Up in a week, like I promised! (:

Ickk, school!

Ickk, MLA Format!

Ickk, it's short! D: (Sorry about that, by the way. Next chapter is WAY longer.)

Disclaimer: Don't own it, swear. (Well, I own Leigh Ann and CG Marie Lingam. Oh, and Jessica Nelson.)

Discovery

Leigh Ann Nelson
Monday, January 8, 1996, 2:43 P.M.
The American Academy of Magic
History of Magic

I sat down the essay I'd written over Christmas break onto Colonel General Marie Lingham's desk. My hands shook slightly as I laid it there and took a deep breath. School...school... Think school!

Turns out, thinking school is really, really hard when you're upset...and your fiance skipped out on your engagement party. Also turns out that when you expect that your skipping-out-fiance will be back at work so that you can chew him out, you're wrong.

"Lieutenant," my History of Magic teacher, Marie Lingam, said as she looked at me. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in Fifth Period?"

I tried to smile at my favorite teacher and hoped that it looked at least slightly genuine. She coached me in acting, was a wonderful Music teacher, and was just a beautiful person all around. I looked up to her. "Free Period. I just finished my assignment."

She smiled back at me with her pearly whites and her pretty blue eyes all crinkled up. "I'll make sure to read it. Thank you." It was nice to see someone with a caring face, and not a pitying one. Her smile turned slowly into a confused look, though. "Everything alright?"

I tried to smile and nod, but it didn't turn out right. "I'll be fine."

"You sure?" My lips tightened slightly and I nodded again, watching her face turned slightly worried. "Well, if you say so." She looked down at my paper then up back again at me. "I'll see you tomorrow, First Period."

"Bye, General."

"Goodbye, Leigh Ann."

I felt her eyes burning into the back of my head as I practically ran out of the classroom.

Colonel General Marie Lingam
January 10, 11: 45 P.M.
History of Magic

It was obvious when Leigh Ann was upset. It was even more obvious when she wanted out of a classroom. The Lieutenant had been lying when she'd said she'd had free period - that was the period she was supposed to have Defense Against the Dark Arts. The question was, why hadn't she mentioned it?

Was Professor Krum gone again?

Marie sighed and rubbed her head, looking down at the paper before her. Well, here goes nothing.

...

Leigh Ann Nelson

Colonel General Marie Lingham

History of Magic

January 8, 1996

The First American Academy of Magic

America has always been different [from other countries] when we look back in history. The school has changed since it first started. Just as America changed over time, the AAM had to change in order to keep from being detected, and to keep its students, (and numbers,) strong. The Academy wasn't opened one-hundred years ago. The first Academy was opened after the Salem Witch Trials, to keep their wizards from being hunted. It was only open only to pure-blooded white males. Many of the students—and teachers—nowadays don't even realize this. This secret has been kept for reasons that you will read upon as we continue.

The school believes that in physical perfection, there is mental perfection. As time moved on, the school discovered that when the students used magic to accomplish physical perfection, the students didn't have the mental perfection. Thus, the wands were taken away for what became known as "Hell Week," affectionately named by what was to be known as by the Navy branch. Stdents have never been so relieved to see their wands returned after a grueling seven days.

The Generals also discovered that, when their students learned what Muggles learned, they were more able to blend in with them. Then the school discovered that if one of their men could fit in with human soldiers in the upcoming wars (Revolutionary, French and Indian, War of 1812, ect,) they could understand more how to keep the school from detection and keep their lines pure in the same instance.

Two decades before the Civil War was the first time that the school let in its first half-blood. His name was Ulysses. (Facts today have shown that he was completely Muggle-born.) He was tormented and berated, but he was one of the best in his class. He was in the Army branch. He later went on to West Point, graduating as one of the best Generals that America has ever seen.

When others of his "kind" were let into the school, the "Circle" came out for the first time and started the First Wizarding War [in America.] They killed anyone with Muggle blood, and all blood-traitors were burned net to their loved ones. Finally, all those apposed to the harsh rules of the school rose up and fought back. The pure-bloods, unexpectedly, lost, and the "Academy" fell in the final battle. It was re-opened in September of 1894 by a half-blood, and opened to all but half-breeds and Muggle-borns. That was remedied over time as America, and the world, changed.

...

She'd never heard of that reference book. And, when she'd brought it out of the library, she'd never read anything like it. The history of the school? When had any of this happened? It wasn't taught, and it wasn't even mentioned by any of the other school teachers!

Reading the book took Marie past two o'clock in the morning. She was just putting it down to rub her tired eyes when there was a knock on her door. Strange, she thought, brushing her long, blonde hair out of her face, it's early. The kids aren't usually up this early right when school starts back in. "Come in," she said tiredly, surprised at how hoarse her voice was as she put the book in her desk drawer.

Jessica Nelson came in the room, her blue eyes calculating everything. They were strangely narrowed and dangerous-looking, but Marie just guessed that she was tired and so was Jessica. "Can I help you this early, Ensign?" She stood up and pushed her chair in, trying to keep from falling over from exhaustion.

"Yes," she said, slightly snappish, as she stood behind the chair in front of Marie's desk. The girl had no books, bags, or paper or pens. She was barely dressed by standard code, and her hair looked like it'd been home to several birds in the past few hours. "I was wonderin' about that book you checked out of the library today."

A cold dread started to fill Marie as she looked into the icy eyes of one of her best students. "I don't believe that I checked a book out today." She thanked Merlin that she'd put it away before the girl had come in.

Her eyes calculated her teacher's for a moment before she suddenly pulled out her wand and pointed it dead center at Marie's heart. Marie already had hers out. "Give me the book," Jessica growled through her teeth, her eyes narrowed.

"I knew that there was corruption in this school," Marie said back, starting to circle the desk, to try and get away, "but I didn't expect it from you."

Jessica's eyes were widely sarcastic, her mouth hanging open slightly. "Oh, you mean, 'Jessica, oh, pretty, smart Jessica, the teacher's pet!' Pah!" But there was a certain fear in her eyes, and Marie noticed that the girl's wand hand was shaking every so slightly. "No one knows me."

"You can come to us, Jessica, know this," Marie said softly, realizing that the girl was scared. "We can help you. We can keep you safe."

"No one is safe!" Jessica yelled this, her eyes turning frantic. "Not you, not me, not anybody! If they knew I was even talking to you..." She faltered for a moment, giving Marie her move.

"Expel—" But Jessica had already sped up in front of her, grabbing her by the throat and cutting of her air supply. The small girl was surprisingly strong as she lifted her shorter teacher off the ground a few inches. For a moment, all Marie saw in Jessica's eyes were fear. Until it turned to malice.

"I'm not going to be sorry for this."

And then, all was black.

Wha...? Marie? No, Marie! D:

Even if Leigh Ann is hurt, school is still there, no matter what. An amazing reviewer asked a question, and part of this sprouted in an answer! (I tend to ramble...a lot...when asked a question.) They felt that it would be interesting if I put this in. (Thank you! :D) I decided that it's a nice backstory that no one has heard. And, it's a chapter, albeit a short one. (The next one is written, 9 pages, and I think that you will enjoy VERY much...with some reviews to help me post it? 10, methinks, will get the job done for an immediate post, and 7 for a week.)

"DON'T—" I shouted, standing up, trying to calm down and to still yell my anger at the same time. I took a deep breath and tried to talk again. "Don't you dare tell me that you can't tell me where you're going for another two damn weeks. You're my fiancé, you missed our engagement party, and—"

Viktor roughly cupped my face and pulled me forwards, forcing a powerful kiss. I slowly melted into his arms, feeling myself crying even more as he slowed the kiss into one of the most loving things I had ever felt.

"Let me make loff to you," he whispered right against my cheek as the tears fell down my face, and I gasped for air.