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: Odd happenings at Fowl Manor have caused a call from Commander Root and Foaly, who divulge the secrets of the magic beings appearing everywhere.

Chapter 13: The Princess and the Canine

Blessing had always hated traveling, so when she was forced to trek the countryside, she was in a very fowl mood. Her clothes were dirty and she hadn't had a proper bath in weeks. Her luxurious hair was now a complete and utter nuisance, getting in her face. She looked like a witch, for the sea air and sun had bleached her naturally blonde streaks to an off white, while her dark hair only got darker.

When they reached the castle, Blessing minded her own business, and stayed quiet. She disliked most of the people she accompanied, but she could do little about it.

"Are you all right?" Ann asked suddenly.

Blessing started. She was always caught off guard by the girl's kindness. Her attitude was tough, and Blessing hadn't received enough time to analyze her. Her first impression was that the cabin girl was a right little tart. She took a deep breath. "I am..." She paused. "Not." She looked away, as though refusing to carry on a conversation.

"What's wrong?" the cabin girl asked. "Do you miss home?"

Though Blessing could see that they were the same age, it surprised her that the girl could be so naive, yet so mature. Blessing put up her cold facade. She didn't need friends, not when hers had died in that horrible attack on St. Elyssan. "I despise traveling," she sneered.

Ann did not seem put off by the show of mean. "Well, I've realized that we are the only ones of our age among our little group. Might as well watch each other's backs, eh?" she asked in a forthright manner.

Blessing did not like to be surprised. She did not like the unpredictable. Why then had the girl's offer of a truce struck so pleasantly? Blessing appeared to mull it over. They entered the village as Blessing replied to Ann. "Might as well," she affirmed, and the girls shook hands.

It was a quaint, little town, apparently called Hogsmeade by the sign. It was late at night, and no one was out. Blessing was about to check out some shops when Captain Sparrow addressed the lot.

"Welcome to Hogsmeade. As you can probably tell, they have no night life, which, incidentally, suits our purposes. I will take only a select few of you up to the castle with me. Who knows what kind of protection this treasure could be under. The rest should scope out this town for booty. Miss Finn," and he paused to look at the tall, redheaded woman, "if you would tend to the prince and his men."

Cesair Finn nodded, and people broke apart. Ann acquired a sly smile.

"I'm supposed to stay here, but I've decided to follow Jack. Coming with me?" she whispered. Her dark eyes were alight with mischievous glee.

Blessing tried to look affronted, but failed. She'd always been a proper daughter. She followed the rules, and never questioned her father. All of it seemed to be nothing but a prologue. The rule-abiding, submissive Blessing had died along with her friends in St. Elyssan. This was a new Blessing, who understood that danger was always around the corner, and rules were nothing more than a hindrance. Blessing gulped nervously. Sure, the words sounded great and bold in her head, but she was still scared out of her wits. Ann was awaiting an answer, and Blessing knew she had to give her one. Taking a deep breath, she nodded solemnly, and the two girls sneaked away from Cesair Finn.

The two had scouted around the castle, finding a small window. They entered silently.

"This place is immense!" Ann remarked joyously. They continued to walk around the castle, silently hiding behind statues and corners, cob webs and suits of armor. Children of different ages passed by them, and they went unnoticed. Blessing jumped when a suit coughed at her.

"What happened?" Ann asked.

"That armor just coughed at me," she replied, not willing to believe that the armor had moved.

Ann didn't believe it, either. "It's no big deal, listen, this place just seems like it's magical, probably because it's so new. There's no such thing as magic." Months aboard a ship had taught her that. "Shh," she said suddenly. "There are people over there."

Blessing nodded and found a place to hide. Instead of following her, Ann walked right up to them. She didn't know what to do. Should she run? Go find father and Captain Sparrow? Her heart beat quickened as she heard a new voice.

"Housing intruders, Potter? How predictable."

Oh, no! Blessing thought. She kept listening as she heard Ann shout at the new voice. Fear settled in, and it took Blessing quite awhile to regain composure. The terrifying thoughts nagged at her. They had Ann! She had to help. Without a second thought, she jumped from her hiding place, and followed where the voices had gone. And bumped right into three other people.

"Harry, look, it's another one," the girl pointed out.

Blessing ran. She didn't know where she was going, but she kept going until she opened a door, and almost fell three flights down.

It was the most bizarre thing she had ever seen. The stair cases moved of their own accord! She was on a landing, but there was no flight in from of her. Blessing stood there, transfixed, and even when the stairs connected to her landing, she didn't go up them.

Before long, her pursuers had caught up to her. There were three of them, and they seemed to be the same age. One had unruly black hair and a scar on his forehead. The other had red hair and a bemused expression. The last one, the only girl, had a pert nose and bushy brown hair. They pointed sticks at her threateningly.

"Who are you?" the first boy asked with authority. His green eyes were flashing dangerously.

"What concern is it of yours?" she retorted.

The girl brandied her wand at her. "This is our school, our home, and you feel you can just barge in. That's a concern of ours."

Blessing picked her chin up haughtily. They had not been this rude with Ann. They probably just realized that the crew are mostly pirates. But that didn't change her opinion of them. "I don't feel as though I can barge in anywhere. My home has been destroyed, and I have nothing better to do. I am Princess Blessing." She nodded slightly.

"Well, Princess," the boy with black hair hissed, "we'll take you to the rest of your entourage. Hermione, lead. Ron, stay to her right, make sure she doesn't have a wand. I'll be behind her, making sure she doesn't decide to bolt."

"How considerate of you," Blessing snarled. "I suppose you are also going to circle me, and double back to make sure I'm not being followed by others? I'm not a petty criminal. In fact, I'm no villain at all." It was said in a mocking tone, and Blessing couldn't imagine why she was compelled to treat these people with ice and steel. She thought as they walked, and it seemed that she had snapped out of fear. Perhaps they had, as well.

"So, if you aren't a threat, why did you run?" the girl asked over her shoulder.

"This is whole new atmosphere for me. You try getting transplanted from your home, attacked by vicious monsters, traveling a huge distance, and then getting on the wrong side of a few kids with twigs. I guarantee you'd run, as well." She was softening. She didn't want to, but she felt it was necessary.

"I'm Hermione Granger," the girl offered.

"Ron Weasley," the boy with red hair introduced.

The boy with black hair said nothing.

"I take it you're the leader," Blessing shot at him from behind her. "Go ahead, stab at me with your brilliant eyes, I don't mind. If you won't tell me your name, I'll have to come up with something to call you." As she looked at him briefly, she was amazed by how similar he looked to Alain. It was somewhat disconcerting to see the face of a friend glaring at her. To stretch her imagination even further, his manners reminded her of the stories told about her father when he was kidnapped by the former Eika Prince. "I think I'll call you the Canine, if you won't give your name."

Before she knew what was happening, he was upon her, holding his stick at her throat. "Not if you value your life," he growled.

"HARRY!" Hermione shouted, and she and Ron swooped to get him off Blessing.

When he was standing upright, Hermione slapped him. "How dare you! We agreed that those people might be threats, but how can you hold something against someone when they are completely ignorant of the whole Voldemort ordeal?"

He only said one word. "Padfoot." His knees buckled, but he kept himself standing. Ron had one arm around his shoulder.

Hermione ushered Blessing on. "Come on, our Headmaster will help you get back to wherever you came from," she said gently.

Blessing was greatly confused. What was a padfoot? Maybe he had some bad experience with dogs as well. Blessing suddenly felt sorry for the boy. He seemed to have the weight of the world on his shoulders, but didn't all adolescents? She voiced her thoughts to Hermione, and heard the life story of Harry Potter.

In the time it took to reach the Headmaster's office, Blessing had discovered the basics of Harry's life. If she'd been any weaker, she would have broken down and cried. It was horrible! And to think that she called him the Canine! Shame washed over her as she saw her crew.

Ann was flushed, and was being held by Cesair Finn. Jack was nursing his head, and Alain was guarding Fifth Son with ferocity. Sanglant was supporting an unconscious Lady Tallia, and other members of the crew were strewn about randomly.

"Princess?" an elderly man inquired. Blessing had determined that this man was Professor Dumbledore. She gave him a stately nod. "Let me welcome you to Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I apologize for any mishaps or misunderstandings that you might have encountered."

"I apologize, as well, Headmaster, for intruding upon your school. I believe the crew and I are very out of place." Tact and diplomacy strategies blossomed in her head.

"You are not the only ones, Princess. There are beings from other worlds, people from different times, and odd things all around here, now. We hope we may come to some sort of conclusion." He paused and looked into her eyes, as though searching her soul. Smiling slightly, he added kindly, "You may have a seat. The other misplaced will shortly be here. There is a conference room in the back of my office that should be big enough for the lot."

"Many thanks to you, Headmaster." Blessing sat beside her father, and hugged him. He looked sick with worry. Talia's relic of a necklace had been shining oddly since the boat trip, and Sanglant quietly mentioned to Blessing that it had grown hot. Inside the sphere, swirling smoke of different colors threw the light of the room to strange angles.

One person recognized the sphere, and had started to piece the complicated puzzle together.

A/N: I want to thank my one reviewer for last chapter!

Oddball91: Thank you for rethinking your choice to yell at me. The universe is doing a pretty good job of keeping me grounded, that if I get any lower, my self-esteem will not only be trampled upon, it'll be virtually nonexistant. ;-) Anywayz, thanks for reviewing, again. I hope you like this chapter. I know the Trio's actions change drastically, but maybe you can reason why that was. I'll try to keep the chapters coming. I think the next one will be the meeting in Dumbledore's conference room. Not too sure, though. I like the romance and drama I can put in here, so...yeah. :-D I've just one more thing to say. I MISS MY THREE LETTER HIGH! -sniff sniff-