Elsa 5
When the headmaster finally started the feast, my spirits had dropped so low I could hardly enjoy myself
The other girls discussed the Hunger Games in their high pitched voices and when they finally exhausted the subject they moved onto the Fault in Our Stars. When we made the ascent to the Ravenclaw tower I was thoroughly relieved. I stayed toward the back of the chatting group, to find the girl with long blond hair also by herself. She was quaint and had an appeal of innocence about her. As we climbed she would occasionally push her long braided hair away from her feet.
I saw it happen, like slow motion. She was walking up the stairs combating her hair every few seconds, and then grew distracted by a picture on the wall that called "Carolina!" right at the girl. Her head turned in surprise, but her feet kept moving and her hair whipped in front of her feet and the next thing I know, she was on the steps.
I rushed up to help her and noticed her knees were scraped and blood trickled out of the wounds.
"Are you ok?" I asked, crouching down to help her up.
She smiled "Yes, I'm fine." She looked back down at her scraped knees and I reached for my wand. She held out her hand to stop me, "Don't worry I can fix it." She began to hum under her breath and, to my amazement; the wound closed up and healed without a trace.
"How did you do that?" I asked.
"With my hair. When I sing a song it can heal. It awakens the magical properties inside my hair or whatever. That's what my mother always tells me, at least." She paused a moment seeing my shock and asked "Why? Is it weird?"
I stumbled on my words, "N-no, well kinda… I mean-" I stopped and collected my thoughts. "It's not weird to me, but to others maybe. I suggest only sharing that with your closest friends."
"If it's not weird to you, why would it be weird to others?"
"Well, because-" I paused, not sure how to proceed. "I'm an outcast at this school." I decided to go with, it wasn't completely lying.
"Oh. Um, Ok. Thanks for the advice. I'm Rapunzel by the way."
"Elsa. It's nice to meet you." I said pulling Rapunzel back to her feet. Then we turned our attention to the painting who was profusely apologizing.
Rapunzel stepped forward toward the painting and asked curiously, "What did you shout at me?"
The girl in the painting was about our age and was blond with a crown of light purple flowers. She wore a long, white, flowy dress and ran through the green grasses barefoot. "I am so sorry, its nothing really, you just looked so much like this girl I used to know."
Rapunzel smiled "Carolina was her name?' The flowery girl nodded a sheepish smile on her face. "Well my name is Rapunzel and this is Elsa. What's yours?"
"I'm Lily. It's been so long since I've had a friend in this castle. All the Ravenclaws just walk by in with their books held against their chests like they are a treasure. Do you want to be friends?"
"Sure, and one day I would like to meet this Carolina of yours."
"Oh she is probably older by now. It was silly for me to call at you like that when I know that she graduated many years ago."
"Not at all. I am very glad you did because I have now made two new friends."
I wrinkled my brow doing the calculation in my head. Two so that would mean Lily and… I couldn't help but smile. Then I realized how late it was and that the others had long since passed by.
"Ok Rapunzel, we need to get to bed, big day tomorrow and I think we are officially breaking the rules now."
Rapunzel sighed, "Ok. It was nice to meet you Lily! See you tomorrow!"
"Bye!" Lily called back and together, Rapunzel and I made the ascent up the final steps and entered our common room. Rapunzel marveled at the size of the windows and how lovely everything was. I smiled and agreed that it was quite remarkable. Then we finally headed to bed.
The next morning I awoke early, like usual, and I just laid, staring at the top of my four post bed. Finally, I sat up. Everyone in the room was still asleep. The girl in the bed next to me, Franny, was hanging off the side. Her short black hair was splayed across her face and her frog named Frankie was hopping around the room. I could see Marshmallow eyeing him and scolded him.
I got up and put my day robes on. Tying my tie, I traced the blue and copper stripes lightly with my fingers. What does being a Ravenclaw mean? I sigh and put on my crisp white gloves. I slipped out into our common room, taking Marshmallow with me before Franny's star pupil becomes lunch, to find that I was the first one there.
I sat looking out the window over the peaceful lake. Now and then you can see a ripple along the top. It's not confirmed what lies below the surface, but one thing that we are sure of is that there is an immortal octopus. It is rumored that there are mermaids, nymphs, and coral dragons, but nothing is definite and it's mostly just stories that compete to get crazier every year. For example, Hiccup insists that an aquatic class of dragons called the Tidal Class live down there.
A light mist rose as the morning sun stood, vanquishing the darkness from where it stood peering longingly at the land who has never seen a true owner. Eventually, some people began to pass through the common room and others took seats and began to chat with friends. My thoughts rolled from subject to subject, not daring to linger on a topic long enough for it to cause unrest, yet pausing long enough to thoroughly contemplate and complete it. A steady tick of the grandfather's clock, like the one we have at home, kept me mesmerized.
Breakfast loomed ahead like dark clouds replacing the fluffy cotton candy ones created by the visual light waves emitted by the sun making its way up the mountainside.
About fifteen minutes to seven I rose from where I sat and headed off to the library to meet Jack and River. I made my way down the steps of the tower, passing a few people along the way, and said good morning to a sleepy Lily who was rubbing her eyes.
When I arrived at the library I saw Jack sitting at a table, referencing a book for whatever he was working on. I walked over and he turned around. His icy blue eyes locked with mine and he said "Hello beautiful." I smiled in response and went to sit next to him, when he reached out his hand and called, "No!" in a voice of somewhat panic.
I froze, "Why?"
"Lets just say that chair is specially reserved for River on this fine first day." His eyes glinted and I sighed as I took the seat on the other side of him. I didn't want to ask. Sitting next to him, he wrapped his left arm around me.
"Don't you need that hand to write?"
"Naw, you're more important."
"What are you-" I started gesturing to his work when he suddenly sat up straight.
"Shhh! Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?" I ask completely confused.
"Listen…" We sat in silence and strained our ears for something, anything at all, until finally he sat back. "Hmmm. Guess I was wrong. Just a bit paranoid I guess." He said winking.
"What did you hear?"
"I thought I heard a hum, but I really must be going crazy."
"Perhaps it's too much Quidditch… Maybe you should take a break." I said tantalizingly.
"Never too much Quidditch!"
"So what are you working on?"
"Mulan put me in charge of organizing the Slytherin portion of this years newest first year Quidditch league. I have never done anything like this before though, so I'm doing my research. I know my sister Emma is going to want to join. She is in Ravenclaw, like you… speaking of Ravenclaw, I wonder who Kida has in charge of this."
"Oh! Emma is a first year this year! I totally forgot, you will have to introduce me to her and probably Clara is in charge."
"Clara, ok cool, making a mental note to talk to her. Sure I can introduce you a bit later."
"Perfect."
River arrived at exactly seven O'clock. "Ok. I know I said I was ok with this whole love birds stuff, but I am seriously rethinking it."
"Nice to see you too River." I said.
"This is just the tip of the ice-burg. When you're not around he just mopes around."
"I do not!" he said his face turning red. River sat down next to him. I held my breath.
She looked dazed for a second then shook her head like trying to clear it,
"Man I feel funny
Was that just five syllables
Jack what did you do?"
Jack was laughing hard as he began his own haiku that he had specially prepared.
"That is what you get
When you mess with my best friend
This is called revenge"
River's eyes went to slits,
"I cannot believe
you would do this to me jack
I hate poetry!"
I ventured to jump in, "Hey at least he didn't give you a type of poem that had to rhyme."
"Elsa my dearest
you really are not helping
tell him to stop it"
"Hey I'm neutral, remember?" I said slightly giggling myself.
River turned back to Jack.
"Alright this is war
I suggest you be careful
when you leave the door."
Jack rolled his eyes nonchalantly, but I could see a tinge of fear replace the triumphant look he previously held.
"So how much longer
must this prank continue on
It is really dull."
Jack pretended to consider the question, "probably just a couple hours it should be done by 2:15."
"Two fifteen! no way.
That is through the Doctor's class
This was on purpose!"
"Oh River! I didn't even think about how won't be able to say much in Defense Against the Dark Arts, which happens to be your favorite class. How silly of me." He smiled an innocent smile.
"I can speak freely
as long as I do not rhyme
you wont be able"
"I outsmarted you
once more you have lost to me
Sweetie keep trying."
At about breakfast time we begrudgingly got up. River smiled extra joyfully as the three of us headed for the exit. As jack excited through the doorway, he held his breath, worried about River's earlier comments, but nothing happened.
He smiled once he made it through the door,"I guess whatever you had planned didn't work out too well did it River? Who is still on top now."
"I guess you are right
I am so disappointed
You can't speak tonight"
With that she bumped him into the doorway. He opened his mouth to utter pain, but no sound came out. His eyes squinted and he tried again, but his voice had seemingly disappeared.
"When you turn me back
I will return the favor
Remember the hum?"
"You're evil." He mouthed at River who gave a flip of her hair. To my surprise he didn't back down, but I knew he would have to eventually because River never backs down and he has the short end of the stick.
When we reached the great hall we split up, Jack and River headed toward Slytherin and I went to my table. Just like Jack, I ate in silence.
Something was off today though, because I kept noticing Belle, the group's leader, look up at me with annoyance. I averted my gaze by looking down the table. There sitting by herself was an unfamiliar girl that look about my age.
She had sleek, long black hair with a beaded feather poking out on the side. Her skin was a lovely cinnamon colored and had what looked like henna up her arm in different patterns. She wore leather boots that went just above her ankle.
It was strange because I had never seen her here before, and it's like she has just appeared. After she finished eating she rose from the table, where she sat alone, and she left the great hall. A little later my group followed suit. This year I had potions with Slytherin first.
My group consisted of all years, so they dispersed as everyone went to their appointed classroom. I headed down to the dungeon for my first class. When I made it I noticed Jack and River already there, sitting and waiting for me silently.
I walked up with a smile on my face "I guess I have potions with Slytherin this year!" Jack simply nodded. Looking to River I asked "He still hasn't given up?" River shrugged. She seemed tired of speaking in Haiku. Laughing, I set my bag down and saw the strange, pretty girl sitting in the back.
I spoke in a low whisper, "Have you ever seen that girl in in the back of the room before?"
In response River spun around, thank goodness she happened to be looking down at the moment.
"I don't think I have,
but I don't pay attention
Wrong person to ask."
Jack grabbed a scrap piece of parchment and wrote: 'Nope never seen her, but what does it matter? I'm more interested in the prospects of getting to spend every Monday double block with you.'
"Yeah, I guess you're right." I turned back to them and let my thoughts on the girl dissipate until a later time.
Not long after our… conversation, if you can call it that, Professor Yzma waltzed into the classroom displaying her obnoxious new plum eye shadow atop her caked on concealer, and all conversation in the room fizzled out.
Waving her hands about she began, "Welcome class. This year you will be getting very friendly with poisons! You will be creating the Antidote to uncommon poisons today. You can try and figure it out by yourself which is always the perfect plan!" She paused wringing her hands together. "Or just get out your Magical Drafts and Potions and turn to page ten." Then she scanned the room for this year's victim until her eyes landed on the new girl in the back. "Pull the lever Pocahontas!" She cackled. The girl looked up shocked and stood unsteadily. She moved to the front of the room to where Professor Yzma was pointing to a set of levers sticking out of a seemingly normal dungeon wall.
She gripped the one on the far left and pulled down, gently at first then giving a large tug, but it didn't budge. "Wrong Lever!" Professor Yzma cackled. Pocahontas readjusted herself and moved to the right one. Gripping it she gave it a large tug and it swung down with ease, causing her to fall to the floor.
The wall behind the levers prank Professor Yzma plays every year by randomly selecting a new 'right lever', began to rotate revealing a storage of all types of ingredients. The girl, now deemed Pocahontas, watched in surprise as the wall moved. When it clicked into place she quickly stood, dusted herself off, and moved back to her seat with her head down.
Professor Yzma started moving around the classroom, so we took it as our cue to get started. Turning to page 10 there was all the information necessary. Jack got up to get the listed ingredients. River's face lit up,
"Oh that is funny
Getting friendly with poisons
Antidote, poisons!"
I laughed, always enjoying a good pun. "Yes I get it, but I don't think she was joking…" Jack returned with what we needed and we set to work in a flurry of mixing, cutting, and dicing. Once we finished, we each bottled our potion in a little vial with our assigned animal on it and turned it in for grading. Mine was a picture of a snow fox this year.
Packing up my stuff, I noticed Pocahontas sat twirling her leather bracelet all packed and ready to go. The double block ended and Professor Yzma closed the wall back up with a flick of her wand and changed the lever, then dismissed us to lunch.
I looked over my crisp white schedule. "I have Defense against the Dark Arts next. How about you?"
River smiled with excitement,
"We do too sweetie!
Wait for us after lunch ends.
Meet at the staircase."
I agreed then walked over to take my seat at the silent glares crew. All their heads were buried behind an educational book. Some had Defense Against the Dark Arts for Dummies, others had the more advanced Flesh-Eating Trees of the World, and still others had the New Theory of Numerology. Anything educational, you could find at the table. Sometimes I wonder how much they actually absorb and how they don't explode if they do. I was the only person in my group not to have a textbook, or any book for that matter.
Farther down the table Pocahontas sat alone. Belle, while giving me another annoyed look, noticed my glances at the girl. "Her name is Pocahontas."
I turned about in surprise. "I'm sorry?"
"The girl down there, her name is Pocahontas. She's some home schooled wizard who was just admitted. I don't know much other than that, but I think she is kinda weird."
Other girls began to pipe in. "Yeah, and that feather is very unsophisticated."
"Really? I kinda like it. She is really pretty."
"Ladies!" Belle called out. "Please! Back to reading." She then proceeded to glare in my direction like it was my fault, then settled back to her book again.
I had never realized homeschooling beyond elementary years was an option or I might have taken advantage of that… but then I would not have met my friends and Anna would have had to follow suit and that would have limited her, so I come full circle, like I always do, that things are as they should be. I finished eating with thirty minutes to spare, so I excused myself from the tabled left the Great Hall.
I headed up to grab my Defense Against the Dark Arts stuff and saw Lily along the way. She ran to the front of her picture frame to wave and I smiled and waved back almost childlike. There were some six year boys in the common room when I got there, so I skirted them and headed to my room.
I walked over to my sky blue four poster bed and opened up my chest. Replacing my potions book and grabbing everything else I needed, I realized that a bed had suddenly appeared in my room right next to a girl with similar complexion named Heather. Sitting atop this bed sat a leather bag. Looking around even with the new additions there is a perfect distance between each bed and each was made.
The first day I had made my bed and received and angry note later that night from… I still don't know who exactly, reprimanding me for doing so. It pains me to leave it unmade, but I always come back with it made, so I guess it isn't a problem.
"Excuse me?" A little voice came from the doorway waking me from my thoughts. "I'm so sorry to bother you, but you are the only girl here right now and I need some help." The girl was on the shorter side with short brown hair.
"Sure. Whats wrong?" I replied. She seemed strangely familiar, but I couldn't quite place it. She just motioned in my direction and headed down the hallway to where the first years room was this year.
"I was working on… uh homework… and something got a little out of hand." She opened the door of the room to reveal rain pouring from the ceiling. "Oh and don't touch it, it's kinda acidic."
"Acid rain? I don't remember doing that my first year."
The girl shrugged and looked at the floor. "Must be a change in lesson plans I guess."
I smiled then whipped out my wand. "Ok if we are still going with the homework story, let's fix this. Now how did you cast this spell?"
"It was supposed to be normal rain so I used the atmospheric charm, but then this skinny frog thing in a pink dress popped up and startled me, don't ask, and suddenly a burning rain started falling on me." She flipped over her left arm to reveal a couple burns.
"Oh my gosh are you ok?" I asked concerned, turning my attention from the wet room to her arm. "Lets fix the arm first, they seem relatively small and shouldn't be hard to mend." I took a breath and said the spell that every first year learns "Episky." Her small burns mended and a smile crossed her face.
"Thank you."
Then I turned back to the room. "And you weren't taught the reversal spell?"
She shook her head "We didn't have time today"
"Strange first lesson, but luckily we did happen to learn this my second year. Meteolojinx Recanto." I waved my wand with a flick of the wrist and a smile. The rain faltered then began crashing down at a quicker rate. My smile quickly turned to confusion. I began muttering to myself. Think Elsa. Think. The girl with me bit her lip and I could tell she was getting a bit worried too.
Peering into the room, I noticed the acidic water beginning to change the neatly made Ravenclaw blue covers into a tingy white. I looked up and down the empty hallway. Usually this place is constantly filled, people never seem to be around when you need them. I was out of time and had to do something now. My thoughts suddenly became cloudy. It was a strange sensation and I had to grab the wall to keep from falling.
I couldn't focus and everything seemed like a dead end. I returned to my elementary homeschooling latin that my mother insisted my sister and I learn, since it is the base of all magic. "Prohibacere!" I found myself calling out and the cloudy water falling from the sky suddenly became clear. Then I tried once more "Meteolojinx Recanto." The rain once again faltered and then came to a halt. I took a deep breath and my mind cleared once more. Was that caused by stress? It's the first day! Then I realized what I had just done. I couldn't stop myself from saying in a dazed voice, "I just mashed together the words stop and acid in latin… I can't believe that worked."
The girl just shook her head in wonder and gratitude."Thank you so much. Trust me next time when I am doing my… homework, I will be a lot more careful."
I smiled pushing the phenomenon away, "As long as we are clear about no more stunts, I'm Elsa and you are?"
The girl covered her smiling mouth. "Wait. Elsa Arendelle?"
"Yes." I looked at her confused, knowing very well she hadn't told me who she is. Am I supposed to know? Have I met her before? I am so bad at this whole social thing. I know for a fact I am not famous at this school.
"I'm Emma, Jack's sister! He has told me so much about you."
Recognition lit up in my face. No wonder she seemed so familiar. "Emma! Jack has told me about you as well. What an ironic way to meet, but you are definitely your brother's sister, working so hard on all that 'homework'."
She blushed, "Oh you must think me a total clutz. You're literally making spells and I'm over here creating problems because of a bloody frog thing."
"Not at all. I wouldn't worry about the covers, the mysterious house cleaners will probably take care of it, but expect an unhappy note. They like to leave those." I looked at my watch. With only 15 more minutes of lunch, it was time we headed back downstairs. Together we took to the stairs out of the Ravenclaw tower. "Have you met my sister Anna?"
"No can't say I have met anyone here really. My roommates are really quiet to boot which makes things more difficult because I thought those were supposed to be your instant best friends."
I smiled at that last part knowing how she felt. "Well it's time I introduce you, if you would like an instant friend." When we reached the after lunch meeting place, River and Jack already sat there waiting. Jack waved when he spotted his sister. River gave a cool "Hello Sweetie."
I stopped in my tracks, "The haikus… They are gone!"
River nodded "Yep apparently he was joking about the whole it won't end until just after Defense Against the Dark Arts thing."
"So since you don't have to speak in poem anymore you should probably release him don't you think?" Jack looked over it as he sat quietly on the stairs.
"No he is paying for his nasty little joke. I thought I was going to be impaired throughout my favorite class."
"River." I said firmly, to which she rolled her eyes and smiled.
Emma walked up to River, "so you are his prank accomplice. What have you done?"
River smiled clearly taking her words as complements "After he put a spell on me to make me speak in haiku format, I put one on him that silenced him completely." She leaned against the stair railing and couldn't help herself from adding. "I was going to do it anyway. He almost caught on this morning when my spell hummed, rookie mistake."
I stepped in again before Emma continued to boost her ego. "River if you were going to do it anyway you can't use it as a punishment. You shouldn't punish him for playing the prank game anyway." My words were clearly not having any effect, so I added, "I would like to have a normal conversation with both of you."
River reluctantly got up and pulled out her wand. Emma watched intently as River over dramatically unwound the spell. Jack breathed out like he had been holding his breath all day.
"Thank you for that Elsa, to be able to speak again is wonderful. Hey Emma, so how is your first day of school going?"
Emma, trying to be like River, very cooly walked over to her brother and sat next to him, "Not bad. History of magic is the most boring thing ever though. Please tell me none of the other classes are like that. Transfiguration is quite interesting though. Oh and after lunch I get to 'learn' how to fly."
"Good I'm glad. No, the rest of the classes are at least a tad more interesting than the History of Magic." He turned to me, "So how did you two meet?"
I smiled "Let's just say she ran into a spot of trouble with her homework."
Emma blushed and Jack turned back to her. "Homework? On the first day? Professor DunBroch wasn't it? Don't worry if you had some trouble, she is a hard teacher. Elsa is a good person to go to for those things though."
"Actually I think River would have been a better help in this case." I added having too much fun being vague. "I was going to introduce her to Anna. Have you seen her?"
"Yeah you literally just missed her. As we headed out to come here she came up in a rush. She did stop to chat for a bit before rushing into the Great Hall. She is a feisty one isn't she?"
Under my breath I added "That's an understatement." People began to exit the Great Hall. Checking my watch I added a bit louder, "We have a couple minutes, lets watch for her so I can introduce Emma."
Robes went past in a swirl, until finally Anna and a couple of her Gryffindor accomplices appeared. "Anna!" I called out. Her head turned my direction and a look of confusion washed over her faced. I motioned her over and she grabbed the red headed one's wrist and pulled her off course. The blonde one looked annoyed as she too swerved to catch up with her friends.
"Anna. Um hi…" I started, realizing this is harder than I thought it was going to be.
"Hello?" She responded like she wasn't sure if that was the right answer. I looked up to the sky as the awkwardness increased. Emma stood behind me peering around. I looked down at her and smiled finding enough strength to continue. "So how has your day been?"
She looked annoyed, "Good, I guess."
I wanted to retreat but held my ground. "Good… good" The awkwardness sifted around us, so thick the onlookers could probably feel it. I quickly changed the subject to Emma "So this is Emma." I nudged her in front of me. "she's Jack's little sister and she is a first year as well."
"Hi, I'm Anna." My sister smiled warmly. "but I guess you already know that. What do you like to do?"
Emma blushed "um I enjoy quidditch."
Anna's eyes lit up, "No way me too! What position do you play?"
"I like being a beater. It's a fantastic feeling when you hit that bludger just right and stop a chaser from making the point. How about you?"
The redhead jumped in with a thick scottish accent about being being a beater as well. Soon all the girls were talking a mile a minute until the bell rang. The group began to move away toward the classrooms as if subconsciously. Emma broke off for just a moment to wave at Jack happily, "Bye Jack! Thanks Elsa." I waved back halfheartedly as I watched Anna walk away without even looking back.
I bit my lip and took a deep breath before turning back to my friends behind me with a smile. "So that went well."
"Were you a part of that conversation? What portion screamed that went well?" River asked.
"The part where Emma made a friend." I responded, my heart sinking. River looked at me with sympathy and I could tell she decided to drop her comment about my relationship with my sister.
"Yeah, I guess that did go well by those standards. Shall we head off? I want to be the first ones to class!" Together the three of us headed up the stairs toward the Defense Against the Dark Arts room.
With a constant reminder from River to move faster, we managed to get to his room first. Entering the room, we saw the 'new' Professor Doctor at the front of the room. "Welcome! Welcome!" He called as he turned to face us, "Please take your seats." This year he was wearing tie that was exposed because he had pushed back his robe, so he was standing akimbo with the end of his robe behind him. He gave a mock hurt look, "Elsa! You're fraternizing with the enemy!" I simply smiled because he made that joke every year. "At least they are right enemies to fraternize with. I approve." He looked pointedly at River, then Jack. "Don't tell the others I said that." He added with a wink and a flash of a smile.
"Thank you sir." I responded as we took our seats. His blob of brown hair bounced as he shifted.
River leaned over and whispered in my ear "Do you think he is going to try and scare us with the Dalek again?"
"I hope not. I still find that thing intimidating. I'm not you River. While everyone else was either running away or fighting scared, you just sat there yawning."
"Well it was obvious the Doctor wouldn't let it hurt us. It was a test of bravery, and I'm not about to let him test me like that. Now people follow my lead, so I guess I'm a trendsetter. I remember your response, it was hilarious. You shot straight into the air and stood frozen, not running not fighting. I took forever to get you to sit down again!"
"Ya haha, hilarious. I just think we are a bit young for heart attacks is all."
Once everyone had trickled in and Professor Doctor started class with a jolly "Welcome! Welcome class! Allonsy!"
River whispered once more "That's french for: lets go."
I waved her away from my ear "I know that."
Professor Doctor turned in my direction "Elsa! I heard some noises over here, thank you for volunteering." I sat there not daring to move. He cleared his throat "Don't be shy, come to the front."
Reluctantly I stood and shot River a look to which she simply smiled and waved innocently. I made my way slowly to the front of the room and stood where he told me to.
He started up again, "Good. Now, I'm sure we are all tired of my Dalek joke, so I thought we would mix things up a bit this year." I sighed internally. Why do I have a feeling this is not going to end well. I began to steel myself for what's coming because I cannot allow myself to be surprised or I might reveal something.
He turned to face me, "Elsa please tell me what is different about me this year."
I exhaled, that was it? I could have done this from my desk. "Well… I guess you changed your face, but you do that every year, so that can't be what you are referring to. The way you are wearing your robe is different, but that changes every year as well. I suppose what I am trying to say is you change so much so often it is almost impossible to pinpoint one thing that is different."
River sat in her desk giggling at me struggling and Jack sat with a worried look on his face trying to figure out what was going on. Professor Doctor turned on his heel to face them. "River, since you think this is ever so funny, why don't you give me the answer?"
River sat with a look of shock on her face then she stood up in defiance "You would never call people out like that for laughing at you. You'd usually give them a sly smile because to make someone laugh was the point. That's what's different."
Then a familiar voice came from the back of the room, "Or maybe it's not me at all." The entire class turned to see a Professor Doctor mimicking the Professor Doctor in the front of the room. "Elsa go ahead and take a couple steps back please." I did as I was told with some unease. "I'm so sorry I was late, but clearly it doesn't matter because someone has taken over the class."
The Professor at the front of the room began to speak once once more, "This class is what is called a Zygone. They take your shape, but there is always a tell."
The Professor in the back began moving toward the front of the room, "I am not a Zygone, you are!"
"When have I ever been late to class?"
"When have I ever called out a student?"
We watched the Professor squabble with himself until finally they stood side by side, the one that entered in late on the left, and turned to propose the problem to the class.
"Ok class" the one on the right started.
"You tell us. Who is the Zygone?" The left Professor Doctor finished.
The right one started up once more, "whoever you choose we will use the spell on to undo the change."
"Fair warning though, if you choose wrong this could be a bit painful for the real Doctor. Whoever you decide that is." The left concluded. This is truly strange.
River stood once more "Obviously it is between which we believe is more in the Doctor's character. Is he more likely to be late or harshly strict?"
I found my voice from the determination of River's, "Though technically the Professor Doctor who was late may have been late, but more likely just allowed the other Professor Doctor, the Zygone, to start class, so he could create a teaching moment. I don't think, and correct me if I'm wrong, that he would ever call any of us out for enjoying ourselves in his class." With that my back touch the wall horizontal to where both of the Professor Doctors stood.
The Professor Doctor on the left smiled and whipped out his wand. "So I am the real Doctor?" He asked.
River and I hesitated afraid of being wrong. A voice piped up from the back of the room with a determined. "Yes. Use the spell." The voice belonged to Pocahontas. Bold decision for a man she had never met, though I guess that makes it easier. The left Professor Doctor gave a mischievous smile and cast a spell on a wincing Professor Doctor. At first I thought we had made the wrong decision when he bent over wincing in pain, but then the 'Professor' morphed into a red monster covered in suckers. The red monster looked around the room then came face to face with me.
The next thing I know I am looking at an exact replica of myself. "Lot's going on up in here isn't there?" She touched my, her head. I quickly inhaled. If what Professor Doctor says is true then this creature could just as well expose me.
I looked over to River to see calm calculation behind her eyes as she came to the same realization as I did. Remembering the spell Professor Doctor had just performed River and I took to the same solution as we both shouted the spell. It turned back to it's reddish form and Professor Doctor, looking slightly disappointed, waved his wand to make the creature disappear. I took a long deep breath and looked at River. We both cracked a smile of relief and I made my way back to my seat.
Professor Doctor took control again, "Elsa! River! Very good, but I was hoping we could observe it taking someone's shape for a bit longer."
"Sorry sir." I replied, very relieved his plans didn't work out the way he hoped.
"That's fine, I am very impressed how you could mimic such a complex spell with ease, and not just one of you, both of you.
I sat back down in my seat next to River and mouthed "Thank you." She simply smiled in response.
Professor Doctor, getting over his disappointment, turned back to the task at hand, "Now class, we must also applaud River and Elsa for their great deductions. First ones to figure it out."
Suddenly there was a crash in the back of the room. The Doctor mocked fear "Oh no! What's that?!"
A Dalek came into the room exclaiming "Exterminate! Exterminate!"
The entire class groaned and slumped in their seats. Professor Doctor waved his wand again and it vanished. "I get you all with that every year!"
Anna 4
"Ok...so maybe we could...have saved the pillow fight...until Friday night" The three of us overslept, probably due to our little war last night, and so now we're trying to get halfway across the castle to where Charms is, in about two minutes, without killing ourselves.
"Aye… let's remem...remember that... next week." Merida pants on my right
"Less talk...more run." Astrid picks up her pace on my left, and Merida and I push harder to keep up with her.
We reach a fork in the corridor "Which...way?" I gasp
"Right!" Merida leads the way. We follow her through a few twists and turns, and then we reach a staircase. I leap into the air and land on the banister, zooming down with practiced ease. I reach the foot of the stairs and trip out of the way as my friends touchdown behind me. Merida takes the lead again.
"Almost there!" She calls "We turn right...an' we'll be there."
"Last one in is a one-winged Snitch!" I shout, and somehow manage to push my legs to a higher speed. I hear Astrid and Merida running behind me, and I dash around the corner...and skid to a stop. I almost land on my butt, but one of my friends catches me and keeps me on my feet. The reason why I stopped is standing in the middle of the hallway, glaring at the three of us. He's tall. with deep frown lines, gray, thinning hair, and a funny looking triangular hat.
He sneers down at us "And what would you be doing?"
"Trying to get to class, sir." I speak up. And I do mean up. The creepy old guy makes me feel even shorter than I am.
"Well then, you had best be going now, shouldn't you?"
"Yes sir. Thank you, Mr…"
"Frollo. Caretaker Frollo. And don't let me catch you late again." He brushes past us.
"Creepy." Astrid whispers.
Yeah. C'mon, lets get to class." I say. We shove the door open as the bell rings, and thankfully Professor Genie isn't in the room.
"Anna, Astrid, Merida, over here!" We have Charms with the Hufflepuffs, and Kristoff had saved us seats near the back of the room. The tables only seat three, so he pulled an extra chair over from another table for himself. And a muffin, piece of toast, and goblet of orange juice was sitting in front of each of the three seats he saved for us.
"Kristoff, you're amazing." I sit down in the seat closest to him, the one with the chocolate chip muffin. Astrid claims the middle seat, and Merida sits on the other side.
"Rapunzel and I didn't see you guys at breakfast, so we figured you would be hungry. She helped me bring all this up here, so remember to thank her too. Where were you, anyway?"
"We sthayed up wate wast night, an' ven o'erswept." Astrid slurs around her muffin.
Kristoff opens his mouth to say something, but a loud BANG and a flash of light draws our attention to the front of the classroom. Blue smoke fills the room, and we all start coughing. Professor Genie had appeared at the front of the room. School has officially started.
"Ahh, time for my favorite class!" Merida stretches her arms over her head as we pack our things after History of Magic. "Lunch!" We chat as we walk through the halls, dodging around other students and laughing. It's really great having friends. We almost make it to the Great Hall, when we hear a commotion down another hallway. We turn towards the ruckus, and catch sight of a brown furry mass darting down the hall, chasing after a little ball of white feathers. Astrid, Merida, and I all share a look.
"You saw that too, right?" Astrid says
"Olaf and Sven? Unfortunately lass, yes I did." Merida says.
"You guys follow them, I'll go get Kristoff and Rapunzel. We're gonna need their help." I say, turning towards the Great Hall
"No lunch?" Merida groans
"Lets catch those two first. Who knows what damage they can do. See you two in a sec!" I turn and jog into the Great Hall, and Merida and Astrid run off after Olaf and Sven. I shove past a couple of groups of students, and nearly get crushed by two arguing older boys who were from Gryffindor and Slytherin, were really muscular, and had ponytails.
"I'm warning you Gaston," the Slytherin says, "Stop pestering Belle."
"I'm not pestering her, Adam" the Gryffindor, Gaston, retorts "I am simply reminding her just who the most eligible man in Hogwarts is."
Neither of them notice anyone else around them, and I'm not the only person whose pressing myself against the wall to avoid being shmushed. They carry on into the Great Hall, and I follow close behind them, letting them cut a path through the other students for me. The Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables are next to each other, and I stalk between them, looking for my friends. I get some funny looks, and a brunette Ravenclaw glares at me over her book, but I ignore them all. Finally, I catch sight of my friends. They picked seats that were across the aisle from each other, and Rapunzel was showing Kristoff some papers.
"How can you pay attention in that class?" Kristoff is asking her, "Between Sourbill's voice and the actual subject I can barely keep my eyes open, and you've practically written down everything he- oh, hi Anna."
"We kinda need your help. Sven and Olaf are running around the halls, and-"
"They are? What are they doing?" Kristoff is standing up now, and a kid next to him glares when he gets bumped. Rapunzel starts to stand, but her hair gets caught on the bench, and she has to sit back down to unhook it.
"Oh you know, just running rampant, knocking things over, probably leading Astrid and Merida on a merry chase through the castle. C'mon, let's go help them."
I was afraid we wouldn't be able to find our friends and pets, but it wasn't near as hard as I thought it would be. We just had to follow the trail of dropped papers and scowling students. Astrid comes tearing down a hallway, and almost blows right past us.
"There you are. C'mon, this way." She runs back in the direction she came from, and we follow. We come across a crowd that's gathering around a status of a one-eyed witch with a humpback, and Astrid starts shoving her way through.
"Get back here with my hat you stupid mutt!"
"Don' call him a mutt! Olaf no!"
We can hear Merida and some boy arguing as we get closer to the center of the crowd. We finally breakthrough, and we find Merida and some third year Slytherin with dark hair chasing Olaf and Sven, who are playing keep-away with a gray beanie. The boy lunges at Sven, but the dog easily dodges him. Then Olaf drops down and Sven passes him the hat.
"Your stupid pets stole my hat!" The boy yells at Merida
"They aren't her pets," I say
"Yeah. The dogs mine, and the owl is hers." Kristoff tips his head in my direction, then gets tackled by a happy Sven
"Back off Snotlout. We'll get your dumb hat back." Astrid glares at the boy.
Snotlouts expression changes from a scowl to what I think was supposed to be a charming smile. "Astrid! So nice to finally see you! I thought we were going to sit together on the train, but I guess you lost me."
"Yeah, something like that." Astrid scowls. "You want your hat back, or do you want to talk more?"
"Hat please. I feel so naked without it."
When Olaf took the hat, he flew up to the top of the statue and landed up there. "Come on down Olaf!" I try calling up to him, but nothing happens. "I don't think he can hear me."
Snotlout groans, and we ignore him. Astrid speaks up "Well, we could try getting a broom and flying up to him."
"That would take too long." Kristoff says
"We could ge' a chair and float it up." Merida says
"How?" Astrid asked.
"Guys?" Rapunzel asks.
"Wingardium Leviosa o' course." Merida continued ignoring Rapunzel.
"We haven't learned that yet." Astrid rebuked.
"Guys." Rapunzel says again with a little more urgency.
"Well, it works in Harry Potter. I say we try it." Merida added conclusively.
"Well Mer, if you wanna try it, go for it, but I say we just need a piece of rope." Kristoff butted in.
"How is that any faster than my broom idea?" Astrid asked frustrated.
"GUYS!" Rapunzel shouts
"WHAT?" Astrid and Kristoff shout back in unison.
Rapunzel points at the statue "Look."
While my friends were trying to come up with a plan to get up the statue, I decided to just climb up. It's not very difficult; the statue actually has a lot of hand and foot holds, and since it's in a corner I have the wall to brace myself against if I need it.
"Or we could jes do that." I hear Merida say.
I get to the top, and Olaf hoots happily when he sees me. "Hi Olaf. You silly bird, what have you been doing?" Olaf doesn't answer, of course, just hoots and nibbles on my hair. I grab the hat, jam it on my head and start making my way down.
"Do you need any help?" Kristoff says below me
No, I'm go-YIPE!" My foot slips off of the statue, and my other foot comes off with it, leaving me dangling by my fingertips.
"Hang on Anna!"
"Hold on lass!"
"Don't let go!"
"We'll help you!"
"Don't hurt my hat!"
I can't see it, but I'm pretty sure Astrid smacks Snotlout. My fingers are slipping off the statue, and I can't find any purchase for my feet. I've only got one choice.
"CATCH!" I shout, then I push off from the statue. My stomach drops, and I plummet for half a second before Kristoff catches me. He looks a little shocked, and I jump out of his arms, patting him on the shoulder as I do so. "Thanks! That was like a crazy trust exercise!"
"Oh, my hat!" Snotlout yanks the hat off of my head and pulls it on, then walks off, muttering something about getting rid of the 'girl smell'.
Astrid punches my arm. "You are crazy. You know that, right?'
"Yep. And I'm proud of it. Now, what are we gonna do about these two?" Olaf had flown down from the top of the statue with me, and now he was perched on Sven's head.
"I'll take Sven back to...where he's supposed to be." Kristoff scratches the dog behind the ears.
"And I'll take Olaf up to the Owlery for you Anna. You guys go get some lunch." Rapunzel pushes me, Astrid, and Merida gently in the direction of the Great Hall. We trade good-byes and thank yous, then split up. The three of us don't really say much, just hurry to get some lunch before it's over.
"Oh, hi Jack, hi River." We pass my sister's best friend and boyfriend when we're entering the Great Hall. "I'd love to talk, but I've gotta go. See you later!" Astrid and Merida ran ahead and pounced on the remaining food on the Gryffindor table. I catch up with them and stuff my face. We're going to 'learn' how to fly next class. I can't wait to see what my friend can do, and I kinda want to show off my skills. I've never had anyone to talk Quidditch with before now, except for Mom, but she's always so busy. It's gonna be fun to play with Astrid and Merida!
We finish our lunch and hurry out of the Great Hall, heading for the Quidditch pitch, when I hear someone call my name.
"Anna!" It's Elsa. She's with Jack and River and a first year Ravenclaw girl. And she's calling me over. Oh boy.
I grab Merida's arm "Please come with me."
"Uhh, sure thing lass."
I drag her along with me, and Astrid follows behind. The conversation with Elsa is, well, really awkward. Neither of us really knows what to say to the other. So I'm extra glad when Emma says those magic words: "I enjoy quidditch." That opened the floodgates. The four of us get so into our conversation that I don't notice that we've moved away from Elsa and her friends until we get outside. I feel a little bad not saying goodbye to her. But I push that feeling aside as I introduce Emma to Kristoff and Rapunzel. All the first years are together for Flying lessons, so I get to see all of my friends. Toothiana flies out and blows a whistle, then tells us to line up by a broom. I smile as I call the broom up to my hand, and feel the rough wood underneath my palm. I glance sideways at Emma, and I see the same look on her face. I get the feeling she's gonna be a good friend and I know that this class will be fun.
