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Sweetie Belle and the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
02
Emerging from the portal, Sweetie Belle bumped into Twilight's backside. Her head was still spinning, and she sat down on her rump.
“Oh no...” Twilight Sparkle's voice sounded worried. “Why didn't we change?”
Rarity, who was right next to Twilight shook her head and looked around the dingy, dirty alleyway. “Dear me... what a dreadful place this is.” She looked back and smiled nervously at her little sister, and noted she was still a Unicorn Pony. “Twilight dear? I thought that mirror would 'transform' us into humans.”
“So did I...” Twilight looked like she was almost ready to have a panic attack. “Did the spell we cast to unlock the Crystal Mirror break that part of the magic? “
Sweetie Belle's head finally cleared up and she stood up. “What are we going to do? You said there were no ponies in this world when you were last here.”
“No worries...” Twilight looked thoughtful for a moment. “Ah, Rarity, do you have any jewelry with any gems? Preferably something that would look good on Sweetie Belle.”
“Goodness, no. I actually didn't bring anything.” Rarity frowned.
Sweetie Belle beamed. “I have this pendant you gave me for my eleventh birthday.” She pulled out the little box from her saddle bag and held it out.
Twilight took it and opened it. Inside was a pretty platinum heart shaped musical note, set with a soft green gem that matched Sweetie Belle's eyes. “Oh my, this is very pretty. It's perfect too.”
“Whatever are you going to do Darling?” Rarity was curious.
“I'm going to enchant this to give anypony who wears it a human form.” The young Alicorn Princess then channeled her magic into the piece of jewelry. It took her over ten minutes, carefully weaving the spell matrix. Finally, she relaxed and returned the pendant back to the box and sat down.
During this time, Rarity had created an illusion of an empty alleyway, so those strange bipedal human creatures wouldn't see them. Maintaining the spell that whole time had nearly tapped her magic reserves out.
Twilight took over the illusion when she was finished enchanting the pendant. “Go ahead Sweetie Belle, put it on.”
The young Unicorn nodded and levitated it over her head and rested the fine chain about her neck. It flickered momentarily, and then the filly suddenly transformed, a smooth shifting in her shape, becoming longer. Clothing appeared on her body, a cute white dress with pink and magenta bows and ribbons.
She stood up and wobbled a little, but quickly got the hang of standing upright.
Rarity stared up in awe at her now taller little sister. “Goodness me. Sweetie Belle. I may not truly know what is good looking for a human, but I think you are positively adorable. Strange looking, but adorable.”
Twilight summoned a full length mirror for Sweetie Belle to see herself in.
“I... Wow. I'm a human now?”
“No.” Twilight stated. “You are still a pony. The magic of the pendant just gives you this form. Of course, you will have to find another way to use your magic, but I'm certain you will learn that at Hogwarts.”
Sweetie nodded as she admired herself in the mirror. “I hope so. I don't know if I'll ever get used to looking like this though.” She sighed.
Rarity nuzzled Sweetie Belle and got a scratch behind the ear in return, which almost caused her to melt. “Ooh my...”
Twilight giggled lightly. “I guess we can't see you off at the train station like this.”
Sweetie Belle frowned a little. “I guess not.” She adjusted the straps in her backpack. I should get to the... um...” She looked at the directions on the note. “The Leaky Cauldron, then to Diagon Alley to get my school supplies.”
Rarity pulled out a pouch from her mane and handed it to her humanized little sister. “These should be more than sufficient to get you what you need.”
Sweetie Belle looked into the pouch at the gems. “Assuming they accept these. If not, I've saved up enough bits.”
Her sister and favorite Princess both nodded in agreement. “Good luck Sweetie Belle.”
With that, the young 'human' slipped out of the alley and looked around, spotting the place she needed to go. The Leaky Cauldron. Looking back into the ally, she could see the pair of ponies, barely, through the illusion they were hiding behind. With a smile and a wave, she headed off to face her destiny.
…
The Leaky Cauldron.
Sweetie Belle entered and looked around nervously. The place was full of humans, all of them looking a little off from the ones she'd seen walking around in the street.
Slowly walking in, she was approached by an elderly man. “Welcome Missy. How can I help you?”
Sweetie stepped back a little at his rather creepy appearance, but felt he was trying to be friendly. “Um... school supplies?”
“Ah, a first year? Welcome to the Leaky Cauldron. You'll be wanting to go to Diagon Alley then, yes?” He turned and lead her out through the back into a small cobblestone 'yard', open to the sky, but enclosed on all sides by old brick walls.
He produced a wand from within his old jacket and tapped a series of bricks on the wall opposing the door to the Leaky Cauldron.
Sweetie Belle was no stranger to magic, but she had never seen a wall start opening on itself as the bricks rearranged themselves into an open archway.
“That was really neat.” The disguised filly smiled. “Thank you.”
“No trouble. Go on and get all your schooling needs. If you need to withdraw money, there's Gringotts, and if you need to exchange valuable materials, you can go to Shifty McRothers Pawn Shoppe.” He turned to leave, but then turned back. “Oh yes, and I strongly suggest you stay out of Knockturn Alley. Nasty sort of place that is.”
“Thank you Sir.” Sweetie Belle smiled and headed off to purchase her school supplies.
…
The alley was crowded with all sorts of humans, and even some smaller, ugly creatures with large, expressive eyes and large pointed years who wore only ragged clothing. They seemed to follow only certain humans around, carrying anything and everything for said humans.
Sweetie Belle pulled out her shopping list and looked it over. “This shopping list includes all of the books and equipment you’ll need for the first year of Hogwarts. Required: The Standard book of spells by Miranda Goshawk. A History of Magic by...” She stopped reading out loud as she read before looking around. To her left, she spotted Potage's Cauldron Shop. “Oh, I need a cauldron.”
Entering the storefront, there were a few other humans who looked to be about her age. They were all wearing black robes, and a few even had wide brimmed, pointy hats. All around her were all sorts of cauldrons.
It took her only a short time to locate the required 'Size 2 Pewter Cauldron' on the list. She picked the surprisingly heavy thing up and proceeded to the counter.
“Good morning. First year student? I'm Virgil Potage, owner and proprietor of Potage's Cauldron Shop. Now, that'll be 15 galleons.”
“Oh, I forgot to get money.” She blushed. “Um, I'll be back after I go exchange some gems.”
Potage's eyes widened just a little. “Oh come now, let me see what you have there. Maybe I can cut you a deal.”
Sweetie Belle nodded and reached into the pouch and pulled out a clear diamond the size of a golf-ball.
Potage's eye's nearly fell out of their sockets for a moment upon seeing the large gem. He had learned long ago not to try to cheat a wizard, even a first year. They tended to have friends or parents who were much better wizards than he was. “I think you should go to Gringotts and get that exchanged. I doubt Shifty McRother's would give you even half of what that's really worth.”
“Oh... um, thank you Mr. Potage. I'll go do that right now.” Sweetie placed the gem away, feeling a little concerned now that she might be carrying more money than she had initially thought.
She waved to Virgil and headed back outside. It was a slow walk to the bank, as she was literally rubbernecking at all the people, strange creatures, and especially at all the shop windows and their displays.
Even in Canterlot she had never seen anything even close to this place. The buildings were built at odd angles, almost like Discord had been through here at one time or another.
And the bank, when she finally reached it, it was just as odd as the rest of the buildings.
Entering, she was greeted by more small creatures with pointy ears. These ones though were stalky, not skinny, and has smaller, sharp eyes and teeth to match. She gulped down her nervousness and approached one of the 'tellers'.
“Excuse me. Where can I make a gem to galleon exchange?” She asked.
The creature looked down and adjusted his wire frame glasses. “I can handle normal exchanges here. What have you got?”
Sweetie Belle, not knowing if she should reveal all she had, placed the one gem she had shown Potage on the counter.
The goblin's eyes narrowed a little as he plucked the gem up and examined it with a small lens device. “Flawless diamond.” He sniffed it. “Not created by magic, but seems to have an innate magical weave in it. Where did you get this?”
“My sister gave them to me.”
“Them? You have more?”
Sweetie Belle cringed. She had not been intending to reveal that fact. “Uh... yes?”
The Goblin handed the gem back to Sweetie Belle. “Come with me. This is not the place to discuss an exchange.” He led her into an office and sat behind a nice hardwood desk. Sweetie Belle sat in a very comfortable chair.
“Let us see what you have.” He pushed a small tray over to her.
The young girl nodded and poured a dozen such sized gems of varied colors.
To say the Goblin was stunned would be quite accurate. He shook his head and took on his 'professional' look again. He carefully appraised them, making notes of their size, weight, composition and color. He wrote everything down on a piece of parchment and slid it over to her.
One large cut diamond of perfect shine and clarity, 8,000 galleons.
Two large cut clearest bright green emeralds, 5,000 galleons each
Four large polished smooth blue sapphires, 1,000 galleons each
One large polished smooth black star sapphire, 1,000 galleons
Four large cut golden yellow topaz, 500 galleons each.
Total exchange value: 25,000 galleons minus 10% exchange fee of 2,500.
Sweetie Belle wasn't exactly sure as to the value of a galleon, but she decided to think that if 1 galleon was equal to one bit, then she was now rich. “Um... so after your exchange fee, I get 22,500 galleons? I don't think I can carry that much.” She'd already seen the size of the gold coins. They were about the same as an Equestrian bit after all.
“If the little lady so desires, she can set up an account here at Gringotts to save her money and other valuables in a vault.”
Sweetie Belle nodded. “Um, alright. I guess I can do that.”
“Then we have some forms for you to fill out.” He pulled a small stack of papers from his desk and set them in front of her.
Sweetie Belle felt like she'd just been given a whole lot of homework...
…
The Goblin looked over the filled out papers, noting the beautiful flowing script... and the really strange home address. “Ponyville, Equestria?” He looked at her. “You do not look to be of the Equine race that is dominant there.”
This surprised Sweetie Belle, a lot. “You know about Equestria?”
“Stories, legends, tales from the few wizards and witches who have been there.” He shrugged. “Are you one of these travelers who decided to stay there? Or perhaps you are using a magic to disguise yourself?” He eyed her pendant suspiciously.
Sweetie Belle gulped nervously.
“Bah, whatever. There are no laws against such things.” He finally said and stamped the papers. He handed her a key with the number 1,432 stamped on it. “You have been assigned vault number 1,432. The exchange will be performed and your galleons shall be transferred into your vault shortly.”
“Oh, thank you very much.” Sweetie Belle bowed, feeling relieved that she wasn't going to be getting in a lot of trouble.
After leaving the office, she went to the main teller, a rather scary looking goblin glaring down at her. “State your business.”
“I'd like to take some money out please.”
“And would you have your key?”
Sweetie Belle pulled the key out and held it out. The Goblin took it and looked at it. “Very well.” He ringed a small bell and another goblin appeared. “This young lady would like to make a withdrawal. Vault 1,432.”
“This way miss.” The smaller goblin led her into the back, where they boarded a cart and went for a rather fast, frightening ride, though it was also quite fun. They stopped at the vault in question.
“Key.” He held out his tiny, clawed hand. Sweetie Belle placed her key into his palm, and he went and unlocked the vault.
It opened up and Sweetie was treated to the sight of stacks of golden coins. Piles of them even.
“Oh... my...” She stared in awe for a few moments, then looked over her school supply list. She wanted to make certain she had enough, as well as some extra spending money, just in case.
…
Free of the strange bank, she made her way back to Potage's Cauldron Shop and purchased the cauldron he was holding for her. She thanked him and headed out to get the rest of her supplies.
The Uniform was fairly easy, though Rarity would most likely freak out at the style and colors of it. Black made Sweetie Belle look even more pale than she already was.
Then she got the crystal vials, because they were prettier than the glass ones. Next, she got her stationary and all the books on the list. After that, the telescope and brass scales. Finally after making some stops at other stores on the way, she found herself before Ollivander's Wands.
She entered and looked around at the dusty interior, at the shelves lined with little boxes, all of which were most likely filled with wands.
A very old man stepped into view, looking dusty and with a tired looking face, but the sparkle in his eyes showed he was much more alive than one would expect. “Ah, here for your first wand I'd wager?”
“Oh, yes please. I don't know much about wands though.”
Ollivander chuckled. “A wizard or witch does not choose the wand, but rather, the wand chooses the wizard or witch. Let's try out a few and see which one suits you best.”
Sweetie Belle nodded and waited till he brought out the first wand. “Oak, eleven inches long, with a dragon whisker core. Go on, give it a wave.”
She accepted it and waved it at a 'target' painted on the far wall. The wall burst into flames, but was quickly put out.
“Nope.” Ollivander chuckled. “Worry not dear. Not all wands will be like that.” He took back that wand and fetched another. “Now, this one is made from the core of an old willow, thirteen inches, with a core of crystal.”
Sweetie accepted this and gave it a wave. Again the result was undesirable.
And so it went for another eight wands before he stopped and wondered. “Hmm, I wonder.” He went further into the back of the shop and pulled out a box that was thick with dust. He came back and opened the box.
“Dragon horn ivory, twelve inches, with a core of unicorn horn.”
Sweetie Belle cringed at this. “U-Unicorn horn?”
“Yes. When a Unicorn grows, their horns also grow, so they rub them against stone to file them down. This wand is made with the splinters and shards of that filing.”
Sweetie relaxed. “Oh, okay.” She accepted the wand, and it felt good in her hands. She waved at the target and released a soft pulse of pale green light that perfectly matched her eyes.
Ollivander smiled. “I thought as much. You're Equestrian, aren't you?”
Sweetie Belle nodded, knowing she couldn't lie to this nice man.
“I thought so. You see, the shards in that wand were actually given by, oh what was the name? Moon? Luna? Well, regardless, they were given freely by a winged Unicorn and...”
“Princess Luna?” Sweetie Belle gasped. “This wand has some of Princess Luna's horn?” Her eyes went wide as she stared at the smooth, polished white wand.
“Oh? You know of her? That was over a thousand years ago that she donated to help make this wand.”
“No, I don't just know of her. I know her. She's visited my hometown a few times and she's really nice even if we were scared of her at first.”
Ollivander's eyes went wide. “She still lives? How can this be? Unicorns are not immortal.”
“She's not a Unicorn. She's an Alicorn, and she's the Princess who raises and lowers the moon every night.” Sweetie Belle couldn't believe this. The wand in her hand was linked to Princess Luna? “I'd like this wand please.”
“Well, it is not my place to say no. The wand has obviously chosen you. The light it shines with is not just magic, but I can feel it. I can feel the love. That wand loves you young lady, no word of a lie.”
Sweetie smiled and hugged the wand to her chest. “I... I love this wand too. It's the most amazing thing I've ever had in my life.”
“Then it's settled. All wands cost seven galleons. This is a store after all.”
Sweetie smiled and payed Ollivander ten galleons. “Consider the extra as a thank you.”
Ollivander smiled and accepted the extra coins. “Thank you dear. Now, go on. It's getting late so you should get your room at the Leaky Cauldron. The train leaves tomorrow morning.”
She smiled brightly and waved as she left. Ollivander felt his heart lighten at that smile. “That little filly is going to learn so much at Hogwarts. Who knows, she might become the greatest witch in a great many of years.”
…
Sleep had come easy for Sweetie Belle that night. Sure, the room was dark and a little smelly, but the bed was soft and comfortable.
Come morning, she dressed in her robes and headed downstairs, where she was a few other of the students at various tables, eating breakfast.
“Good morning Missy.” The innkeeper came over. “Care for a bite of breakfast?”
“Yes please.” Sweetie Belle smiled and took a seat at an empty table.
“I'll be right back then.” He left and returned a few minutes later with a large plate and a bowl of food. She recognized the fried eggs, fried hash browns, and the oatmeal with butter and cream in the bowl, but the rest, she's never seen or smelled before. It smelled... off. Wrong somehow.
“Uh, what is this and this?”
“Bacon and sausages.” He replied. “A good meaty part of breakfast.”
Sweetie Belle leaned back away from the plate. “I... I don't eat meat. I can't eat meat. Eggs are fine, but not that and that.” She pointed at the bacon and sausages. Oddly, though she knew what meat was, she was somehow not horribly bothered as much as she thought she might be. It had to be the fact that she was a human at the moment and not a pony.
He looked shocked. “Oh... I am so, so sorry. I'll go get you something else.” He took the food and left, returning again with a fresh plate with the eggs, hash browns, pancakes with butter and syrup, the bowl of oatmeal, and a few thick slices of buttered toast.
This time, Sweetie Belle had no problems with breakfast and ate. Somehow, she ate every bit of it, and without making any sort of mess at all. She'd never felt so full in her life.
Then it came time to head out to the train station. King's Cross station. She got a ride with a few of the other students on a bus that wove through the city, taking turns and even going places that should have been impossible.
Still, they all arrived at their destination.
Most of the students got off the bus with no trouble, a few staggering, and Sweetie Belle emerging a little wobbly herself. “Wow, that was like that time we rode the wagon down that hill through the forest...” She giggled to herself, then followed the other students into the very impressive train station.
In Equestria, she had been impressed with the train... But seeing the many trains lined up here was simply stunning. She'd never seen anything like it before. “So... so many trains...” She then noted something.
Platform nine... and platform ten.
She checked her ticket. “Platform nine and three quarters?” She looked around, and had to take a double take when she watched one of the other students literally walk through one of the support pillars. There was no door or anything like that. No visible portal. He had just walked into what looked like solid brick, and nobody else seemed to even notice.
She followed and tried herself, to walk through the wall.
And walk through it she did.
She emerged onto a new train platform, this time looking at a beautiful steam engine.
All around here there were students with their families. She wished Rarity could have been here with her, but she understood that it was not possible.
She boarded the train and found an available room that had not been taken just yet. She set her backpack beside her and sighed. “So far, so good.” She looked out the window and watched the people passing and going about their business. “Well, I'm finally heading off to Hogwarts. I'm both excited and scared...”
To Be Continued...