A/N: I promise this won't be as along as last time, but I just wanted to mention that it is very unlikely I will update this quickly again (I usually try for once or twice a week). I felt bad about leaving Elphie and gang out of last chapter… but it had to be done. Also, keep in mind that while I borrowed many aspects of the book, this story is based loosely on the musical; this means that some things will happen out of sequence, and some things just won't happen at all. For example, the whole Fiyero and Dancing Through Life event hasn't occurred, meaning Galinda and Elphie still hate each other, and only Elphaba is taking Sorcery.
Thank you to my reviewers!
Embers of Twilight- I'm going for a Bookisical; but, while it mostly follows the musical, there are some things I just had to include, such as Elphaba's allergy to water (which comes into play much later :P)
Ennaxor- I'll definitely consider it; I've always had a soft spot for them too. And thanks very much!
Elphiethegood- You're very welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Disclaimer: I own neither Harry Potter nor Wicked. I just enjoy tormenting the characters from time to time.
A Little Bit of Magic
Chapter One: The Hallowed Halls of Shiz
Present Day Oz: Shiz University
Galinda Upland (of the Upper Uplands) could tell by Madame Morrible's piercing stare that she was late; but with all due respect, the Headmistress had brought this upon herself. After a long night of partying, one would expect any normal person to be sound asleep in their beds come early the next morning; yet today, Galinda found herself rudely wrenched out of bed at a cruel eight o'clock am. However, she would not protest (aloud, of course), because goodly girls always took things in stride.
The assembly room was packed, she noticed, as she scanned the room with her piercing blue eyes. The morning sun poured through the massive bay window near the stage, drowning the majority of the student body in shadow. Galinda raised a white, lacy gloved hand to her pink mouth, concealing a dainty yawn.
"Galinda, darling, over here!" a breathy voice called from several rows away. To her immense relief, Galinda's alcohol muddled brain managed to register the familiar strawberry blonde locks of Shen-Shen, who despite her hooded, hungover eyes, looked, for the most part, presentable. A quick look to Shen-Shen's left revealed similar reactions; Milla and Pfannee eyes' were barely opened, and they looked as though they hadn't slept all night. Which, of course, they hadn't.
Galinda tiptoed across the room to take her seat, careful not to scuff her hot pink heels in the process. She moved slowly but with confidence; her father had told her many times that the world always waited for beautiful girls, so there was never any need to rush. My Popsicle is so clever, she gushed inwardly, seating herself with a toss of her buttery ringlets.
Nearby, a stoic girl rolled her large, brown eyes at the blonde's display. Jealousy, Galinda mused, before ignoring the girl entirely. Such people aren't worth my time.
"Now that Miss Upland has so graciously decided to join us, it is time to begin," the loud, clear voice of Madame Morrible boomed, as she fixed her hazel eyes on the sheepish Galinda. "Students of Crage Hall, a recent but devastating conflict has left a fellow school in need of our help. Several hours ago, I received notice that Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was left in shambles due to a wizarding battle less than a day ago. Therefore, once Fall Term has commenced, Crage Hall will lend a helping hand to the young witches and wizards of London, and act as a 'host school' until such a time as their establishment has been rebuilt."
Galinda heard the familiar buzz of gossip grow steadily louder as students exchanged comments of enthusiasm. Hogwarts School was well-known here in Oz; in fact, it was rumored that the Wizard himself had once been a pupil there. Galinda, too, could barely contain her excitement; it was about time Crage Hall got some new blood added to the mix; particularly male blood.
"Needless to say," Morrible continued briskly, "I expect each and everyone of you to make our new students feel welcome. Compassion is a long-standing tradition and a fundamental part of Shiz University's continued reputation for excellence. Respect for each other is what makes Crage Hall itself an honorable institution. It is not just a place; it had a character and moral fiber of its own. None, I repeat, none of you will put a blemish on our hard-earned, long-standing reputation; needless to say, those who do not exhibit those qualities most revered here at Shiz, no longer belong here."
A loud scoff could be heard from several rows up, coming from a drab, darkly clad, raven haired girl, otherwise known as Galinda's horrid roommate, Elphaba Thropp. Galinda rolled her large eyes- that girl was an embarrassment, and the exact opposite of all the qualities Madame Morrible had just listed. Not to mention, unnatural.
It had been the shock of Galinda's life when she realized that the girl she was being forced to room with was the closest thing in existence to a reptile with warm blood. Not only did the quiet, sadistic girl have strangely pointed fangs in the place of teeth, but her skin was a disgusting shade of green. But, Elphaba didn't seem to care that her skin was an abomination; rather than do the decent thing and try to make herself invisible, she was constantly arguing about anything and everything. Quite simply, the girl was nothing but a social hindrance.
Huffing slightly, Galinda removed one dainty glove and examined her freshly manicured nails. She had been pleasantly surprised to find a new bottle of Ozmo's Perfect Pink nailpolish arrive yesterday morning; a little 'come home soon' treat from her Mumsie. Home, Galinda thought longingly. She couldn't wait for this year to be over, and a summer of nothing but relaxation was exactly what she needed.
Several rows up, a bitter Elphaba Thropp lay wedged between two overweight Munchkins in matching orange leotards. Her pointed face jutted outwards in defiance as she purposefully ignored the glares burning holes in her back. Really, had those idiots expected her to sit there quietly and nod in agreement to the utter bullshit Morrible was attempting to shove down their throats? Compassion is a long-standing tradition and a fundamental part of Shiz? Hardly. Since the moment Elphaba had begun her first term here ten months ago, she had been treated with nothing but scorn and contempt. That woman was either very stupid or very optimistic, but the fact remained that no one here, not even the professors, gave a tic about compassion.
Crossing her thin, green arms in anger, Elphaba tried to imagine herself sitting comfortably in her bed, curled within her grey quilt, and with a nice, thick, leather bound book in her hands. Yes, she thought miserably, that's exactly where she'd be if only that insufferable Headmistress hadn't called this assembly into session so early. Even though she'd been up for ages, she had not expected to emerge from her dorm room for another couple hours, and only then it would be to grab a small cup of tea in the cafeteria.
Unlike her infuriating, blonde room mate, she had no friends to visit on a Saturday afternoon. All she had was a handicapped sister, who annoyed her on a good day and enraged her on a bad one. She did, of course, love Nessarose very much (even more that herself most of the time), but the truth remained that Nessa was a very demanding, very childish woman who could throw a tantrum to make a three year old proud.
Where was Nessa anyway? Elphaba wondered as her intelligent, almond shaped eyes scanned the auditorium for any sign of a wheelchair. Ah, there she was, dotting upon that little Munchkin boy who she seemed to have taken a liking too. Boq, Elphaba thought his name was, unless of course you were Galinda, in which case Biq was the preferred pronunciation.
Sweet Oz, is that woman still talking? Elphaba brooded, as Madame Morrible continued to detail what she expected of the students come Fall Term. The green girl adjusted her black rimmed glasses with her index finger, in a desperate attempt to keep herself occupied. If only I could control my magic, she quipped inwardly, imagining the various ways in which she could seal Morrible's mouth closed. The sudden image of the bulky Headmistress desperately trying to unzip her lips caused Elphaba to double over laughing. Oh great, now everyone was looking at her. And this time, she could hardly blame them.
"Do you have something to add, Miss Thropp?" Madame Morrible asked delicately, her voice coated with a sickening amount of sugar. Elphaba's cheeks flushed a darker green as several witty but inappropriate comebacks danced along the edge of her tongue.
"Nothing that would interest anyone here," Elphaba muttered finally, shrinking down in her seat.
"Oh come on Greenie, that's never stopped you before," a feminine voice countered from near the back of the room. Elphaba whipped around in her seat in time to see a small smirk make its way across Galinda's glossy pink lips. "Go on, tell us what's on your mind," the blonde taunted again.
"More than shoes and makeup," Elphaba quipped in return, as she clenched her spidery fingers into fists. How is it, that a girl who professes herself to be nothing but goodly, could delight so much in the tormenting of a fellow human being? she thought furiously.
"No surprises there," Galinda said, her brilliant blue eyes narrowing. Her perfect cheeks began to flush in anger as she glared furiously at the green girl. "It's not like any makeup would do you any good if you tried!"
"Yeah," a slightly lower voice confirmed, causing Elphaba to rise to her feet. Spinning on her heel, a seething Elphaba noticed that the abnormally tall Munchkin seated next to her sister was standing, despite Nessa's soft protests. He opened his mouth to speak again, but was silenced with an icy glare. Why do these people insist on provoking the one they also fear? Elphaba mused inwardly. Hardly seems sensible to me.
"That is enough!" Madame Morrible boomed from her place near the front. "Miss Thropp, Miss Upland, consider yourselves dismissed from the assembly. You will report directly to my office. I expected more, especially from you Miss Thropp," she spat angrily, pointed a bejeweled finger towards the door.
Elphaba clenched her teeth in anger; how dare that woman reprimand her, and only her, in front of the entire student body! With deliberately calm movements, she wound her way through the various plastic chairs to the center aisle. A sudden jolt in her calves caused her to tumble into an irate heap onto the floor. Jeers of laughter echoed throughout the assembly hall as she lifted her head with a shudder. One of the orange Munchkin's leered at her from his chairr, an obvious smirk painted across his chubby face. With something akin to a growl, Elphaba lifted herself off the floor, and marched, with as much dignity as she could manage, through the opened door.
"I can't believe you got us kicked out!" a girlish voice wailed as Elphaba slammed the massive door behind her. Elphaba's dark mouth popped open in shock at Galinda's accusations; the stupid little twit!
"I believe, my pretty, that you also played a little part in our expulsion," Elphaba snarled in return, her voice rising to an unpleasant octave. She ran a green hand along her tight, black braid angrily, before stomping off down the corridor. She knew exactly where Madame Morrible's office was; it was, after all, where she received her 'private' Sorcery lessons.
To her utter annoyance, however, Elphaba heard the tiny popping of Galinda's pink heels following her along the white marble floors. "Well, if you had kept your mouth shut," the blonde huffed from several paces away, "I wouldn't have had to step in; and-and then I wouldn't be in this mess!"
Elphaba screeched to a halt, and opened her mouth incredulously. "You stupid, selfish, shallow little witch! How dare you pin this entire thing on me! Take some responsibility, and for Lurline's sake, grow up!" Elphaba hollered, losing her head completely.
A sound slap could be heard echoing through the hallway. Elphaba recoiled slightly as the blow stung her cheek, and then cackled maliciously. "Hem," she cleared her throat sarcastically, all the while rubbing her injured cheek. "You feel better now?" she asked, her voice wickedly soft.
But Galinda, it seemed, had been struck speechless. She looked at her tiny hand with astonishment, as if completely and utterly surprised by what it had done. She trembled slightly, from surprise or fear Elphaba couldn't tell, before murmuring a soft reply. "Elphaba," she said softly, "I'm- I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me."
Elphaba was shocked- never before had the blonde called her by her given name. Artichoke and Greenie seemed to be the preferred terms. Unsure of how to react by the sudden change in her roommate, Elphaba stalked off. She was quite sure a bruise was going to form from the slap; the blonde was deceptively strong. Well, she thought reasonably, purple doesn't show very well on green. Thank heavens for small favors.
"Elphaba!" her roommate called after her, a little desperately. "Please listen to me!" Without turning around, Elphaba shook her head and continued to walk away. "I'm sorry about everything- that I slapped you, that I got us kicked out. Just… stop!"
The frantic clicking of heels came in a short burst and the tiny blonde sprinted across the floor and grabbed Elphaba's shoulder. "You know," she said coolly, clearly undaunted as Elphaba towered over her, "it's rude to walk away when someone is trying to talk to you."
"You know," Elphaba mimicked with her awful, high voice, "it's rude to slap someone across the face and publically humiliate them in an assembly hall!" With that, Elphaba snaked a long hand around Galinda's arm and wrenched the tiny fingers from her shoulder.
"I said I was sorry!" Galinda pouted, her blue eyes flashing. "But now I take it back! You're a wicked person, Elphaba Thropp. No wonder you don't have any friends!" And with that, she spun on her heel and hurried off in the opposite direction, her furious brain hardly registering the hurt look which flashed briefly over the green girl's face.
"No Miss Galinda," Elphaba hissed inaudibly at her roommates retreating back, "the reason I have no friends is because I can't stand prissy, perfect little princesses who care for nothing but themselves. They take one look at my hideous, green skin and scamper off in the opposite direction. The reason I have no friends, is because I need no friends."
Elphaba strode angrily down the hall, without bothering to remind Miss Galinda that she was going the wrong way. I cannot wait for this year to be over.
Outlandish was the first word that came to Elphaba's mind as she stepped into Madame Morrible's office. Despite having been there many times, she couldn't help but give a little jolt as the multitude of clashing colours stung her eyes.
The walls were a deep forest green; not a bad colour on its own, she supposed. But, when paired with a bright turquoise carpet and a magenta pink seat cover, the entire effect was damn near vomit inducing. An array of magical (but potentially useless) artifacts were crammed upon the shelves of various bookcases, each making an odd whizzing noise or performing a little light show. The ceiling, Elphaba decided, was the only thing in the place that was half decent; it was a pleasing shade of navy and dotted with miniature stars.
As Elphaba sat in a plush, red sofa which was pushed up against the far wall, she noticed that Galinda had yet to arrive. Delighted that she hadn't missed her roommate's reaction to the design blunder of the decade, she cackled slightly and tucked her thin, green legs underneath her body.
"Best laugh while you can Dearie," the annoyed voice of the Headmistress threatened as she swept into the room. With a flourish of her wrist, the large Quoxwood door closed of its own accord. "I have a feeling that you won't be so much as smiling for a very long time," she continued angrily, her painted lips twisting into a thin frown. Elphaba made a derisive sound and crossed her arms; did she look like she was smiling?
"But, let us wait for Miss Upland before we begin, hm?" Madame Morrible asked, taking her seat in her large, pink throne.
"Then I'm afraid, Madame that we'll be here for quite some time. You see, Miss Galinda has a horrible sense of direction. I wouldn't be surprised if she's made her way to the Emerald City by now," Elphaba quipped, her brown eyes narrowing.
"Well then, Miss Elphaba, if you continue behaving the way you did today, I don't expect you'll be joining her there any time soon," Morrible said pointedly, raising her eyebrows for emphasis. Elphaba scowled, but felt the fear creeping up her spine nonetheless. She had forgotten that Morrible now controlled her future- and that, in itself, was cause for concern.
"My sincerliest apologies Madame Morrible," Galinda chimed as she flung herself into the office. "I got most turned arou-" she stopped dead in her tracks, her pretty pink mouth dropping open as she took in the many colours of the office. Her large, blue eyes blinked several times in a poor attempt to hide her disgust. "Um, nice place you've got here," she muttered lamely, causing Elphaba to shake in silent laughter.
"Thank you dear," Morrible said icily, with an angry look in Elphaba's direction. Elphaba noticed almost immediately that the hawk-eyes were watching her, and she bit her lip roughly to hide her mirth. "Take your seat Miss Upland," Morrible commanded, pointing towards the crimson couch.
Galinda rushed forward, and perched herself on the edge of the sofa- as far away from Elphaba as she could get. Probably thinks I have rabies, the green girl thought dismally, as she shuffled her feet uncomfortably.
"You girls have disappointed me today," Morrible said abruptly, her eyebrows slanting in disapproval. "Miss Upland- despite your parents' goodly reputations, your actions demonstrate just how poorly they must have raised you. Hardly appropriate for a lady of high-society, in my opinion. And Miss Elphaba- I am utterly appalled by your behavior; especially considering how much you have at stake. Your father sacrificed much to send you here; I should have liked to think you would be more grateful."
Elphaba raised her thin eyebrows skeptically; my father 'sacrificing' something for me? Not likely, she mused with amusement. That man hated her, and he didn't bother to hide it. As a child, Elphaba had everything she could do and more to earn his approval, but to no avail. And now, as a woman of eighteen, she realized the futility of her actions; and while she respected the man, she had no fondness for him.
"Miss Thropp, Miss Galinda," Morrible continued angrily, "I am an avid believer that 'a punishment should fit a crime'. In both your cases, I sense that compassion is something you sorely lack; and thus I will take it upon myself to see that you gain some. Starting next semester, you both will act as 'representatives' of the school, and show the new students around. You will answer all of their questions without hesitation, and see to it that their stay is made comfortable. If either one of you so much as utters a complaint, she will be immediately removed from the student body. Am I understood?" she asked evenly.
"Yes Madame Morrible," Galinda answered sweetly, plastering a fake smile onto her glossy lips. She batted her long, black eyelashes, her doe eyes widening in remorse. In other words, it was a performance worthy of an Ozcar.
Elphaba scowled in disgust at her roommate's actions, before realizing that the Headmistress was looking at her expectedly. "Yes Madame Morrible. It won't happen again," she answered dully.
"See that it doesn't," Morrible quipped in return. "You may both leave; and ladies? Do try to get along from time to time." With wave of her jeweled fingers, the large doors swung open, and the girls were ushered out by some invisible force.
"Oz, that was rough in there," Galinda commented shakily, with a wary look at her roommate. Okay, maybe she still felt the teensiest, tiniest bit bad for slapping the green girl earlier, even though in her opinion, she had a just reason for it.
"Yes," Elphaba agreed, surprising both herself and the blonde. Her large, black boots clunked noisily down the hall as she drug her feet in relief. She could feel the fear dissipating with each step she took away from the Headmistress's office.
"Well, I can't wait for the new students to come. I read in Ozmopolitan that the wizards of Hogwarts are some of the yummiest there are!" Galinda exclaimed, rubbing her tiny hands (now both free of gloves) eagerly.
Elphaba answered her roommate with silence, quite sure that that would be enough. "Aren't you excited too?" Galinda asked naively, as Elphaba expertly concealed a groan. Perhaps not.
"Ecstatic," she mumbled sarcastically, her eyes falling to the polished floor. Really, the blonde was proving herself to be quite dense.
"Don't lie. Come on, why aren't you excited?" Galinda asked dumbly, pouting her displeasure. Elphaba looked towards her roommate with narrowed eyes. Must she spell everything out for her? Why was Galinda even talking to her in the first place?
"This may come as a surprise to you," Elphaba stated calmly, "but I don't tend to get along with many people." Her long fingers reached to her long braid, and began to rub the coarse rope uncomfortably. She always fiddled with her hair when she was nervous.
"Oh," Galinda replied, a little sadly. In an uncharacteristic show of intelligence, the blonde quit speaking immediately afterwards, choosing instead to avert her eyes to the path before her.
"Why are you even speaking to me?" Elphaba asked curiously, after a moment. She had been turning a few ideas around in her head, but still had not come up with an appropriate answer. And if Elphaba hated anything, it was being confused. "I thought I was a 'wicked person'?"
"I dunno," Galinda replied truthfully, "I guess I still, kinda, feel bad for hitting you earlier. I do wish you'd forgive me, you know. I don't much like being, well, not liked. And, you're not really a wicked person… just a little not sensitive sometimes."
"Insensitive," Elphaba corrected before she could stop herself. Galinda looked bewildered, but shrugged it off. "Will you go back to hating me once you've earned my forgiveness?" Elphaba asked bluntly, finding herself oddly interested in the response. Really, it's just Galinda, she reasoned, why does it matter anyway?
"Do I have to?" Galinda asked childishly, startling Elphaba with her question. "I'd rather not," she added sincerely, shifting her eyes to her roommate's awkward form.
"Not if you don't want to," Elphaba said reasonably, eyeing the blonde suspiciously. No one, not even 'Galinda Upland' changed her opinions that quickly. Still, being at constant war with one's roommate was very time consuming- perhaps they could settle on a peaceful, impersonal relationship?
Galinda squealed, and threw her lithe arms around the green girl's shoulders. Elphaba instantly recoiled at the contact- what in Oz is this girl doing? She pushed the blonde away from her none too lightly, and backed against the nearest wall.
"What was that?" she hissed angrily, unused to close, personal contact. Truth be told, she hating people touching her; it made her very uneasy. With a sudden jolt forward, she began to rush down the hall with quick, light footsteps.
"It was a hug," Galinda replied slowly, as if explaining something to a very small child. She was doing a rather marvelous job keeping up with the green girl, despite her much smaller strides. "When people are happy, they give each other hugs," she explained perkily.
"And what, may I ask, has made you so happy?" Elphaba asked, raising her thin eyebrows skeptically. The blonde was walking much closer than normal, she noticed, her keen eyes searching for her small, dorm room door.
"Well, you said we could be friends!" Galinda exclaimed, advancing upon her roommate again.
Elphaba's mind whirled at that one. "Friends?" she repeated curiously, surprising herself by the lack of malice in her voice.
"Yup!" Galinda grinned, reaching for Elphaba's thin hand. "We'll have so much fun next year! Oooh I can teach you how to charm all of the Hogwarts boys! And fix your hair and do your makeup!"
Hair? Make-up? Boys?Elphaba thought nervously, her eyes widening. The blonde was clearly deranged if she thought she was touching Elphaba's hair. "Galinda, look, you really don't have to do any of that stuff. I'm perfectly happy with the way I look," she lied. Okay, maybe not perfectly happy, but no amount of face paint's going to fix that.
"Ooh, rubbish!" Galinda exclaimed happily, charging towards their door and dragging the green girl with her. "I'm going to make you my new project- in fact, I'm gonna make you popular! Elphie, you're whole life's about to change! And it's all because of me!"
Elphaba screeched to a halt. Elphie? she demanded inwardly. What in Oz…? But, Galinda seemed to mistake her silence for agreement; for without further ado, the green girl was promptly shoved into her bed room, and the wooden door shut firmly behind her.
Yes I know, that was a fast friendship. But, as I was writing, I realized Elphaba really needs a friend to bring her out of her shell.
Coming Up Next: Summer holidays and anhydrohydroxyprogesterone