A/N: Not much to say this time. Thanks again to my lovely beta, and for the awesome reviews. :D
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Sadly, very sadly.
A Little Bit of Magic
Chapter Five: Markable Meals and More Magic
A thin, green hand flew to Elphaba's mouth in shock as she strode into the Main Hall- it had been completely changed. No, changed was too dull a word; it had been magicked. The ceiling had been enchanted to resemble the night's sky; indeed, small stars could be seen twinkling behind soft, wispy clouds. Millions of white candles floated over head, shining brilliantly against the tall, cathedral ceiling. Five banners hung like velvety curtains along the far wall, four of which represented the various Hogwarts Houses. The fifth, in the very center, was a stark black and white, the colours of Crage Hall.
Five massive, wooden tables, separated by large pathways were already dotted by various students. The Hogwartians, Elphaba noted, were all clad in matching black cloaks (engraved with the Hogwarts crest) and pointy witch's hats. Meanwhle, the Crage Hall students, all gathered around the middle table, were dressed in colourful dresses and pinstriped pantsuits- a complete and utter contrast to their new classmates.
Galinda, too, had completely fluffified herself for the occasion; she was dressed in a poufy, hot pink dress which must have been heavy and most definitely cost a fortune and a half. She had taken a very long time to get ready that evening; Elphaba had threatened to leave her numerous times. Still, she looked absolutely stunning, and her feathery dress matched her bubbly personality perfectly.
Elphaba, however, resembled the Hogwarts students more than those of Crage Hall- she was dressed from head to toe in black. Her gown was very modest, yet form fitting- it hugged her thin, tall frame, but covered most of her arms and fell to the floor. It was plain, perhaps a little too plain, with no tiny designs stitched into the skirt or even the hem. But, Elphaba reasoned, she liked plain things- she already drew far too much attention as she was.
A long, wooden table along the far wall, just before the banners, quickly drew her attention. It was a staff table- the Crage Hall teachers were seated on the left hand side, while the Hogwarts teachers sat on the right. Madame Morrible, in all her obnoxious glory, was seated primly in the center, coated from head to toe in crimson red. It reminded Elphaba of blood.
"Yuck," Galinda pink lips whispered into Elphaba's ear. Elphaba nearly laughed; apparently Galinda didn't approve of it either.
"She looks like an apple," Elphaba agreed, but Galinda shook her golden head frantically.
"Not her," she whispered loudly, "him."
Elphaba's chocolate eyes were quickly drawn to an extremely large man towards the end of the Hogwarts professors, dressed in a gaudy brown suit which he paired with an awfully bright orange tie. He was at least eight feet tall and very hairy- the majority of his face was covered in a curly black beard, that even the best barbers in Munchkindland would have difficulty taming. To Elphaba, he resembled a lion.
"That's Hagrid," Harry said fondly, approaching from her left. "He was the gamekeeper at Hogwarts, as well as the Care of Magical Creatures instructor. It was really difficult to get him to come- he's lived at Hogwarts for almost thirty years. He's really sweet though, despite his size."
"Oh?" Elphaba said, with interest. She had always had a soft spot for people who were different, for she knew how difficult it could be. The teasing, the tormenting… only a really strong person could withstand it, and those that could automatically deserved respect. Although, she mused inwardly, I cannot think of anyone who would be so ridiculously dense as to tease a giant.
"What of the Munchkin sitting next to him?" she questioned, pointing to who she assumed was another professor. He was very small, and had a wrinkly, but kind face. Small, white tuffs of hair stuck out from behind his rather large ears.
"Oh, that's Professor Flitwick- and he's not a Munchkin, he's a dwarf. Say, Elphaba, did you have any luck getting a wand?" Harry asked curiously. With a proud smile, Elphaba withdrew her long, dark wood wand, and offered the handle to Harry.
"Ah, well done. I thought you might- no offense, Elphaba, but without one you're dangerous. And, well, McGonagall's not likely going to allow a wildcard running around campus," he stated. Elphaba nodded; she understood perfectly.
"I got one too," Galinda flirted, tossing her blonde curls over her shoulder in a very practiced motion. Toss, toss, Elphaba thought in amusement.
"Oh," Harry said in surprise, "and you are…?"
"Galinda Upland, of the Upper Uplands," she said proudly. "You're Elphaba's friend from before, aren't you? I had something to ask you… but I just can't remember what it was…" she chirped, trailing off as she tried to remember what it was.
Elphaba, however, remembered instantly. The gears in her mind began to turn frantically, and her cheeks flushed a darker green. "I'm sure you'll remember soon," she rushed, "but we've got to go find a seat now, before all the good ones are taken."
"Okay," Galinda said smiling. With an intricate little wave, she flounced off, dragging a reluctant Elphaba behind her. The green girl watched Harry's face twist in bemusement, before returning to his seat between two redheads- the lanky boy from before, and a pretty girl Elphaba did not know. He must think we're really peculiar, she thought dismally, sliding along the wooden bench next to Galinda.
"Oh, it's you!" a surprised male voice exclaimed from her left. Elphaba's dark head swiveled sharply, until she found herself glaring into a pair of familiar, sparkly blue eyes. Oh Oz, she realized dully, fixing the handsome boy with a glare.
"We ran into each other earlier," Fiyero Tiggular explained, cocking a smug smile. As if I needed reminding, Elphaba thought sarcastically. "Or at least," he continued jovially, "you ran into something."
"Thank you, sir, for the reminder," Elphaba spat acidly, turning in her seat. She crossed her long arms across her chest defiantly, unintentionally lifting her pointed nose upwards. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than be insulted by the likes of you."
With a firm hand, she tapped Galinda forcefully on the shoulder, and hissed, "I am not sitting next to this clown for the entire night. Switch with me." Galinda looked ready to protest, but her blue eyes looked past Elphaba and into ruggedly handsome face of Fiyero Tiggular,
"Oh all right!" she squealed merrily, shoving urgently Elphaba out of the way. Looking straight into Fiyero's charming blue eyes, she added, "but only because you asked me to."
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
The rest of the great supper had been dull, to put it lightly. Sure, Elphaba had received the shock of her life when mountains of foreign delicacies suddenly appeared before her, but asides that, nothing especially spectacular had occurred.
Galinda spent the majority of dinner flirting with the new Vinkus import, flicking her hair repeatedly and staring soulfully into his eyes. She was completely on her game tonight, and would most likely continue her little performance throughout dessert as well. Tiggular, Elphaba noted, seemed to be enjoying the blonde girl's obvious affection, and was most likely mentally undressing her as they spoke. Disgusted, Elphaba turned back to her chocolate pudding, shoving a full spoonful angrily into her mouth.
"So," she heard Galinda ask in a sultry voice, "what is the Vinkus like?" Elphaba glared at the Prince out of the corner of her eye; just as she suspected, her light blue eyes were fixated upon Galinda's painted lips.
"Beautiful," he answered charmingly. "Just like you." I believe I just threw up, Elphaba commented inwardly, helping herself to more pudding. Galinda just giggled; a soft, tinkly laugh that Elphaba had never heard before.
"Well then," Galinda whispered flirtatiously, "maybe you could take me there sometime, Master Tiggular?"
"Oh, there are lots of places I'd like to take you," he replied with a wink. "Like back to my dorm room for instance. And you can call me Fiyero," Okay, what? Elphaba said, her mind screeching to a halt. Fearfully, she awaited Galinda's reply.
"Master Tig- Fiyero! What a perfectly naughty thing to suggest," Galinda scolded. Good girl, Elphaba thought, barely concealing a sigh of relief. "But it just so happens, I like naughty boys," Galinda continued.
"No!" Elphaba said forcefully, without intending to speak her thoughts aloud. Two sets of blue eyes looked towards her, one in curiosity and one in concern.
"What's the matter Elphie?" Galinda asked worriedly. "Aren't you feeling well? Madame Morrible and Professor McGonagall are about to start their commencement speeches…. But I can take you back to the room if you'd like."
Why not? Elphaba thought reasonably, before doubling over in exaggerated pain. "I do feel rather flushed, Galinda," she choked out, holding a spidery hand to her forehead. "Perhaps we should return to the dormitories."
"Yeah, definitely," Fiyero said crossly, narrowing his gorgeous eyes. "You're even looking a little green." Elphaba chuckled darkly.
"It wouldn't be the first time," she quipped back, confusing Fiyero entirely.
"Oh, don't be silly Fiyero, darling. Elphie's always been green- something to do with some sort of green potio- oops," Galinda said sheepishly, but Elphaba was already irate.
"Oh for Lurline's sake Galinda! I told you never to tell anyone about that. Is it really that impossible for you to keep that great trap of yours shut for an instant?" Elphaba drilled, her thin eyebrows tilting downwards.
"I'm sorry!" Galinda cried helplessly.
"Of course you are," Elphaba hissed. "Don't worry Miss Upland, I can show myself back to my dormitory." Elphaba stood angrily, and stomped out of the Main Hall, her long, black dress billowing around her ankles.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Elphaba slammed the dorm door closed with a very loud bang, and marched over to her bed. She barely spared a glance at the pink, fluffy bed on her right; quite sure she would light the thing on fire if she had the chance. "Stupid, blonde twit!" she hissed angrily, wrenching her single, grey pillow off her bed. With a furious shriek, she tossed the limp thing towards the nearest wall.
Elphaba turned her back, just as the piercing sound of splintering glass sounded nearby. Turning fearfully, she looked towards floppy pillow and saw the shattered remnants of a green, glass bottle in pieces on the floor. "No, no no!" she shouted, wildly, running towards the glass.
She fell to her knees abruptly, and tried desperately to fit the pieces back together. She knew it was a lost cause, of course, but it was the only thing she could do- that green bottle was by far her most treasured possession.
The stubborn bottle, of course, remained in pieces on the floor, despite Elphaba's best attempts coupled with her shrieking protests. She felt the salty sting of tears well up in her eyes, until a single drop slide silently down her cheek.
"Damn these tears!" she cried, wiping the remaining drops of water from large, brown eyes. Already, she could feel a strong sting painted in a line down her cheek. Rushing to the mirror, she was completely unsurprised to see a blistering, red trail already forming along the tear rivulet. She ran wildly into the adjoining bathroom, knocking over various tables along the way.
Her chocolate, panicky eyes landed on a pile of darkly coloured bottles near the sink. With a gargantuan leap forward, she yanked the nearest bottle off the table, and read the label quickly. Soothing Oil, she read, before pouring a large amount of liquid into her left hand.
Warming the oil quickly between her palms, she coated her panging cheek in the syrupy balm. Immediately, she felt a tingly, cooling sensation numbing her face, and she sighed in quiet relief. However, her thoughts soon returned to her broken bottle which lay in splinters on the floor.
You're a witch now, she reminded herself, ignoring the small clump of purple soothing oil that fell to the floor with a pathetic splat. There's got to be some spell, or enchantment that repairs broken objects. Elphaba darted back into the dorm room, her aching cheek long forgotten.
A large pile of colourful textbooks were sorted alphabetically on her drab, wooden desk. She snatched the one off the top; a red hardcover entitled Standard Book of Spells: Unabbreviated Addition, and walked confidently over to the green shards. She sat down warily, careful to avoid the glass, before propping the enormous book open on her lap.
Flipping casually to the index, Elphaba searched the word 'fix', followed by the word 'repair'. Her brown eyes flicked along the pages expertly, before landing on an unusual word, reparo. While it was not repair, it was pretty damn close. Reparo, the book read, page 456
Page four hundred and fifty six, Elphaba thought to herself, turning through pages frantically. Reparo, the worn, yellowing page read, undoes damage done to an object. The caster must jab his or her wand sharply towards the broken object, then flourish their wand in a circle.
"That sounds simple enough," Elphaba said uneasily. Withdrawing her dark, pointy wand from the folds of her dress, Elphaba thrust the wand's tip toward the broken bottle, and swirled the wand clumsily in a circle.
"Re-Reparo," she stuttered unsurely, causing nothing but tiny royal blue sparks to appear. Damn it, she cursed inwardly, rereading the page hurriedly. As always, caster must remember to speak very clearly, it stated further down the page, next to an asterisk.
"Well that may have been important to mention before!" she muttered darkly. "Reparo," she said loudly, waving her wand with a little more confidence. Suddenly, the green glass zoomed together and reconstructed a perfect replica of her green bottle. "Thank Oz," she said quietly; releasing the breath she didn't know she was holding.
It was exhilarating, casting spells, Elphaba realized as she set the tiny bottle gently under her pillow. Returning to the floor, she picked the heavy textbook up, and set it firmly on the foot of her bed. Striding over to the mini-fridge, she withdrew a large, red apple from one of three shelves, and returned curiously to her bed.
Snuggling under her thick, grey, down comforter, she once again crossed her legs and gazed intently at the tiny, black text. Crunching her apple thoughtfully, she soon decided to flip through book and attempt any simple spells that caught her fancy.
Accio, she read near the beginning, Causes an object to fly to the caster, even over quite some distance; the target object is said to have been Summoned. The caster must swish his or her wand once while speaking the incantation.
"Okay," Elphaba said, between bites of her apple. "Let's see, um… Accio toothbrush," she exclaimed, while flourishing her wand. Her navy toothbrush flew out of the bathroom with an incredible force, and smacked her right between her chocolate eyes. Wincing in pain, she looked back at the book and noticed a small, side note. Try not to speak too forcefully.
"Right," Elphaba announced, searching the room for another, much lighter object to Summon. "Ergh… Accio dress!" she stated, swishing her wand at one of Galinda's many poufy, pastel dresses. A blue dress soared off its hanger and floated to Elphaba's side. Smiling to herself, Elphaba caught the dress and placed it onto the bed in front of her.
That went well, she mused, before searching the book for other spells to try. Alohomora, she read, causes unlocked doors to open. That one would be useful to remember- however, as she had nothing to unlock at the moment, she had no choice but continue reading.
Avis, she found, conjures a flock of small, twittering birds. Well, she decided distastefully, she most definitely did not want to tidy up after a flock of magical birds, and so she continued onward.
Confringo, the blasting curse, she found after several moments. What a perfectly awful spell, she thought intrigued, before taking another bite of her apple. She was thoroughly tempted to blast Galinda's wardrobe to bits, but realized that despite her anger, such a thing would be simply cruel. Confundus, the confusing charm, came next, but Elphaba quickly decided that the students of Crage Hall were stupid enough already and that such a thing was therefore unnecessary.
Scanning the page thoroughly, her eyes finally landed on Diffindo, the Severing Charm. The castor much point and then jab his or her wand at the target object. Well, that one seemed easy enough, Elphaba reasoned.
"Diffindo!" she cried, pointing her wand at Galinda's decorative, pink pillows. Immediately, the seams ripped open and small tuffs of stuffing leaked out the side. "Reparo!" Elphaba then countered, and watched with glee as the pillow resealed itself. She allowed herself a tiny whoop of amusement, before eagerly returning to her spell book.
"That's all very good," came a curt voice from the doorway, causing Elphaba to freeze, "but I seem to recall saying very clearly that you were not to use magic." Professor McGonagall glared at Elphaba from the doorway, the tip of her pointy hat concealed by the Quoxwood frame.
"I… I broke something," Elphaba muttered lamely, covering her blistering cheek with the palm of her left hand.
"Your roommate's pillow?" McGonagall asked skeptically, lifting her thin eyebrows in annoyance.
"No, my mother's bottle," Elphaba said quickly, withdrawing the now perfectly sealed bottle. "I tried a charm, Reparo, and it went well… so I figured I would try a few more," she said childishly, absentmindedly waving her dark wood wand. A sudden spark emitted from its point, causing Elphaba to jump. Immediately, she stashed her wand under her covers.
"You were successful?" McGonagall asked curtly, unable to hide her curiosity. Elphaba shook her head sadly, causing her black hair to fan out around her.
"Not until my second try; I got nothing but blue sparks the first time. I believe my wand emits sparks when it is unhappy," she commented, averting her large eyes to the floor.
"Most likely," McGonagall said in amusement. "I am impressed, however, that you managed to cast an actual spell without proper magical training. I must wonder, however, how you would fair with appropriate instruction?"
"Much better, I suppose," Elphaba said dully. "Has Madame Morrible finished her welcoming speech?" she asked tiredly, making to close her textbook.
"Ehem… not yet I'm afraid," McGonagall said in annoyance. "I, however, was dismissed in order to discover the whereabouts of a certain green student." Elphaba couldn't help but wonder whether or not McGonagall was truly cross; indeed, she seemed relieved to have left.
"You found me," Elphaha drawled.
"Yes, yes I have. It seems to me, Miss Thropp, that it would be a waste to return to the Main Hall- by the time we arrive, I suspect the speech will have ended. I have always disliked the wasting of time, so I believe we ought to put this time to good use. Withdraw your wand," McGonagall said curtly, removing her hat then striding into the room. "I am going to teach you two very basic but very useful spells, which I suspect you will use later if not sooner."
"Very well," Elphaba said unsurely, opening her textbook. She pulled her wand out from under her blanket, and held it in front of her.
"Adjust your grip," McGonagall instructed, quickly demonstrating the proper place to hold a wand handle. "All the movement must take place in your index finger, your thumb and your wrist. Very good. Now, there are three basic wand movements: the swish, the flick and the jab. Most spells will require a mixture- such as this one."
"Wingardium Leviosa," Professor McGonagall said, flourishing her wand towards Elphaba's half eaten apple. The apple slowly floated from Elphaba's hand, until it was level with her eyes. "Finite," McGonagall cast, causing the apple to drop into Elphaba's lap.
"It's all in the wrist; a swish and flick. Very nice, Miss Thropp. All right, now say the incantation with me- Wingardium Leviosa."
"Wingardium Leviosa," Elphaba echoed, while practicing the wand movements. The witch's hat soared out of McGonagall's hand and swung wildly into the air.
"Control it, Miss Thropp!" McGonagall shouted, snatching her hat out of mid air. "Now, try it again- slowly this time."
Elphaba took a deep breath. "Wingardium Leviosa," she said clearly, flicking her wand, once again, towards Galinda's hot pink pillows. The entire, magenta bed floated off the ground for an instant, before Elphaba muttered a quick, "Finite."
"Were you aiming at the bed?" McGonagall asked skeptically, narrowing her dark eyes.
"Yes," Elphaba lied, with a small smirk. "Okay, well… no, I was aiming for the pillows. However, perhaps I subliminally wanted the bed to move, and therefore it did."
"Of course," McGonagall said tersely. "That is quite enough floating for today. The next spell I will teach you is used to Disarm your opponent; that is to say, remove their wand from their hand. Swish your wand in a full circle, and speak the incantation, Experilliarmus."
Elphaba nodded confidently. "Expelliarmus," she stated with a flourish of her wrist. Immediately, McGonagall's wand soared out of her hand and landed several feet away. "Accio wand," Elphaba then said fiendishly, causing McGonagall's wand to soar into her outstretched, green hand.
"Very quick, Miss Thropp. It seems you have the 'jabbing' motion down very well," McGonagall said icily, before holding out her pale hand. "My wand, if you please," she ordered tossing her hand in emphasis. With a sheepish half-grin, Elphaba handed the stubby, willow wand to McGonagall without further question.
"You have done very well," McGonagall stated, stashing her wand in her left pocket. "I must say, I am quite pleased," she said after a moment. "I expect the Feast should be finished by now- do try and work out whatever little tiff you've had with your roommate. There is nothing more I dislike than silly little feuds." With a stiff nod in Elphaba's direction, McGonagall turned on the spot, and then vanished out of sight.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
"Elphie, I'm sooo sorry!" Galinda shrieked as she flew into her dorm room. Lurching forward, she wrapped her golden arms around the thin form of her reluctant roommate. "Don't worry- Fifi promised he wouldn't tell anyone else. I hope you forgive me! And sweet Oz! What happened to your face?"
Fifi? Elphaba thought, before realizing that she meant Fiyero. Wow, she moves fast, she commented inwardly, before flashing a small smirk in Galinda's direction. "I forgive you Galinda… just you've got to pay more attention to what you say. As for my face," she said, slowly extracting herself from her roommates embrace to touch her cheek self consciously, "let's just say I'll be all right."
"Good!" Galinda chirped, lunging onto her bed. "And I'll promise I'll think before I speak!" she added, tossing the numerous pillows off her double bed. "But oooh, Elphie! You missed an incredible night!" she gushed giddily, bouncing up and down.
"Assuming you are not referring to the spectacular food or Morrible's moving speech, what exactly was so spectacular?" Elphaba quipped good-naturedly.
"A whole night with Fifi!" Galinda squealed, as if it were obvious. "He asked me out for this Friday night- apparently he's throwing some fabulous party down at the Ozdust Ballroom!"
"The what?" Elphaba questioned.
Galinda gasped loudly, her tiny hands flying to her heart. "It's only the most swankified place in town! Good Lurline, Elphie! Have you been living under a rock your entire life?"
"Between that and a hard place, yes," Elphaba said sardonically, although by the bemused expression on Galinda's face, she could tell the blonde girl didn't quite understand. "Never mind," Elphaba said exasperatedly.
"Kay," Galinda said. "But guess what!"
Oh no. "What?" Elphaba asked flatly.
"Fiyero and I… we're going to be married!" Galinda squealed, giggling insanely to herself.
"He's asked you already?" Elphaba asked, dumbfounded. Sweet Oz, this girl moves fast! Elphaba exclaimed inwardly.
"Oh, he doesn't know yet," Galinda assured, "I don't want him to think I'm moving too fast. But Elphie, it's going to be wonderful: you can be my maid of honor. You can wear a gorgeous, lavender, silk dress that will accent your emerald features perfectly. The rest of the wedding will be pink of course: pink chairs, pink flowers, and of course, strawberry cake."
"That's all very well," Elphaba snipped, "but shouldn't you wait until he asks you before you start planning every minute detail?"
"Gosh Elphie, no!" Galinda yelped, completely aghast. "It I wait until the last minute, nothing will turn out the way I want; and that's simply unacceptable."
"Whatever you say," Elphaba replied, too tired to argue any more. "I'm going to bed, all right Galinda? It's the first day of classes tomorrow, and I want to be well rested."
"Kay," Galinda said, yawning herself. She quickly shimmied out of her fluffy gown and threw on a hot pink nightgown. "Sweet dreams, Elphie," she said, turning out her bedside light.
"Sweet dreams, my sweet," Elphaba answered closing her eyes.
"Elphie!" Galinda screeched after several moments. "Why is my baby blue Chanoz dress lying on the floor?"
Coming Up Next: First day of lessons and Kwi-ditch.