Warning: Sexual content, which you can skip, as always- hope you like this chapter and please leave a review so I can know what you think! Stay safe!

Chapter 23: Old Terrors

'In a broom cupboard?' Rapunzel said- not for the first time- her eyes wide.

'Shhh,' Elsa told her, eyeing the other students in the library warily- although, since it was late, there weren't that many. 'Try not to inform the whole school, will you?'

'Sorry,' Rapunzel murmured, biting her lip and giving Elsa an amused look. She raised her eyebrows. 'I wish Flynn and I would do it in a cupboard,' she uttered out of the corner of her mouth.

'Rapunzel!' Elsa hissed, shocked. She made herself turn back to her half-finished essay. 'I'm coming to regret this whole girl talk idea of yours.'

Rapunzel giggled, pulling Elsa's essay away from her. Elsa sighed in exasperation, crossing her arms.

'I must say,' Rapunzel whispered. 'I'm surprised Jack is so... ' She waved a hand, looking for the right word. '...daring. He's usually the most reasonable out of all us.'

Elsa blushed, the whole cupboard incident replaying in her mind. She crossed her legs and straightened her back, trying to muster a bit of propriety.

'Well, did you like it?' Rapunzel prodded. Elsa glared at her. She knew, from the heat prickling her face, that she'd turned a bright shade of red.

'I am done talking about this.'

'Oh my god,' Rapunzel said under her breath, staring at Elsa wide-eyed. 'You didn't like it!'

That's not what I-'

'Elsa, communication is key, if you don't like it you have to-'

'Rapunzel,' Elsa interrupted. 'I did like it. A lot. Now, can you please let me concentrate on-'

She felt someone ruffle her hair, and she froze as Jack pulled back a chair, slumping down next to her. He winked at her, stretching out an arm on her chair's backseat.

'Hey,' he said, giving Rapunzel a smile. 'What are we talking about?'

Elsa covered her face with her hands, so embarrassed she couldn't face him. She was pretty sure she was blushing up to the roots of her hair. Her skin was even warm to the touch.

'Um-' Rapunzel said, and Elsa could clearly hear her efforts not to laugh, the strain showing in her voice '- we were just talking about-'

Before Rapunzel could say something that would somehow make the situation worse, Elsa stopped hiding her face in her hands and took her essay back from Rapunzel, glancing down at the title. 'We were talking about... burtroots.'

'Burtroots?' Jack said, looking very confused.

'Yes, they're- um-' she sounded breathless even to her own ears, '- good for indigestion.'

'Right,' Jack said, his mouth tucking up at the corners. He looked at her knowingly, looking infinitely amused- she couldn't quite meet his eyes, turning back to her essay.

Rapunzel made a big show of yawning and stretching. She stood up, starting to shove her things in her bag. 'I'm exhausted- I'll see you back at the dormitory, Elsa. See you tomorrow, Jack.'

Before Elsa could stop her, she'd walked away from the table. Elsa could've sworn she heard her friend mutter 'Good for indigestion. Honestly.'

She scowled at Rapunzel's retreating back.

'What's up with you?' Jack asked, that insufferable little grin playing on his lips. 'You look very-'

'Yes?' She asked, daring him to continue. She half-turned toward him, resting her elbow atop the table.

'Flustered,' he finished.

Her heart tightened painfully as she turned to face him fully. God, he was too handsome for his own good, his eyes dancing in the candlelight. She hadn't seen him today- in fact, they'd only been able to meet up at meals and for brief, too-short embraces every chance they got. In the two weeks they'd been back at school, Elsa was back to juggling Quidditch practise and lessons, and Jack- as Quidditch Captain of his own house- had been training the Gryffindor team thoroughly since the start of classes.

Which meant that on the nights Elsa wasn't training hard on the pitch, Jack was. Which made it very difficult to see each other for more than a few moments, especially considering that they only had Potions and Defense Against the Darks together.

'Snowflake, should I be jealous of burtroots?'

A breathless laugh escaped her, and she shook her head. 'How did you know I'd be here?'

'Flynn told me,' he said, absentmindedly twining their fingers together and lifting her hand to his lips, giving her a tender kiss. He seemed oblivious to the fact that her heart had just started beating abnormally fast. 'I was wondering if- you'd like to take a walk with me?'

He looked adorable. 'Sure,' she smiled. 'Let me just finish this.'

...

Once Elsa had finished her essay- Jack had watched her the whole time, the lingering blush tainting her face, although he supposed he had better things to do, like getting started on his own potions essay- she packed up her stuff swiftly. They left the library, now practically empty, went down the stairs, through the Entrance Hall and into the snowy grounds.

It was just past the middle of January, and it was still quite cold. Not that Jack could actually feel the cold- he just noticed Elsa slightly shivering. She was wearing the scarf his mother had given her- he loved seeing her with it. Plus, it matched her eyes perfectly.

They walked in comfortable silence until they reached their usual spot by the lake. The earth was mostly dry, thanks to the large tree they sat against, its branches high above them and protecting them from the snow.

'I feel like I've barely seen you,' Elsa said, breaking the silence. She took his hand, pulling it onto her lap and playing with his fingers.

'I know,' he sighed, resting his back and head against the tree. He gazed out at the lake, the stars reflected in the tranquil waters. 'I even called Hiccup Snowflake, the other day.'

'You didn't!' She gasped.

'What?' He said defensively- 'I was thinking of you!'

'What did he say?'

Jack glanced down, avoiding her gaze. 'You don't want to know.'

'Well, now I do,' she said, squeezing his hand to get his attention. He swivelled his head towards her, feeling the harsh bark of the tree against his scalp.

'He said,' Jack whispered softly, plunging his eyes into hers, 'that he was very happy that I had a girlfriend, but he strongly urged me to find a way to vent my... frustration- because he couldn't stomach the idea of talking to me in this state.'

She glanced away from him, blushing again. He chuckled, brushing a knuckle to her face, tenderly tracing her cheekbone. Everything was still around them.

His hand dropped, back to his lap, although his other one was still wrapped tightly in her two hands. She suddenly looked like she'd made a decision.

To his surprise, she shifted, throwing a leg past his thigh and settling into his lap. He braced his hands on her waist lightly, looking up into her face.

'I've missed you too,' she said, before kissing him softly.

He instantly felt himself harden against her. He closed his eyes, lifting his hand to her nape and pressing her closer. She shifted against him, and he had to hold back a small hiss.

What she said next wasn't what he expected.

'I want to go swimming.'

'What?' Jack asked incredulously. 'Elsa, it's the middle of January. You'll freeze to death.'

She was already standing up, pulling off her scarf, sweatshirt and vest going to the ground, as did her pants. Soon, she was standing before him with nothing but her underwear.

'Elsa,' he repeated. He was quite unused to being the sensible one.

'Jackson,' she said, in mock seriousness.

He gaped at her. She didn't wait for him, turning towards the lake. She'd taken off her shoes, too, Jack realised; he cursed, pulling himself to his feet and going after her. He took his wand out of his back-pocket, spinning it in his hand before muttering a spell used to heat up water just as Elsa put her toes in.

'It's warmer than I expected,' she said, a hint of surprise in her voice. Jack went as close to the water as he dared, water nipping at the edge of his shoes.

'Yeah, no kidding,' he smirked, showing her his wand. She twisted around to pat his cheek.

'I knew you had your uses.'

He snorted.

She stepped in deeper into the water, and Jack watched her back, his eyes going up and down her body- she looked ethereal, her ash blonde hair nearly reaching her lower back. She turned back to face him, spreading her arms wide before letting herself fall back into the water before his cry of warning had finished sounding. He waited, barely breathing, for her to emerge from the water.

She did- dripping, strands of hair sticking to the sides of her face. He laughed in relief. She hadn't gone too far- his spell on the water didn't stretch out across the whole lake.

He watched drops of water running down her arms, her shoulders, over her bra- he swallowed with great difficulty.

She gave him a wide, sweet smile. And just like that- he wanted to join her.

Before he realised what he was doing, he was untying his shoes, pulling off his sweatshirt and trousers. He now stood in nothing but boxers. He didn't look back up at Elsa, stepping tentatively into the water.

This isn't so bad, he thought. The water was pleasantly warm around his ankles.

He took another step, then another, until the water was up to his thighs. He tried taking another step but-

It's so dark, and he couldn't breathe, water rushing into his throat and lungs- there was no way up to the surface, the ice had sealed him in-

He staggered a step back- but felt someone grab his arm.

His vision cleared. Elsa's wet hair framed her face beautifully, her blue eyes filled with worry.

'Hey,' she said softly. His breathing was ragged, panic closing up his throat. He couldn't bring himself to answer.

'You're not alone,' she whispered. 'You're with me.'

Her hand slid down his arm, taking his hand- taking both of his hands in hers. Her back was to the lake, moonlight playing in her hair.

He held her like he was holding on to dear life. He looked down as she stood a step backwards.

'Look at me,' she whispered.

He couldn't breathe, couldn't think around the horrible cold piercing him open-

'Look at me,' she said again.

He did. She took another step back, and he staggered a step forwards.

'I won't let anything happen to you,' she said forcefully. He believed her.

They made it another few steps- the water now lapped just past his waist.

He hesitated. Elsa saw it. She leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

'You're with me.'

She pulled him forward again, and he let her. He let her until he had water up to his chest.

He released his breath, not quite daring to believe it. His heart was beating a thousand miles per hour, he was on the edge of a panic attack but... he was in the water. Completely immersed in it.

You're with me.

When he looked up at Elsa, she squealed, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.

'You did it! Jack, you did it!'

His answering laugh was breathless, as if he couldn't quite wrap his mind around it. Elation filled him, and he pulled Elsa to him. She made a startled sound. He pressed his lips to her, still laughing- kissed her again, in wonder and amazement.

God, he thought, I am so in love with you.

...

'I told you it was too cold to go swimming,' he said as they entered the Gryffindor changing rooms by the Quidditch pitch. Elsa's teeth were clacking together, her lips almost blue.

'Itoldyouitwastoocoldtogoswimming,' she imitated him. He laughed, shaking his head. He went to his locker, pulling out his key.

'Take off your clothes,' he said, taking out two towels and giving it to her.

'At least buy me dinner first,' she teased, and he grinned. She stripped down, her wet clothes falling to the floor with a wet slap- even though she'd taken them off, she'd soaked them through when getting out of the water.

She wrapped a towel around her soaked hair, before taking the second one and starting to pat her body dry.

'Here,' he said. 'Let me.'

He took the towel from her and slid it across her skin, the lingering drops of water disappearing under his administrations.

She shivered again- not from the cold- when his hand brushed against her bra. She was suddenly very conscious that she was practically naked, standing in front of a fully-clothed Jack.

He knelt down before her, gently drying her thighs and lower-legs. He looked up at her while doing it, blue eyes flashing. He knew what he was doing to her. Her toes curled- she wasn't entirely sure she was breathing.

'Dry enough?' He asked, not rising from his knees.

'Yes,' she said breathlessly.

He looked down at her feet. 'I missed a spot,' he said. He gently lifted her ankle, his fingers wrapping around her lower-leg as he guided it over his shoulder so that the back of her knee was nestled against his shoulder.

He pressed a tender kiss on the inside of her leg, looking up at her. Without breaking eye contact, he went up, up, up, trailing kisses along her leg- His fingers gently pressed against her core as his mouth reached the apex of her thighs.

She tensed as his fingers drifted over her underwear. She knew he could feel how wet she was.

He kissed her skin again, gently pulling her underwear aside.

She gasped, her neck arching when he put his mouth on her. She felt him laugh against her- it was second nature to fist her hands in his white hair. He worked on her slowly, gently, his hands immobilising her hips- when her body lurched away in reaction, his hold pinned her to the spot.

She closed her eyes, the pleasure building inescapably.

She moaned, crying out his name as she came. He kept teasing, sucking and licking through the last throws of it. She felt the release barrel through her body, wrecking her thoroughly.

He stood up again, pulling her in, kissing her- he tasted of her, and the thought only kindled the fire inside her body, burning for him-

'We should get back to the school,' he breathed into her mouth. She ignored him, deepening the kiss- it was a desperate clash of teeth and tongue now, and she felt his length push up against her-

Jack lurched away from her, panting heavily, hair in disarray, eyes clouded by desire.

'Elsa- it's late, it'll be hard enough going back to the dormitories-,' he started, but stopped talking as Elsa walked over to him.

He watched as she knelt, just as he had done.

'Let me,' she said softly. She wanted to make him feel like he had made her feel.

He didn't protest as she unbuckled his belt, revealing the proud length of him. When she took him in her mouth, he barked a curse. Within seconds, his hands were fisted in her hair, guiding her-

He cried out her name as he shuddered through his climax.

The sound of him saying her name like that...

He helped her up, brushing a finger against her swollen lips.

He shook his head disbelievingly.

'What?' She asked, tilting her head.

He shrugged. 'I'm not sure I can talk about Quidditch tactics to my team in this room anymore.'

She laughed, and he kissed her like he wanted to swallow the sound. He handed her his Quidditch polo.

'I can't wear that,' she said, frowning at the red wooden jumper, his surname etched in golden letters in the back. 'It would be like betraying my Quidditch team.'

Jack rolled his eyes, chuckling. 'Elsa. I promise I won't tell Sophie. I can actually see you turning blue.'

Elsa pursed her lips, but she was too cold, to protest further. She took the garment from him, shoving her arms into the sleeves. It was much too big for her.

'Plus,' Jack said, looking her up and down. He rested a hand on her waist giving her another soft, quick kiss. 'I like seeing you in my clothes.'

...

Elsa was quite sure, two weeks later, that she was about to pass out with nerves. The Quidditch match against Slytherin was in two hours, the watery winter sun shining from the ceiling of the Great Hall. She was struggling to gobble down her breakfast.

She had to beat Slytherin. She just had to.

She couldn't stand the thought of facing Xavier and Ronan if she didn't.

And she was pretty sure Sophie would throw herself off the Astronomy tower if they did.

She'd risen earlier than most, but she'd been toying with her food for so long that students were filing in. She ignored the Slytherins, taunting her as they passed her. She forced herself to breath in and out slowly, letting the motion calm her.

She decided it was no use, she wouldn't eat another bite anyway, and she might as well avoid the Slytherins. She left the Great Hall, just as Jack, Hiccup and Merida were going down the stairs.

'Elsa!' Merida called, taking the rest of the stairs at a run to give Elsa a hug. 'I'm so glad we didn't miss you! I wanted to wish you good luck.'

She gave Elsa a swift hug, and Elsa squeezed back gratefully just as the boys caught up to them.

'She doesn't need luck,' Jack said, giving her one of his heart-stopping winks.

Merida released her, and Hiccup rolled his eyes. 'No matter how talented she is, everyone needs luck when it comes to Quidditch.'

Hiccup gave her a good luck hug too. She didn't have the words to express to her friends what it meant for them to send her off.

When he released her, Jack gave her a crooked grin. She lifted her brows in exasperation, opening her arms to him. He stepped into her embrace, wrapping his arms around her back.

'I wish I could kiss you right now,' he whispered. Elsa looked over his shoulder- there were way too many people around.

He released her, then gently pulled the end of her braid.

'Good luck.'

'I thought I didn't need luck,' she retorted.

'Everyone needs luck when it comes to Quidditch.'

...

She was halfway down to the pitch when an owl flapped down to her, landing on her shoulder.

'Hello,' she told the barn owl. He hooted, stretching out his leg to her. She untied the letter he had carried to her- he immediately flew away.

Elsa froze as she saw the unbroken wax emblem, sealing the letter. The symbol of Arendelle's royal family.

She glanced around her, hands shaking. Although she could hear the animated chatter of the students making their way to the pitch.

She took in a shuddering breath, breaking the seal and pouring over its content.

Crown Princess Elsa,

Your presence at court is needed, urgently. Some arrangements about Arendelle's future have been made. We feel the need to remind you that your first duty is to Arendelle.

We will send someone to escort you back to Arendelle at your earliest convenience.

King Agnarr

Elsa couldn't believe it.

She was going back to Arendelle.