Hogwarts: Sunset's Legacy

by witegrlninja

In Which Sunset Accidentally Agrees To Protect Nature

The portal took me to a long corridor expertly carved out of the gray stone, paved with familiar gleaming, smooth marble in blue, gold and white tones, and lined with twisted brass and sconces ablaze with white fire. The floor was raised far above the ground below, hidden in a pit of darkness. At the end of this corridor was a large room, seemingly held up by all the vining, carved brass that lined the floor, the walls and the columns, its only occupants an old book that floated above another Pensieve.

Told him it was just a book we were looking for.

Tentatively I reached for the book, only for it to open on its own. Thin, silver liquid bled upwards through the ancient parchment and poured down into the Pensieve. I took the book from midair and spirited it away to my pocket dimension, and then leaned my face into the murky waters.

I felt myself being pulled in, rushing past clouds of black smoke until landing softly on some dry grass. I was overlooking a hamlet somewhere... one that was in the middle of a serious drought. The rocky, hilly ground was brown and cracked, the grass and weeds starved of water. The trees were sickly and barren, and the sun was beating mercilessly down, shining so brightly the sky was almost white.

I heard footsteps behind me. Turning around I saw four people, three men and one woman, in clothing from the Tudor era - two of which I had already seen before. They spent a few moments surveying the hamlet, Percival's eyes lingering on a house on a neighboring hill. A man and his two small children were trying their hardest to tend to their farm; the son was sickly and leaning on a crutch, coughing miserably while his sister helplessly peered into an empty well bucket.

Percival looked to his companions, who each nodded in turn. He then took out his wand and cast a spell into the sky. The magic that burst forth was white and blue... ancient magic. It exploded into a cloud that quickly expanded and rippled outwards, changing from white to a dark grey. A calm wind blew as moisture filled the air, and it began to rain.

The little girl stared into the sky, the rain cleansing the dust from her smiling face. The other three pulled out their wands as well, and together the four began casting and making use of ancient magic. Spirals of twirling light appeared throughout the hamlet, and together they revitalized the grasses and crops. The trees filled out with thick, verdant foliage and fruit, and the wells refilled themselves to the brim. Flowers sprung up and bloomed, and more trees and bushes grew within seconds to full maturity. In mere moments, the hamlet had been transformed into a lush paradise.

All the while, the little girl stared in awe and wonder. She glanced back towards her family for a moment, and then her eyes seemed to lock with Percival's. It was clear she wanted to thank him and his companions, but the distance between them was too great. Percival simply nodded, and then he and his companions turned their backs and left as mysteriously as they had arrived.

The scene suddenly changed. Now I found myself back in Hogwarts, in an office I had never seen before. Through the window I could see it was storming violently, lightning flashing and thunder pealing every so often. Percival, Charles and the two other companions were standing or sitting around discussing something when a noise caught their attention. A woman about my age cautiously walked through the threshold, her uniform in the colors of Ravenclaw. From the looks of her, it appeared to be that little girl from the hamlet, now grown.

"You... wanted to see me, Headmistress Fitzgerald? Professor Rackham?" she asked.

"Miss Isidora Morganach! Welcome," Percival greeted warmly, beckoning her inside. Isidora came closer, greeting Charles and the final unnamed man.

"Professor Rookwood. Professor Bakar."

"We understand that you are adjusting well to life at Hogwarts," the woman, Headmistress Fitzgerald spoke. Isidora nodded her head. "I am glad! Especially in light of your unusual situation, starting as a fifth-year."

Oh? Really...?

"As it happens, I was also admitted to Hogwarts as a fifth-year," Rackham chimed in. "I've never heard of another like us." I couldn't help but blink at the coincidence.

"Miss Morganach," Rookwood addressed. "When we spoke yesterday after class, you asked about the beautiful swirls you saw years ago, when we visited your hamlet."

"I recognized you all immediately! I cannot thank you enough for what you did," Isidora nodded, beaming with gratitude.

"We were glad to help," Fitzgerald smiled.

"And yes, I did see swirls of magic everywhere that day! ...My father insists it was my imagination running wild, but it was certainly real to me."

"It was not your imagination," said Rackham.

"Percival- ...Professor Rackham can see them, too... but we've never known of another who could," said Fitzgerald.

"I don't understand... what are they?" asked Isidora.

"The whispers, or traces that appear when a particular form of ancient magic is wielded," Rackham smiled serenely.

"Ancient magic?"

"Few are capable of wielding it," Bakar finally spoke. "Hogwarts itself is a stronghold of ancient magic."

"So... if I can see traces of ancient magic, does that mean that I can wield it, too?" Isidora asked slowly, a sparkle in her eyes.

"With the proper training," Rackham emphasized.

"But let us not get ahead of ourselves, Miss Morganach," said Bakar.

"Before I can train you to wield such magic, you must first master all that Hogwarts has to offer," said Rackham. Isidora nodded, a smile spreading across her face.

"A magic this powerful can do great harm in the wrong hands," added Fitzgerald, shaking her finger. "It must be wielded by a select few... as such, we ask that you not speak to anyone about what we have discussed here today." Nodding again, Isidora then took her leave, determination in her eyes and satisfaction plain on her face. As the four wizards watched her go, the air suddenly clouded over with black smoke, and I felt myself being pulled out of the memory.

I blinked. Such a strange sensation, peering into someone else's memory.

"Hmm..." I mumbled to myself once I had my bearings again. So far, I wasn't terribly impressed. Ancient magic was supposed to be extremely powerful, right? It sure seemed so when I had used it on that troll the other day. Their use of it had been impressive, but it also seemed like magic I could do already... it'd just take a little more time than that had.

And, there seemed to be a link between starting Hogwarts in your fifth year and being able to wield ancient magic. I wasn't quite sure what to make of that. Apparently, most, if not all of Hogwarts' students began their first year at eleven years of age... I was a special case, sure, but what about those two? Rackham and Isidora?

I would need to think about this. Hopefully Fig will be back by tomorrow.

After taking a look around the room and finding nothing else of value, I returned the way I came. The portal was still active, and I exited back into the oubliette, back into the pitch-black staircase, back into the storage section. Remembering that Peeves had blown our cover, I went ahead and cast Disillusionment on myself before carefully making my way back through the Restricted Section... picking up a couple of books along the way. No sense in letting this opportunity go to waste, after all.

The gate was still unlocked when I reached it - I slid through and closed it as quietly as possible. Some movement caught my eye... and I shook my head in disappointment. Sebastian was perfectly visible, in a silent argument of gestures with Peeves. The poltergeist floated around him and towards a very displeased Madam Scribner.

"Sneaking in the Restricted Section again?!" Scribner shouted jarringly, her voice reminding me quite clearly that I had only been hearing whispers and quiet voices for the past half hour or so. I tiptoed behind a nearby shelf for a better view. "I had thought we were through with this mischief! Clearly detentions are insufficient! ...I'm afraid I must take this to the Headmaster."

"But-"

"That being said..." Scribner's head lowered, "...Peeves informs me that you didn't come alone tonight." The poltergeist crossed his arms, looking mighty pleased with himself, and I bristled.

Damn... don't you dare...!

"If someone has coerced you... I would have you tell me," she cooed. "You're a bright boy... don't waste this." Sebastian's lips disappeared into his mouth as he considered her words.

Sebastian, I swear to whatever gods exist on this planet you will deeply regret crossing me...!

"...There was nobody else," he finally said. "I came alone."

You little narc! I'm gonna- ...wait, what? I blinked repeatedly in surprise... he actually kept his word?

"Oh, Sebastian..." Scribner sighed, grabbing him by his shoulder and tutting as she turned towards the doors. "What will your uncle say?" Peeves scowled and floated directly in his face before blowing a raspberry. Sebastian only rolled his eyes as they all skulked out of the library, leaving me alone.

It was a good thing, too... I stood there for a few minutes, utterly gobsmacked. Every other time I'd ever had contact with the lesser students of Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, they had treated me with derision and disdain, unable to accept the fact that I was their superior. Asking them to have kept a secret between myself and one of them would have surely ended in their blabbing it to everypony in earshot... frankly, I hadn't expected anything different from Sebastian, and was fully prepared to both eat a detention and make his life hell from now on.

But there he was, being marched off to the Headmaster... having taken the full blame...

...

...

...

I... guess some thanks are in order, next time I see him...

I blinked again. The very notion of this kind of gratitude was foreign to me. I had always relied on myself, and no one else... I struggled with the conflicting emotions of my mind as I snuck my way back to the common room, and back to bed.

~

I woke up early and rushed to the Great Hall for breakfast, hoping that Fig was back from his sudden trip to the Ministry. After eating I ran to his classroom, slowing when I heard a pair of voices coming from his office. Upon opening the door, I found Fig having a conversation with Professor Sharp.

"You cannot be serious... Goblins, working with Rookwood?" Sharp shook his head. "Makes no sense."

"It is rather... unorthodox, to say the least," said Fig.

"Unorthodox? It's inconceivable! It's-" Sharp cut off his sentence as he turned his head and saw me. "...Ah, Fig, you have a visitor."

"Please, Professor... I must insist-"

"Yes, yes... I'll see what I can find out," Sharp sighed as he limped out of the office, leaving myself and Fig.

"Well... what brings you here, Miss Shimmer?" Fig asked as he slumped into his chair.

"Oh, nothing... just that it really was only a book we were looking for," I replied as I plucked the old tome from my pocket dimension and plopped it onto Fig's desk.

"What? That's... wait," Fig blinked. "You accessed the Restricted Section? How?! ...Thinking on it, perhaps it's best you spare me the details," he admitted.

"Fair enough," I shrugged.

"I want to hear everything! But first, let's have a look," he exclaimed as he threw open the book's cover and began thumbing through the pages. The cracked, yellowed pages were covered in elaborate hand-drawn illustrations and text I couldn't read or even recognize. Eventually Fig reached the middle of the tome, and our faces fell - a couple of the pages had been deliberately torn out.

"Ugh, really?" I groaned. Such disrespect for knowledge.

"It appears someone has got to the book before us," Fig frowned.

"Who, though? I can't imagine anyone else has ever been down there."

"I couldn't say. Still, I will need time to study what remains... perhaps we can still salvage something useful, though it may take some time... I wonder why it was here, below Hogwarts?"

"Well..." I tapped a finger on my chin as I recalled. "...I did find the book in another one of those weird rooms, through a portal in an oubliette. It was also floating above another Pensieve, and it had two memories to show me."

"Another Pensieve? Godric's heart! What did it show you?"

"From what I could tell, they were from that older man we saw before, Percival Rackham. He was apparently a professor here long ago. In the first memory, he and three other professors - Rookwood, Fitzgerald and Bakar - rejuvenated a hamlet suffering from a drought, all four of them using ancient magic to do so." Fig gasped, seemingly recognizing something.

"Miriam was right," he breathed. "And the second memory?"

"They were speaking to a student named Isidora Morganach about the ancient magic she'd seen back then at the hamlet. She and Rackham both apparently started Hogwarts in their fifth year, too."

"Fascinating... why those memories?" Fig hummed, thinking to himself for a moment. "Perhaps this book will explain. Now, I'll have to take it with me to London... the Headmaster has insisted that I speak directly to the Minister about George's death."

"You have to...? I thought you went already!"

"If only Black or the Ministry were that efficient," he grumbled.

For crying out loud... "What will you tell them?"

"I don't know how much I dare say. George tried to convince the Ministry about Ranrok, but to no avail... My instinct is to follow the path we are on for the moment, and keep the details to ourselves until we know more."

Ooh. Better not mention Sebastian, then... "Alright... well, good luck with that," I shrugged. Fig set the book aside and stood up as I turned for the door.

"Don't neglect your studies! The other professors have been telling me that you've been doing exceptionally well in their classes. I look forward to seeing all that you've accomplished when I return."

"I won't, and I'll make sure you have lots to hear about when you're back," I grinned back at him smugly.

"Oh! And don't neglect your friends," he added just as I opened the door. "You may be surprised by how much you can learn from them, as well." I stopped and stood there for a moment before I left... reminded of last night's events.

At first I would've scoffed at the very thought of befriending any of these peasants, these lesser classmates of mine. What could they possibly know that I didn't? But... I had learned that I did indeed have one potential ally...

...Yes. That's all that he was to me. Just someone to be used. Not a friend in the slightest.

~

The morning was bright and sunny as I headed outside for my first flying class. Most of my classmates were much younger than me, being first or second-years, but there were some older students as well, including that Ravenclaw boy Clopton that had his fingertip bitten off by a cabbage. A couple racks of beat-up broomsticks had been set up, and before long Madam Kogawa marched out of her nearby office, holding her own broom.

"Everybody grab a broom, and we shall get started," she ordered. Clopton raced to grab his pick of the brooms before everyone else. I took one that looked relatively new and followed everyone else's lead, which was to get into two rows facing each other. Madam Kogawa set her broom down on the ground and walked between our rows, first stopping in front of Clopton who was twirling his broom around like a baton.

"Mr. Clopton... your attention, please," she admonished. Once he'd set his broom down, she continued. "The goal of today is to remind all of you how to maneuver on a broomstick - safely, as broom flight is first and foremost a means of transportation. This, I fear, some of you may have forgotten," she grumbled, giving Clopton a look. "Diving, rolling and loop-de-loops will not be taught or, in fact, tolerated in this class. We'll leave that to professional Quidditch players... like the Toyohashi Tengu."

Someone booed.

"Not a fan, I take it?" Kogawa replied snidely. "Now, let's see how well everyone kept up with their practice over the summer holidays. For those who need a refresher, step up to your broom, say 'up' firmly and clearly, then kick your leg over and rest your weight on the seat." She proceeded to demonstrate for us, quietly thanking her broom when she was finished. "Now... your turn!" My classmates all began demanding up from their broomsticks, some with many more insults towards the animated inanimate object than others.

"Up," I spoke plainly, the broom at my side immediately jumping into my outstretched hand. Sitting and making myself comfortable on the broom was awkward given the long woolen skirt I was wearing as part of my uniform... I made a mental note to buy myself some trousers I could wear instead as soon as I could.

"One leg over so there's a leg on each side," Kogawa continued to order. "None of that side-saddle nonsense, a gust of wind will throw you right off." Pulling slightly on the handle I floated upwards a few feet off the ground. "And, if you hear my whistle while you're in flight, ground yourself at once."

Madam Kogawa then instructed us to follow her through various sets of floating rings. Surprisingly, flying with a broomstick felt very natural to me, and I quickly became more acquainted with how the broom worked. In no time at all I was zooming past my fellow classmates, flying as high as I felt I could get away with and savoring the rush of wind through my hair.

So, this must be what it feels like to have wings!

It was incredible! I couldn't wait to go buy myself a broom as soon as the school day ended, as there had been a broomstick shop in Hogsmeade I'd passed by. The final lesson of the day was to fly through a set of rings that snaked around Hogwarts, and I soared through them as fast as possible. I couldn't help but scream and cheer with delight at the sensation.

"Hello!" Clopton suddenly shot past me, then slowed until I'd caught up to him. "Nice day for a flight!"

"Uh... hi?" I muttered. He flew next to me as I followed the rings, shouting about various landmarks and school buildings as he went. Through the wind I could only barely hear him say something about the boathouse and the giant squid that lived in the Black Lake, and once we'd flown directly behind the castle he motioned for me to talk.

"I say, I watched you fly through those rings. You seem to handle yourself on that dusty school broom well enough!"

"Yea? I'd say so," I replied, wondering why he was stopping me from flying around some more.

"I'd imagine you're ready for something a bit more challenging... But I'm getting ahead of myself. We haven't properly met! I'm Everett Clopton."

"Oh, uh... Sunset Shimmer."

"Am I right in suspecting that a Slytherin like you might be interested in making an escape from class?" Clopton smirked.

"Why? It's almost over as it is."

"Pssh, Kogawa won't even notice! Besides, a bird doesn't learn how to fly by staying- hey!" I rolled my eyes as I left Clopton in my dust. Maybe if he'd suggested it before there were literally two minutes left before the class was over I might've been game. I made my way back to the castle grounds and hopped off my broom as it reached the ground.

And that's just a school broom! I bet there's far better versions available in the shop.

Madam Kogawa blew her whistle as I set my broom back in its rack. I stuck around just long enough to watch Everett land a full minute later than the whistle blew, and snickered as Kogawa yelled at him and took twenty five points from his house.

Then I figured... I had a full three hours until my next class, which was also outside. Might as well make the trip to Hogsmeade now. But I didn't want to walk all the way there, so I jogged through the grounds until I was outside of the boundary walls, looked around to make sure no one was looking, and went ahead and teleported myself directly to Hogsmeade.

I reappeared underneath the covered bridge into the village, and quickly made my way onto the path. Nobody had seen me. I made a beeline for Spintwitches and walked inside, finding a large assortment of brooms and Quidditch supplies lining the walls. The shopkeeper was busy talking with another customer about why he'd been closed the other day... something about goblins disrupting the supply chain. Once he'd finished, though, he was more than happy to tell me each broom's pros and cons.

In the end I chose a Silver Arrow broomstick. It had the highest top speed of all the available brooms. After paying and leaving the store I immediately hopped on and flew high into the air, up and up until I could see for miles around. Hogwarts and the Black Lake sat right in the center of this valley in the Scottish Highlands. I could see the vastness of the Forbidden Forest, the many hamlets that dotted the hills and, surprisingly, the ocean many miles away.

The frigid wind was harsh at that elevation, though, so I made my way back to the ground. Seeing how I had time to kill, I also went back to Gladrags and bought myself a few pairs of trousers to make flying more comfortable, also choosing to wear a pair out of the business. Then I went to Honeydukes and took my time looking around... while some of the candies and chocolates sounded delightful, others had flavors or side effects I wasn't terribly interested in experiencing. I went ahead and bought myself some Chocoballs, candied pineapple, an unnamed box with an image of an elephant on a bicycle (whatever it was, it made you make different animal noises), Fizzing Whizzbees, Pepper Imps, saltwater taffy, Sugar Quills, toffee, Toothflossing Stringmints and treacle fudge.

There was still an hour and a half before my next class when I had finished my shopping. I flew on my new broomstick all the way back to Hogwarts and dropped off all of my candy in the dresser beside my bed before going to the Great Hall for lunch.

~

Back outside, I headed for a collection of huts and pens beside the castle for Care of Magical Creatures, or Beasts, as everyone seemed to call it. Beneath a shelter were sets of desks and chairs, as well as a large chalkboard divided into many sections. A couple of animals were perched on some of the desks, already being fawned over by the other students. There was one empty spot left, next to a very short, brunette Hufflepuff girl holding a Puffskein.

"Welcome, everyone," Professor Howin greeted. She was a shorter woman of Asian descent, much like Madam Kogawa, dressed in lightly-colored thick clothing for handling animals and a frayed, weather-beaten hat. "I see you've already met some of the many beasts we study in this class. Though, be advised, none of these creatures should be taken lightly. They are all, in their own way, dangerous... especially if one does not know how to handle them properly." She took a moment to feed a pellet to the white Diricawl on my desk, which swallowed it down and promptly teleported elsewhere. "Miss Sweeting, would you please assist our new student with the lesson today?" she gestured to the girl beside me.

"Yes, Professor Howin," she nodded emphatically before turning to me. "Hello! I'm Poppy... Poppy Sweeting."

"Sunset Shimmer," I replied. Looking down at her, she was rather adorable in a way... tiny, compact, unassuming, squishy... much like the Puffskein she was holding.

"Don't worry about Professor Howin's speech, she overexaggerates sometimes," Poppy whispered. "All the beasts in class are perfectly safe- GAH!" she screeched as the Puffskein took the opportunity to jam its long, skinny tongue directly up her nose. I couldn't help but snicker at the sight, and after she'd wiped her nose Poppy laughed, too.

"Miss Sweeting, pay attention, please," said Professor Howin. "The tongue of a Puffskein can be a slippery devil."

"Ah... yes, Professor."

Half of the lesson was spent simply befriending the animals at our desks. Poppy told me that this particular Puffskein's name was Gerald. We spent our time brushing, feeding and playing with Gerald, taking care to avoid letting him try to repeat his penchant for licking inside noses. The little creature hummed quietly, as though purring like a cat.

"What do you suppose the pellets taste like to Gerald? Pudding, I like to think," Poppy giggled as Gerald wrapped his tongue around the pellets like a frog catching insects. When she wasn't looking I snuck a nibble of a pellet, and promptly spat it out.

Doesn't taste a damned thing like pudding.

Poppy treated Gerald with an unbelievable amount of respect... a quality that I found strangely endearing. For a moment I wondered how she'd treat me if I were still a unicorn. It was odd, but for that reason, I didn't find myself dismissing her as being lesser than myself.

...Not immediately, anyway. She still was.

"Good work, everyone," Professor Howin said after a while. "Now let's make our way to the pens and select another beast. And please, do be careful as you feed and groom them." The other students left to the pens while Poppy sent Gerald off with extra pats and a treat. Howin suggested we work with the Kneazles - beasts that closely resembled large, shaggy, maned cats. Poppy nodded happily and practically dragged me over to their pen... when she suddenly stopped.

Two classmates, a sixth-year Slytherin boy and a fifth-year Ravenclaw girl, had their wands out and were tugging at one of the poor Kneazles' whiskers as if trying to yank them out entirely. The Kneazle hissed as Poppy ran over in a huff.

"What in Merlin's name are you doing?!" Poppy shouted at them. The boy ended his spell, letting the Kneazle run away.

"Ugh, peculiar Poppy," the boy rolled his eyes. "Worried about a worthless little rodent?" Poppy's face froze, her mouth open.

"...Her name is Persephone!" she yelled, offended.

"Her ^name is ^Persephone! Bahahaha!" mocked the boy, the Ravenclaw girl behind him gesturing and making faces. I scowled angrily at their behavior... I may not have cared much about my lesser classmates, but to openly treat animals... any animal with such utter disrespect and callousness made my blood boil.

Animals were innocent. Just following their instincts and trying to live their lives peacefully as best they could, as nature intended. They were defenseless against the whims of humans... Well, some of them were actually quite dangerous, but that's beside the point! You had to be a pretty terrible person to treat a helpless animal like that, and people like that were little more than gutter trash in my eyes.

Needless to say, I generally preferred animals to... uh, other ponies. And people, I suppose... most people, anyway.

"Would you like to say that again?" I crossed my arms and glowered as I moved beside Poppy, narrowing my eyes and looking down at the two children past my nose. While the Ravenclaw girl promptly shut up, the Slytherin boy stared at me slack-jawed, taking a step closer as if to challenge me. Movement from the corner of my eyes alerted us to Professor Howin's presence, and the boy snorted arrogantly before turning around and leaving with the girl. Once they'd left, the Kneazles immediately came running towards Poppy, purring happily.

"Those two don't belong anywhere near this class," Poppy hissed while she petted and calmed them down. "Poachers in training... Persephone was on to them instantly."

"Needless cruelty... I can't stand people like them," I agreed, my voice low as I watched the two miscreants now trying to mess with a Diricawl. At least those could teleport away from them at will.

"Anyway, thank you for your help," she sighed. "Let's carry on." We spent the rest of the lesson brushing, feeding and playing with the Kneazles. At one point, some whiskers dropped off of Persephone's muzzle all on their own... at first I worried that those two brutes from earlier had damaged them, but Poppy assured me that the whiskers had fallen off naturally... they had been given to me by the Kneazle in thanks. "The Kneazles really took to you. They know a good egg when they see one... as do I," she smiled, looking up at me.

"Oh... thank you," I grinned back, blushing a little.

"It appears our time has come to an end," Professor Howin yelled from across the pens. "Please close the pens and see yourselves out! ...Now, where is our new student?" she continued while most of the other students began clearing out, walking towards Poppy and I. "Ah, there you are. I would like a moment, please."

"Yes, Professor?"

"How did you find your first Beasts lesson?" Howin asked kindly.

"Wonderful. Even soothing, actually... I think I'll enjoy this class."

"Good! You seem to understand that when beasts are properly cared for, they can play a vital role in our lives. Some provide us with magically-imbued materials, if cared for correctly," she motioned to the Kneazle whiskers I was holding. "...Which does not include torturing them for whiskers. Well done, by the way, but probably best to let me handle it next time."

"Of course, Professor." I can guarantee you you'd be far more merciful than I would be.

"They're nearly as bad as the savages in Rookwood's poacher pack," Howin shook her head. "Sadly, we're the ones who suffer. Stumbling over dead beasts... terrible waste of resources."

"And life," I added quietly. "I do hope the authorities are tracking them all down. The Ministry has to be good for something."

"Hmm... an optimistic idea," replied Howin, unconvinced. "Well, that is all. Do have a good rest of your week." After Professor Howin had walked away, Poppy tugged lightly on my robe.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you again! For saying something to those brutes so that I didn't have to. You were an Augurey at noon in the desert."

"Oh. Um... thanks? I think," I frowned, unsure of what to make of that saying.

"It's something my gran and I say... It means that something or someone is a welcome surprise," she smiled warmly. "At least, that's what we decided it meant."

"I see... well, it was no problem. Their behavior was disgusting," I muttered, staring at the ground. If I were still a unicorn, would they have tried something similar with me? Jump on my back and demand a ride, or try to yank off my horn? Rip out my mane and tail hairs? I shuddered, imagining their grubby little hands on me.

"We're of a similar mind," Poppy sighed somberly, though she quickly perked up. "Actually, in light of that, there's someone I'd like you to meet! In the forest."

"The forest, huh?" I tilted my head, wondering what she could've possibly meant by that. "Alright, then. Let's go." Poppy nodded happily, and began to jog towards the nearby forest up the hill. I followed after her.

"I wouldn't take just anyone there... in fact, you're the first," she called back after a few minutes.

"Oh?" Does she like me, too? Perhaps I could have a second lackey to call upon...? "Well... thanks."

"We think alike, as I said... pleasant surprise." We walked together for a short while, Poppy making small talk about the weather. Finally, after making our way to a clearing in the woods, she motioned for me to stand back before taking a few steps forward and whistling loudly. There was a noise from some rattling trees, and out burst a majestic white hippogriff. It soared in a graceful circle overhead before landing in the clearing, standing tall and proud just mere feet away.

Hippogriff... it looked nothing like the ones I'd seen pictures of in Equestria.

"Please, meet Highwing!" Poppy breathed. "Isn't she just magnificent?"

"Very," I nodded. Highwing squawked, staring at me with her piercing, dark eyes. It suddenly struck me that I'd seen this particular hippogriff once before.

"Go on, introduce yourself to her! But be careful, you must always show hippogriffs the proper courtesy before you approach them."

"Right..." Thinking back to what I'd read about them, I remembered that you needed to bow to a hippogriff before approaching them, otherwise they'd likely tear you to pieces in an offended rage. Slowly, I took a couple steps closer before lowering myself into a deep bow. Highwing continued to stare at me for a few moments, and I silently began to wonder if I was soon going to find a bunch of talons in my face before she finally bowed back.

"I knew it! I don't think I've ever seen a hippogriff take to someone this quickly," Poppy bounced with glee. I conjured up a brush and some pellets and offered them to Highwing, who ate happily while the brush smoothed out the feathers on her head and neck. "I come and check on her every once in a while... bring her pasties, tell her what's going on in the castle. You wouldn't know it from looking at her, but she's a dreadful busybody."

"Is that so?" I chuckled. Though hippogriffs may not be a sapient race in this world, they were still quite sentient. It might've been strange to the other humans who didn't know any better, but her ability to communicate and bond with beasts was admirable... and something I could respect, having once been one. Highwing cawed and spread her wings after she'd had her fill of brushing, and dashed past us to take off into the sky once again. We watched in awe until she disappeared from sight.

"So... what did you think of Highwing?"

"She's absolutely gorgeous... I'm, uh, quite grateful that you introduced us."

"I suspected you two might get along," Poppy grinned.

"I think I've seen her before... on the way to Hogsmeade after school the first day."

"Perhaps... did you know that once you earn a hippogriff's trust, they'll always be there for you? I've seen it firsthand with her." I nodded, recounting what I'd read about them... it begged another question.

"How did you two meet?" Poppy hesitated for a moment before letting out a sigh.

"It's... a longer story. But I rescued her from poachers a few years back. Got her to safety, and, well... she was fine. Until recently."

"Recently?"

"You may have noticed that poachers are something of a problem in the area," she frowned. "So I worry they could get her again... and I might not be there next time."

"Ah, right... Howin mentioned something similar. And that the Ministry isn't helping the problem."

"I don't often agree with Professor Howin, but on that, I fear she's right," Poppy nodded. "The poachers' influence is growing. I see them everyday in the village, lingering, talking to people... They're up to something. I'm just not sure what."

"Well, they're poaching, obviously," I groused. "Probably looking for something really valuable, like Highwing."

"Exactly... I think I'm going to look into it. Find out what's going on... what they're doing."

"Taking matters into your own hands, huh?" I smirked. "Brave. But do you think you can handle this on your own?"

"The more I know, the better I can keep Highwing safe," she nodded firmly. I found myself strangely moved by her determination. And, if these poachers were working with Rookwood... perhaps if she made herself enough of a menace to their plans, then perhaps it'd also take some of the heat off of me.

Yes... any setback they experienced would hurt Rookwood, and, by extension, Ranrok. And I could definitely make them experience several setbacks.

"I see... well, if you need any help, let me know. I may have a few ideas for you."

"Oh! Very well, I will," said Poppy. "Um, I should be going, but... we'll speak again soon, I hope." She walked off back towards the castle... and it hit me what I had just done.

Wait... did I just offer to help her with her ridiculous quest?! She can't possibly take on every single poacher in the valley! ...Not alone, anyway-

Why the hell did I just do that?! We weren't friends, and if I went along with her, I'd only be risking my own neck...

...Was it because she was just so... small? Did I admire her respect for animals that much? I don't think I subconsciously wanted to help someone like her...

...

...

...

...Well, what's done is done. Guess I'm helping to ruin many a poacher's day, now.

Maybe she can take care of it herself.

~

I spent the rest of the day until dinnertime flying around on my new broom. I'd worked up quite the appetite, and was curious as to what would be served in the Great Hall... seeing how this would be the first time I actually got to eat dinner there. I arrived promptly at 4:55pm and sat down at the Slytherin table, which was already half-full with other students, open spaces closing up fast. The table's surface was empty save for full sets of plates, bowls, goblets and cutlery, but at exactly 5pm all manner of foods suddenly materialized into existence, the smells mercilessly assaulting my nose.

As most humans were omnivorous bordering on carnivorous, there were quite a few meat dishes... roasts of beef, pork, mutton, game birds and chicken. I had tried some of them before during my time with Fig, and they were okay on occasion - awfully oily or gamey, whereas chicken was awfully dry, but all were vastly improved with sauces or gravies. Since some of the students came from cultures where meat wasn't eaten quite as much, there were thankfully plenty of various vegetables and grains, and there was always a massive fresh salad available. Some days fish, crustaceans or other shellfish were served instead, which I found were much more palatable proteins than other meats. Drinks consisted of water, tea, milk or various fruit and vegetable juices including pumpkin juice (I'd never even considered one could juice a pumpkin before, but the flavor was delectable). At 6pm some of the redundant dishes vanished and were replaced with desserts - simple fare like cheese and fruit platters, cookies or petit-four cakes.

After eating I returned to the common room and got my Divination homework out of the way... Ominis had been quite receptive to having his fortune told, and doing so had attracted a small crowd Ooh! The new troll-slaying fifth-year also tells fortunes! so I chose three at random to finish with. So much tea required some sweets, so I broke out the box with the elephant on a bicycle on it. The liquid-filled chocolates were tasty, and I quite enjoyed sounding like a lion or bear. The whale was loud enough I worried that it might shatter the windows holding back the lake... and I didn't much care for the train whistle.

I then holed up in my bed for the next couple of hours, the curtains drawn and Lumos active on my wand as I read through one of the books I'd stolen from the Restricted Section. It was mostly about magic I already knew, but a few of the Dark magic spells piqued my interest. Thinking back to life in Equestria, it seemed similar to that which Celestia had briefly taught me, more so I could recognize magic I shouldn't touch without her present, and was naturally forbidden to cast...

...Oh, if only she knew. I had only been caught in the Restricted Section of her own library because I had, admittedly, been careless. But that was far from the first time I'd ever been inside.

Finally, it was about 11:40pm. I put my book away and opened my bed's curtains, finding most of my classmates struggling to wake up from their naps. They grumbled as I walked past with my lit wand, making my way towards the Astronomy tower.

Most of my other classmates were already waiting in the classroom when I entered. The Astronomy classroom was large and circular in shape, with cerulean stained glass windows depicting the moon's phases and a mobile-like chandelier that resembled the solar system and all its planets in orbit. The two desks were shaped like crescent moons, with an aisle down the middle to walk through. Some of the students had gathered in a group at one end, a Hufflepuff girl telling Nerida's fortune with tarot cards. While they were preoccupied, the instructor for the class, a stern-looking woman of Indian descent, walked up behind them, her arms crossed.

"Ladies...?" Professor Shah sneered, the two students quickly putting the tarot cards away. "Astronomy is not Divination. You won't find the mysteries of the cosmos charted out on your palms, or at the bottom of your teacups... Alas, the heavens remain hazy to the starry-eyed," she shrugged as she walked between the desks and stood beneath the chandelier. "Now, if you were to devote yourselves to persistent and painstaking observation, you just might catch a glimpse. With that in mind, please take your telescopes - tonight, we will be on the Observation Deck."

Telescope...? Those supplies from the summer didn't include one, and Weasley never mentioned getting a telescope...

Slightly annoyed, I followed the class up multiple flights of stairs, the Observation Deck at the top of the tower. Other than a few candles placed at tables for reading, there was hardly any light to interfere with stargazing. The sky was cloudless and dark, the stars shimmering like thousands of diamonds on azure velvet, a ribbonlike puddle of celestial purple and silver running through it. Another solar system chandelier, this one unlit, swirled above our heads.

However... it was freezing out here. The night wind blew through the turrets and pillars unhindered, my classmates shivering as they peered through their telescopes. I cast a Warming Charm on my robes to keep out the chill.

"Still don't have your own?" Professor Shah motioned to a telescope, staring down at me over her nose. "You cannot be the new student forever, you know."

"I was never told I needed to buy one," I replied, trying my hardest to refrain from outright glaring at her.

"Ah, very well," she sighed. "You can share with Mr. Thakkar." She pointed to the tan-skinned Ravenclaw boy nearby... I vaguely remembered him from Potions class. He motioned over for me to look through his telescope, and I put my eye up to the eyepiece...

...It was completely blurry.

"Here, I can adjust that for you-"

"No, no!" Shah interrupted, shooing Thakkar away from the focusing knobs. "Bring it into focus, on your own."

You remind me way too much of Celestia. I grumbled to myself as I turned the focusing knobs myself, the stars eventually coming into view. Once I realized that this was the furthest I could zoom in, I found myself wishing I had had the foresight to bring a proper telescope with me before jumping through the mirror.

Oh well... hindsight is 20/20, or whatever.

"Now, I expect all of you to put in your stargazing hours outside of class, is that clear?" Professor Shah ordered.

"But Professor, it's freezing out," Prewett whined, his breath visible.

"Mere cold didn't stop the great stargazers of the past," Shah waved her hand dismissively as she spoke. "Look only to the Astronomy Tables they erected throughout the Highlands, from which they gazed, millennia ago, on the very selfsame stars above us."

Well, if you want to get technical with it... stars do move over thousands of years...

"Is that clear?" she barked. The other students grumbled in agreement, still shivering. She sighed in disappointment before dismissing us - though we were free to go, the class technically still had forty minutes left until the end. Most of the other students ran for the staircase leading back to their warm, cozy common rooms, but a couple of us remained while Professor Shah stared up at the heavens, entirely shutting out the world around her.

"I don't believe we've met officially!" Thakkar smiled widely, turning to me. "I'm Amit!"

"Oh, Sunset Shimmer."

"Ah, quite the coincidental name! I'm something of an Astronomy buff, myself," Amit gestured to himself. "But did I hear Professor Shah say that you don't have your own telescope? I have a spare one you could borrow for the rest of term."

"Do you?" That'd be quite nice, actually," I shrugged. This way I wouldn't have to go out and buy one, and if he didn't want it back until the end of the year, he might forget I even had it in the first place...

"It's my old one... I finally got my hands on the new Celestia Contemplor! You've heard of it, I assume? I mean, of course you have, it's only the pinnacle of all personal stargazing implements! ...But my old model's not too shabby, either: Goblin-cut glass, first-rate optical enchantments, even an inscription in Gobbledegook! I'm practically fluent in Gobbledegook, you know! It's all in the throat, really, and how you pronounce your 'R's... oh, but I digress! Hate to think such a fine instrument is just collecting dust."

Well... I guess I can appreciate that this guy's serious about his stargazing... and Gobbledegook. "I see... thanks, Amit."

"Think nothing of it! It's in the storage room right beneath us. Come! I'll show you." We descended a narrow staircase cut into the metal floor of the deck, finding a number of boxes, barrels and other things wrapped in cloth. Amit made a beeline for one of the wrapped bundles and tore off the covering, revealing a handsome silver telescope with a leather grip around the main tube. Despite being his old one, it had obviously been lovingly cared for and looked practically brand new.

"Wow... this is a lot nicer than I was expecting," I commented.

"I would not offer a prospective stargazer a third-rate Lunascope!" Amit scoffed. "But there is... something else I wished to mention to you."

"I see," I sighed inwardly... of course there was a catch. "Let's hear it."

"You remember those Astronomy Tables Shah was going on about? It just so happens I've been reading up on them a little myself, and it seems there may be one right here at Hogwarts! I believe we could use it to find hidden constellations!"

"Hidden...?" I blinked. "How does that work? You either see a constellation or you don't, it's not like the stars move that fast."

"Indeed they do not, but the Astronomy Tables are more of a... guide to seeing constellations that are otherwise tricky to find."

"Oh, I get it... and I'm guessing you'd like me to help you find this table, hm?"

"I do! Are you in?" Amit grinned with all the charm of a toddler. "No one from the Gobstones Club will go with me... said they'd rather get spit at by a stone than... well, they are cowards."

They're scared? Of what? It's on castle grounds, for crying out loud. "And you need the Savior of Hogsmeade to help you with your quest," I replied sarcastically, sighing. "Fine, lead the way." Amit thanked me profusely as we descended from the tower, and kept trying to make small talk as we snuck out of the castle grounds and over to the Beasts class area. From there we walked towards a segment of the castle's wall that had crumbled and climbed up, then headed through a couple of small storage rooms that seemed long-forgotten by anyone. They were full of old, dusty spiderwebs... which were enough to make Amit cower behind me while I rolled my eyes and brushed them out of the way.

And you say the Gobstones Club is full of cowards...

After exiting the second room, we found the Astronomy Table sitting in the center of a parapet. It was completely formed out of rough-hewn stone, with ancient, weather-worn carvings scrawled into the surface. A couple of stone slabs on one side formed an angled resting place for a telescope to sit, which would point us directly towards a constellation that was incredibly distant and difficult to see. Amit and I took turns laying our telescopes on the angled surface and spending a few moments focusing them. The constellation quickly came into view, resembling a lyre. I hummed as I filled out my star chart, wondering just how much useful information one could possibly glean from what was basically a form of Divination that had been disproven for centuries back in Equestria.

"I was right about the tables! They really are 'gateways to the far stars', just as the book said!" Amit shouted jubilantly as he filled out his star chart. "And your contribution was invaluable! Rest assured, you shall be credited in my memoirs one day!"

"Is that so?" I drawled. No way is this guy ever going to write anything worth writing about. "We'll see about that."

"Ha! I shall write down that you also said that! We'll see who has the last laugh," he grinned before clearing his throat nervously. "Ahem, um, anyway... glad our adventure was a success!"

...What adventure?

I shook my head and focused on finishing my star chart, just so I wouldn't have the misfortune of having to spend another evening with this total loser again. Unfortunately, Amit had the same idea, and even followed me back inside the castle like a lost puppy. Thankfully he wasn't in Slytherin, and he finally left me alone as he made his way back to the Ravenclaw Tower. The other girls were all fast asleep as I entered the bedroom to gather my things for a nice, quiet, warming shower... alone. It gave me the relaxation I needed to fall fast asleep.

Comments

[Moonlight Tome]

Ha! Didn't expect her to hit it off so well with Poppy, but here we are!

Poor Amit. If you can't handle spiderwebs, then it's really best you don't go adventuring.

Edit: just read the chapter again. Sunset and Poppy weirdly have a lot of similarities.

[not-so-anonymous]

I wonder if Sunset's ease with Poppy comes from her true nature; she is basically a Unicorn in a human guise. Poppy seems to have a natural gift when it comes to beasts; this might carry over to Sunset in a sense. kinda funny when you think about it if true: in this instance, Poppy's first human friend isn't human at all.

[Booster Spice]

Hmm.. Poppy is the Fluttershy of this squad?

As for Sunset, its a pity The Evil Overlords list wont be published for half a centuary?

As for being extremely magical resistant?

Do they need to breathe? Oh dear, there is no longer any fresh air available. Select your option.

Do they need to stand on the ground? Oh dear, How many ways are there to move it rapidly in any of many directions and at speeds? The energy required to Disrupt that Troll, would have fired it clean accross to France. Or Greenland, depending on ballistics.

Spell disruption is where it really is though, as you dont have to totally disrupt a spell, just enough that the safeties dont get to fail before the spell fails in a destructive manner.

If in doubt, use wizard wheel darts. just, not anywhere near where you throw them from. Total conversion can be suprisingly effective at altering not just local geography.

[witegrlninja]

11583979
Ironic, ain't it?

[Talipedsnake780]

First of all, thank you. Thank you, for writing a good "Sunset in Hogwarts" story, really can't get enough good stories with best girl.

Second of all, thank you again, because I am a horrible procrastinator and this has given me reason to hurry up and finish playing Hogwarts Legacy. I have played enough of the game to realize you are rearranging parts of the story. There is nothing wrong with that, just means I need to hurry up and finish the game so I can keep track of what is changed, and avoid spoilers.

Looking forward to continuing this story, but it will have to wait until I finish playing through the game.

Until then, please continue being an awesome writer.

[Shadic Midnight Blitzer]

And another good chapter! Liked her interaction with Poppy and Amit. Wonder what happened to Sebastian though. :/

[witegrlninja]

11715826
Honestly, probably nothing. It's implied in game that he gets Ominis to use his family's influence to get him out of trouble.

[AxelFones]

Amit seems nice