Sweetie Belle and the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

by AnnonyMouse


Chapter Five

Disclaimer: My Little Pony Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro. Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling. This is a free fiction, not to be sold or traded for any money, services or goods.

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Sweetie Belle and the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
05

The first day finally came to an end and Sweetie Belle finally was shown to, and how to enter, the Griffindor Dormitory.
The main room was richly furnished, and looked extremely comfortable, with huge soft chairs and a massive fireplace with a warm fire burning away within.
Sweetie Belle's fellow House Griffindor classmates all stopped what they were doing when the tiny Unicorn entered. They were careful not to step on her and were warm and friendly, greeting her as she came in.
“Welcome to the Griffindor Dorm.” A tall girl greeted her. “I'm Mary Perkins, sixth year, and one of the Prefects. Let me give you a tour.”
“Thank you.” Sweetie Belle smiled, looking way up at the human who towered over her.
“This is the commons room, where you can relax and hang out, study and do any homework you might have. The stairs on the left lead to the boys dorm, and is out of bounds to us girls. The stairs to the right lead to our dorm rooms. I'll show you to your bunk.” Mary started up the stairs without trouble.
Sweetie Belle hopped up the stairs, one at a time, but by the time she reached the third one, Mary had already vanished around the bend. “Um, Mary?” Sweetie Belle called up. “Please wait up.”
Her request was answered by another girl picking her up and holding her gently in her arms.
“Sorry about that. Mary tends to move about really quickly and tends not to wait for others. I'm Janna Brewers.” The plump, somewhat short blond girl carried her smaller Housemate up the stairs. As they entered the third floor room, they found Mary waiting patiently. “Finally caught up did you?”
“I-I'm sorry.” Sweetie Belle hung her head. “The stairs are rather steep.”
Mary paused and frowned. “This won't do...” She looked at the only available bed, which happened to be a top bunk. “This is not only the third floor, but a top bunk position is asking far too much for your little form. I'll ask about a change of arrangements for you.”
“Oh thank you so much.” Sweetie Belle smiled so cutely that Mary blushed at the sheer cuteness she was being assaulted with.
“We're all House Griffindor, and we look out for one another here.” Janna tapped her chin. “Oh, I know. How about if we clean out that little storage room just off the commons room and make that into a room for you. I'm sure our Headmaster wouldn't complain.”
Sweetie Belle beamed. “Really? So I don't have to climb those stairs? I'd be so tired by the time I even reach the second floor, I wouldn't even be able to climb the ladder up into the bunk.”
Mary chuckled. “Like you'd ever have to climb them. I bet someone would always be willing to carry you up and put you on the bunk.”
“But I have to be able to do things on my own, even if we are here to help each other.” Sweetie Belle countered. “And what happens if I'm here alone?”
Jana shrugged. “I doubt anyone would say anything if you curled up in one of the arm chairs.”
“Sleeping on the commons room isn't allowed.” Mary pointed out. “So let's go with the store room idea. Headmistress McGonagall wouldn't complain I'm sure. The broom closet can hold everything in that room easily.” She carefully picked Sweetie Belle out of Janna's arms and set her up on the bunk, then looked thoughtful. “Tell you what, I'll reassign your bunkmate to the top bed for tonight. You don't have a problem with that, do you Janna?”
Janna frowned. “I don't much care for heights, but I guess I can manage for one night.”
Sweetie Belle shook her head and hopped out of Mary's arms. “I can climb ladders.” She then surprised both girls by doing just that, climbing back up onto the bunk, though with quite some effort. “See? It's just the stairs are so steep.”
Mary nodded. “And can you get down on your own?”
Sweetie Belle looked down the ladder and carefully climbed down all on her own. “I can do it, see?”
Again Mary nodded. “Good to see that. But don't hesitate to ask for a hand anytime.”
Sweetie Belle nodded in return. “Alright Mary. And thank you to Janna.”
“You're welcome Sweetie. Now, what say we head down to the dining hall and get something to eat.” Janna suggested as she scooped the small pony into her arms. “After all those classes, I'm really hungry.”
Sweetie Belle nodded and was carried all the way back to the grand hall. “Um, may you put me down please? Being carried all the time is a little awkward.” She blushed a little, and as much as she was enjoying the attention, she knew she had to learn to be able to do things on her own.
Janna and Mary both stopped and looked at each other and grinned sheepishly.
“I'm sorry Sweetie. It's just that you are tiny and cute. I couldn't help it. Also, I've seen that Ravenclaw girl carrying you around too.”
“Zwei Gemini.” Mary said. “And if I am not mistaken, she and her twin brother Deuce are the first friends you made when you came here.”
Sweetie Belle nodded. “Yes, and other than a little misunderstanding, they're good friends.”
Janna set Sweetie down. “Good friends are important, and so is good food.”
Mary giggled at that. “Janna, aren't your parents cooks or something?”
Janna blushed a little. “Mom runs a bakery and Dad runs the butchers. My big brother runs the deli that's located right between the two of them. They're all muggles, but have all known about the wizarding community for a very long time.”
“Muggle?” Sweetie Belle looked up at the two humans.
“Non magic using folk.” Mary answered. “I grew up with a lot of great muggle friends, though none of them ever knew my family and I are witches and wizards.”
“Oh.” Sweetie Belle blinked. “All ponies in Equestria have magic. We Unicorns are the most obvious about it. The Pegasai have innate magic that lets them walk on the clouds, as well as to control the weather. The Earth Ponies have a more passive magic. They can do all sorts of things with plants and rocks that no Pegasai or even Unicorn can easily do.”
The trio entered and took their seats. Moments later, covered trays appeared and were uncovered.
Sweetie Belle was treated to a lovely cheesecake. Mary smiled as she started on her garden salad, and Janna dove into her thick, dark stew which smelled of meat and potatoes.
Mary looked at the Unicorn's meal and frowned. “That can't be healthy for an equine. Shouldn't you be eating grass or hay or oats or something?”
Sweetie Belle stopped before scooping another forkful into her mouth. “What? No! Baked goods ARE an important part of pony diet. Think of it like this. Baked goods are the meat of pony diet.”
Mary and Janna looked at each other for a moment.
“I guess that makes sense. Magical talking ponies would be different from the normal ponies we have here.” Mary explained.
“You have ponies here?” Sweetie's eyes lit up. “I'd love to meet them.”
Again, the pair of girls looked at each other, giving each other expressions that Sweetie couldn't quite read.
“Fine.” Mary sighed. “Sweetie Belle, listen. In our world, our ponies and horses are not magical. They can't talk and are, well...”
“Just normal animals like the ones Fluttershy takes care of?” Sweetie Belle frowned, then smiled. “Well, we have something kinda like humans in Equestria. We call them monkeys.”
“Oh you did not just compare us to monkeys.” A boy stormed over from the Slytherin table. “How would you like it if I called you a donkey?”
“Well, Donkeys are a lot like the Earth Ponies.” Sweetie Belle smiled, missing the annoyed look on the boy's face. “Only they have a different sort of magic.”
“Bah, stupid mule. How can they allow an animal to attend Hogwarts?” He turned to storm off.
Sweetie Belle frowned a little. “Well, yes. Ponies are animals, and I thought humans were animals too. Why wouldn't they allow animals here?”
Janna nearly burst out laughing, while Mary hid her giggle.
The boy on the other hand spun around and pointed his wand at Sweetie Belle. “You DARE compare a human to a simple, brainless farm animal like yourself?”
“Hey, Apple Bloom is not brainless, and she and her family grow the best apples in all of Equestria.”
The Slytherin boy was joined by four more. Three boys and one girl. “Really? I've heard rumors that you were let in here only out of pity.” He snickered, and was joined by his companions.
“Not at all.” A new voice spoke, and all turned to see the Headmistress standing there. “Sweetie Belle was accepted into Hogwarts because she is an exchange student from her homeland of Equestria.”
“Exchange student?” Mary asked. “If we got Sweetie Belle, who was sent there?”
“Oh, nobody, seeing that humans, even if they are witches and wizards, cannot exist there for long without actually becoming a pony.” Mcgonagall replied in a frank tone. “Perhaps we might still see about the exchange anyways. I'm sure you might enjoy the opportunity, wouldn't you Phineas Malphoy?”
“Wh-wh-what? No. No way would I wanna become some dumb animal.”
Janna snorted. “I don't think it would make a difference in your case.”
“Janna Brewer, mind your words.” Mcgonagall warned.
“Y-yes Headmistress.” And she hung her head, but kept glaring at the five Slytherin.
“Very good. Now, you five return to your seats or be off to your dorm rooms. I do not want to hear of any more disruptions, from any of you.” The tall woman looked at all of them, including the three Gryffindors.
“Yes Headmistress Mcgonagall.” All eight chimed at once. The Slytherins all headed out of the hall while the three Gryffindors looked up at Minerva.
“Thank you for stepping in.” Sweetie Belle hung her head. “They were being mean, but I was trying not to be mean back.”
“I think you did quite well Sweetie Belle. I hope you do enjoy your time at Hogwarts.” She started to turn away, then paused and turned back. “Ah yes. Here is something for you.” She reached into her robes and pulled out a purple satin wrapped package. On the top was a very familiar and very elegantly designed R. “I could not think of anyone who could redesign our school robes to fit you, so I penned a letter and had it sent off to Equestria just this morning. This arrived only about ten minutes ago, and I can only assume it's your uniform.”
“R-Rarity?” Sweetie Belle gathered the package up in her magic and pushed her cheesecake aside before resting it on the table.
Mcgonagall looked at her now empty hand and wiggled her fingers. The Unicorn's magic felt unlike any magic she'd ever felt before. Warm and tingly, and oddly, it almost felt like an emotion. Love perhaps? She smiled as she watched the package being carefully opened.
The uniform was in the proper colors, but rather than cotton, they looked like they were made out of a smooth, soft and slightly shimmery material. Even the Griffindor badge looked like it was made out of that material, and looked professionally hand stitched.
“Oh wow.” Janna felt the material. “It feels smooth like silk, but softer than anything I've ever felt before.”
Mary also felt it with her fingers and wondered at the robes and hat. “It's amazing. Wonderful.”
Mcgonagall could not resist and reached over and felt it, and examined the badge. “Indeed. What is this material?”
“This is a fabric that my sister created herself.” Sweetie Belle ran her hoof over the cloth. She knew her hooves were nowhere near as sensitive as the human's fingers, but she could still feel how soft and smooth her robes were. Not only that, she could feel the love that was put into making them.
Mcgonagall then noticed a rolled up scroll sticking out of the robes. “It would seem you received some mail as well.”
Scooping it up in her soft green magic, Sweetie Belle unrolled it and read it to herself. “Hehe. Rarity was not happy with the colors of the robes. It took some convincing from Princess Twilight to keep her from using totally different colors.”
The other three looked at the letter, but were unable to read the writing.
This brought up a question from Mcgonagall. “Sweetie Belle. That is your land's writing, correct?”
Sweetie Belle nodded.
“I see. Do you also have another written language like the one we have?”
Without missing a beat, Sweetie Belle answered with a simple “No.”
“Then how can you read our textbooks?” A very valid question.
This made Sweetie Belle confused. “I-I don't know. I just can.”
“Um, Headmistress?” Mary spoke up. “She IS a magical unicorn. Maybe it's best not to dwell too much on why she can read English. Now, if she can read other languages, then I'd really be curious.”
Minerva nodded. “That is indeed a valid idea Mary, thank you. Sweetie Belle, come with me.”
“But...” The filly looked at her barely touched cheesecake.
“Bring it along, and your new robes. You can try them on later.”
Sweetie Belle nodded and closed up the package. “I'll see the two of you back at the dorm room later.” She set the package on her back, balancing it with the greatest of ease, and levitated the food, taking careful bites as she followed the woman who made Princess Celestia look short.
They finally reached an alcove with a statue of a rearing griffin. Mcgonagall whispered a word and the statue rotated, revealing stairs leading up.
The stairs were steep, but Sweetie Belle was feeling fully recharged, having finished off her food along the way. She reached the top and entered a room that made the Royal Canterlot Library look like a feeble collection of books and relics.
“Wow...” The tiny filly rubbernecked as she looked all over the room, taking in every little detail, especially at all the paintings which made no attempts to hide the fact that they were watching her.
“Come over here Sweetie Belle.” Mcgonagall sat behind a grand desk and gestured at a very comfortable looking chair.
The filly hopped and scrambled up and took a seat, setting the package down beside her. “Um, why exactly are we here?”
“As your friend mentioned, the fact you can understand English is a mystery, one best not worried about, but I am curious just how far your understanding goes.” She used her wand to float a few thick books from various places among the shelves. “Tell me if you can read anything from any of these books.”
Sweetie Belle nodded and opened the first book and looked over the writing. “Hogwarts, a History. Russian Edition.” She spoke in flawless Russian. “Wait, that's not your language. How can I read and even speak this?”
Minerva's eyes had gone wide as Sweetie Belle spoke the language that she couldn't have had even the slightest chance of learning. “Hmm, one more. Read this one.”
The next book looked very different. She opened it and once again she read and spoke it flawlessly. “Conjuring and Commanding Japanese Spirits.” This time in perfect Japanese.
“Well I'll be. It seems you somehow have an natural magic that lets you speak and read other languages.” The headmistress leaned back in her high-backed chair. “I get the feeling you are actually speaking English, and not your native Equestrian.”
Sweetie Belle paused and thought about it for a moment, and realized this was true. “You're right. I was doing it and not really even noticing I was doing it.”
“I would like to hear you say something in your own language, if that's alright with you.”
Sweetie Belle nodded. “Hello Headmistress Mcgonagall. It's a pleasure and honor to attend Hogwarts.” Her native language was flowing, musical and almost magical.
Mcgonagall almost imagined it being a mix of ancient High Elven and Latin, with the obvious playful whinny of an equine hinted here and there. “Oh my, such a wonderful language.”
Sweetie Belle blushed. “Really? It's how all ponies speak.”
Mcgonagall nodded. “Yes, and strangely, I understood everything you said. It would seem to me that the Equestrian language itself is a form of magic. I have a theory that you are indeed speaking Equestrian all this time. It is just translating itself into English or whatever language you are trying to speak.”
“Really? Wow. But why could I read those books without having ever seen the written languages before? Is it the same with written Equestrian? It lets me read other languages the same way I can speak them?”
Mcgonagall nodded. “That is indeed a possibility. Now, I want you to understand this. A language spell in and of itself is a very complex and exceedingly difficult magic to pull off, even for a highly skilled witch like myself, but it seems that your language is not only a more powerful version of that magic, but at the same time, much simpler to use.”
Sweetie Belle tilted her head, looking confused. “Wait, so if somepony... er, someone were to learn Equestrian, would they be able to speak and read any language they want as well?”
Mcgonagall nodded. “That is very possible. Your language alone can unlock more secrets of magic than we have ever imagined. Not to mention your own Unicorn's magic from the heart.” She then tapped her chin. “I heard about your little demonstration in defense against the dark arts. I would have to say, if we could learn to use magic from the heart like you, then it is also possible for Muggles to learn to use magic as well. This would most certainly be a huge breakthrough in bringing the world of magic and the Muggle worlds together instead of them being so separated.”
“Really?” Sweetie Belle blinked. “But I thought Muggles were non-magic using folk.”
“You yourself said that even your Pegasai and Earth Ponies have their own magic.” Minerva smiled kindly. “In fact, that gives me an idea. You should return to your dorm room now while I do some inquiries.” She rose and led Sweetie Belle, once gain balancing her package on her back, to the door. “Thank you for your time Sweetie Belle. I have learned a lot today, which is always a special treat for me.”
“You're welcome?” Sweetie Belle was not really sure exactly what she had helped the Headmistress of Hogwarts learn, but she felt happy she could have helped.
Sweetie Belle then made her way back towards the Gryffindor dorm rooms... she hoped...
Walking through the halls, she had to stop and look around, and came to a startling revelation.
"Oh no... where am I?" Sweetie Belle was lost...

To Be Continued...