successful wizards didn' finish school."

"Merida," hiccup turned to her, eyes half-lidded, unamused, "Their education was interrupted by a war."

"Oh, right…"

Jack walked in, wearing his Gryffindor robes haphazardly over his usual attire of blue. Staff held over his shoulder, he did catch some glances. He wasn't even wearing uniform under his robes, his usual pants and hoodie replacing the vest, shirt and tie.

"You're a sight," Rapunzel grinned, "Jack, it's O.W.L.s, remember?"

He looked rather grim, though they took it for apathy before finals.

"They don't give points for following dress code…" Jack mumbled, sitting down beside them, not meeting their eyes.

"Y'arigh'?" Merida asked at the absence of his tauntings.

For weeks he had been making fun (though not to the point of excess) of people too cooped up studying. Now he looked like one who have been—

"—cramming?" Hiccup snortled, finishing his drawing of Toothless.

Jack did not reply and sat there, hands in his pockets, feet drawn up on his seat. Gaze lost in the air in front of him.

"Frost," Rapunzel snapped at him like one waking a drowsy person, "What's wrong?"

"The doppleganger was just someone who looked like me," he suddenly said, getting up once more, looking to them with a sense of urgency, "No need to worry about it."

"Jack—" Merida began, not sure where he was getting at.

"Just worry about your O.W.L.s," Jack told them, "Leave the shadow business to me."

"I don't see how this relates to anything," Rapunzel's brows furrowed.

"I ahev things to attend to," Jack said, "Good luck on the test—oh, and, uh, the game alter. See ya."

Before they could get to say another word, he was off once more, robes billowing behind him. Out the door in the blink of an eye.

For a moment they just sat there in wonder.

"…something's wrong," Hiccup whispered.

Merida and Rapunzels stared at the door hanging ajar.

"D'you think we should…?"

"Not at the moment, no," Hiccup told them, "Let's just trust him. He knows it when he can't handle things alone."

"Tha's wha' I'm worried abou'," Merida told them, "I think he's been working alone for ages tha' he doesn' kno'ow when to ask for help an'imore…"


But Jack did know when to ask for help. Perhaps his problem was who to ask.

Nightlight left him with nothing more than vague clues. Almost like MiM, himself. That would not eb surprising, though.

He had asked the Guardians about Katherine's whereabouts. Only to be replied by silence, or worse yet, refusal. And he just knew. Something ahd happened to her. And whether it was fatal or not, it did not matter.

Madame Goose was ripped away from the tale Jack knew was unfolding. Like a page off one of the many books she cared for.

Questions buzzed in his head as he navigated through the busy corridors of the castle, filled with students worrying over their finals, unaware of the unseen dangers that yet lurked in the corners of Hogwarts.

"Kozmotis Pitchiner…"

Jack knew he heard the name somewhere before.

He tried to talk to North, Tooth or Bunny about his meeting with Nightlight but the buzz of the campus in that very hectic day kept them out of reach. And when they were present, there was a gaping silence in the wake of Madame Goose's absence.

Jack wove his way down the hall, across a courtyard and found the person he was looking for.

"Sandy!" he called.

Professor ManSnoozie halted from his walk towards the Great Hall, an inquiring smile greeting the wintry lad.

"I need to talk to you." Jack said desperately, "Please, Sandy."


There were ministry officials during the examinations. The Entrance Hall was filled with people, mostly fifth years that were waiting for exam time. There were handfuls of other students about, spots of color in the sea of black of the Hogwarts uniform.

"…now, don't cram, it never works…"

"…students are reminded that cheating paraphernalia are strictly prohibited…"

Classes were partially suspended for some students not taking the O.W.L.s because some of the professors were to help watch over the exams. Professor Toothiana, always active, was already flitting about, checking attendance.

The Slytherins were huddled about the dungeon entrance, reviewing amongst themselves.

The Ravenclaws were looking over notes while others simply talked themselves over.

"Where is that guy?" Hiccup wondered, looking around for Jack.

"Don' worry, he'll be here in time…" Merida reassures as she sat down spread-legged on the bottom of the grand staircase, Gryffindor jersey shorts poking from under her grey skirts.

"He might not be there," Rapunzel told them, hugging her pile of books, "Remember what he said? He doesn't like exams,"

"Might give the practicals a shot, though," Hiccup snickered, "he loves a show."

"Yeah, but he doesn't need to go all through this," Rapunzel replied, "He's already top-notch in wizarding defense departments—who knows how much they give him in salary."

He has a salary?"

"If he works with the Ministry I doubt he doesn't."

"Yeah, well, no need to worry about him," Hiccup sighed, seating himself beside Merida, "We've got to worry about us."

"Nah, it'll be fine…like a piece o' cake."

They spent the whole morning in the Great Hall. Desks lined the whole place, the house tables pushed back against the walls. Merida kept to her paper though could not help looking about in worry. Most studies were average, at least she knows about the magical water plants of the highland lochs but things like arithmancy were incredibly hard.

She stared at Hiccup's back, who was seated a handful of tables ahead, hunched over his paper.

That bloke must have it all in his head.

Who knows he could have been studying while he was hiding out with Toothless.

And Rapunzel, oh, Rapunzel was looking just peachy right by the window, pencil set atop her ear, tapping the side of her quill against her cheek in thought, splotches of ink on her.

Merida let out a sigh and got back to guessing between bezoar and asphodel as some sort of ingredient one could take out of a goat's stomach. Nobody listens to those things in Potions…

"Jus' get this ova'r with…" she sighed. A few more hours to endure.

The Quidditch pitch is waiting.


"So…you promised MiM, huh?" Jack grinned as he sat back against his chair.

Sandy was always a generous host to any visitor and, as always, he prepared tea. As with the case of Jack, the chessboard was set on the table in front of them.

The lad bit his lip, setting his staff aside.

MiM did not want him told of what happened to Madame Goose, huh?

"Big shock," he huffed, setting his toes at the edge of the table and tilting his seat back precariously, Sandy only shaking his head knowingly as he poured tea.

"He does know that telling me would help—he put me in this mess, after all," Jack said.

Sandy only shrugged, a jumble of golden symbols shuffling over his head.

"Yes, well, I know what information to tell and not tell to my friends," he defended, "Those three have got nothing to do with this."

Sandy raised a brow, taking up a teaspoon and stirred the contents of the cup.

A golden dragon formed above his head.

"The Night Fury was a distraction," Jack chuckled, "The shadows used it to turn our attentions away."

Sandy nodded, a knowing smile on his face.

"Just tell me what happened to her.

And so Sandy explained. In his own odd language of pictograms. Katherine was away. She was alright. But the shadows had her pretty bad. She would not be returning to Hogwarts before the term ends. Apparently, a teacher found her by sheer dumb luck before it was too late.

Sandy spared him the gory details (or was limited by his ability to communicate).

Jack sat there, letting his feet drop to the floor and rested his hand on his cheek.

"Things are getting out of control, Mr. Sandman…" he groaned.

Sandy sighed, sharing his disappointment.

"So what else have you guys been keeping secret from me?" he said, almost a joke. Sandy's amber eyes glanced to him, betraying nothing.

"Oh…there are things?" Jack grinned, feigning surprise.

The Charms teacher gave hima look he knew all too well.

You're not old enough to know.

"I'm older than most think," he smirked cheekily, "Nightlight…I know about him. He's here."

Sandy didn't look as surprised as one might initially think. Any one fot he others might be, but not the little golden man.

He simply smiled and took a sip of his cup.

"Still not telling me much of him, like always…" Jack said and took his own cup, dropping five sugar cubes in and a whole lot of cream. A tooth symbol formed over Sandy.

"Yeah, yeah, they don't hurt my teeth, believe me…Tooth checks them when she can," Jack chuckled, taking a sip. He liked sweet things. Not very often, though, but he can take large doses.

Jack was intent on getting his information, for the good of all, no matter how cheesy it sounded even in his head. The shadows need to stop. And he could not—nor anyone—get to the bottom of it without checking every angle.

He's been with the Guardians ling enough, he's watched them and Aurors at work. Jack took note more than grown-ups think.

He leaned forward, the teacup and inch from his lips almost thoughtfully, "Sanderson…"

The name got to Sandy, eliciting a grin. Jack said it like a childish tease.

"…what can you tell me about this one thing—promise, Sandy, it's just one thing—trust me," he reassured, setting down the tea, watching Sandy's reaction of passive anticipation.

"…who or what is Kozmotis Pitchiner, exactly?"

Again, there was no shock or any expression in Sandy's face. Only the utter draining of it that it was as noteworthy. He watched Jack like he had uttered some ancient curse or language that should never be spoken of in the light of life and waking.

A grin found it's way to Jack's lips.

Sandy let out a breath, setting down his cup with a regal air as a question mark formed over his head.

It wasn't a question of denial like 'what'?" as some people might say in the same scene. Instead, Jack knew it was more along the lines of 'what about him'?

"Tell me," Jack said expectantly.

Sandy chuckled soundlessly, clasping his hands together. One of his white pawns moved forward. Jack looked to it, mirth drained from his face.

"You know I've never beat you in chess…" he breathed.

It was Sandy's turn to grin.

Exactly.


"…practical exams are cancelled to make way for the Quidditch Finals…all students are advised to make use of the spare time to study…"

"Like there's a chance we'd do that," Lily chuckled as they ran across the crowded Entrance hall, bumping against people and running off, calling back apologies.

"C'mon, Haddock!" she roared back to Hiccup, beaming when she tugged her red hair into a bun, "SLYTHERIN'S NOT WAITING!"

"Just go!" Hiccup chuckled, holding his broom over his head, trying to make his way through the bustling crowd, "I'm right behind you!"

"C'mon, Merida, you heard the man!" Lily said and tugged at her, nearly yanking her arm off.

Merida glanced back to him, dragged off, "…make sure yeh got yer helmet!"

Hiccup blinked, "Damn, I forgot."

He had been too busy with vectors and wand movements to remember his gear. No one expected the game to be moved to an earlier date. Apparently, the Secretary for Basic Magical Education was a big fan of Quidditch and wanted to 'see the younger generation's knack for the national sport' since he was around.

"Hiccup! Hiccup!"

"Punzel!" he called back, standing on tiptoes to see her in the see of people going in nearly every direction.

He saw her slender hand waving over the heads of some Ravenclaws. She struggled forwards, her long red scarf snagging just like her long golden braid. Pascal was at her shoulder now, a small (and rather comedic) red witch hat sat atop his head.

Hiccup wove his way through and caught her hand, pulling her from the current of people.

"Oh, thank goodness," she panted, shoving something hard at him.

"My helmet!" he said gladly.

"I…saw you—drop it in the common room," she said, catching her breath.

"Thanks," he smiled, running his hand over the side, "Wait, what's this?"

Rapunzel beamed at his noticing the adjustments in the helmet. There was now a face guard, strong and could withstand a blow. Dragon-like spikes running along the top down to the back.

"It's…really well done…" Hiccup chuckled, checking all sides of it, "not something I'd expect from you, Rapunzel."

"Because I didn't paint it bright?" she snickered, "I know your style. You could use it when you fly on Toothless, too."

"Shh!" Hiccup reminded, glancing about in the crowd.

"Oh, sorry…"

Hiccup simply smiled and looked down on it, "A dragon helmet…thank you, Punz….really, it's amazing."

He pulled her into an embrace.

"Good luck out there, Hic," she said, embracing him in return, pinching his nose playfully when he pulled away.

"Sorry to interrupt the lovebirds!"

"Hey!" Rapunzel chortled, turning to the voice. Rose took Hiccup's arm, "Time to go, Keeper."

"Okay, well, Rapunzel see—!"

He was dragged off before he could finish his sentence.

Rapunzel smiled, waving at them, "WIN THE CUP FOR US, GUYS!"

"WE DAMN SURE WILL!" Rose bellowed.

"Excited, you guys are…"

Rapunzel nearly jumped out of her skin when she registered the large hairy presence suddenly next to her.

Lorcan, that was not nice," she breathed, clutching her braid as she looked at the Ravenclaw up and down.

He was wearing a large lion's head, chewing a snake between his pointed teeth.

"What are you wearing?" she gaped.

"Family tradition…we support Gryffindor when it's not against our house," he smiled.

"Oh…I thought it was just some story people tell about the lion hat…" Rapunzel chuckled, "Well—let's go to the pitch. You're obviously prepared."

"Oh, aren't you?"

Rapunzel glanced down at her long red and gold scarf, shoes and socks…then Pascal's hat.

"It's…tradition."


"…check."

Jack looked to Sandy as his pawn was smashed by his bishop, an open beeline revealed Sandy's king.

He deflected it quite quickly by getting rid of the attacker.

A few moves later and Jack got what he expected. His chess pieces dwindled. Movements across the board became more slow and calculated, but he was losing his place.

There was no symbol needed to be created by Sandy to tell him that one single word.

"…checkmate," Jack breathed, telling himself exactly that.

He glanced up to Sandy, pursing his lip and nodding quietly.

"Okay," he said under his breath, "I should go now, I suppose…"

He took his staff anf headed for the door, slinging it over his shoulder, "It's the finals game, so I heard."

Sandy sat there, keeping his eyes on the chessboard, hands clasped over his mouth thoughtfully.

Then he picked up his quill.

Jack stopped and looked to him.

Sandy handed him the slip of parchment.

"…I can't tell you the story," it said, "…I don't have enough words, as you know…not at least those you can comprehend…"

Jack looked up from the slip of paper only to see Sandy walk off, waving him goodbye.

"Wait, sandy—!"

He simply pointed to the paper.

"…go to Bunny."


Merida pulled her shin-guards on, face twisted in concentration.

"Hurry up, people, ten minutes 'til game time!" Al reminded them as he walked across the locker room, goggles over his head.

"I think you should tie back your hair, love," Lily told Merida as she sat down, fixing her gloves' straps.

"Ah do well with it down," Merida replied stubbornly.

"Suit yourself, so long as you can see the Quaffle," she shrugged.

"Darn it…I didn' get much practice as a chaser…" Merida mumbled.

With all that's been going on, she could recall only having attended a handful practice sessions; not that there were many, the seventh years were as busy as they were with their N.E.W.T.s coming up at the end of the year.

"You'll do fine!" Lily reassured, clapping her back.

Merida stifled a cough, "that 'urts yeh kno'ow…"

"What does a chaser do?"

"Get the ball."

"Then what?"

"Toss it through one o' the three hoops."

Exactly! Very basic stuff," Lily beamed, cheeks fluched with excitement, "Elementary, my dear DunBroch."

Merida chuckled, "Sure…"

"Gather 'round, gather 'round!" Rose called them.

"C'mon, time for Albus' pep talk," Lily said and moved forward.

"Yeah, yeah, I jus' can't get these laces ter tighten properly…." She gritted her teeth, tugging at the strings of her guards. Everything needs to be in order, if this falls off…it could cost Merida her leg.

Or worse…the game.

"Let me help…"

Before she could refuse, someone crouched before her, lifting her leg.

"Erm…thanks, Hic…" she muttered quietly, watching him bend down in front of her and lift her foot to his knee, fixing the laces.

Merida's hands fumbled, looking for something to do instead of just sit there awkwardly.

"You okay?" he asked her without glancing up.

"Yeah, yeah, why wouldn' ah be?"

"You look tense."

"Tense? Me?" she snortled, "Please…"

"Oh, yeah?" he chuckled, looking up to her as he moved to her other leg.

"I can do it—"

"—it's okay, just get to putting on your other gear."

Merida found herself letting out a breath, "What abou' mah hair?"

"What about it?"

"Should'a tie it back?"

Hiccup tied off the ends and looked up to her, puzzled, "But you never tie it back."

She pursed her lips and shrugged, a smile tugging at her.

"Ahem."

They turned over their shoulders to see the whole team looking to them from around the chalkboard.

"Guys? Hurry it up, please," Rose said with a smirk on the corner of her lips.

"Oh…sorry…" Merida beamed sheepishly and pulled her foot off Hiccup's knee.

"Now!" Al clapped his hands together, gaining their attentions, "This is it, huh?"

"Oh, please, don't get all dramatic," said Roxanne.

"The very last game of my time—"Al continued with a flair of his hand, "It's been a pleasure and a privilege to play beside you ladies and gentlemen."

"We still ahven't played Championship, al," Rose reminded him sternly.

"Right!" Al beamed, "Well—I think there's no need for me to give pointers. You guys know your game best. But only when we work together do we win…be the unique cogs in the clockwork, everyone."

"We're gonna win this…" Lily mumbled, almost to herself.

"Yes we will!" Al affirmed, "But in the end, whatever we get—you still made Gryffindor proud."

"For Gryffindor," Hiccup said, leaning aginst a post.

"For Gryffindor!" they echoed.

"Butterbeer's on me after this!" announced Rose, which, honestly, got more applause.


"Hey ho, Gryffindor! Hey ho, Gryffindor!"

"We should have gone earlier…" Lorcan mumbled as he and Rapunzel made their way up to the stands, "Every seat's taken…"

There's got to be somewhere…" Rapunzel mumbled, looking up at the seats. The added number of visitors made the stands more crowded than usual. Professor North could be seen on one of the top boxes, clapping as he talked over to another wizard.

"The game's starting…" Rapunzel bit her lip as they stood atop the stairs, holding on to the railing just so they can see.

"There's some space down there!" Lorcan tugged at her sleeve and pointed to the far side of the pitch.

"With the Hufflepuffs!" Rapunzel beamed, "Yes! Let's go!"

"…the bludgers are up…the quaffle is released…AND THE GAME BEGINS!"

The pitch roared with cheer, chants for Gryffindor and Slytherin trying to drown eachother out as the sea of emerald and scarlet flashed down below in the stands.

The quaffled flew high up in the air from Professor Wood's toss, sending the chasers in a flurry in midair. Like fish to a prey.

"Hurry! Hurry!" Rapunzel said as she ran behind Lorcan, holding on to her braid while Pascal gripped on to the lion's mane of Lorcan's hat.

They ran as fast as their legs could carry them under the stands, hearing the roar of the crowds over their heads. The light of day fell down in the wooden corridors in shattered puddles.

"SLYTHERIN! SLYTHERIN!"

"HEY HO, GRYFFINDORS!"

"We can't miss it!" Lorcan chuckled, grabbing Rapunzel's hand and running with her, "It's the last game of the season, after all!"

Rapunzel ran, bare feet touching the ground as light as a gazelle, sure and quick.

"…shhh!"

They toppled forwards, hitting the wooden floors with a clatter, Lorcan's lion-head hat rolling ahead.

"What was that!?" Lorcan snapped up, looking around.

"We tripped…" Rapunzel mumbled, rubbing her elbow and pulling him up.

"I think I saw something…never mind, let's go…"


"I ain't tellin' ya, Frost," Bunnymund snortled as he walked towards the quidditch pitch.

"Sandy told me you would!" Jack reasoned, catching up beside him, swinging his staff at his side.

Bunnymund glanced to him, "Look, even if I wanted to tell ya, I'm not supposed ter."

"What? Because the Man in the Moon said so?" Jack huffed, "You know, this is not helping with what he wants done…"

"It's not about orders," Bunny told him, hopping over a boulder, the roar of the game muffled in the distance.

It was a bright day, not a cloud in the sky and the Black Lake glimmered with sunshine.

"Then what is it, rabbit?"

Bunnymund stopped and looked to Jack, "What am I, Frost?"

"A giant kangaroo-rabbit," he smirked.

"Don't get cocky,"

"Alright, you're a pooka."

"And then what?"

"A giant kangaroo-rabbit." Jack chuckled, "I dunno, Bunny, I never asked, did I? You do like making candy."

"Pookas keep time," Bunny told him, taking a step forward, "Down to the last grain of sand in an hourglass."

Jack raised a brow, "But Tooth keeps the memories."

"Limited memories of childhood," Bunnymund pointed out.

"So what I'm looking for is something outside of that," Jack said, "Bunny"Hey ho, Gryffindor! Hey ho, Gryffindor!"

Tell me, just tell me who Kozmotiz Pitchiner is."

They suddenly stopped.

"You know him more than you know," said Bunny, turning to Jack, "You know him as your Potions Master."

"Pitch Black?" Jack let out a breath.

"Shocked, ain't ya, mate?"

"What do you know of it?" Jack egged on, determined to know. Nightlight did not speak it for nothing.

"Everything."


"Lost your grip, DunBroch!" Scorpius laughed as he zoomed past.

Merida yelped, dodging him, "Why yeh—"

"MERIDA! CATCH!"

She turned just in time to see the Quaffle flying through the air right for her. She zoomed toward it, a Slytherin chaser doing the same from her left.

"Oh, no, yeh don'."

She pulled the end of her broom aside, spnning herself in the air, the broom tail hitting the Quaffle. The red ball ricocheted right towards the goal posts.

"TAKE IT!" yelled a Slytherin.

Before they could get to it, Lily swooped down and shot it through one of the hoops, the Slytherin keeper missing it be mere inches.

"TEN POINTS FOR GRYFFINDOR!"

"It's a good day ter fly!" Merida yelled as she flew past their own posts at the end of the field, waiting for the Quaffle to come near as the Slytherin tem took possession.

"You can say that again!" Hiccup laughed, pulling down the face-guard of his helm.

Oh, it was a good helmet…

The wind blew their quiddtich robes in a wonderful flair, the sun on their faces. The crowd was more excited than ever. It was promising to be a good game.

"Quaffle headed yer way!" Merida warned.

"Got it!" Hiccup gave a mock salute.

Merida watched the frenzy for the Quaffle come nearer as she flew near the goal posts to fend the threat away if it comes too near.

Albus flitted hundreds of feet higher, chasing the glint of the golden snitch.

Scorpius flew past him, his emerald robes flapping in the wind.

"C'mon, Al, you can do better than that!"

"Then watch me," he grinned and cut into the air.


Pitch stood in the clocktower, watching the Quidditch field in the distance wave and glimmer with scarlet and emerald. The old tower has been his steady perch, watching everything through the glass, just listening the cogs of the clock turn and the hands tick in their movements.

"It's time." He said simply, clasping his hands together and turned to his heels.

His silver eyes turned a shade of gold…almost similar to Sandy's, but lacking the warmth.

He took out his ebony wand and cast the spell he knew all too well, spreading shadows like smoke on to the wooden floors, seeping between the beams.

They took on various forms, the still air having no specific fear they could feed off. Pitch raised his wand, summoning the ink-black mares he took a liking to.

"The clock is ticking…" he told them, their golden eyes mirroring the shade of his own.

"Now let's have a little fun."