The title for chapter four is from…Hair. Congrats to maureen is me, who guessed it.
maureen is me: Don't worry. I don't know how to nor do I wish to write any sex scenes. Besides, I want to keep this story rated T. So no worries there.
And Mara1313 wrote the Fiyero/Snape confrontation. Brilliant, Mara.:D
Can anyone find the reference to Idina Menzel in this chapter? Double points if you can explain both parts of the reference.
Disclaimer: I don't own Wicked. I don't own Harry Potter. End of story.
Chapter 5: Ya Never Know
It was to be the normal start of the school year: First, the Sorting would commence, after which Dumbledore would make random, obscure remarks. Elphaba, deliberately choosing a seat at the far end of the table, made sure to reserve the seat next to her for- well, for whoever she was supposed to play hostess to. She was sure this 'contact' of Dumbledore's would be completely and utterly boring, not to mention stuck-up and overly confident. That tended to be the personality of those that had not yet experienced this war against Voldemort. To the common outsider, it would seem as though the Order was winning, when in reality, they were barely surviving raids by Voldemort on a day to day basis.
She sighed and looked outside at the stormy sky. Rain thundered against the glass window panes and every now and then, a flash of lightning would light up the darkened grounds. This is a rather…ominous start to the new school year, Elphaba thought wryly.
"I would like to welcome all of you to another year at Hogwarts," Dumbledore stood up and announced. "I am pleased to see that all of you have made it here without getting wet." Some of the students laughed, as many were still wringing water out of their hair and robes. "Well, too wet," Dumbledore amended. "As I am sure that you are all hungry after your train ride from London, we shall have our announcements after our delicious feast." He clapped his hands twice and food appeared in the previously empty dishes at all the tables.
Once he had sat down, Dumbledore looked over to the still empty seat next to Elphaba. Using quick and subtle hand gestures, she was able to communicate to the Headmaster that the guest still had not arrived yet. Dumbledore looked worried, but did not say anything.
Elphaba was about to ask if she should go and look for this guest when the gigantic double-doors to the Great Hall creaked open. The whole Hall fell silent, wondering who this latecomer was.
Elphaba was suddenly reminded of the time when one of the Weasley children (she believed it was Fred Weasley's son- it was hard to tell when they all had the trademark red hair) missed the Hogwarts Express, lost all common sense, tied his trunk to his broom, and flew the few hundred miles to Hogwarts. Elphaba turned to Snape and smirked. "Perhaps this will be another Weasley stunt," she said, grinning.
However, the person that came into the Great Hall was not a Weasley. In fact, this person was not even a student. As their eyes met, Elphaba froze. This is impossible, she thought. This must be an apparition, a hallucination, a trick from Voldemort. The word that echoed through the cavernous hall, though, convinced Elphaba that she was not seeing things. She had been called 'Elphie', the nickname that had been conned by Glinda herself.
"Snape," Elphaba tried to keep her voice from wavering. "Who-"
"Fae? What in Merlin's name is wrong with you? I've never seen you so…pasty green before," Snape said quietly, a worried note in his voice. "Do you need to see Madam Pomphrey? Or maybe you should go lie down."
"No. I-I should…go." Before Snape could stop her, Elphaba had stood up and swept through a door behind the teachers' table, closing it firmly behind her with a loud bang.
The door closing caused an instant uproar in the Great Hall. Many students who had had Elphaba as a teacher before were all wondering the same thing: Who was this person that caused their normally calm and collected Professor Thropp to basically have a panic attack?
Glinda cautiously made her way up to Dumbledore, her heart beating faster than normal. Was that really Elphaba, or was it just a figment of her imagination? "I'm sorry, Albus. I got lost…um…who was that?"
Dumbledore regarded Glinda sternly and then motioned for her to follow him through the door that Elphaba had just entered and down a long corridor. "In the five years that I've known her, Fae has never reacted that violently to anything," Dumbledore told Glinda as they walked.
Before he could say anything else, Glinda interrupted, "Wait! All this time, when we've been talking about Fae, we've been really talking about…Elphaba?"
"Well, so you do know our Dueling Professor," Dumbledore said.
"Yes, in Oz, she was my best friend, but…how is this possible? She's dead. I saw her die five years ago," Glinda replied, completely confused.
"Five years ago? That's when she arrived at Hogwarts. She's never talked about her past before, though, except for the day that I met her. She never seemed willing to talk about it- I just understand that there was some issue with people wanting to kill her back in Oz," Dumbledore reminisced.
They had arrived at another room that was at the end of the corridor. Beyond the open door, Glinda could see a black and green figure rapidly pacing while mumbling words that she could not make out.
"Elphie," Glinda whispered again. Her eyes filled with tears as she gazed at the woman she had thought was dead for the past five years. Dumbledore nodded, indicating that she should go in after Elphaba. Glinda hesitated. After all, what do you say to someone that is supposed to be dead?
Dumbledore gave her a small push. "Go in. Talk to her." Glinda slipped into the empty room silently and closed the door behind her.
Elphaba didn't turn around. "Snape," she said in greeting, thinking that the Potions Master had come after her. "What do you-"
"Elphie," Glinda said softly. Elphaba whirled around, staring at Glinda.
"Glinda, I-" Whatever Elphaba had wanted to say, she never got a chance to finish it. In two strides, the blonde witch had crossed the room to Elphaba and slapped her across the face.
"Elphaba Thropp! All this time, you've been alive and you didn't even think to tell me, your best friend!" Glinda exclaimed.
"Glinda, I swear, I wanted to," Elphaba pleaded, rubbing her stinging cheek. "Believe me, I wanted to, but I couldn't. Not without putting you in danger."
Glinda's anger instantly evaporated when she saw the apprehensive look on Elphaba's face. She felt surreal, as if she were in a dream and would wake up at any moment. "But, Elphie, how is this possible? I saw you die; that horrible Dorothy girl melted you. Your scream haunted me for months."
Elphaba's heart broke as she realized exactly what she had put Glinda through. "I'm not allergic to water, Glinda. You should know that," she said softly. "And all you saw was me doing a bit of acting before dropping through a trapdoor, not melting." There was a silence as the two women truly looked at each other for the first time in five years.
Before either of them could say anything else, Glinda had launched herself at Elphaba and hugged her so tightly that Elphaba could swear something inside had cracked. "Oh, Elphie," Glinda sobbed, her voice cracking with emotion, "I-I can't believe this is real- that you're really here, really alive."
Elphaba hesitantly brought her arms up around Glinda and hugged her back, not believing that she was actually seeing the woman that she secretly loved again. The two women stayed in that position for a minute longer before they reluctantly separated.
Glinda gazed up at the witch in front of her, taking in her appearance. Elphaba's skin was still as green as ever. Her ebony hair seemed a little longer, but other than that, Elphaba Thropp had not changed at all in Glinda's eyes. Elphaba still wore her trademark black witch hat and black clothes, although they were robes instead of the dresses that she wore in Oz.
Elphaba stared at Glinda in amazement. This was…astonishing- this couldn't be happening to her. Not something this…good. Never had something good happened without other repercussions. She considered pinching herself to see if this was all really a dream, but decided against it. If this was a dream, she didn't want it to end.
Just then, a question (well, many questions, actually) occurred to Glinda. She frowned and asked Elphaba, "Wait. How did you get here? Dumbledore provided me with a…'Port Key', but I don't think you had one…and what are you doing here?"
Elphaba was about to answer her when Dumbledore knocked and then opened the door. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but the feast is just about over, and I'm afraid Professor Thropp must be present for the announcements. Follow me."
Glinda and Elphaba walked down the corridor behind Dumbledore back to the Great Hall. "Professor Thropp?" Glinda whispered. "You teach? And why does everyone call you Fae, anyways?"
"I'll explain everything later, I promise," Elphaba whispered back. They stepped through the door into the Hall and sat down at their respective seats.
Snape looked over at Elphaba, who had a strange look on her face. "You look better now, Fae. Are you sure you're all right, though?"
"Yeah, yeah. Fine," Elphaba said distantly. Before Snape could say anything else, Dumbledore stood up and addressed the student body.
"Well, now that we're finished with our delicious feast," Dumbledore said loudly, "I have a few announcements to make. I would like to introduce your new Defense teacher, Professor Kim Johnson." At this, a woman with brown wavy hair stood up and acknowledged the applause by a wave of her hand. "I am sure that you will get to know each other well in the coming year," Dumbledore finished.
"Next, I am afraid that our Transfiguration Professor had decided to resign from the position of being Head of Gryffindor House. She will be replaced by our very own Dueling Professor, Professor Thropp." There was a silence, and then a wave of cheering, mostly from the Gryffindors.
"Finally, I must give you all a grave warning." Dumbledore paused for a moment and gazed around at the many faces that were surrounding him. "Voldemort is getting stronger on a daily basis. Though this time of darkness, we must stay united. Alone, we are weak, but together, we can not be defeated! This year, when you face challenges, ask yourself: Are you willing to take the right road over the easy?" He paused again. "Now, I believe that classes begin tomorrow. Thus, I am going to release you to your beds to rest up. Good night." With that message, the students swarmed to the exit.
Dumbledore made his way over to where Elphaba and Glinda were sitting. "I trust that you were able to resolve your problems." he guessed.
"Yes," Elphaba replied. "We still have a lot to discuss tonight, though."
McGonagall, who had overheard this, walked over to the two witches and said briskly. "I'm afraid that you'll have to come with me tonight, Fae. I must talk with you about your new responsibilities as the Head of Gryffindor House."
Elphaba sighed and glared at the Headmaster. The reason she hadn't wanted to be the new Head was because she hadn't needed nor wanted the extra responsibilities. She then asked the Deputy Headmistress, "Is it all right if I take a quick detour to drop Glinda off at her rooms, then?"
When McGonagall nodded, Elphaba looked apologetically at Glinda. "I'm sorry Glinda. I didn't know…can we talk tomorrow morning? I don't have a class first period- right after breakfast."
Glinda waved her hand dismissively. "No, no, Elphie. That's fine. And tomorrow's fine as well. But you'd better have a darn good explanation for these past five years, Elphaba Thropp."
McGonagall pursed her lips and then said, "Alright, Fae. After you drop Ms. Upland off, please meet me in my office. It was nice meeting you, Ms. Upland. Goodnight, Albus." With that, she walked away, her shoes clicking behind her.
Elphaba looked at Glinda. "Well, we should be off too, or I'll be late for McGonagall's meeting. Goodnight, Headmaster."
As Elphaba and Glinda left the Great Hall, Glinda whispered to Elphaba. "Was that woman related to Morrible?"
Elphaba stared at Glinda for a moment before laughing. "No, not in the least. That was Minerva McGonagall, Transfiguration Professor, Deputy Headmistress, and up until earlier tonight, Head of Gryffindor House. She's pretty strict, but quite nice. Don't worry."
"Elphie, what's this 'house' that you keep talking about?" Glinda frowned in confusion.
"I'll explain how Hogwarts works tomorrow…didn't Dumbledore talk to you about this?" When Glinda shook her head, Elphaba muttered, "Meddling old man. I bet he knew that Glinda knew me…after all, he knows we're both from Oz…wait." She stopped. "Where are your rooms anyhow?" she asked Glinda.
"Kind of by the Dueling classroom," Glinda answered. "Or at least that's what Dumbledore told me that first day."
And this gives further proof to Dumbledore's meddling, Elphaba thought, annoyed. She then groaned as she remembered something else she was supposed to do.
"Are you all right?" Glinda said, worried.
"Fine, fine. I just remembered…I promised to pick up a potion from Snape." At Glinda's questioning look, she elaborated, "The Potions Professor. Anyways, do you mind telling McGonagall I'll be late- just go up those stairs and her office is the third door on the right. I'll come and take you to your room when I get back- is that okay?"
Glinda shrugged. "It's fine. So, I'll see you in…"
"Ten minutes," Elphaba finished. "Thanks." She then went through a door hidden behind a tapestry, leaving Glinda standing alone in the echoing hallway.
Fiyero stood in front of the portrait guarding Snape's room. He had a bone to pick here, and he wasn't leaving until Snape knew how he felt about the situation. The Vinkus prince pounded heavily on the portrait. "Snape? Are you in there?" he called out.
There was no answer from Snape's room. Everything was silent, except for the portrait who grumbled about being pounded on so heavily.
However, Fiyero ignored the portrait's groans and knocked even louder this time. "SNAPE?" he shouted. "Open this portrait!"
Again there was no reply. Fiyero was about to rip through the portrait with his fist when the portrait suddenly swung open, narrowly missing Fiyero.
"Oh, Merlin," a cool voice said sarcastically. "I sure hope I didn't hit you, Tiggular."
It took the young prince a moment to recover from the blow he had just missed. "No," Fiyero replied shortly, "but I have something to discuss with you."
"We can talk, but I'm afraid I'm late for a meeting with Fae," Snape said as he brushed past Fiyero. "We'll talk tomorrow."
"No, I'd prefer to talk with you today if you don't mind," Fiyero snapped. Meeting with Elphaba? He thought. There's the proof I need right there, AND he has the gall to flaunt it in my face.
"If we must," Snape sighed. "What is it you wish to talk to me about?"
No point in being blunt, thought Fiyero. "Your relationship with Elphaba."
Still, Snape seemed as cool and calm as always when he asked, "What about it?"
The Vinkus prince couldn't help gaping. "So you don't deny its existence?"
Snape seem a little puzzled, but only a little. He scowled at what seemed like a pointless conversation. "No, we have a good friendship. Far better than your romantic relationship worked out, anyways. You're wasting my time here, Tiggular. I suggest you leave before I make you."
"Excuse me?" Fiyero asked.
After a glance down at his watch, Snape began to move down the hallway, with Fiyero taking giant steps to keep up. "You know, Tiggular, your relationship with Fae was really suffering. Perhaps it is for the best that it has ended."
"Oh, so you could move in and take my place?" Fiyero growled.
The chilly darkness of the dungeon made every noise echo. Fiyero could hear the swish of Snape's robes, their footsteps on the stone, and the engulfing beating of his own hurting heart.
"No." The Potion's Professor's short, clipped answer was not satisfactory to Fiyero.
"Well, what else would you call it? You have been sabotaging my relationship with Elphaba behind my back and you think that's fine?" Fiyero's desperate tone sounded ridiculous in the echo of the dungeons where Snape's rooms were, but Fiyero was frustrated.
"Listen to yourself; you sound like a fool. I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about," Snape responded as he ascended a flight of steps, Fiyero close at his heels.
"Sure you don't. So, tell me, Snape, how long has this been going on? Just the past month or the past year? Or do I not even want to know?"
Snape glanced down at his watch. "About 4 minutes and 39 seconds, I believe."
"What?" Fiyero was now confused. "What are you talking about?"
"You asked how long our conversation has been going on. It's now been about 4 minutes and 51 seconds," Snape said smoothly as they reached the top of the stairs that led to his classroom.
In a foolish act of rage, Fiyero grabbed Snape's arm, almost jerking him out of the room.
His voice frighteningly chilly, Snape whispered, "I suggest you let go of my hand, Tiggular, before I am forced to use magic against you."
Fiyero was angry, though. And anger makes people reckless. Therefore, the Vinkus prince slowly pulled Snape's arm closer, twisting it in the opposite direction to cause pain. "Well, if you're so strong and mighty, make me, then!" he challenged.
The next thing Fiyero knew, he had somehow been thrown against a wall. Every bone in his body was aching from the sudden impact.
"Do not mess with me, Tiggular. Now, if you will excuse me, I believe that Fae is waiting for me," Snape said, casually brushing off the injured ex-boyfriend of his friend.
With a hidden store of strength, Fiyero suddenly leapt for Snape's legs, toppling the professor over.
"I suggest you start apologizing, Severus, before you're too late for your meeting!" Fiyero childishly cried.
Eyes flashing, Snape lashed out, trying to disengage from the tangle of limbs.
Fiyero retaliated angrily, landing a punch in Snape's stomach before he was thrown down the short staircase by Snape's wand. "Listen to me and listen well, Tiggular. There is NOTHING going on between Fae and I. It's all in your head, although Merlin knows there's nothing in there but air. Or straw, I suppose."
Elphaba hurried down a corridor to the Potions classroom. Snape had better be there, or she'd leave and go back to McGonagall's office. McGonagall tended to dislike it when she was late for a meeting. However, when she reached the staircase leading to Snape's classroom, where she was supposed to meet him, she was greeted by a strange sight. Snape had his wand trained on Fiyero, pinning him against the wall.
"What in the name of Merlin is going on here, Snape? Let him go!" Elphaba yelled.
With a reluctant sigh, Snape let Fiyero fall to the ground.
"Now, would you two mind telling me why exactly you were acting, once again, like idiotic preschoolers?" the green witch asked. Before Snape had time to respond, Fiyero had managed to get up, charge at him, and knock him off his feet once more.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING, FIYERO???" Elphaba screamed. She was now a bit more than angry as two of her best friends continued to beat each other up. With a small 'pop', a growling black panther stood where she had previously been.
Snape saw the panther charge out of the corner of his eye. In a quick move, the professor pushed Fiyero in front of him, with hopes that the Vinkus prince would be bitten first.
"Sweet Oz!" Fiyero cried as the panther toppled him over. He landed on top of Snape, who would have shoved him off had the panther not been pressing her paws into Fiyero, pinning him down.
Elphaba transformed back into her human form and stepped away from the two other Order members. "Now that we've finished our childish fight, I'd like answers as to WHY you and Fiyero decided to have a brawl on the floor of the dungeons. You are supposed to be fighting against Voldemort, not each other. No wonder Voldemort is winning this bloody war."
"I, too would like some answers from you, Elphaba," Fiyero declared. "Like why you were cheating on me and thought I was too stupid to figure it out."
Elphaba blinked. "What. Are. You. Talking. About?"
"You and Snape. Together," Fiyero glared at said man as he responded.
The green witch was utterly bewildered. "We're just friends, Fiyero," Elphaba said, hurt that Fiyero didn't believe her. Why does he keep insisting that I'm cheating on him? Elphaba thought. Did our five-year relationship mean nothing to him?
Fiyero stood up quickly and brushed himself off. "Yeah, well, you could have fooled me," he snapped before marching off, leaving Elphaba and Snape, one upset, one bruised, and both of them completely confused.
That was the longest chapter so far. 3,503 words! Woot!
Also, since Christmas Break is over, there might be longer breaks between updates…but I'll still update. So no worries there.
Coming up: Elphaba's long overdue explanation and an Order meeting.
-Wolfie