The next morning, Galinda woke up to the sight of a green face merely inches away from her own and let out an unholy screech.

"MERCIFUL OZ!" she hissed as Elphaba doubled over in a fit of witchy laughter. "What for the sake of all goodness do you think you're doing?"

"Just making sure neither of us is late for our first sorcery class this semester," Elphaba said innocently, watching her roommate's expression change from indignance to excitement.

As they made their way to the assigned classroom about an hour later – Galinda's hair bouncing more enthusiastically than usual – they were surprised to discover that it was unlocked, but empty. They both checked their schedules, concerned that they'd made a mistake, but they were certainly in the right place. Hesitantly, they each took a place at one of the small desks and looked at each other uncertainly.

"Well…" Elphaba started, but before she could continue, a sudden movement in front of the class made both her and Galinda start in their seats.

"Oh, my apologies, I didn't hear you coming in!"

A young man – very young, Elphaba noticed; probably not more than four, maybe five years older than she was – stood upright, emerging from behind the teacher's desk. Even at first glance, he was obviously a foreigner. His skin, just like Fiyero's, was significantly darker than Galinda's porcelain complexion, but instead of the distinctly Vinkun olive shade, its color came decidedly closer to ochre – a characteristic that immediately revealed his Quadling ethnicity.

"You must be…" He squinted at a paper in his hand. "Miss Thropp and Miss Upland, correct?" he asked, his accent further betraying his foreign roots. "My name is Shilah Pelakshai and I will be your sorcery teacher for the foreseeable future… Not that we can truly ever foresee the future… you know?" He chuckled awkwardly and it took Elphaba far too long to understand that he was trying to make a joke.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mister…?"

"Pelakshai," the man repeated, somewhat sheepishly, tucking a strand of his long black hair, most of which was tied into a messy knot, behind his ear. "But I would be more than happy for us to remain on the first name basis… Assuming that's okay with you both?"

His shifted his gaze from Elphaba to Galinda, letting out a breath of relief when they both nodded.

"Fantastic. In that case, please, call me Shilah. Shall we begin by discussing the formalities?"

A significant part of the lesson was taken up by discussing the curriculum. Shilah – Elphaba felt a little strange calling a teacher by his first name, no matter how young he was – had been informed by Madame Morrible that the two young witches had already learned the basic magical movements and formulas, as well as certain simple spells known in the general Ozian language.

"This semester, we shall go over some more advanced general Ozian spells and work on our knowledge of the Grimmerian script. As you both most likely know, the Grimmerie's special status depends on it being both a spell book and an artifact, which is where it's incredible power comes from. To understand it better, we will also talk about different spell books and artifacts. Next semester we will continue with Grimmerian and, if time allows, take a look at the Quadling art of potions, which is my personal field of expertise, and maybe a little Vinkun numerology, too. That may change, however – it's possible that the school will be able to find someone far more competent to teach you by the end of this semester."

Galinda and Elphaba exchanged a somewhat surprised look.

"Oh, I'm sure you are most… uniquely qualified," Galinda said dubiously as her eyes lingered on his old, worn-out shoes, baggy shirt and long, patched trench coat. "But, humor me – what exactly are those qualifications?"

"Galinda," Elphaba hissed disapprovingly, but Shilah, despite his slight blush, held his chin high.

"It's okay, you are perfectly entitled to enquire about my education. As you're aware, people with magical abilities have become scarce these days, and I myself don't belong to the lucky ones particularly gifted with power. I have, however, undergone extensive studies in theoretical sorcery. I have graduated with honors from Usque University, with a double major in Potions and Healing, as well as a minor in Numerology. I assume that is why the school administration thought I would be a fit candidate for this teaching position. But I hope my qualifications will prove satisfactory to you, Miss…?"

"Galinda," Galinda supplied, shifting uncomfortably under his sharp, piercing eyes. "Yes, I… I suppose that will do."

"Splendid," said Shilah calmly. "Now, let's get to work."

• • •

"K'névam sá'ai Elphaba."

Learning to speak Vinkun was making Elphaba more nervous than she'd thought when she'd asked Fiyero for help at the beginning of the semester. He, in turn, seemed to have found a growing passion for sharing the culture of his homeland ever since learning that, apart from him, Shiz now had five other Vinkun students in the first year.

"Tyé tá rétaí, k'ámir. You've got it, my love." She sent him a skeptical look and he laughed. "I mean it! You're doing really well!"

"All I said was my name is Elphaba. That's hardly a complicated sentence."

"Oz-damnit, woman!" Fiyero groaned. "Will you ever learn to take a compliment?"

She rolled her eyes and stifled the urge to lean in and kiss him, remembering that they were in a public place. Not a moment too soon – a few seconds later she heard someone hesitantly call her name.

"Um, Elphaba?" the girl said, looking somewhat startled; as if she was afraid to be bitten or hexed. "I saw your sister a few minutes ago, she said she was looking for you."

Fiyero suppressed a groan. Despite the two girls having made up, he still couldn't help but feel some lingering resentment towards Nessarose. Elphaba, however, either didn't notice his reservations or chose to ignore them, just like she ignored the girl's uneasy manner.

"Thank you, Milla," she said, standing up, and smiled at Fiyero. "Enough tutoring for today, master Tiggulaar."

Nessarose was indeed seated outside of the library, but she seemed surprised to see her sister emerge.

"Oh, Elphaba, I didn't mean to interrupt your studying!" she said apologetically. "I just wanted to chat, it's no big deal…"

"It's alright, Nessa, I'm done studying for today," Elphaba smiled as they walked into the courtyard. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

Nessarose fiddled with her hands. "I was wondering if I could ask you a relationship question."

Elphaba laughed before realizing that this was a serious question.

"Um… sure, I suppose?"

"It's… about Boq. No, not like that!" she rushed to explain seeing Elphaba frown. "I've been thinking a lot and I think you were right. But I was really mean to Boq when he broke things off with me, and he really didn't deserve that… I want to apologize, but I don't really know how. I've been thinking of getting him a little apology gift or something, but I can't really think of anything good…"

Maybe I really am a miracle worker? Elphaba thought, surprised. Nessa owning up to her mistakes like that and wanting to apologize is not something that happens every day.

"Have you tried just talking to him?" she suggested and watch a crease appear on her sister's forehead.

"I don't know, I mean… I'm kind of embarrassed, to be honest."

Elphaba raised her eyebrows and Nessarose sighed heavily.

"You want to tell me to get over myself, don't you?"

"Exactly," Elphaba said, grinning. "Glad we cleared that up."