//------------------------------// // Pesky Pixies & Vomit Slugs // Story: Cinematic Adventures: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets // by extremeenigma02 //------------------------------// Later, following the embarrassing debacle with the Howler, the students roamed the corridors of Hogwarts. Either they were on their way to their classes or simply making their way from a class. While the Student Six made their way towards the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, the Cutie Mark Crusaders currently found themselves sitting in History of Magic class. However, with Storm Shield and Moondancer as professors for this class, it has since been renamed ‘History of Magic: Wizarding and Equestrian’. The three little fillies all sat alongside one another at a long table as they listened to Storm and Moondancer’s lecture yet could hardly contain their excitement. “This is so exciting!” Sweetie Belle squealed quietly. “Our first actual class at Hogwarts!” “Ah know right?” Apple Bloom nodded. “Ah’ve been waitin’ fer this since getting our letters.” “I just wish we had a chance to actually use these.” Sweetie Belle replied as she held up her wand. Back after the girls had that tough landing in Knockturn Alley and eventually met up with others in Diagon Alley, the three fillies had finally gotten their wands. Apple Bloom’s wand was of course made of apple wood, was nine and a half inches long, and had a phoenix feather core. Sweetie Belle’s wand was an English oak wand, ten and three quarter inches with a unicorn hair core. Scootaloo’s wand is a holly wood wand, ten inches with a dragon heartstring wand. “Don’t worry, Sweetie Belle.” Apple Bloom assured her friend. “Ah know we’ll get our chance tah use ‘em soon enough. Fer now, ah’m just so excited tah be here.” “And what luck! Our first class is Storm Shield’s!” Scootaloo added. “No offense, but I’m glad they replaced Binns. From what Rainbow Dash told me, that old ghost could put coffee to sleep from boredom—” “Excuse me!” The sudden interruption caused the three ponies to immediately snap their heads forward. Standing in front of them was the assistant professor, Moondancer. Her glasses lowered down as she gave them a disapproving look. “Can you girls please be more attentive in our class?” She scolded. “Sorry, Professor Moondancer,” The crusaders spoke in unison. “Let’s keep our eyes up front if you please,” Moondancer replied calmly. The three fillies nodded their heads in understanding as Moondancer made her way back to the front. Amidst all of that, Storm continued the lesson. “Now then, who can tell me the year that former Minister of Magic, Eldritch Diggory, and Starswirl the Bearded first established the Auror Recruitment Program?” Storm asked the class. A few students in the class raised their hands; two of whom are Sweetie Belle and Ginny Weasley, the latter sitting next to the Crusaders. “Yes, Ms. Weasley?” Storm acknowledged her. “Minister Diggory and Starswirl the Bearded founded the program in the year 1773,” Ginny answered. “They’d continue to do so for the next fourteen years.” “Correct, Ms. Weasley!” Storm nodded with a smile. “I must say, for a first year, you seem to have fairly decent knowledge of the Equestrian and Wizarding Alliance.” “Agreed!” Moondancer spoke up. “It seems Ms. Weasley has been studying quite well. I believe that’s worthy of ten points to Gryffindor.” Ginny merely lowered her head toward the table, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone staring at her. From her side, the CMC smiled with congratulatory glances. “Nice work, Ginny!” Apple Bloom congratulated. “Yeah, no way I would have known that!” Scootaloo added. Ginny merely gave a quick nod of acknowledgment before bringing her gaze back to the table. Out of the corner of her eye, Sweetie Belle could almost see what appeared to be a black book Ginny was writing in. “What you got there, Ginny?” She asked curiously. Hearing the young filly, Ginny quickly snatched the book and placed it in her robes. “Nothing,” Ginny replied quickly. “It’s nothing.” The three fillies eyed one another, all thinking the young Wesley’s sudden reply felt… odd. “No worries, Gin,” Scootaloo piped in. “If it’s your business, we won’t ask again.” “Thank you,” Ginny replied softly. The group turned their attention back to Storm, who used his magic to write on the blackboard. “Back in 1707, the Ministry of Magic was formed to succeed the Wizards Council after Ulick Gamp and Gutsy the Great came together and decided…” All of a sudden, an assortment of books and other supplies flew off the shelves and began pelting Storm Shield and Moondancer. A majority of the first year students, minus both Ginny and the CMC, started laughing as they watched their teachers get pelted by school property. Curious, the Cutie Mark Crusaders turned around and to their shock, and dismay, they found the culprits: Discord and Peeves hurling books toward the professors, while chuckling maniacally. “KEEP PRESSING THE ATTACK, PEEVES!” Discord roared, waving a quill like riding crop. “We’ll have him this time!” “PEEVES!!!” Moondancer screeched, clutching a book with a bent spine. “These books are extremely valuable!” “DISCORD!” Scootaloo shouted. “What are you doing now?!” “Oh, nothing out of the ordinary,” Discord replied casually. “I merely persuaded Peeves to crash this ‘charming’ seminar; thought you kids could use a distraction—WHOA!!!” Discord practically stretched his limbs from the waist to avoid a beam from Storm Shield’s horn, the Prince was justifiably cross. “We’ll have you this time, you troublemakers!” Storm Shield warned. “We’ll have you!” As Moondancer tried to pick up all the books, stressfully muttering to herself, Peeves suddenly popped up in front of the pony with a bowl of peanuts. “Nibbles?” Peeves asked sweetly. Moondancer looked down and took a brief sniff, only to cringe back with disgust. “There’s mold all over them!” Moondancer cringed. “Why are you disrupting our class?” “Heard you talking about poor Myrtle,” Peeves replied, his eyes dancing. “Rude you was about poor Myrtle.” “Myrtle?” Sweetie Belle’s brows rose. “I said nothing of the sort!” Moondancer argued. “I don’t even know any—” “OY! MYRTLE!” Peeves bellowed deeply. “Mooney pony’s just talking about you!” Crying out in anguish and frustration, Moondancer pursued Peeves and followed the ghost directly out of the classroom. The kids watched when Moondancer suddenly ran by, now Peeves floating after her, pelting her with the moldy peanuts. “SPOTTY! SPOTTY!” Peeves yelled. Meanwhile, Storm Shield had to flip the desk over to act as a shield of sorts while dodging the wave of books from Discord’s path. Storm leaned down to eye the students who were erupting in chaos and, in the midst of it all, three ponies and one Weasley sitting there staring awkwardly. “Sorry class, looks like we’re booked for today—OW!” A hard cover book hit Storm Shield square in the face, as Discord hovered over him and shook his head. “I make the bad puns in this story, princey!” Discord scolded. “No points for you!” <> In the meantime, the Student Six were all seated close by one another in Defense Against the Dark Arts Class. Harry, Ron, and Hermione weren’t that far from them either as they waited for their Professor to arrive. All the students were in their seats, eyeing all the decorations with portraits of its owner. Hermoine and the girls hung on his every word, while Harry, Ron, and a few of the male Student Six eyed the large covered cage rattling mysteriously on his desk. So you can imagine their surprise when they saw Sunset Shimmer making her way into the classroom to stand before them all. “Good afternoon class, I am Professor Sunset Shimmer.” She announced to the class. “Sunset?” Gallus said quizzically. “You’re the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?” “Not exactly.” Sunset shook her head. “However, much like my friends, I’ve been given the opportunity to be an assistant professor.” “So then who is the new professor?” Smolder asked. This caused Sunset to roll her eyes in annoyance, as if she dreaded the answer to that question. “Oh you’ll see.” She replied non-chalantly. No sooner did she say that did the door to DADA office open and none other than Gilderoy Lockhart stepped out. He paced before his class attending the Defense Against the Dark Arts period. “Let me introduce you to your new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher,” Lockhart began, with a smile. “Me. Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League and five-time winner… of Witch Weekly’s Most Charming Smile Award.” One smile toward the class, and the females of the Student Six sighed heavenly while the guys just rolled their eyes. “But I don’t talk about that,” Lockhart continued. “I didn’t get rid of the Bandon Banshee by smiling at her!” Lockhart laughed at his own joke, waiting for additional laughter. But no one else laughed. The girls in the class seemed starstruck, while the boys seemed confused. Though a few students smiled weakly, it was plain to see they hadn’t the faintest notion to what he was talking about. “I see you’ve all bought a complete set of my books,” Gilderoy smiled. “Well done. Now, I thought we’d start today with… a little quiz. Sunset my dear, if you would please pass them out.” “WHAT?! A QUIZ?!” Silverstream burst into panic. “NOOO!!! I didn’t know we had a quiz today; I didn’t even study for it!” “It’s nothing to worry about, Silver…” Sunset sighed despondently. “It’s just Gilderoy’s way of checking whether you’ve read his books or not.” “… And that makes us feel better, how?” Gallus asked. “Honestly, the books are more about him than anything you’d want to learn,” Sunset frowned, passing the quiz to the students. “Tell that to Hermoine,” Smolder remarked. She pointed toward their fellow Gryffindor, who smiled excitedly as she took a sheet from Gilderoy. “Thank you!” Hermoine smiled. As Lockhart and Sunset circulated the papers, Harry and Ron examined all the questions on the sheet. The boys were completely baffled about all the questions being asked. “Look at all these questions,” Ron whispered harshly. “They’re all about him!” “’What is Gildeory Lockhart’s favorite color?’” Harry read. “’What is Gilderoy Lockhart’s greatest achievement to date?’” Ron followed. “’When is Gilderoy Lockhart’s birthday and what would be his ideal gift be?’” Gallus read. “Who writes this stuff?” “’Who is the most beloved reformed villain of all?’” A random student read. “’Discord or Sunset Shimmer?’” “What?” Sunset looked up. “IT’S ME!!!” Discord cheered, appearing in a flash of light. “100 points to me!” “Discord?! GET-AH!!” A hand clinching her nose stopped Sunset mid-sentence. All at once, Peeves was before her, stretching Sunset’s nose across the classroom. “Got your conk~!” Peeves sang. Eventually, the ghost let go, snapping Sunset’s nose back to her face. “OW!” Sunset winced. “Discord! PEEVES!!!” But before Sunset could ignite her lightsaber, Discord and Peeves had already vanished. With a huff, straightening herself out with a deep breath, Sunset Shimmer returned to the front of the room right beside a bewildered Gilderoy. “Proceed…” Sunset sighed. “Right… you have thirty minutes,” Gilderoy announced. “Start… now!” All quills began to dart across the pages, until… <> Lockhart started rifling through all the completed exams. By the time he was finished, the man was less than impressed. “Tut, tut,” Gilderoy shook his head. “Hardly any of you remembered my favorite color is lilac.” “Gee, I wonder why,” Sunset rolled her eyes, sharing her displeasure with her ‘fellow’ Gryffindors. “BUT… Miss Hermoine Granger knew that my secret ambition was to rid the world of evil,” Gilderoy smiled proudly to the young lady. “And market my own range of hair care potions. Good girl.” Gilderoy winked toward the girl, who beamed with delight. But then, Lockhart’s expression suddenly darkened. “Now… be warned!” Gilderoy began. “It is my job to arm you against the foulest creatures known to wizardkind! You may find yourself facing your own worst fears in this room. Know only that no harm can befall you whilst I am here…” “Famous last words…” Sandbar whispered to Gallus. With a showman’s flair, Lockhart turned slowly to the cage. “I must ask you not to scream. It might provoke them.” While a pale Neville drew back, Harry, Ron, and the Student Six chaps leaned forward. Lockhart permitted the tension to build, then he whipped off the cover. Inside the cage are several electric blue creatures. Eight inches tall, with pointed faces and wings, rattling the bars and pulling bizarre faces at the students. “Cornish pixies?” Seamus remarked. “Freshly caught Cornish pixies,” Lockhart corrected. Unable to contain herself, Smolder snorted with laughter. “You expect us to be scared by little pixies?” Smolder laughed uncontrollably. “I mean come on! Were the breezies unavailable? Ha-ha-ha!” “Laugh if you will, Miss Smolder,” Lockhart replied. “But pixies can be devilishly tricky little blighters. Let’s see what you make of them now!” Lockhart flung open the cage and instantly, the pixies rocketed about, spraying the students with ink bottles, breaking beakers, and shredding books. Two of them seized Neville by the ears, lifting him into the air, and began to circle the ceiling. Disaster ran wild like fire with a majority of the students leaving the classrooms. The pixies zipped all over the place, spreading mischief and mayhem in every direction. While the Student Six struggled against the little monsters, Sunset Shimmer was having the most difficult time pacifying them. “Shoo! Shoo!” Sunset exclaimed. “Go on! Shoo! Get outta here!” “Come on now, round them up, round them up,” Lockhart called out. “They’re only pixies.” “Professor Lockhart!” Sunset called out. “How did you get these pixies to begin with?” “Read my books,” Lockhart replied in panic. “There’s no time for that! Just show us how you did it!” “Uh… of course! A live demonstration,” Lockhart declared, drawing his wand. “Peskipiski Pesternomi!” However, nothing happened. The spell had absolutely no effect. A particularly obnoxious pixie made a face, seized Lockhart’s wand, and tossed it out the window. Soon it flew up and destroyed the chains holding the model of a dragon’s skeleton in place. The model fell from the ceiling and smashed upon the floor. Sunset Shimmer turned toward the professor in disbelief. “What was that spell again?” Sunset asked. “Because I don’t think it works…” “Of course it works!” Gilderoy exclaimed. “I’m just… out of practice.” “What do you mean you’re out of practice?! You said these pixies were freshly caught!” “They were! They are! What I mean is…” But rather than sticking around to help, Lockhart frantically bolted toward his office. “Where are you going?” Sunset asked. “I just… need time to… find some equipment,” Lockhart said. “I’ll ask you to nip the rest of them back in their cage…” “The rest of them!” Sunset frowned. “I have to do everything myself, don’t I?” Sunset reached toward her lightsaber, intending to use the wand she concealed inside. It was then a certain Slytherin decided to stir some trouble. “She’s got a lightsaber!” Malfoy pointed accusingly. “She’s going to kill us!” “What? No! No!” Sunset shook, reassuring the frightened students. “I’m just getting my wand. See? To prove it, Sunset summoned her wand and held it out hoping to perform a snippet of good. “STUPEFY!” Sunset fired her wand to stun a Cornish Pixie, but the little blight dodged, and the bolt accidentally shot Goyle knocking him flat on his bum. “She’s trying to kill us!” Crabbe screamed. “Run for your lives!” “My father will hear about this!” Malfoy threatened the Jedi. “Sorry…” Sunset winced. All around her, the students were in such distress, and it was plain to see that she had made another bad impression. Not to mention, Lucius Malfoy’s boy had just gained another reason to have her fired. Nevertheless, Sunset and the Student Six fired their stun spells toward the pixies. Unfortunately, they were moving too far. “There’s too many of them!” Ocellus grunted. “What do we do now?” Ron asked, as a pixie gnawed his ear. Finally having enough, Hermoine whipped out her wand and raised it to the ceiling. “IMMOBULUS!” Within seconds, all the pixies were frozen in midair. Suddenly, Neville screamed as he fell with a *PLOP* onto Lockhart’s desk, shaken but unhurt. The Student Six raced toward Neville to check on him. “You okay, buddy?” Sandbar asked. “Why is it always me?” Neville groaned. “Neville seem fine to me,” Yona confirmed, noticing everyone’s stare. “What?” <> Crossing a corridor along the seventh floor, fresh from their encounter with the pixies, Hermoine, Ron, Harry, and the Student Six marched about. To say they were in bad shape was speaking politely. Their hair was askew, and their robes were shredded. “Can you believe that guy?” Sandbar groaned. “I’m sure Professor Lockhart just wanted to give us some hands-on experience,” Silverstream spoke optimistically. “Silver, I love you, but it’s clear he didn’t have a clue what he was doing,” Gallus argued. “Rubbish,” Hermoine argued. “Read his books. You’ll see all the amazing things he’s done.” “He says he’s done,” Ocellus reminded. “I’m not suggesting maybe he’s not a good guy, but then why didn’t he take control of the pixies he claimed to have caught himself? Something is off about this man.” But before anyone else could utter another word, the group looked up as the Cutie Mark Crusaders marched ahead. Judging by the disheveled nature of their appearance, they were no better off than their friends. “Rough day?” Smolder asked. “Don’t ask,” Apple Bloom muttered, as they walked past. <> The following period, the Gryffindor Quidditch team – Harry, Smolder, Fred, George, Alicia Spinnet, Katie Bell, and Angelina Johnson – trailed Oliver Wood through the courtyard, toward the distant Quidditch pitch. Sunset Shimmer accompanied the team, catching the eyes of the students before they knelt down to resume their studies. Word was definitely traveling fast about Sunset, but not under the best of circumstances. “I spent the summer devising a whole new Quidditch program,” Oliver Wood explained. “We’re going to train earlier, harder, and longer!” “And as Assistant Professor of the Defense Against the Dark Arts, it’s my job to assure nobody’s brooms get jinxed…” Sunset Shimmer stated. “We don’t want a repeat of last year, right Harry?” “I appreciate it, Professor,” Harry expressed his gratitude. Smolder squinted ahead, and her expression immediately became a scowl. “Uh oh… trouble,” Smolder frowned. “What the…?” Oliver scowled, outraged. “I don’t believe it!” Crossing the courtyard from the other side are seven boys in green robes, also carrying broomsticks. At the lead is Marcus Flint, the trollish Slytherin Captain. Ron, sitting at a table with Hermoine, looked up as Gryffindor stood face-to-face with their most hated opponents. “Where do you think you’re going, Flint?” Oliver asked. “Quidditch practice,” Marcus answered bluntly. “Clear out, Flint!” Smolder demanded. “Wood booked the pitch for Gryffindor today.” “Easy, Scales,” Flint smirked. “I’ve got a note.” Marcus held out a rolled up scroll, which Wood took and opened it to read. The student six were also in the courtyard at the same time when they noticed Ron and Hermoine getting up. They could already tell something bad was going down. “What’s going on, Ron?” Ocellus asked the Weasley boy. “Trouble,” Ron confirmed. As the kids approached the teams, Oliver had just read the full contents of the scroll. It read: “’I, Professor Severus Snape, do hereby give the Slytherin team permission to practice today, owing to the need to train their new Seeker.’” “You’ve got a new Seeker?” Sunset asked. “Who?” Answering the question, Marcus stepped aside, to reveal none other than the pasty-faced boy himself… Draco Malfoy. He stepped forward to the front of the Slytherins, staring toward Gryffindor’s with a smug grin. Following closely behind, like a dog on a leash, was Whisper Dawn. The pony looked embarrassed over the situation she was in. “Draco…” Smolder snarled. “Malfoy…?” Harry muttered. “That’s right,” Malfoy answered. “And that’s not all that’s new this year…” Harry, Sunset Shimmer, their friends, and the remaining Gryffindor Quiddith Team examined the broomsticks Draco and the remaining Slytherins held out as one. All eyes stared with shock. “Those are Nimbus 2001s!” Ron exclaimed. “How did you get those?” “T-They’re a generous gift from Draco’s father, Master Lucius…” Whisper admitted softly. “Did I tell you to speak?!” Draco asked venomously. “… No…” “Then don’t!” The way Malfoy snapped at her, as if about to strike the mare, made her flinch as she edged backward. While the other Slytherins snickered, Draco turned smugly towards Ron. “You see Weasley, unlike some, my father can afford to buy the best.” “That’s pretty big talk… mouthful,” Gallus remarked. It was then Marcus Flint finally acknowledged the remaining Student Six. “Come to admire our new gifts, freaks?” “This coming from Captain Buckteeth and his traveling circus?” Gallus scoffed, making Flint scowl. “How’s about putting your daddy’s money where your mouth is?” Silverstream challenged. “You want to say that again?” Malfoy threatened. “I’m sure my father would love to hear it.” “Hey, hey! Easy!” Sunset cut in between. “Save the trash talking for Quidditch! We’re all here to practice; we can share the field and be civilized.” “Big talk for a washed-up Sith,” Draco sneered. “Mind your manners, kid!” Sunset warned. “I’m still an adult here!” “Whatever, Seraphina. Least I’ll be the one beating Potter when I catch the Snitch.” Sunset Shimmer grit her teeth, her fists clenched while trying to resist the urge to pummel the little brat in front of everyone. But she knew the boy was testing her patience. No doubt some ploy to grant his father the right to have her fired from Hogwarts… if not arrested, whichever came first. “At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to buytheir way in,” Hermione spoke up. “They got in on pure talent.” “Yeah!” The Student Six agreed. “Exactly!” Sunset smiled proudly. “10 points for standing up for your friends.” Draco glared at Hermione in annoyance, as he took several steps but stopped just at an arm’s length before her. “No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood!” Draco spat. Whisper was first to release a startled gasp, her eyes growing wide, and everyone else reacted as though Malfoy uttered something horrific – everyone save Harry, who looked puzzled. Instantly, Fred and George flew for the throat, but Oliver Wood held them back. As for Whisper, she’d heard the word before and couldn’t believe even Draco would say such a thing. Of course, she always knew he was cold-hearted, but never imagined it be that bad. “Oh no, you didn’t!” Silverstream squawked in outrage. “That was uncalled for, Malfoy!” Sunset exclaimed. “Apologize to Hermoine now!” “Why should I?” Draco stubbornly asked. “What you said to Hermoine was uncivilized! Apologize to her now!” “Never!” Draco huffed. “What would a Sith like you know about being civil? Father told me better than to listen to a barbarian like you.” “Blonde boy not man enough without papa!” Yona spat. “You’ll pay for that one, Malfoy!” Ron warned, whipping out his wand. “Eat slugs!” Ron pointed his cracked wand at Malfoy, attempting to fire a spell. *PFFT* A bolt of green light scissored out the wrong end, hitting Ron himself in the stomach. As he dropped onto the grass, Harry and friends immediately rushed to his side. Meanwhile, the Slytherins laughed at Ron’s expense. “You okay, Ron?” Hermione asked. “Say something!” Ron opened his mouth… and belched. Hermione drew back, and watched a trio of slugs dribble out of his mouth. The Slytherins crow with laughter at this revolting display. Angrily, Ron rose, only to belch again. “Ugh!” Smolder cringed, disgusted. “YUCK!” The Gryffindors groaned. “Nasty!” Sandbar stuck out his tongue. At that moment, Gryffindor first-year, Colin Creevey, raced up with his camera. “Wow! Can you hold him still, Harry?!” Colin asked excitedly. “Get out of the way, Colin!” Harry replied, helping Ron up. “Professor, can you make it stop?” “Let’s see,” Sunset examined, dodging a slug. “Okay, this is really gross. I’ve studied counters for jinxes, hexes, and curses but nothing on slugs…” “Let’s take him to Hagrid,” Ocellus suggested. “He’ll know what to do.” “Right!” Sunset nodded, facing the teams. “Proceed with what you’ve planned for today! I’m taking Ron and friends to see Hagrid. But no foul play… I mean it, Slytherin!” As Sunset took her leave with Harry and friends, Smolder stood her ground as she addressed the chuckling Flint and Malfoy. “What do you want now, freak?” Flint asked mockingly. Smolder, however, simply blew a whistle with her two fingers. Answering the call, an even bigger dragon swopped from the sky and landed in the courtyard. The beast released a bloodcurdling roar that scared the Slytherins out of their uniforms and sent them running. “Good girl, Norberta,” Smolder scratched her adopted daughter. As they turned to leave, a set of eyes stared at the display from the safety of the courtyard corner. Whisper Dawn, having seen the Slytherins get their comeuppance, giggled to herself quietly before she slipped away unnoticed. <> Later, at Hagrid’s hut, Hagrid rummaged about, looking for something to aid Ron, as his friends looked on beside him. “Got jus’ the thing,” Hagrid muttered. “Set ‘im down on that chair o’er there. This calls for a specialist’s equipment.” As Ron sat down, Hagrid pitched a bucket between his knees. Harry, Hermoine, and the Equestrians glanced up questioningly. “Nothing to do but wait till it stops, I’m afraid,” Hagrid shrugged. “Better out than in.” “That’s what Shrek always says!” Silverstream chirped. “Who?” “He’s an ogre!” Silverstream explained. “A bit grumpy, but a friendly ogre.” “I see,” Hagrid nodded in acknowledgment. “Who was Ron tryin’ ter curse, anyway?” “Malfoy,” Harry answered. “He called Professor Sunset and Hermione, well, I don’t know exactly what it means…” Harry’s words faltered seeing the state of the two hurt girls. It’s not as though he couldn’t say the words, he was just unsure if saying it aloud would only add to the pain. Hermione looked down at the floor before Sunset beckoned her to look up. “Go ahead, Hermione,” Sunset encouraged. Clearly seeing that Sunset prioritized her conflict before her own, Hermione got up with her arms folded as she walked away from her friends. “He called me a Mudblood,” Hermione answered quietly. “He didn’!” Hagrid exclaimed, shocked. “It’s true,” Sunset nodded. “He said it loud and clear,” Gallus spoke, offended. “Yona want to smash Mouthful for such talk!” Yona added. “Teacher Sunset tried to get boy to apologize, but he didn’t! He call Sunset a Sith!” “What’s a Sith?” Harry asked. “And what’s a Mudblood?” Hermione spun around and glanced at him, seeing the boy so confused. Then she turned away, obviously pained by this. “It means ‘dirty blood’,” Hermione explained. “Mudblood’s a really foul name for someone who was Muggle-born. Someone with non-magic parents. Someone… like me. It’s not a term one usually hears in civilized conversation.” “Yeh see, the thing is, Harry,” Hagrid lectured. “There are some wizards – like Malfoy’s family – who think they’re better than everyone else ‘cause they’re what people call ‘pureblood’.” “That’s horrible!” Harry gasped. “It’s disgusting!” Ron belched forth a slug. “And… what about you professor?” Harry asked Sunset. “Why does Malfoy call you a Sith?” “Because… I was one…” Sunset Shimmer frowned sadly. “Long-story short, a Sith is the exact opposite of a Jedi… like Storm Shield. A Sith is… in a way… like Voldemort.” “What?” Harry gasped. “But… how? Why?” Sunset Shimmer fell silent and turned to the side. It was plain to see she’s clearly uncomfortable discussing her past… especially this one. “We shouldn’t pry too much from her, Harry,” Sandbar advised. “Least not right now.” “I’m just glad dad wasn’t there to see me… like that…” Sunset sighed. “Be that as it may,” Hagrid began. “It’s codswallop ter boot. Dirty blood… Sith… there’s ‘ardly a wizard today that’s not half-blood or less. If we ‘and’t married Muggles we’d hav’ died out long ago. Besides, they haven’t invented a spell our Hermione can’t do…” Hagrid took Hermione’s shoulder, his comforting words worked its magic as a small smile spread across her face. “Come here…” Hagrid held a gentle hand out, beckoning for her to talk to him, gently stroking her hand in comfort. “Don’ you think on it, Hermione,” Hagrid encouraged Hermione and Sunset. “Don’ you think on it fer a minute.” Despite the tears in her eyes, Hermione smiled as she and Sunset nodded over the gentle giant’s words. “Hey Hagrid!” The doors suddenly swung open as a family siren stepped inside, carrying a basket in her hand. “I brought you lunch!” She chirped. “Thank ya, Sonata!” Hagrid smiled. “Sonata?!” Sunset and the Student Six exclaimed, surprised. “Hiya guys!” Sonata waved. “Didn’t expect to see you here. Mr. Hagrid, warn me next time! I would’ve made more tacos if I knew we’d be having guests over!” “They’re just ‘ere because of an emergency,” Hagrid replied gently. “One of their friend’s are a bit under the weather, see.” Ron puked up another slug, which made Sonata cringe in disgust. “I see what you mean,” Sonata gulped. “Hold on!” Harry spoke up. “Guys, do you know this girl?” “You can say that…” Gallus replied. “Hi, Sonata!” Silverstream happily greeted. “What are ya doing here? I thought you were working at Twilight’s castle as head chef!” “I am… I mean, I was,” Sonata replied. “But when the new year at Hogwarts started, I thought I could help out at the school. Soon as Twilight put in a good word for me with Professor Dumbledore, he put me straight to work with Hagrid!” “Sonata’s been a big help tendin’ the grounds,” Hagrid smiled. “Talented wee lass, she is. A seriously misunderstood creature, for a young siren her age. Truth is: She’s got the optimism and a beauty to match.” “Aw, shucks!” Sonata blushed. “A siren?” Harry asked. “Yeah, seriously misunderstood creatures,” Gallus began in sarcasm. “Until you meet her sisters.” “More like disowned sisters,” Sandbar reminded. “What happened?” Harry asked. “We’ll tell you later,” Silverstream assured. It was then that Sunset Shimmer herself made herself known to the siren, and former Inquisitor – the Fifth Sister. “I’ll be darn,” Sunset spoke up. “Sonata Dusk.” “Oh! Hi Sunset!” Sonata greeted awkwardly. “F-F-Fancy seeing you here.” “Yeah… long time no see, ahem…” “U-U-Uh… listen. I’ve been wanting to say how sorry I was for the way my sis… my disowned sisters and I treated you when we worked f-for the Empire. Truth is… I didn’t really like it. I didn’t want to do… those horrible things we did to you. But I… couldn’t say anything or else they’d get upset. But I was… wrong… and a fool. You have every right to… have your revenge on me.” Sans the Student Six and Hagrid, Harry, Ron, and Hermione faced Sonata with piqued interest. What could someone like Sonata have done to someone like Sunset Shimmer? All eyes turned to the girl in question, waiting to hear her response. Sunset Shimmer merely looked at the reformed siren silently for a moment. She took her apology with deep consideration, and yet the Jedi Sorceress found it hard to believe that one of her former enemies would stand before her. An enemy who played a part in both her kidnap and torture for years. But nevertheless, she witnessed her sisters abandoning Sonata, in Arkham Asylum, through Discord’s Theater in the Galaxy. “I’m done with revenge, Sonata,” Sunset shook her head, smiling. “I forgive you. And… to be fair, I know what it’s like to be a fool from… personal experience.” Sonata smiled with relief, having finally gotten the guilt off her conscience. “Well then… who else is hungry?” Sonata smiled, presenting the food. “I’ve brought tacos and bread and apples and some treats straight from Hogsmeade! Even Fang’s favorite doggy treats!” “Ah, thank ya, Sonata!” Hagrid smiled, offering a jelly slug. “Jelly slug anyone? To which Ron immediately puked another slug and shook his head. “Pass…” Ron groaned.