Note: I wrote this on the train, falling asleep as I wrote it. Hope you'll like it! I absolutely loved writing it. Please leave a review! It means so much.

To fyakka: Thank you so much! I love the Harry Potter universe, so I do my best to put all of those little details in this fanfic. It's great to have someone point it out :)

To Nyx94: Awwwww thank you so much! Your comment about my writing made me smile way too much!

Chapter 18: A Dangerous Feat

Elsa breathed in, looking at her reflection. She could hear from the common room below the noise and agitation of the party getting started. After the match, she'd spent the afternoon at the library, catching up to all the studying she was late on and had done her best not to think about what had happened in the changing rooms. When Rapunzel had gone to get her, telling her that the victory party would be starting soon, she'd asked for a few minutes to change.
Now, she was alone in the dormitory and for the first time all afternoon, she closed her eyes and let herself feel.

She'd spent all afternoon not thinking about it, telling herself that it was all right, nothing had happened, she was fine. She'd kept at bay all of her feelings, concentrating on her schoolwork.

But now that it was just her, in an empty room…

The terror of that moment, the murderous rage in Zachary's eyes, the smell of his sweat and the feeling of his hand punching the wall beside her head- it was all coming back to her.

When she opened her eyes again, the edge of the mirror was covered in frost. She stared in horror at her shaking hands. She breathed in, and out, in and out, in-

"Snowflake?"

She turned around so suddenly she knocked into a bedpost.

"Jack," she breathed, "You scared me."

She imperceptibly moved to cover the frost slowly progressing over the glass. She was panicking so much that she couldn't even try to calm herself down to make it stop.

"Are you okay? You've been up here for nearly an hour."

An hour? She'd thought it had barely been fifteen minutes. She'd changed into a dress Rapunzel had splayed out onto her bed; it was dark blue, open in the back, stopping mid-thigh. She'd then put her makeup on and brushed her hair before she'd started thinking back to what had happened with Zachary.

"I just needed a minute," she said, feigning calm.

His stare raked her from head to toe. He passed his hand in his hair in a nervous gesture.

"You look stunning."

She smiled.

He started walking towards her, and she took an involuntary step back, knocking against the mirror. A flash of hurt crossed Jack's eyes. When he reached for her hand, she hurriedly put them behind her back.

What she wouldn't give to have her gloves back just for that moment.

"What's going on?" he asked, frowning.

"Nothing," she said quickly.

That's when she saw his eyes go to the mirror behind her. She turned, and saw, to her horror, that the mirror and the wall behind it were now covered in ice. She turned back to Jack, her heart beating in her throat. She brought her hands to her arms, digging her nails into her skin. Jack already knew she didn't have complete control over her powers but-

"It's beautiful," he breathed. Her gaze snapped to him in shock.

"What?," she blurted.

He approached her, and this time she let him. He looked at the wall in wonder before lifting his hand and running it along the ice. She followed his movement.

"It looks like a piece of art," he said, turning back towards her. "Look at it: it looks like snowflakes are captured beneath its surface."

She did as he told her and looked at the ice- truly looked at it- for the first time. The rays of the evening sun touched it, refracting violet rays from its surface. She turned back to Jack.

He was still looking at the wall in amazement. And all of a sudden, she realised he would never be scared of what she could do- because he only saw beauty, where others saw danger.

In a sudden movement, she lurched to him, swinging her arms around his neck and pulling him down to her mouth, kissing him passionately. After a moment of astonishment, he wrapped his arms around her back, pulling her close as he reciprocated the kiss. When their lips separated, he didn't let go of her just as she didn't let go of him.

"What was that for?" he asked, a dazed, stupidly happy expression on his face. She shrugged.

"That was- because I'm glad you were born."

He looked at her in incomprehension, but she kissed him again, and he didn't ask anything else. She came alive in his arms like she'd never been- she felt things she hadn't known until now her body could feel. Every touch of his fingers made her want to burst into flames. She twisted her hands in his hair as his tongue swept in her mouth, making her forget everything she thought she knew about desire. He broke away, kissing her neck, her collarbone, her throat. She shivered as she held his face in her hands, letting herself feel the brush of his lips against her skin. She would probably let him do anything he wanted with her-

"Elsa," he gasped. She opened her eyes. His hair was messy from when she'd passed her hands through it. "They're waiting for us downstairs."

They were both breathing fast and hard, Jack's shoulders going up and down.

"So?"

"So as much as that dress is killing me," he muttered, not breaking eye contact with her as his hand drifted to her bare legs, making her tighten her hold on his shoulders, "I'm pretty sure Rapunzel is going to come to check on us in a minute or two."

Elsa knew he was right. But she didn't stop him as his hand drifted higher underneath her dress. She looked at him. He was staring into her eyes intently as if waiting for her to tell him to stop. A part of her wanted him to stop- because if his fingers just rose an inch higher, he would find damning evidence of her want for him.

She muffled a moan against his chest as he stroked her leg in circular motions, his pointer finger stroking over sensitive skin.

"Jack," she gasped out.

"You have no idea what you saying my name like that does to me," he murmured.

Then, his hand went a little too far up her leg.

She sensed the moment his entire self focused on the wetness he found there.

And she saw as the arrogant prick grinned.
She slapped his chest in outrage. "You could at least be classy about it!"

"Sorry, Snowflake," he chuckled, "I knew I had an effect on you, but it's nice to have proof."

She gaped at him, her indignation rolling off her in waves.

"You are such a-"

He silenced her with a kiss, as his hands left her legs and pulled her skirt down from where it'd hitched around her waist. She pushed him away, only half meaning it.

"I'm going now," she said firmly. "Are you coming or are you just going to stay here all night?"

"I just might," he grinned, blue eyes flashing, "I could replay what just happened in my mind all night."

That was all the excuse she needed to grab a pillow from the bed beside her and throw it right into his face, before turning on her heels and leaving the room before his laugh had faded.

He had originally gone up to apologise about what had happened with Zachary. Because he felt it was his fault. He'd noticed how Zachary looked at Elsa when he thought nobody was watching- like a lot of guys looked at her, to be honest. He should have known it would be dangerous to leave her alone in the Ravenclaw changing rooms. Sexual harassment happened at Hogwarts, he knew that- as disgusting as it was.

So he'd gone up to check she was okay because the thought of what could have happened made him feel like someone was twisting his guts. When she'd pulled away from him, he'd thought it was because she blamed him for what had happened, just as he blamed himself.

And then he saw the ice.

Elsa had gone downstairs, after throwing that pillow at him, but the ice was still there. He turned back towards it, and lightly ran his fingers along its surface. He had lied when he'd said it was beautiful.

It wasn't beautiful; it was magnificent. He watched as slowly, it melted away, as if tiny particles were flying away from it and disappeared into the air. He savoured the chill it left behind.

"Why are you up here by yourself?"

He tensed, turning. Ilra stood there, arms crossed, watching him.

"I was- looking for Rapunzel," he blurted.

"You were looking for her in the mirror?"

"I noticed I had something on my nose," he muttered. The last time they'd been alone, Jack had been completely drunk and Ilra had kissed him. They'd gone out for a very short while last year after that. He'd thought that was what he wanted, and that he had liked her. Of course, he realised that wasn't the case that summer and had sent her a letter telling her he wanted to break up. A fact that she hadn't taken well, and she'd pelted him with owls all summer.

It's not that he wasn't attracted to her, because he had been- she was very pretty, with dark hair that fell down to her waist and wide, chocolate brown eyes. But, as Jack knew even before he'd dated her, she was mean. Jack knew she was insecure, and that was why she acted the way she did- but still. And she acted like she needed Jack to like her to prove something to the whole school. Jack had realised that she hadn't liked him- she liked the idea of him, the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain.

And now that he had Elsa… he could see how what Ilra and he used to have was toxic.

"We haven't talked in a while," she said, uncrossing her arms.

Because I've been avoiding you.

Which was cowardly, he knew. He didn't know what to say, so he just nodded.

"So, what's going on between you and the new girl?"

He shrugged, not wanting to deny that something was going on, and stuffed his hands in the front pocket of his sweater.

"I've missed you."

Jack's shoulders slumped. Ilra's eyes were too wide as if she was trying to act out a scene from a movie.

"No you haven't," he said.

"I have," she protested.

"Ilra, you miss being the centre of the school's gossip," he said, "You don't miss me."

She rolled her eyes, but she didn't deny it.

"We'd be so great together," she said, taking a step towards him. He skipped to the side and walked to the door.

"Bye, Ilra," he said simply, before closing the door of the common room behind him.

Elsa watched as Jack went down the stairs, Ilra following five seconds later. She frowned- had it been just the two of them in the common room?

That was weird.

"Hey," said Jack, walking up to where Rapunzel and her were sitting on the couch, watching Merida and Hiccup arm-wrestle.

"What was that about?," asked Rapunzel, having seen what Elsa had seen. His eyes immediately turned towards Elsa.

"Nothing," he said quickly, "We barely talked."

She smiled, as if to tell him that he didn't have to justify himself to her.

"Does she still want you back?," Rapunzel said. Elsa's eyebrows shot to her forehead. She'd known Ilra had a crush on Jack- actually, Ilra had explicitly told her to stay away from Jack on her very first day (oops)- but she hadn't known they actually had history.

"There's nothing to want back," Jack said through his teeth. He was practically squirming with discomfort, his eyes flashing between Rapunzel and Elsa.

"Why, what happened?" She asked, curious.

"They kissed at a party last year, then Jack told her he wasn't interested," said Hiccup, coming out of nowhere and sweating profusely. Merida came too, her victorious smile making it clear who'd won the arm-wrestle.

"Is that so?," she said, her eyes going to Jack. He was staring at her as if he were trying to read her mind.

"Jack liked her too," Hiccup said, rolling back his sleeves. "And let's face it, she's hot. I still don't get why you didn't go for it."

"Because I realised she didn't really like me. And I didn't really like her."

"I mean-"

"Let's change the subject, shall we?" said Jack abruptly, before walking away.

"Someone's sensitive," chuckled Hiccup, watching his friend walk away.

The party was great. Even a few Hufflepuffs had joined the festivities. Hiccup, Flynn and Jack had all gone down to the kitchens three times to replenish the Ravenclaws in food and plenty of Butterbeer. Old rock music came from an old record player from the fifties, that wouldn't, realistically, be able to play without magic. Elsa had spent the better part of her evening being congratulated by the Ravenclaws, all of them eager to hug her, a few of them even asking her to dance. Jack had been watching her all night, barely paying attention to the animated conversation between Hiccup and Sophie about the best Quidditch team.

It was well past midnight when Hiccup and Merida left the party. The room was mostly empty, only a few Ravenclaws chatted quietly near the fire. The music was quieter and softer now, with only Rapunzel and Flynn swaying slowly in the middle of the room. After waving off Hiccup and Merida goodbye, saying he'd be going to the Gryffindor common room shortly, Jack looked around for Elsa. She'd dozen off in an armchair, her head resting against the back of the chair. He walked towards her, and sat down on the side of the armchair. The movement woke her up. When she saw him, she gave him a sleepy smile.

"Hi, lover," she whispered sleepily. He ignored the burst of warmth the nickname gave him.

"Hi," he answered, spreading his arm on the back of the armchair. "You having a good night?"

"I'm exhausted," she said, opening her eyes completely. She rested her cheek against his hand, hanging by her left shoulder. Discreetly, he turned his fingers, gently caressing her cheek. They were both looking straight ahead, so as not to draw attention, but he relished the small contact.

"So," she said, "You and Ilra, huh?"

He glanced sideways at her.

"A long time ago," he said carefully.

"Did you two…" She didn't finish her sentence, but Jack guessed it.

"No. We never went further than kissing."

"You can tell me if you did. You're allowed to have had a life before… this."

"I know," he said, hiding his grin. "I wouldn't lie to you about that."

"Okay," she said and Jack thought he detected… relief?

"Jealous, Snowflake?," he said, chuckling.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?," she retorted.

"You're so jealous," he said, rolling his eyes.

"I'm not," she muttered.

"You're green with envy."

"Skin doesn't actually turn green, Jack."

"Yes, it does. Yours is turning green right now."

"No, it's not-"

"Yes, it is-"

"No, it's not."

There was a silence then-

"You're so jealous."

"No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are."

"Jack, I'm not. Leave me alone."

"You're a little jealous. Admit it."

Elsa sighed in exasperation. "You are the most irritating person I've ever met."

"And the most handsome," he said, with a wink.

"I don't know how you convinced Ilra to kiss you with that attitude-"

"HA! I knew you were jealous!"

"I didn't say that-"

This continued at least for half an hour, before Elsa gave up, throwing her hands up in exasperation.

"Fine! I am feeling a tiny, whimsical, insignificant hint of jealousy. Now leave me alone!"

Jack grinned and stood up, taking her by the hand and dragging her into the staircase, out of sight. He kissed her slowly, her face between his hands, leaning into the wall.

"You're cute when you're jealous," he said.

She slapped his chest.

"I'm going to bed now," she snapped. She turned away, but he grabbed her hand pulling her back to him and kissing her again.

"I'm yours," he whispered against her lips. "Completely, unequivocally, without question; yours."

He felt her smile in content, and he gave her a last, small kiss.

"Good-night," he said. He waited for her to disappear, hands in his pocket, into her dormitory before leaving.

The last week of term passed in a blur. Elsa worked twice as hard, trying to catch up on the work she'd missed while training for the Quidditch match. Snape had given her a few bad grades, which she had to compensate by writing a killer essay.

Jack was often down on the pitch training his team, now that the Ravenclaw team had vacated the pitch. Elsa spent all her time with Rapunzel, Flynn and Merida. She was glad for the time with her friends, she felt as if she hadn't had a proper conversation with Rapunzel for ages.

She tried not to think about the end of the week, and tried to ignore the feeling of dread in her stomach every time someone brought up the Christmas holidays, which was at least four times a day for the plain and simple reason that Rapunzel loved Christmas. She couldn't stop talking about it. They were all going back to spend the holidays with their respective families the first week. The second week, Flynn and Rapunzel were going up to the mountains, to go skiing together. Jack was also going home. He couldn't wait to see his baby sister, Emma. In the rare moments when they saw each other, often in the library, Jack told her softly about the farm his mother and father owned, by a lake in a small village next to the mountains. He talked about Emma and how they always go ice-skating at the lake this time of year. He'd tried to ask her a few times what she'd be doing this Christmas, but she'd managed to avoid his questions, and he hadn't insisted.

But when they'd all be packing, and she wouldn't, there'd be no hiding it. When they'd all go down to Hogsmeade to catch the train, she'd have to tell them the truth- she was staying at Hogwarts for Christmas. For two whole weeks, completely alone, all because her own family didn't want her home for Christmas.

On Saturday morning, Jack sprung out of bed. His trunk was already closed, and he counted down the minutes until the train would leave Hogsmeade, at eleven o'clock. He couldn't wait to see Emma and his parents.

What he wasn't waiting for impatiently, however, was not seeing Elsa. He couldn't imagine not seeing her every day, not being able to talk with her, to laugh with her, to touch her…

It's only for two weeks, he thought.

After a quick breakfast, they dragged their trunks to the Great Hall, with all the others. To this day, they had no idea how the trunks made it onto the train.

"Come on, let's go meet Rapunzel and Elsa," Merida said once they'd set down their luggage. "They told us to meet them at the Ravenclaw common room."

Elsa watched with amusement as Rapunzel ran around the room, throwing in more clothes at the last minute into her trunk. She'd be going at it for a little more than an hour, now, getting increasingly panicked as the hour wore on.

"You could help me, you know," she said, straightening up and setting her eyes on Elsa, sitting crosslegged on the bed.

"Nope, I'm having way more fun over here."

Rapunzel muttered something under her breath, and Elsa snorted, bowing her head back down to the magazine she'd found in the Common room. She flipped a page as she watched the images moving.

"I hope you're ready because once the others get here to help me get my trunk downstairs, we're going."

"The others?" Elsa asked, her head shooting up from her read.

"Yeah, I told them to meet us here."

Great. She'd been hoping to tell them as they left, so as not to hear their comments and not see their incomprehension or pity.

"About that-" she started, just as the door opened and Jack, Flynn, Merida and Hiccup strode into the room. Jack grinned at her, making her heart skip a beat.

"I hope you're ready Punzie," Hiccup said, "because if you're going to make us be late again, I will throttle you."

"Remember last Christmas, when she nearly made us miss the train-" said Merida.

"Or the one before that, when we couldn't even close the goddamn trunk because she had so many clothes in it-"

"Remember in our third year when she really did make us miss the train and we had to spend Christmas here?" said Flynn.

"I'm ready," Rapunzel said, ignoring their teasing as she dragged the trunk onto its feet. "We can go?"

"Good, let's go," said Flynn, grabbing Rapunzel's trunk and heaving it towards the door.

"Coming, Elsa?" asked Merida.

"Guys," she said quietly as they all turned their back to her. "I'm not going."

She might as well have told them McGonagall had just turned Snape into a huge rat that was now loose in the castle.

"What?" Flynn and Hiccup said. Rapunzel stared at her trunk in horror, finally noticing that it was empty, and her clothes were still neatly folded in her drawers.

She shrugged.

"My parents are really busy this Christmas," she said. "But don't worry, I'll be fine. The food here is great."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

The question came from Jack. He was looking at her not with surprise at the fact that she was staying at Hogwarts for the holidays, but in true confusion of why she hadn't confided in him. She felt a twinge of guilt.

And she noticed as the others heard the question, exchanging looks- Jack hadn't said Why didn't you tell us? He'd asked why she hadn't told him. Specifically.

"It was very last minute," she said.

"Of course it was," he said, through gritted teeth. She looked at him, but he turned his eyes away from her.

"I'll go down with you to the carriages, to say goodbye," she said, not knowing what she could possibly say to stop Jack acting like she'd hurt him. She couldn't bear the way he was avoiding her eyes. And the thought of not seeing him for two whole weeks-

"Let's go," said Merida, breaking the silence.

The cold winter air felt like a slap in the face. The first snow of the year covered the ground. The carriages, pulled by invisible horses, were waiting for the students. Most of them were already filled up and on their way towards Hogsmeade, and the train waiting for them there.

"Write me," Rapunzel said with affection as she hugged Elsa goodbye.

"I'll be fine," Elsa said, rolling her eyes as she wrapped her arms around her friend. "I've got plenty to do here, don't worry about me."

Jack watched her. Emotions battled inside him- frustration, at Elsa's refusal to tell him anything remotely personal. Anger, at her family- he'd gathered enough information over the last few months to know that Elsa was lying about the true reason she wasn't going home for Christmas. Desperation, not only at the thought of not seeing her for two weeks- but imagining her, alone, in the cold corridors of the castle for Christmas. Merida also hugged her goodbye. Hiccup gave her an affectionate tap on the back, telling her something about sending her a Dungbomb for Christmas. Then it was Flynn's turn- he also hugged her, lifting her up from the ground. She laughed as he set her down.

There was an awkward silence as Elsa turned to him.

"Let's go get us a carriage, guys," said Merida quickly.

"But-"

"Shut up Hiccup," she muttered, dragging him away. Flynn and Rapunzel followed suit, hiding their smiles.

Jack watched his friends go, before turning back towards Elsa.

"So," he said. "This is it."

"This is it," she repeated, watching him carefully.

"You could have told me."

There was a small, tense silence.

"I know," she said. "But- the reason I didn't tell you is not that I don't trust you. You know that, right?"

"You don't tell me anything about yourself," he snapped, crossing his arms. "You know everything about me, about my family-"

"Jack, do you really want to fight about this now? You're about to leave."

"Do- do I want to fight about this?" He spluttered. "Elsa, I don't want to ever fight with you, but how do you expect this to work if you're not going to let me in even just a little bit-"

"I am letting you in," she interrupted. "More than I should."

"Not enough," he muttered. "You don't even want people to know about us."

"Jack," she said softly, taking a small step towards him. Snow was falling around them, the bustle of the students near the carriages suddenly distant. "Let's not do this now."

He looked up at her and saw the pleading in her eyes. He felt the anger melt away, although he didn't want it to.

"You're going to be okay?' he asked. She smiled.

"I'll be fine. I love Hogwarts. I'm going to spend a great Christmas. I'll maybe buy a new cat for Filch so that Mrs Norris can have babies."

"Please don't do that."

She smiled.

"You should go," she said. "They're waiting for you."

He knew she was right. But God… after a week waiting for this moment, going was the last thing he wanted to do. He took her in his arms, holding her close.

"I'm going to miss you," he heard her whisper against his ear. He tightened his hold around her. Finally, he let go.

She planted a kiss on his cheek, so quickly he wondered if anyone had seen.

Then, before he could change his mind, he turned away from her and walked to the carriages, jumping into the one where his friends were.

He watched as Elsa waved one final time before going back inside.

The carriage lurched into motion, taking him slowly towards Hogsmeade station.

"Okay, Jack, I personally think- as do the others- that we have a right to know," Hiccup said. "We have the theory that something's going on between Elsa and… yourself. Now, I know this might come as a shocking revelation. But we came to this conclusion for the plain and simple reason that we have eyes-"

"JACK!" Rapunzel screamed, interrupting Hiccup.

But it was too late. Jack had opened the door and jumped down of the moving carriage and was running back to the castle at top speed, ignoring his friends' cries.

Elsa slowly mounted the staircase. Maybe it would be good to have the Ravenclaw common room all to herself. She was looking forward to an afternoon of reading.

CRASH.

She turned, just as someone came running in, slamming down his feet as he sprinted, into the Great Hall. It took a minute for Elsa to realise it was Jack.

"What- the hell- are you doing?" she blurted as Jack took the stairs two by two, joining her. When he finally did, he grabbed her hand. He was gasping from his run, his cheeks red from the effort and the cold.

"Come with me," he said, short of breath. He looked a little crazy, his hair a mess and his blue eyes filled with desperation.

"What?"

"Come. With. Me."

"Are you crazy?"

"Snowflake, either we talk about this and we miss the train, or come with me."

"But- your family-"

"-Is dying to meet you."

"I don't have any clothes-"

"We have plenty of that at home. And a spare toothbrush."

"But-"

"Come with me."

She slowly shook her head in surrender, a smile spreading across her face.

"Okay."

"Okay?" he asked, grinning.

"Okay," she repeated, laughing. "I'll come with you."

"Great," he said. "Now, we'd better get going, or we'll both be spending Christmas with Filch."

He dragged her down the staircase at a run, holding her hand tightly as if he was afraid she'd change her mind.

Jack opened the compartment door, walking in at the precise moment the train started moving. Flynn, Rapunzel, Hiccup and Merida all turned to him, a mixture of astonishment, fury and incomprehension on their faces.

"Well hello again," Merida said, "We didn't have time to properly say goodbye last time. I would appreciate a warning if you have a sudden urge to jump of the freaking train-"

"Sorry guys," he said, grinning. "Couldn't let Elsa here be alone for Christmas."

Elsa walked in.

Hiccup's mouth fell open.

"How the hell did you two get here in time?," asked Rapunzel.

"We got the last carriage," Jack said, slumping down onto a seat. "Elsa's going to spend Christmas with me."

Elsa sat down next to him.

"Okay, now this is too much," said Hiccup. "I mean you two are so obvious I don't even know if you're trying to keep this a secret or not."

Jack didn't know what to answer. He didn't want to deny the relationship that had made him happier than he'd been in a long time- but he didn't want to disrespect Elsa's wishes-

That's when he felt Elsa's hand slip into his. He turned to her in surprise.

"We're together," she said.

"As in- together as a couple?," Hiccup asked.

"For how long?," asked Rapunzel.

Jack smiled, bring Elsa's hand to his lips and kissing it. He felt like she understood the secret thank you.

"A bit more than a month," he said.

"I cannot believe you didn't tell me!," squealed Rapunzel, not even sounding a bit angry. "I knew it! I knew it! I told Eugene I was sure that you'd kissed-" She stopped talking, turning to them, her green eyes wide. "You have kissed right?"

"Yes, Punzie," said Elsa patiently, "We have kissed."

The whole compartment erupted. Merida and Rapunzel were bombarding Elsa with questions- how? When?- Flynn and Hiccup were high-fiving Jack, before hugging Elsa as if she'd just become their sister.

Jack laughed.

He squeezed Elsa's hand as he let his friends scream out their excitement as if they'd just found out their favourite celebrity couple had just decided to get married.