46: Taking Tests

HOGWARTS, FOURTH EARTH

Astoria appeared lost in the pages of her book as she sat below her favorite tree, the sunlight pouring in through the leaves to illuminate the text. She didn't, however, miss the sound of footsteps nearing her. As Draco approached, he didn't expect her to notice him until he'd gotten much closer; she looked up from the book and turned to face him calmly, startling him somewhat.

"Hello," she said.

"Hello," he replied.

"What brings you out here?"

"I…never thanked you properly," Draco said, in somewhat of a rush—he wasn't used to handing thanks over to others. "You…saved my life."

"As did Ebony and Rarity. I merely did what I had to do."

"Yes…but I've also noticed that you compliment me after every lesson I give to Dumbledore's Army—"

"I would hope you notice. I say it directly to your face."

"That's not what I…I just know that you and I have both been outsiders. Of everyone here, you were the only one that didn't judge me beforehand. Or at least didn't make it clear that you were."

"I didn't judge," Astoria clarified. "I'm aware you've done awful things. I'm aware that one day, you could do more awful things. But I also know you're a human being with more than one emotion."

"Do you actually enjoy being alone?" Draco asked.

"Yes," Astoria answered. "It's peaceful."

"I only wanted to say that if you didn't want to be alone, someday…I'm coming back next year with the others. You could…talk to me, if you wanted."

"Thank you. I do like my time to myself, but I also do enjoy company under the right circumstances."

"Am I the right circumstances?"

"Yes," Astoria answered. "Am I the right circumstances for you?"

Draco knew what she meant. "I've already put my lot in with Potter, the Weasleys, Granger, and six centaurs. My parents have insulted your family often for your father having married a Muggle, but that wouldn't stop us from becoming acquaintances or even friends."

Friends was as far as he wanted to take it, Astoria noted. She wasn't surprised. In fact, she felt slightly smug at having called that correctly, even though she was simultaneously a little crestfallen at the confirmation that Draco Malfoy wasn't about to look at her the way she looked at him.

"Then I would like to take you up on that offer," she stated. "Starting next year. I would love to learn anything you have to teach me."

"What are you reading?" Draco asked, changing the subject.

She tilted the book upwards so he could tell it was Magick Moste Evile. "I thought that book was in the Restricted Section," he observed. "How did you get permission to sign it out?"

"I didn't," Astoria stated. "This is my own copy. It's difficult to find in print nowadays, but my father found me a copy because I wanted it."

"Is that where you learned that spell you used on Travers?"

"Yes. And a few other little tricks that I don't intend to use on anybody but my enemies."

"Who are your enemies?"

"People who threaten my life or the lives of my friends."

"You're not as soft of a heart as Potter and all of his," Draco pointed out.

"I will do what I need to in dire circumstances," Astoria replied.

"Why learn all those spells, anyway?"

"I've always been interested in Dark magic. I don't believe in blood purity or any other superiority, and I don't see any reason to just go around killing or maiming willy-nilly, but the methods for doing such things are fascinating to me. And when I find something fascinating, I research it. I learn how to do it. That way, when the time comes, I can have the skills I want. I was actually a little glad to finally have an occasion to really USE Sectumsempra. It's not exactly something one can practice under ordinary circumstances."

"I would imagine," Draco replied. "I'm…admittedly impressed. I can't even cast that spell. I want to know how, though. With things shaping up the way they are, I'll need it."

"I could teach you," Astoria said, her grip on the book tightening, "but I'm not going to lend you my book. No one touches this book but me."

"I understand that."

"I thought you would. It's a little funny. Most of the time, you have the spells I want to learn. I've never cast an Unforgivable curse before. Learning the Imperius Curse was something I could barely believe I had the chance to do. I eventually want to learn the others."

"That is something I could teach you. Though the other students wouldn't look on it well if I tried to teach them how to torture and kill."

"Of course they wouldn't understand," Astoria sighed. "Is it true you're also a master of Illumency?"

"I practiced it quite a bit under Voldemort's guidance. I've yet to really master it, though. I plan on it."

"If you do, can you teach all of us?"

"Yes." Draco suddenly laughed. "We're lucky you're on OUR side, you know!"

"I could say the same for you." Astoria smiled.

"Look at us. Two users of Dark magic here in a world of light. I guess things really are changing."

"How do you feel about that?"

"It's strange. But I suppose we have to accept it."

Before Astoria could make any reply, a high-pitched shriek pierced the air as a blur came speeding toward them across the ground. "O.M.G., YOU FUCKING BITCH! YOU GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM HIM RIGHT NOW! HE'S MINE!"

"EBONY!" Draco growled at the approaching first-year. "For the last time, I have NO interest in you! You've done nothing but make me ANGRY since you first spoke to me!"

"Shut up," Ebony snapped. "I wasn't talking to you!" She turned to glare at Astoria. "You little traitor bitch. I bet you were nothing but a poser this whole time!"

"We were only talking," Astoria said calmly.

"Go away," Draco threatened, "before I report you for cheating, stealing, or whatever will leave the most stains on your record."

"I'm a master at cursing people, you know," Ebony went on, ignoring Draco entirely. "If you don't leave him alone, I'm going to fuck you up so bad, you won't even—"

Astoria slammed her book shut. She got to her feet, standing to full height, looking Ebony in the eye. Then she flicked her wand at the younger girl.

"That didn't even do anything, you fucking idiot!" Ebony screeched. "That…" Her voice caught in her throat.

Draco looked on in awe and amusement at Ebony as she began to swell up like a balloon. She grew larger and rounder as though filling up with air. Simultaneously, she rose up into the air, screaming curse words as the wind caught her and carried her away.

"They'll be sure to find her eventually," Astoria said. "She hasn't got the best track record with the staff, but in the case that they do come to us about the incident, I trust we will cover for each other and say that neither of us was involved?"

"We were never here," Draco confirmed. Then he burst out into complete laughter. "We really ARE lucky you're on our side!"

After the Death Eater invasion and the Regenbogen-Fabrik incident, the six Equestrians felt more than prepared to tackle first-year exams. Twilight, of course, boasted all day that she had been entirely prepared for everything from the tap-dancing pineapple charm to the forgetfulness potion. Rarity, after earning extra points on her Transfiguration exam (administered by McGonagall in Grintcliffe's absence) by transforming a mouse into a white snuffbox with floral engravings, had asked to keep the snuffbox for her own collection, and was allowed to do so; however, at Fluttershy's begging, she eventually turned it back into a mouse. Rainbow Dash felt particularly pleased that she was able, at the last minute, to transfigure the mouse and make the pineapple dance (the standard Charms final). Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Applejack had to settle for writing essays on Transfiguration theory and uses of charms.

All passed, though Twilight had the highest marks, and nopony was surprised.

For the awarding of the House Cup, all were present at the feast in the Great Hall—even honorary members. The Malfoys sat at the Slytherin table while Harry, Ron, and Neville graced the tables of Gryffindor.

"This…is a most unexpected occasion," McGonagall began. "Over the past seven years, there have been stigmas associated with each House. Not all, as you can probably guess, have been positive. However, it is in the darkest times that we must remember the importance of working together, no matter how much we compete. No one House is better than the other. Bravery, kindness, wisdom…ambition. Everyone has within them these four attributes, and to lack any one is grave. In recent years, the announcement I am about to make would not have been well received by three quarters of this school. However, the events of this year seem to have sufficiently proven that times have, indeed, changed. And so it is with pride that I grant this year's House Cup to Slytherin House!"

An enormous cheer went up through the entire Great Hall. Flora and Stevie hugged each other. Rarity squealed with delight. Hestia appeared as though she were about to cry. Astoria lifted her goblet with a smile. Draco, for old times' sake, banged his own goblet on the table. Lucius and Narcissa clapped politely. Ebony, by then deflated, pumped her fist.

"I can't believe it," Harry remarked.

"I take it Slytherin winning used to be a bad thing," Applejack replied.

"The Slytherins were the only ones who ever liked it when they won," Ron explained. "We kept that House Cup away from them for seven years!"

"But they really have been actin' like a family," Applejack pointed out. "If a weird one. I'd say they deserve it."

"I'd say so too," Ginny remarked, looking across the room at Flora and Hestia.

"Me too," Harry agreed.

"Just this once," Ron sighed.

And so a joyous celebration took place at long last beneath banners of silver and green.

It all seemed too fast, when everyone went home, lining up for the train. Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack were busied with goodbye after goodbye. The study group, Dumbledore's Army, Quidditch teammates, classmates.

Then, all too soon, the castle was emptied of all students but six.

"I'm going to miss everypony," Fluttershy remarked as they made their way through empty halls, reminiscing. "But we're coming back next year, right?"

"Right," Twilight stated. "No matter how long we stay away, we can time it so we'll be back right at the beginning of the next school year. At least, I think that's how our engine works."

"Y'know, we gotta leave eventually," Applejack pointed out.

"Awww, maaaan!" Pinkie moaned. "I don't wanna!"

Firenze intercepted them around the corner. "I was hoping to find all of you," he said. "You have a visitor to see you off. She seems to know you quite well. She goes by Princess Luna."

"LUNA!" Twilight cried. "Oh my gosh! I'll be right back!"

"Where are you going?" Rainbow Dash called after her as Twilight went galloping down the hall.

"To the Ravenclaw common room!" Twilight yelled. "I've been keeping a journal of all the lessons we've learned, and this way, Luna can deliver it to Celestia directly!"

"Of course she's been keeping a giant letter for Celestia this whole time," Rainbow Dash sighed.

"Why would we expect any different?" Rarity commented.

The six carried all their luggage downstairs, meeting Luna in the atrium. "Greetings!" she called out. "I trust thou hast enjoyed thy first year?"

"It was AWESOME!" Rainbow Dash squealed.

"Well…there were some…bumps," Fluttershy added.

"Yeah…" Rainbow Dash's face fell. "We…lost two awesome professors. We also found out that Discord is back, and he brought a dangerous villain back from the dead to attack this place."

"Discord?" Luna was momentarily taken aback. Then, to everypony's surprise: "That would explain what happened in the Crystal Empire!"

"What happened in the Crystal Empire?" Twilight asked in a panic.

"It is a long story," Luna said, producing from a pocket a thick scroll. "I hath written for thou a letter detailing the occurrence! To make a long story short, as they say, I am now acting as regent in the Empire to make sure King Sombra does not return. Fear not—we hath not seen him since the incident, though I had best make my time here brief."

"But what happened to Cadance?" Pinkie asked.

"Oh, Cadance!" Luna cried happily. "It is all there in the letter! She and Shining Armor are now on a journey much like yours, along with some new friends! I trust you remember Rapunzel and Eugene Fitzherbert?"

"NO WAY!" Pinkie screamed.

"Rapunzel and Eugene were in Equestria?" Fluttershy asked.

"Lemme guess," Rainbow Dash interrupted. "It's all there in the letter if we want to know."

"Thou art correct!" Luna cried.

"We've got a letter for you too," Twilight said, handing over ten scrolls.

"Oh my!" Luna cried, taking the scrolls into her arms. "This IS going to be a letter worth reading!"

"To give you the short version," Twilight stated, "we learned to give people chances without judging them by what House they get sorted into…or equivalent as the situation calls for it. We learned that friendship really can touch even the most evil, when the time is right. And we learned that even though disasters may never stop happening, as long as we have each other and our friendship, we still have hope."

"I look forward to reading the story of how thou camest to thy conclusions!" Luna announced. "I shalt also take from thee thy animal companions and return them home."

"Can you tell Spike hello for me?" Twilight asked. "Is he doing all right running the library?"

"He is doing a remarkable job!" Luna answered.

"I just…kinda miss him sometimes. Maybe one of these days, when the time is right, we can take him on a little adventure with us. Don't tell him that yet, though. I want to wait until things…calm down a little bit before we see if he can come."

"My lips art sealed!" Luna promised.

"Thank you again, so much, for helping us get enrolled here," Fluttershy said sincerely.

"Thou art welcome!" Luna replied. "But now, I must be away. It would not do good to leave the Empire unattended!"

"We should go too," Applejack suggested. "We've got places to go, people to meet—"

"Tests to run!" Twilight cried excitedly.

"Aw, maaaan…" Rainbow Dash sighed.

"We shalt see thee in Equestria when we seest thee!" Luna promised, levitating the carriers of Tank, Opalescence, Owlowiscious, Winona, Angel, and Gummy. "Let me know when thou returnest for thy second year here, and I shalt make arrangements for thee!"

"Goodbye, Luna!" the six chorused.

They all left the castle at the same time. Some looked back; Twilight waved goodbye to Firenze through the door, Fluttershy waved goodbye to Hagrid as he walked toward the castle across the grounds, Pinkie Pie waved at McGonagall's office window. Then the six boarded the Starlight. Applejack and Rainbow Dash pulled up the gangplank and raised anchor.

Luna watched the mists roll in around the ship until the ship disappeared and the mists cleared, leaving behind a crystal clear lake. Then she Disapparated, returning to the crystal throne.

LONDON, FOURTH EARTH

Deep beneath the surface of the city, in the very bowels of the Ministry of Magic, Ennius Croaker made his way swiftly down the dark hallway that led to the door to the Department of Mysteries. He opened the door and walked through hurriedly, his heart pounding.

He knew exactly which door he needed. As an Unspeakable, an employee devoted to working solely in the Department of Mysteries, he was never lost there, though the wing had enough defenses in place to make sure that anyone who was not supposed to be there would be. He made a direct beeline for his goal.

He passed through the Space Chamber, where for a moment, he walked in empty black aether between the stars and planets. At least, the ones that were billed as existent to this planet. He knew there was far more to space than what was currently depicted in that chamber—Shacklebolt was constantly nagging at him to get on expanding the chamber, or seeing if it had old records in it. He was afraid to. He didn't want to touch the subject with a fifty-foot staff.

He had also sworn never to do anything with the little side room accessible through the small door at one of the edges of the Space Chamber. But this, he had to do. He shivered as he opened the door. He knew what he was doing was dangerous, but he believed he had no choice. He didn't know what he could have done instead.

The room contained glimmering glass cases filled with oddly shaped rocks in bright colors. Some of the rocks were more like gemstones with glimmering facets. It was all Dark Matter, though, and the multicolored, smooth-edged stuff seemed to be much more…agreeable…than the glittering jewels. Croaker fervently removed one of the glass cases and stuffed the Technicolor rocks beneath into his robe. He knew that as soon as it was discovered to be missing, there would be an alert sent out through the Ministry. He would be under investigation. He would perhaps lose his position as Unspeakable. But it was better than the alternative.

He swiftly left the side room, nearly running through the Space Chamber, out into the main hall. As he moved toward the elevator, he jostled against other Ministry workers who attempted to communicate with him: "Good afternoon, Croaker!" "Ennius!" "Hello, Croaker." He ignored them all.

He rode alone in the creaking elevator up to the atrium. When he got out, several Ministry workers and a couple paper airplanes—interdepartmental memos—filed in. Croaker then whisked past the desks, past the rebuilt Fountain of Magical Brethren that Shacklebolt had commissioned to replace the old Magic Is Might monument installed during the Voldemort years, toward the exit.

The phone booth rose into position on the streets of London. Croaker exited, moving swiftly among the Muggles and their establishments. Eventually, he came upon the designated alley for the exchange, and turned down it. His breathing grew heavier. His heart nearly burst from his chest.

In the very back of the alley, cloaked in shadow, Barty Crouch Jr. held a youth, petrified by a Full-Body-Bind, in his grip, wand pointed at the boy's neck. "Have you got it?" Crouch asked Croaker.

"Yes," Croaker said, emptying his robes, laying the rocks down on the ground. He had thought that Barty Crouch's boy had died, but he couldn't deny that the man stood before him in flesh and blood. Crouch had come to him for what only an Unspeakable could give, and he offered a bargain that Croaker could not pass up.

"If these are fakes," Crouch hissed, "I'll make sure you pay later. For now, I'll keep my end." He removed the curse from the younger man, and Croaker's son staggered toward his father in a panic. Crouch had considered killing the boy anyway, but he didn't know if he would need Croaker's services again. "And need I remind you, if you attempt to play the informant about what I was doing here, I will make sure you both suffer."

Crouch knelt, gathering the multicolored rocks, then stood and vanished.

"Should we tell the Minister?" Croaker's son asked.

"It won't matter," Croaker sighed. "With what I've given Crouch, by the time we tell anyone about him…he won't be anywhere on this world to be found."

THE SPACE BETWEEN

The Starlight contained a large chamber, perhaps originally intended as a ballroom or a sporting arena. It was there that Twilight set up the testing arena for Rainbow Dash, and as those two stood in the center, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie lined up along the side wall to observe.

"Okay, Rainbow Dash," Twilight said. "First, I want you to try out your Mahou Shoujo transformation just like you'd done before."

"Okay!" Rainbow Dash nodded, and in a flash, she underwent the transformation…but there were marked differences in her clothing. Specifically, every item that featured a rainbow also had a stripe or gradient of black among the other colors.

"How do you feel?" Twilight asked.

"A little weird," Rainbow Dash admitted. "Almost like…Twilight?"

"Yeah?"

"You might wanna back up a bit. I feel some new stuff coming that you're going to want to take notes on…from a safe distance."

Twilight scooted back against the wall. Rainbow Dash raised her sword into the air, and lightning crashed down around her in a circle at about a two and a half foot radius. A small cyclone of air whipped around her momentarily. Clouds formed around the point of Rainbow Dash's sword, though she couldn't get them to do anything.

"What's that?" Pinkie Pie asked excitedly.

"New stuff," Rainbow Dash answered. "I KNOW I couldn't do this stuff before. But I remembered it from when I was Regenwhatsit. I bet with some practice, I could get these clouds to do stuff too."

"That must come with you being a full witch," Twilight theorized. "I've been reading recently now that the Guide is back online, and it says that some kinds of magic are themed. You can have snake mages, toad mages, buttered scone mages…"

Everypony looked at her in confusion.

"I'm just quoting what the Guide said," Twilight huffed. "Half the time, I don't know if it's being serious or if it's just messing with me. Anyway, Rainbow Dash, I'm willing to bet that you can transform into some kind of…weather witch. Try transforming back and seeing if you can do the same things."

Rainbow Dash switched back out of the transformation, and found she was unable to call lightning, wind, or clouds to her aid. "Looks like I can only do that when I'm wearing the fancy outfit."

"That always did strike me as kinda odd," Applejack pointed out. "How come we gotta wear all that frilly stuff in order to have magic powers? Seems kinda useless."

"How DARE you!" Rarity growled. "You underestimate the true magic of fashion!"

"Uh…sorry?" Applejack shrugged.

"How about the sword?" Twilight asked.

Rainbow Dash thought about it. In a flash, her sword appeared in her hand, though the rest of her transformation did not occur. She swung it a few times. Its rainbow glow's range was considerably shortened. "Well, at least I have the sword," she said with a shrug.

"Hmm…" Twilight thought it over. "I want to try something." She called out, in her mind, to her staff, and it appeared in her hands. "Looks like we still have access to our weapons without the full transformation. The powers will be limited, but this might be a way we can conserve the energy in our amulets. Why don't the rest of you try?"

Rarity's bow, Pinkie's pistols, Applejack's whip, and Fluttershy's katana all appeared in a glow.

"Congratulations!" a male voice called out from across the room. "You've figured it all out!"

As one, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Applejack gasped, then turned to face the speaker, calling his name angrily: "DISCORD!"

Discord leaned against the opposite wall. "As they put it, long time, no see."

"We know all about what you're doin' now!" Applejack snapped. "And we're gonna put a stop to it!"

"Well, you can try," Discord replied. "That's the fun in it, you see. I was worried for a minute that you wouldn't pass the little test I gave you with Kyubey. But you seem to have figured out how to bring Rainbow Dash back. All that's left is for the rest of you to undergo your transformations, and we'll see if the outcome is the same then."

"Wait," Twilight interrupted. "YOU sent Kyubey? WHY DOES THAT EVEN SURPRISE ME?"

"Kyubey and I are old…well, not friends, exactly," Discord ruminated. "I have an odd relationship with the Incubators. They were around since the age of chaos when I was first born, but for such chaotic creatures, they do seem to love ORDER far too much. Then again, that IS a contradiction in terms, and I'm quite fond of those."

"So you've been creating chaos on other worlds for a game," Fluttershy stated.

"More or less," Discord replied. "I mean, EVENTUALLY it might be nice if the Old Ones could have that reunion we planned and bring about an age where everything is chaos and the fun never ends…but to me, it's more about the journey than the destination in this case. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't underestimate you as players. I always have some faith that you'll be able to beat whatever challenge is thrown at you. But I'm never QUITE sure whether or not you'll actually beat the odds. That's what makes this so entertaining!"

"Did you just come here to mock us?" Fluttershy asked.

"Well, I did think that since I made my grand entrance to Rainbow Dash, it just wouldn't seem fair to keep pretending I was still in that statue back in the Canterlot gardens," Discord pointed out. "So I thought I would drop in and say hello to my little ponies. Or, I guess, my little Kentaurides! And also congratulate you on beating the Incubators' system…for now. Yes, now Rainbow Dash can go back to being able to just be killed by mortal means."

"Hang on," Twilight broke in. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"What's what supposed to mean? Oh, I thought you had already known that you were all Kentaurides. You've been in those bodies for a year—"

"Not. That. The part after it. Being killed by mortal means."

"Well, when her soul was in that amulet," Discord reiterated, "her body could take as much damage as you could imagine and she'd come back fighting. But now she has a body that can still be killed by poison, disease, stabbing, shooting—mortal means. No matter how long she lives."

"Okay, you're USUALLY weird," Rainbow Dash said, "but today, you're being extra-weird. What would how long I live have to do with it?"

"Well, you know," Discord said, "that special little thing that comes with bearing the Elements of Harmony…you DO know about that, right?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Why don't you humor us and tell us what it is," Applejack replied.

"You mean you DON'T know?" Discord put on a face of shock. "Well, dear, me, this is awkward. You mean Celestia never TOLD you? I wonder what reason she could have had for lying to you!"

"We trust Celestia not to lie to us," Twilight stated. "We don't trust YOU not to lie."

"Then you wouldn't believe what I had to tell you anyway. Shame. I suppose I could just leave now and—"

"Wait," Twilight interrupted. "Tell us…whatever it is you want us to believe."

"Oh?" Discord's face lit up. "Is it possible that the great Twilight Sparkle, doubter of Discord, could in fact be afraid that whatever lie I have to tell is actually true?"

"WILL YOU JUST TELL US ALREADY!" Pinkie screamed. "THE SUSPENSE IS KILLING ME!"

"Haven't you ever wondered how Celestia and Luna have survived for one thousand years and are still going strong?" Discord asked. "Haven't you wondered why Luna grew to maturity almost immediately after you cast all the Nightmare spirits out of her, but stayed an adult after that? And perhaps most importantly, you've just been away at school for a year. But do you FEEL any older?"

Twilight felt the bottom of her stomach seem to drop. "You're not saying…"

"I'm saying that you're immortal," Discord announced. "You don't get older. You can completely avoid dying. Once bearers of the Elements of Harmony reach adulthood, they stay that young…FOREVER. Unless, of course, you get poisoned, infected, stabbed, or shot. Or hit by the Killing Curse…or burned to death…or blown up, that one's fun…"

"You've gotta be lyin'," Applejack accused. "This is just one of your fakeouts."

"Is it?" Discord countered. "And so ironic, too." He imitated Twilight's voice exactly. "Immortality would just be a curse!"

"HEY!" Twilight cried. "You saw all our wishes! You've been watching us! You knew we didn't know…I mean we didn't think we were immortal! You just came onboard to tell us that and freak us out!"

"Hm, it seems I did," Discord replied. "Well, if you really don't believe me, why don't you just ask Celestia yourself? I would hope she wouldn't lie to you when you directly confronted her about it. But take it from me: the way things are now, you're set to outlive all of your friends and family except for each other…Celestia and Luna…and me. Well, and a scattering of other certain gods and immortals. You're going to get to watch them all get older as you stay young. But it isn't all that bad. After all…look at me! I'm ageless and I'm loving it!"

"Get off our ship," Applejack demanded. "NOW."

"Oh, and what ARE you going to do to me if I don't?" Discord asked, beginning to chuckle.

The six tightened their grips on their weapons.

"As you wish!" Discord vanished, laughing raucously as he did so. When he was gone, his laughter lingered.

"You don't think he was serious, do you?" Pinkie asked.

"I don't know," Twilight admitted. "It is strange that Celestia and Luna have never gotten any older for a thousand years…I'm going to write a short letter to Celestia asking about it. Then we'll know for sure."

"You were the one who said immortality was a curse," Fluttershy recalled. "What if Discord is right? What happens to us then?"

"Then…well…then we just find a way to deal with it," Twilight resolved, though she had no idea how to do that.

HOGWARTS, FOURTH EARTH

McGonagall relished the thought that for a short few months, the castle would have drastically fewer people in it and a drastically lightened workload to attend to. She could put more energy into prying into the Ministry, seeing what Shacklebolt could dig up. At the very least, she thought, there had to be something in the Department of Mysteries about the days before Voldemort. Perhaps somewhere there was even identification of the sort of magic that had killed Felina Grintcliffe.

It occurred to her then that she had yet to hire a new Transfiguration professor. She hadn't the faintest idea where to look. She supposed it was simply time to seek out applicants through a public announcement, or perhaps to approach wizard and witch acquaintances she thought well-suited to the position. At least Snape had agreed to remain in the Defense Against the Dark Arts position, and had moved into the office immediately, proving to be a strange housemate for the summer.

As McGonagall ruminated upon the thought of replacing Grintcliffe, a knock came at the office door. "Come in," she commanded.

Hagrid ducked through the low door, entering. "Firenze wants to talk to yeh out on the grounds," he said. "He's got Bane and Ronan with him, and some other centaurs."

"Not a declaration of conflict, I hope," McGonagall stated.

"No…they say they want to talk to yeh about summat more peaceful. Beats me why. I've never seen this many centaurs leave the Forbidden Forest at a time unless there were certain circumstances. Though they are stayin' close to the border. Won't come up here an' see yeh."

"Then I suppose I should see what it is they want," McGonagall said.

McGonagall and Hagrid walked across the bright green of the grounds beneath a shimmering summer sun. They came at last to the border of the Forbidden Forest, where Firenze, Bane, Ronan, and several other centaurs awaited them. One of them in particular drew McGonagall's eye. She seemed, to judge from the shape of her figure, to be female, though she wore a cloak over her upper body that shrouded her head in a hood. She was also more proportionate in size to the Equestrians than she was to the Forbidden Forest centaurs.

"Headmistress," Firenze greeted. "This is a visitor from the same world as Twilight Sparkle. She landed here in a strange craft that we believe she made herself. We spoke to her about everything that had happened recently, and she asked to know what became of Twilight and her friends. Apparently she knows them well."

"We told her of the outcome of the recent battle," Bane said, "and that it was little of our concern."

"It is very much our concern," Firenze corrected him harshly.

"As soon as we mentioned that you were down one Transfiguration professor," Bane said, "she got very interested in the job."

"I happen to know much about the art of Transfiguration," the new Kentauride said in a deep, rich voice. "I do not often find the need to transform one thing into another, but it has been useful at times."

"So you are a witch?" McGonagall asked.

"Not in the traditional sense, as Twilight Sparkle and Rarity are," the Kentauride said. "I am no unicorn. But I have still taught myself much magic, and, if I may boast, I can perform spells that rival those of many unicorns. I am interested in teaching my arts to others, especially if it means I may explore this world at my leisure. It is the first I have come to since leaving Equestria."

"We tried to tell her that centaurs and humans just don't get on well here," Bane grumbled, "but she wouldn't have any of that."

"We wanted to meet with you for that very reason," Firenze told McGonagall. "She would be the second centaur to be employed by the school if you took her up on her offer."

"If she proves herself to be as adept at magic as she says," McGonagall stated, "I see no reason why we should turn her down as a candidate. Particularly if she brings with her knowledge from outside this world. It would do our students quite good." She turned to face the hooded Kentauride. "Would it be awkward for you to teach your friends when they return?"

"Not at all!" the Kentauride replied. "I had attempted once to teach my arts to Twilight Sparkle, but she discovered that what I know cannot be learned in a day."

"Then I would like you to come to the castle and demonstrate your skills," McGonagall stated. "Though I already have high hopes that you'll be able to fill the position."

"I am quite grateful to you for that."

"Before we begin," McGonagall said, "I will need to know your name. I, of course, am Minerva McGonagall."

"So I have heard." The Kentauride took down her hood. The black-and-white striped Mohawk of hair revealed called attention for the first time to the lower half of her body; McGonagall had somehow failed to notice, among everything else, that unlike the others from Equestria, this Kentauride's lower body was that of a zebra. With a calm, sincere smile, she stated, "My name is Zecora."

CANTERLOT, FOURTH EQUESTRIA

"Are we immortal?"

Celestia stared at the parchment a while, not sure what to do. She felt ashamed of keeping the secret for so long. Twilight had trusted her…and she'd let her own fears keep her from giving Twilight the whole truth. Now Twilight had asked the question Celestia had hoped to avoid answering for at least a little while longer.

Eventually, she set quill to scroll. It was time to reveal at least one of her closely guarded secrets.

Chapter 46:

· Some Drastoria setting up here. Oh, yes, I'm offering all sorts of evidence for why they shouldn't work, but that's what we have next year to get around, isn't it? I also kind of wanted to put some of the malice back in Draco by having him bond with Astoria over horrible curses. And I wanted to keep trying to establish Astoria as…well, I think "We're lucky you're on OUR side!" sums it up.

· Remember the spell Harry used to inflate Marge in Prisoner of Azkaban? Remember how that was never brought up again? It must be a cool spell to use on Enobies—I mean enemies.

· I gave the House Cup to Slytherin because I felt I not only did the most new character development there, with the Carrows and Astoria and Stevie, but I also wanted to hammer in the "Slytherin is not the Evil House" thing. With a SLEDGEHAMMER.

· Croaker is a canon character. His first name, I made up.

· Now CROUCH is traveling. I find it funny that when I started this storylet, I had pretty much NOTHING planned for him, but I now know EXACTLY where he's going. Thanks again to GAvillain for the idea to use him more.

· I feel like Douglas Adams would totally have written the phrase "buttered scone mage."

· Believe it or not…"You underestimate the true magic of fashion" is something I actually plan to come back to and explore. Yeah. I know.

· I always did wonder why Celestia and Luna were immortal. I'm sure that in canon, they're going to make something about it coming with the territory of being alicorns. But in this continuity, it's my headcanon that the Elements make you ageless. Which means that the Mane Six are now very special cosmic beings. And also means that they can just keep going on in time forever and have lifetimes' worth of adventures. So…Discord wasn't lying. He was revealing what Celestia was too scared to say. After all, if you had to tell someone that they inherited immortality, wouldn't you put it off?

· The idea of Zecora as the Transfiguration prof is actually something that reader Ophira sort of inspired with an offhand comment he probably doesn't even remember about how awesome Zecora would be as a Hogwarts prof. I know Zecora is a fan favorite, and as of the episode "Magic Duel," it's revealed that she knows a LOT about high-level magic and probably transfiguration. (If she could fill her glass with water spontaneously generated from NOWHERE, I'm sure she can Transfigure things.) So now my little placeholder professor OCs are out of the way and I have the staff set the way I want it.

· And yes, Zecora is very much black, but I didn't want to mention that in the prose because I didn't want that to imply that the other ponies were all white—and I know I have at least one reader that likes to picture them as multiracial. So it's here in the author's notes. Which means I might as well have just put it in the prose, but whatever.