Chapter Seven: Defense Against the Dark Arts

Hiccup arrived at the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom along with Jack several minutes after the indicated time. They left from the Great Hall on time, but Jack's intestines had caused them to be delayed. And Hiccup thought his extra classes would get him in trouble, but it hadn't been like that on a single occasion.

For the last couple of months the class had been taught by Flee Hummings, the potions teacher. She was a really lovely woman, who was understanding when the students did not understand something she was teaching them and took the time to explain the topic again if she saw it necesary. Although she was also too demanding with her homework and especially with punctuality, as since the first class Hiccup witnessed how Gryffindor was losing points because Merida had arrived three minutes late. Hiccup didn't even want to think what awaited Ravenclaw and Slytherin for this kind of delay.

When they reached the door of the classroom they heard the muffled voice of someone speaking very quickly. And to the surprise of both boys when they opened the door of the classroom the one who was in front of the classroom, with an aura so dark despite the bright emerald robe he was wearing, that it made Hiccup shiver, was Lumen Tenebrae, deputy headmaster of the school and official Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, who had been absent for who knows what business.

Hiccup and Jack stopped short under the door frame, everyone inside turned their heads towards them, Hiccup felt more chills and could feel a drop of cold sweat running down his temple. For a moment, Hiccup didn't even know what to think. He could hear Jack swallow, he must have been as terrified by the professor's presence as he was.

"So?" Professor Tenebrae asked, " Are you two waiting form a formal invitation" Professor Lumen´s voice was terrifying" What are you doing standing there like a couple of gored slugs? Come in now and take a seat."

Both Hiccup and Jack obeyed before the professor had even finished speaking. The boys reached the back of the room with their legs feeling like jelly and took their seats.

"And by the way," Professor Tenebrae continued. "Twenty points less for Ravenclaw and Slytherin. I hope that this way you begin to value the importance of my class, Mr. Frost and Mr. Haddock."

Both boys growled, but said nothing more, the terror had not yet left them.

"Let's continue," Tenebrae continued, "what was i saying?"

One girl, brave or stupid enough, raised her hand. It was Punzie.

"Yes, Miss Corona?"

"Ehhmm, yes, you were telling us that everything Professor Hummings had taught us from now on would be unnecessary."

"Oh yes, thank you very much. There is no doubt that all the theory that Professor Hummings taught you is important so that you learn a little about the dark arts and how to deal with them, but it will be of no use to you to know how to execute the protego or expelliarmus spells if you never put them into practice. If you were to face a dark wizard, what would you do? Throw them a book? A dark wizard would kill you in seconds."

The entire room became absolutely silent, more than before, if that was possible. It was obvious that Professor Tenebrae's words had made some impression on the first-year students. It was difficult to imagine dying at such a young age.

"For this reason," the teacher continued, "we will begin to have practical classes from this very moment." Now, a light murmur was heard throughout the room. "Who will be the first volunteers to show how well they can use their wand in duel?"

The murmurs continued, the surprise was great. Some students exchanged nervous glances, but others seemed excited to begin, yet no one volunteered.

"Well, I'll choose them then," Professor Tenebrae's voice silenced the murmurs. The Professor looked carefully at the list of students he had written down on an old parchment. "Haddock, Corona. Come forward."

Excuse me?

Hiccup's eyes locked on the blonde girl, who had remained paralyzed, with her hands tightly pressed against her chest.

"Thast's for today!" The teacher rushed them. Both children got up at great speed and stood in front of the teacher, not brave enough to look him in the eyes. "And the rest of you, stand up to the sides of the room." Like Punzie and Hiccup, the rest of the students stood up and obeyed. As soon as there was not a single seat occupied, Professor Tenebrae took out his wand and with a slight movement made the tables and chairs rise to the ceiling, leaving the room completely empty. He turned to Hiccup and Punzie. "You two, on each side of the room, facing each other." Without complaining Hiccup headed to the right side of the room, Punzie did the same, to the left. "Wands out"

Both Hiccup and Punzie drew their wands.

"This time we will only use spells to disarm or lightly stun, such as expelliarmus or stupify. And to defend yourselves you will use the basic protego spell, understood?"

"Yes, Professor," Punzie and Hiccup responded at the same time.

Professor Tenebrae raised his voice. "And that goes for everyone, if someone uses a spell besides of those I mentioned, not only will their house lose points, but they will also receive a punishment according to their actions, is that clear?"

The entire room responded with a single voice. "Yes, professor!"

"Good," now he only addressed Hiccup and Punzie. "The first one of you to disarm or stun your rival wins the duel and points for your house. "Wait until I give you the indication."

"Show your wands," Professor Tenebrae said.

Hiccup already had minimal experience in dueling, his father was in charge of teaching him the basics in Berk, so as soon as he heard the professor's words he put his wand in a vertical position parallel to his face. Punzie took a little while to react, but seeing what Hiccup had done, she followed suit. She has no experience in dueling, Hiccup thought, this will be easy.

"Now bow", said professor Tenebrae. Both Hiccup and Rapunzel bowed to each other.

A few seconds passed in which the professor saw one and then the other before he gave the indication to start the duel. Hiccup pointed his wand at Rapunzel as soon as he heard the professor.

"Expelliarmus!"

Hiccup's wand flew away from his hand, a Gryffindor student catching it in the air. He couldn't believe it, he didn't even see when Punzie pointed the wand, he only felt the impact of the spell against his hand and then he realized that he had lost the duel. No one said anything, it was Professor Tenebrae's voice that broke the silence.

"Wow," Professor Tenebrae said, "that was faster than I expected. Congratulations, Miss Corona. "Five points for Hufflepuff."

Some Hufflepuff students came up to congratulate Punzie until the professor had everyone join the circle surrounding the dueling area. The Gryffindor boy gave Hiccup his wand and he put it in his robe with shame and anger. Jack patted him on the back trying to cheer him up.

"Now its your turn…," Professor Tenebrae said, running his index finger down the list of students, "Black and… Hofferson."

Hiccup watched Astrid and the pale girl come into the circle and stand facing each other. "show your wands," said Professor Tenebrae and a few indications and seconds later the duel began, the first to attack was Astrid, the Slytherin girl reacted in time and saw how Astrid's expelliarmus spell collided with the invisible wall created by Sirrah's protego spell. Sirrah countered with a stupify which was also blocked. The two girls exchanged spells a few more times until Sirrah, instead of defending herself from Astrid's stupify, cast the same spell. Both were hit by the spells that their rival cast and ended up falling several meters behind them. Sirrah grunted as she tried to sit up while Astrid kept clutching her wand as she stood up.

"Stop complaining, Miss Black," the teacher said. "Since both of you managed to connect your spells at the same time, you will both get five points for your respective house. Take your places."

Elsa helped Sirrah get up and return to the rest of the students. Meanwhile, Professor Tenebrae inspected the list of students to see who would be next. "Come forward DunBroch" I hope it's not Jack, Hiccup thought. "and you, Arendelle."

Merida almost ran to the center of the classroom. Hiccup figured it wouldn't just be a friendly battle for her. But Elsa was the complete opposite. She was frozen by Sirrah's side, clinging so tightly to the pale girl's arm that even from across the room, Hiccup could tell she was cutting off her blood circulation. Sirrah managed to get out of Elsa's hand, but she was still petrified. It didn't matter that Professor Tenebrae had called her several times, she just didn't move. Not until Sirrah gave her a shove and forced her out of her trance. Elsa swallowed and walked to the center of the room, standing in front of Merida.

The duel ended in the blink of an eye, Merida pointing her wand at Elsa and yelling a stupify that sent poor Elsa flying backwards, she didn't even have time to put her hands in to break the fall. Merida smiled proudly and walked over to where Astrid and Emily were, while Sirrah helped Elsa to her feet.

"Miss DunBroch," Professor Tenebrae's voice paralyzed everyone. Merida turned. "I didn't say you could retire. Now come back to the duel zone."

Merida didn't understand what was happening. "But, professor, I already won. I knocked her out."

"Are you questioning me, DunBroch?" The entire room had a chill.

Merida shook her head and headed towards the combat circle as fast as she could. Elsa, fearful, did the same. The result was the same, again and again. Elsa was thrown back or disarmed at least six more times. And Professor Tenebrae forced them to fight again. No one dared to say anything, not even Merida seemed to enjoy her victories.

"Again," the professor repeated for the eighth consecutive time.

And for the first time, Elsa raised her voice. "STOP IT!" If before that the eyes of must students were fixed on her, now there was not a single pair of eyes that were not watching her. "Please... I don't want to do this anymore." Her cheeks were turning red and tears were beginning to well up in her eyes. "Please…" she pleaded.

Professor Lumen seemed to feel pity on her. "Alright. Well done, both of you. "Forty points for Gryffindor." He turned to Elsa, who was already being helped up by Sirrah, looking like she had hurt her leg. "If something hurts," Besides your pride, Hiccup thought, "you can go to the Hospital Wing."

Elsa, with her head lowered, walked towards the door.

"Do you want me to go with you you?" Sirrah asked her.

Hiccup just watched as Elsa shook her head before leaving the classroom.

Professor Tenebrae called the next students.

The last thing Elsa heard Professor Tenebrae say before bursting into tears were the names of two students, she didn't know who they were, nor did she care. She moved quickly through the corridors of the castle, stifling her tears with the sleeve of her tunic, until she reached one of the bathrooms where she felt safe enough to cry without shame. She plugged the drain of one of the sinks and turned on the faucet. The sound of water pooling in the porcelain sink muffled her own moans, just a little. The porcelain of the sink cooled under the touch of her hands.

Why had the professor been so ruthless towards her? Elsa couldn't imagine how many more blows and humiliations she would have received if she hadn't spoken, and if she hadn't pretended that she hurt her leg.

Needless to say, Elsa wasn't planning on going to the Hospital wing. She just wanted to be alone for a moment and relax. She knew beforehand that Professor Tenebrae was strict, but she never imagined that she would be one of his guinea pigs.

It was then when Elsa realized something particularly strange. It wasn't just Professor Tenebrae who treated her like this. Professor Hummings in her potions class also demanded a little more from her than from the rest. Professor Longbottom did the same in Herbology. And the rest of the teachers... They all did the same. She hadn't realized maybe because she didn't want to think about it too much.

She was different. She had always known it. There was something about her that everyone noticed, but what? Even Minerva had made her feel that way. She felt her heart about to jump out of her chest, she could feel anger at the way they treated her; sadness, for not knowing how to deal with it; but, above all, she felt afraid, because she didn't know what was going to happen in the future.

As soon as the sink was full Elsa stuck her face in the water - which cooled as soon as she did - to drown her thoughts. It worked, but traces of her emotions still remained in her chest.

When she was a Little quiet, she fell back against the cold marble of the sinks. And then she heard it.

There was a girl crying in one of the cubicles. Everything was starting to make sense to Elsa, she didn't realize which bathroom she had entered, it was the bathroom on the second floor. Famous for being the place where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets was and for being the place where Moaning Myrtle lived up to her name.

Elsa slowly advanced towards the second cubicle, where the moans were coming from. "Hello," she said in a choked voice. She cleared her throat. "Hello, Myrtle."

The crying stopped. "What do you want?" Myrtle's voice sounded annoyed, as always, and she was still whining. "Get out."

"I… I didn't want to bother you," Elsa replied. "I just wanted to be polite."

The ghost poked her head through the cubicle door and inspected Elsa up and down. "I know who you are". She smirked.

Elsa was startled and took a step back instinctively.

"You're the Slytherin girl the teachers were talking about the other day."

"Who?"

Myrtle ignored Elsa's question and went completely through the cubicle door so fast that Elsa tripped and fell on her butt. "Is what they say true?" She asked in turn, slowly floating towards Elsa who was getting further and further away from her, crawling across the cold bathroom floor.

"Do you have the blood of a certain dark wizard running through your veins?"

Elsa froze where she stood. Terryfied.

"Oh…" Myrtle smirked and moved even closer to Elsa. "It seems like I just told you something that you didn't even know about yourself, didn´t I?"

Before Elsa could answer anything, the ghost girl laughed and flew into her toilet, splashing all the water out.

What?

No, it wasn't possible. Myrtle liked to play pranks on people, and since everyone treats her differently, she wanted to do the same. Yes, it was probably just that. Minerva would have already said something to her if she was related to a dark wizard. Didn´t she? DIDN´T SHE?

Elsa stormed out of the bathroom and walked halfway through Hogwarts almost out of breath. Minerva's office was far away, she felt like she was suffocating, she felt like her hands were freezing with cold, mist was coming out of her mouth. She was cold. Even though her legs did not respond and her knees gave out, she managed to reach the gargoyle that guarded the director's office, with her eyes blurred and thousands of thoughts going through her head. She fell to her knees, gasping. She had to calm down. Elsa tried to control her breathing and little by little it decreased to a normal rhythm. The mist was no longer coming out of her mouth and her body was beginning to respond. When Elsa got up she left a little frost on the floor, where her hands had been.

"Pierto…" she stammered before the gargoyle. "Piertotum Locomotor".

The gargoyle began to spin, showing the staircase that would take her to Minerva. I hope she is there. If not, I will have to wait for her, no matter how long it takes.

The office hall was filled with portraits of all the Hogwarts headmasters, Elsa had learned the name of each and every one of them. Professor Phyllida Spore was there, along with Brian Gagwilde and Antonia Creaseworthy. Some of the portraits greeted her, others, as usual, ignored her. When Elsa entered the main office she could see Minerva pondering, weak and weary, over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore. She seemed very focused in it, no, more than focused, she seemed worried.

Elsa licked her dry lips. "Headmistress?"

As soon as she heard it, Minerva quickly closed the book. "Elsa… What's wrong, honey?"

"Who…Who am I?" He managed to ask.

Minerva frowned and smiled, as if Elsa was joking. "Elsa, of course."

Elsa shook her head. "No… no". She didn't know how to ask the question, she didn't even know what hse wanted to ask.

"I bet you are."

"Listen to me". Elsa felt her legs like jelly again.

"Elsa, are you alright? You are terribly pale. More than normal".

"LISTEN TO ME!"

Minerva startled, still sitting in her chair. Suddenly, her face became serious, as if she had been waiting for this moment for a long time. "I'm listening to you, Elsa".

Elsa was more surprised than anyone by the way she had yelled at the headmistress. But she knew it was time to continue. "Since classes began you have ignored me, you have avoided me, the teachers are more demanding with me than with anyone else. And I do not know why". Minerva stood up. "I just have one question for you. No, two." Staggering, Elsa raised her hand with two fingers up and advanced a little towards the headmistress. "First, why?" Suddenly Elsa felt her breath go out of her lung, her head began to spin and her eyes blurred, she took another step. "And… second… Who are my parents?" As soon as she finished the question, she fell face down on the floor and everything went pitch black.

Merida barely touched her huge plate, filled with a lot of things, during dinner. Her mind was busy with all sorts of things. About a tiny little prank she'd like to get up to, but mainly about why Professor Tenebrae had forced her to have so many duels against that poor Slytherin girl. In the duels that followed after theirs there were cases in which one of the combatants did not even put his hands in and even then the professor ended the duel after the first attempt. Why not with them?

Emily and Astrid were sitting across from her. Emily, reading one of those huge books from her dragon classes and Astrid writing a letter to her parents. "And that miracle that you are not eating as if you had been locked in a dungeon?"

Merida forced a smile. "I was thinking about that Slytherin girl?"

"Elsa?" Emily asked, not looking up from her reading.

"I didn't know her name, the one I fought against in Defense Against the Dark Arts"

"Yes, her name is Elsa," Astrid confirmed.

"Anyway, why do you think Professor Tenebrae made me give her beating after beating? The poor thing couldn't even defend herself."

Emily shrugged, still focused on her book.

Astrid folded the letter she had written to her parents. "Maybe that's because she is the headmistress' adopted daughter," she said, as she put the letter in an envelope.

Merida shrugged. "The truth is, I don't care a little, but I felt bad for kicking her butt so many times," she said while popping a huge chocolate muffin on her mouth. "By the way," she added, still with her mouth full, "Hallowe'en is in a few days, would you like to go to the forbidden forest?"

This time Emily did look up from her book, both blonde girls scrutinized her, with surprise, perhaps fear.

"No way," Astrid responded. Emily nodded.

Merida was really expecting that answer. "Come on, it can be fun. We would go when everyone, including the professors, are at the party. No one will notice."

Astrid grimaced. "Fun?" She said, "Go to the place that, from the very first day, we were told it was strictly forbidden to go. I mean, that place even has the word 'Forbidden' in its name."

"I see that more as a suggestion."

"Suggestion?!" Astrid exploded, standing up. "People have died in that place. Don't count on me Merida. And if you'll excuse me, I have to go get this letter delivered before the nests close." With that said, Astrid gathered all her things and left at a hasty pace.

"Well, I didn't expect it to come out like that. Emily, you…"

The other blonde girl was already gathering all her things. "I think is better for me to leave too before you managed to convince me. I really like you, Merida, but going to the Forbidden Forest is outside of the things I would do for someone, no matter how much I like them. Also, if my parents found out… or worse, Olivia… I don't even want to imagine it." She said as she stood up. "See you in the dorms, I'm really exhausted. And don't eat so much, it can give you stomachache." She waved goodbye to Merida as she walked away.

Merida responded to the gesture. She was left alone and without appetite. She really believed that she could convince her friends to go to the Forest, it was just a little prank, or adventure, as she liked to think of it. It's not that she liked the idea of going alone, she didn't feel brave enough to do it.

Shee leaned back on her arms resting on the large Gryffindor table and scanned the Great Hall, with no idea of anything to really look for. And then she saw Jack Frost sitting next to Hiccup at the Ravenclaw table. They were both eating dinner and laughing out loud at some stupid thing Frost should be saying.

I got it.

She hurriedly gathered her things and headed to the Ravenclaw table, she had the perfect idea to kill two birds with one stone: go to the Forbidden Forest and erase her debt with Frost.

"How are you, frizzy hair?" Jack said as he saw her approaching. "Are you coming to pay me those 44 galleons that you owe me?"

"Something like that," Merida replied, dropping her things on the table. "I dare you to go to the forbidden forest on Halloween night, whoever lasts in there the longest wins. Same rules, if I won, I don't owe you anything, if you win, I owe you double."

Jack was silent for a moment. Staring at Merida intently. "Challenge accepted". He said as he extended his hand to Merida. She sealed the deal by giving Jack´s hand a firm squeeze.

"Are you two crazy or what?" Hiccup exploded, "Jack, do you really agreed, just like that? It's the Forbidden Forest."

"You're coming too," Jack said.

"Say that again!" Hiccup turned pale.

"You're coming too," Jack said, again.

"And why is he coming?" Merida asked.

"We need a… referee who can attest to who lasted the longest in the forest."

Merida pondered the idea for a moment. "Sounds good to me," he said. "See you on Halloween night at 9 at the greenhouses, from there we will go to the forest." With that, she grabed her things and left.

She felt an emotion that was difficult to explain, she felt that her face was burning. But she couldn't identify why. Excitement? Anger? Whatever it was, it wouldn't leave her alone for a while. She usually felt like that when she was closet o Frost.

Halfway to the bedroom she began to have a strange feeling in her stomach.

Is this fear?

No, it couldn't be fear. She was a Gryffindor, known for being the bravest, and she was also a Bear of DunBroch, the bravest of the brave. She couldn't feel fear.

When she got to her bedroom, Emily was already lying down and snoring lightly. Astrid was nowhere to be seen. Merida put on her pajamas and got into bed. She felt the warmth of the blankets all over her body as she hugged her little teddy bear Mor'du and little by little she fell asleep. Still with a hint of fear in her heart.

I'm back. Again. I started this thing like three or four years ago. I don't even now if the people who faved this or followed the story are still around this website. But I hope I can get new people to read this thing to wich I'm putting all my heart. Next chapter within a week. I promise. See you soon. Really soon this time haha.