The Pivotal Five
Summary: Five great stories come together in an epic imbalance that sets the world of fantasy on its side. Each people from each story must learn to put their differences aside and work together to save their own world, and the world of reality.
Last Episode: Ron was bitten by Malfoy's Buto, and Harry told Ron and Hermione about the metal piece.
Chapter 7: The Mingling Begins
Holly Short sighed at the thought of her next assignment. Since Fowl's memory loss, the superiors thought it wise to give Holly all the dangerous jobs, because they believed she proved herself beyond capable.
Her job, now, was to investigate the weird signal coming from Scotland all of a sudden. Foaly always had monitored magical places, but, without warning, a large myriad of spots appeared on his sensors. The largest one closest to E1, Tara, happened to be the middle of nowhere in Scotland. Root didn't want to give the job to Holly, but the superiors overruled him. So Holly had a set of wings, and she was running hot.
As of right now, she was entering a small village. "Foaly, what is this place?" she asked into her helmet.
"There is no record of it. It technically doesn't exist," he responded.
Holly nodded to herself and gradually started to close in. No one was able to see her, but that doesn't mean she shouldn't be cautious. She flew past a restaurant that proclaimed itself the Three Broomsticks. An odd feeling, as though there were a stone at the bottom of her stomach, had started to set it. Holly gazed at the shops and saw things regular Mud Men would never even imagine. How did they get here? she wondered.
"Any ideas yet, Holly?" Foaly requested.
"You wouldn't believe it if I told you," Holly murmured. In the dark of night, she saw one woman with a stick in her hand. She was talking and sparks were omitting from the stick. "Are witches real?" she asked.
"No." It was said slowly, as though Foaly thought that Holly should know that.
"How long has it been since Mud Men had magic?"
"Almost two centuries."
"What are you looking at?" A new voice entered the discussion. Julius Root had come into Foaly's den of technology.
"There's a woman with a wand in her hand. She's speaking Latin, and little lights are coming from the wand," Holly explained. She then saw a little girl who was playing with the lights. Her eyes softened and she forgot her suspicion as the girl giggled and jumped at the lights. Then the older woman looked at Holly. She stood stock still.
"Mud Men can't see me, right, Foaly?" Holly inquired nervously.
"Of course not. You're running hot, aren't you?"
"No, I meant, the magical Mud Men."
"Short, I just found something in this pony's den. It's an ancient book and it talks about witches and wizards. Explain it to her, Foaly," said Root.
"It was recorded when witches were still in existence. It says how they understood Gnomish without even trying, can block the mesmer, and can see through a fairy's shield—"
Holly was no longer listening. She'd just been hit with something that stopped her from moving. The woman had pointed her wand at her, and now she couldn't get away. When she found she could move, she was in a large, circular office.
"Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am Professor Albus Dumbledore. Please, sit down," a man offered. Holly's eyes widened. She'd never seen a beard that long. Brilliant blue eyes shone behind half-moon spectacles. She gingerly sat in the purple chair in front of the desk. "That's better, isn't it?" he said kindly. "Do you have a name?"
"That's none of your business." This Dumbledore might have captured her, but she wasn't going to give him her name.
Professor Dumbledore sighed. "You do realize, of course, that I was simply being gracious, as it is rude to know anything personal about anyone without their permission. I could have easily read your name tag, and would instantly know your name. But I would rather you tell it to me."
Swallowing a lump in her throat, Holly told him.
"So you're not a House-Elf?" he asked.
"What's a House-Elf?" Dreading the answer, she braced herself.
"House-Elves are employed here at Hogwarts to cook and clean," Dumbledore calmly explained.
Holly was just about to express her disgust when a harried looking woman came into the office.
"Professor, Weasley is not getting any better!" she said. Holly thought she looked like a nurse.
"Do you think he needs St. Mungo's?" His once calm voice now held a note of worry.
"I'm afraid so. The Buto, as you know, is being held in a room the students call the 'Room of Requirement.'"
"I'll take him, Harry, and Hermione, then. Our guest needs lodging, as she is not going to be leaving for awhile," Dumbledore clarified.
It was then the woman Poppy noticed Holly's existence. "Why don't you come with me, dear? I've got a nice room for you among the other House-elves—"
"Poppy," Dumbledore warned, "She is not a House-Elf. Though with them may be suitable living quarters."
She nodded and led Holly through Hogwarts. "What's your name?" she inquired gently.
"Captain Short." Short was how she answered that question. She didn't like this bustling nurse, and hoped she wouldn't have to see her much more.
They walked in silence to a painting of fruit. As Holly got confused, the nurse tickled the pear, and the painting moved. Of course, Holly mused. Her eyes became as large as saucers as she saw what every one was calling 'House-Elves.' No wonder they thought she was like them. But, with a surge of vanity, Holly thought she looked a bit tougher than these slaves. The nurse gave them instructions to take care of her, and they did.
There was a House-Elf in the corner of the kitchen who was watching with a mean glint in her eyes.
(A/N: I have reviewers! AHHH!! -happy screaming- XD I'm happy. Sort of. I won't stay happy cuz my love is moving soon. :'( Anywayz...moving on to reply to my wonderful reviews. :-D
Oddball91: I updated. Happy, now? Took me awhile, and it isn't even that long, but there. Now I can go work on that Crown of Stars Chapter that's next. -sweat drops- Thanks for reviewing! SEE YOU JULY 30TH!!!! :-D -sweat drops at the thought of Hilary Duff-
Hartwood: I was talking about for the one chapter, but hey, I'm really glad I've got more than one, now! XD. You expected something different? I'm touched. I'm unpredictable! Yay! Go me! XD Thanks for reviewing!
Tekvah Ariel: I love snakes, and I love things that fly. The result? I would die for a Buto for a pet. They're poisonous, able to fly, and supremely cool. Except for the one that bit Ron...dirty roten imposter....Did I just say that? XD Thanks for reviewing!
Suuki Aldrea: I've updated. :-) You really should check out Artemis Fowl and Crown of Stars. They are awesome serieses. Thanks for reviewing!)