> Scoti 2: Muggles and Mudbloods
>  by SamuelK28
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Scootaloo's 12th Birthday Part 1: You're a Draconequus Scoti and Part 2: Scared We Are Not In Camelot
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday July 28th 1992, 6:00am, The Burrow, Ottery St Catchpole, Devon

The early morning light was just beginning to peep through the curtains of the Crusaders' bedroom at the Burrow as something started to constantly tickle Scootaloo’s nose. 

“Apple Bloom quit it; it’s my birthday,” Scootaloo grumbled sleepily turning over in her bed to try to get away from her friend’s attempt at waking her up.

“Huh, what?” Apple Bloom said from her own bed. She had slowly been waking up for the past half an hour and Scootaloo’s unexpected outburst had brought her around into full consciousness. Letting out a yawn Apple Bloom sat up in her own bed and turned her head in Scootaloo’s direction wondering just what her friend was yammering about this time. 

Her eyes shot open when she saw the fluffy grey tail with black splotches that was playfully tickling Scootaloo’s nose and she instinctively pulled her hands from underneath her duvet and rubbed her eyes to see if she were dreaming. The tail remained. She wasn’t dreaming.

“What in Equestria?” she exclaimed in complete and utter astonishment still rubbing her eyes not believing what she was seeing. “Scootaloo, you’re going to want to see this.”

“Ugh, really Bloom? I know it’s you. Can’t my birthday surprise wait a few hours? I’m tired,” Scootaloo grumbled in reply. “I know its you…” she got no further as Apple Bloom shoved her out of her bed. She landed on the hard wooden floor with an almighty thump. 

“Apple Bloom, what gives?” Scootaloo exclaimed angrily jumping up from the floor and glowering at her friend.

Apple Bloom simply pointed at something next to her. 

“Ugh, this had better be good or I am going to…” Scoootaloo paused mid-sentence as she came face to face with the tail that was extending from her back. It then proceeded to poke her nose.

“Ha ha, very funny,” Scootaloo deadpanned unamused at being woken up so early on her birthday. “Prank the birthday girl for a laugh and…”

“We planned to chuck a bucket of tree sap and feathers over you,” Apple Bloom interrupted pointing to a large sack at the end of Sweetie’s bed and a bucket. “That’s why we volunteered to help Molly clean the chicken coop yesterday. Besides, even if Sweetie has that permit to use her horn out of school, I doubt she would be able to cast something so advanced. And you know I wouldn’t risk expulsion and having my wand confiscated by using magic outside of school. So, this has absolutely, one hundred percent, nothing in any shape or form to do with me or Sweetie,” she said seriously giving Scootaloo a look the other girl knew all too well.

“You mean?”

“Eeeyup,” Apple Bloom replied as she slowly edged closer to her pranking material.

“Shit,” Scootaloo muttered as Apple Bloom covered her and her newly acquired tail in tree sap and feathers. 

“Happy Birthday Chickenloo!” Apple Bloom exclaimed unable to hold back the laughter.


*


Although she was used to the bizarre and extraordinary in her house by now with the troublesome twosome, even Molly had, momentarily, been taken by surprise by the giant chicken with a leopard’s tail that was entering one of the bathrooms, with emphasis on momentarily. Her next course of action had been to head straight to her niece and her friends’ bedroom. 

Sweetie and Bloom, who were struggling to get ready themselves because they were laughing so much, were about to be caught totally off-guard by a very loud knock upon their bedroom door. 

“Who is it?” Apple Bloom queried before adding, “We’re getting dressed.” 

The door promptly opened a little way to allow Molly’s head to appear through it. 

Both girls gulped. Molly did not look pleased.

“Apple Bloom, I expect you to be downstairs in no more than five minutes to help with breakfast. Sweetie, you shall reverse whatever magic you used to grow that tail and be on washing up duty this morning as well. You had just better hope I don’t get a letter from the Ministry about improper magic use or I’ll be confiscating that wand of yours for the remaining duration of the summer,” Molly reprimanded sternly. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve…”

“But I didn’t use any magic Molly,” Sweetie interjected feeling aggrieved. “I’ll confess to the feathers and tree sap but neither of us had anything to do with the tail.”

“Really?” Molly replied disbelievingly. “Well, she didn’t just wake up with it now, did she?” 

“That’s exactly what happened. I was just waking up when I heard her talking in her sleep and when I turned my head to see what she was going on about, there it was. We were just thinking about sending a letter to Discord when you knocked. On my parents’ graves I swear that’s the truth,” Apple Bloom replied.

Molly’s eyes went wide. She knew that Apple Bloom was the one to target when the girls were up to something or had done wrong and were refusing to admit it. The girl simply could not lie even if her life depended on it. 

“I apologise Sweetie for my hasty accusations but you shall still be on washing up duty this morning for covering my niece in tree sap and feathers. I also expect you to write that letter to her father posthaste,” Molly said regretfully.

“Of course,” Sweetie replied as she finished pulling on a yellow skirt.

“Excellent. Now, I see you are nearly ready Apple Bloom so come along; we’ve breakfast to make and I’m already behind due to this little diversion,” Molly stated before pulling her head from the doorway not waiting for Apple Bloom to follow.


*


Ron’s feet thundered down the stairs as he made his way to the kitchen for breakfast, the heavenly smells wafting up from the kitchen having slowly awoken him from his slumber and forcing him out of bed.

“Happy birth…” he began to exclaim as he entered the kitchen seeing Scootaloo already sat at the table with her friends. He stopped mid-greeting upon seeing the tail that now protruded from her back. “Woah, what’s with the tail?” he exclaimed.

“Ronald!” Molly said sternly turning from where she was finishing up the breakfast preparations. “That was very rude of you. Apologise to your cousin immediately or you can go straight back to your room for the rest of the day.”

“It’s fine Aunt Molly,” Scootaloo interjected before Ron could reply. “Frankly, I’ve no idea. It had just appeared when I woke up this morning and we’ve no idea why or how to get rid of it,” Scootaloo explained in between munching on a sausage sandwich. “Sweetie’s sent Discord a letter asking for his help but we’re unsure when he’ll get back to us.”

And that was obviously when a loud knock came from the front door. 

“Odds of that being Discord?” Apple Bloom deadpanned to Sweetie next to her.

“Of course,” Sweetie responded as Scootaloo finished her sausage sandwich, rose from her seat and made her way to the front door to see if it was her father.

Unlike her friends, Scootaloo wasn’t so sure. Knocking wasn’t her father’s usual M.O. He would more than likely have just dropped in in the middle of breakfast unannounced. Oh well, there was only one way of finding out who the mystery guest was. She reached out, pulled open the front door and immediately found something flying at her squealing like an insane lunatic. As it wrapped its arms around her in a tight hug Scootaloo stumbled and then fell onto her back, taken by surprise by the unexpected force that had hit her.

“Pinned you!” Hermione giggled sitting atop Scootaloo’s stomach and holding the other girl’s arms down by her sides. 

“Hello Hermione,” Scootaloo deadpanned as a smile slowly grew upon her face. “I’ve missed you too. Mind letting me up though? I was in the middle of breakfast and this position is rather uncomfortable.”

“Make me.” Hermione giggled refusing to budge from her position atop Scootaloo’s stomach.

“Well, that’s a little difficult considering you are pinning my arms down by my sides but if you insist,” Scootaloo finished devilishly. 

Scootaloo managed to squeeze her tail out from underneath her and flashed it in front of her girlfriend’s eyes.

“What the?” Hermione said in complete confusion as Scootaloo’s tail brushed her nose. Her eyes started to glaze over as the fluffy appendage danced tantalisingly in front of her face. “So fluffy,” she said distantly as she released Scootaloo’s arms and instead grabbed a hold of the tail. 

Scootaloo equally grabbed a hold of the opportunity. Within a flash she had turned the tables on Hermione. 

“Pinned ya!” Scootaloo giggled mercilessly with Hermione now struggling underneath her. 

“No fair! Who told you my biggest weakness is fluffy things? And where did it come from anyway?” Hermione grumbled from beneath Scootaloo. 

“Oh, my tail? No idea. It appeared overnight. We’re awaiting on Discord to arrive and hopefully provide some more information on it. And thanks for the info on your biggest weakness; that’ll come in mighty handy in future along with the information I gathered over the last year on your other weakness,” Scootaloo replied, her grin practically taking over the whole of her face.

“Wait; backtrack a moment. Did you just say you’ve got…” Hermione began only to be abruptly cut off as Scootaloo began to relentlessly tickle her. “Haahhahahahahahahahah, no, mercy, please, stop that, hahaha,” she wailed struggling underneath Scootaloo. 

“Oh no. You brought this on yourself,” Scootaloo replied grinning ear to ear refusing to let her girlfriend go. “Although, maybe I’d be willing to let you go for a birthday kiss?” Scootaloo added evilly as she paused in her playful torturing of Hermione and instead leant in and gave her girlfriend a passionate kiss. 

The two girls' touching embrace after a month apart was not to last though.

“Although this is extremely touching and amusing, I need to speak to my daughter urgently. You two can snog each other’s brains out later,” Discord’s voice echoed from the front doorway as he used his magic to pry the two girls apart.

“Daaaaaaaaad!” Scootaloo whined as she was levitated against her wishes in front of her father. 

Discord, for some strange reason, had started to mess about with her hair.

“I don’t believe it,” he muttered under his breath after a moment. “I don’t believe it,” he repeated. 

“Don’t believe what?” Scootaloo asked her voice taking on a note of concern.

Discord continued without even acknowledging his daughter’s question. His voice was bubbling with happiness as he took Scootaloo in his arms and started to swing her around. “After more than a thousand years I’ve finally found another. You Scoti are a very, very special girl. You’re a draconequus. A natural born goddess of chaos and only the second draconequus to ever exist in any dimension after myself.”

Scootaloo’s left eye began to twitch and her mouth dropped open. 

Hermione’s mouth did the same as she rose from the floor.

“SHE’S WHAT!” Molly roared appearing from the kitchen holding a frying pan. “You mister have some serious explaining to do,” she growled walking over to Discord and grabbing him by the ear before pulling him roughly back toward the kitchen with Scootaloo still in his arms. Hermione remembered to grab the presents they’d brought for Scootaloo from the front doorstep before she followed in a complete and utter daze. 


*


Discord sat at the breakfast table calmly drinking a goblet of chocolate milk with a rather befuddled Scootaloo sitting across from him. Molly was leaning on the kitchen sink, frying pan still held tightly in her grasp.

“Start talking or I start whacking,” she growled flexing her arm.

“If I were you, I’d do as she says,” Arthur, sat next to Discord, leaned over and whispered into the draconequus’ ear. “You don’t want to see her when she gets really mad.”

“Certainly,” Discord replied calmly putting down the goblet of milk. “But first, Scoti, would you like some ketchup on your rice pops?”

“Sounds wonderful!” Scootaloo responded before realising just what she’d asked for as Discord proceeded to lean over and squirt said sauce onto her cereal. “Wait, why does that sound so delicious and so revolting at the same time?”

Discord answered his daughter’s question initially with a chuckle as he returned to his own seat. Then, in rather un-Discord fashion, he apologised to his adoptive daughter. “Sorry, I just wanted to be one hundred percent certain before we continued. “It’s Chaos my dear. Your changing tastebuds along with the tail now sticking out your rump and the unicorn horn that has just started to protrude from your skull, are all clear signs to me of draconequus puberty.”

“Draconequus puberty!” Scootaloo exclaimed her face going bright red in embarrassment as the twins broke out into snickers of amusement on one side of her. “And what do you mean I’ve got a damn antenna growing out of my flipping head?” 

“Scoti language,” Molly scolded as Sweetie gave Scootaloo a reproachful look.

“I mean that between your fourteenth and sixteenth birthday you’ll most likely have a fully grown and working unicorn horn atop your head. At this point your magic will have fully developed into that of a being of chaos,” Discord explained before taking another sip from his goblet of chocolate milk.

“Meaning what exactly?” Molly pushed for an explanation before Scootaloo could.

“Firstly, that her magic might not always obey her command exactly, instead choosing a more unorthodox and chaotic outcome. For example, she might ask her magic for a bicycle to get from A to B but instead end up with a unicycle and dressed in a clown costume,” Discord answered.

“Or cast Avifors and get a bat instead of a bird,” Scootaloo added remembering a certain lesson from her first year that brought a smug smile to her lips as she briefly glanced to her left at Hermione.

“I told you never to bring up that incident again,” Hermione grumbled responding to Scootaloo’s glance with a glower.

“Just because we spent the remainder of the lesson trying to coax it out of your hair,” Scootaloo giggled along with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle upon remembering the lesson from the previous school year. The twins were also trying, and failing, to hide their snorts of amusement as the image lodged itself in their minds.

Discord coughed to bring his daughter’s attention back to him. “Precisely. And such events will only become more common as you get older until one day you find chaos is the norm. By this point I am hopeful that under my tutelage and guidance you will have learnt to control such magic as chaos magic is extremely powerful and difficult to handle, with only your mental strength and the golden rule limiting what you can cause.”

“The golden rule?” Scootaloo queried trying to take all of the information with which her father was peppering her.

“No negative chaos except in self-defence. Acts such as torture, murder, long term mind control and that used for nefarious means, necromancy and basically anything truly despicably evil,” Discord said gravely with a shudder of discomfort and disgust at even having to mention them. 

“Okay. This is a Tartarus of a lot to take in but I’m kind of used to bombshells being dropped on me with you by now. Anything else I should know?” Scootaloo said rubbing her forehead feeling a headache coming along. Then, as if she’d just been hit with an anvil, something clicked in her brain. “Wait, you’re the god of chaos, right?” 

“Correctamundo,” Discord replied finishing his goblet of chocolate milk and placing it down on the table.

“Does that mean I’m now a GOD?” Scootaloo exclaimed, eyes going wide.

“Hole in one. Immortal and practically invulnerable too,” Discord answered snapping two fingers on his right hand. A golf ball suddenly appeared in said hand which he threw nonchalantly over his shoulder.

Molly watched as the golf ball soared through the air and landed plumb in the plughole of the kitchen sink. 

“That had better not block…” she began but stopped as a loud explosion rocked the pipes followed by a fountain of lime green liquid spouting out of the plughole. “Alright, that does it. Both of you,” she growled turning to Discord and her niece. “Here’s my golden rule. No chaos in the house or it's bread and water for every meal for a week for you Scoti and for you,” she pointed the frying pan at Discord only to suddenly find it had turned into a bunch of beautiful flowers. Molly raised her eyebrow momentarily before she placed the flowers down on the kitchen counter. “Bribery will get you nowhere but thank you anyway for the flowers. At least someone knows how to treat the lady of the house.” She sent an accusatory glare at her husband.

Arthur gulped, face going white. He hastily made to look at his wrist. “Is that the time. I’d better get to work.” He jumped up from his seat and rushed towards the fireplace. 

“Have a great day dear!” Molly called in a sickly-sweet voice after her husband as he picked up some floo powder. “Oh, and your wrist watch is on your left not your right wrist, just in case you thought you’d lost it,” she cooed as Arthur began to vanish. She smiled wickedly as the last thing she saw was the look of alarm that had shot across her husband’s face.

Let him stew on that for the rest of the day she thought. Maybe he’d actually surprise her for once when he got home. Yes, she was aware they had a whole army of children to feed but it didn’t mean that just once a month he couldn’t surprise her with some chocolates or flowers or something special. 

Seeing that the sink had stopped spraying whatever that liquid was everywhere, she turned her attention once more back to Discord and her niece, the latter of whom was repeating her earlier question after the brief interlude.

“So, anything else I should know father?” 

“All in good time my dear daughter,” Discord replied cryptically. “You are only the second draconequus to ever exist after myself so this is somewhat new to myself.” He paused momentarily as he wiped an ice cube tear from his eye. “Some of the stuff that you’ll likely learn over the next few years includes, but is not limited to, teleportation and opening gateways between dimensions, using magic simply by snapping your fingers, possible loss and regrowth of body parts, growing new body parts, hypnotism, telep…” Discord rattled off casually one by one only to be halted abruptly by his daughter.

“Wait. Hold up. Backtrack a moment. Are you saying I’m going to lose more body parts! Haven’t I lost enough already?” Scootaloo groaned, not wanting to hear the answer.

In fact, she actually saw the answer before hearing it as the phrase Cannot predict now flashed across her vision. 

Scootaloo groaned once more.

“In all honesty I can’t be sure as I’m currently the only draconequus I’ve ever known to exist. But, if you are anything like me, you probably have yet to achieve your true adult form and thus will likely lose another one or two more before you turn eighteen and regrow new ones of different beings. Remember, a draconequus is a magical being with no fixed form which means your true form could literally end up looking like anything.” 

Scootaloo groaned for a third time looking towards the heavens until slowly she lowered her head and looked at her father once more. Seeking clarification, with a heavy sigh she replied, “So, by ‘true form’ I’m guessing that’s what, like, your form when we first saw you in Equestria and this human form you are in now is like a, what? Temporary disguise to fit in with everybody else?”

“To a degree, yes, although I’d prefer to class it as a variant form. This is something I am hopeful you will also learn to do over time but is though by far the most difficult magic for us to conquer. As you can see by the horns atop my head, even for an experienced draconequus such as myself perfection is not usually possible and some parts of your true self will remain.  First however, you will need to learn the basics of such magic and only then can you attempt to fine tune and improve the accuracy of your variant forms. Understood?" Discord explained.

Scootaloo groaned for a fourth time. “This is giving me a mighty headache,” she grumbled slamming her head into the table before it almost instantaneously shot up again. “Wait? Rewind a minute. How can you be totally sure I’m a draconequus and that this isn’t some bizarre magical mishap? I know you said the tail and the changing tastebuds, but maybe this is some kind of magic flu or something I’m suffering from. Yeah, that’s more likely, isn’t it? Please tell me it is,” Scootaloo pleaded somewhat hysterically to her father, tears starting to well in her eyes.

Discord raised his right hand, “Four things.” His pinkie finger popped off, turned into a miniature version of himself and then ran away screaming across the kitchen table. Molly did not look at all pleased.

“What did I just tell you about chaos magic in this house mister?” she growled angrily grabbing a rather large butcher’s knife. “This is my house and if you will not abide by my rules, you and Scoti can go have this conversation in the pig sty out back. And that’s if I let you. I don’t take kindly to people who make my niece upset, especially on her birthday, understood?” 

Discord gulped. If there was something even he was scared of, it was an angry housewife. 

“Yes ma'am,” he squeaked in reply. 

“Excellent, now, please do explain in a little more detail to us why you think Scoti is a draconequus." 

“Well, firstly, it’s her magical aura,” Discord commenced only to be interrupted by Scootaloo.

“My magical what?” the young draconequus relied with a sniffle trying to wipe the tears from her face with her left hand.

“Your magical aura. Simply put, every creature has at least a tiny piece of magic inside of them that gives of a scent. Your magical aura or scent automatically drew me towards you and was the prime reason I initially saved you as a baby.” Discord paused his current explanation and rose from his chair. He slowly walked around the table until he was positioned just behind Scootaloo. Here he lowered his head to Scootaloo’s ear and said in a barely audible whisper, “Even I am not immune to loneliness. Thank you for everything,” as a genuine tear fell from his eye. 

It was only there for a split second but Scootaloo saw it and in that second she realised just how much she now meant to her kooky adoptive father. In an instant Discord had returned back to his full height and was continuing his explanation. 

“Ahem,” he coughed. “Where was I? Ah, yes, how I know Scoti is a draconequus part one: magical aura. Before you ask, no, her magical aura being very similar to my own is not enough to determine for sure she is a draconequus. I’ve had many, many false readings over the years to solely get my hopes up on that alone. The strawberry milkshake tears she’s just been crying again could be just coincidental and not causal, while… Scoti could you open your mouth for a moment.”

Scootaloo didn’t even ask why, she just did as she was told. Molly let out a gasp of shock. Hermione stared transfixed.

“Wow, you’ll soon be able to give your girlfriend a true love bite with those!” George quipped with a whistle receiving a stern glower from Molly for his efforts.

“What? What’s everyone staring at? I know I’ve had a bit of toothache recently and that’s made me a little grumpy on occasions but…” she stopped as Discord lowered a mirror in front of her face.

“Woah, are those real?” Scootaloo asked eyes going wide as she poked and prodded the two small fangs that were slowly starting to come through.

“Most definitely. Bat pony fangs if I’m correct. Be another month or two before they are fully grown,” Discord informed his daughter. “Remind me to give you something for them later. A grouchy draconequus with toothache is not to be trifled with. I’d tell you the story surrounding my own fang coming through but it’s your birthday and I feel the last thing you want to be doing is sitting around here all day. So how about I wrap this explanation for now, we finish breakfast and then go have some fun?” 

Scootaloo was still busy examining her new fangs in the mirror and had only half heard what her father had said. “Huh, sorry, I was a little distracted. I just really like these fangs. They are going to look awesome when they come through!” 

Discord chuckled. “I’m glad you like them,” he said with a warm smile across his face. “But if you want to know how I know for certain you are a draconequus you’ll put that mirror down for a moment.”

Scootaloo didn’t need telling twice, her attention immediately reverting back to her father as she placed the mirror down upon the kitchen table.

“I thought so although the answer is quite simple. Your tail. Mine also appeared overnight on my twelfth birthday. I think it is a coming-of-age thing for a draconequus. Obviously, there are only two of us in existence so I can’t be one hundred percent sure but when you combine that with all the other peculiar things happening with your body, I’d say the evidence is pretty conclusive.” 

Discord snapped his fingers and a large iced cake appeared in front of Scootaloo. The words Congratulations on Being a Draconequus were written in pink icing on top. Next to the cake were two books. One was a thick tome titled, So, You’re a Draconequus by D.I. Scord, whilst the other was a slightly skinnier volume titled, How to Hypnotise your Girlfriend (and others) by D.I. Scord. 

“I’ll be confiscating that,” Hermione growled swiftly pinching the second book before Scootaloo had a chance to pick it up, having read both titles over the other girl’s shoulder. “No way am I having you hypnotise me so you can get out of your tutoring sessions next year. Maybe if you’re good and obey your tutor we’ll have time for an extracurricular study session on the subject.”

“Daaaaaaaaaad,” Scootaloo whined as Hermione placed the confiscated book into a rucksack she had brought with her for the day. “Tell my girlfriend she can’t be stealing and blackmailing me with my own birthday presents.”

Discord meanwhile was rubbing his chin deep in thought. “Hmm, I hadn’t thought of that,” he commented. “Sorry Scoti, I will have to side with your girlfriend on this occasion. You will only have access to learning hypnotism as a reward for studying hard in your tutoring sessions. And you can stop with the puppy dog eyes. I invented that look and will not be persuaded by it.”

Scootaloo harrumphed, crossed her arms and pouted unhappily as a smug smile appeared on Hermione’s lips.  

Discord couldn’t help let out another snort of amusement at his daughter’s disgruntled expression. “I thought you would have realised by now that pouting just makes you look extremely cute and adorable.” 

Scootaloo immediately turned and gave her father a death glare strikingly similar to Molly’s. 

Discord chuckled a little more nervously. “And I see you’ve inherited your aunt’s death glare.”

Scootaloo opened her mouth to snipe a retort back at her father but suddenly found her mouth zipped shut.

“Enough. I’ve a busy and fun day scheduled for us and thus need to hurry this along unless you would rather spend your birthday squabbling?” Discord said removing the zip from his daughter’s mouth and giving her an inquisitive look. Scootaloo gave her father one more defiant look before she lowered her head in defeat. “That’s what I thought. Now, that book you see in front of you contains many of my own personal experiences along with tips and tricks to help you control your magic and learn new things. Both are essential to a young draconequus’ development. Do not try them all at once and certainly don’t try some of the more advanced ones until you are older. I will help you traverse the dimensional plane when you are a little older. Promise me you will not even think about using your magic to travel between dimensions. Along with possibly ending up with body parts spread across several dimensions you could also end up trapped in some very dangerous dimensions, from deadly plagues that will keep killing you over and over again as you cannot die to blood thirsty monsters that not even you will be able survive if they catch you and rip you to shreds before I can find you and safely bring you home. So, Pinkie promise me you will not attempt to traverse dimensions without me accompanying you or until I say you are ready to do so by yourself,” Discord said in an unusually serious tone. 

“You don’t need to tell me twice but as you’re probably well aware, chaos seems to follow me wherever I go,” Scootaloo answered gesturing a thumb in the direction either side of her at Hermione, Sweetie and Apple Bloom. 

“Hey! I resent that. I’m the one who usually reels you in,” Hermione grumbled with a glower at her girlfriend.

“Calm down, I’m only teasing you,” Scootaloo replied with a giggle. “Although, technically you were the reason I ended up being brutally mutilated by an… Ow, Bloom, what, oh, my bad. Sorry Hermione, I didn’t mean…”

“No, you’re right,” Hermione sniffled wiping a tear from her eye. “If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t have had to face down Quirrell last year. I-I-It was my fault you lost your eye.”

Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “How many times do we have to go over this. It was my choice to follow you and if I hadn’t, well, I’d rather not think about it, especially on my birthday,” she finished with a shudder as a chill ran up her spine.

“Too right. Today’s a day of celebration, on two counts. Albeit, first I believe Dizzy Wizzy is still waiting for a certain promise Scootaloo.”

“GAH!” Scootaloo screamed looking up to see Pinkie Pie’s head poking out of a portal above her. After taking a few deep breaths Scootaloo said, “Pinkie, you nearly gave me a heart attack. What are you doing here anyway?”

“Duh silly, it’s your birthday and my body started doing all sorts of peculiar things to indicate something BIG was going down and that you were involved. I also had to drop of your birthday present from all of us so here I am,” Pinkie explained cheerfully. I really must agree with Dizzy though. Messing about in the multiverse is no place for someone as young and inexperienced as you.”

“Okay, okay, I get it. Cross my heart, I can fly, stick a cupcake in my eye. I Scoti Alaw Prewett do Pinkie promise that no matter what I will not attempt to use my magic to transport to other dimensions without supervision or until Discord says otherwise,” Scootaloo conceded. “That good enough for you?”

“Excellent. Now I’ve just two more things to do before I head back to Equestria. “Firstly, your gifts from me and the girls.

Two neatly wrapped parcels topped by a baker’s dozen box of Pinkie’s finest cupcakes and a card floated down onto the table in front of Scootaloo. 

“How? You know what, never mind. What’s this, GAH, Pinkie, haven’t you heard of personal space?” Scootaloo exclaimed suddenly finding the pink party pony’s face right in front of her own.

“Just a reminder,” Pinkie said in a thoroughly disturbing tone as for a blink and you’d miss it moment her eyes flashed red and her hair went flat. “A Pinkie promise is for life. You ever break that promise and blood thirsty monsters will be the least of your worries.” 

“Yowch,” Scootaloo winced as from out of nowhere a knife made a small cut on her cheek. She gulped as Pinkie proceeded to lick the blade. 

“This binds our contract,” the pink mare continued coldly before her hair returned to its usual messy state and she giggled, “Toodles, hope you like your gifts and enjoy the rest of your birthday!” 

And with that Pinkie disappeared just as suddenly as she had appeared.

“What just happened?” Scootaloo queried as in a daze she picked up the card from the top of the pile and opened it. “You know what, never mind. I’ve learnt from experience it’s better for your sanity if you just don’t question anything Pinkie Pie does. Oh, neat a Wonderbolts…” 

She stopped mid-sentence for the second time that morning as a lanyard with Wonderbolts insignia on it fell out of the card along with a note and into her lap. Attached to the lanyard was a pass that read Wonderbolts Private Royal Performance V.I.P All Areas Access Pass.

Every window in the Burrow shattered.

(END OF PART 1)

*

An hour and a half later Scootaloo groaned, face scarlet and head buried within her hands in total embarrassment, as Mr Weasley’s light blue automobile, with Discord at the wheel, raced along the main road at breakneck speed seemingly oblivious of all the other traffic. Whether her embarrassment was because she’d squealed so loudly and at such a frequency as to shatter every window in the Burrow or because Discord had then replaced them with stained glass windows featuring images from a book entitled The Pony Sutra: Mares Edition by M.O. Lestia was difficult to tell. Or maybe it was that the twins had gifted her said book for her birthday. Unsurprisingly, it had been promptly confiscated by Molly and then used to hit both Fred and George over the head with before they were sent back to their room. It could have also been down to the fact Discord had just informed her that he’d forgotten to mention the book on draconequus puberty he’d gifted her this morning also contained some explanations provided by Professor Sprout on more normal changes a girl her age suffers. Then there was also the fact Hermione had refused to let go of her tail ever since they’d entered the car and that Discord was taking them all to some gaudy amusement park run by wizards for the entertainment of young muggle and magical children alike, an amusement park that had bored Fred and George so much at age seven that they’d ended up getting the whole Weasley family banned. They’d started to recall the story, something to do with the magical zoo and fireworks, as they were sent to their rooms for what they’d bought Scootaloo for her birthday only for Molly to cast Silencio on them followed by Stikkende. Fred and George had hastily made their exit after the latter, practically falling over each other as they retreated up the stairs back to the safety of their room. 

Highlights from Scootaloo’s other birthday gifts aside being Rainbow’s plus one to the private Wonderbolt’s show included a silver heart shaped locket from Hermione that held a picture of her girlfriend within it. Scootaloo had immediately added this to the gold chain and cutie mark pendant that already adorned her neck courtesy of Rainbow Dash the previous Christmas. Next up was a photo album documenting  the Crusaders' participation at Rainbow's and Applejack's wedding from Applejack. Scootaloo had also been intrigued by her two best friends’ main gift, Quidditch: The Board Game, which she would much rather be playing right now than riding in this strange contraption awaiting the indignity of spending her twelfth birthday at a theme park predominately aimed at those under the age of ten. On the plus side, at least she got to spend it with her three best friends, as well as with Ginny, who was dressed as a princess, and Ron, whose new bright pink hairstyle disguise provided by Sweetie had given them all a good laugh before they’d left. This though did mean there were seven of them in total including her father. No, forget divination for the day; this was her birthday and she was going to make the most of it. She would ride the park’s rollercoaster multiple times, enjoy a whole load of sugary confections from the side stalls and explore the real ancient castle and its dungeons! And just in case things needed to be livened up a little bit, she had snuck her wand into her jacket pocket. 

Slowly Scootaloo started to lift her head from her hands and allowed a smile to slowly grace her cheeks once more. Yeah, maybe her twelfth birthday wouldn’t be such a bust after…

“BLEGHHHHHHHHH” Sweetie groaned as her car sickness finally proved too much and she threw up her breakfast into a bucket next to Scootaloo.

And just like that, all of Scootaloo’s renewed optimism for her birthday day out disappeared in an instant. 


*


Fifteen minutes later and, after a brief stop to dispose of Sweetie’s regurgitated breakfast via Scourgify, the small party had arrived at their destination and were currently waiting in one of three lines to enter the park. A huge arch with the words WELCOME TO CAMELOT! hung over ticket booths designed like castle turrets in front of them. From what Scootaloo could see, they were, by at least two or three years, the oldest visitors there aside from accompanying adults and a group of mentally handicapped teens in the queue next to them who were constantly pointing at Ron’s glittery pink hair, Sweetie’s horn, which had been decided didn’t need to be covered up as it simply would be seen by muggles as a child dressing up for the theme, and the fact Discord had changed his suit for that of the dress expected of a stereotypical wizard, blues robes and pointy hat with stars on both along with a long flowing white beard. He had even acquired an owl from somewhere that was asleep on his shoulder. And it wasn’t just the mentally handicapped teens who were giving them odd looks. Although they were trying to do it discreetly, many parents were giving them some peculiar glances whilst their children were a lot less discreet with their sniggers and pointing. Scootaloo was guessing this is what it must feel like for the poor animals in the zoo. She was just thankful her wings were tucked up safely beneath her oversized T-shirt along with her tail to avoid further embarrassment and that she had held her tongue on her father’s choice of clothing for this excursion as otherwise she would have more than likely ended up in a damsel in distress outfit similar to Ginny’s disguise as comedic punishment. It did not look at all comfortable to wear especially on a sweltering hot day in the middle of summer such as today and Ginny did not look happy herself with having to wear the garish pink princess costume as a precautionary disguise but had held her tongue so far. Ginny had been by far the most excited out of everybody in the car, happy just to get away from the Burrow and her overprotective mother for the day. For the past forty odd minutes in the car, she had been scrutinising the map of the park in the flyer Discord had procured and asking Scootaloo in an excited tone throughout the journey what they should do first much to Scootaloo annoyance as she had tried to nap.

“HALT, who goes there?” a voice suddenly cut into Scootaloo’s thoughts.

To Scootaloo’s great relief they had finally reached one of the turrets where a man dressed, of course, as a knight was ready to greet them.

“Hail sir knight. I am the wizard Discord on a quest to bring the fair maiden Guinevere to Camelot from Hogwartia. These five strangely dressed peasants are her entourage. The knights Sir Scoti of Equestria, Sir Bloom of Appleford and Sir Roland of Nottingshire along with her maids Miss Belle and Miss Granger.” 

Scootaloo was unsure whether to drop dead in embarrassment or piss herself laughing at the look on Sweetie’s face after being referred to as Ginny’s maid. Hermione did not look at all pleased with being referred to as such either. 

“MAID!” Sweetie retorted incredulously with a look towards Discord that would have sent most mortal men running to the hills in fear.

“Silence maid or I shall have you flogged for your insubordination upon our arrival,” Ginny responded haughtily deciding to play her part.

This was all too much for Scootaloo who couldn’t help let out a snort of amusement through a cupped hand as Sweetie turned and redirected her glower towards Ginny.

While Scootaloo attempted to prevent an argument from breaking out between her two friends the knight was busy replying to Discord’s request. After tapping his nose mysteriously, he replied, “Say no more. You and the fair maiden may pass for free but there shall be a toll of two gold pieces for each of her entourage. Oh wait, is it that young man’s birthday as well?” the knight added breaking character for a moment and pointing to the circular number twelve badge on Scootaloo’s T-shirt, the girl herself attempting desperately with Ron to stop Sweetie from throttling Ginny. “If so, make that nine gold pieces sir and I hope he has a great birthday with us today.

Despite even more humiliation on her birthday, this time Scootaloo was somewhat relieved as it had at least distracted Sweetie long enough for her to calm down. Instead, the unicorn girl was now giggling away uncontrollably at Scootaloo’s misfortune of being mistaken for a boy.

“Indeed, it is and thank you, sir knight,” Discord meanwhile replied whilst paying the wizard in knight’s clothing the nine galleons entry fee.

“Enjoy your time in Camelot mighty wizard and I hope you are able to get the fair maiden to the castle safely!” The wizard commented placing the money into his till before handing Discord his seven entrance tickets.

“Thank you again and keep up the good work,” Discord replied once more rounding up the gaggle of miscreants under his charge and ushering them one by one through the turnstile in front of them.

The Park itself was divided into six parts separated across a number of fields with the castle at the centre of it all atop a hill. To their right was a number of themed funfair rides and side stalls, the latter of which eager employees were doing their utmost to tempt passers by into spending some extra money. Behind the funfair was, according to the map in the flyer Discord had procured, some gardens and a magical hedge maze that had moving walls! This wrapped around the back of the castle and merged with the so-called mythical zoo. Then, to the left of the castle after the zoo were a picnic area, a large tent for shows and special events and right next to them in a temporary building was “YE OLDE GIFT SHOP AND FIRST AID STATION” along with one of several toilet blocks dotted around the theme park. There were also some slides coming down one side of the hill on which the castle sat

“So,” Discord enquired looking down at his daughter. “It’s your special day Scoti. Where would you like to start?”

As if on cue A loud voice over a speaker system boomed, “LAST CALL FOR THE ELEVEN O’CLOCK SHOWING OF THE SWORD IN THE STONE!” 

Ginny gave her cousin an imploring look. 

Scootaloo shrugged her shoulders. “Sure, why not, it’s as good a place as…” Scootaloo never finished he sentence as Ginny grabbed her arm and dragged her at lightning pace towards the big show tent. “GINNNNNNNNNNNYYYYYYYYY!” Scootaloo screeched as the rest of the misfit group followed at a more leisurely pace trying not to laugh. 


*


To Scootaloo’s surprise, for amateur dramatics and a show intended for a younger audience with a run time of only thirty minutes, it actually wasn’t half bad. The story had been a little bit simplified and made a little silly at times for the targeted audience but the magic had been cleverly worked in so that the muggles watching simply thought it was the use of special effects and there had been enough of a plot to keep even her friends and her engrossed throughout. 

As a rapturous applause died down, the wizard playing Merlin coughed to gain everyone’s attention in the tent and then said, “Thank you, thank you, you are all too kind. Now, before you all depart, we would just like to offer one lucky audience member the opportunity to come down to the front for a special surprise. How might you ask are we going to decide upon this special someone? Well, to start with we would like to ask if anyone is lucky enough to have their birthday today? Raise your hand nice and high if you do.”

Crap. The last thing Scootaloo wanted was…

“OVER HERE!” Hermione bellowed with a wicked smirk spread across her face as she stood up next to Scootaloo at the back of the tent where they were sitting and started pointing dramatically at Scootaloo.

Double crap. Well maybe someone else had their birthday today and she wouldn’t be forced to…

“Looks like we’ve only one lucky child this time. Don’t be shy. Come on up and bring someone with you who you would like to dish out some punishment to today in the stocks!” 

Hermione’s smirk instantly dropped from her face as a set of stocks was rolled out onto the stage. 

Scootaloo looked up at her girlfriend with a devilish smirk of her own before she said sardonically as she rose from the bench they were sitting on, “Well then, that is a nice surprise. Care to join me Hermione?” 


*


After absolutely pelting her poor girlfriend with wet sponges for almost five minutes, Scootaloo’s misgivings about her father’s choice of activity for her birthday had, for now at least, been quashed. After the show, to give Hermione some time to dry off, they had visited  the mythical creature zoo which, according to the flyer, contained an  array of rare, magical, and mythical creatures. A few of these, like the jackalope, kneazle, thestral (according to Scootaloo and Bloom), poisonous duck and phoenix, had clearly been real but considering they were surrounded by so many others that were clearly fake, such as a unicorn that was no more than a horse with a horn taped to its head, a puffskein that was a hedgehog and a grim that was nothing more than an ordinary black dog, it was unlikely any muggle would actually believe the real ones to be real. Discord had explained this to the six children in a low whisper as they giggled at a so-called griffin that was nothing more than a European wildcat with a hose attached to its tail along with a pair of ridiculously fake-looking wings taped to its side. He had gone on to explain how, under the guise of a theme park, the park secretly operated as a vital sanctuary for sick and injured magical creatures throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. 

After nearly an hour of visiting the intentionally obvious fakes in the mythical zoo, it had been time for the lunch Molly had so kindly packed into a rucksack that Discord was carrying. The rucksack thankfully had been modified with an enlargement charm as to no one’s surprise Molly had packed them an absurd amount of food and drink, as if they were going camping on Dartmoor for the weekend or something similar. Following on from lunch they had gone up the hill to explore the castle, which in truth had been rather disappointing. Aside from the front wall, the rest of the castle was little more than ruins while the so-called dungeons that they had mentioned consisted of just one cell, a long-ago roof collapse having completely blocked off any opportunity at further exploration underground. On the plus side Scootaloo did get to witness Hermione jump in fright and her girlfriend’s hair stick on end as a ghost unexpectedly appeared through the dungeon wall right in front of her. The ghost had gone on to remove his head and then tell everyone his name, Patrick-Delaney Podmore along with his rather gruesome death story. Many of the muggles had oooed and ahhed at the ghost, stating how the projection was extremely realistic and that the speakers were very well hidden. Scootaloo and her friends of course knew better. 

They had spent a good half an hour exploring the ruins and gardens before heading to the entrance of the magical hedge maze where they all now stood awaiting Scootaloo’s instructions.

“Right girls and Roland who looks like one,” Scootaloo stated.

“HEY!” Ron interjected as the girls all sniggered. 

Scootaloo ignored him. “So, here’s how it is going to go down. Apple Bloom and Ron, sorry, Roland you are team Pink Lady.” 

“OH, COME ON.” Ron exclaimed crossing his arms and pouting as the girls all let out snorts of amusement.

Scootaloo again chose to ignore him. “Sweetie Belle and Hermione are team Egghead. Ow, that hurt,” Scootaloo grimaced rubbing the back of her head where Hermione had slapped her before continuing. “And that leaves me and Princes Guinevere as Team Awe…”

“Princess Pansies,” Hermione interrupted. 

“Hey no, we’re team…” Scootaloo tried to rectify only for Hermione to interrupt her again.

“All in favour of that name?” 

“Aye,” everyone else aside Scootaloo and Ginny agreed.

“Eugh, fine. Team Princess Pansies,” Scootaloo conceded forcing the words out of her mouth. “Anyway, moving on, the last team out buys whatever the first team out wants from the gift shop up to the value of two galleons or ten pounds in muggle money. Discord is at the exit and will be the overall judge. No use of magic of any sort shall be permitted. Agreed?” 

Another chorus of “Aye,” went round the small group.

“Then without further ado, 3, 2, 1, GO!”

The six children raced into the maze in their pairs.


*


Fifteen minutes later, Scootaloo and Ginny were hopelessly lost. The flyer hadn’t been kidding when it had stated it was the most difficult hedge maze to navigate in Britain. Of course, the moving walls didn’t help. As soon as they decided to move one way the walls would shift and they would be forced into taking a different direction. For the past fifteen minutes it had felt the whole maze had been mocking them and making them go around in circles. 

“I’m sure we came this way before,” Ginny asserrted as they turned a corner. 

“How can you tell, all the hedges in this damn…” Scootaloo stopped what she was about to say as she saw what was ahead of them, the entrance.

Fifteen minutes and they’d gotten literally nowhere.

“Mother Fucker” Scootaloo swore before sighing and turning to Ginny. “Come on, let’s try this direction,” Scootaloo suggested pointing down another path and trudging back into the depths of the maze. 


*


Elsewhere in the maze team Pink Lady weren’t faring much better. 

“EUGH,” Apple Bloom groaned. “This bucking maze is a nightmare!” 

“Agreed,” Ron replied as the walls moved once more blocking their path. “Guess we’ll…” he halted mid-sentence as he did a full three sixty degree turn to ensure it wasn’t a mirage.

There was nowhere to go. Four hedgerows loomed up on all four sides of them. 

“…Or not,” he said a little nervously wondering how long it would be before the walls moved again and they could proceed. The last thing he wanted was to be stuck in this maze all afternoon!

Apple Bloom though was no longer in the mood for playing by the maze’s rules. “Right, that does it. “I’m pretty sure we came in from that direction, so the exit must be in the opposite direction.”

“Makes sense,” Ron replied not liking the tone of Apple Bloom’s voice. “What did you have…hey, what are you doing!” Ron exclaimed as Apple Bloom lifted him up and threw him over her right shoulder.

“Improvising,” Apple Bloom replied. “If the rules state I can’t use my Earth pony magic to make the walls move out of our way, then we’ll have to go with plan B.”

“Dare I ask what’s plan B?” Ron enquired knowing that no matter what, he’d regret the answer he would receive.

“CHARGE!” Apple Bloom cried racing head first into one of the hedgerows.

Ron screamed.


*


“OH, YOU ARE MOTHER FU…” Scootaloo began to scream only for Ginny to shove a hand over her mouth and point to some younger children entering the maze with their parents.

Scootaloo took a deep breath in an attempt to calm herself down. Ten minutes had passed since her and Ginny’s second attempt at navigating the maze had begun. The entrance to the maze once more lay before them.

As Ginny removed her hand from Scootaloo’s mouth, the latter spoke in a much more civil and calm manner than previously, even if a little forced. “Thanks Ginny. Okay, one more time. This time, you lead. Maybe that’ll help.”


*


Hermione and Sweetie grinned at each other as they saw the exit to the maze appear in front of them. It had taken them forty-five minutes to do so but through logical thinking and deductions they had finally made it. And considering how difficult it had been to navigate the maze successfully, the chances of either of the other groups beating them was next to zero. 

“Victory is…” Sweetie Belle cackled only to be interrupted mid-sentence.

“What kept you? We’ve been waiting fifteen minutes,” Apple Bloom deadpanned standing next to Discord, her hair and clothes covered in twigs, leaves and what even looked like a bird’s nest.

Ron lay on the floor on her other side completely out of it and covered in just as many twigs and leaves. 

“How?” Sweetie exclaimed in disbelief. “We used every ounce of our combined brain power to navigate that maze successfully and it took us forty-five minutes. There’s absolutely no way you could have done it quicker without cheating.” She looked imploringly up at Discord.

“Apple Bloom’s methods although frowned upon were not strictly against the rules as she used no magic,” Discord deadpanned taking a sip of water from a bottle.

“B-b-but how then?” Sweetie asked again.

“She walked straight through fourteen hedgerows to find me,” Discord deadpanned pointing to an Apple Bloom shaped hole in the outer wall of the maze that was slowly shrinking as the magic imbued into the maze fixed the damage the girl and her human battering ram had caused.

“What? I was just using my ingenuity,” Apple Bloom retorted with a cheeky grin and a shrug of her shoulders. “Not like Ron was going to be much help otherwise,” the girl stated bluntly.

“Twigs!” Ron mumbled from the floor.  

Sweetie’s forehead met her right hand. “Why am I not surprised. What is it you are always telling us? If at first you don’t succeed, whack it and hope for the best.”

“Eeeeyupp,” Apple Boom replied with a giggle. “And don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. This is the second time it’s worked after the DADA exam.”

Sweetie rolled her eyes. “I suppose I should just look at the positive, we didn’t come last. How long do you think until Scootaloo and Ginny make it out?”

“Personally, I think we’re in for a long wait,” Apple Bloom replied quite frankly.

“Seriously Bloom, you think that poorly of my navigation skills?” Scootaloo’s voice said questioningly as she came round one of the corners of the maze with Ginny.

“Oh? Then might I ask why you have gone around the maze and not through it as originally agreed upon?” Apple Bloom responded turning to face her friend with a questioning gaze

“Ah, yeah, about that…” Scootaloo began skittishly looking desperately around for some excuse not to answer the question. 

“Pfft,” Ginny giggled next to Scootaloo. “We ended up back at the entrance three times. On the final occasion we decided to just give up and walk around the maze though I initially thought Scootaloo was going to burn the whole maze down her arm and hair were sparking so much in anger at the maze’s audacity to send us round in circles for forty minutes. I had to tell an inquisitive nearby muggle family that the sparks were due to static electricity build up caused as a result of her prosthetic arm!”

“Ginnyyyyyyyy,” Scootaloo whined as a smug smirk appeared on Apple Bloom’s face whilst everyone else chortled as the image of Sparkyloo popped into their heads.

“What? You know Apple Bloom would have only forced one of us to tell the truth in the end anyway. And I preferably don’t want to be thrown through a hedge today like it looks like she’s already done to my brother,” Ginny retorted pointing at Ron who had passed out once more on the grass next to Apple Bloom.

“Good guess but it was fourteen hedges not one,” Apple Bloom replied, the smug smirk on her face growing ever wider.

Both Ginny’s and Scootaloo’s eyes shot open in alarm. 

“On this occasion cous, you made an excellent decision,” Scootaloo whispered into Ginny’s ear before turning to Apple Bloom. “Okay, I’ll admit it. My navigation skills are awful,” Scootaloo accepted with a chuckle while holding up her hands in defeat. “Now, who else wants to have a go on the rollercoaster?”

Everyone aside Apple Bloom and Ron cheered as they followed Scootaloo towards the section of the park with all the rides. 

“Sneaky,” Apple Bloom grumbled under breath as she dragged Ron up from the floor and heaved him onto her back.

“Twigs!” Ron exclaimed once more. This time it was followed by a deranged laugh before he again fell into unconsciousness slumped over Apple Bloom’s back. 

“Need a hand?” Discord enquired coming up next to Apple Bloom and placing a hand atop the girl’s head.

“Haha,” Apple Bloom said sardonically as Discord’s left hand, which he’d pulled off with his right before placing atop her head, started to scuttle around. “Thanks for the offer but I’ll be fine. I’ve carried bushels of apples heavier,” she grunted as she started to follow her friends.

“Suit yourself,” Discord replied with a shrug of his shoulders before retrieving his left hand from atop Apple Bloom’s head and following the girl as they attempted to catch up to the rest of their motley crew.


*


“What hit me,” Ron moaned as he finally awoke and spat a leaf out of his mouth

ROAR!

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH, NOT AGAIN,” Ron screamed as he noticed the giant red dragon breathing fire right in front of him, memories of Norbert he would rather have remained repressed flashing across his mind.  

Then he heard the stifled giggle next to him and a voice he knew only to well. “Discord thought the rollercoaster might wake you up. He also expected your reaction to be hilarious if you did,” Apple Bloom tittered next to Ron. “Now, hold on, we’re about to… AAAAAWESOOOOOOME!” 

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” Ron screamed as the rollercoaster suddenly dropped from a ridiculous height at breakneck speed. 


*


“That was awesome! Anyone else want to go again?” Scootaloo enquired her hair and arm sparking from the adrenaline rushing through her body as they exited the rollercoaster. 

“NO!” Ron and Sweetie exclaimed in unison. 

Sweetie’s face especially was looking a little green. 

“Hmm, good idea. Let’s see what other rides there are first and then come back to the rollercoaster again before we leave,” Scootaloo said with a wicked smile as she turned to face Hermione. “So, what other rides does this park have for us to try out?” 

Being the only muggle-born in the group, Hermione was the only one to have seen and witnessed such rides before, Ginny and Ron being too young to remember their previous visit to Camelot. Thus, Scootaloo had asked her girlfriend to decipher the map on the flyer to see what rides would be suitable for them. 

“Hmm,” Hermione replied deep in thought. “Most the rides seem to be aimed at younger kids. I’d say aside from the rollercoaster and the slides atop the hill, there are only four other rides we’d be interested in. The carousel, waltzer, dodgems and the pirate ship. What a pirate ship is doing in a medieval themed theme park is anybody’s guess but no matter. Where would you like to start?”

“I have literally no idea what any of those are so why don’t you choose the one you think would be best to start with,” Scootaloo replied.

“Okay then,” Hermione said with a devilish smile of her own. “The carousel it is.”

“Why am I suddenly regretting my decision to let you choose?” Scootaloo sighed looking up towards the heavens.


*


“This is so humiliating and feels just wrong. How did I ever let you talk me into this?” Scootaloo grumbled slamming her head into the mane of the metallic ornate horse Hermione had forced her to ride “Ouch,” she swiftly mumbled as some seriously cheesy and peppy music played in the background.

“I personally don’t see what the problem is?” Sweetie retorted on another horse to Scootaloo’s right before Hermione could on her horse to Scootaloo’s left. “I’m quite enjoying my pony ride. In fact, I think I’ll sing about it!”

“Scootaloo’s head immediately shot back up in alarm. “Don’t you…”

Sweetie wasn’t listening. “My little pony, my little pony, isn’t the world a lovely place?” she instead began to sing.

“My little pony, my little pony, everywhere you go a smiling face!” Hermione continued much to her own disbelief.

Scootaloo was trying desperately to keep her mouth sealed shut.

“Smiling and skipping, merrily tripping,” Ron added in the carriage he and Apple Bloom were riding in behind the three girls.

“Watching the morning unfold, my little pony, my little pony,” Apple Bloom continued before all eyes fell upon Scootaloo. 

“What does the future hold?” the girl finally conceded defeat as her mouth finally won the battle to open up and join in the impromptu musical number.

“Jolly and Present,” Sweetie continued as Scootaloo groaned to the heavens praying for the ride to end.  


*


“Finally,” Scootaloo said with a huge sigh of relief as they exited the carousel after no fewer than three songs. “I thought it would never end!”

“The ride or Sweetie’s singing?” Apple Bloom sniggered.

“HEY!” Sweetie exclaimed indignantly.

“Both,” Scootaloo replied to Apple Bloom’s query ignoring Sweetie’s interjection.

“HEY!” Sweetie exclaimed indignantly once more sending a sharp glower in the direction of her two best friends. “My singing was sublime and you know it,” she huffed.

“If you were a cat maybe,” Scootaloo joked. 

“Takes one to know one,” Sweetie retorted sticking out her tongue at Scootaloo as she had a quick look around.  Her horn started to glow green.

A moment later Scootaloo stared wide eyed down at the furry little nose and whiskers her friend had craftily transfigured hers into. Sweetie meanwhile had disappeared into the crowd of families that surrounded them.

Apple Bloom couldn’t help but snigger some more. “You asked for that one Cataloo,” she retorted.

Scootaloo looked up from examining her new nose and whiskers and slowly a grin grew across her face as she looked across at her friend’s face. 

“What?” Apple Bloom asked, her sniggering immediately stopping.

“You know how we were wondering where Sweetie’s been disappearing to a lot these holidays?” Scootaloo replied. “And why she always seems to have her head stuck in that overly large book of hers?”

“Yes,” Apple Bloom replied stoically.

“Well, I think we just found the answer Kitty Bloom,” Scootaloo chuckled in response. 

Apple Bloom’s eyes immediately looked down and finally noticed the whiskers and furry nose that now adorned her own face.

“Woah, transfiguring two people at the same time! I didn’t even think that was possible,” Hermione gushed in admiration of Sweetie’s magical prowess, her eyes darting from Scootaloo to Apple Bloom and back again.

“It certainly won’t be again when I get my hands on her,” Apple Bloom growled in reply. “Come on, even if I have to tear down the castle’s last remaining wall, I am going to find her and get her back for… MIAOW!” she suddenly let slip before she was able to cover her mouth.

And just like that the tension was broken as everybody aside Apple Bloom doubled over with laughter at the poor girl’s expense. 


*


Sweetie gulped nervously sandwiched in between Scootaloo and Apple Bloom in one of the large circular carriages of the waltzer. Both still had the nose and whiskers of a cat.

It had not surprised Sweetie in the slightest that her two best friends had hunted her down so quickly. What had unnerved her was the fact that neither of them had said a word as Apple Bloom had dragged her onto this ride. She had expected some kind of repercussion for her punishment but so far none had been forthcoming and the waiting was driving her insane. 

“Okay gals, so you caught and forced me to go on this ride with you,” Sweetie finally blurted unable to hold her tongue anymore. “Are you going to enlighten me on how that’s a punishment for my actions or am I going to have to wait and see?” she asked as the ride operator came over and secured them into their carriage by lowering a metal bar over each of their heads.

Scootaloo looked at Bloom with a malevolent looking grin. Sweetie did not like that one bit and her natural instincts immediately kicked in telling her to flee. Of course, now tightly strapped into the ride, there was nowhere she could run. 

“Shall I tell her or let her work it out for herself?” Scootaloo asked Apple Bloom. 

“Let’s tell her. I want to see her struggle,” Apple Bloom replied with an equally malevolent grin. 

Seeing the look on Apple Bloom’s face, Sweetie instantly knew she was well and truly bucked. 

“I’ll put it nice and simply for you,” Scootaloo began to explain as the ride started to move. “This ride, according to Hermione, features individual carriages that go round in a large circle via some track-like mechanism. The fun part is that each carriage features a disc in the middle that when spun spins the carriage round on its axis. The faster the disc is spun, the faster the carriage spins, like the roundabout we used to play on in the playground outside the schoolhouse back in Ponyville. And you remember how fast Apple Bloom could spin that, don’t you?”

Sweetie desperately began to struggle against her restraints. “No, please. I’ll transfigure you back,” she squeaked in desperation. “I’ll accept my singing is awful. I’ll do anything. Just please don’t let Apple Bloom spin that disc!”

“Too late. You should have thought about that before pranking us. I’d suggest holding on tightly, things are about to get dizzy,” Scootaloo said evilly. 

Sweetie looked on with pure horror spread across her face as Apple Bloom grabbed hold of the disc in the centre of their carriage and, with all her strength, spun it. 

The world became no more than a blur of colours for Sweetie for the next two and a half minutes.


*


“BLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH,” Sweetie groaned as the last remains of her lunch landed in the bush she had swiftly run to after the carriage had finally come to a standstill. 

“BLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH,” Ron groaned next to her as the last remains of his lunch likewise landed in the bush. 

Although not as powerful as Apple Bloom, Hermione’s love of thrills coupled with Ginny’s enthusiasm and a lack of coordination between the both of them had equalled a very bumpy ride for poor Ron as the carriage he was in with the two girls constantly spun one way, suddenly and quite violently jerked to a halt and then spun the other way throwing him all over the place as it did so. By the end of the ride, Ron had raced to the bush nearly as quickly as Sweetie had.

“Hmm, I’m not sure those two are going to be up for anymore rides,” Apple Bloom giggled still sporting her cat nose and whiskers.

“You think?” Scootaloo, likewise still sporting her cat nose and whiskers, chuckled sarcastically next to her. “Hey, you two. We’re going to head on over to the dodgems. When you’re done puking your guts up, come meet us there,” Scootaloo called to Sweetie and Ron.

“O-o-okay,” Sweetie stammered in reply before immediately turning back to the bush to continue depositing what little remained of her lunch. 

“Awesome, now that that’s sorted, the rest of us can go continue having some fun!” Scootaloo exclaimed rubbing her hands together with glee. “Hermione, lead on to these so-called dodgems!”


*


“So, that’s why you also referred to them as bumper cars. Did you really have to hit mine so many times? It feels like I’ve got bruises all over my body,” Scootaloo groaned as they departed the dodgems. 

“Well, you should have dodged mine better then,” Hermione replied in a snarky tone.

“It was my first time using one of those bizarre contraptions. You could have least given me a little bit of leeway,” Scootaloo retorted in return.

“Hmm, let me see, nope,” Hermione replied with a giggle. “I did offer for us to go in one together like Apple Bloom and Ginny but you refused, so it’s your own fault.”

“Oh, I’d rather you didn’t bring up those two,” Scootaloo grumbled rubbing her very sore lower back. 

“Well, as Hermione pointed out, the whole point of the ride is to dodge other people’s cars and to put it bluntly, you were fucking shit at it,” Apple Bloom deadpanned causing Hermione to double over with laughter.

“Wow, thanks Bloom for not even trying to sugarcoat it a little. Even so, I think hitting my car so hard it toppled onto its side at the end there might have been a little bit of overkill. The ride operator certainly wasn’t happy with us,” Scootaloo replied sardonically.

“Wasn’t my fault you didn’t…” Apple Bloom stopped mid-sentence as she heard one of the side hustlers yell nearby.

“ROLL UP, ROLL UP, TRY YOUR LUCK ON THE HIGH STRIKER AND WIN A PRIZE. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS HIT THE LEVER WITH ENOUGH FORCE THAT THE PUCK HITS THE BELL AT THE TOP! IT’S AS EASY AS IT SOUNDS!” 

“Scootaloo,” Apple Bloom suddenly growled in such a tone that sent shivers down Scootaloo’s spine. “You know you owe me something from the gift shop. Change of plan. It’s time to teach someone a lesson they’ll not forget in a hurry.”


*


Richard Lest looked over the peculiar group of six children with a quizzical eye, from the boy with pink hair to the two with cat masks over their faces for some reason. He soon dismissed the way they were dressed though as it wasn’t his place to question and he was having a bad enough day so far as it was. He was supposed to be the manager overseeing the fairground section of the park yet due to four staff pulling sickies he had been stuck manning the high striker and the bucking bronco ride simultaneously whilst also dealing with any issues that arose on any other rides across this section of the park. To his relief, aside from a couple of incidents on the waltzer and dodgems which sounded like nothing more than kids being kids, the day had so far gone all right and without any major hiccups. No rides had broken down, no kids had thrown up on them, no visitors had acted aggressively towards his staff and there had been no overcrowding. So, overall, considering how today had started, it was actually going alright. He had also taken a fair amount of money on both the rides without giving away even one prize, sticking the magical resistance on the high striker to maximum whilst also putting the bucking bronco into its most challenging setting. He knew that was technically wrong of him and against the park’s owners moral code but he didn’t care. As far as Richard saw it, life wasn’t fair; get over it. So, you couldn’t win your darling daughter that giant plush unicorn she’s pining for, tough, not my problem, you should have been stronger. As far as Richard was concerned, every passer-by was a sucker from which to squeeze money out of. Take this party here. He should lower the magical resistance on the high striker a bit and let them win a small prize for their troubles. Would he? No. Because it would be much more fun for him to see them struggle to raise the puck even an inch. 

“One of you fancy a go? Three attempts for two pounds,” he said enticingly in an attempt to draw them in. “Many different prizes to win. And if you do manage to hit the bell at the top you win one of the grand prizes from the top shelf behind me.” 

Richard dramatically highlighted the top shelf behind him with the mallet as Apple Bloom stepped forward. 

“I’ll only need the one attempt thank you,” she growled handing over the money she’d borrowed from Hermione while snatching the mallet out of Richard’s other hand.

Apple Bloom went straight over to the machine and slammed the mallet down with all her might. The puck sailed to the top and shattered as it collided with the bell. The bell itself flew off and landed at Richard’s feet while at the base of the high striker Apple Bloom had hit the lever with such force the whole mechanism had buckled and crumpled. Simply put, the high striker was now little more than scrap metal.

Richard stared at the girl mouth agape unsure just what to say. “My machine,” he finally whimpered as Apple Bloom pointed at the giant plush unicorn that was bigger than her on the top shelf.

“I believe you will find that I won that fair and square even if you were not acting in such an honest manner,” the girl stated flatly as Richard started to regain her composure and turned on the girl.

“You little brat. I don’t know how you did it but I’ll make your parents pay for that,” he growled threateningly.

“For what? I simply hit the lever hard enough so that the puck hit the bell. It’s not my fault you put such a strong resistance charm on it. That’s your fault, not mine,” Apple Bloom said flatly once more. 

Richard’s eyes went wide and he suddenly took a better look at the group. Now that he looked a little more closely, those cat faces weren’t masks and that pink hair was almost certainly not caused from hair dye. These weren’t ordinary muggle children. Fuck. He was going to be in so much trouble with his superiors. Still, maybe there was chance he could still somehow manage to wangle his way out of this situation.

“Something wrong?” Discord’s voice cooed softly as he abruptly appeared behind the children.

And just like that any remaining hope Richard had of getting the children’s parents to pay for the damage evaporated.


*


After the high striker incident Discord had decided to call it a day despite Scootaloo’s protestations that they still hadn’t tried out the pirate ship or been on the rollercoaster for a second time. 

Discord’s reply had simply been, “I think we’ve caused enough chaos for one day.”

This had immediately shut Scootaloo up and as such the six children, one adult and one newly acquired ginormous rainbow coloured unicorn plush had once more piled into Mr Weasley’s car and departed for home. Surprisingly, the trip home seemed to take longer than the trip to the theme park despite them squeezing past muggle traffic as if it wasn’t there. Scootaloo though, exhausted from her day out, didn’t notice. Almost as soon as she’d landed in the car she had fallen asleep, only to be awoken an hour or so later when Apple Bloom gave her a shove. 

“Oy, wake up sleepy head,” Apple Bloom quipped as she did so. “We’re back.”

“Already?” Scootaloo said sleepily followed by a yawn. “What time is it?” 

“Nearly dinner time I believe. Come on, I bet Molly has got something special lined up for your birthday. 

That, she did. Scootaloo had barely walked into the Burrow before the tantalising aroma of roast beef, chicken galantine, and boiled sheep's head hit her nostrils. Aunt Molly must have been cooking all day! Drawn towards the kitchen, Scootaloo had barely walked in before everyone pounced on her with party poppers in hand.

“SURPRISE!” Molly, the twins, Hermione, Sweetie, Ginny, Mr Weasley, Percy, Ron, Discord and most surprisingly Fluttershy all yelled as one as Scootaloo was covered head to toe in confetti.

Slowly a warm smile crossed over Scootaloo’s face and then she laughed. On the balance of things, this had actually been probably the best birthday she’d ever had so far. And it still wasn’t over!
> The Canine Conundrum
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday August 2nd 1992, 7:30am, The Burrow, Ottery St Catchpole, Devon

Arthur sat at the kitchen table reading the Sunday Prophet whilst enjoying his breakfast. He had a long day and night ahead of him at work so it was nice to just be able to relax and have a bit of peace and quiet before he inevitably had to return to the Ministry. With eight children currently occupying his home, such moments were few and far between. In fact, over the past month he had actually been quite glad for all the overtime work he had been provided. It had certainly proven to be more peaceful than his homelife right now!

Currently, only one of the eight children occupied the breakfast table with him and to no real surprise it was Apple Bloom. Having been raised on a farm, the girl was used to getting up early and helping with chores before heading to school, which had proven to be a great help to Molly with so many mouths to feed! It was also clever of the girl as, in return for her help, she received the largest breakfast of any of the children and got first choice on whatever was on the menu that day. In fact, it had become so normal seeing the girl already seated at the table eating her breakfast as he came down the stairs over the past month, that he’d been more surprised not to see her on the one or two occasions when she had overslept. They’d also had some delightfully interesting discussions during that time about her home world and life as a pony and, seeing as the Sunday Prophet once more had little within it to interest him aside the crossword, he decided that now would be a great time to start one of those conversations. 

“So, any plans for today?” he asked the other occupant of the breakfast table closing his newspaper and placing it down upon the table.

“Actually, yes. Molly told me she wants to show and teach me something after breakfast outside in the garden. No idea what, all she told me was to bring Wallace,” Apple Bloom replied whilst polishing off her full English. 

“Hmm,” Arthur pondered whilst munching a bit of toast himself. “You are the one with an apple wand like Molly’s, correct?”

“I think that’s obvious considering her name,” Sweetie replied groggily from atop of Wallace in the kitchen doorway. She was still wearing her pyjamas and looked like a total train wreck, as if Wallace had just dragged her out of bed, which, it turned out, had been the case. 

“Sweetie? Where did you come from?” Apple Bloom exclaimed. “You look a mess!” she added.

“You think?” Sweetie grumbled testily. “Someone couldn’t wait for breakfast,” she growled as she toppled off Wallace’s back and onto the floor.

Her mammoth dog proceeded to give her face a massive lick, adding even more to Sweetie’s dishevelled look, before letting out a loud bark. 

“Oh, I think I can get you a piece of bacon for providing me with this wonderful bit of entertainment this morning,” Apple Bloom barked in reply rising from her chair. 

She stopped in the middle of rising from her seat as the realisation of what she’d just done dawned on her.

“Ah, so you’ve acquired the same peculiar side effect as Molly. I’ll leave her to explain everything to you. I should probably be heading to work,” Arthur stated, swiftly finishing of the rest of his morning tea and rising from his chair.

A loud scream from upstairs followed by an equally loud explosion hastened his movements. 

“I’ll see both of you girls tomorrow and send my love to Molly for me,” Arthur yelled to Apple Bloom and Sweetie before he threw the floo powder in his right hand onto the floor of the fireplace and disappeared in a puff of green flames. 

For a minute or maybe more Apple Bloom just stood where she was with a distant look upon her face. Then, finally, she said to Sweetie, “Did I just understand and reply to your dog?”

“Yes, you did. And the dog does have a name you know. More importantly, where’s that bacon you promised me? I’m famished,” Wallace barked in reply.

Apple Bloom fainted. 


*


An hour later and, after being revived by one of Wallace’s famous slobbery kisses and then finishing off the remnants of her breakfast, Apple Bloom found herself stood out in the garden at the back of the Burrow alongside Molly and Wallace.

Molly let out a heavy sigh. “So, I’m guessing you want an explanation as to how you are able to talk to Wallace?”

“That would be nice, yes,” Apple Bloom replied in a snarky tone, her arms placed across her chest. “The last thing I expected to be doing this morning was taking breakfast orders from Wallace.”

Molly released yet another heavy sigh. “I apologise, I should have had this talk with you sooner. I guess I was just putting it off hoping you would be an anomaly. This morning’s events though have confirmed what I feared. You see, it has been well documented that for some unknown reason apple wand owners seem to possess an uncanny ability to converse with other magical beings in their native tongues along with being able to understand them. Through my own experiences I have found this extends to all languages, human and animal.”

“Okay. That sounds cool. So, it doesn’t just apply to dogs then? Because, no offense, but the only things Wallace seems to be interested in are food and how chaseable everything is.”

“HEY, I’m a highly intelligent connoisseur of fine foods and have many delightful topics within my…” Wallace began to interject before he saw a rabbit appear from a nearby hedge. “Ooo, rabbit, must chase.” 

And just like that all chaos broke loose in 3… 

“Yes, our ability, as I previously stated, applies to all languages but there are a couple of drawbacks,” Molly replied to Apple Bloom’s earlier query ignoring the overly excitable hound that was barking madly as he pursued the rabbit he’d spotted across the yard.

“Ah, I was waiting for that but,” Apple Bloom responded with a sigh of her own. “Go on, lay them on me.”

2…

“Well, firstly, as you’ve already witnessed, said languages are usually learnt unconsciously through constant exposure. Over time, they just become second nature and we often don’t even realise whether we are talking to our friends or a pack of bloodthirsty wolves,” Molly explained. “This is why I want to help you control your ability and it seems I was just in time. I’m impressed with how quickly you seem to have picked up canine, although they are not the brightest animals to talk to and often easily distracted, as you’ve also quickly come to realise. That’s the second drawback. A large proportion of animals have limited intelligence and thus often solely want to talk about only one or two things. Often food, teasing other animals and mating. This is another reason why I want to help you as if you don’t learn to control your power it often can become a little overwhelming as rather than hearing the birds outside chirping you hear two males having an argument over a female.”

1…

Apple Bloom groaned as her face went bright red and her forehead hit her right hand. “Great, so what you are politely telling me is that sooner rather than later I’m going to be hearing birds mating with each other outside my window. And wait, what was that about bloodthirsty wolves?”

0…

“Hey everyone, you miss…” A voice suddenly interrupted before Molly had a chance to reply. “Wallace, LOOK OUT!”

Apple Bloom and Molly turned to see Wallace cannonballing into Scootaloo who had just stepped out of a portal. As fate would have it, she had come out right in front of the pond.

“YELP! Rabbit turn to quick!” Molly and Apple Bloom heard the dog exclaim before there was a loud thump followed by a loud splash and Discord’s trademark cackle.

“Wet pussy! Wet pussy!” Wally cawed, momentarily appearing out of the void and adding to the chaos, only for Molly’s stern gaze to send him hastily retreating there once more after a hasty caw of, “Psycho ginger, I’m out of here!” 

Apple Bloom meanwhile was, like Discord, in utter hysterics. 

“I’m happy to see you too, Wallace but next time could you please tone the enthusiasm down just a tad?” Scootaloo stated emotionlessly from the pond totally soaked through from her head to her tail.

“Not my fault, it was the barking rabbit’s!” Wallace barked in reply giving the girl’s face an apologetic lick.

“Eeeeewww, dog slobber,” Scotaloo groused as she pushed Wallace away from her and rose to her feet in the respectably shallow pond that came up to her waist. “Now, if anyone needs me, I’ll be in the shower,” she grumbled wading to the edge of the pond and lifting herself out.


*


As Scootaloo basked in the pleasant sensation of warm water falling over her head and shoulders washing all the dirt and grime from her skin, her mind started to wander over just how she was going to spend the rest of her Sunday. After such an exhilarating and adrenalin fuelled Saturday with Rainbow Dash, along with the gorgeous summer weather they were continuing to have, nothing sounded better than a relaxing Sunday under a shady tree in the garden reading up on her new found draconequus heritage and xylomancy with a cool drink. Yes, that sounded perfect. No possible chance of getting into any more trouble or…

A loud knock sounded on the bathroom door.

“Occupied,” Scootaloo yelled in reply.

“Ahh, so you are back. We thought that was you we saw out our window taking an early morning bath in the pond just now,” George’s or was it Fred’s voice chuckled from the other side of the bathroom door. “Anyway, once you are done, could you come knock on our door, we need your help with something urgent.”

And just like that Scootaloo’s chances of staying out of trouble for even a day turned to steam faster than the shower water.


*


Half an hour later and, after a mammoth struggle with one very troublesome tail that simply refused to cooperate and be properly groomed, Scootaloo now stood outside the twins’ bedroom door. Slowly and reluctantly, she knocked. 

“Enter,” they cried simultaneously from within.

“You wanted something from me urgently?” Scootaloo enquired with a heavy sigh pushing the door open. “Oh, hey Ron, what are you doing here?” she quickly added unable to hide her surprise at seeing the other boy in the room. It was he who replied to Scootaloo.

“Scootaloo, we were starting to wonder if you were coming.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. I quickly realised that my tail likes being washed as much as Wallace does,” Scootaloo replied as said tail proceeded to jab her in the ribs once more. “Yowch, see what I mean?” Scootaloo added with a wince as she rubbed her now tender left side and navigated the numerous obstacles on the floor to make her way into the room proper after closing the door behind her. 

Fred and George, sat on one of their beds with Ron, let out chuckles of amusement at Scootaloo’s tail’s antics.

“Yeah, yeah, snigger at the poor girl and her unruly new limb,” Scootaloo responded as her tail began to tickle her nose. She immediately grasped it in both her hands and growled menacingly, “Any more nonsense from you, and I don’t care how much it hurts me I’ll set you on fire with my right hand, understood?” 

Her tail proceeded to slip through her hands and poke the bridge of her nose before making a hasty retreat under Scootaloo’s t-shirt.

“Ouch and good riddance. I suggest you stay under there for the rest of the day. If you even dare to show yourself once more its roast leopard tail for dinner. And don’t even think for a moment I won’t do it. It might be extremely painful for me but I’m sure the long-term benefit would more than make up for it,” Scootaloo stated, sternly admonishing her tail.

Fred and George were now laying back on the bed laughing their heads off as Ron looked at Scootaloo with clear concern etched across his face.

“You’re talking…to your tail,” Ron finally uttered. “You do realise it’s…” he stopped mid-sentence as he remembered the whole draconequus speech from Scootaloo’s birthday the other day. “You know what never mind. Harry is in serious trouble and we need your help to free him from his aunt and uncle!” 

Scootaloo face palmed with her right hand. In one sentence she had already worked out that whatever Ron and the twins were planning to get Harry out of serious trouble, it was going to result in her getting into serious trouble. 

“Okay, against my better judgement I’ll bite. Why does Harry need rescuing from his aunt and uncle?” Scootaloo sighed not lifting her head from her hand.

“He hasn’t been replying to any of my letters and then the other day I overheard dad say to mum he’d received an official warning from the Ministry for using magic in front of Muggles,” Ron blurted unable to contain himself any longer.

“I see,” Scootaloo replied stroking her chin deep in thought. “So that explains why Uncle Arthur was asking if I could use my crystal ball to check up on him before I left yesterday morning. Unfortunately, the result was hazy at best. Something to do with a house elf, a cake and iron bars. My eye also couldn’t provide any further details, simply stating reply hazy, try again to all my questions. As I’ve told you previously, although I can usually find the answers you seek, often they require time and some deciphering to become clear and make sense. In this case I’d say it was more than likely Harry didn’t cast the magic but is being wrongly blamed and punished because of it. But before you tell me what you have planned and how I fit into it all, I want to know if I should be concerned that the floor of your room is covered in fireworks and smells strongly of gunpowder?” Scootaloo finished lifting her head from her hand with an inquisitive gaze at the twins as they finally recovered from laughing at her tail troubles.

“I’m afraid that answer is strictly confidential,” one of the twins replied, tapping his nose. 

“All we can say at this time is that the money you have invested with us is being wisely spent, we can promise you that,” the other twin commented cryptically. Even after a full year, Scootaloo still had difficulty telling them apart. 

“Okay fine. I trust you won’t blow up the Burrow,” Scootaloo began only to be interrupted by the first twin.

“We’ll try,” he commented with a giggle.

Scootaloo, wisely, chose to ignore him. “So, before Molly gets suspicious on where I’ve disappeared to, what’s the plan and how do I fit into it?”

“Well,” the second twin replied. “What you have told us confirms our suspicions and that’s why we’re rescuing him tonight,” the other twin stated. 

“Dad’s having to do an all-nighter at work,” Ron explained. “He works in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office at the Ministry and they are doing a number of raids tonight. His job is to try and ensure any bewitched muggle items don’t end up back into muggle hands or if they do, dealing with the fallout and minimising the impact. All rather boring in our eyes. Anyway, despite his job, he’s the worst when it comes to bewitching muggle items.”

“Yeah, if he raided our house, he’d have to arrest himself!” one of the twins chuckled interrupting Ron. “Anyway, you remember the car Discord borrowed from our father to take you to Camelot for your birthday?”

“Yes,” Scootaloo prompted not liking where this was going. 

“It’s enchanted to fly. Some loophole in the law that allows him to do so as long as he doesn’t intend to actually fly it. We’re going to borrow it from the garage after it gets dark and everyone’s gone to bed to rescue Harry,” the twin explained.

Scootaloo rubbed her temple some more fearing a headache coming along. She should have taken Rainbow Dash up on her offer to stay with her and Applejack for the week. 

“By 'we’re', I guess that means me, too?” she sighed.

“Bingo. You see we’ve worked it all out. Not only will your wings come in handy but we also overheard our father state that you are technically one of Equestria’s three ambassadors for the Ministry of Magic. This means that not only do you have diplomatic immunity when it comes to using underage magic in case we need it, but you also have the power to grant Equestrian citizenship to any witch or wizard you wish. This means that you can grant citizenship to Harry and as a member of your country we can class it as an illegal imprisonment when we are inevitably caught. Totally foolproof plan!”

Scootaloo rubbed her temple some more. She really should have stayed with Rainbow Dash. This had to be the most stupid and reckless idea she’d heard, well, only since Hogwarts, but it was still totally idiotic and insane. And then, suddenly, memories of her Cutie Mark Crusades flooded across her mind and a devious smile slowly crossed her lips. Of course they would be caught but a nighttime rescue mission and fly would be totally epic. 

“When do we leave?” Scootaloo asked just as a desk came crashing through the floor and wiped her out.

“Hmm, looks like Ginny’s tutelage is going well,” both twins said in unison as Ron stared at the new acquisition to the room mouth agape. 

Scootaloo groaned from atop the desk. She definitely should have stayed with Rainbow Dash for the week. 


*


113 seconds earlier…

“All right, now you need to really swish and flick that wand,” Sweetie instructed demonstrating with her own wand. “We actually learnt very few charms in our first year, it was more about learning correct wand movement and spell pronunciation.”

She was sitting in a chair next to Ginny at a desk in the other girl’s small room on the first floor. Posters of pop bands and quidditch players adorned three walls while the fourth, where the desk was located, had a window that looked out upon the garden and orchard where Molly and Apple Bloom seemed to be having a rather interesting time with Wallace. In the past half an hour alone since Scootaloo had pulled herself from the pond Sweetie had seen the dog get stuck down rabbit holes three times and jump in the pond twice more, these times deliberately whilst chasing after frogs.

Ginny herself was not particularly enjoying the personal tutoring session her mother had arranged for her to help give her a head start on the first-year Hogwarts curriculum and let her feelings be known with a disgruntled groan as she attempted to copy Sweetie. 

“This is boring. When mum said you’d be teaching me some of the first-year course during the second half of the summer holidays I thought I’d finally get to learn some real magic but you’re just repeating the same boring stuff mum’s been drilling into me for the past year. I’m sure it wouldn’t be that bad if you taught me Wingardium Leviosa,” Ginny argued not realising she was still unconsciously swishing and flicking her wand.

Sweetie had to take desperate action to get out the way as the desk shot into the air and broke through the ceiling with a mighty crash.

“Cool!” Ginny exclaimed with a giggle.

Sweetie watched through the window as a burly brown owl appeared out of nowhere in the orchard and deposited a letter with Molly before disappearing once more. The face that looked up at the window after reading the letter filled Sweetie with dread.

“We’re in so much trouble,” she groaned.

“Don’t worry; the twins are always receiving those letters and nothing ever comes of them. We might be best hiding though until Mum’s calmed down a bit,” Ginny explained. 

“Good plan,” Sweetie agreed. “The attic?” 

“The attic,” Ginny replied with a nod of her head before both girls raced to the door of Ginny’s room.


*


“But Muuuuuuuuum,” Ginny whined as Molly confiscated her wand and frogmarched her and Sweetie out of the attic nearly an hour later.

“Don’t you 'but Mum' me,” Molly growled angrily. “Or I’ll snap it in two and you can totally forget about going to Hogwarts.”

This immediately silenced Ginny. For much of the past hour she and Sweetie had been hiding in the attic, having great fun joining in with the ghoul in making as much noise as possible in a desperate attempt to avoid detection from an irate Molly. It hadn’t worked. 

“A letter from the Ministry before you have even started Hogwarts for improper magic use, how embarrassing. I’ve come to expect it from the twins but you Ginerva, I expected better,” Molly chastised. 

As soon as Ginny heard her full name she knew there was no point in arguing. Her head slumped and eyes stared morosely at the floor as she mumbled, “I’m sorry Mum. It was an accident honest but still all my fault. Sweetie was just showing me proper wand movement and I shouldn’t have argued with her or been so unappreciative of all the hard work and time she’s putting in to help me. I was just too impatient at wanting to cast actual magic. I really am sorry Mum.”

Molly let out a sigh and the stern look slowly disintegrated from her face as she reached out and lifted her daughter’s chin with her right hand. “Now that’s the daughter I brought up,” she said with a smile. “Accidents happen and luckily on this occasion, aside from a few cuts and bruises for Scoti and some damage to Fred and George’s bedroom floor, there was no real harm done. What is most important is that you have learnt your lesson as next time the consequences could be a lot more serious, which, I’m guessing you have?”

Ginny nodded her head soberly. “Magic is not a toy.”

“Precisely,” Molly replied with a motherly smile. “Still, as punishment I shall be confiscating your wand until school starts, expect you to apologise to your cousin and this afternoon Sweetie can assist you in writing a thousand-word essay minimum on everything you’ve learnt this morning on the dangers of misusing magic, understood?” 

“Hang on, why am I being punished?” Sweetie interjected.

“Because firstly I entrusted you to watch over my daughter and ensure no accidents like this occurred. Secondly, rather than bring her to me when said accident occurred you chose to help her hide from me for a good hour meaning I’m now going to be well behind on lunch preparations. As such, the both of you can also help with that. I’m sure even you can manage to make some sandwiches Sweetie,” Molly said firmly giving Sweetie a look that instantly told the unicorn girl that any further dissent would result in her spending the rest of this nice summer day in her bedroom. “Any further questions?” Molly asked directing the question to both girls.

“No,” both Sweetie and Ginny replied simultaneously feeling they’d both gotten off fairly for the latter’s misdemeanour.

“Good. Now come along, we’ve lunch to start getting ready.”

And, not waiting for another response, Molly turned and began the descent back downstairs to the kitchen.


*


Scootaloo sat down gingerly for lunch coated in all manner of plasters and bandages that Apple Bloom had applied to her. Most of them Apple Bloom had informed her had been necessary. Scootaloo also hadn’t realised until she sat down just how hungry she was as her stomach gave a loud growl. Before she’d even realised what she was doing she’d grabbed a sandwich and was taking a massive bite. And then another and another until she’d eaten it all. It was only once her sandwich was finished that she looked up and saw the concerned looks upon the faces of Fred and George opposite her.

“What?” Scootaloo queried as she picked up another sandwich.

“Sweetie Belle made those,” one of the twins deadpanned. “She and Ginny had to help make lunch as part of their punishment for the desk incident. We’ve already witnessed Ron make the same critical error as you.”

“Except he immediately ran outside and threw it back up in the pig pen,” the other twin finished as he took a rather normal looking sandwich from a different plate that Ginny must have made.

“Ah,” Scootaloo replied. “I was wondering why the bread was burnt to a crisp and the filling tasted like marmite mixed with honey, anchovies, cheese, banana and... HICCUP!” some bubbles escaped from Scootaloo’s mouth. “Washing up liquid?” she said with surprise as the two boys opposite her continued to stare at her mouths agape as she started eating a second sandwich.

“How are you able to eat that? I mean, there are literally live fungi growing and moaning on it!” Fred or George enquired. 

“Draconequus genes,” Scootaloo deadpanned finishing off her second sandwich and taking a third. “I’ve learnt from Discord our tastes are quite unique and that the more chaotic and bizarre our food is the better it tastes. These sandwiches to me are probably the best thing I’ve eaten all week! Wait, did I just say that about something Sweetie made in the kitchen?” 

The twins turned and stared at each other eyes wide for a moment before they broke down in all out laughter at the fact that the universe had finally found a creature able to stomach Sweetie Belle’s kitchen monstrosities. 


*


Thankfully for Molly the remainder of the day passed quietly enough and nothing else unexpected occurred. The majority of the children had headed up to the orchard for a game of quidditch after lunch which had provided her with a few hours of peace and quiet to get some housework done. It wasn’t easy keeping her home tidy with eight children constantly getting under her feet every five minutes! To her relief they had returned with nothing more than a few scrapes and bruises from their game, although her niece was starting to look like she’d just returned home from fighting in a war. 

Whilst they were gone, Molly had also managed in between her never ending list of chores to have a number of pleasant conversations with Apple Bloom. The girl, under her watchful eye so as to prevent any repeats from the previous year, had acquired the use of her kitchen for the afternoon in her attempt to brew numerous highly advanced N.E.W.T potions that constantly left Molly speechless at Apple Bloom’s level of proficiency, especially when considering how young she was. 

After Apple Bloom had finished her potions practice and Molly had made a dent in her never-ending list of chores, they’d gone apple picking in the orchard while watching the other three girls lazing on the grass. Sweetie and Ginny had been immersed in a mass of books as they discussed and wrote out the final part of their punishment while Scootaloo had been completely transfixed by a bunch of sticks. 

Later, dinner had been a jubilant affair with much laughing and joking. Even Percy managed to make an appearance! This time Molly had assured everyone that Sweetie had been nowhere near the kitchen when dinner had been made to a round of snickers, a relieved exhale of breath from Ron and an indignant look from Sweetie. In spite of the relaxed atmosphere though, Molly’s motherly intuition was still on high alert from that morning when she’d found her niece in her troublesome twins’ bedroom. No matter how hard she tried, she still couldn’t shake that innate feeling that they were planning something, something she most definitely would put a stop to if she found out what it was. Furthermore, her intuition was rarely ever wrong and as if to only further prove her right, almost straight after dinner, Scoti, Fred, George and Ron all retired to bed. It was barely seven o’clock in the evening.

It hadn’t been long till Molly herself had retired for the evening, exhausted by yet another long day dealing with her horde of mischievous monkeys. Actually, that was probably insulting to monkeys, they were probably better behaved than the children in her care. Even though she tried desperately to stay awake just in the of chance those twins of hers were up to something, as soon as her head hit the pillow on her bed she was out like a light. 

It was just gone midnight when she was awoken abruptly by her motherly instincts kicking into overdrive. Something was wrong, seriously wrong. She leapt out of bed and raced out of her room and down the stairs to the floor below where Scoti and her friends slept in Bill’s old bedroom. Being careful so as not to wake them she pushed the door open slowly and silently and slipped in, immediately heading to her niece’s bed. Scoti hadn’t even attempted to fool her with a dummy, the covers to her bed had simply been thrown haphazardly to one side the girl in question gone. Checking to ensure Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were where they should be at this Merlin-forsaking hour, Molly darted back up the stairs to Ron’s small room beneath the attic. It, likewise, was empty, even if the boy had at least made a bit more of an effort at deceiving her than Scoti had. She already knew that she would find the same thing with the twins’ beds and, from previous experience, that it would simply be a waste of time to even attempt to break into the stronghold that was their bedroom. Just what were they up to? Molly thought to herself as she rushed back downstairs as quickly as she could whilst trying not to wake those who remained within the Burrow. She still hoped that at least one of the four delinquents had had enough sense to leave a note on the kitchen table before disappearing. They hadn’t. Molly’s right eye started to twitch as she opened the backdoor and headed over to the garage hoping for a miracle that her four delinquents were inside. Her hopes were briefly ignited when out of the darkness she saw the doors to the garage were open but almost instantly snuffed out when she realised they weren’t inside and what was also missing. THE CAR! 

Taking a deep breath Molly had returned to the kitchen and raided a secret cupboard only she knew about. Arthur had once joked that he knew when she was especially angry as it was the only time he saw her drinking alcohol outside of special occasions. As she sat at the kitchen table sipping from a glass of wine waiting for her disobedient children to return home, she mulled over just what she was going to do with those two delinquent boys of hers, especially after roping Ronald and Scoti into whatever hairbrained scheme they’d concocted this time. One thing that was clear in her mind though was that Azkaban would feel like a luxury vacation by the time she was through with them. 


*


Meanwhile, said boys, thinking they’d got away undetected and completely oblivious to the trouble they were in, were making good time above the clouds on their way to Little Whinging, Ron and Scootaloo sitting quietly in the back. After what felt like an eternity of just staring out the window into the night sky daydreaming, Scootaloo finally spoke.

“Aunt Molly’s going to be so pissed when she finds out what we’ve done,” Scootaloo said with a laugh.

“This is nothing compared to what Fred and George did on their return after their first year at Hogwarts,” Ron said next to her.

“I’m afraid I’ll have to stop you there, brother. For one, Molly has strictly stated that the whole bubble bath and turning the house into a giant sponge incident never be spoke about again and secondly, we’re here,” George said from the front passenger seat as the car slowed down. 

“Hmm, I’m guessing that's Harry’s house and his room is the only one with bars on the window. At least that has made it easier for us to find,” Fred said from the driver’s seat. “Scootaloo, you know what to do,” he added throwing Scootaloo a rope.

The girl opened the passenger door and slipped silently out into the night’s sky before tying the rope around the bars. At a tug of the rope from Scootaloo, Fred put the car into gear and pulled. It revved louder and louder until finally the bars flew from the window with an earth-shattering clamour. 

“What on Earth?” Harry exclaimed rushing to the window.

"Keep it down," Scootaloo hissed hovering just outside the window. "I'm amazed that that didn't wake anyone, yet if I'd used Mjolnir it would have." She flexed her artificial arm for emphasis.

"Huh?" Harry said completely confused before remembering. "Oh right, seer."

"Bingo," Scootaloo replied in a hushed tone. "Now, if you'd like to be rescued, please sign on the dotted line here and here." She handed Harry two pieces of parchment along with a quill from a satchel that crossed from her left shoulder to her right hip.

Harry immediately decided that nothing could be worse than starving to death at the hands of the Dursleys. Heck, Scootaloo could have made him her slave right then and there and it would still have been better than the situation he was in right now. As such, he didn’t even bother reading what he was signing before handing the pieces of parchment back to Scootaloo.

“Excellent, as a newly inducted citizen of Equestria it is now my duty as an ambassador of said country to end this disgraceful and illegal imprisonment in a foreign land. Now, before you ask, where’s all your wizard stuff being kept?” Scootaloo said formally in as low a tone as possible as she silently landed in the room next to Harry.

Harry just looked at her like a deer caught in headlights. He probably should have read what he had just signed. Scootaloo wasn’t paying him any attention, having already started on the lock on Harry’s door with a paper clip intent on getting out of here as quickly as possible. Soon it had clicked open just as George jumped in through what had once been a window.

“Hi Harry, I know this must be confusing for you right now, but just trust us and go along with it please. Now, where’s all your wizard stuff being kept?” 

"Keep it down," Scootaloo hissed turning her head from where she had been working on the door.

"Sorry," George mouthed turning expectantly to Harry.

“It’s locked in the cupboard under the stairs,” Harry stammered.

“Thanks. Me and Scootaloo will grab it. You grab anything you need from your room and pass it to Ron in the back of the car,” George instructed taking Scootaloo's advice and keeping his voice's volume to a minimum.

“Watch out for the bottom stair, it creaks,” Harry hissed as Scootaloo and George disappeared out onto the dark landing. Somehow, despite all the noise they'd made so far, none of the Dursleys had woken up. 

Soon enough Scootaloo and George, along with Harry’s help after he’d cleared out his room, had lugged the latter’s trunk onto the landing and then finally into Harry’s room. With great effort and determination, they got it into the boot of the car. 

“OK, let’s go,” George whispered, climbing back out the window.

He was soon followed by Harry but as the boy sat on the window-sill he couldn’t help but wonder if he’d forgotten something. That was when Hedwig landed on his shoulder and nuzzled him gently before shooting off into the night sky.

“Forgetting someone?” Scootaloo said softly and all to knowingly from behind him. “Good thing you’ve a seer for a friend. Wouldn’t want your uncle and aunt waking up now, would we?”

“Thanks, Scoti, for everything,” Harry said turning his head and nodding to the girl behind him who was stood next to Hedwig’s now empty cage.

“Don’t mention it. School wouldn’t be half as fun without you and I’m really looking forward to our quidditch rematch,” Scootaloo responded with a smirk as Harry disappeared out the window.

As the car shot off, Scootaloo took one last look into the room before she beat her wings and launched herself noiselessly into the night’s sky. It was going to be a long fly home and she already knew what would be awaiting them upon their arrival. 

As for the Dursley’s, it wouldn’t be until the morning when Petunia went down to make breakfast that she’d see the metal bars in the garden along with the deep ruts in the lawn and slowly piece together just what had happened during the night. Personally, she hoped her nephew never returned.


*


As Scootaloo came in to land after her extremely exhausting late-night flight alongside Hedwig she could already see her aunt going nuts at Fred, George and Ron and tried to divert her course. Unfortunately, she found her wings had suddenly become extremely heavy and to her utter horror she instead found herself careening out of control and heading straight for the small party that had congregated in the early morning gloom outside the back of the Burrow.

“Look out! Pegasus out of control!” she yelled.

The boys all took evasive action. Molly though simply stood her ground and, as Scootaloo cannoned into her, she merely plucked the Pegasus out of the air, proceeded to do a 360 turn on the spot and then came to a dead stop as she placed Scootaloo upon the ground while still gripping her niece tightly. 

Scootaloo chuckled nervously as her eyes locked for a moment with Molly’s.

“H-hi Molly, what are you doing up this early?” Scootaloo stammered before letting out a yawn.

“You, young miss, are in so much trouble I don’t even have any words to describe it right now,” Molly replied.

Scootaloo was already snoring softly. 

*

Scootaloo slept soundly for the majority of Monday. Molly had been lenient and let her recover considering she had just flown hundreds of miles across the country. She awoke sometime in the evening to see Mr. Weasley sitting in a chair next to her bed in a set of dusty green robes. She was guessing Molly must have taken her upstairs to her bed.

“Glad to see you are awake. You and the boys gave Molly quite a scare,” he said with a smile. “Those two are utter rascals. How they managed to find out about your diplomatic immunity and ambassador status I’ll never know. Thanks for the headache by the way of giving Harry Equestrian citizenship. It also limited the amount of punishment we could give them as technically you were well within your rights to do what you did.”

“You’re welcome,” Scootaloo giggled in reply pushing herself upright in her bed.

“On a more serious note, I need for you to make a promise to me and not tell what I’m about to tell you to anyone,” Arthur said, his voice taking a sudden and dramatic change in tone. 

“Okay. Cross my heart, I can fly, stick a cupcake in my eye,” Scootaloo Pinkie promised somewhat concerned by the sudden shift in tone of the conversation.

“Thank you,” Arthur said before taking a deep breath. “You know we never really wanted so many children and although she loves all of them equally, Molly was always desperate for a girl. She only ever saw you twice before you disappeared, but she was smitten and couldn’t wait for Ginny to be born. Then, only a few months before Ginny was supposed to be born her entire family, including you, were supposedly killed by Death Eaters. It broke her heart and her mental health spiralled out of control. She very nearly lost Ginny because of it. She was born prematurely two weeks later. Thankfully, because of Muggle technology we managed to save her.”

“Huh, so I’m guessing that’s one of the reasons you are so enthralled with Muggles and their technology?” Scootaloo asked.

“Yes, Muggles saved my only daughter’s life and for that I’m forever in their debt. Unfortunately, this combined with the stress of losing her entire family had a serious detriment on Molly’s mental health and it was only thanks to Ginny surviving that she was able to recover. Still, it was a long and slow process and even to this day she is exceptionally protective of her only daughter. After your return I’ve noticed the same traits and I’m guessing you must have noticed how every time you ended up in the infirmary with a serious infliction she was always there when you awoke?”

“Now that you mention it, it was kind of a surprise to always see her there,” Scootaloo commented before letting Arthur go on.

“Yes, she’s confided in me numerous times that she’s been blessed by a miracle and it’s like the second daughter she never had. You wouldn’t believe how stressed she’s been over the past six months after you’ve suffered one affliction after another. I’m truly afraid right now that after this latest incident if you don’t at least try and steer clear of mischief even for a little while she’ll suffer yet another mental breakdown. So please, for her sake, can you promise me right here, right now, that no matter how inviting it may be, you’ll steer clear of trouble over this next year.”

Scootaloo stared at her shaking uncle for a moment before reaching out and taking his left hand in her own two. “Wow, I never knew. Trouble usually ends up finding me unfortunately, it goes with the title, Daughter of Chaos, and you know that everything that has happened these past six months wasn’t through choice? I was only doing what had to be done, including this latest incident, but I promise you that I’ll try my best to steer clear of whatever chaos heads my way next. Now I do believe I owe someone an apology,” she finished throwing off the bed covers and jumping out of her bed and running for the door. She only paused for a moment when she heard Arthur’s raspy voice choke behind her.

“Thank you by the way, for everything you’ve done for Molly this past year. No matter what chaos you’ve brought to our lives, the good you’ve brought to Molly has far outweighed the bad.” 

And as a small tear dropped down Scootaloo’s face she bolted out of the room and down the stairs to the ground floor where Molly was just finishing serving up dinner. She had to quickly drop the pan she was holding as Scootaloo launched herself into her arms.

“I’m so, so sorry Auntie Molly for being so reckless. I truly promise no more scaring you like that in future,” Scootaloo said into her aunt’s chest wrapping her arms around her as she did so.

“I’m glad to see you are up and about once more. I’m guessing Arthur has had a chat with you?” Molly replied reciprocating the unexpected hug.

Scootaloo nodded into her aunt’s chest enjoying the moment as her aunt leant in and whispered into her ear.

“You know I’m not letting you out of my sight for the next week at least.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Scootaloo replied in a muffled tone, her head still buried in her aunt’s chest.
> He's Behind You!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

For the next week Scootaloo was true to her word and stuck to Molly’s side like glue doing whatever her aunt asked of her to Apple Bloom’s and Sweetie’s delight. Scootaloo and housework was the equivalent of nitroglycerin meeting fire; the only thing in question was the size of the resulting debris field. Watching Scootaloo fight with the vacuum cleaner Arthur had enchanted had been a particular highlight of the two girls' week. In truth Scootaloo had probably suffered the most from Harry’s daring rescue, but overall, she had actually enjoyed spending time with her aunt and getting to know her better. 

It was a sunny Wednesday morning in mid-August when the CMC arrived at breakfast with letters from Hogwarts awaiting them. All Scootaloo’s and Sweetie’s informed them was that they once again needed to catch the Hogwarts Express from King’s Cross station on September 1st at 11:00am and that they required The Standard Book of Spells Grade 2. Apple Bloom’s was very similar but had also included an extra note and book from Professor Snape with a heavy chain wrapped around it with a padlock. The book was entitled Most Potente Potions and the note stated the following:

Dear Apple Butt,

The following book I have requested from the restricted area of the library for you to read thoroughly before your return as some of the potions within we will be attempting together over the course of your second year. DO NOT ATTEMPT ANY OF THESE BEFORE YOU RETURN OR I WILL EXPEL YOU MYSELF. Furthermore, be warned that some of the contents within this book are very disturbing and WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT LET THE BOOK OUT OF YOUR SIGHT, especially to either of your rather questionable friends and certain know-it-all Gryffindor. I am placing a high level of trust within you to keep this book safe and do as instructed, do not let me down,

Professor Severus Snape, Master of Potions, Hogwarts

The key to the padlock had been taped to the bottom of the note.

Molly had read the note over Apple Bloom’s shoulder with a look of shock, bewilderment and worry before exclaiming loudly while glowering at Fred and George, “If anyone dares to take a peek inside that book beside Apple Bloom, I’ll disown them and kick them into an orphanage myself. Do I make myself clear?”

A chorus of "Yes, Mum" and "Yes, Molly" reverberated around the table. Apple Bloom was practically jumping with joy at the gift she’d received despite Snape’s obvious attempt to wind her up with the name calling once again. She really did not like his pet name for her, although he at least only called her that when no one else was around.

“Apple Butt,” Scootaloo sniggered having silently snuck up behind Apple Bloom to read what Snape had sent her. “I like that one.”

All Scootaloo got in reply was a few questionable grunts and barks, before she felt a set of large teeth sink into her behind.

“YOW!” she exclaimed, “Get him off me! Get him off me!” she wailed dancing around the room with Wallace clamped onto her butt. This, ultimately, sent an assortment of kitchenware items flying all over the kitchen.

Apple Bloom barked and grunted once more and slowly Wallace released his grip before Apple Bloom threw him two sausages and a piece of bacon. Before he consumed his reward, the dog barked and whined some more.

“Scootaloo, Wallace says he’s sorry, but that he’ll do anything for sausages and bacon. Also, your arse tastes disgusting, like mouldy Swiss cheese apparently,” Apple Bloom translated to a series of laughs at the table.

“Good to know,” Scootaloo replied staring angrily at her friend while rubbing her now very sore behind.

“Hmm, very well done, I see you’ve been practicing my dear. But, next time, please don’t set Sweetie’s dog on my niece,” Molly interrupted while rubbing her chin, half distracted from reading Ginny’s, Ron’s and the twins' letters. As none of them were being tutored by Discord, they had each been asked to buy a further set of seven books by Gilderoy Lockhart. The new DADA teacher must be a fan and she was guessing Percy’s would show something similar. 

“That lot won’t come cheap,” George said seeing the look of worry on Molly’s face. “Lockhart’s books are really expensive. You sure we can afford five sets of them Mum?”

“Well, we’ll manage somehow,” Molly sighed, her face etched with worry. “I expect we’ll be able to pick up a lot of Ginny’s things second-hand.”

Ginny’s head drooped.

“Oh, no,” Scootaloo interjected still rubbing her sore behind with her metallic hand. “No cousin of mine is going to Hogwarts looking like a tramp. Give me that. She reached out and plucked Ginny’s letter from Molly’s hand. “Uh huh, yep,” she murmured looking over what was required. “This is all totally doable and before you even attempt to argue I want you to think for a moment about how my parents would feel about their niece going to Hogwarts with second hand robes, out of date textbooks and sub-standard equipment when they’ve the income to assist in such matters. So, you worry about the books; me and the girls will worry about Ginny. Deal?” She stared stubbornly at Molly who held her gaze for a moment before letting out a resigned sigh.

“Fine,” she said before lifting her niece off the ground into a massive hug and whispering into her ear, “Thank you, so much,” before she turned to Ginny. “What do you have to say to your cousin Ginny?”

The other girl jumped up from her seat and launched herself into the hug screaming, “Room for one more?”

“Ouch, watch it, Ginny. My bottom is very sore right now,” Scootaloo said with a wince to a round of giggles around the table.

Arthur meanwhile was looking on with a warm smile across his lips while wiping a solitary tear of joy from his eye. He really couldn’t have asked for more in his life than the family that he’d been graced with. 

The touching moment was broken when Percy suddenly appeared in the doorway of the kitchen.

“Morning all. What did I miss?” he said in a haughty tone preparing to squeeze into the final seat at the already cramped table.

“Scootaloo just offered to pay for all Ginny’s school equipment,” Arthur said with a sniffle of pride. “As a gift from Ginny’s departed aunt and uncle.”

“Wow, that’s very kind of, YOW,” Percy started before immediately leaping to his feet once more. He pulled a very sorry looking owl out from underneath him. To the untrained eye it would have probably looked like nothing more than a grey feather duster. “Errol?” He said in a quizzical tone, “How’d you get under there?”

“Errol!” cried Ron jumping up himself and grabbing Errol from Percy and extracting a letter from under his wing as he explained. “I sent Hermione a letter explaining we were going to try and rescue you Harry from the Dursleys.”

The excited boy tried to place Errol on his perch but the bird just kept falling off and so in the end he just left him lying on the draining board instead. 

“Pathetic,” Ron grumbled to himself as he opened the letter.

“Well, what does it say?” Harry pressed.

Ron skimmed over the letter quickly. “She hopes you are okay, asks me to send any future letters via Wallace as she thinks another trip might finally finish Errol off, is somehow busy with school work and oh, she’s getting her new books from Diagon Alley next Wednesday and is asking if we’d like to join her?” Ron concluded looking up from the letter expectantly at his mother.

“That sounds delightful,” Molly replied with a smile. 

“And while you’re writing the response to Hermione, I’ll write out one to Discord and then we’ll send Wallace,” Scootaloo stated.

“Oh, that reminds me, this is for you,” Ron added passing Scootaloo a small pink envelope sealed with a heart.

Scootaloo’s tanned face started to take on a more reddish hue as a number of sniggers and snickers broke out across the table.

“Th-thanks,” Scootaloo managed to muster with clear embarrassment pocketing the letter. 

“Oh? Not going to share that one with us?” One of the twins enquired mercilessly to another round of sniggers and snickers. 

“Frederick Weasley!” Molly admonished before Scootaloo interrupted her, a devilish smirk slowly replacing the embarrassment that had been etched across her face.

“It’s all right Molly. How about a little wager? Boys vs. girls at quidditch. You win, I reveal what’s in this letter at dinner tonight. We win, you buy us all ice creams at Fortescues next week,” Scootaloo suggested waving the letter enticingly in the air. “As long as Molly doesn’t require my help this morning?”

“No dear, I’ll be fine,” Molly replied, somewhat relieved to be free of her niece for a while. Although she meant well, she was terribly accident prone and often ended up creating twice as much work as to begin with! “Just write that letter and then go out and enjoy yourself. I think you’ve been punished enough.”

“Thanks Molly. So, what do you say or are you too chicken?” Scootaloo taunted proceeding to imitate a chicken.

“Pfft, you’re on. This’ll be the easiest bet we’ve ever won. Two of your team don’t even have brooms. And I’m George, Mum, not Fred,” George scoffed. 

“Apple Butt, I mean Bloom,” Scootaloo said as she hastily looked around for Wallace and thankfully saw him settling down for a nap after his big breakfast. Apple Bloom meanwhile scowled at her but took no further action. Scootaloo shook her head to clear it and then opted to press on. “Apple Bloom hardly needs a broom and as for Ginny, well, was there anything else in the post this morning?” she finished turning her attention back to her aunt..

“Yes,” Molly replied placing an assortment of items into the sink. “It’s over there,” she added pointing to a distinctly broom-shaped parcel by the back door. “Although why you’d want another broom when you already have the best broom possible is beyond my understanding.”

Scootaloo turned and whispered into Ginny’s ear, with the girl still standing next to her. “Sorry it’s a day late. Anyway, being the captain of the Hufflepuff quidditch team means I have the power to allow any first years I like to bring their own broomstick to Hogwarts. It’s all yours. Happy belated birthday.”

Ginny’s eyes shot open and the squeal she emitted had everyone, aside Scootaloo, covering their ears as she raced over to the parcel and started ripping off the packaging.

Molly froze in making a start on the washing up. “You didn’t.”

Scootaloo gave her aunt the guiltiest look imaginable.

Molly groaned, her head hitting her right hand. “You did.”

Scootaloo turned her attention back to the table. “You know it’s not nice to tease, be selfish and exclude others. Maybe this will teach you all a lesson when you are eating her dust in an hour’s time.”

“A NIMBUS 2001! HOW?” Ginny squealed once more. “Best birthday gift ever.” She hugged the broomstick tightly to her chest.

Arthur grabbed Scootaloo by her T-shirt and pulled her in close, yet another tear in his eye. “You are truly amazing. I’ve honestly never seen her look so happy,” he whispered in Scootaloo’s ear before letting her go.

Molly had gone from holding her head in her hand to looking reproachfully at her niece. 

Ron was looking jealously at his younger sister and the gift she’d received.

Percy was looking across at the twins with a smile on his lips.

Fred and George were looking at each other with equally concerned expressions. 

“I feel dear brother of mine that we have been duped,” Fred said.

“Indeed,” George replied.


*


After breakfast had been cleared, the necessary letters written and sent, two for Hermione and one for Discord, and a large dollop of cream applied to Scootaloo’s bum, all of the children aside Percy were climbing a hill to a small paddock that the Weasleys owned. After last week’s incidents involving four broken windows in the Burrow and a rogue bludger breaking the village church clock, they were now banned from practicing in the orchard along with using real quidditch balls, thus were taking some apples with them to use instead.

“Wish I knew what perfect Percy was up to,” Fred said with a frown as they neared the top of the hill. “He’s not been himself since he came back this summer. Didn’t even bother gloating about his O.W.Ls.”

“Ordinary Wizarding Levels,” George explained to a puzzled-looking Harry. 

“Maybe he’s got a girlfriend?” Scootaloo suggested with a giggle. 

Fred and George looked at each other for a moment each pondering Scootaloo’s suggestion.

“Actually, scrap that idea. Who in their right mind would want to date pompous Percy?” Scootaloo swiftly added with a chuckle.

George shook the image from his mind and replied, “Good point. More chance of our exams being cancelled than Percy having a girlfriend. And thanks, by the way, for your help with the school equipment. Just buying five sets of Lockhart’s books alone is going to be hard enough for Mum and Dad.”

“Don’t mention it,” Scootaloo replied. “I’d like to do more, but I knew just getting her to agree to me buying all Ginny’s stuff was going to be hard enough. Anyway, we’re here, so what rules are we going by?” she said reaching out for the gate to the paddock. 


*


A number of hours later they wandered back down the hill for lunch, the boys’ heads hung low in shame. With three superior brooms to one along with Apple Bloom constantly peppering them with apples that fell to the ground, it had turned out to be an annihilation, even without a Snitch. The girls had outscored the boys five hundred and seventy points to two hundred and thirty. Ginny in particular had been ruthless and relentless. Getting revenge for all the times her brothers had refused to let her join in with their quidditch games, she’d scored as many points on her new broom as all four of the boys had combined.

“My ribs are going to ache for a week!” Fred groaned rubbing them gingerly.

“Rather that than this massive lump on my head; Apple Bloom threw that apple so hard it exploded on contact! The juice is still stinging my eyes now!” Ron argued in reply.

"Sorry, I was having so much fun I maybe went a little overboard and wasn't looking exactly where I was throwing some of them," Apple Bloom giggled.

“Oh boys,” Scootaloo tittered entering the conversation. “What have we all learnt today?” 

“Never play quidditch with Apple Bloom,” Ron grumbled in reply.

“Agreed,” both twins said simultaneously as a big smile adorned Apple Bloom’s face.

“And that girls are devious minxes when it comes to quidditch,” Harry agreed rubbing his left elbow.

“Also agreed,” the twins said once more.

“Good enough,” Scootaloo replied shrugging her shoulders as she skipped merrily down the hill back toward the Burrow alongside Apple Bloom, Ginny and Sweetie.
> Shopping Once More
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As with all school holidays, time started to fly by way too quickly and before the Crusaders knew it a week had passed and the girls, Harry and the rest of the Weasley family were all standing in front of the fireplace early on Wednesday morning after a quick breakfast of bacon sandwiches.

Harry was looking somewhat apprehensive, this being his first time, but, after watching numerous others along with some helpful instructions from Molly and Ron, he took a deep breath, stepped into the fireplace and threw the powder at his feet. Unfortunately for him, as soon as he opened his mouth to speak a whole load of hot ash shot in. 

“D-Dia-gon Alley,” Harry coughed disappearing from view.

Molly looked worried. “Uh-oh, I hope he hasn’t veered off course. No idea where he might end up. Scoti, just what do you think...”

“D-Dia-gon Alley,” Scootaloo repeated throwing the Floo powder at her own feet as she stepped into the fireplace. 

“Why does she always have to take matters into her own hands?” Molly sighed as she prepared for her own journey hoping Harry and her niece had ended up somewhere safe.

*

Harry was just stepping out of a large stone fireplace covered in soot, in a shop that definitely wasn’t on Diagon Alley, when Scootaloo barrelled into him from behind sending both of them rolling in a heap onto the floor. 

“Ah, great. I found you!” Scootaloo giggled underneath Harry as they finally came to a stop and the room stopped spinning. “Mind getting off me now?” she quickly added. 

“Sorry,” Harry mumbled slowly disentangling himself from Scootaloo. “Any idea where we might be?” 

“How would I know? The only thing I saw as I came out of the fireplace was your backside,” Scootaloo replied testily as she rose from the floor and dusted off her clothes. “Seems like we’re in a shop of some kind, but where I’ve no clue,” she added taking a look around at the creepy and rather disturbing assortment of items the shop had to offer. “They definitely don’t sell this kind of stuff on Diagon Alley.”

“Well, I guess we should just make our way out onto the street and have a look around then,” Harry said walking toward the entrance to the shop. “Thanks for following me by the way. This is a little less scary with a friend by my side.”

“Don’t mention it. It’s what friends do,” Scootaloo replied as the two of them made their way toward the door.

Luck though never seemed to be on Scootaloo’s side and as her keen eyesight caught hold of two figures preparing to enter from the street, she pulled Harry along with her as she darted into a large black cabinet, leaving a small crack open between the doors for them to peer through.

As the doors to the shop opened, she muttered under her breath, “Shit."

It was Draco Malfoy and his father, the very man who had led the slaughter against her parents. Just the sight of him made her blood begin to boil and it took all of her control not to burst out of her hiding place and confront him then and there. She watched as they went straight to a counter where Malfoy senior rang a bell and waited to be served.

“Touch nothing, Draco,” he instructed as Malfoy junior reached toward a glass eye and suddenly stopped, turning instead to his father.

“I thought we were going to Quality Quidditch Supplies to buy my birthday present. Not that it’ll do me much good when I’m not on the house team,” Draco said in a bored drawl. “So unfair that so many others got special permission to have brooms last year and I didn’t. Especially that freak Pegasus girl and Harry Potter. I don’t see why everyone thinks he’s so amazing just because he got lucky when he was a baby,” Draco whined.

“Draco, if you will not be quiet all you will be receiving for your birthday is a one-way trip to your bedroom,” Lucius replied looking less than impressed with his son’s attitude. “And might I remind you it is not wise to view Harry Potter with such disdain when so many of our fellow wizards see him as a hero for ridding us of Voldemort – ah, Mr Borgin, at last,” Lucius sneered as a stooping gentleman appeared from behind a curtain.

“Lucius old friend. Sorry to keep you waiting, just sorting out a rather interesting delivery of items. Anyway, what might I sell you today?” Mr Borgin said in a slimy voice Harry had often heard from the occasional door to door salesman who knocked upon four Privet Drive.

Mr Borgin’s face soon turned sour though when Lucius replied, “I’m not buying today, Mr Borgin, but selling. You see, the Ministry are performing more and more raids these days and with the possible introduction of a meddlesome Muggle Protection Act from that muggle-loving idiot Arthur Weasley, even someone of my status could potentially find themselves troubled,” Lucius explained. 

“I see,” Borgin replied as Lucius handed him a roll of parchment to read.

“What’s that?” Draco interrupted pointing to a withered hand on a cushion.

Borgin’s salesman instincts were about to kick in when Lucius growled.

“Draco, what did I say. You are lucky you are getting anything at all for your birthday after seeing your school marks. I cannot believe you allowed that mudblood Granger to beat you in every exam.”

Draco’s face went red with embarrassment and anger but he kept his mouth quiet, not wanting to irk his father further.

Back in the cabinet both Scootaloo and Harry were stifling giggles.

“It’s the same all over,” Mr Borgin stated while examining the list. “Every year wizard blood seems to mean less and less. I heard they are even starting a Cultural Diversity and Inclusivity course at Hogwarts this year! Has the Ministry gone mad?!?”

“Couldn’t agree more Mr Borgin. Now if you don’t mind, I am in somewhat of a hurry.”

“Of course, of course,” Mr Borgin replied as he finished reading the list. 

The two adults started to haggle as Draco, bored out of his mind, began to explore the shop and slowly neared the very cabinet in which Harry and Scootaloo were hiding in! Thankfully, just before he closed in on the two unknown witnesses to the very dubious deal, Lucius’ voice bellowed across the shop once more.

“Done. Draco come; we’re leaving.” 

Harry wiped a bead of sweat of his forehead as he watched Draco and his father leave, Lucius only turning his head momentarily in the doorway to say a quick goodbye to Mr Borgin.

As soon as they’d gone Mr Borgin muttered darkly to himself and returned through the curtain to the backroom.

Scootaloo and Harry waited for a few minutes in case he came back before bursting out the cupboard and racing to the door. As they darted through it, they immediately crashed heavily into someone walking down the street and fell to the ground in a tangle of limbs.

“Oh my,” a weak voice uttered as Hagrid pulled the two kids off Discord.

“Scoti? Harry? What are you doing in Knockturn Alley? This is no place for children,” Discord scolded rising to his feet and brushing his suit down.

“Father?” Scootaloo said regaining her bearings for a moment before explaining. “Harry’s first time using the floo system didn’t go according to plan. I followed him to make sure he was safe,” Scootaloo admitted before turning and staring at the pale faced woman with light pink hair and an already bulging belly next to him. “Fluttershy? What are you doing here? Wait a minute. My birthday, now here. Are you two?” Scootaloo started to cackle so loudly she doubled over. “Oh man am I glad I didn’t take that bet with Apple Bloom. Really isn’t good for my credentials as a seer all these bets I keep losing,” she wheezed. 

Fluttershy hid behind Discord going bright red. Her wings had also shot out from behind her back.

“Stop trying to change the subject. Come along, we’ll head to Gringotts and hopefully bump into the Weasleys along the way,” Discord instructed going slightly red himself as he pushed the two children in front of him, Scootaloo still barely able to control herself while Harry was just trying to keep his broken spectacles upon his face. “You can also explain to us exactly what happened on the way.”

And so, the group made their way along the twisting narrow alleyway, Scootaloo informing her father all about Lucius Malfoy’s dubious dealings. As her tale neared its conclusion, she saw a familiar snow-white marble building loom in the distance, Gringotts. 

“Blooming Malfoys, can’t trust any of them. I suggest you stay well clear of them, the both of you,” Hagrid boomed.

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Scootaloo said as a wicked grin slid across her face. “Anyway father, I think there are more pressing matters to concern ourselves with, like when you are going to marry Fluttershy?”

Discord’s face suddenly turned from one of contemplation over Malfoy’s dubious dealings to one of horror. Quickly he pulled out a stopwatch from the top pocket of his jacket.

“Dearie me, will you look at the time? I’m afraid me and Fluttershy have a lot to do today. We’ve still got to go acquire her a wand and pick up her clothes from Madam Malkins. I’m sure we’ll bump into each other later and we can talk then Scoti. Hagrid can fill you in in the meantime,” he said rapidly and disjointedly before snapping his fingers and disappearing along with an equally stunned Fluttershy just as they reached the steps of Gringotts.

Scootaloo opted to just laugh some more at how awkward her father was finding the whole situation rather than grumble about him avoiding the subject. That was until a pair of hands fell over her eyes

“Guess who?” Hermione giggled.

“You do realise I have an all-seeing eye that will tell me this is my annoying, attention seeking, know-it-all girlfriend,” Scootaloo said cheekily.

The words, Signs Point to Yes, appeared across Scootaloo’s vision.

“I suggest you be nice to your tutor or else she’ll just work you twice as hard. Plus, Discord granted me permission to use the stinging jinx if you aren’t paying attention!” Hermione giggled turning her girlfriend around and booping her on the nose with a finger. 

Scootaloo stared at her girlfriend open mouthed for a moment. “He didn’t,” was all she managed to say she was so dumbstruck.

Hermione nodded her head in reply. “He did. Now Harry, care to explain what happened to you? Your glasses!” she exclaimed turning her attention to a rather bedraggled looking Harry.

Before Harry a chance to reply though, two voices Scootaloo recognised only too well sounded over the din of the busy street.

“SCOOTALOO!” Apple Bloom and Sweetie both yelled in unison approaching the steps.

“Harry,” Mr Weasley panted running up behind the two girls along with Ron, George, Fred and Percy. “Thank goodness Scoti found you. Molly was really worried; she’ll be along with Ginny in a moment.”

“Hey everyone. Harry took a detour. We ended up in Knockturn Alley. Real creepy place. Thankfully, Discord, Fluttershy and Hagrid found us.”

“Brilliant,” Fred and George exclaimed.

“We’ve never been allowed in,” Ron added enviously.

“I should ruddy well think not,” Hagrid growled as Mrs. Weasley came barrelling down the street with Ginny holding on for dear life on one of her arms while her handbag swung wildly in the other. 

She immediately gave Scootaloo a massive hug. “Thank you Scoti, I knew I could count on you!”

“Hagrid and Discord helped,” Scootaloo managed to squeak as Aunt Molly gripped her tightly.

She slowly dropped her niece to the ground and moved onto Hagrid shaking his hand with such force that Scootaloo thought she might lift the half-giant off the ground! 

“It really was nothing ma'am,” Hagrid stated blushing slightly as Molly thanked him over and over again. “Now, I really must be off,” he said finally managing to release his hand from Molly’s iron-like grip. “I look forward to seeing you all at Hogwarts,” he called over his shoulder as he turned and disappeared into the throng of people in the packed marketplace, head and shoulders above everyone else.

“Right, let’s get going. We’ve a lot to do today,” Molly stated leading the way into Gringotts.

As they climbed the steps and followed Molly in Harry hissed to Ron and Hermione, “You won’t believe who me and Scootaloo saw in Borgin and Burkes, Malfoy and his father!”

“Did Lucius Malfoy buy anything?” Arthur said sharply behind them.

“No uncle, he didn’t; he was selling. Otherwise, I’d have informed you immediately. I know you want to get him put away for something just as much as I do,” Scootaloo replied next to Arthur.

A smile started to cross Arthur’s face. “That I do Scoti, that I do. But at least it means he’s worried! And so, he should be. When my Muggle Protection Act gets passed, I’ll get the necessary authority to finally search his manor. Even if he sells some items, I’m sure he won’t want to get rid of some of his most prized possessions.”

“Now, you be careful, Arthur Weasley,” Molly said entering the conversation as they were shepherded into the bank by a bowing goblin at the door. “As we are all well too aware, that family’s trouble with a capital T. I know you are more than a match for Lucius, but him and his family most certainly don’t play fair and will attempt to weasel their way out of any situation by hook or by crook.”

“True, my dear,” Arthur replied giving his wife a kiss on the cheek before Hermione cleverly opted to change the topic of conversation. 

“Mr Weasley, I heard you are fascinated by Muggles. I’m sure my parents would be delighted to talk to you. They’re currently exchanging Muggle money over there.”

Arthur’s interest was piqued and he immediately shot off to examine the ten-pound note Mr Granger was exchanging.

“Thank you,” Molly whispered into Hermione’s ear before she called to her husband. “Come along Arthur, you can talk to the Grangers after we’ve been to our vaults.”

It wasn’t long before they returned, purses, bags and satchels filled to the brim with galleons, sickles and knuts. Harry had initially felt dreadful when he’d seen how little the Weasleys had in theirs compared to his, one solitary galleon and a meagre stack of sickles, only to see his mouth drop when Scoti’s, Apple Bloom’s and Sweetie’s vault was opened. Ron had informed him that he’d had a similar reaction when he’d found out just how rich the girls were last summer.

After leaving the bank they all split up. Scootaloo snuck Arthur a few galleons so he could sneak off to the Leaky Cauldron with the Grangers for a drink. Percy said something about a new quill and Fred and George spotted their friend Lee Jordan with strict instructions from Molly not to take even one step down Knockturn Alley. Thus, it was just eight of them who remained as Mrs Weasley bellowed to everyone to meet up at Flourish and Blotts in two hours’ time.

“And what would you six like to do? You hardly have to accompany me and Ginny. It’ll be quite boring,” Molly stated looking at the six soon to be second-year students in front of her. “I’m sure you’d much prefer to wander the street alone.”

“Oh no, we’re all going to help,” Scootaloo immediately replied. “While you sort out Ginny’s robes and trunk, as she’s already got her wand, me and the girls will get her writing supplies, I’ve already placed an order via Wallace, along with her Potions equipment. The boys can pop into Wiseacre’s and get her scales and telescope. Sound good?” 

Molly smiled back at her niece. “That sounds wonderful Scoti and would help so much. Right, off we go Ginny!” And  without another word she pulled Ginny away and up the street. 

“Right then, off we go. Boys, we’ll meet outside Eeylops Owl Emporium in half an hour, okay?” Scootaloo said handing Ron a small bag of galleons. “There should also be enough in there for an ice cream each too!” Scootaloo instructed before she headed off with Hermione, Apple Bloom and Sweetie laughing about some joke or other.

The girls had soon picked up their large order of parchment and colour changing ink. Afterward, they spent several minutes giggling at Ron who was standing outside Quality Quidditch Supplies next door with a large ice cream while gawping at a full set of Chudley Cannon robes through the windows. They then shuffled off to Mr. Mulpepper’s Apothecary via Potage’s Cauldron Shop where they spent the majority of the remainder of their time before meeting up with the boys once more. Finally, after around thirty-five minutes they were standing outside the owl emporium.

“What kept you?” Ron teased. “We had to buy another ice cream each; we were that bored."

“Remind me never to go into an apothecary with Apple Bloom and Hermione again. They practically bought half the shop between them!” Scootaloo exclaimed to a round of laughter before going on. “You get the silver scales and brass telescope?”

“Of course,” Ron replied smugly holding up the bag. 

“Sorry, was just worried for a little while you would be to mesmerised by those Chudley Canons robes,” Scootaloo replied to another round of laughter as Ron blushed in embarrassment and attempted to rapidly alter the subject.

“Why’d you ask us to meet you outside here anyway?” 

“We’re going to surprise Ginny with her own owl that we can all then borrow to send letters to Molly and elsewhere when required. Wallace can’t be everywhere at once and, no offence Ron, but Errol’s on his last wings,” Scootaloo said bluntly. 

“None taken,” Ron replied. “And that’s a brilliant gesture; I’m sure she’ll love it!”

“Thanks. Any idea on what breed we should get her?” Scootaloo asked, examining a brown owl hanging in a cage as she did so.

“Well, she adores Hedwig, so how about a male snowy owl? I know that breed is more expensive and harder to come by, but I know she would adore it and that you can afford it,” Ron responded after a moment of thought.

“That sounds like an excellent idea, but why a male one specifically?” Scootaloo queried a little confused by the specific request.

“Well, we’ve all seen how infatuated she is with Harry so I thought we would call her new owl the same name,” Ron said evilly, provoking Scootaloo’s own wicked grin to resurface as Apple Bloom and Sweetie tried to stifle giggles.

Harry’s face had gone a bright shade of red.

Hermione was glowering at both her girlfriend and Ron.

“Oh, that’s just cruel. I love the way you think Ron,” Scootaloo chuckled as she walked over to the entrance of the shop. “Come on, let’s go buy us another Harry!” 


*


Much to Harry’s displeasure and humiliation, Ron and Scootaloo’s luck was in as the owner had just had an interesting delivery of four young snowy owls, three females and one male. After a little bit of haggling, Harry the snowy owl had soon been purchased for twenty galleons. 

They then spent the majority of the remainder of their hour and a bit of freedom exploring the wide array of shops Diagon Alley offered. They picked up a huge supply of sweets and chocolate for the new term from Sugarplum’s Sweets Shop, laughed at discovering Percy in an old junk shop reading Prefects Who Gained Power and unsurprisingly found the twins and Lee Jordan in a joke shop. It was here that Scootaloo reminded the boys of what they owed her, Apple Bloom, Sweetie and Ginny after they’d bought the entire stores supply of magical fireworks among other things and they all headed to Fortescue’s where they picked up ice creams to eat on their way to Flourish and Blotts. They were not the only ones who seemed to be making their way to the bookshop for some reason and as they neared it, to their great surprise, they saw a large crowd jostling outside, trying to get in. 

“Huh? Wonder what all the hubbub is about,” Scootaloo stated before her girlfriend squealed like a loon pointing to a banner that hung across the upper windows:

GILDEROY LOCKHART

Will be signing copies of his autobiography 

MAGICAL ME

Today 12:30-16:30

“OH MY GOD! We can actually meet him!” Hermione squealed like a fangirl, clapping her hands and jumping up and down.

“Looks like you’ve got competition Scootaloo,” Fred joked. 

Scootaloo scowled at him. Fred ignored her.

“Come on. Let’s finish these ice creams and get inside. Knowing our mother, she’s probably first in line.”

“What about Ginny’s?” Scootaloo enquired.

“What about it?” Ron mumbled already halfway through it and his fourth ice cream of the day already.

“Never mind, I’ll get her another one later,” Scootaloo sighed

Most of the crowd that had congregated outside the shop seemed to be made up of middle-aged witches and the wizard on the door was having enough trouble dealing with them to notice eight children squeeze inside behind his back. A long queue wound right to the back of the shop where Gilderoy Lockhart would be signing his books. As Harry, Ron and Hermione went to grab a copy of Break with a Banshee, the Crusaders and the twins went to find Molly, who, although not first, was very near the front of the line along with the rest of the Weasleys, Mr. and Mrs. Granger and, to Scootaloo’s surprise, Fluttershy and her father.

“There you lot are,” Molly said as the Crusaders and the twins came over. “Sorry we couldn’t wait for you outside; this was just too good an opportunity to pass up. Where are Harry, Ron and Hermione?” 

“Coming mum,” Ron called running over with Harry and Hermione.

“Excellent, it won’t be long now,” Molly stated.

Perfectly timed Gilderoy Lockhart stepped out from the behind a curtain and took his seat as the crowd screamed all manner of things.

“I love you Gilderoy!”

“You’re amazing Gilderoy!”

“Marry me Gilderoy!”

“Thank you, thank you, you are all too kind,” Lockhart said with a dazzling smile of pearl white teeth. He wore blue robes that matched his eyes and his hat sat at a jaunty angle on top his locks of golden hair.

Scootaloo pouted jealously as her girlfriend stared dreamily at Lockhart. She may or may not have then accidentally nudged Hermione into the photographer for the Daily Prophet causing Hermione to stumble to the floor over his feet.

“Out of the way you stupid girl, can’t you see I’m working. These pictures are for the Daily Prophet,” he grumbled angrily.

Lockhart had seen the poor girl fall and much to Scootaloo’s ire rose from his chair and came out from behind his desk to help Hermione back to her feet. Harry had also come over to help Hermione but Lockhart had got to her first. The girl went red in the face as he pulled her to her feet and took the book from her hands and signed it.

“Dearie me, I know it’s a real honour to meet such a famous and extraordinary wizard such as myself, but there’s no need to be tripping over people’s feet to get to me my dear. Now, why don’t you head back to your family. I’m sure they’ll…” he stopped mid-sentence upon seeing Harry. “It can’t be? Harry Potter!” he exclaimed reaching out and pulling Harry towards him. “Here with your girlfriend, are we?”

Harry’s face went as red as Hermione’s. He faltered in an attempt at a reply as Lockhart took charge. He put his arms around both Hermione and Harry and pulled them in close as the photographer snapped away, taking photo after photo.

“Nice big smiles, this is worth the front page,” Lockhart whispered to Harry and Hermione before he coughed and made an announcement to the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, what an honour this is for both me and Harry to finally meet each other. We are both extraordinary wizards who have done amazing things to benefit all of wizard kind and as such, I feel it only right to not only give him and his girlfriend just a free copy of my autobiography, but all my books!”

A massive applause along with cheers and whistling burst out throughout the store. Lockhart waited a moment before holding up his hand for quiet. Slowly the noise subsided and he continued.

“But, him, his girlfriend and the rest of his school chums won’t just be getting my books. Oh no. You see, come September, I shall be taking up the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!”

The response to this was deafening and after Harry and Hermione were presented with Lockhart’s entire works Harry staggered, while Hermione was pulled rather reluctantly by Scootaloo, out of the limelight to the edge of the room, where Ginny stood alongside Sweetie who was plucking all the books the other girl would need in her first year off the shelves with her magic and placing them into Apple Bloom’s outstretched arms.

“Ginny, hold this a moment,” Scootaloo said in a tone that made Harry’s face go pale as she passed Ginny the cauldron she’d bought for her. “Also, hold these for a moment.” She took the stack of books from Harry and placed them into the cauldron.”

“Yo-you can have them Ginny, I’ll buy my own,” Harry stammered finishing with an audible gulp as Scootaloo slowly approached him. 

She reached out and grabbed the boy’s jumper with her left hand before he could scarper, showing him just how strong she was for her age by lifting him effortlessly off the ground and pushing him against a bookcase. 

Hermione looked on unsure whether to laugh at her girlfriend’s jealousy or to calm her down before she did something stupid.

“I know that what just happened wasn’t your fault and believe me when I say that that idiot Lockhart is going to get a few pranks played on him before the school year is out, but let me just give you a sage bit of advice. You ever make any moves on my girlfriend and I’ll drop you of the top of the Astronomy tower. If you’re lucky, I might catch you before you go splat. Do I make myself clear?” 

Harry immediately nodded his head as fast as he possibly could.

“Good,” Scootaloo growled, lowering Harry to the floor. The boy had barely touched the floor before Scootaloo found herself being pulled into a passionate kiss by Hermione, much to everyone else’s embarrassment.

“Good lord, how disgusting. What is Hogwarts coming to letting such freaks into their fine establishment,” Draco’s voice spat. 

Scootaloo was too engrossed in the kiss to care and decided to just add to the boy’s repulsion by adding a bit of tongue action to the kiss.

She also inwardly smiled when she heard her father’s angry voice startle the boy from behind. 

“Master Malfoy, unless you wish to be expelled, I suggest you withhold from such language in the future. Although, I do not condone such behaviour in public Scoti.”

“Sorry Dad,” Scootaloo replied having finally finished her kiss with Hermione. “But thought we’d better demonstrate to Lockhart that Hermione doesn’t swing that way,” she giggled as she wiped her mouth over.

“The boy does have a point though. Such feelings are unnatural and shouldn’t be encouraged,” Lucius Malfoy said calmly as he walked over and placed his hand on Draco’s shoulder.

“Lucius,” Arthur said coldly while a combination of Harry, Hermione, Ron and Sweetie were attempting to hold Scootaloo back from attacking Lucius. 

Malfoy senior just ignored the girl’s petty antics and instead turned to the approaching head of the Weasley household. “They must be paying you well at the Ministry for all those raids if you are suddenly able to afford brand new textbooks for your children,” he said walking over and taking A Beginner’s Guide to Transfiguration from the cauldron Ginny held, Apple Bloom having had to swiftly deposit the books she had been holding into it to deal with the raging Pegasus girl who was proving a real handful for her four other friends.

Still Scootaloo managed to slip free of all five of them and approach Lucius, fire blazing wildly in her eyes. 

“Actually,” she growled through clenched teeth. “They were a gift from her dead aunt and uncle, both of whom would be here to do so in person today if someone hadn’t murdered them.”

Lucius Malfoy wasn’t about to lower himself to talking to this impudent girl who’d had the gall of spitting at his feet in front of the entire Wizengamot. Instead, he turned nonchalantly to Arthur and said, “Tsk, tsk, really Arthur. It got so bad you’ve had to beg your impudent, homosexual disgrace of a niece to help bail you out. How pathetic and how the houses of Prewett and Weasley have fallen. Her parents are probably glad they aren’t here to see the abomination she is…” 

He never got any further as both Arthur and Discord flew at him. Ginny’s cauldron went flying as Mr Malfoy thudded into a bookshelf sending spellbooks flying everywhere. Mrs Weasley and Fluttershy were both screaming at Arthur and Discord to stop, while the twins egged them on. In the melee Apple Bloom might have also thrown a heavy tome entitled The Comprehensive Encyclopaedia of Trolls that had hit Malfoy junior squarely in the face while Scootaloo might have stamped viciously down on Malfoy senior’s left ankle when he was on the floor. As bookcases continued to fall left, right and centre and the shop assistant’s pleas for order continued to go unheeded, it eventually took Hagrid forcing his way through the mass of books on the floor to pull the three men apart. 

The Malfoys had clearly fared worse off during the scuffle. Both Lucius and Draco now sported black eyes while the former limped heavily due to Scootaloo’s involvement in the melee. He was also still holding Ginny’s Transfiguration textbook. 

“Here, girl. Take your charity. Not like your father can afford you anything decent,” Lucius snarled scornfully shoving the book into Ginny’s chest before summoning Draco and disappearing from the shop.

“The both of yeh should’ve ignored him,” Hagrid scolded Arthur and Discord. Apart from a cut lip and likely a few bruises, the two men seemed to be relatively unhurt from their fight as they dusted themselves down. 

“Personally, I hope I broke his fucking ankle,” Scootaloo swore angrily. “I also think it’s time for us to move on. That shop assistant looks like he is about to have a fit. Here, Ginny, let me carry your cauldron for you. With all those books in it, it’s way too heavy for you.”

Discord went over to the shop assistant and apologised for their outrageous behaviour and handed him more than enough galleons to repair any damages they may have caused. Afterward they made their way hastily out onto the street, the Grangers and Fluttershy shaking with fright while Molly was beside herself with anger.

“Brawling in public. Have you no shame? What Gilderoy Lockhart must’ve thought?”

“He was pleased,” Fred piped in. “Was talking to that fellow from the Daily Prophet as we left about whether he could include the fight in his report. All publicity…” Fred immediately cut off as he saw the look his mother was giving him. “I’ll just be quiet.”

“You do that,” Molly growled turning to her niece and Apple Bloom. “And you two, don’t think I didn’t see your involvement in this. Both of you are grounded and on housework duty for the remainder of the holidays.”

Apple Bloom simply held her head low but Scootaloo was staring defiantly at her aunt. 

“Seriously, he insulted me and Hermione, my sexual preferences and our family names and then had the audacity to say that my parents would rather be dead than to see what I’ve become. And, to top it all off, he slipped whatever the hell this is into Ginny’s transfiguration textbook,” Scootaloo fumed holding up a small, thin black book in her right hand.

The party immediately stopped their hasty retreat to the Leaky Cauldron. Discord came straight over and took the diary from Scootaloo’s hand. He shivered uncontrollably as soon as he touched the book.

“Extremely dark magic and not of the fun kind. This has been infused with a portion of some deranged individual’s soul,” Discord stated sombrely.

“A Horcrux?” Arthur said mouth hanging agape barely believing it. “Who in their right mind would do such a thing?”

“Yes, my sentiments exactly. Although one name does immediately come to mind,” Discord replied as he opened the diary. 

“Voldemort,” Arthur said under his breath, not wanting to believe it.

“My thoughts exactly,” Discord replied opening the book. “Hmm, T.M. Riddle,” he murmured to himself before flicking through the rest of the diary; it was completely blank. “I’ll need to see Dumbledore about this immediately. Until I’ve examined the diary in greater depth, I can’t be sure just how much damage this could have caused if it had been left unchecked in Ginny’s hands, but I’m guessing it would most certainly have not caused anything good. Scoti may well have just prevented yet another catastrophe at Hogwarts before her second year has even begun,” Discord explained before turning to Fluttershy. “My dear it is time for us to go,” he said before bowing to the group. “It was a pleasure meeting you all, especially you Mr. and Mrs. Granger. I am pleased to see you are okay with your daughter’s budding romance with my own and do not discriminate against such relationships as so many seem to do at this current time. As for you three,” he said turning to the Crusaders. “We both look forward to seeing you when the new term begins. Fluttershy shall be studying under Professor Kettleburn this year and taking over Care of Magical Creatures classes alongside Hagrid after Kettleburn’s retirement at the end of the next school year. Until then, try to keep out of trouble,” he finished looking in particular at his daughter before snapping his fingers and disappearing alongside Fluttershy.

“Wow, it must have been serious. He didn’t even stay to give us the news,” Scootaloo quipped as she turned and looked up at her aunt with a smug smile upon her face. “Anyway, more on that later. First, what was that about being grounded?”

Molly didn’t say a word, instead she just came over and grasped her niece in yet another hug before whispering in Scootaloo’s ear, “My guardian angel. Thank you for keeping Ginny safe. Even so, I cannot and will not condone violence even if it was well deserved. Such actions are also not befitting of a lady of your standing. Thus, you're still grounded and confined to your room for the next week.”
> The Chamber of Secrets, Two Weddings and Most Likely a Funeral
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dumbledore wasn’t a man who was easily taken by surprise, but even he had yet to get used to how easily Professor Discord could get through the wards and enchantments that surrounded the castle. Still, even as the apparent god suddenly appeared in his office only the keenest of eyes would have noticed a momentary shift in Dumbledore’s demeanour.

“Professor Discord,” he said calmly while stroking his beard. “Congratulations on the engagement although I'm guessing this isn’t a social call to inform me when the wedding will be?” 

“Thank you and no, it isn’t,” Discord replied cutting to the chase and throwing the diary onto Dumbledore’s desk. “Although we are unable to prove it, Lucius Malfoy just attempted to plant this on the youngest Weasley child. Thankfully, my own daughter intervened. My immediate deductions make it out to be a Horcrux of some form. I shall deal with it in due course but wanted to see if you might have any further information about it first. It is radiating some seriously disturbing dark magic but from my initial observations the diary itself seems to be completely blank apart from a name, T.M. Riddle.”

Dumbledore actually quivered for a split second at the mention of that name and despite his best efforts to maintain his stoic appearance, Discord had instantly noticed the headmaster’s reaction.

“By your reaction, I’m guessing you know who that is?” Discord said seriously.

“Yes, Tom Marvolo Riddle was a student here during my early days fifty years ago. You though are probably more used to hearing him being called by another name, Lord Voldemort,” Dumbledore replied in his usual unperturbed way.

“I had presumed it would have something to do with him,” Discord growled. “What I’d like to know is why a diary and who did he deliberately murder to be able to create such a heinous artifact?”

“I believe I can assist you with that one. You see, when Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago by Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin, they ensured it was built away from the prying eyes of Muggles who were fearful of wizards and witches at that time and often persecuted anyone they even mildly suspected could be one. The castle offered a safe place for youngsters who showed signs of magic and a place where they could be taught how to control their natural ability. Unfortunately, peace wasn’t to last. Slytherin believed that only children from all-magical families should be admitted to the school, calling those with muggle blood untrustworthy. It was not long until he fell out with the others and departed the school, but not before he had supposedly built a hidden chamber that none of the other founders knew anything about, the Chamber of Secrets. The legend goes that Slytherin sealed a monster within the Chamber of Secrets that only his heir could release and control to purge the school of all those students who were not pure blooded. It was long thought to be just a myth.” 

Dumbledore paused, lost in his own memories for a moment.

“Until fifty years ago when Voldemort or Riddle, as he was known back then, opened it,” Discord finished for Dumbledore, stroking his own little beard and deep in thought himself.

“Precisely, but it was never proven and, in the end, he was able to fool the current headmaster at the time, Armando Dippet, into believing it was Hagrid who’d been attacking the students, the half-giant having a prior record of keeping dangerous creatures on school grounds. It was the last thing the poor boy needed so soon after losing his father to be expelled and have his wand snapped in two, but Dippet was convinced and the attacks immediately stopped afterward. Alas, it came too late for poor Myrtle Warren who was murdered by the monster in the girls’ bathroom on the first floor,” Dumbledore finished with a tear in his eye as he removed his spectacles and cleaned them with his robes.

“I see,” Discord replied now even deeper in thought. “So, Riddle, as the descendant of Slytherin, opened the chamber, tried to kill as many non-pure-blooded students as he could without suspicion and then closed it again before framing Hagrid for his crimes and creating a Horcrux from Myrtle’s murder, ingenious. Psychopathic, but ingenious all the same.”

“Agreed. He truly was one of the most gifted students Hogwarts has ever had. It is just a shame he was consumed by darkness,” Dumbledore muttered sadly.

“Indeed. This diary likely contains information that could see us not only locate the Chamber of Secrets but also kill whatever is inside it, but the book is simply too dangerous to mess with. Thus, I will just have to locate the chamber myself, starting with the girl’s bathroom on the first floor.” 

As he had said this Discord had plucked a fang from his mouth. With no remorse he slammed it down into the heart of the diary on the desk. 

A high-pitched wail erupted from the diary as black ink flooded out of it and covered the desk. Momentarily, the ghostly figure of a boy writhing in pain appeared between Dumbledore and Discord before vanishing into the ether. After a while Discord removed the tooth and returned it to his mouth.

“Basilisk fang,” Discord explained nonchalantly. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve a mystery to solve before my daughter and her friends arrive for their second year in two weeks’ time. Because knowing her luck, she’ll probably accidentally stumble across the chamber and release whatever monster is inside.”

And with that he turned to go, but not before Dumbledore called out, “Thank you Professor Discord. If you need any assistance, I’m sure Professor Lockhart will be only too happy to help. I’d also like to talk to you some more about your daughter’s new found heritage once this matter is cleared up.”

“Thank you, I’ll call upon him to assist once I’ve located the chamber and I’d be more than happy to answer any further questions you may have on draconequui once this matter is settled,” Discord called out without turning his head back towards Dumbledore as he departed the office and headed straight to the girls’ bathroom on the first floor. 

Back in his office Dumbledore picked up the diary, which had finally ceased oozing ink all over his desk, and examined it intently for a moment. 

“So, Tom, you actually managed to do it. The question now is just how many times were you able to replicate the procedure?” he said to himself before placing the diary into the bottom drawer of his desk.


*


After Celestia’s return to sanity, Twilight had been offered the chance to return to Ponyville and the Golden Oaks library but the constant disturbances from tourists wanting to get a picture with Equestria’s newest alicorn and not at all interested in borrowing or discussing books had seen her split her time half and half between Ponyville and Canterlot. The benefit of this for her was that she still got to spend more time with her friends, aside Fluttershy, than previously, whilst continuing her research in the depths of the seemingly never-ending Canterlot Castle library. Over the past few years in her time away from Canterlot though Twilight had come to realise that nothing was ever perfect. The problem with her current situation was a certain dark blue alicorn who had a penchant to constantly play pranks on her whilst she was trying to study. And, as she mulled over the latest ancient tome she had found buried in the depths of the library, a pop and flash of blue magic saw her let out a heavy sigh.

“Luna, if this is another pie by mail or exploding letter, I swear…” Twilight grumbled levitating the scroll and carefully unrolling it.


You are cordially invited to the wedding of



Princess Celestia of the three pony tribes 



And 



Queen Chrysalis of the Changelings



Canterlot Castle 



Hearths Warming Eve 


“Seriously Luna? You think I’m going to fall for…”

“It’s no joke. It’s what publicly you would define as a political marriage to avoid a war. Personally speaking though I think there is more to it than that,” said alicorn in question clarified appearing from behind a bookshelf. 

Twilight gave a dismissive laugh. “Seriously, that’s the best you could come up with, political marriage. Even for you that’s poor Luna. And I sure do hope that’s red wine you’re drinking.”

“Half and half. You know what the other half is.” Luna opened her muzzle and ran her tongue over the two fangs that protruded from the top row of teeth. 

Twilight shuddered. Luna’s unique dietary requirements due to her thestral heritage always creeped her out.

Luna let out a little snort of amusement. “Oh, how I do like to see you squirm. But dear Twilight let me assure you that this is no joke. Celestia asked me to tell you she wants us to be her bridesmaids.”

“Pfft, seriously Luna, give it up already. The day I believe Celestia and Chrysalis are going to get married is the day Fluttershy finally loses her marbles and marries Discord,” Twilight stated firmly. 

And that was of course when a card conveniently floated down in front of Twilight:


SAVE THE DATE: April 10th 1993



You are provisionally invited to the wedding of



Disaster Cord and Fluttershy Breeze



Hogwarts Castle 



April 10th 1993


“Hi Twilight, guess what! Fluttershy and Discord are getting married! Isn’t that awesome?” Pinkie’s voice echoed from a portal that had suddenly appeared right above Twilight.

Twilight’s right eye began to twitch.

“Well, that was an unexpected twist,” Luna commented with a wicked grin plastered across her face as she took another sip from her drink.

“Oh, Moony, you’re here to0; that’ll save me a trip,” Pinkie said floating two more cards down for Luna. “Could you pass one of those onto Celestia for me as well, I’ve a lot of trips to make and not nearly enough time to make them all. Also, could you congratulate her on her own engagement for me. She and Chryssy make for such a cute couple!”

“Of course Pinkie,” Luna replied taking the two cards in her magic whilst not taking her eyes of Twilight for even a moment as the smug smile on her face grew ever wider.

“Thank you! And before I go, Discord also asked me to give you this Twilight.” She floated down a pink envelope to Twilight before the portal closed and Pinkie disappeared.

By this point Twilight’s rational mind had all but disintegrated but to her credit she still somehow managed to open the envelope with her magic. She was instantly covered in confetti as a miniature Discord appeared from within and blew an equally miniature trumpet before exclaiming: 

“Discord, God, Lord, Master, and Ruler of Chaos is to be wedded to one  Fluttershy Breeze.  Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to serve as best mare.  As usual, should you or any member of your team be killed or captured, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions. This card will self-destruct in five seconds. Good luck,  Twilight.”

Twilight’s right eye twitched ever faster as the miniature Discord exploded in her face and sent yet more confetti everywhere. Luna meanwhile was trying desperately not to drop to the floor in a fit of giggles. 

“Twilight Sparkle, more like Twilight Sprinkle,” the older alicorn jested referring to the colourful confetti that was now dotted throughout the other alicorn’s hair like sprinkles on an ice cream.

“One more word and I’ll send you back to the moon,” Twilight growled her mane and tail igniting as her eyes turned blood red. 

“Oh shit,” Luna swore with a large gulp.
> The Ford Escort
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Come along; we haven’t all day.” Scootaloo heard her father’s voice ahead of her. 

Wait; her father was at Hogwarts while she was still at the Burrow. So, how had she gotten here, wherever here was? She was in some dark, dank and dingy tunnel. Oh no, this was a dream wasn’t it? Great, she’d enjoyed the past few months and not having her dreams invaded by a grotesque face or some doom and gloom prophecy every other week.

Wonder what this one is going to be about? Scootaloo thought to herself pretty much resigned to the fact it would be something bad. Just how bad she wasn’t quite sure yet.

A voice that wasn’t her own spoke nervously back. 

“I-is this wise? We don’t even know what the monster is. Wouldn’t it be more sensible to come back with a team of Aurors?” 

Where had she heard it before? 

“Nonsense Lockhart. I’m sure the two of us, two Defence Against the Dark Arts experts, will be more than a match for whatever is lurking down here. Just ensure you are on your guard. Absolutely anything could jump out at us,” her father replied completely unfazed.

This though just made her, or Lockhart as she appeared to be, even more twitchy, jumping at even the smallest of shadows. 

At that point the dream became hazy for a bit until she found herself in what seemed to be a large cave. A constant hissing seemed to be reverberating in her ears and she felt Lockhart’s heart beating rapidly, wand raised. Sweat was dripping down his forehead.

“Discord, where are you?” he cried as his eyes scanned all around him. Then, suddenly, they fell upon a pair of bulbous yellow eyes…


*


Apple Bloom awoke to the rooster’s crow outside. Stifling a yawn, she pulled herself up in her bed and got rid of the cricks in her back and neck. It was September first once more and there was a lot to do in the next two hours before the Ministry car arrived at 8:00am to take them to London. The last two weeks of the holidays had gone way too fast for her liking, even in spite of having spent most her time assisting Molly with the housework, although secretly she was looking forward to seeing Snape the snake once again. She jumped out of her bed onto the floor and did a few more stretches before strolling over to Sweetie’s bed and pushing the other girl with one hand. Sweetie flew onto the floor entangled in her duvet cover.

“Morning,” Apple Bloom giggled.

“Is this going to be a yearly thing?” Sweetie groaned from the floor. “Awaken Sweetie for her first day back at school through torture.”

Apple Bloom giggled with a smile on her face. “Thanks for the idea. Maybe next year we’ll get Scoots to use her lightning,” Apple Bloom said in jest before skipping over to her other friend’s bed preparing to give her an early morning wake-up call also. 

“Shit, why didn’t I keep my mouth shut?” Sweetie mumbled to herself while slowly unentangling herself from her duvet and rising from the floor, dusting off her night clothes as she did so.

“MOOOOOLLYYYYY!”

The scream came so unexpectedly that it caused Sweetie to jump high into the air. It was so loud the Burrow actually shook from the force.

“Apple Bloom, what’s wrong?” Sweetie exclaimed as she gradually got over her second wakeup call of the morning.

Apple Bloom didn’t reply. She had turned her head away from Scootaloo and was weeping openly into her hands. Sweetie bolted over to Scootaloo’s bed to see Apple Bloom had pulled the covers back in preparation to pounce on Scootaloo.

“What the fuck?” Sweetie swore.

Scootaloo’s eyes were open with a glazed expression upon them and she seemed to be frozen in a state of complete shock. She looked like a living statue.

“I-is s-she dead?” Sweetie uttered not wanting it to be true as the door swung open and Molly raced into the room in her nightgown. 

“What in Merlin’s beard…” she began before pausing upon seeing the taut figure of her niece on the bed.

Without another word she went straight over and examined Scootaloo thoroughly as the rest of the Weasleys converged in the doorway to the bedroom.

Finally, as Sweetie tried to comfort Apple Bloom after her nasty shock, Molly spoke.

“She’s alive, just petrified. I’ll have to contact St. Mungo’s and Hogwarts immediately. How did this happen?” Molly pressed urgently to the two other occupants of the room.

“I don’t know.” Apple Bloom sniffled into Sweetie’s chest. “I-I just came over to wake her up and found her this way. I thought she was dead,” the girl wailed before burying her head into Sweetie’s chest.

“How peculiar. No matter. Hopefully once we reverse the process, she might be able to enlighten us some more,” Molly said calmly.

“We will be able to return her back to normal, won’t we?” Sweetie asked in a worried tone.

“M-Mandrake Restorative Draught,” Apple Bloom sniffled as she slowly removed her head from Sweetie’s chest and wiped away a tear. “S-St. Mungo’s should have some. I’d make it but don’t have any matured mandrake roots.” 

“There, you see. We’ll soon have her back to normal,” Molly said with a smile as she went across and took Apple Bloom’s head in her right hand while she cleaned the traumatised girl’s face with a handkerchief in her left. “Why don’t you come down and finish helping me make breakfast to take your mind off Scootaloo while I make the necessary calls via the floo network?”

“I-I’d like that,” Apple Bloom said slowly getting over the nasty shock she’d received.

As Molly walked over to the rest of her family with Apple Bloom close behind, she barked, “Well? What are you all doing standing here? We’ve less than two hours until we need to be on the road and I expect all your trunks to be downstairs in an hour.”

Reluctantly the rest of the Weasleys and Harry dispersed to go finish their packing leaving Sweetie to try to sort out her own, Apple Bloom’s and Scootaloo’s. She was just thankful most of it had been done the day before!


*


Dumbledore sat at his desk with his head in his hands. He knew the position was cursed, but three hours! What would the Ministry say when he informed them the latest Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher had been killed fighting a basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets under the school before the term had even officially started? And just three months after Quirrell’s so called disappearance. Hmm, yet another coverup possibly. Or more likely they would make it so Gilderoy sounded like a hero rather than the buffoon he actually was. He could see the headline in the Daily Prophet already:

Gilderoy Lockhart Dead at 28 – Fabled Defender Against the Dark Arts dies protecting the students of Hogwarts

On the plus side he had never wanted to hire the nitwit in the first place; rather, he had been forced into doing because no other witch or wizard had the nerve to apply to such a cursed position. Gilderoy’s death would now only make it even harder to locate some fool for the position. Even Snape hadn’t applied this time around now that he’d gotten the Potions protégé he’d always dreamed of, even if she wasn’t in Slytherin. At least Professor Discord had managed to deal with the Basilisk. A giant snake hunting down non-pure-blooded students was the last thing the school needed right now with the Ministry up his arse over inclusivity and discrimination. Hmm, maybe he could coax Discord to take up the position, even if just temporarily until a new teacher could be found.

As he pondered this idea and just how he could persuade Discord to take up the role, he noticed the fire in his room suddenly turn from orange to green as a face appeared. 

“Oh Albus, thank goodness you’re awake,” Molly Weasley’s voice echoed as her face appeared in the flames.

“Mrs. Weasley, this is a surprise,” Dumbledore said in a formal tone rising from his desk and approaching the fireplace. “Shouldn’t you be preparing your children for their return journey to Hogwarts? Wouldn’t want to be late now, would we?”

“That’s just it. Something peculiar has happened during the night and I’m unsure whether Scoti will be ready in time to make it to London for the train. The nurse from St. Mungo’s is examining her now,” Molly explained.

“Oh my, nothing serious I hope?” Dumbledore asked, just the slightest hint of worry creeping into his voice.

“Apple Bloom awoke to find her petrified. Thankfully St. Mungo’s had some Mandrake Restorative Draught. The nurse is applying it now but she won't be able to leave here until mid-morning at the earliest,” Molly went on.

“How peculiar,” Dumbledore responded stroking his beard. “Not to worry. You focus on getting your own children ready and I’ll send one of the professors to you and contact the Ministry. They’ll have Harry and the girls brought directly by car here.”

“Oh, thank you very much Albus; that’s a big relief,” Molly said with a relieved sigh. 

“No problem. Now, I must get on. As you can probably understand I am very busy. I look forward to seeing the children back for another school year shortly,” Dumbledore said stoically.

“Of course. Thanks again,” Molly’s head replied before disappearing, the green flames turning once more back to orange.

Dumbledore walked back over to his desk and picked up a quill from an ink pot and wrote leisurely on a blank piece of parchment:

Note to self: It appears that if a seer sees the eyes of a basilisk indirectly through another it results in petrification.


*


Scootaloo sat up groggily in bed, the nurse still examining her. The Weasleys had departed for London well over an hour ago and she’d not even had the chance to say goodbye, having only just come around in the past five minutes. Downstairs Sweetie, Harry and Apple Bloom were helping Perkins, Arthur’s elderly assistant from the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office, pack the car they would now be taking to get to Hogwarts once she was cleared for travel. There was one other occupant of the house now that the Weasleys had departed. Professor Snape sat in a chair at the end of her bed looking even more unhappy than usual.

“So, just to be on the safe side, can you tell me once more who you are and where you are?” the nurse repeated for the third time.

“How many times do you want me to repeat it?” Scootaloo responded rudely. “My name is Scoti Alaw Prewett. I’m staying with my aunt and uncle at their home in Ottery St. Catchpole. I went to bed at nine o’clock on the 31st August 1992 and the last thing I remember was having a dream involving my father and Gilderoy Lockhart who were hunting for something. I then saw a great big pair of yellow eyes staring at me. Next thing I know I’m waking up to be told by a nurse I’d somehow been petrified in my sleep!”

“Yes, it does sound all rather peculiar and I’m afraid I have no explanation for you on just how it happened,” the nurse replied. “But, aside from the petrification, there seems to be no memory loss or anything else wrong with you. Overall, you seem perfectly fit and healthy for someone your age,” she went on.

“So, she’s okay to travel?” Snape said in his usual monotonous tone from the end of the bed.

“Yes, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with her now the petrification has been resolved. I would though advise no strenuous activity for the remainder of the day as you may still be a little lightheaded on your feet and if you feel at all unwell upon your arrival at school to seek out Madam Pomfrey immediately,” the nurse said to Scootaloo as she started to pack away her things into a bag. 

“Of course. I shall ensure she does as you instruct. Thank you, nurse,” Snape droned once more from the end of the bed before he rose and showed the nurse to the door. 

Snape watched her leave down the stairs before closing the door. 

“Colloportus,” he cast on the door before following it up with, “Imperturbable”.

“Wait, what are you doing?” Scootaloo said nervously as Snape strolled back over to her bed.

“Although what I am about to say may be revealed in some form to your fellow students at some point in the near future, until that time arises you are not to utter a single word of what I’m about to say to you unless you wish to make me very, very happy by expelling you. Understood?” Snape growled returning to Scootaloo’s bed and sitting at the end of it.

Scootaloo gulped and rapidly nodded her head in reply. 

“Excellent. I’m sure you remember that diary you found a few weeks ago, yes?” 

Scootaloo nodded rapidly once more.

“Good. Well, it was linked to some attacks fifty years ago at the school. Long story short, one of the founders, Salazar Slytherin, disagreed with the others over who should attend Hogwarts, believing only those with pure blood should be allowed to attend, and ultimately left the school because of the disagreement. This was not before he created a secret chamber way beneath the school and hid a monster within it that only his heir would be able to control. Three students were petrified and one died fifty years ago before the attacks stopped. It is now clear to us a sixteen-year-old Voldemort, a fifth-year student at the time, was behind the attacks, but at the time he managed to frame Hagrid, who was a third-year student then, for them. Your father over the past few weeks has been attempting to find the Chamber of Secrets and deal with the monster to ensure such a tragedy will never be possible again. After locating the entrance, last night he set out with that buffoon Lockhart to deal with the monster, which turned out to be a basilisk. Although Professor Discord dealt with the monster, it was not before it had killed Professor Lockhart with its gaze. We believe that your dream happened a few hours before to warn you about what was about to occur, but by indirectly seeing the basilisk’s eyes through Lockhart’s, you were petrified and then discovered too late for us to do anything to prevent his unfortunate demise,” Snape droned, not seeming the least bit bothered that Lockhart was dead. 

“Okay, that’s quite a lot to take in,” Scootaloo replied, completely flummoxed as her brain tried to decipher all the information Snape had just provided her.

“I expect it is. You have twenty minutes to get dressed, ensure you’ve not forgotten anything and meet us downstairs. We’ve a long car journey ahead and although a magical car will cut a significant amount of the journey time, I still expect it to take anywhere between seven to nine hours to reach Hogwarts from here. I would like to catch the feast and see what new students I will have gracing my house this year,” Snape droned rising from the bed and walking to the door, removing the charms he had placed upon it before exiting.

Scootaloo sat in her bed for a moment still trying to process everything Snape had just told her before remembering just how stern and strict the Potions master could be. She wouldn’t be surprised at all if she was even one minute late, he would have already left her behind. She leapt out of bed and rushed over to where her clothes had been neatly laid out the night before. 

It was seventeen minutes later when she came hurtling downstairs toothbrush still in her mouth along with a number of items from the bathroom. Aside from a few of her divination books and items, Apple Bloom and Sweetie had done an amazing job in ensuring everything else had been packed safely in her trunk.

“Ready to go? The others are already in the car waiting,” Snape stated rising from a chair in the lounge. 

Scootaloo nodded in reply, unable to speak with the toothbrush in her mouth. She quickly pulled it out and put it into a wash bag.

“Very well,” Snape droned heading to the door and holding it open for her. 

As Scootaloo stepped out into the bright autumn sunshine a dark blue car awaited her, the engine already revving away. The names Ford and Escort were imprinted on the boot. She was surprised when she opened one of the back doors to see just how spacious it was inside, more than enough room for her, Harry, Sweetie and Apple Bloom to sit comfortably next to one another. Sweetie was already out like a light, the sedatives provided by the nurse from St Mungo’s to help with her car sickness having already taken effect.

Apple Bloom practically pounced on her as she entered the car. 

“I’m so glad you’re okay. I was really worried when I found you this morning looking like a statue from the Canterlot Castle gardens.”

“Thanks Bloom,” Scootaloo managed to squeak out reciprocating the hug. “Although I won’t be okay anymore if you keep squeezing me to death!”

Apple Bloom giggled and slowly eased her death grip on the Pegasus girl as Snape opened the front passenger’s door and entered the car.

“Right girls and Potter,” he said, referring to Harry with obvious disdain.

Harry gulped nervously. He had wanted to go with the Weasleys and travel on the Hogwarts Express, but although Molly had said they could probably squeeze him in, it would have been a tight fit in their car and Dumbledore had also requested he travel with the girls. He really hoped this car ride wouldn’t be as long as the train journey as Snape continued his monologue.

“Please ensure you have your seatbelts on. As you have probably noticed, although this is a muggle invention the Ministry has placed numerous enchantments on it to assist and hasten our journey. Nevertheless, even with these enchantments the journey will probably still take us a good seven to nine hours.”

Harry’s head dropped. Seven to nine hours stuck in a car with Snape!

“I expect you all to be on your best behaviour. Either read, play games, talk amongst yourselves or sleep as Miss Belle is already doing. I really don’t mind as long as you do it quietly. I don’t believe any of you would want to be either cleaning the Potions lab for a month or be Miss Apple’s test subject for a week. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Professor Snape,” the three awake children replied simultaneously.

“Good. We shall stop every three to four hours for toilet breaks. Mrs Weasley has also kindly provided us with some lunch. Now, Perkins, if you’d please.”

The car shot off at a ridiculous speed completely oblivious to all the other traffic that was on the road and squeezing through the tightest of gaps between cars. Harry hung on for dear life scared out of his mind as Scootaloo settled down to sleep using her tail for a pillow and Apple Bloom continued reading the potions book Snape had sent her over the summer.


*


It was nearing six o’clock in the evening when the car veered off the main A road onto a single-track lane.

“Hold on girls; it may get a little bumpy from here,” Snape informed the Crusaders, completely ignoring Harry’s presence in the vehicle.

It had been an interesting car journey to say the least. After about twenty minutes of hanging onto the car in sheer terror, Harry had spent most the journey either staring out the window, reading or, with Sweetie comatose, entertaining Wallace; the poor dog bored out of his brains lying between Sweetie's and Harry’s legs. Scootaloo had actually managed to drift off to sleep almost immediately and had only woken twice since. One of those times had been when Apple Bloom had shoved her out of the car to see if she needed the toilet, the other when her tail had gotten cramp and needed to stretch sending her head banging into the car door as a result. Despite Snape’s warnings, Apple Bloom had actually managed to spark a conversation with her mentor halfway through the journey surrounding her summer studies that had lasted most of the second half of the trip. 

As the car jerked to a halt in front of a gate the children were all thrown forward before falling back onto their seats with a bump. Scootaloo was somehow still snoring her head off although Sweetie had finally awakened. 

“Can nothing aside a small earthquake or Apple Bloom wake that girl up?” Harry queried as Snape got out and opened the gate. 

“Huh?” Sweetie queried sleepily. “We there?” she yawned. “Oof my head is pounding,” she added still feeling the hangover effects of the sedatives.

“Not yet Sleepy Belle although it’s not much further now,” Apple Bloom replied as the car slowly trundled through the now open gate. “It might be a little bumpy though from here on.”

“Great,” Sweetie groaned as even the slight movement of the car was causing her face to turn a slight shade of green. “And personally, I’m not sure even a small earthquake could wake Scootaloo up,” Sweetie replied as Snape, after closing the gate, returned to the car.

“Ah, Miss Belle, I see you’ve returned to the land of the living. Drink this,” Snape sneered passing back a vial of bubbling black liquid that Apple Bloom took a hold of for Sweetie as the car once more began to move. 

Sweetie stared at the vial and gulped. “What is that?” 

“Something to ensure you don’t decorate the interior of the car during the remainder of the journey,” Snape droned returning to looking out the front window of the car. “Now, unless you want a detention, I suggest you stop asking questions and drink it.”

With a sigh Sweetie took the bubbling vial of black liquid from Apple Bloom and downed it, swallowing the whole lot in one massive gulp.

“That was by far the worst thing I’ve ever consumed,” Sweetie deadpanned with a look of revulsion plastered across her face.

“Well, now you know how we feel about your cooking!” Apple Bloom quipped next to Sweetie receiving a friendly punch to her arm for her troubles. 

“Haha, very funny. So, what do you want to do to pass the time?” Sweetie asked as the car continued along a single-track road.


*


The two awake girls attempted to teach Harry how to play poker with sweets as the car continued along the final part of its journey but, after the car turned off the single-track road and onto a dirt track that twisted and turned as it disappeared high into a mountain range, it soon became impossible as they and the cards were thrown all over the place like beans in a tin can as the car bumped and bounced along the makeshift road. Snape had been the one who had officially brought the game to a halt when the seven of diamonds landed in his hair, much to Scootaloo's relief as her tail had joined in and was somehow trouncing the lot of them. For any normal car the track would have been virtually impassable, but the magically enhanced and resistant Ford Escort was able to take it all in its stride, even if a little slower than on a normal tarmac road. Somehow, Scootaloo still remained fast asleep snuggled up to her tail.

Just as Harry, Sweetie and Apple Bloom were wondering how much more of this their behinds could take, and, in the case of Sweetie, her stomach, the castle suddenly loomed up out of nowhere. At last, they were almost there.

“Right. We are nearly there,” Snape reiterated in a disgruntled tone from the front passenger seat. “The train still won’t be here for another hour or so yet and the feast for another hour after that. I suggest finding McGonagall and Sprout and taking your trunks to your dormitories before proceeding to get ready for the festivities,” he instructed. 

“Could you keep it down? I’m trying to sleep,” Scootaloo groaned in response.

“Oy, sleepy head, we’re nearly there. Time to wake up,” Apple Bloom said shaking her friend forcefully.

Scootaloo awoke from drooling on her tail with a jump. “Huh, what?” she exclaimed wiping her mouth before letting out a tremendous yawn. “Apple Bloom,” she groused. “I was just about to find out what house Ginny is going to be placed in!”

“Pfft. Really Scoots. You don’t need to be a seer to see that one. No Weasley has ever been placed in a house other than Gryffindor. It’s even in Hogwarts: A History and has been suggested on more than one occasion they are possibly descendants of Godric Gryffindor,” Sweetie said matter-of-factly entering the conversation.

“Well, you never know?” Scootaloo replied as the haze of sleep slowly dissipated from her.

“For once I’d have to agree with Miss Belle. The day a Weasley is placed in a house other than Gryffindor is the day I’ll teach you lot how to brew Butterbeer,” Snape said from the front of the car. “And that is never going to happen.”

“I’ll hold you to that one,” Scootaloo sniggered from the back of the car as they crossed over the railway line.

At this point the road branched off in two directions, the right fork going up to Hogsmeade Station while the left wound around the great lake like a snake, on its way to the village.

“Don’t count on it,” Snape growled under his breath as the girls and Harry gawped at the castle that rose up from nowhere across the lake.

Soon, as the car followed the dusty road around the lake it was replaced by the outer wall of the castle and then the road split once more. To their left the road curved around into the village and a sign read:

Welcome to Hogsmeade

The only all-wizarding village in Britain.

The car though took the right fork and followed the outer wall of the castle to a pair of wrought iron gates flanked by stone columns topped with winged boars. As the car turned and paused at the gates waiting for them to open, Scootaloo caught site of another sign by the side of the road they’d just turned off:

DANGER: Forbidden Forest ahead, 

Enter at your own risk

She was guessing that the edge of the forest was likely where the dirt track road ended. Anyway, someone must have realised they had arrived as the gates started to creak open. The car once again picked up speed on the long, sloping driveway that led up to the castle. Unfortunately for the occupants of the car it was just as bumpy as the apparent road they’d just departed. 

“Yowch, can’t we go just a little slower, not like we are late or anything,” Scootaloo grumbled rubbing her rump and tail tenderly after the car went over yet another large stone.

“Maybe Miss Prewett you should go back to sleep for the next minute before you speak your way into detention,” Snape droned, causing Scootaloo to immediately shut up and stop complaining.

The girl didn’t have to suffer for much longer though as in less than a minute the car pulled up outside the castle. A small welcome party was already waiting for them. 

Professor Sprout immediately pounced upon Scootaloo as she got out of the car to stretch her sore cramped muscles after such a long period of inactivity. 

“My dear, how are you feeling?” she said in a worried tone rushing over to her quidditch captain.

“Well, I’ve a sore arse from all those bumps we went over up the driveway and my muscles ache from sitting down for so long but otherwise I’m fit as a fiddle and ready to defend our quidditch trophy. Nurse gave me a clean bill of health this morning after unparalysing me.”

Professor Sprout immediately lifted the girl off the floor and wrapped her in a hug. “You’ve grown! I soon won’t be able to do this,” the stumpy little witch said before lowering Scootaloo to the ground. “I’m very glad to hear that; that was quite the scare you gave us this morning,” Professor Sprout said with a warm smile.

“It’s great to see you too professor,” Scootaloo replied with a smile of her own. 

The touching embrace was broken as Apple Bloom walked past. “Scootaloo, you dope, unparalysing is not even a word. Now, come on; this luggage isn’t going to get itself to our dormitory.”

“It’s good to see you too Apple Bloom,” Professor Sprout said, releasing Scootaloo and turning and nodding to Apple Bloom. “Where’s Sweetie Belle?”

“WALLACE, STOP CHASING MRS NORRIS AND GET BACK HERE THIS INSTANT!” The other girl’s voice bellowed from across the courtyard.

“That answer your question?” Apple Bloom giggled. “Excuse me for just one moment. "BARK, BARK, YIP, YIP, GRRRRRRR.”

Professor Sprout, along with Professor McGonagall who had been addressing Harry, stared at Apple Bloom open mouthed as the dog dejectedly trotted over to her with his tail between his legs before giving Apple Bloom a despairing look and whining pitifully. 

“Don’t you give me that look. You know very well you’re not allowed to chase Mrs Norris,” she chastised Wallace looking at him sternly.

To everyone else in the courtyard this just sounded like even more barks and grunts.

“Well, that’s certainly new,” Professor Sprout said with a look of astonishment on her face as Scootaloo’s tail made an impromptu appearance and decided to tickle the Herbology professor’s nose.
> The Start of Term Feast
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Washed and now dressed in their school robes the three girls headed out of the unusually empty and quiet Hufflepuff common room toward the Great Hall as numerous clocks across the school chimed seven times.

“Come on,” Scootaloo said hurrying up the steps out of the basement. “We don’t want to be late for the sorting. I want to know how many new housemates we get this year!” 

“Calm down Scoots; the Hogwarts Express might not even be here yet!” Sweetie wheezed trying to keep up.

“Damn, you have been slacking this summer. I think some extra training sessions are going to be needed before our first quidditch match. Hmm, maybe fifty laps around the quidditch pitch with a rucksack full of rocks to start off with?” Scootaloo replied evilly.

“You dare and you can find yourself a new keeper,” Sweetie grumbled in reply.

“Will you two stop bickering like two old mares and focus on walking?” Apple Bloom grumbled forcing her way into the conversation.

“Do you want to join her while wearing the mascot costume?” Scootaloo replied.

“Sorry girls, my days as the mascot bearer are over. Snape wants me to do my Potions O.W.L. by the end of next year and fast track me on to N.E.W.T. level,” Apple Bloom replied holding up her hands apologetically. “That’s going to take most of my free time.”

Sweetie Belle stopped dead in her tracks staring at her friend. “You are kidding? We’re second-years. Our Ordinary Wizarding Levels aren’t supposed to be taken until our fifth year!” she exclaimed, partly jealous and partly impressed by her friend’s ability.

“I know, but he thinks I’m ready. Told me his plan back at the Burrow. Wants me to be his assistant in the long run helping with his classes,” Apple Bloom explained causing Sweetie’s jaw to drop further as Scootaloo giggled.

“Apple Butt and Snape the Snake, what a perfect pair,” Scootaloo mocked before pelting it to the Great Hall with an enraged Apple Bloom in close pursuit as Sweetie Belle brought up the rear.

The clock in the Discord tower finally fell silent as it chimed for the twenty-eighth time.


*


In the end they had no need to rush to the Great Hall as it was still completely empty aside from Harry, who was sitting at the Gryffindor table while gazing up at the starry night sky that adorned the ceiling.

Before he knew what was even happening the doors had slammed opened and Scootaloo had whizzed in and taken cover behind him.

“Harry, save me! Apple Butt is trying to kill me!” she exclaimed using the poor boy as a human shield to distance herself from her irate friend.

“Last warning. Call me that one more time and…” Apple Bloom started to say ominously before a dull tone the two girls knew only too well reverberated around the hall.

“Miss Prewett, the school year has yet to officially begin and you’re already teasing your fellow housemates. I’m sure Miss Bloom will be more than happy to have some assistance in the Potions lab after classes finish tomorrow. Thank you for mandatorily volunteering. Bring Potter with you as well,” Snape drawled.

The smile on Apple Bloom’s face sent shivers down Scootaloo’s spine. Harry wanted to argue but knew it was futile and that the Potions professor would only make the punishment worse.

“Yes, sir,” Scootaloo whimpered in reply as Sweetie finally caught up and entered the hall. 

“Good. Now I suggest you take your seats. The Hogwarts Express rolled in ten minutes ago and the rest of the students are on their way to the castle,” Snape stated heading for the teachers’ table.

“Bollocks,” Scootaloo grumbled as she and Apple Bloom made their way over to the Hufflepuff table to await the arrival of the other students. The new term hadn’t even started and already she had detention!


*


“GRYFFINDOR,” the hat bellowed for the fifteenth time that evening. The roar that erupted from the Gryffindor table was deafening. It was well known at Hogwarts that the first bragging rights of the school year went to the house that gained the most first-year students. The Gryffindors had been battling for supremacy throughout the ceremony with the Slytherins and their latest capture put them level with Slytherin once more, while Ravenclaw had acquired thirteen new acquisitions and Hufflepuff only eight, much to Professor Sprout’s and her students’ displeasure. Still, the reason the Gryffindors were in such a celebratory mood and so certain of their victory was because there was now only one student left.

“Weasley, Ginerva,” Professor McGonagall finally cried.

A loud groan erupted from the Slytherin table; their students were already well aware they had no chance of gaining the most students again this year.

Timidly Ginny approached the stall having had to hear fifty-one names be called before her. The hat dropped over her eyes.

“ANOTHER WEASLEY!” the hat exclaimed. “Good Lord, you lot breed faster than rabbits. Well, I guess its Gryffindor for you, but, hmm.”

“But what?” Ginny said meekly to the hat.

“Well, you are a timid soul and if I place you in Gryffindor alongside your brothers you’ll forever be in their shadows and unable to fulfil your potential. Slytherin certainly wouldn’t be right for you. You certainly have intelligence though and could be a fit for Ravenclaw, but then there’s Hufflepuff as well. Your cousin would certainly help you flourish and fulfil your potential. I can already see she has done a lot for you and would love for you to be in the same house as her. My, oh my, this is a conundrum.”

“B-b-but my brothers would be sorely disappointed if I didn’t join them,” Ginny argued unconvincingly.

“Maybe so, but what about your own happiness? Wouldn’t they and your parents be happier if you created your own path rather than follow in their shadows?”

“I-I guess,” Ginny stammered a little unsure.

“My, oh my,” the hat repeated. “What to do?” 


*


The hall was deathly still. The jubilation at the Gryffindor table had slowly descended into uncomfortable silence punctuated by uneasy murmurings between individuals. It had now been over seven minutes since the hat had been placed upon Ginny’s head. None of the students at the tables could actually believe they were witnessing a true hatstall, let alone for a Weasley. And then something even more shocking occurred.

“HUFFLEPUFF!” the hat boomed.

“WHAT!” Ron screamed mouth agape. 

“YES!” Scootaloo and the sole other new female addition to Hufflepuff screamed rising from their seats and making up for the fact that everyone else was too stunned to even clap politely. 

“GIRL POWER!” the other new first-year Hufflepuff girl shrieked next to Scootaloo as Ginny nervously started to cross the hall to the Hufflepuff table, drawn in by their cheers. 

Halfway to her new house Ginny was met by Professor Sprout. “That was some hatstall my dear, although I must admit, it’s a pleasure to have a Weasley in my house at last. I’m sure Scoti will make you feel at home,” the gentle Herbology professor said as she helped the poor dazed and confused girl the rest of the way. 

Unfortunately for Ginny, she wasn’t even allowed to sit down before Monica pounced on her.

“Oh, my word, am I so relieved,” Monica exclaimed rapidly wrapping her hands around Ginny’s own. She was a scrawny girl similar in height to Ginny with ebony skin and piercing deep blue eyes. Her hair was cut short in a pixie-cut and snow-white aside from one thin pink streak that ran from her forehead all the way down the back of her hair. She continued to speak so fast and with such a thick Scottish accent that Ginny barely understood what she was saying as it all seemed to merge into one word. “I thought I was going to be the only one. How’s a girl meant to make friends when she’s the only girl in her house’s year? Monica Emerett by the way, pleasure to make you acquaintance Ginny Weasley.”

“Miss Emerett, please. I admire your bubbling enthusiasm but can you let Miss Weasley sit down and catch her breath before making introductions? This has come as quite a shock for her and to me too. None of her family has ever been assigned to a house other than Gryffindor,” Professor Sprout sighed stepping between the two girls.

“Oh really? Then fate must have answered my call for a new best friend. I’ve never even had a friend before coming to Hogwarts. Everyone at my old school were meanies and bullies who just wanted to pick on me and call me names.” She finished quietly, looking down at the floor for a moment. “Please be my friend,” she whispered barely audibly.

“O-of course M-Monica,” Ginny stammered releasing her hand from the other girl’s. “Why don’t we talk…” she never got any further as Monica wrapped her arms around Ginny.

“THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!” Monica screamed pulling Ginny past Professor Sprout and into the space at the table between her and Scootaloo, who Professor Sprout had hauled to one side for a moment.

“Look after Ginny for me and keep an eye on Monica. One student with lightning at her disposal was bad enough, but two! Just ensure she doesn’t start any more fires like she did on the train, please.”

“Of course, professor,” Scootaloo replied instinctively before registering just what her head of house had said. “Wait, what?” she swiftly added only to find that Professor Sprout was already retreating to the teachers’ table.

More than a little confused Scootaloo returned to her seat and squeezed in between Ginny and Apple Bloom as Professor Dumbledore rose from his seat at the teachers’ table to announce the beginning of the feast.

“My, wasn’t that a surprise. The Sorting Hat sure does like to provide us with at least one every year,” he said with a chuckle before continuing. “Breaking from my usual tradition of saving notifications til' after we’ve eaten, due to an incident in the early hours of this morning, I shall inform you all now as it is likely many of you will find out shortly through a special late-night edition of the Daily Prophet anyway.”

Murmurs and whispers erupted amongst the students wondering what this big news could be. 

“Silence please,” Dumbledore commanded. “To begin with though a reminder of the usual. Firstly, to all first-years, the forest on the school grounds is out of bounds unless accompanied by the gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid or Professor Discord, unless for some reason you wish to suffer a horribly painful death from the forest’s inhabitants. A few of our older students would also do well to heed this reminder,” he finished looking across at Fred and George Weasley as he had done so during the previous year's feast.

Silence engulfed the hall as Monica leaned across Ginny and whispered to Scootaloo, “Is he serious?”

“Yes, so don’t even think about it,” she said before turning back to Dumbledore who was just about to make his next announcement.

“Secondly,” he bellowed, “Mr Filch our caretaker has also asked me to remind you that no magic is permitted between classes in the corridors and that pranks and joke items on school premises are strictly prohibited, unless you are smart enough not to get caught,” Dumbledore said with a sly smile and twinkle in his eye while still looking at the twins.

The murmurs and whispers from earlier were replaced with laughs and giggles amongst the students.

Dumbledore let these die away before continuing once more. “Next, quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch or their house team’s captain. I expect it shall be another thrilling and highly absorbing season!” This time his gaze and smile were directed at Scootaloo who responded in turn.

“You know it. No way we’re letting any other team get their hands on the trophy without a fight!” Scootaloo responded boldly.

“I would expect nothing less Miss Prewett. A truly extraordinary performance and effort last year if I do say so myself.” Dumbledore replied to a few sneers and jeers from the Slytherins. “Now, where was I? Oh yes, teachers. This year we have quite a few new faces joining us. Firstly, our second years and any older students who volunteered to, shall be taking a new one-year course in Cultural Diversity and Inclusivity that shall be taught by Professor Pompernickle.” 

Professor Pompernickle, in an old set of dusty orange robes and hat, stood and waved to the students to introduce himself as they politely clapped in return, aside from the Slytherins who glowered nastily at the shabby middle-aged wizard. Although he had tried to brush it, his hair was still a blonde scraggly mess that stuck out all over the place from underneath his orange hat. 

As Professor Pompernickle returned to his seat once more Dumbledore continued his speech. “If anybody else would like to take the one-year course please contact your head of house to arrange for it to be added to your timetable. I have yet to receive any responses from students from Slytherin wanting to take the course,” Dumbledore stated before pausing momentarily as sniggers erupted from the Slytherin table. Finally, he resumed. “Might I remind you all that although not mandatory, the course will be of benefit to anyone wishing to apply for a job with the Ministry of Magic in future. Furthermore, whilst we are on the subject, our code of conduct has been updated. Any discrimination in any shape or form shall not be tolerated and result in a student’s immediate expulsion without the right to appeal,” he said sternly turning his gaze this time towards the Slytherin table.

The few remaining sniggers suddenly turned to grumbles at the Slytherin table.

“Right, next. I’m sad to report that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, will be retiring at the end of the year to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Professor Fluttershy, Professor Discord’s fiancé, shall be assisting him this year and taking over next year. As she is also expecting her first child, Rubeus Hagrid has kindly offered to assist her in the role alongside his gamekeeping duties.”

The applause this time was a lot louder, mostly for Hagrid, although a few of the older boys were looking at Fluttershy wondering why oh why they hadn’t chosen Care of Magical Creatures as one of their elective courses.

“Lastly,” Dumbledore boomed causing the hall to again fall deathly quiet. “Some even more sad news. Many of you will have heard of the legend of the Chamber of Secrets. I have decided to be honest with you all and inform you that, after a recent discovery, the Chamber is most certainly not a legend.”

This caused a lot of whispering amongst all four tables.

“What’s the Chamber of Secrets?” 

“Oh, so the rumours fifty years ago are true?”

“Wait, isn’t it supposed to harbour a monster?”

“Silence, please,” Dumbledore called firing a firework from the end of his wand into the night sky above. “Professor Binns shall teach you all more about the Chamber of Secrets in History of Magic over the course of the next few weeks, but what I can inform you now is that thanks to Professors Discord and Lockhart the beast that dwelled within the chamber has been dealt with and you are all perfectly safe. Sadly though, our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class and Honorary Member of the Dark Forces Defence League, was killed in action doing so.”

Gasps and more whispers erupted from the students, the most widely asked question being who was going to be teaching DADA now that Lockhart was dead.

“Silence, please,” Dumbledore asked again, firing off another firework from his wand. “Lockhart died so that all of you can be taught safely and without prejudice. Tonight, we shall feast in honour of his memory and he shall be awarded posthumously a Special Award for Services to the School.”

He raised his wand and pictures of a smiling Lockhart on massive posters appeared all around the room. Behind the teachers table was the largest of all, boldly announcing, "Hero of Hogwarts: Gilderoy Lockhart O.M (Third Class). 26th January 1964 – 1st September 1992".

“And so, without further ado, let us feast and remember this great man’s life. "Fanwich! Smeggle! Blepp! Twadar!” 

And just like that the empty platters that adorned the tables suddenly became laden with food, much to Monica’s surprise.

“How?” the girl exclaimed open mouthed as Ginny, slowly getting over her rather difficult sorting, stifled a giggle next to her as she reached for the mashed potatoes.

“You are so funny Monica,” Ginny said as the Fat Friar appeared through the table causing Monica to nearly pass out in fright.

“New students!” the friar exclaimed merrily. “Bless my soul, is that a Weasley I see in Hufflepuff? Oh, how annoyed Sir Nearly Headless Nick will be that I’ve pilfered one of his staple pins,” the friar ended with a hearty chuckle. 

Ginny looked a little abashed at his comment and the friar quickly acted to rectify his mistake.

“Don’t worry lass. I know it will be strange at first to be in a different house to your brothers, but I’m sure our quidditch captain will look after you and soon make you feel right at home.”

“I’ll make sure of that. Having Ginny by my side is like Christmas and my birthday all rolled into one!” Scootaloo said happily while tearing the meat of a chicken drumstick with her teeth. 

Ginny blushed in embarrassment at Scootaloo’s words.

“Now, friar, how about a little dance?” Scootaloo requested.

“Of course. Anything for the one who has brought glory back to my house,” the friar replied.


*


For a while everyone was content to just enjoy the feast and discuss what they’d been up to on their summer holidays with their neighbours as the Friar danced jovially atop the table. As the food diminished though and a stream of owls entered the room with a special evening edition of the Daily Prophet focusing on the life of Gilderoy Lockhart, a discussion across the table amongst the second- and first-year girls began on just who would be the new DADA teacher.

“So, who do you think will be the new DADA professor?” Megan asked her friends as she finished her third plateful of food.

“Well, that’s obvious. It’ll be Discord, at least until they can find a replacement,” Scootaloo replied bluntly.

“That’s if they can,” Susan said entering the conversation. 

“What do you mean?” Sweetie queried across the table from her.

“I overheard Dumbledore trying to persuade my aunt into taking the position over the summer via floo. She was having none of it, saying she wasn’t going to put her life in danger when she’s got me to look after. Then, as Dumbledore tried to reassure her, she told him straight that she knew You Know Who applied for the position in the mid-1960’s and that no DADA teacher has lasted more than a year since then. He very quickly ended the conversation after that. I wouldn’t be surprised if Lockhart was the only applicant,” Susan explained. “And now with another death it’ll only heighten and fuel those concerns.”

“Huh, interesting. Well, I doubt my dad will be interested in taking the position long term; he’s too much else on to be teaching full time, so they better hurry and find someone!” Scootaloo said before tactfully changing the topic. “Anyway, what I’d like to know about more than anything is this apparent fire on the Hogwarts Express. Care to explain Monica?”

Thankfully due to her skin nobody could see the embarrassment etched on Monica's face as she tried to turn and look away.

“So that’s why the train stopped for fifteen minutes,” Hannah said deeply intrigued.

“It was that smarty pants Gryffindor's fault. She said it was impossible,” the girl grumbled under her breath barely audible.

Scootaloo sighed. “This so-called smarty pants wouldn’t be called Hermione by any chance?” 

“Yeah, I guess you’ve run into the stuck-up, know-it-all as well seeing as she’s in the same year as you. Absolute nightmare, isn’t she?” Monica groused.

“She’s my girlfriend,” Scootaloo deadpanned as the rest of her friends tittered at Monica’s description of Hermione.

Monica’s face dropped and she tried to hastily think of something to say. Scootaloo burst out laughing. 

“Your face,” Scootaloo said gasping for breath as she tried to regain control of herself. Eventually she was able to continue. “Sorry, that was mean of me, but I just couldn’t resist. Yes, just to clarify, I am a girl who likes other girls. If you’ve a problem with that you can go and sit with the Slytherins right now,” she finished in a very serious tone.

“No, no, not at all,” Monica replied rapidly, stumbling over her words as she did so. “It just took me by surprise is all.”

“Good and yeah, we get that a lot, the egghead and the jock. Just wait though till you see her on a broomstick. Best stunt flier I’ve ever seen. Anyhow, before I get any further off topic, just what did Hermione do this time?” Scootaloo enquired with a devilish smirk upon her face.

“Well,” Monica mumbled sheepishly. “It’s a long story. Let me start from the beginning,” she said taking a deep breath before going on. "My mother and father are what you'd call 'muggles'. My mother especially has always been deeply religious and as such played down magic, refusing its existence. This annoyed my grandmother a lot."

"Why?" Scootaloo requested, deeply intrigued by the other girl's tale.

"Well, you see, she’s a weather witch and desperate not to let another line of weather witches and wizards die out. When she found out I had magic when I was five, she actually tried to kidnap me and attempted to disown my mother for trying to destroy our heritage,” Monica finished, a lot more perky.

“Wow, that seems extreme. If you don’t mind me asking, just what is a weather magician anyway?” Megan enquired.

“Well, you’ve never met my parents and in answer to your question, it is a witch or wizard with the innate ability to immediately summon or alter any form of weather,” Monica explained causing Scootaloo to burst out laughing once more much to Monica’s ire. 

Her eyes went a misty white for a moment before a bolt of lightning shot down from the ceiling. To her amazement Scootaloo caught it in her hands and started to juggle it between them. She then sent it flying over the heads of a petrified bunch of Slytherin’s into a suit of armour that exploded upon contact and sent metal flying everywhere. Sensibly, after taking cover while shards of metal rained down upon them, the Slytherins opted to just get on with their meals rather than retaliate. Professor Sprout was burying her head in her hands up at the teachers’ table. It would be a miracle if they didn’t end up on minus house points this year, let alone have any chance of retaining the house cup. 

“"Try that again, and I'll make sure you never see another sunny day,” she growled as both Apple Bloom and Sweetie sniggered. “And what are you two sniggering at? 

“Impetuous. Yep, she’s definitely got Pegasus blood in her,” Apple Bloom said bluntly to a round of nods and laughter from the second years at the table. “Also, you missed a bit. Your tail’s on fire.”

Scootaloo’s eyes went wide in alarm as she looked behind her and saw that the tip of her tail was indeed on fire. “For buck sake,” she growled swinging her tail around and dunking the tip into a jug of water to extinguish it as the other second-year girls stared in shock at Scootaloo's latest manifestation of draconequus heritage.

“Pegasus?” Monica said confused also staring at the peculiar fluffy appendage that extended from Scootaloo’s back. “The rulers of the skies? They’re nothing but fairy tales according to my gran.” 

Sighing once more Scootaloo stood up and then proceeded to unclasp and drop her robes to the floor to reveal the pair of wings that sprouted out the jumper she was wearing. “You were saying?” 

Monica stared at her in disbelief before jumping up and rushing over to examine the wings. “Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!” she squealed with delight feeling just how soft the feathers were.

“I hope now you understand why I was laughing a moment ago. You would think someone who is dating someone who can control the weather wouldn’t be so sceptical when a stranger tells them they can do similar,” Scootaloo explained as she shivered at the coldness of the other girl’s hands as they felt all over her wings.

“These are incredible!” Monica exclaimed in complete awe. “Gran’s so going to want to meet you! But how? And why have you got a snow leopard tail?” she blurted out all in one breath.

“It’s a long story. How about I tell everyone it once you finish yours?” Scootaloo said kindly as she gestured to Monica to retake her seat. 

Monica immediately sat down and continued her story. “Well, in the end mum barred my gran from seeing me. This went on for three years, despite more and more bizarre and unexplainable events occurring in our local area and at my school. To begin with it was simply record snowfall and snow days in winter and scorching and record high temperature summer days but as the years past we had a snowstorm in summer, a BBQ at Christmas, bullies frozen like icicles or hit by lightning, freak storms that came out of nowhere when I was angry and upset including an actual hurricane one time. Overall, I was a ticking time bomb.”

“So, what happened?” Scootaloo asked politely.

“I knocked an older girl out for teasing me over my short hair and cut all hers off. The headmistress told my parents I was suspended and they all belittled me and refused to listen to my version of events. I got so mad I summoned a tornado in the headmistress’s office. Ended up destroying three quarters or more of the school. The Ministry of Magic had to get involved to cover it all up although thankfully no one was seriously hurt, just some cuts and bruises. They told my parents to either hand custody of me over to my grandmother willingly or they’d wipe their memories and take not just me away, but my two perfect muggle younger brothers as well. I think in the end my parents were quite happy to see the back of their devil child. I’ve not seen them in what is it, like three years, and been home schooled by my grandmother ever since. Best thing that ever happened to me. Both my parents are religious nutjobs. They punished me severely every time I accidentally used magic. The worst was the hot iron they once took to my back. Gran was ecstatic to have me at last and when she saw the scars they’d inflicted, well, let’s just say it hasn’t stopped snowing over my parents’ house since!” Monica finished with a chuckle as everyone just stared at her.

Eventually, it was Hannah who spoke. “Jeez, what is it with us magic folk and deeply depressing and disturbing backstories?” 

Scootaloo just shrugged her shoulders in response. “No idea. Your grandmother does sound awesome Monica and I’d love to meet her someday. So, before I tell you my story, just what happened on the train. Please tell me you set my girlfriend on fire.”

Up until that point Monica had slowly been getting over her embarrassment. Now, even with her darker skin colour, she was starting to turn cherry red. 

Seeing how bright the other girl was going Scootaloo cackled uncontrollably and barely managed to squeak out. “Oh, sweet Luna. You did, didn’t you?”

The words Without A Doubt flashed across Scootaloo’s vision as her Magic Eight Ball Eye answered the question for her. 

“She may have said that weather witches were the most preposterous thing she’s ever heard of and that I was simply lying through my teeth to try and sound cool. I might have not taken that too well and summoned a lightning cloud that set her hair and the seat she was sitting upon on fire. In my defence, I did swiftly put both out,” Monica said shamefacedly.

Scootaloo broke down at this point in utter hysterics. “Please, stop, you’re killing me. I’m going to be teasing her about this all week,” she manged to somehow say in between all the laughter she was emitting. “What happened next?”

“Thankfully, she actually took it quite well, apologised for antagonising me and said if I ever wanted to fly a broomstick outside of class to come find her. I suppose in truth she’s not all bad,” Monica said, finally finishing her story to a lot of snickers and giggles. “I have got a week of detention with Professor Sprout for what I did though,” she slammed her head upon the table.

“Hard luck, but trust me when I say that’s an offer you definitely don’t want to turn your nose up at from my girlfriend. I won’t spoil the surprise other than say that the broomstick she owns was a gift from me. Now, as promised I’ll tell you mine, Apple Bloom’s and Sweetie’s story along with what happened over my summer. But first, it seems Dumbledore is about to summon dessert!” 


*


“I hate you so much sometimes,” Scootaloo pouted glowering at Sweetie. “Ooh, yeah, right there Ginny, that feels amazing,” Scootaloo admitted guiltily as the girl scratched behind her right ear.

After telling the story, with input from Apple Bloom and Sweetie, of how she and her friends had ended up in this world courtesy of Discord to a gobsmacked Monica over dessert along with the discovery of her new found draconequus heritage over the summer, the first-year had then proceeded to ask what the three girls looked like in their pony forms.

Sweetie had been only too willing to oblige and as such Scootaloo now sat upon Ginny’s lap in her pony form, the girl refusing to let her go for anything as Monica brushed the pouting Pegasus filly’s coat and leopard tail that was longer than the rest of her body! The two girls had done an absolute number on Scootaloo’s mane and tail and had even been provided with some makeup from Sweetie and Megan. Scootaloo had not enjoyed it one bit until Ginny had found that sweet spot behind her ear that had made her back right hoof twitch uncontrollably, much to her annoyance. 

“All right girls,” A smug voice called out from behind them, “I think it’s only fair that I get to spend a few minutes with my girlfriend before retiring for the night seeing as she ditched me on the train ride here.”

“Shit, Ginny what ever you do…” Scootaloo never finished as Ginny turned and reluctantly handed Scootaloo over to Hermione with the look of a puppy that had just found its food bowl was half empty rather than half full.

“My, oh my, they really did a number on you, didn’t they?” Hermione cackled as she began to wipe the makeup off her girlfriend’s face. “I do find it interesting how your inorganic parts magically alter themselves to your new shape and that new tail of yours is just too adorable for words,” she said while examining Scootaloo’s metallic right foreleg.

“Hey that tickles,” Scootaloo exclaimed. “And so says the girl who thought weather witches were preposterous when she’s dating someone who’s part Pegasus!”

Hermione’s face started to go red. “She didn’t.”

Scootaloo nodded very slowly and deliberately with the biggest grin imaginable on her face as Monica nervously smiled and waved behind her. “She did.”

Hermione closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Why did I ever fall in love with you?” she murmured under her breath. “And here I was seriously worried when Ron informed me you’d been petrified in your sleep!”

She suddenly felt something wet and hairy upon her lips and opened her eyes to see Ponyloo giving her a kiss.

“Thanks for caring,” Scootaloo whispered in reply upon finishing. “I foresaw Lockhart’s death and saw the basilisk’s eyes indirectly through him. Unfortunately, it resulted in petrifying my physical body so we weren’t able to save him. I’ll tell you more about it tomorrow. Right now, I’m more concerned with how you are holding up? I can see you’ve been crying. That blithering idiot really meant a lot to you, didn’t he? 

Hermione glowered at her girlfriend for a moment before her expression softened slightly. “Yeah,” she admitted. “He did. I’ll be all right though. Just a silly school girl crush, nowhere near as bad as what you’ve put me through these past six months you silly sausage,” Hermione chuckled forcing a smile back onto her face as she booped Ponyloo’s nose. “Still, thanks for caring.”

“Don’t mention it; it’s what a good girlfriend does. But if you dare poke my nose again I’ll bite your finger off,” Scootaloo replied snapping her jaws together playfully in an attempt to lighten the suddenly dour mood.

“Oh really? And what about if I do this,” Hermione said with a devilish grin as she began scratching the exact same spot behind Ponyloo’s right ear Ginny had earlier. 

“No, no, stop tha…” Scootaloo began to argue only for her back right hoof to begin twitching uncontrollably again as she moaned with sheer bliss at the sensation. 

“I will when a certain pony promises to behave themselves and admits that Gryffindor is the best house!” Hermione retorted with an evil cackle. 

“Never!” Scootaloo exclaimed as her back leg continued flailing wildly from Hermione’s ear scratches before she let out an almighty yawn and her eyes slowly closed. 

As the ridiculously adorable small pony in her arms wrapped its equally ridiculously oversized tail around itself and drifted off to sleep, Hermione turned her head toward Apple Bloom and Sweetie and asked, “Either of you two got a permanent marker?”
> Morning Mischief and Mandrakes
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Rise and shine, bitches!” Wally cawed flying through a wall and leaving ectoplasmic goop all over it. 

“Eugh,” Scootaloo groaned reluctantly opening her eyes and realising she was not only back in her human form but also her bed in the dormitory. Apple Bloom or Sweetie must have brought her back. She looked over and checked the magical digital clock on her nightstand. It had been a lot more expensive than an ordinary analog one but she was terrible at telling the time. 7:00, she was presuming am.

With a yawn she forced herself up in her bed and took in her surroundings. Something seemed different with the dormitory. Slowly it dawned on her. It had expanded and there were now eight beds instead of six. 

“Hey, you’re awake,” Apple Bloom said from the bed next to hers as she put down the book she had been reading. 

“What happened to the dorm?” Scootaloo enquired.

“Professor Sprout thought it best if Monica and Ginny stayed with us and as such decided to combine their dorm with ours,” Apple Bloom explained.

“Awesome!” Scootaloo said with a wide grin. 

“Erm, girls, a little help,” Monica’s voice squeaked from across the room. 

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom looked across to see the girl absolutely petrified with fear. Wallace had snuck into Monica’s bed in the middle of the night and was now cuddling her.

“Oh, that’s just Wallace, Sweetie’s dog. He’s perfectly harmless,” Scootaloo said as she pushed herself off her own bed and promptly made her way to one of the three bathrooms that now adjoined the enlarged dormitory. 

Wallace, slowly waking up himself, opened his eyes and stared into his new-found friend’s eyes before giving her face a huge wet lick.

“Eww,” Monica exclaimed in disgust as the rest of the girls in the dormitory, who’d been awoken by Wally’s alarm call, started giggling in the background. “It’s nice to meet you too Wallace but would you mind getting off me so I can use the bathroom?” she said scratching the massive dog behind one of his equally large ears.

Apple Bloom gave a few barks and grunts across the room and Wallace immediately rose to his feet jumped off Monica’s bed and trotted over to the other girl’s bed where Apple Bloom doted on him.

“Did you just talk to him?” Monica said with disbelief before her eyes nearly fell out of their sockets as the dog suddenly disappeared in a puff of green smoke.

Before Apple Bloom could provide an explanation though, a loud roar erupted from the bathroom Scootaloo had entered.

“HERMIONE, I’M GOING TO KILL YOU!”


*


Scootaloo sat at the table for breakfast and tried to ignore the sniggers and laughter that hadn’t stopped since she’d woken up. Magically reinforced permanent marker. She was so going to get her girlfriend back for this one. As she plotted in her mind just how she was going to do that Professor Sprout started circulating the table handing out their new timetables for the year. As she reached her usually vibrant and talkative quidditch captain she was surprised to see her in such a dour mood.

“Something wrong Scoti?” Professor Sprout asked as she held out the girl’s new timetable to her.

Scootaloo looked up at her head of house from her bowl of shreddies as she took the proffered timetable.

“Oh my,” Professor Sprout snickered seeing the words imprinted upon the girl’s forehead.

“Magically reinforced permanent marker. I’ve no clue how to get off!” Scootaloo groused, glaring across to the Gryffindor table. "And to make matters worse, all my school hats mysteriously disappeared this morning!" The glare re-directed to her dormmates. The sniggers intensified.

“Hmm, afraid that’s not my speciality either. I suggest going to see Madam Pomfrey when you get a free moment,” Professor Sprout advised. “As for your hats, I'm sure they'll turn up by the end of the day unless your dormmates want a thorough inspection of their trunks and the confiscation of any contraband they might have." There were a few nervous gulps and chuckles upon that proclamation but Professor Sprout chose to ignore them, for now. “Anyway, I’ll see you in Herbology first thing,” Professor Sprout ended abruptly as she walked off before Scootaloo had a chance to reply.

Odd? Scootaloo thought to herself as she looked over her timetable.

Monday – Double Charms, History, three free periods and a single Herbology to finish.

Tuesday – Three free periods, Potions, double Charms and another single Herbology to finish.

Wednesday – Double Herbology, double Transfiguration and double DADA, with a free period to finish.

Thursday – Double Potions, History, three free periods and a single Transfiguration to finish

Friday – DADA, free period, double Cultural Diversity, History, free period and Divination.

As she pondered her new schedule while polishing of her shreddies and ignoring the discussion going on between her peers about it, her attention was suddenly caught by Professor Sprout’s booming voice.

“Miss Granger, thank you for volunteering to assist me in the Greenhouses after classes today. Might I also ask you to refrain from writing Property of Hermione Granger in magically reinforced permanent marker on a student’s forehead in future? That is all. I’ll see you in Herbology shortly.”

Scootaloo smiled smugly. Looked like she wouldn’t have to pull a revenge prank after all as the sounds of hooting and beating wings caused her to look up just as a black furry lump sent her sprawling off her seat and onto the floor.

“Wallace, what in Equestria?” she exclaimed in exasperation, the dog sitting atop her.

Wallace spat the letter that was in his mouth into Scootaloo’s face and followed that up by giving said face a huge lick before he directed his head towards Apple Bloom and barked several times. He then proceeded to jump off Scootaloo and walked over to Sweetie who was holding out a piece of bacon for him.

“Who’s a clever boy,” Sweetie praised Wallace as Apple Bloom turned to Scootaloo.

“He apologises but he took a wrong turn in the Chaosverse. He thanks you very much for catching him,” Apple Bloom explained as she got up and, as she picked up the letter in her left hand, she hauled Scootaloo to her feet with her right.

“Thanks Bloom and I hardly caught him. His arse literally collided with my face, although I suppose that explains the dwarf in my tea this morning,” Scootaloo said reaching out for the jug of orange juice on the table and a glass. She really didn’t want to know what this taste was currently in her mouth, just that she wanted to get rid of it, fast. “What’s the letter say anyway? Our sisters haven’t sent us anything in weeks.”

Apple Bloom read over the letter.

Dear Girls, 

Apologies for the silence. Running a farm is no easy task especially when you are carrying a foal, trying to decorate a new home, dealing with morning sickness, Dash’s constant griping about being unable to drink cider and to top it all of Zap apple season as well! The latter did provide me with some good laughs though when the peculiar magic of the Zap apples rainbowfied Dash’s coat for the whole afternoon and that was after Granny Smith had made her hop around in a bunny outfit for the entire morning! She tried her best to hide from me on both occasions but I got photos for y’all to have a good laugh over. You will find these in the care package on Wallace’s back along with some gifts from me and all the girls to ensure you have the best possible start to your first day back at school! I can’t believe you are all already in your second year! How time flies.

Anyway, aside from wanting to wish y’all the best of luck in your second-year at magic school and providing you with an update on how everything is going down on the farm, Dash wants me to tell you how proud she is of you all and the progress you’ve made over the past year while Rarity misses you greatly Sweetie. 

In other news, I have some good yet rather peculiar news to report in case you haven’t already been informed through other means. Our beloved ruler Celestia has made a rapid recovery, in part due to her new found love. This is where it gets mighty strange though. Her new found love is the same monster that infiltrated Princess Cadence’s wedding earlier this year and led an army against Canterlot. It has resulted in a lot of confusion and concern in ponies across Equestria and the recent announcement of their impending marriage to unify the pony and changeling kingdoms has only heightened such feelings. Princess Celestia and Queen Chrysalis are due to be married on Hearths Warming Eve. This will mean that Dash, Rarity and me are going to be very busy over Hearths Warming but we’ll discuss our plans with you nearer the time. For now, enjoy the care package we’ve sent with Wallace and keep us updated on how your second year goes!


Lots of Love,



Applejack


P.S. Apple Bloom I’m sure you’ll want to know the Zap apple crop was our best one yet this year thanks to Dash’s help. 

P.P.S. I’m unsure when our next letter will be. Apparently, a mysterious empire has returned in Northern Equestria after disappearing over a thousand years ago and we’ve been tasked by Celestia to go and investigate. I’ll keep you updated on that when I can, but for now that’s all I’ve got to report.

Apple Bloom finished reading the letter and then re-read it to make sure she’d read that last correctly. 

“Uh-oh, I know that look, what’s wrong?” Scootaloo enquired as Sweetie investigated the box of goodies they’d been sent.

“Princess Celestia has recovered from her mental breakdown and found love,” Apple Bloom stated emotionlessly in reply.

“Well, that’s good news isn’t?” Scootaloo replied clearly confused taking a sip of her orange juice. “Who’s the lucky stallion or mare?”

“You are going to want to swallow that orange juice first,” Apple Bloom deadpanned. “I’ve not got time for another shower before lessons.”

Scootaloo swallowed her orange juice before retorting “Oh, come on Bloom. Surely they can’t be…”

“Queen Chrysalis of the changeling kingdom,” Apple Bloom stated with a raised eyebrow.

Scootaloo’s eyes shot open. “Come again? I thought you just said Celestia’s new love is the tyrant that attempted to infiltrate Princess Cadence’s wedding earlier in the year and used her subjects to lay siege to Canterlot.” 

“Eeeeyup,” Apple Bloom deadpanned in reply. “And they’re getting married on Hearths Warming Eve.”

Scootaloo rubbed her temple with her metallic right hand and let out a heavy sigh. “Odds of yet another impending disaster?” 

Most Likely flashed across Scootaloo’s vision as Apple Bloom responded.

“Almost certain. And it seems they are in the midst of another one already. A mysterious empire has returned in Northern Equestria after disappearing over a thousand years ago. Our sisters are heading there to investigate right now.”

Scootaloo rubbed her temple some more. “Swell, just swell. Did Applejack have any good news to tell us or was it just all imminent doom?” Scootaloo asked taking another sip of orange juice.

“Well, there are these hilarious pictures of Rainbow Dash, an apple fritter each and a jar of Zap apple jam from Applejack, a box of cupcakes from Pinkie, an awesome Hufflepuff scarf each that my sister knitted for us and some Wonderbolt-issue flight goggles Rainbow Dash included for me, Hermione and you Scoots. Oooh nice, apparently Twilight enchanted them to fit us perfectly in any form. Oh, and she also included a book on Equestrian transfiguration magic  for me, while Zecora included a book on Zebrican potions for Apple Bloom,” Sweetie mumbled behind Apple Bloom, her mouth half full of apple fritter. 

Scootaloo’s head tilted to one side so that she could see Sweetie Belle clearly, her eyes opening wide and face sparked with interest. “Did you say Wonderbolt-issue flight goggles?”

Sweetie Belle swallowed the remains of her apple fritter. “And Creepyloo is back.”


*


After examining the letter and care package thoroughly, including devouring the apple fritters and giggling for several minutes over the embarrassing pictures of Rainbow Dash, the Crusaders swiftly finished of their breakfasts and met up with Hermione, Harry, Ron and Neville as they departed the Great Hall for Herbology, Scootaloo still proudly wearing her flight goggles atop her mohawk. Hermione, still looking crestfallen after her admonishment and detention from Professor Sprout, immediately perked up at once more seeing the words that she had imprinted upon her girlfriend’s head. 

“Totally worth it.” She giggled. “Don’t worry; they’ll fade away after twenty-four hours.”

“Thanks,” Scootaloo grumbled in reply. “I’m guessing there is no way to remove them beforehand.”

“Nope,” Hermione giggled in reply.

“Well, seeing as I’m your property for the day I might as well make use of the perks that come with it,” Scootaloo said wickedly as she grabbed Hermione’s robes and pulled her in for a kiss.

“Girls, get a room,” Sweetie deadpanned rolling her eyes and turning to Apple Bloom for support. “Oh, Apple Bloom, don’t tell me you’ve been hit by the love bug too!”

Apple Bloom was nervously talking to Neville. “S-so, h-how a-are t-the Apple trees d-doing I got you for your birthday?” she asked with a blush. 

“Really well, I appreciate the tips you’ve given me, they’ve really helped. They are both already as tall as me and Gran thinks they will be ready to fruit by next year!” Neville exclaimed.

“That’s incredible!” Apple Bloom replied with a goofy grin. “I’m sure you’ll soon have a full orchard of your own!”

“With you constantly visiting me I don’t doubt it,” Neville chuckled nervously before plucking the courage to kiss Apple Bloom on her cheek causing the girl’s whole face to go as red as her hair in embarrassment. “More importantly though over the summer holidays I got to see my parents smile for the first time I can remember and it’s all because of you, thank you,” he whispered into Apple Bloom’s ear as a tear slipped down his cheek. 

Apple Bloom was completely taken off guard by her boyfriend’s sudden change of demeanour but before she could regain her composure and respond, Ron rather rudely cut short their private moment.

“Woooo, get in there Neville,” the boy yelled followed by a whistle that was immediately silenced when he saw the sudden look Apple Bloom was giving him, her face now scarlet with anger rather than embarrassment.

“Two words: THE LAKE,” Apple Bloom said in a deadly serious tone.

Ron ran faster than he had ever run before. He didn’t stop until he got to the greenhouses.

Apple Bloom coughed and turned her attention back to Neville. “It was my pleasure. I’m guessing you haven’t been to see them again after we went last week?” she said in a hushed whisper.

“No,” Neville replied. “But we did receive a letter from the hospital the day before I left. My mum said her first word since, since…”

“It happened?” Apple Bloom attempted to finish for him.

Neville nodded his head, tears now freely flowing down his cheeks. “It was apple,” he sniffled to a gasp from Apple Bloom. “Her first word in eleven years was apple and I can’t thank you enough, you’ve been so supportive and…”  

He never finished what he was about to say as Apple Bloom ditched acting like a proper lady for a moment, grabbed Neville by the back of the head, and proceeded to give her boyfriend a deeply passionate kiss.

“Woah, now Scootaloo I can understand but you Bloom, I thought you had standards,” Sweetie commented before turning to Harry next to her. “Hey Harry, seeing as everyone else is doing it, how about some kissing practice?” 

Sweetie closed her eyes and puckered her lips. As she waited hopefully, the sound of hastily retreating footsteps getting further and further away met her ears.

“RON, WAIT FOR ME!!!” Harry screamed as he pelted down the hallway after his best friend.

“Boys,” Sweetie huffed placing her arms across her chess as Scootaloo, Hermione and Apple Bloom all sniggered in the background. Ignoring them she added, “Right, if you lot are all done, I suggest we get to Herbology before we are all late. The last thing I want on my first day is to follow you two nincompoops into detention.” She pointed at Scootaloo and Hermione making the latter go red in embarrassment as the former just shrugged her shoulders.

“Meh, totally worth it and Apple Butt knows it,” Scootaloo giggled racing after Harry and Ron followed swiftly by an infuriated Apple Bloom.

“I TOLD YOU NEVER TO CALL ME THAT AGAIN!!!” Apple Bloom screamed as she chased after Scootaloo leaving a stunned Neville and Hermione behind, the latter now sporting flight goggles like her girlfriend.

Sweetie just rolled her eyes once more. It was going to be another chaotic year!


*


The scene that greeted her outside the greenhouse was of no surprise to Sweetie at all. Scootaloo was once more using poor Harry as a human shield as Apple Bloom desperately tried to grab a hold of her. 

The rest of the class of second-year Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors were all watching eagerly, quite enjoying the unexpected early morning entertainment as they waited for Professor Sprout. Some were even taking bets on who would come out on top only to see Sweetie Belle spoil their fun.

With a large sigh Sweetie lit her horn and said calmy but sternly, “That’s enough from both of you.” She then lifted her two best friends off the ground and placed them in separate magical bubbles. “You can both stay there until Professor Sprout arrives.”

Apple Bloom did not like her new prison one little bit but opted against challenging Sweetie’s authority on this occasion. Instead, she looked across at Scootaloo and gave the other girl a crazed toothy grin. 

Scootaloo gulped. Why was she such an idiot sometimes? Riling Apple Bloom was fun and seriously entertaining, but it also came with the risk of serious bodily harm. What was it with Pegasi and a natural attraction to risk and danger? As she pondered these questions and more a voice carried above the murmurs and whispers of the crowd of students.

“I heard my name?” 

Sweetie turned and saw the Herbology professor making her way through the throng of students towards them.

“These two were acting like squabbling toddlers again professor, so I felt it best to separate them before Scootaloo inevitably ended up in the lake again,” Sweetie explained.

“Thank you, Miss Belle, for your intervention. Five points to Hufflepuff,” Professor Sprout said politely before turning and glowering at Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. “As for you two, any more childish tomfoolery from either of you and I’ll have you both in detention with me for the next month. Do I make myself clear?”

Unable to be heard outside their bubble prisons, both girls nodded in acknowledgement.

“Good. You may release them Miss Belle,” Professor Sprout instructed.

Sweetie did just that, without lowering them, and the two girls fell to earth with a thump.

“Ow,” Scootaloo grumbled as she slowly picked herself up from the floor.

Apple Bloom on the other hand managed to land on her feet in a crouched position. She rose and dusted her robes off still scowling at Scootaloo. 

“Miss Belle, was it really too much effort to lower your friends first before releasing them?” Professor Sprout sighed.

Sweetie giggled. “Well, you didn’t ask me to and that was more fun. Besides, I thought you wanted them to feel the gravity of the situation."

Professor Sprout opted just to look to the heavens upon that comment. These three girls would be the death of her someday. “Never mind,” she sighed before turning and addressing the whole class. “Anyway, now that that is settled, Greenhouse Three today, everyone!” 

The spat between Scootaloo and Apple Bloom was immediately forgotten as murmurs broke out amongst the students. In their first year, the students had only been allowed in Greenhouse One for their own safety and a continuous topic of debate throughout the year had been just what interesting and dangerous plants the other greenhouses might hold within them. 

“Right, before we enter, I must ask you all not to touch anything without my permission unless you wish to spend your first day of classes in the infirmary instead. Do I make myself clear?” she instructed as her gaze fixed itself upon Scootaloo.

“Yes, Professor Sprout,” the students all replied as one.

“Excellent. Now come along. Today we shall be re-potting Mandrakes. And watch out for the Venomous Tentacula, it’s teething,” Professor Sprout explained as she pulled a large key from her belt and unlocked the door and entered Greenhouse Three.

In silence the Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors followed her into Greenhouse Three. As she entered, Scootaloo was immediately hit by the familiar smell of earth and fertiliser that she had become accustomed to in Greenhouse One during her first year. Looking up she saw some giant circular flowers that covered and dangled from the ceiling while Professor Sprout had positioned herself behind a trestle bench awaiting to address her students. A pile of gaily-coloured earmuffs sat on the bench. 

“Gather round, gather round,” Professor Sprout said encouraging them towards her and the bench at the front of the greenhouse. “Miss Prewett, just what do you think you’re doing now?”

“Well, I’m guessing we’ll be needing these at some point and I just know I’m going to end up with these ones anyway, so might as well get the shame and humiliation out the way now,” Scootaloo said with resignation as she picked up and placed a pair of bright pink fluffy earmuffs around her neck.

This caused a number of sniggers and giggles amongst the students behind her.

“Yes, well, well done for being proactive. Now, how about enlightening us with what you know about the Mandrake plant?”

“Aside from it being able to reverse petrification, not much, although I’m guessing it must be extremely loud if we need earmuffs,” Scootaloo replied nonchalantly as she fell in beside Hermione and Sweetie Belle. “Hermione’s the encyclopaedia for that type of thing,” she added turning to her girlfriend. “I know you’re just dying to enlighten us with your wisdom,” Scootaloo said sarcastically, getting a death glare from her girlfriend in return before Hermione turned her attention to Professor Sprout. 

“Mandrake, or Mandragora, is a powerful restorative. As Scoti said it can be used to reverse petrification, but it can also be used to return those who have been transfigured or cursed back to their original state. The cultivation of such a plant is not without its risks, though; the cry of the Mandrake is fatal to anyone who hears it,” Hermione explained proudly. 

“Excellent Miss Granger, fifteen points to Gryffindor and for your input Miss Prewett five points to Hufflepuff,” Professor Sprout commended before returning to address the entire class as Hermione looked smugly at Scootaloo who returned the gesture by cheekily sticking out her tongue at her girlfriend. “Now, even though the Mandrakes we have here are only seedlings and their cries won’t kill you, they’ll still knock you out for several hours and, as I stated previously, I’m sure none of you want to spend your first day back in the infirmary. So, please take a pair of earmuffs and when I instruct you to, ensure they are fitted securely.”

There was a mad dash as everyone aside Scootaloo attempted not to end up with a fluffy pink pair, aside Sweetie who intentionally grabbed a pink fluffy pair to match her hair. 

“Right, before you put them on, I’ll just warn you once again to ensure your ears are completely covered and that I’ll give you a thumbs-up when it is safe for you to remove them. Earmuffs on,” Professor Sprout instructed as she placed a fluffy pink set over her own ears while walking over to a row of deep trays that contained a hundred or so tufty little purplish green plants.

In silence she rolled up the sleeves of her robes, grasped one of the tufty plants firmly, and pulled hard.

There were a number of inaudible gasps amongst the students as, instead of roots, a small, muddy and extremely ugly baby burst out of the soil bawling its lungs out. The leaves were growing right out the top of its head!

Taking a large plant pot from under the table, Professor Sprout thrust the Mandrake into it, burying it in dragon dung compost until only the leaves were visible. After dusting off her hands on her robes she gave the students a thumbs-up and removed her own earmuffs.

“Okay, in a moment it will be your turn, but first I’ll be placing you into groups of three and four. These will be your practical working groups for the year. Ultimately, this year your practical grade shall be marked somewhat differently. Each group will have a Mandrake to care for and look after. You shall be marked as a group on how well you look after your Mandrake and ensuring it reaches adulthood by the end of the year ready for cultivation. Your grade will be as much about cooperation and teamwork as it is about success. So, without further ado, your groups.” She pulled out a piece of muddy parchment from her pocket. “Potter, Belle, Finch-Fletchley and Weasley will be group one. Abbot, MacMillan, Roper and Brown, group two. Dunbar, Patil, Smith and Perks, group three. Thomas, Finnigan and Hopkins, group four.”

Scootaloo listened to the groups being called out and prayed to herself. “Please, no,” she mumbled under her breath.

“Jones, Bones, and Moon, group five.”

“Shit.”

“Prewett, Apple, Longbottom and Granger, group six.”

Scootaloo looked over at Apple Bloom. A wide grin adorned the other girl’s face. On the plus side there was no chance she’d fail Herbology with Apple Bloom and Hermione in her group along with Neville, whose best subject was Herbology, but it also meant that she would have no chance of skiving off. Apple Bloom was also still mad at her over the whole Apple Butt situation and as such was likely to push her twice as hard in the next hour or so. As the students shuffled into their groups, Professor Sprout spoke one final time before their earmuffs came back on again.

“Okay, everyone sorted. Brilliant. Earmuffs on. I’ll attract your attention when it’s time to pack up,” she directed.

The next forty minutes were pure hell for Scootaloo. To begin with, Apple Bloom sat back and also prevented Neville from assisting as well. Instead, she smugly watched for twenty minutes as Scootaloo and Hermione struggled to wrestle their Mandrake out of the earth before stepping forward and yanking it out the earth with one hand like it was the easiest thing in the world. She then pushed the squirming Mandrake back into Scootaloo’s chest and stepped back once more as the girl fought for another twenty minutes in attempting to get it into a pot. Only when it bit down hard on her nose did Apple Bloom intervene once more, singing to the Mandrake and cradling it like a newborn baby. The thing actually fell asleep in her arms before she calmly placed it into its new home and instructed the others to bury it in compost. Even Professor Sprout was astonished by this and gave Apple Bloom a massive smile and a thumbs-up. Sweaty, aching, her nose stinging and blood stained, covered in shit (dragon compost to be precise) and most importantly completely humiliated, Scootaloo thought the lesson couldn’t get any worse until they started to pack away and she saw an ominous dark red and spiky tendril slithering along the floor towards Apple Bloom. With the other girl’s back to her and unable to verbally warn her with the headphones on, Scootaloo did the only thing she could, she lunged at her friend and pushed her with all her might into Neville just as the venomous tentacula struck out. 

“FUCK!” Scootaloo screamed as searing pain shot through her right ankle. Even with the earmuffs on the scream was so loud a few heads turned towards her including Professor Sprout’s as the spiky, dark red tendril made a hasty retreat along the floor.

As the greenhouse around her started to spin, Scootaloo heard Professor Sprout’s despairing voice in her ear.

“Scoti, stay with me Scoti. This is going to hurt a lot but I need you to drink this.”

Scootaloo believed nothing could top the pain caused by the cursed quidditch ball in her first year. She was right but that didn’t mean whatever in Tartarus Professor Sprout was forcing down her throat wasn’t equally as bad. She imagined this is what it would feel like to drink acid. The burning sensation in her throat was insane and her brain was demanding that she cough whatever this liquid was back up but as she attempted to, she found her mouth clamped shut and the harsh liquid forced back down her throat. 

“Sorry Scoots, this is for your own good,” she heard Apple Bloom’s voice in the distance before an all too familiar feeling of darkness engulfed her once more.
> Trials and Transfiguration
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scootaloo awoke surrounded by nothing but white. Oh great, where was she this time? 

“HELLO?” she yelled into the seemingly never-ending white abyss. 

“Always sacrificing yourself for others, that’s my girl,” a voice Scootaloo recognised vaguely echoed behind her.

“Mum?” Scootaloo said turning sharply on the spot to face the brown-haired, brown-eyed woman she’d never had the opportunity to get to know growing up.

“Yes, my dear. I’m sorry that there is no time for pleasantries. Our time together is extremely short and precious. The timeline has been altered. Be prepared. An accident shall release a great evil towards the end of your second year at Hogwarts. One who betrayed everyone who saw him as a friend will rise once more and personally see to the return of the Dark Lord. Take care my daughter and good luck; choppy waters lie ahead,” Marlene said with clear urgency as she walked across and gave her daughter a hug. “Oh, how I’ve missed out on so, so much,” she added as Scootaloo attempted to reciprocate the hug only to find her mother slowly fading into nothingness. 

“No, it’s not fair. MUM, DON’T GO!” Scootaloo wailed only to realise she was back somewhere in Hogwarts, sitting bolt upright on something which looked and felt like a bed. 

Then she noticed Apple Bloom and Madam Pomfrey looking at her with anxiously and put two and two together. Apple Bloom must have brought her to the infirmary. 

“PARCHMENT AND INK!” she yelled. “I NEED PARCHMENT AND INK!” 

Noticing both on the nightstand, she grabbed the quill from the ink pot and began erratically writing down her mother’s prophecy. What was it again? The timeline has been… altered? Yes, that was it. A great evil shall be released towards… no, an accident shall release a great evil towards the end of your second year at Hogwarts. One who betrayed his family… GAH, no, Scootaloo haphazardly crossed it out and hastily scribbled the correct words. 

It was only when she had finished and was happy that she had correctly translated the prophecy exactly word for word from her memory, that she thrust the piece of parchment at her friend. 

“Get that to Dumbledore immediately!” she exclaimed before she was once more overtaken by dizziness and slumped back into the bed unconscious.

“What in Bonham’s sake was that all about?” Madam Pomfrey enquired looking over Apple Bloom’s shoulder at the piece of poorly written parchment. 

The words at the bottom saw her eyes immediately shoot open with interest as the knut dropped.

A warning from my mother.

“Pass me that this instant. This is too important to risk sending to Dumbledore. I’ll have to request his presence here immediately,” the Hogwarts Matron exclaimed snatching the piece of parchment from Apple Bloom’s hands and heading straight for her office and the fireplace located within to contact the Hogwarts’ Headmaster.


*


“Good morning…” Professor McGonagall began as she entered the classroom only to stop mid-sentence. 

Her class of second-years were deathly quiet. More years than Minerva wanted to count as an educator had taught her many valuable and crucial things, and, although on first glances a quiet class would seem to be a wonderful thing, quiet students ultimately meant one of three things. They were either up to something, had already done something they shouldn’t have and were now feeling guilty about what they’d done, or something was terribly, terribly wrong. Unfortunately for Minerva, with this class it could literally be any one of the three and she had to swiftly deduce which. Thankfully, this was made a lot easier by the absence of certain Hufflepuffs. 

“Miss Belle, could you kindly inform me where your two friends are?” Professor McGonagall demanded with little emotion as she reached her desk. 

“In the infirmary, professor,” Sweetie replied morosely holding up a letter. It didn’t take a genius to see she had been crying, a lot, very recently.

With a sigh Professor McGonagall walked over and took the letter from Sweetie. 

Minerva, 

Due to an incident in Herbology today, Miss Apple and Prewett will both be absent from Transfiguration.

Pomona

“Well, that’s not very enlightening Pomona,” Professor McGonagall grumbled under her breath before looking up and informing the entire class, “I’m sure Miss Apple and Miss Prewett will be fine and will look forward to the extra homework Miss Belle here will be handing them to catch up on missing today’s lesson. As for the rest of you, I need you to put whatever happened in Herbology to the back of your minds. There shall be no slacking of any kind in my class, understood?” she stated brusquely returning to her desk at the front of the classroom.

“Yes, Professor McGonagall,” the class replied as one aside Sweetie who simply glowered at Professor McGonagall with a look, that if it could, would have killed. 

“Miss Belle, something the matter,” she asked seeking to quash any rebellion before it had the chance to develop further. 

“Yeah, as a matter of fact, there is. It’s you,” she replied rudely to astonished gasps from her friends. “One of my best friends just nearly fucking died saving another one of my friends from being attacked by a Venomous Tentacula and you’re more concerned about giving them extra homework to ensure they don’t fall behind than asking me what exactly happened or how I’m feeling right now. You inconsiderate witch, you are just as bad as my bucking sister.” Sweetie paused as a cold chill shot through her body at merely the mention of her sister. “I think I’ll get along better this year if I just tutor myself,” she stated boldly shoving her books into her bag, rising from her seat, and heading for the door. 

“Miss Belle, I can understand you might not be thinking clearly right now considering what has happened to your friends but if you take your seat right now, I shall forget your…” 

The door slammed loudly behind Sweetie Belle. And then Susan rose to her feet and spoke solemnly putting her own books away.

“I’m sorry professor. You know what we Hufflepuffs are like, loyal to the last, and, being honest, you were a little inconsiderate.”

Ten seconds later the door slammed shut for a second time and then a third and fourth as both Megan and Hannah joined their two friends in boycotting the lesson. The Hufflepuff boys, not to be outdone, weren’t far behind followed by the remaining three girls. The lesson wasn’t even five minutes gone and Professor McGonagall had already lost half her class. 

“Anybody else want to play truant and earn a month of detention?” Professor McGonagall sighed slumping into her chair. This was not the start to the year she had either anticipated or wanted. 

None of the Gryffindors, not even Hermione, had the gall to disobey their head of house. 

“That’s what I thought. Now, if there are no further complaints, shall we continue the lesson?” Professor McGonagall stated flatly as she rose from her chair and turned to the blackboard behind.


*


“Gomb,” Susan said in a deep tone concentrating hard as she lay on the grass out on the training fields.

As had been the case for the previous forty-seven attempts over the past hour, absolutely nothing noticeable changed on the ladybug she had been attempting to transfigure. All around her, her housemates were having similar issues lazing in the warm late summer sunshine while Sweetie moved among them all attempting to help where needed. 

After realising, to her utter astonishment and somewhat horror, that all her housemates had followed her lead in boycotting the transfiguration lesson, she knew they were now looking to her for guidance and leadership. As such, Sweetie had refused to simply skive off for the double period and instead had taken her bunch of rebels to the training fields to attempt the insect into a button spell that she had presumed they would have been practicing today having noticed the box of beetles that were on Professor McGonagall’s desk before she had stormed out. Dumbledore had taught her the simple spell in one of their tutoring sessions last year. Back in the present, Susan’s head slumped dejectedly onto the grass as she let out a mighty groan.

“Eugh, I hate transfiguration.” 

“Keep trying!” Sweetie encouraged laying down beside Susan and placing a comforting arm on her friend’s back. “I can see you are really, really trying and your pronunciation is almost perfect. It’s your wand movement that is letting you down. Watch me, Gomb.”

Susan’s head lifted slightly and she watched Sweetie perform the spell extremely slowly so that she was able to see precisely how it should be executed. 

“Okay, I think I see where I was going wrong. Here goes nothing,” she sighed closing her eyes and visualising what Sweetie had just done. “Gomb. How was that?” she asked scared to open her eyes and seeing yet another failure.

“Why don’t you take a look yourself?” Sweetie chuckled.

Nervously Susan opened her eyes to see that half the ladybug’s shell was now a button.

Susan’s mouth dropped in disbelief. It usually took her weeks to achieve such progress.

“Sweetie, come look at what I managed to do!” Wayne’s voice suddenly called from a little way off.

“Coming! I’m so proud of you Susan,” she exclaimed wrapping her arms around her friend and giving her an enormous hug. 

“Yes, as am I of both of you. Teaching transfiguration is no easy feat, especially for one so young,” a whimsical voice that Sweetie knew all too well resounded from up above. She was in so much trouble. “Although, talking back to your professor and playing truant from class is something that I definitely cannot condone and will result in serious consequences.”

Sweetie disentangled herself from Susan and very slowly rose from the floor and turned to face the newcomer to her improvised transfiguration lesson with a heavy sigh.

“Hello Headmaster Dumbledore, sir,” she said in a resigned tone. “I had been expecting you sooner.”

“I had other matters to deal with,” Dumbledore replied. 

“Anything to do with Scootaloo and Apple Bloom? How are they?” Sweetie asked with clear concern. “Please tell me they are all right?” 

“Don’t worry; they’ll both be fine. Scootaloo was still asleep when I left but she should be out of the infirmary by the end of the day. Miss Apple should be back in classes after lunch,” Dumbledore informed her.

Sweetie Belle let out a massive sigh of relief.

“Now, shall we continue this conversation in my office with some lunch?” Dumbledore asked equally calmly.

Sweetie immediately held her breath once more. She knew he wasn’t really asking her; he was telling her.

“Y-yes sir,” she stammered head dropping and staring disconsolately at the ground.

“Excellent and don’t look so worried, it won’t be that bad I can assure you,” Dumbledore tried to reassure Sweetie Belle. “As for the rest of you,” he turned and addressed the rest of Sweetie’s housemates. “It’s only a few more minutes to lunch and you all seem to have been working extra hard today even if not in the proper setting, so I feel you’ve earnt a little extra break. Just promise me nothing like this will happen again. I understand you were all being loyal to your fellow housemate as a good Hufflepuff should but as I stated earlier, I cannot condone playing truant from class and any further repeats will result in severe punishment, understood?” 

Everyone turned and stared at Sweetie expectantly.

“What are you all looking at me for?” the girl exclaimed in surprise.

“Well, you are the teacher,” Wayne deadpanned to a round of nods of agreement. 

“Teacher, me?” Sweetie responded going wide eyed and red in the face in embarrassment.

“Yeah, Miss Belle, what would you like us to do?” Megan giggled cheekily. 

Sweetie head met her right hand. “Promise Dumbledore you’ll never walk out of Transfiguration again. Or any lesson for that matter. I understand you were all just being good friends but as a friend I don’t want to see you get into trouble because of me, okay?”

“Yes, Miss Belle. We promise sir never to play truant again,” the Hufflepuffs all replied as one causing Sweetie’s usually pale face to go even redder in embarrassment.

Even Dumbledore was amused. “Your class is very obedient Miss Belle,” he stated with a chortle. “Thank you everyone. I expect to see you all back in your true Transfiguration class tomorrow. Have a great lunch. Miss Belle, with me please,” he instructed not waiting for a reply as he turned and headed back towards the castle. 

Sweetie took a massive gulp and tentatively followed.


*


At the same time over in the infirmary, Apple Bloom was using devious tactics in her attempts to awaken Scootaloo permanently. 

“Ugh,” Scootaloo groaned as the tantalising aroma of beef stew hit her nostrils. “My head is pounding,” she groaned slowly opening her eyes feeling dizzy and disorientated. “Where am I?” she groaned for a second time as her stomach gave a large growl. 

“Damn, and there I was hoping for seconds,” Apple Bloom jested as she brought a spoonful of mashed potatoes from her own plateful of stew up to her lips. After swallowing it she continued bringing Scootaloo up to date in a much more serious tone. “You are in the infirmary. Venomous Tentacula stabbed you in Herbology, remember? Y-you pushed me out of the way.” 

Scootaloo suddenly shot up in bed and stood at attention staring at Apple Bloom eyes wide. “The warning, did Dumbledore get the warning?” 

“Ah, so you remember that. Dumbledore arrived personally to collect it. He left a few minutes ago, said he would have liked to stay longer but that he had another urgent matter to attend to. Asked me to pass on his thanks and that he would be back to see you later when you were feeling better,” Apple Bloom explained.

“Good,” Scootaloo replied letting out a huge breath. “What was it by the way?

“Y-you don’t remember?” Apple Bloom queried looking concerned.

“It’s hazy at best, sometimes happens with dreams and prophecies, they don’t always transfer well, why it is always best for seers to have others around them constantly. The last thing you want is a vital piece of information being missed because the seer can’t remember it and no one was there to write it down,” Scootaloo explained. 

“Huh, so that explains why you were acting like a deranged lunatic when you awoke the first time. Madam Pomfrey was wondering whether to hit you with a sedative spell or not. Personally, I felt a good slap would have been just as effective to knock you out of it. Good thing we went with neither option I guess although I am afraid to say she swiped what you wrote down from me before I had a chance to read it,” Apple Bloom enlightened her friend whilst picking up a dumpling from her plate with a fork and pointing it at Scoootaloo. “One prophecy I can honestly make that I know will come true is that your lunch will very soon mysteriously disappear if you don’t make a start on it immediately.”

“Oh no you don’t,” Scootaloo exclaimed hastily picking up the steaming hot plate of beef stew from the dresser next to her bed before ravenously tucking in without another word. She didn’t know why but dreams and prophecies always did make her awfully hungry. “Oh my, this is heavenly,” she finally mumbled through a mouthful of food.

“I thought it would wake you up. Why I asked Madam Pomfrey to request it specially from the kitchens,” Apple Bloom replied with a warm smile. “Plus, there was always the possibility that if it didn’t, I’d have seconds,” 

“Thanks Bloom, you’re the best,” Scootaloo responded herself through yet another mouthful of food. The way she was wolfing it down Apple Bloom doubted there would be any left after a minute, or less!

“No problems. While you eat, I just want to say I’m sorry about Herbology earlier. I took things a little to far. I was just trying to ensure we all did our fair share of work as Professor Sprout wanted and didn’t solely rely on me as that would effect all our grades negatively but I was sort of still a little bit angry from…” Apple Bloom paused as Scootaloo held up a hand to silence her.

After swallowing a mouthful of food, Scootaloo spoke, “Apology accepted as long as you accept mine and agree that in future a better plan of action would be you telling and showing us what to do.”

“Agreed,” Apple Bloom replied with a nod of her head placing her plate on the floor and holding out her right hand to Scootaloo.

The other girl looked at it for a moment and then, placing her now practically empty plate back on the dresser she grabbed Apple Bloom’s arm and pulled her into a hug. 

“Come here you!” Scootaloo exclaimed wrapping her metallic right arm around Apple Bloom’s neck and giving her a noogie with her left. Meanwhile, her tail was tantalisingly tickling the other girl’s nose.

“No fair!” Apple Bloom squealed. “Mercy, mercy, that tickles.” 

“Hmm,” Scootaloo pondered. “Nope,” she giggled continuing her onslaught on Apple Bloom’s head and nose.

“Right then, that does it,” Apple Bloom chuckled wickedly placing a foot gently on Scootaloo’s bandaged lower right leg and foot. 

Scootaloo stopped the noogie immediately, her eyes going wide as pain shot through her body. “No fair,” she squeaked barely audible as if all the breath had suddenly been sucked from her lungs. 

“Well then, you shouldn’t start things you cannot finish,” Apple Bloom said with a cheery smile as she pulled herself out of the headlock and returned to her seat by the side of Scootaloo’s bed. Slowly a look of concern replaced her smile. “I didn’t hurt you that much, did I?”

Scootaloo took a deep breath as the pain slowly subsided back to a dull ache. “It felt like a thousand knives had been thrust into my leg at once,” she explained. “Still, nowhere near as painful as whatever Professor Sprout shoved down my throat before I passed out. I mean, I can barely remember anything from those final few minutes aside excruciating burning in my throat that I could only describe as how I would guess it would feel having acid forcibly poured down your throat.” 

“That bad huh?” Apple Bloom queried.

Scootaloo nodded soberly in reply. “And I’d rather not recall it if you don’t mind.”

“Of course. And I’m sorry about the leg, I didn’t mean…” Apple Bloom tried to beg for forgiveness but Scootaloo once more held up her left hand as she took a swig of water from a glass on top of the dresser. 

“Totally my fault again and don’t worry, it’s subsided back to a dull ache for now. And that reminds me, did Madam Pomfrey give you any indication of the prognosis in regard to my leg? Please tell me I’m not about to lose another limb,” Scootaloo groaned throwing her head back against the headboard. “Ow,” she deadpanned rubbing the back of her now sore head.

“Wow, prognosis, big word for a draconequus with a chicken’s brain,” Apple Bloom replied boldly attempting to lighten the dour mood that had fallen across the conversation like a dark cloud.

“Ouch Bloom, that was below the belt,” Scootaloo retorted sarcastically with a mock look of hurt plastered across her face.

“Says the one who constantly winds me up by calling me Apple Butt,” Apple Bloom retorted placing her arms across her chest.

“Touché,” Scootaloo replied. 

“As for your leg, Professor Sprout’s quick thinking meant no permanent damage was done but you’ll likely be on crutches for at least a week, possibly longer.”

“Great,” Scootaloo groaned once more, this time resisting the urge to throw her head back against the headboard still feeling the effects of the previous time. “Please tell me there is some good news?” 

“That was the good news,” Apple Bloom deadpanned, “It could be months, years or never until you regain total feeling in your leg again. Why, why did you do it, you numbskull? And don’t tell me it’s because you’re immortal otherwise I’m going to test that theory with a hammer throw from here into the lake and considering you’ve now made me cry, I can’t be sure my aim will be accurate,” she finished feebly attempting to wipe the tears from her face as a whole torrent of emotion that had bubbled and boiled inside of her for the past hour or more finally came streaming out. 

Scootaloo gulped, let out a resigned sigh and then shuffled down the bed so she could place a hand tenderly on her friend’s face, lifting it slightly so that their eyes locked. “Oh Bloom, how many times do I have to say it. You and Sweetie are like, no, you are my sisters. There is no way I would ever be able to forgive myself if I let anything happen to either of you or Hermione for that matter that I know I could have prevented and I bet the same goes for you, correct?” Scootaloo ended with a warm smile before Apple Bloom surprised her with a rib-crushing hug. “Help, can’t breathe,” Scootaloo squeaked. 

“Don’t care and of course I would Scootasausage. You know that I’d do anything for you and Swetieeeee” Apple Bloom replied, the last word trailing off as the stress of the morning’s events finally caught up to her and she slowly dozed off, snuggling deep into Scootaloo’s chest. 

“Hey, that’s my trick,” Scootaloo giggled as she carefully fell back onto the bed with Apple Bloom atop her.

Five minutes later neither girl heard the sound of approaching footsteps closing in on the curtain that shielded Scootaloo’s bed from the rest of the infirmary.

“So, matron, how are they doing?” Discord enquired with just the slightest hint of concern in his voice. 

“Your daughter should be fine with some rest. It did not help that whilst the anti-venom was taking effect the venom seemed to have a reaction with her magic.” 

“Is that just a more sophisticated way of informing me about Scoti’s latest forewarning?” Discord replied solemnly.

“You know? How? Dumbledore hasn’t had time to tell anyone since he left,” Madam Pomfrey queried.

“Three simple words, god, draconequus, daughter.” Upon that last point he took off one of his feet of and gestured towards the curtain which Scoti and Apple Bloom resided behind.

“I see, of course,” Madam Pomfrey responded, wisely opting not to push the matter further. “I’m guessing his office is next on your tour of the school this lunchtime?” 

“You guess correctly and that is why we must push this conversation along,” Discord stated returning his foot to its rightful position. 

“Of course. Just as a warning, as a medical professional I must advise you that the venom may have caused some hallucinations and nightmares that your daughter may have perceived as a warning of some sort,” Madam Pomfrey explained.

“And your personal opinion?” Discord requested emotionlessly.

“Off the record, I didn’t believe in true seers until she came along and now, she’s got even me believing when she’s had a premonition,” Madam Pomfrey replied equally flatly. “Anyway, the most recent scans have indicated that aside the initial attack site and her missing parts, she’s an extremely healthy and fit young girl for her age. She will though have to keep her weight of the infected foot for the next week at least to ensure it heals as much as it possibly can.”

“As much as it can?” Discord growled, his face instantly turning to thunder.

“Despite the anti-venom doing its job in limiting the spread of the venom up her body and neutralising it, there was ultimately an unforeseen negative consequence as a result,” Madam Pomfrey explained.

“What unforeseen consequence?” Discord growled again juggling a ball of fire between his two hands. 

Most people would have melted, possibly literally, or at the very least been shaking at the knees from the tone of Discord’s voice but not Hogwarts Iron Matron. Madam Pomfrey simply ignored the petulant behaviour of the almighty god before her and instead nonchalantly continued her explanation. “An alarming and dangerous amount of the venom ended up pooling in Scoti’s foot and by the time I had discovered what had occurred, the damage had already been done. Scoti was very lucky I didn’t have to amputate but she has suffered extensive nerve damage in her right foot and despite my best efforts, my overall diagnosis suggests there’s less than a five percent chance she’ll ever regain full feeling and movement in her right foot and toes and only a thirteen percent chance she’ll gain a moderate amount. The most likely scenario is she slowly adapts to her diminished limb and learns to walk on it perfectly fine or at the very least with a cane. I seriously doubt she’ll ever be able to do more than a slow limp though. I do apologise, it was the best I could do in a difficult and time critical situation.” 

“I see,” Discord replied closing his eyes and taking a deep breath to calm himself as he stopped juggling the ball of flame and crushed it in his right hand. “Thank you, matron, for everything you’ve done from the bottom of my heart.” A bouquet of flowers appeared in Discord’s arms and he pushed them into the chest of the astonished Madam Pomfrey before he continued. “Anything else I need to know about my daughter or will she be able to attend my class this afternoon? And before you say it, yes, I understand you almost certainly want her to stay in for observation but this is a vital lesson on dementors that she simply cannot miss. I’ll come back, take her and Apple Bloom…”

“No,” Madam Pomfrey stated resolutely. 

“Excuse me?” Discord replied mouth agape in surprise.

“You can take your daughter as long as she returns for a nap immediately afterwards but not Miss Apple. She has suffered from a severe bout of shock today and I will not have you make her mental state worse by teaching her about such foul creatures, understood? Or am I going to have to ask you to leave?” Madam Pomfrey continued resolutely, further emphasising one of the reasons why the students referred to her as Hogwarts’ Iron Matron. Arguing with her was futile and a torturous ordeal for any who tried.

“Sounds good to me,” a third voice totally unexpectedly echoed from above and which saw both grown-ups’ heads to look upwards. Of course, it was Scootaloo flying silently above them. 

“Hello,” she said in a hushed tone. “Could you please keep the noise down, I’ve only just got Apple Bloom off to sleep,” the girl chided from where she was effortlessly floating above them.

“Scoti, when did you…” Discord began.

“Around the same time Madam Pomfrey was telling you I’m never going to get anywhere fast on my feet ever again. Not that it matters when I’ve wings and also the power of teleportation to hopefully look forward to in the future. Might I also just add that you two talk ridiculously loudly and that I couldn’t agree more in regards to Bloom, she is an emotional wreck right now. One minute she’s sombre, next she’s joking, and then she’s blubbering her eyes out. Goodness knows how she’s going to react to my foot when she finds out.”

“Miss Prewett, you’ve been through a harrowing ordeal. Unless you come down this instant, I shall withdraw my offer and you shall go straight back to bed,” Madam Pomfrey commanded.

“Eugh, fine,” Scootaloo grumbled rolling her eyes. “I just wanted to stretch my wings,” she added floating silently to the floor where she hovered just above it to keep her weight of her bad foot. 

Madam Pomfrey sighed, turned and headed for her office. 

“Where are you of to?” Discord enquired looking somewhat perplexed.

“To write her a permission slip to fly indoors due to her injury. Because if I don’t, she’s only going to do it anyway. Afterwards, both of you can bugger off and leave me and my only other patient in peace for the rest of the afternoon,” Madam Pomfrey groused opening the door to her office and disappearing inside, closing said door gently behind her with a click so as not to awaken Apple Bloom. 

Both Discord and Scootaloo stared after the school’s matron in total shock for a moment as what she had said slowly sunk in. 

“Did she just tell us to bugger off?” Scootaloo asked her father. 

“Yes, she did, yes she did. You must be really rubbing off on her,” Discord replied attempting, and failing to, hold back the laughter brewing inside of him. 


*


As soon as Sweetie Belle saw who was waiting for them in Dumbledore’s office, she knew she was in trouble, and that was before she even saw the look of condemnation spread across Professor McGonagall’s face. 

“Professor,” she forced herself to say politely. 

Professor McGonagall ignored Sweetie Belle and instead turned her attention to Dumbledore who had followed behind Sweetie into the office. “Where did you find the troublemaker and her band of renegades?”

“Can’t even be bothered to address me,” Sweetie retorted in reply. “Well, that’s a good start,” the girl added with a roll of her eyes. 

“Well, that’s another month of detention you’ve just earned on top of the one you’ve already got for playing truant,” Professor McGonagall retorted with a scowl. 

“Ooh, I’m so scared,” Sweetie replied cheekily. “Do you always pile on to the tormented? What's next? Telling the newly-orphaned to grow up?”

“Three months, along with the letter I was just writing to your sister and any further talking when you are not spoken to will see me revoke your quidditch privileges for the year, understood?” Professor McGonagall growled furiously.

Sweetie froze where she was standing, eyes going wide. “M-my sister?” she gulped remembering not only the letter she had received at the start of the previous year after her Potions mishap but the particular punishment her sister liked to deal to her when she was especially unruly. 

“Oh, so that’s who can keep you in line is it? Maybe I’ll ask Professor Discord to bring her in then so that we can have a little chat about your behaviour,” Professor McGonagall stated coldly.

Sweetie’s head dropped knowing she was beaten on this occasion. “Please don’t. I’m already going to be suffering a large dose of UST for this, I just know it,” she stated glumly whilst reluctantly walking over to sit herself down in the seat next to Professor McGonagall. 

“UST?” Professor McGonagall replied with clear intrigue.

"I've said too much," Sweetie blurted and then clamped her hands over her mouth.

"Do tell," said McGonagall with a sharp edge in her voice as she pulled Sweetie's hands down.

"She'll fry me again." Sweetie trembled as an icy chill wrapped its way around her body.

Sternly, the professor said, "What do you mean 'again'? What did your sister do?"

"Can't talk." Sweetie covered her face with her forearms as she shielded her horn with her fists.

“Just what are you going on about dear? Has your sister hurt you in some way in the past? If you don’t tell us we can’t help you.”

“You can’t help me unless you drop it,” Sweetie exclaimed, an utterly terrified eye peeking out between her arms. “To even mention unicorn shock therapy is, oh fuck.” Sweetie attempted desperately to rise from her chair and make a dash for the door but she’d barely made it one step before her head started pounding and sparks started flying off her horn. “No, no, I’ve been a good filly for so long, I didn’t mean to, I didn’t mean…” 

A surge of magical energy shot out of her horn and turned the door to ash. 

Sweetie stared at the pile of ash totally gobsmacked as her horn continued to spark. She hastily turned and looked at the two professors. “I’m sorry, there’s nothing I can do, it’s a failsafe if you ever, AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” she screamed.

“EBUBLIO!” Dumbledore cried just in time. 

“Dumbledore’s beard,” McGonagall muttered under her breath as the entirety of the bubble was engulfed by flames. Aside from He Who Shall Not Be Named, she had never seen such powerful failsafe magic in use before. 

As the flames eventually started to diminish, starved of oxygen and fuel, only Sweetie remained, unconscious on the floor of the bubble. Both Minerva and Albus were on her in a flash as the latter removed the bubble and lowered Sweetie gently to the floor.

“I-Is she…” Minerva stammered unable to finish the unthinkable as Dumbledore bent down and examined the girl.

“A few minor burns but remarkably nothing major considering.” 

“W-what was that?” Minerva pressed still shaking from the unexpected explosion. 

“Some serious failsafe magic. Somebody implemented a spell into her horn that would result in an extreme magical overload if she ever said those three words in that particular order. If it wasn’t for my actions half the school would have probably been destroyed and we’d be looking at a full-blown disaster with multiple casualties right now,” Dumbledore explained solemnly.

“But why?” Minerva asked confused. 

“That’s something I intend to find out. I am seriously concerned right now for her mental wellbeing.”

“How though? She'll not be giving many answers in that state.”

Still crouched over Sweetie, Dumbledore said, "Perhaps, but I do believe I have a charm that might help." After a quick cast, an aethereal from rose from the girl's unconscious body.

Dumbledore said, "My apologies, Sweetie Belle, but needs must be done."

“What the? Am I dead? I’m dead aren’t I. That blasted failsafe spell. See, I told you not to mess in things that don’t concern you.” She sent a stern glare Dumbledore’s way. 

“You’re not dead, just unconscious. We needed answers so…”

Sweetie’s glare intensified. “So, you used a necromantic spell outlawed by every wizarding body across the world?"

Shrugging, Dumbledore replied, "After you nearly blew up half the school.”

“Hey, I warned…”

“ENOUGH!” McGonagall interrupted. “Tell us immediately what unicorn shock therapy is, or we’ll bring your sister in for a chat to tell us instead. And afterwards you’ll have a whole year of detention with me, including Saturday mornings, to look forward to along with no quidditch or flying of any kind for that matter as your broom shall be staying locked in the cupboard in my office.” 

“You wouldn’t dare?” Sweetie retorted redirecting her glare towards the Transfiguration professor. 

“Try me,” McGonagall retorted giving an equally powerful glare in return. 

“You know they’ll dispose of me if they find out I’ve talked. We’re talking the richest and most powerful ponies in Equestria. Nobody, not even Celestia herself will be able to keep me safe back in Equestria. So, what's stopping you from throwing me to the wolves if I answer?” Sweetie negotiated crossing her arms.

Dumbledore replied, "Sweetie Belle, I swear on my magic that so long as you answer to the best of your abilities, I shall see that no harm comes to you."

"No sending me back to Equestria? No letting them get to me? Or be haunted by my ghost forever more."

“Agreed.” 

The figure relented. "I should begin at the beginning. My dad won a huge amount of money when I was five and my sister was fifteen. She had just graduated that spring, and she'd been trying to find an internship with a fashion designer for half a year. As you can imagine, my parents were anxious to have her out on her own."

McGonagall said, "She was still a child!"

Sweetie’s manifestation glared at the professor once more before continuing. "As I was saying, my father now had enough money to do everything he wanted, but he didn't want to drag along a little filly on his trips. So, he decided to pluck two flowers with one bite. He offered my sister a monthly allowance to set up her own business, on the condition that she take care of me when he and my mother were away."

Dumbledore replied, "That sounds reasonable."

The figure now glared at Dumbledore. "I’ve seen my parents only twice in the last six years, the last of those a disastrous Hearth’s Warming four years ago. That ended with my sister telling them if they ever came back nopony would ever find the bodies. The only communication we’ve had from them since is the monthly stipend for my upkeep in the shared bank account my sister has with them.”

“I see, my mistake. I apologise my dear; please continue.”

“Apology accepted. Now, where was I?” Sweetie’s aethereal pondered deep in thought for a moment before continuing her story. “Oh yes. My sister could barely handle running a business, let alone raise a filly who kept wondering what she had done to drive her parents away. I needed a parental figure. I needed somepony to be there for me, to explain, to nurture, to comfort. I got a poor excuse for a sister that would throw me a crust when I was lucky and it benefited her."

The figure sighed. "Now that I look back on it, I can say that the stress nearly killed her. She was at her wit's end with the hellion I was and with all the details that went into running a business. One of her Canterlot clients let her in on a few nobility secrets that were used as a way to get misbehaving fillies under control. Strictly confidential of course and most certainly illegal.”

“Two?” Dumbledore queried with clear concern. 

“UST and no-holds-barred wrestling. Imagine a seedy underground warehouse where the elite place bets on which of their children will win in a fight, the only rules being no magic and no killing. Oh, and talking about unicorn fight club. I quickly earned the nickname Little Miss Loca after ripping my first opponents ear off with my teeth and then breaking one of his legs. In my defence, they purposefully set me up against a colt four years older than me hoping that he’d beat me into the dirt for their sick pleasure. I may have also not been totally with it due to my sister frying my brain constantly every five minutes,” Sweetie’s ghostly form explained.

“Gallopin’ Gorgons, I’m not sure I even want to know what UST is anymore,” Professor McGonagall exclaimed feeling as if she was going to throw up at any moment. 

“It wasn’t all bad,” Sweetie’s apparition argued. “For a start, the small amount of money Rarity bet on me to win that first fight resulted in us earning more than double the money her business had made in its first year. I practically saved her business from going under. She also immediately wanted to pull me out but I was having none of it. It was the perfect way for me to release all the pent-up anger and aggression that had been building up inside of me and they also ensured a medic was always on hand to deal with the worst of the injuries. As I rose through the ranks it also proved to be a successful way for Rarity to earn new clients and business. I gave it up not long after meeting Scootaloo and Apple Bloom as I regained some of my senses and realised what I was doing was totally nuts!”

“Regained some of your senses?” Minerva sighed not liking where this was going.

Sweetie let out another sigh “In laymare’s terms, UST is where one unicorn overloads another’s magical pathways.”

"Isn't that dangerous and painful?" McGonagall interrupted earning her yet another glower.

“If I had to guess, UST feels like this world's Cruciatus curse, and just like the curse, it doesn't leave any visible marks. As for dangerous, I barely have any recollection of more than two years of my life. Why do you think I was so good at fighting? I was literally a walking, talking berserker. I felt no emotion, no pain, nothing aside anger and hatred. Every single pony I fought I imagined was a member of my family and every single time it resulted in the same reaction, uncontrollable rage. I was an animal in that ring. I’ll have to tell you about some of my fights another time.” 

“NO!” Professor McGonagall immediately exclaimed before regaining her composure with a cough and in a more polite tone said, “No thank you. I’d rather not hear such brutality if you don’t mind.”

Sweetie shrugged her shoulders. “Suit yourself. Anyway, as I feel myself slowly fading as the spell nears its inevitable end, I’d better wrap this up. I’ve no idea just what damage UST has done to me internally or want to think about what would have happened if the boutique hadn't succeeded or I hadn’t found Bloom and Scoots. Once Rarity got past pure survival, she only resorted to that if I got completely out of hoof, such as the Great Baking Disaster.” 

Sweetie paused for a moment as a cold shiver ran through her apparition.  “That was a painful day, possibly the worst, I can tell you. I was off school for two weeks afterwards. Thankfully, despite the countless times I dreaded coming home from a crusade fearing the worst, she managed to see that having friends beat the alternative. Even so…”

“Yes,” Dumbledore gently nudged. “Please go on.” 

“I-is is wrong that I don't want to go back and still cower and shrink in fear every time I see my sister?  I can't call that slice of Tartarus 'home'. It brings back too many . . .” The voice trailed off as the figure re-entered Sweetie's body.

“Damn,” Dumbledore cursed his rotten luck that the spell had just had to fail at that the precise moment they seemed to be getting somewhere. 

“Sweetie, why didn’t you tell us?” a small voice squeaked from where there had once been a door. Both Discord and Scootaloo were standing there in complete shock having heard everything, the latter with quite frankly absurd pink tears streaming down her face.

Dumbledore cursed his luck for a second time.
> DADA Year 2: DAMAs and Dementors
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“SCOOTALOO!” Hermione screamed as she floated up to the ceiling of Classroom 104 and saw who was already waiting for her. 

“Miss Granger, no running in class. That’ll be five points from Gryffindor,” Discord scolded from the front of the classroom as Hermione bolted towards her girlfriend as soon as her feet touched the ceiling

“Hey Herm…,” Scootaloo attempted to reply only to be caught cold as Hermione slapped her cheek, hard.

“Yow, what was that for?” Scootaloo questioned rubbing her cheek whilst looking up at Hermione with a somewhat surprised, somewhat hurt expression.

“That’s for scaring me half to death…again,” Hermione admonished. “And this is for saving Apple Bloom.” She pulled Scootaloo’s hand away from her cheek and tenderly kissed the aforementioned cheek better. 

There was no time for any more catching up though as Discord’s voice hollered yet again from the front of the classroom, “Take your seats please and take out a quill and some parchment; we’ve a lot to get through today.” He then turned and addressed Hermione and Scootaloo. “I know you two want to catch up. If you behave and do the work I have planned, I’ll let you have five minutes at the end of the lesson before I take Miss Prewett back to the infirmary, understood?”

Hermione didn’t need telling twice. She pulled the chair out next to Scootaloo and sat down, hauling all of Lockhart’s texts, some parchment, a quill and a pot of ink from her bag in the process.

“Excellent. As you are all now well aware, Professor Lockhart met an unfortunate end two nights ago. At Dumbledore’s request I, Professor Discord, Lord, Master and God of Chaos shall be filling in for him this year as your Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor. Miss Jones, I see you sniggering there,” he said sharply, “Can you kindly tell your classmates what was the first thing I taught you last year?”

Megan stopped whispering and joking with Hannah and turned to Discord with the look of someone about to be hit by the killing curse.

“That our enemies will not play fair or have a moral code of conduct, sir,” she replied nervously.

“Correct, well done, and might I add that any more chatter between you three while I’m talking,” he said as he indicated Megan, Hannah and Leanne, “and I’ll double your homework, understood?”

The three girls gulped in unison before replying as one, “Yes, sir.”

“Excellent. Now let that be a warning to all you newcomers and those of you who may have forgotten over the summer. I am a strict but fair teacher. If you respect me, as Miss Granger has just done, I will respect and reward you. If you don’t, well, let me just say the result will be chaotic. Understood?” Discord ended with a mischievous grin.

“Yes, Professor Discord,” the class chorused with some nervous gulps emanating from a few sections of the room. 

“I’m glad to hear that. Now, on to more pressing matters. Firstly, do we have anymore absentees aside Miss Apple and Miss Belle? One, six, ten, fourteen, twenty, perfect. Miss Bones might I ask what is the matter?” Discord enquired as Susan stuck her hand into the air. 

“W-what happened to Sweetie? Is she alright? She hasn’t been expelled, has she?” Susan requested urgently.

A few uneasy murmurs broke out amongst the Hufflepuffs upon that last question and Discord had to raise his voice to make himself be heard above the chatter. 

“Silence, please. Miss Belle has, most definitely, not been expelled. Unfortunately though, some personal issues arose during her meeting with Dumbledore and as such she is currently having a nap in the infirmary whilst Madam Pomfrey examines her. She will be back in lessons tomorrow morning; that I can be sure of. That is all the information I am currently allowed to disclose on the matter and while we are on the subject might I remind everyone that I will not tolerate truancy from my lessons for any reason, okay?”

Another chorus of, “Yes, Professor Discord,” reverberated around the room and the class fell silent once more. Susan wanted to push the matter further but knew any attempt would be rebuffed and she would just end up losing her house points, getting a detention or worse.

“Good. Now, shall we get on with the lesson proper?” Discord asked rhetorically not waiting for a response before he went on. “I’m unsure what that two-faced buffoon Quirrell taught you last year but understand that I shall not be going over my year one material in class and it is up to you to catch up. To assist you in this I have assigned each Gryffindor a Hufflepuff study buddy for the year. When I call out your name, please find your buddy and sit next to them. “Brown and Abbot, Dunbar and Bones, Finnigan and Finch-Fletchley, Granger and Prewett, Longbottom and Apple, Patil and Moon, Potter and Jones, Thomas and Hopkins, Roper and Macmillan, Weasley and Belle. As there are two more Hufflepuffs than Gryffindors Miss Smith and Perks you can continue to study with each other while for today Longbottom and Weasley can pair up due to Miss Apple’s and Miss Belle’s absence,” Discord explained as the class shifted itself around to pair up with their newly applied study buddy. "Right, now that that is sorted, I expect each of you to order via owl the following textbooks, if you do not already own a copy of them that is.” A fox appeared in his right hand and, holding it by its tail, he pointed at some writing on the blackboard behind him with its muzzle.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander 

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble. 

The Essential Defence Against the Dark Arts by Arsenius Jigger 

Curses and Counter-Curses (Bewitch your Friends and Befuddle your Enemies with the Latest Revenges: Hair Loss, Jelly-Legs, Tongue-Tying and much, much more) by Professor Vindictus Viridian

Hermione’s hand immediately shot into the air.

With a resigned sigh Discord pointed at her with the fox. 

“Sir, is it really wise for us to be learning curses and what of Lockhart’s texts?”

“I am personally not a fan of the late Professor Lockhart’s works and do not feel they will be of any use in preparing you for the harsh reality of the outside world,” Discord stated bluntly before clarifying. “Let me expand on what Miss Jones just told us Miss Granger. The world is not all sunshine and rainbows, rather full of monsters lurking in the shadows just waiting to strike and kill you at the first opportunity they get. I personally hope you never have to meet them, but, if unfortunately, you do, it is my job to ensure you are properly prepared and will survive such an encounter, even if you have to perform some dirty underhanded tricks to do so. Lockhart’s books teach you nothing of the sort. They glamorise and ill-prepare you for such encounters, making it seem that dealing with a werewolf is no harder than dealing with a flubberworm while some of the spells mentioned within them are, let us say, questionable at best. It is your choice which route you would rather follow, the path of fiction and fantasy or the path of fact and reality; just don’t expect me to come to your rescue if the former fails in your time of need. So, what shall it be?” Discord asked walking over to the desk Hermione and Scootaloo shared.

For a moment Hermione sat there unsure what to say. Having already read all seven of her now deceased idol's books she wanted to defend him and his life’s works but found she couldn’t find the words to do so as reality struck. Everything Discord had said was true. She couldn’t recollect even one piece of useful information from the books that would help her if she ever had the misfortune to meet such vile creatures. Yes, there had been a number of spells mentioned but no instructions on how to cast them, nor was there information on how to stay calm in such situations, or…

“Well, Miss Granger, I’m waiting,” Discord pressed.

Reluctantly Hermione closed her eyes and, to Scootaloo’s astonishment, pushed the pile of seven books across to Discord as a tear slipped down her cheek upon the realisation that her hero’s tales had been nothing more than fantasy that had been stupidly believed because of a silly young girl’s crush. Discord tapped the pile with his wand making them disappear to goodness knows where before replacing them with the two books that hadn’t been on the second-years required book list in their previous year.

“That’s what I thought. I’m sorry to have had to do that to you but it was vital I made you understand the difference between fact and fiction before it was too late,” Discord said sympathetically before lifting his head and addressing the whole class once again. “If anyone else wishes to trade Lockhart’s texts for ones they don’t have, I will be more than happy to oblige at the end of the lesson. For now, before I continue with the rest of the lesson I just wish to remind and inform you all that I will only teach you jinxes and hexes, as these are quite easily rectifiable. Curses on the other hand are the darkest of all dark magic, irreversible and can corrupt even the most honest and noble of witches and wizards. Anyone who dares to even attempt to learn one shall receive a personal one way trip to Azkaban. Do I make myself clear?” Discord growled ominously.

A round of fearful nods was what he received in reply.

“That’s what I like to see. Now, on to the next topic of discussion,” Discord said as he returned to the front of the class and snapped two of his fingers. The writing on the board immediately changed. “This is a summary of what was taught to the Hufflepuffs in their first year. I suggest you Gryffindors note this down quickly.”

1. The three unforgivable curses and ways to combat them.
2. The three types of dark charms, using these to your advantage, and ways to combat them.
3. Dark Creatures and how to deal with such foul beasts.

There was some hasty scribbling as the Gryffindors obeyed Discord’s command, Hermione wiping the tear from her cheek as she did so with a look of steely resolve. “And here is a list of the creatures that were studied last year.” The writing changed once again and the scribbling of quills meeting parchment continued. After a short period, Discord continued. “We all caught up? Perfect. This is the level I currently expect you to be at. Do not worry if there are gaps in your knowledge right now. Over the course of the year your homework assignments and study buddies will assist you in filling the gaps. Just be grateful this is only your second year and such gaps can be easily filled. The fifth-years I had first thing this morning have two, three, even four years’ worth of knowledge to catch up on and are going to be seriously overloaded in the run up to their O.W.Ls at the end of the year.” Discord paused for a moment before going on. “Now, let us proceed with what we shall be studying this year. In light of recent developments, I have decided to make a slight alteration to the schedule.” He snapped his fingers again and the words on the blackboard altered once more.

1. Dark Magical Artifacts (DMAs).
2. All remaining Dark Creatures and how to deal with them. 
3. Preparation for Magical Duels in your third year.

As quills hit parchment for the third time Discord asked the second-years. “For ten house points, can someone define to me what a Dark Magical Artifact is and provide an example?”

Hermione’s hand immediately shot into the air.

“Yes, Miss Granger.” 

“A Dark Magical Artifact or DMA is an item imbued with sinister and dangerous magical powers or dark magic. An example would be any one of numerous titles stored in the restricted section of the library,” Hermione explained sombrely.

“Precisely. Ten points to Gryffindor. I hope you were all copying down what Miss Granger just said,” Discord replied as the students quills scribbled away rapidly once more. “There are many different types of DMAs out there and the Ministry has numerous departments dealing with them, such as the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office run by Arthur Weasley, which deals with mainly low-level items, such as shrinking keys and bewitched tea sets, that are no more than a nuisance. There are though a lot of seriously dangerous items out there that can quite easily kill or seriously injure even the most highly skilled of witches and wizards, such as this.” Discord pulled Tom Riddle’s diary from his suit. 

It was Sophie Roper who raised her hand and asked the question. “But sir, doesn't that look like just an ordinary diary?”

“Exactly. I’m glad you pointed that out Miss Roper, five more points to Gryffindor. You see, that is what makes DMAs so dangerous. Absolutely anything can be cursed and then, before you realise it you are suffering a slow and agonising death.” 

There were gasps of shock and astonishment from the students upon that point. Discord waited until the hubbub had died down before continuing.

“I am, unfortunately, forbidden by Dumbledore himself to go into any further details about just what this item in my hand was and why it was so deadly until I dealt with it, but what I can say is that it is considered to be the product of the darkest of all arts and the most terrible of all dark magic with a punishment set by the Ministry of a Dementor’s kiss, a fate worse than death itself and something you shall learn about later today.” 

More gasps and whispers filled the classroom. Discord ignored them.

“There is little more I can tell you about DMAs I’m afraid as unsurprisingly they are poorly documented. This is often down to the fact that such items are often kept secret until required to commit the foulest of deeds, along with being practically undetectable until touched. Also, any that the Ministry do discover are often kept secret and not revealed to the public, to prevent giving any ideas to other witches and wizards. It is for these reasons that I won’t be setting you any homework on them, instead just asking that if you ever come across a suspicious object you’re unsure about, no matter how tempting it may be, don’t touch it until you’re sure it is safe to do so and the item isn’t cursed. If you think it is cursed, contact the Ministry ASAP and make sure no one touches it until the Ministry arrives and can deal with it. This may seem like an obvious bit of advice, but you would be surprised how many magicians forget it. I hope you all do well to remember it, as it could very well save your life one day and if it helps, the Ministry has a simple three-point strategy in tackling such items.” Discord snapped his fingers and the writing on the board changed for what felt like the thousandth time already to Scootaloo.

1. Identify
2. Report
3. Dispose discreetly and safely

Discord waited again as the class attempted to catch up on writing down everything he had just told them. “Okay, now before I move on, any questions?” 

A number of hands shot into the air.

“Bearing in mind I can’t tell you anymore about the diary.”

All bar Hermione’s and Ron’s hands dropped down. 

“Master Weasley, please enlighten us with your question.”

“My dad has always told me, my brothers and my sister that you should never trust anything that can think for itself if you can’t see where it keeps its brain. Are dark magical artifacts sentient in any way?”

“A very good question and it truly depends just what magical properties have been applied to them. Some are, but not all of them, and as I just mentioned this is what makes them so hard to detect. I hope that answers your question. Now, Miss Granger, why am I not surprised you’ve got a question for me?”

“Well, I’ve several, Professor Discord, sir. But I’ll keep it to one. Are all dark magical artifacts cursed?”

“Another brilliant question. And the simple answer is no. Most are normal items that have been cursed in some way, usually to cause anyone who touches them harm. There are some though that are simply created using dark magic and will cause you no actual harm. I hope that answers your question Miss Granger.”

Hermione nodded her head in reply.

“Brilliant!” Discord said with a smile and a clap of his hands before becoming deadly serious once again. “Let’s move on. I must warn you all now though that the three creatures we shall be studying over the next month are very disturbing and I will not hold anything against any of you who wish to be excused at any point. Who here has heard of Dementors, Lethifolds and Inferi?”

Only Hermione’s hand slowly rose in the air.

“Why, Miss Granger, am I again not at all surprised?”


*


“Dementors and lethifolds are possibly the two most dangerous creatures we will study. Although the latter has been classed as a beast, they are both in fact non-beings, a type of magical spirit created out of human emotions. As such, they are not technically physically alive and so cannot be killed, only driven off for a set amount of time,” Discord informed his class before turning his attention onto Hermione. “Miss Granger, I’m guessing you know what spell is used to dispel a dementor?” 

“The Patronus charm sir, an immensely complicated and extremely difficult spell that if cast correctly creates a partially-tangible positive energy force known as a Patronus or spirit guardian,” Hermione replied robotically. 

“Perfect, five more points to Gryffindor and that is why I shall be attempting to teach you the Patronus charm from next week. As Miss Granger stated though, it is a highly complex charm and some of you will likely be unable to cast it at your current ability, while others may never be able to produce one. This is why your training for such a spell shall be ongoing across your time here at Hogwarts and also do not worry as I’m attempting to teach you this spell for your own protection, which means that you will not be marked practically on it at any point in your Hogwarts education,” Discord explained further. “Miss Granger, would you care to enlighten us as to why dementors are so dangerous?”

“They feed on human happiness sir and as such cause depression and despair in anyone who gets near them. They also have the power to suck out a person’s soul, a fate worse than death, as the person would still be alive but in a vegetative state and unable to ever recover to what they once were.”

“Outstanding. Five more points to Gryffindor. Now, can anyone aside Miss Granger hazard a guess as to what a dementor looks like?”

For a short while there were numerous shakes of heads until slowly Susan raised her hand. 

“Yes, Miss Bones. Go ahead.”

“They are similar in shape to ourselves, just a lot taller and they float above the ground. They wear black cloaks and their faces, my word, their faces. I’ll never get that image out of my head but it’s so horrific I can barely put it into words. I guess the closest definition would be a decomposing corpse,” Susan said distantly.

“That’s more detail than I was expecting but correct all the same Susan. Ten points to Hufflepuff. Might I enquire though as to where you met a dementor?”

“My aunt is Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement for the Ministry. She had to make a visit to Azkaban in the summer and thought it highly educational if I accompanied her. I’ve never been so scared in my life,” Susan explained with a shudder as she remembered the terrible ordeal.

“An so you should have been, although I’m glad to see it had the desired effect she wanted. If you need some time, feel free to step out of class for a moment to catch your breath,” Discord said without emotion.

“Thanks sir, but I’ll be fine,” Susan replied taking a deep breath. 

“So be it and for any who may have forgotten or who weren’t in my class last year, Azkaban is Britain’s wizarding prison. It is on an unplottable island in the North Sea. To save money on guards and to stop the dementors that inhabit the island from spreading across Britain, the Ministry uses the dementors as guards. I truly hope that is enough to deter any of you from being tempted by darkness in the future. As for now, I’d like you all to bring out your copies of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and take further notes from there for the remainder of the lesson. Any further questions you may have I shall be happy to answer before you leave,” Discord ordered as he walked back to the seat behind his desk and started to mark the answers to the pop quiz he had set his fifth-years that morning. 


*


Discord made his way across the ceiling of Classroom 104 to where his daughter and her girlfriend still sat, the rest of the class having departed five minutes previous at the appearance of Wally, who, quite impolitely, had told them all to “Get the fuck out; this lesson is officially fucking over bitches.” 

“And that’s when she rose from her seat and walked out!” Hermione exclaimed to a gobsmacked Scootaloo who had asked her how Sweetie had managed to get herself sent to Dumbledore’s office.

“She didn’t,” Scootaloo muttered under her breath.

Hermione nodded her head in reply. “Oh, she did. And that wasn’t even the craziest part.”

“What? Did everyone follow her out or something?” Scootaloo scoffed and then saw the reaction her suggestion had had on her girlfriend’s facial expression. “Oh, sweet Celestia, you did, didn’t you?”

“I can most certainly say that I didn’t. You delinquent bunch of badgers on the other hand…”

“Seriously, every one of my housemates? Professor McGonagall must have been pissed,” Scootaloo giggled. 

“Yes, one by one they rose and left. Damn badgers and their loyalty. And Professor McGonagall certainly wasn’t happy about it and proceeded to be quite judgemental on our attempts to cast the spell she set us because of it. Poor Ron and Neville seemed to get the brunt of her irritation from being so blatantly disobeyed and were particularly relieved when she let us out fifteen minutes early so that she could go deal with the matter,” Hermione stated flatly. 

“Miss Granger, I hope you are not giving my daughter any ideas?” Discord stated coldly approaching the two girls. “As if she even thinks about playing truant she’ll find herself with more than an ankle lock on this time.” 

Scootaloo gulped and squirmed as her father placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed ever so slightly. 

“Understood?” 

“Yes dad,” Scootaloo squeaked nervously as Hermione snickered at her girlfriend’s discomfort.

“Very good. Now, you have a choice to make. I can either take you back to the infirmary right now, or, seeing as you were both so well behaved and I don’t have a class to teach in my final period, you can both stay here and catch up on your transfiguration. I feel it only fair to let you two have some time together considering…” Discord got no further as he found a pair of arms wrapped around his waist. 

“Thanks Dad,” Scootaloo exclaimed beaming up at her father. 

Discord placed a box on the table before reciprocating the hug. “That’s what I thought. But you better have made some progress on these beetles by the time I come back. No solely spending the entire period chatting to each other,” he finished, booping his daughter on the nose and transfiguring it into an elephant’s trunk! “Or that remains for the whole of Friday,” he added devilishly.

“Hey, no fair!” Scootaloo exclaimed before letting out a small toot from her new nose that made her go red in embarrassment as Hermione broke down laughing uncontrollably.

Finally managing to get a hold of herself Hermione exclaimed. “Oh, she won’t sir, I’ll make sure of that. Otherwise, I’ll have her writing out the essay we were given for homework instead.”

“I don’t doubt it and trust you completely. It is why I chose you to be my daughter’s tutor in the first place. Just don’t abuse that trust or you can trust me when I say that it won’t end well for you.” And on that note Discord snapped his fingers once more leaving behind a plate of biscuits next to the box of beetles along with two glasses and a jug of squash. 

Hermione gulped eyes going wide. “S-so,” she stammered, “Shall I begin with the basics and then, while w-we practice, you can give me an update on that foot of yours?”

“Ignore him. He even dares to touch a hair on your head and I’ll normalise his office in retaliation. And that’s after I send him to Uranus. Now, as for your suggestion, sounds like a date!” Scootaloo ended mischievously, leaning in and kissing her girlfriend on the cheek.

The pressure on Hermione’s shoulders instantly melted away as her face went red with embarrassment.
> Wednesday Part 4: Sirius Alarm Belles
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


The timeline has been altered. Be prepared. An accident shall release a great evil towards the end of your second year at Hogwarts. One who betrayed everyone who saw him as a friend will rise once more and personally see to the return of the Dark Lord.



A warning from my mother


“Hmmmmm,” Discord pondered looking over the prophecy in Dumbledore’s office. “Any idea who this great evil might be?”

“Yes,” Dumbledore replied solemnly on the other side of his desk. “Sirius Black. Once best friend of James Potter and now residing in Azkaban for his crimes. I’ve already alerted the Ministry and informed them to up security surrounding Black but I’m guessing you would like some context?”

“Please,” Discord requested taking a sip from a glass of undefinable bubbling rainbow coloured liquid. 

Dumbledore pushed a piece of paper across the table. “You are already aware of this prophecy due to its links to your daughter,” he stated seriously.


The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives...


“Yes, but it actually applies to…wait, are you telling me the death of Harry’s parents had something to do with Sirius?”

Dumbledore nodded his head slowly. “The two of them were inseparable as soon as they met and the leaders of their little gang which also contained two other boys in their house and year, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. Black was even named best man at James’ wedding and is Harry’s godfather, not that Harry knows it of course.”

“So, what happened?” Discord didn’t ask, rather commanded Dumbledore to tell him. 

“Sybil made that prediction to me during her job interview in January 1980. It didn’t take us long to figure out three babies were to be born to couples who had defied Voldemort three times, Harry Potter, Neville Longbottom and Scoti Alaw Prewett in late July of that year. We ruled Scoti out immediately as she was a girl and the prophecy referred to a boy but…”

“What you hadn’t realised was that someone was listening in on your conversation for Lord Voldemort and whoever it was either didn’t hear the prophecy correctly or didn’t hear the entire thing,” Discord finished for Dumbledore.

“Precisely,” Dumbledore replied. “Have you ever heard of the Muggle game Chinese Whispers? I think that’s an apt description of what happened here and thankfully so as it was only thanks to Lord Voldemort’s slow response in acting to the prophecy that we were able to warn the affected families and get them into hiding. Unfortunately, trying to hide from the most powerful wizard in existence is no easy feat. Voldemort had spies everywhere.”

“Ignatius Prewett?” Discord presumed.

“Yes. It was after the decimation of the Prewetts and Mckinnons that we knew Voldemort had at least some knowledge of the prophecy and we needed to up our game in protecting those most at risk. One of my own spies alerted me to the fact that the Potters were next in the firing line and I immediately suggested they use the Fidelius Charm.”

“An immensely complex spell that magically conceals a secret inside a chosen person’s soul,” Discord mused. “Good choice.”

“Yes, and unless that person chooses to reveal the secret, that information is impossible to uncover. In the case of Lily and James, as long as they remained in that specific location Lord Voldemort could pass them on the street and not even see them,” Dumbledore explained in greater depth.

“But Black was secretly a double-agent working with Voldemort? I don’t even know the guy but from the little information you’ve provided me with that sounds highly implausible. Are you one hundred percent sure he was their Secret-Keeper?” Discord enquired trying to keep open all possibilities.

For just a second Dumbledore flinched in his armchair across the desk. Any ordinary person might have missed it or not thought anything of it, Discord though was anything but ordinary. 

“Start talking,” he stated coldly.

Dumbledore sighed. “For a while it had become clear to me that someone on our side had turned traitor and was passing a lot of highly valuable and important information to Voldemort. At the time when the Fidelius charm was cast my sources had narrowed it down to one of James’ three friends but I couldn’t bring myself to tell him of my concerns. I tried desperately to persuade him to use me instead as his Secret-Keeper but to no avail. He was adamant on using Black, informing me that Black was going to go into hiding himself and that even if he was found would rather take the secret to his grave than tell Voldemort where he and Lily were hiding.” 

“I see. The plot thickens,” Discord interrupted stroking his beard.

“Personally, my suspicions lay with one Peter Pettigrew. He always seemed like the outcast of the group, tagging behind Black and Potter like some obsessed fanboy who could only dream of being as talented as they were. We were slowly closing the net on Pettigrew and about to lay a trap for him to prove he was the traitor in our midst when, a week after the Fidelius charm was cast, our suspicions were proven completely irrelevant. Black betrayed Potter, seemingly tired of his life as a double agent and wanting to pledge his allegiance openly to Voldemort.” Dumbledore paused in his explanation for a moment as he removed his glasses and attempted to clean them with his robes. 

“Are you sure that Black was the Secret-Keeper?” Discord asked coolly. “Did you actually see the spell be cast? Can you be one hundred percent sure Black didn’t change it last minute? A bluff to throw Voldemort off except…”

Dumbledore placed his glasses back onto the bridge of his nose before holding up a hand to stop his guest’s wild theory mid-sentence. “Let me finish. Obviously, after what happened a warrant went out for Black’s arrest. Alas, it wasn’t the Ministry who caught up with him, rather little Peter Pettigrew enraged by grief the very next day. Numerous muggle eye-witnesses reported the exact same thing. How Pettigrew valiantly cornered Black tears in his eyes and clearly not thinking straight. How he cried 'Lily and James, Sirius! How could you!' before going for his wand. Black was by far the superior duellist though and in an instant Pettigrew was no more, blown to smithereens along with twelve innocent muggle bystanders by a seriously powerful blasting curse, the crater so deep rumours suggest it cracked the sewer beneath. It was one of the biggest catastrophes in modern wizard times and in the midst of it all Black stood, laughing maniacally whilst staring wild-eyed at the meagre remains of Peter Pettigrew. He was taken away by twenty Magical Law Enforcement Officers and sent to Azkaban for life for his crimes while Peter was posthumously awarded the Order of Merlin, First Class. Scant consolation for his poor grieving mother.”

As Dumbledore finished his sombre tale Discord was stroking his beard deep in thought. “I think we need to examine every piece of information we have carefully so as to give us the best possible chance of preventing this calamity. Firstly, we are pretty sure it is one of three friends who betrayed the fourth. Taking into consideration everything you told me this can be most probably cut down to two.”

“Two? You surely don’t mean?” Dumbledore interrupted with clear surprise at Discord’s continued belief that Black might not have been the traitor. 

“I’m sorry Albus but we need to keep every avenue open. Did you see the spell actually be cast?” Discord asked sympathetically.

“No.”

“So, you can’t be one hundred percent sure that Black was the Secret-Keeper?”

“No,” Dumbledore replied for the second time.

“Then let me give you a hypothetical situation. Someone dangerous is after Minerva and wants to kill her. It’s decided that the Fidelius charm is the best way to keep her hidden. You, having been her best friend and colleague for countless years are chosen as her Secret-Keeper. Can you see the problem with that?” Discord explained.

It took Dumbledore a moment and then it clicked and his eyes widened. “Everyone knows of my relationship with Minerva.” 

“Precisely. You are the first person anybody would look for when trying to gather information surrounding her current location. So let us say at the last minute you decided to cast a bluff without telling anyone else for added security, using another supposed friend you feel you can trust as the Secret-Keeper whilst using yourself as a decoy. Except that person turns out to be a traitor and ends up aiding in the murder of the very person you had vowed to protect. How would that make you feel?” 

For one of the few times in his long life, Dumbledore was starting to feel very uneasy. He decided to get straight to the point. “You don’t think Black is the traitor, do you?” 

“Did they find Pettigrew’s body?” 

“No, just his finger.” 

“Did any of the muggle victims suffer the same fate?” Discord pressed, attempting to push home his advantage. 

“Not such heavy damage that I’m aware of. It was believed Peter suffered such critical damage because of his proximity to Black at the time of the spell,” Dumbledore explained.

“What’s to say he didn’t frame Black? I’m sorry to say this but none of the witnesses’ testimonies would hold up in a fair trial due to the psychological trauma they had suffered at the time and the misleading evidence they were provided with,” Discord argued. 

“Misleading evidence?” Dumbledore questioned.

“Think about it. The exclamation from Pettigrew, Black standing there probably covered in some of Peter’s blood and laughing maniacally, seeing all those other muggles brutally murdered and injured around them. All those factors could have possibly influenced the muggles recollection of what actually happened. Did they actually see Black pull his wand out or was it Peter? Maybe they were unsure but…” 

“Because of everything else that pointed to Black that’s what their minds came to believe. In actual fact, now that that you mention it, if I remember correctly there was one witness who swore he saw the squat little man, who was Pettigrew, draw what looked like a stick and mutter something under his breath just before the explosion occurred. But, as every other witness went against his testimony, it was determined that his memory of the event had been severely affected due to suffering significant mental trauma from the loss of his wife in the attack and his testimony was as such dismissed and the details, understandably, never released to the public. I only saw it due to my high standing and links with the Ministry allowing me access to Black’s case file. Remarkable. And because Black was never given a chance to explain the situation and probably felt he was to blame for altering James’ choice of Secret-Keeper and therefore his and Lily’s deaths…” Dumbledore continued.

“He accepted his fate while Peter Pettigrew escaped and went into hiding. Of course, we have no proof that this is what actually happened and if we went to the Ministry with such a wild theory, they would likely lock us up with Black! Still, it is better that we be prepared just in case it isn’t Black we need to be worried about,” Discord finished.

“Indeed. And you’ve certainly given me a lot to think about. Now, I do believe there is another topic we need to discuss,” Dumbledore stated deep in thought and now stroking his own beard.

“Yes, Miss Belle,” Discord replied taking another sip from his drink as he threw a thick bound document across the desk.

The Impact of Traumatic Early Life Experiences on a Foal’s Physical, Psychological and Social Development. A Thesis by Twilight Sparkle

“I had been wondering what her traumatic childhood experience was,” Discord said placing his drink back down on the table. 

“You knew?” Dumbledore enquired stoically.

“If you read through that document, you shall find a whole section on cutie marks. Do you think it was a coincidence that all three girls’ cutie marks only appeared once they arrived here? My own adopted daughter’s cutie mark appeared only after realising and accepting her parents hadn’t abandoned her. Miss Apple’s meanwhile came after she found a replacement figure for the father she had lost so young, a memory that I desperately hope remains repressed,” Discord explained.

“Please tell me she’s not going to go psycho and,” he paused as memories of the past year flashed across his mind. Sighing he finally spoke once more, “Just tell me we won’t be fishing anybody else out of the lake this year?”

“I highly doubt that would be her reaction. More like a total mental breakdown. Apple Bloom was the reason her parents died when she was two. Pear looked away for just a moment and the filly wandered off from a family picnic they were having in the orchard and got too close to the Everfree Forest, Equestria’s equivalent of the Forbidden Forest. A Timberwolf was about to attack and eat her when her mum appeared on the scene and pushed her out of the way. Its jaws ripped Pear Butter, Apple Bloom’s mum, clean in two. A truly gruesome and tragic way to go and Apple Bloom witnessed the whole thing.”

Dumbledore groaned, his head in his hands. “And her father?” he reluctantly asked. 

“Where there’s one Timberwolf, there are always more. Fought them off and got the rest of his family to safely but suffered to many wounds and lost too much blood in the process. Died peacefully that night in his bed with a picture of his wife in his hooves held tightly to his chest knowing that she would have been proud of him for getting their children to safely and that she was waiting for him on the other side. Before he passed on though, he made his mother promise to bring up his children right and to never tell Apple Bloom what really happened, just that he died a hero protecting the family he loved.”

Dumbledore looked to the ceiling. “Do I even want to ask how you know this?”  

“Like pollen for bees or cider for Rainbow Dash, chaotic situations naturally draw me in. My spirit form arrived just as the first Timberwolf clamped its jaws around Pear Butter’s back and stomach. I watched as her life force sprayed her youngest, who, understandably, had gone into shock at what had occurred and then saw as her father arrived and despite his grief at seeing the life leave the love of his life’s eyes fought like a stallion possessed to save his youngest and get her to safety. I may be a monster, but even I draw a line at children. I may have spared him what little magic I had at the time to get Apple Bloom back home. 

Dumbledore sought clarification. “You saved the girl’s life?” 

“Not that I’ll ever admit it in public as I shouldn’t have got involved but yes, if it wasn’t for me both of them would have been Timberwolf chow that day alongside Pear. A truly tragic story and one I hope she never hears or remembers.”

A single drop of chocolate milk slipped from Discord’s right eye as Dumbledore wiped his own eyes with a handkerchief. After a moment to compose himself, Dumbledore attempted to move the conversation forward.

“Anyway, I believe both of us have places we need to be so shall we try and wrap this conversation up?” 

“That sounds sensible. As for Miss Belle I knew something almost certainly must have happened in her earlier foalhood as well that prevented her cutie mark from coming through but could never pinpoint exactly what the reason was until today,” Discord said soberly. 

Dumbledore looked at Discord expectantly.

“Freedom from a troubled and abusive home life.”

“I see and do you believe we will see any repeats of today’s actions?” Dumbledore queried.

“Hard to say. Due to her upbringing Sweetie tries desperately to shy away from trouble and act as the voice of reason and sense for the Crusaders but…” Discord for a moment and took a deep breath.

“Yes,” Dumbledore urged.

“Out of the three of them she is the most dangerous of all. She is mentally unstable and literally any number of ticks that bring up her less than pleasant foalhood could result in a lot worse than simply storming out of a classroom.”

“Like what?” Dumbledore requested unsure once more he wanted to hear the answer.

“The girl has a ridiculously high aptitude for magic combined with the fighting style and ability of a rabid hungry wolf. I’m afraid that if her mind completely snaps, she’ll do more damage than simply maim someone, or worse.”

Dumbledore was right. He hadn’t wanted to hear the answer. Still, he pressed on. “What do you mean, or worse?” 

Discord closed his eyes and let out a sigh of his own. “I fear that if her mind totally fractures from the trauma she has suffered combined with her high level of transfiguration magic, we could be looking at a whole new definition of split personality disorder.” 

Dumbledore rubbed his temple as he felt a headache coming on. “And how might you propose do we prevent that from happening.”

“We need to minimise negative reinforcement, maximise positive reinforcement and where necessary use constructive criticism. Like you showed at the start of her first year, rather than simply punish her, give her the opportunity to make it right and guide her through this process. By simply being there for Sweetie and showing her that we care for her and are willing to listen to her we will provide her with the best possible chance of recovery. Her cutie mark is a testament to the progress she has already made along with her consistently high performance in every subject, even History of Magic and we all know how boring that is! Anyway, the next step is to eradicate any remaining doubt in her mind that she’ll be sent back to live with her sister. And for that I need your assistance.” 

“Whatever you need, I will be more than happy to provide it,” Dumbledore replied.

“Thank you. I already have Sweetie’s confession recorded and transcribed but I would like a letter stating your concerns surrounding her living arrangements and that you feel it best her guardianship be handed over to myself and Fluttershy.”

“Consider it done,” Dumbledore responded without hesitation. “Anything else? I’ve already talked to Minerva and we’ve agreed to let Sweetie assist in some of her Transfiguration classes this year to further her development,” 

“That sounds like a splendid idea and thank you Albus, for everything. Only time will tell with Miss Belle what impact her difficult foalhood has had upon her mentally but hopefully with better role models and parental figures from here on we can slowly correct the damage that has been done. As for now, I had better return to see how my daughter is getting on with the Transfiguration work she is catching up on,” Discord replied before finishing of his bizarre drink. 

“As had I with this letter I need to write and this document I need to read, unless there is anything further you would like to discuss with me?” 

“No, that is all. I shall pop by to collect the letter later.”

And with that Discord snapped two of the fingers on his left hand and disappeared back to Classroom 104 while Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and let out yet another deep breath. Everything he had so meticulously planned over the course of the past decade was slowly unravelling. Like Miss Belle, whether that would be for the better, only time would tell.


*


“Sorry I’m a little…”

“Shhhhhhh” Hermione scolded Discord pointing to the sleeping Scootaloo next to her whose head was resting on the desk. Her trunk was making the most adorable little trumpeting noises you can imagine as she breathed out. “She dozed off about fifteen minutes ago after getting frustrated with the beetles into buttons spell for forty odd minutes,” Hermione explained in a harsh whisper.

“Let me guess, it didn’t go quite according to plan?” Discord replied with a wry grin as he looked down and saw the small pile of chocolate buttons that lay next to his daughter. “Chocolate buttons instead of coat buttons, how chaotic!” he chortled brimming with pride at his daughter’s growing chaos magic as he snapped two of his fingers and returned Scootaloo’s nose back to normal.

“You might be but I’m not sure Professor McGonagall will be tomorrow,” Hermione groused.

Discord let out another chuckle. “Oh, I can already see her face as her rational mind breaks.”

Hermione glowered at the draconequus.

“Hey, don’t give me that look,” Discord admonished with an expression of mock hurt as he picked up one of the chocolate buttons and threw it into his mouth.

“Ewwwwwww,” Hermione squeaked with a look of disgust. “And give me one good reason I shouldn’t forewarn Professor mhmhm,” Hermione finished as Discord zipped her mouth closed. 

“I can also make it so every quill you pick up turns into string cheese or I could just trap you in here until lights out. So, what shall it be? You going to keep our little surprise for Professor McGonagall a secret until tomorrow or am I going to have to silence you,” Discord said with a malevolent grin as he snapped two of his fingers and removed the zip from Hermione’s mouth.

Hermione continued to glowered at the draconequus for a moment before lowering her head and relenting. “Fine,” she huffed mutinously.

“Excellent, ten points to Gryffindor. Now, as I see you’ve already packed everything away would you like to give your girlfriend a goodnight kiss before I take her back to the infirmary?” Discord said mockingly finishing by puckering his lips.

“You’re pushing your luck draconequus,” Hermione growled before, much to Discord’s delight and her embarrassment, she leant in and gave Scootaloo a quick peck on the cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she whispered into her sleeping girlfriend’s ear before she gathered her things and allowed Discord to lower her to the floor of his DADA classroom. 

As Hermione departed Discord picked up his soundly sleeping daughter and held her tightly to his chest before snapping his fingers again and departing for the infirmary.


*


“But Madam Pomfrey…” Discord heard Apple Bloom whine as he materialised into the infirmary with Scootaloo.

“But nothing,” he heard the matron snap back. “I am the matron of this school and I wish to keep you in for observation. One day won’t harm your extracurricular studies with Professor Snape.” 

“Understood.” Snape’s voice this time from behind the curtain in front of the draconequus. “Would it be all right with you if I leave her with a test in preparation for tomorrow’s session?” 

Discord was just about to pull the curtain back to announce his and Scootaloo’s arrival when he heard Madam Pomfrey’s voice growl from the other side once more.

“I am absolutely fine with that professor and feel free to stay however long you like. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve got a pair of delinquent draconequui to find and deal with along with another two patients. When I get my hands on Professor Discord, he’s going to need more than chaos magic to put himself back together.”

As the school matron angrily yanked back the curtain and entered the main part of the infirmary she was startled to be confronted by Scootaloo sleeping soundly on a previously empty bed opposite her along with a note, a box of chocolates and a massive bunch of flowers taped to the end of said bed.

“Nice try professor but bribery will get you nowhere,” Madam Pomfrey chuckled walking over to check on her recently-returned patient. 


*


“Oh, this is going to be just like old times!” Rarity giggled as she unlocked the door to Carousel Boutique.

It was the final evening before Twilight and her friends, minus Fluttershy, would be taking the long train ride north to assist Cadence and Shining Armor with the recently returned Crystal Empire and the ominous unknown threat that seemed to have returned with it. As such, they’d opted to spend the evening at Berry’s bar discussing old times and were now heading back to Rarity’s for a slumber party. 

“Yeah, this is going to be awesome,” Rainbow exclaimed. “I just wish Fluttershy had been able to join us. I still can’t believe she’s marrying Discord, just what she sees in him I don’t know but,” she let out a heavy sigh, “If he’s what makes her happy, then, even if I don’t approve of her choice of partner, she’s been my best friend since foalhood and I respect her choices no matter what,” Rainbow admitted as Rarity opened the door to Carousel Boutique.

“Why thank you Mrs Dash-Apple or is that Apple-Dash? I can never remember,” a voice Rainbow knew only to well reverberated from inside the boutique and sent a shiver down her spine.

“Discord!” Twilight exclaimed, what’s the meaning of this. “You know I could have you arrested on the spot for breaking and entering and for doing this,” she highlighted the formerly pristine white walls that were now covered in rainbow coloured polka dots that Rarity was staring horrified at.

Discord, sitting in a stereotypical villain type armchair spun around and faced the five newcomers. Fluttershy, in pony form, sat on his lap.

“Fluttershy!” Twilight exclaimed.

“Hi girls. Sorry to intrude like this but it is rather urgent,” the timid Pegasus informed.

“Indeed. A serious matter arose at the school today that without the intervention of Headmaster Dumbledore could have resulted in multiple casualties and the destruction of a large part of the school,” Discord said seriously as he stroked Fluttershy. 

“WHAT IN EQUESTRIA DID THOSE DELINQUENTS DO THIS TIME?” Applejack roared angrily. “I swear, when I get Apple Bloom home…”

Discord held up his lion’s paw to silence the farm mare. “Actually, this had nothing to do with Apple Bloom and was in no way any of the Crusaders’ faults. Someone placed a seriously strong piece of failsafe magic on Sweetie Belle. Care to explain Rarity or shall I just let Twilight read over what you’ve done to your sister. Spoiler alert, it’s some serious foal neglect and abuse.” 

“F-f-foal abuse,” Applejack stammered before regaining her composure. “I don’t believe it, Rarity would never do anything so heinous, especially to her own sister.”

“Oh, it’s all here in Sweetie’s confession. Would you prefer it on tape or transcribed?” Discord deadpanned levitating the transcribed copy across for Twilight to read, the alicorn taking it in her own magic as she began to attempt to understand just what Discord was going on about.

Rarity was looking increasingly anxious. “I-it was a mistake. I was young and…” 

“Then why did you continue when you could clearly see the pain it was causing your sister?” Discord growled, his eyes going red with anger and hatred for the alabaster mare.

“Now Dizzy, we’ve been over this. You told me you’d give Rarity a chance to explain,” Fluttershy chided her fiancé.

Discord closed his eyes and took some deep breaths. “I’m sorry dear but you know how deeply I feel towards foals. I apologise Rarity, please explain and you had better make it a good one, for your sake.”

Rarity gulped. “I-I was desperate, I didn’t know what to do. You didn’t know what she was like. It was like trying to keep a timberwolf combined with a hydra with a toothache under control,” she feebly tried to explain her actions.

“Then why didn’t you seek help, oh wait, that’s right, you valued your business higher than your sister’s wellbeing. You and her parents make me sick. Just be grateful Fluttershy persuaded me not to leave you stranded on the desert island with those deadbeat parents of yours because trust me, I was sorely tempted to. Especially for making Fluttershy cry. I really don’t like people who make Fluttershy cry,” Discord said angrily, his words like thunder and making Rarity cower behind Twilight. 

“UNICORN SHOCK THERAPY!” Twilight suddenly exclaimed turning and glowering at Rarity with her own look of icy thunder.

Rarity shrank even further into the floor. “I-I was…”

“Shut it, because I don’t want to hear it. Give me one good reason I shouldn’t cart you of right now to spend the rest of your days in the Canterlot dungeons. I mean, from what I’m reading here there’s more than enough evidence to lock you away for a long, long time. Use of forbidden magic, multiple accounts of foal abuse, neglect of a minor in your care and that’s just the tip of the iceberg,” Twilight snapped.

“No one else would listen or help! My dad paid off foal protection services!" Rarity wailed. "I didn't realise what I was getting into until it was to late and at that point I tried desperately to do what I could but it wasn't enough. I was backed into a corner and his suggestions were the only two options I had." 

"YOU COULD HAVE JUST TRIED TALKING TO YOUR FUCKING SISTER INSTEAD OF SENDING TEN THOUSAND VOLTS OF MAGIC THROUGH HER HORN!" Twilight snarled as she raised a hoof, preparing to strike the cowering unicorn beneath her. "No," she finally muttered under her breath. "I won't stoop to your level," she growled lowering her hoof.

“Woah nelly, back up there Twi. Just what are you going on about? Just what has Rares done that’s so bad?” Applejack intervened looking perplexed.

“The short story? Rarity was unwittingly lumbered with the care of her sister when the latter was five as part of the deal that helped her acquire the boutique and set up her business. Ditched by her parents, Sweetie, as you can imagine, was not an easy foal to handle but rather than seek proper help Rarity turned to sending ten thousand volts of magic through her sister’s horn on a consistent basis as well as sending her to fight in illegal no holds bar fighting matches for stuck up nobles’ pleasure,” Discord deadpanned.

Silence engulfed the boutique. 

“Let me at her, let me her,” an enraged Pinkie Pie suddenly screamed wielding an assortment of knives. 

Applejack was doing everything she could to hold her friend back whilst at the same time was wondering not just where all the knives had come from but how Pinkie was managing to hold them all!

“Tell me this is some kind of sick joke; tell me you didn’t do this Rares!” Rainbow Dash practically screamed flying over and dragging Rarity up of the floor. 

“I-I-I” Rarity stammered.

Rainbow pulled her hoof back ready to strike her friend, no, her former friend, but she opted against it. “Twilight's right, you’re not worth it,” she growled. “We’re done. I never want to see you again and if you ever get within fifty hooves of Sweetie, I’ll kill you.” And upon that declaration she dropped Rarity to the floor and sped off as fast as her current state would allow her out of the door of Carousel Boutique.

“RAINBOW!” Applejack cried taking her eyes of Pinkie for just a moment.

The pink party mare was on Rarity in a flash a knife just tickling the alabaster unicorn’s neck. 

“Do it. Goodness knows I deserve it for what I’ve done,” Rarity said with pride refusing to show just how scared she really was.

“That would be too easy and despite everything Rares, you’re still my friend,” Pinkie said with a tear in her eye. “H-how could you?” The Pink mare whimpered dropping all the knives before turning and, blubbering like a small foal who’s just dropped their ice cream on the floor, raced out the door of Carousel Boutique after Rainbow Dash.

“This isn’t over sugarcube. Once we get back from the Crystal Empire me and you are going to sit down and have a little chat,” Applejack said sternly to Rarity before she to darted out into the night after her wife, desperate to find the pregnant mare before she did something she would later come to regret. 

Once she was gone Rarity turned to face Twilight. 

“How could you?” Twilight snarled. “UST was banned over a hundred years ago for being barbaric and causing serious irreparable brain damage and mental deficiency on those unfortunate unicorns to have it cast on them. I’ve heard some of the Canterlot nobility still refuse to acknowledge the facts and continue to use it to discipline their foals but I honestly thought you were smarter and better than them. I really don’t know how you can save our friendship after this one Rarity. I’ll be having the paperwork drawn up to have your custody of your sister revoked immediately. If necessary, I’ll take on her care personally.”

“There’ll be no need for that Princess of Bird-and-Bug zapping…” Discord began.

“That’s Princess of Friendship now,” Twilight snarled, scowling at Discord with two blood red orbs of pure fury.

Discord audibly gulped. Even he knew there was a time and place to push Twilight’s buttons and this certainly wasn’t it. “Y-yes, well, as I was saying, me and Fluttershy have drawn up the necessary documents to take on Sweetie’s care during the school holidays. The girl has made it extremely clear that she does not wish to return to Equestria and there are also concerns surrounding her safety if she does return. As such we…” 

Twilight held up a hoof to silence him. “Just tell me where to sign.” 

It was almost unheard of for Discord to be caught by surprise but on this occasion he was stumped as the lavender alicorn trotted over and with quill in magic signed the necessary documents without even reading them. She then turned and headed for the door.

Twilight was angry, no, Twilight was utterly furious. As she reached the doorway she turned and addressed Rarity one final time. “If I was you, I’d think twice before getting on that train tomorrow.” 

And with that she slammed the door and was gone. 

Rarity slumped onto her rump as more tears welled in her eyes. Just what had she done? 


*


It was late evening when Sweetie finally regained consciousness. 

“Oof what hit me?” She groaned before a sensation she knew only too well overtook her.

A conveniently located bucket floated in front of her. 

“Magical backlash from both the failsafe spell and the spell Dumbledore cast on you,” Discord’s voice echoed from somewhere as the girl made use of the bucket. “I’d ask you how you’re feeling but I think that’s pretty obvious,” the draconequus chuckled receiving a very unladylike middle finger in reply for his efforts. “Anyway, I just wanted to drop by and inform you that your living arrangements have been sorted and your sister has been relieved of her guardianship of you. You might also like to know that your parents may or may not have taken a one-way trip to an unplotted island deep in the South Equestrian Ocean. Don’t worry, there’s enough fresh water and fruit for them to live of even if some of the fruit does cause terrible diarrhoea.”

Sweetie, just coming to the end of bringing up her lunch, was struggling not to laugh and spray vomit everywhere. Eventually she rose her head and spoke. “Thanks Discord, you’re the greatest,” she said still looking very pale and disorientated. “Who’s my new guardian then, Molly?” she queried.

“No, myself and Fluttershy, so you’d better be on your most chaotic behaviour. I’ve already teleported what few belongings you had to one of our spare bedrooms for the time being,” the draconequus chuckled finishing with a devilish smirk. 

Sweetie was quite taken aback by that revelation and stared at Discord for a moment as she lowered the bucket to the floor next to the bed she was currently residing in. And then, for the second time that day, Discord was taken by surprise as Sweetie launched herself at him and buried her head into his chest as she wrapped her arms tightly around him and began to weep uncontrollably.

“Thank you, thank you so much,” the girl sobbed. “You don’t know just how much this means to me. To finally be away from her, to have a fresh start without fearing I’ll end up back there being punished for not tidying my room or cleaning the dishes properly or, or…” her words died away as it all became too much and instead she just clenched Discord’s jacket and cried, occasionally shivering as a particularly painful memory resurfaced in her mind

“There, there,” Discord soothed placing his head atop Sweetie’s as yet another chocolate milk tear slipped from his eye. “I’ve got you and mark my words, nobody will ever hurt you again or they'll have me to deal with, that’s a Pinkie Promise.”
> Thursday 1: Truth and Legends
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Royal Canterlot Express consisted of ten carriages. After the locomotive and tender were the luggage car, a troop sleeper, and the servants' carriage.  The latter contained two combination shower and toilet stalls, as well the servants' lounge.  Next was a couchette for the servants and the less important passengers.  Near the middle of the train was the dining car. The last four carriages were what set this train apart.  After the dining car were an observation lounge and a multipurpose carriage, both with appointments worthy of any palace.  The last two carriages were the princesses'.  The first was decorated with a solar theme, and the second sported a lunar theme. Both could easily accommodate a fully-grown alicorn and several guests. The caboose was specially designed to double as an observatory.

I thought I made it plainly clear I didn’t want you to come. 

A tear slipped down Rarity’s cheek as she closed her eyes and remembered the cold tone in Twilight’s voice and look of disgust upon the alicorn’s face that morning. 

A stern voice abruptly cut into the peaceful serenity that had previously encompassed the carriage along with Rarity’s thoughts. “So, this is where you’re hiding. I think now is as good a time as any for us to have that little chat.”

Without waiting for an invitation, Applejack sat down across from the distraught unicorn. 

“What’s the point? I don’t even know why I bothered coming on this expedition. You all hate me now that you know the truth,” Rarity sniffled not bothering to open her eyes. 

“But is it the whole truth?” Applejack interjected.

“What does it matter? Like any of you want to listen to my side of the argument anyway.” 

“Seriously Rares. I’m giving you that very chance right now. But you’ve only got this one chance to make it right, so make it count, okay?” Applejack pressed leaning across the table and taking the other mare’s hoof in one of her own. 

Rarity opened her eyes and looked across the table at the warm smile the farm pony was giving her. “Y-y-you really mean that?”

“Element of Honesty, remember?” Applejack replied. “I want to hear both sides of the story before I make my judgement. 

“So do I!” 

“Gah, Pinkie, where did you come from?” Applejack questioned as the pink mare popped out of nowhere next to her.

Pinkie shrugged her withers in reply. “Nowhere in particular. Now come on Rares, please tell me what really happened. I brought cupcakes; everything’s always better with cupcakes!” She pulled said cupcakes from her mane and thew them onto the table. 

Applejack was just wondering whether she should question the appearance of the cupcakes when she heard a very irate Twilight from the entrance to the carriage. 

“Rainbow, let me go this instant or I don’t care if you are pregnant! I’ll have you in the stocks for this.”

Applejack sighed and turned to see what her wife had done this time to anger Equestria’s newest princess and immediately wished she hadn’t as her face met her hoof. 

Twilight was laid across the Pegasus’ back her legs bound tightly together with rope whilst the same applied to her wings, which were now pinned to her side.

“Rainbow, I’m not sure whether to be impressed at how far your hogtying skills have come, along with how strong all that farm work has made you, or appalled at your stupidity. What in blue blazes made you think kidnapping a princess was a smart idea?” Applejack growled angrily.

Rainbow shrugged her shoulders. “She wouldn’t come peacefully. I just wish I’d had enough rope for her muzzle. She doesn’t half moan, YOW! That hurt Twilight.”

Twilight released the wing she’d just bitten and stuck out her tongue at Rainbow. “I told you. Whatever she’s got to say, I don’t want to hear it. What she’s done to Sweetie was atrocious and unforgiveable.  You’ve never met anyone who’s suffered from UST. When I was twelve Celestia took me to the mentally handicapped ward of Canterlot hospital after I brought up such magic for my thesis on the subject of traumatic early life experiences and a foal’s development. You don’t want to know the horrors I’ve seen such magic cause.”

“No, I don’t. But I’d only just turned eleven when Ma and Pa died. I didn’t even get to say goodbye to her and refused to leave my Pa’s bedside for hours as his life slowly ebbed away from him,” Applejack deadpanned. “It might not be the same Twilight but I’ve witnessed my own horrors. I can understand what you are feeling but Rarity is our friend and she deserves to at least be given the chance to explain her actions before we send her up the river or throw her under the train.” 

Rarity gulped and looked nervously at Applejack. “T-that last part was a joke wasn’t it darling?” 

“What part of Element of Honesty are you failing to understand?” Applejack replied with a raised eyebrow.

Rarity gulped nervously once more before Twilight cut in. 

“Fine,” Twilight reluctantly agreed. “But it had better be good or I’m seconding the throwing her under the train idea,” Twilight growled as Rainbow slid her of her back and onto the floor of the carriage with a bump.

Rarity gulped nervously for a third time.

“And can someone please release me!” Twilight practically screamed. 

“Uhm, Sugarcube, I’m not sure whether you’ve realised this but you’re an alicorn and one of the most powerful and smartest wielders of magic in Equestria,” Applejack began.

“Your point being?” Twilight interrupted from the floor in between attempting to tear the ropes binding her legs together with her teeth. 

“Well, if you’d let me finish Sugarcube.  Rainbow didn't actually incapacitate your horn, she just stuck a tennis ball atop it," Applejack deadpanned.

"You mean to tell me I've been stuck like this for nearly ten minutes and could have just teleported out of the rope in a matter of seconds?" Twilight erupted barely holding her anger back as Rainbow started sniggering.

"Oh, come on AJ, you could have at least let the joke play out for another minute or..." Rainbow lamented before finding a tennis ball jammed into her mouth.

"Ah, peace and quiet at last. Now how about we take this conversation to the observation lounge?" Twilight said with a broad grin as she rose from the floor of the carriage.


*


Apple Bloom awoke with a yawn to the low light of a lantern illuminating a figure she had become only too familiar with over the past year.

“Professor Sprout, what time is it?” she groaned.

“Half five,” the Hufflepuff head of house kindly remarked taking a sip from a cup of hot chocolate. 

“Oof. Applejack would have thrown a bucket of water on me by now back on the farm. And if that didn’t do the trick, no breakfast until after my chores are done,” Apple Bloom groaned bringing her legs around to the edge of the bed. 

“Not to worry my dear. You’re not on the farm anymore and remember, you did get a nasty shock yesterday. I’m sure your sister would be sympathetic in such a situation,” Professor Sprout replied taking another sip from her hot chocolate.

“Yeah, you're right. Mah’ sister might seem strict but as she only too often reminds me, for a farm to succeed everyone has to pull their weight, even the foals. Only then can you reap the rewards your hard work brings. That for me?” Apple Bloom finished pointing to a second mug of hot cocoa on the bedside cabinet. 

Professor Sprout nodded before replying. “She seems like a smart mare your sister and I do hope you are feeling better.”

“A lot, thanks for asking and in some sense yes, she is, but she also dropped out of school when Ma and Pa died. She was only ten and still struggles to read while her writing is barely legible. That’s why she uses Granny’s rickety old typewriter or Rainbow Dash to write letters for her. As for maths, don’t ask. I’ve been helping Granny with the farm’s taxes since I was six and doing them on my own since I was eight as we can’t afford an accountant,” Apple Bloom admitted picking up and taking a hearty swig from the delicious mug of steamy hot chocolate goodness. 

“Ah, I had wondered what you were up to last December when all your friends were having fun and I saw you scribbling away on parchment with a huge stack of papers next to you in the common room. In all honesty, I’m impressed with your maturity although your hot headedness still needs addressing,” Professor Sprout commented.

Apple Bloom shrugged her shoulders. “You grow up fast on a farm. You have to or you go hungry. Teamwork is key. I’m nowhere near as good as my siblings bucking trees but both of them are extremely grateful to have me handling the admin side of the farm, even now when I’m not even in the same dimension and especially with Granny’s health deteriorating more and more every year.”

“I’m sorry to hear that and if the extra work ever gets too much for you, please come and see me. I’d be happy to help if needs be.”

Apple Bloom took another big swig from her mug of cocoa before placing the now empty mug back down on the dresser. 

“Thanks again, and I might just do that. Don't tell anyone but secretly up until last year Mrs Cheerilee used to always help me with the taxes, astonished that one so young was given such an arduous task," the girl explained.

"I promise your secret is safe with me," Professor Sprout replied with a couple of taps of her nose.

"I know it is. Anyway, enough small talk. I’m guessing you’re here with an extracurricular task to grade me on seeing as how easily I handled the Mandrake yesterday, with a secret agenda to subdue my wayward temper? Am I right?” Apple Bloom blurted out deciding to throw subtlety out of the window as she usually did and get straight to the point of the Herbology professor's visit at this ungodly hour of the morning. 

Professor Sprout’s jaw dropped open with surprise at just how easily Apple Bloom had sussed her plan.

“My sister might not be book smart but she’s extremely good at reading people and situations, something she’s trained me on as I’ve got older. The only thing I have yet to deduce is just what you have planned for me but knowing you its not going to be easy,” Apple Bloom explained rising from the bed. 

Professor Sprout nodded thoughtfully in reply rising from her seat. “I see,” she murmured. “Well, the sooner you get dressed and collect all your belongings, the sooner you’ll find out. I’ve already cleared your release with Madam Pomfrey. I’ll be on the other side of the curtain when you are ready. Bring the lantern.” And with that she placed the lantern on the bedside table, turned and departed into the main section of the infirmary.

Apple Bloom didn’t need telling twice, swiftly throwing on her dirty robes from the previous day. Grabbing her satchel and the lantern she headed through the curtains to join her head of house.


*


Meanwhile, Rarity now sat in the observation lounge surrounded by four of her five best friends. The now half empty platter of cupcakes sat in front of her along with an assortment of drinks. 

“Okay, I’m listening,” Twilight huffed. “Although I doubt anything you have to say will change my… ow, what was that for, Applejack?” Twilight groused rubbing the now sore foreleg Applejack had just punched. 

“Sorry, my hoof slipped. Go ahead, Rares,” Applejack deadpanned while signifying to Rarity to begin as Rainbow snickered on Applejack’s other side at the clear and obvious lie.

Twilight glowered at the farm mare for a moment before turning her attention back to Rarity as the alabaster unicorn began her story.

“Well, seeing as Twilight has successfully removed the failsafe spell, I’ll give you the most detailed and best account of what happened I can whilst keeping it as short as possible. To start, my father won an extremely large sum of money on the Equestrian lottery and immediately retired. He and my mother wanted to go traveling all across Equestria and beyond if possible. Unfortunately, they had two problems…” 

“You and Sweetie Belle?” Twilight interrupted.

“Precisely. I was fifteen at the time and had left school five moons previously but was struggling to gain an internship in my preferred career choice as a fashion designer. My father as such decided to solve both of his problems with one simple solution. He provided me with enough bits to start up my own fashion boutique on the condition I looked after Sweetie Belle in return whilst they were out of town. I was a naïve and gullible fifteen-year-old mare barely more than a filly who believed the one pony in the whole world she could trust was her father. How wrong I was.” Rarity paused as tears started to well in her eyes. 

And then, she exploded. “The heartless bastard and my bitch of a mother didn’t care one little bit about their daughters. All they cared about was not having to drag dead weight around with them on their extravagant travels. Initially there was just a nagging doubt when they dropped Sweetie on my doorstep with all her belongings; yeah, I’m sure they’ll be back in a few weeks to collect her. Sweetie’s sixth birthday and then Hearth’s Warming when she was eight. That’s the only two times I’ve seen them in what, six, nearly seven years. They didn’t even bother to send a postcard for the first two moons!”

“Sweet Celestia. Why didn’t you seek help?” Twilight exclaimed. 

“Fear. That I’d lose the boutique, that my father would pay off those who might listen, that he’d stop the monthly stipend for Sweetie’s upbringing that was paltry but just enough to keep her fed each month.” Rarity shivered. “There were times in those first few years I’d go days without eating as everything I had spare went on Sweetie or the business. What my naïve fifteen-year-old self hadn’t realised was that a generally low-income rural farming community doesn’t have the excess bits for luxuries and there were very few tourists back in those days. I had to grind out whatever work I could get my hands on, from providing the costumes for local theatre productions in exchange for food to repairing school bags for a solitary bit. And that’s why I had so little patience with my sister. I was so focused on keeping my business afloat and hiding the severity of our situation from her that I was blind to just how much damage our parents’ actions had caused her. And then he walked into the shop. He was on a business trip from Canterlot and decided to pop in to see if I had anything unique for his wife.”

“Name,” Twilight growled cutting into Rarity’s tale of woe once more.

Rarity sighed. “You’re not going to like it.”

“Try me,” Twilight growled.

“Sir Beauregard Beauford, at the time Captain of the Royal Guard,” Rarity deadpanned.

Twilight’s head met her hoof. “You’re right, I don’t like it but it does at least make some sense. Just please tell me you had nothing to do with his enforced retirement.” 

“If you are asking if I had an affair with him and ruined his marriage, I can assure you that rag the Canterlot Times got it all wrong,” Rarity argued angrily.

“Thank goodness,” Twilight sighed lifting her head from her hoof before it hit her like a ton of bricks. “Wait, got it all wrong? What do you mean by that?”

“It was strictly business darling and only happened once. Ten thousand bits for, how do I put this, popping my cherry? The money, along with a lot of Sweetie’s fighting winnings are set aside in a trust fund for her when she reaches sixteen,” 

“Oh, fucking great,” Twilight grumbled her head hitting her hoof once more. “So, my friend caused the biggest scandal in the history of the royal guard whoring herself ou…” she got not further as a white hoof slammed into her left cheek. 

“DON’T YOU DARE JUDGE ME!” Rarity roared leaning across the table with a look of thunder. “Do you think I wanted to sleep with a stallion three times my age? It was all for her don’t you see? I wanted to ensure my sister had the best possible start to her adult life. Why do you think in the end I was persuaded to let her continue participating in those barbaric fights? There is over one hundred thousand bits in a trust fund for her to ensure she has the best possible start to her adult life unlike me. I did things that I’ll never forget or forgive myself for but as long as in the end my sister doesn’t have to go through the same hardships as me, it’ll all have been worth it.”

Twilight met the alabaster mare’s glare before rising from her own seat. “We’re done here but before I go can I ask you something. What was the point in setting aside so much money for your sister when in all likelihood she would be in a mental hospital before she was sixteen because of your actions to control her behaviour? You’re nothing but a hypocrite.” Twilight snarled, pushing home her advantage.

“I-I-I,” Rarity stammered. 

“Don’t want to hear it. You should have realised after the first time you used it the pain and damage UST was causing your sister,” Twilight pushed home her advantage.  

“Twi, enough,” Applejack’s voice bellowed trotting over and wrapping her hooves around Rarity. “She was barely more than a filly who was clearly influenced and coerced by a stallion of power who she should have been able to trust and was the only one willing to listen and help her. If you are that blinded by your rage, then I suggest you leave, now, before I test those alicorn regeneration powers of yours. “

“WHAT!” Twilight bellowed. “You are actually siding with her after everything she has done. She tortured her sister for years!” 

“On the belief it was in her best interests,” Applejack growled in reply matching Twilight’s death glare as Pinkie joined in with the hug.

“Sorry Twi, she’s got a very good point. I know you could have persuaded me to do anything in my teens if it got me into the Wonderbolts,” Rainbow stated shrugging her shoulders and trotting over to join in the mass hug. “At the end of the day Rarity might have cast the spell on her sister but from what I can understand, she was merely a puppet on a set of strings.”

Twilight continued to glower at her friends before she lowered her head, closed her eyes and muttered under breath, “I am the Princess of Friendship and an important part of friendship is to forgive your friends when they make a mistake.” And with that she reluctantly lowered herself to the ground in a bow and said firmly and formally, “On behalf of the Equestrian Government I can only apologise for the misinformation our former Captain of the Guard provided you with and the damage this has led to, both on yourself and your sister. Please inform me exactly of what he did and I shall ensure the full support of the Equestrian Government is at your disposal to right the wrongs he has inflicted.”


*


“No frigging way!” Apple Bloom exclaimed as she entered Greenhouse One. “Are they what I think they are?” she added pointing at the six miniature trees that sat on the workbench at the front of the greenhouse.

“And what might I ask do you think they are?” Professor Sprout enquired. 

“Bonneigh trees. My granny told me many legends when I was a young filly. One of my favourites was that of a supposedly small, independent colony of Earth ponies far to the east of Equestria hidden somewhere in amongst the mountains of the dragon lands known as Neighpal. As the legend goes, it is said that through generations of hard work and dedication these Earth ponies cultivated the most beautiful miniature variants of normal trees that immediately calmed and relaxed all who looked upon them whilst rejuvenating their magic through omitting a magical aura in both the air and the earth. Alas, despite how many have tried, none have ever been able to prove if there is any actual truth behind the legend or replicate such trees and so, the mystery and secrets surrounding Neighpal and the bonneigh trees remains,” Apple Bloom finished as she began to examine the six specimens on the bench.

“What an interesting story,” Professor Sprout mused. “Although I can see the similarities these are actually referred to as bonsai trees in our world, ornamental artificially dwarfed varieties of trees and shrubs grown in pots. These ones are of the tropical variety. As your story stated they have a reputation for being notoriously difficult to cultivate and successfully maintain, with each individual specimen preferring a certain temperature, humidity, amount of water, type of soil, whether to be indoors or outdoors and so on and so forth. This makes them extremely delicate, something which you most certainly are not,” the Herbology professor finished with a wry smile. 

Apple Bloom looked up from where she was thoroughly examining each and every one of the miniature trees and looked at Professor Sprout with a raised eyebrow. “You’re actually looking forward to watching me struggle with a plant for once.”

“To a degree yes. I’m also finding it slightly amusing that I’m entrusting an embodiment of peace and tranquillity to someone who has, well, how do I put this kindly…”

“Fuck all of either?” Apple Bloom rudely interrupted.

“Language Miss Apple but yes, I’d have to agree with that statement,” Professor Sprout replied with a chuckle.

“Thanks. Brutal honesty is another trait I get from my sister,” Apple Bloom chuckled as she turned and picked up one of the bonsai trees examining it intently. “Is this an apple tree?” she enquired looking over the peculiar looking thing with aerial roots and dark green leaves. It couldn’t be, could it? But her sixth sense had never been wrong before.

To Apple Bloom’s astonishment the wry smile across Professor Sprout’s face somehow grew even wider. “Maybe. Unlike your usual Malus apple trees, this type is native to the American tropics. They are said to make some of the most beautiful bonsai trees, with white and pink flowers appearing when they are in bloom in summertime. Furthermore, they are also stated to be one of the easiest to distinguish if you are treating them correctly, as once the flowers drop off, miniature, coin-sized apple fruits will appear to only those who have properly cared and nurtured them. I was about to set you the task of choosing one to care for as part of your extracurricular assignment this year but it looks like you’ve already chosen,” Professor Sprout chuckled as Apple Bloom cradled her new treasure and began singing sweetly to it like it was a new-born infant.

After a moment she coughed to bring the girl’s attention back to her. “Your extracurricular assignment consists of two parts. The first is caring for the tree you have just chosen. I expect you to do thorough research in the library in your free time so that you can determine its ideal requirements for optimal development. The second is to quell that beast that lurks inside you and learn to better manage your temper. BOTH of these shall be monitored and contribute towards your practical grade at the end of the year. Only if you succeed in passing both sections will I allow you to keep the bonsai tree, understood?”

Apple Bloom nodded sincerely as she continued to stroke the tree in her arms. 

“Excellent, now before we go over some of the more basic care techniques for a bonsai tree, might I suggest meditating in silence with your tree as a way to help control your anger. Professor Discord has also ordered you a copy of A Magician and their Mind by Gilderoy Lockhart that shall be arriving shortly by owl for you to peruse at your leisure and which might provide you with some further ideas to do so.”

“Yes professor,” Apple Bloom replied with another nod of her head. 

“Then let us begin.”


*


Rarity looked up from where she was making yet another Nightmare Night costume as the bell above her shop’s door rang. Strange, she didn’t usually get callers this time of day and it was still a number of hours before Sweetie finished school.

“Oh, don’t mind me my dear. I was just in the neighbourhood on business when I saw your boutique and thought I’d see if you had anything that my wife or daughter might like,” a middle-aged unicorn stallion in full royal guard attire addressed her. 

“Of course, feel free to browse and if there is anything you are particularly interested in or don’t see, let me know. I might have it in the back or am open for commissions, although anything would have to wait until after Nightmare Night. As you can probably guess, I’m rather full with costume commissions at this present moment in time,” the seamstress explained politely as she noticed the elegant stallion already examining a particular light blue gown. “That dress you are looking at would be twenty-five bits, thirty-five if you would like it fitted.”

“H-h-how much?” Beauregard Beauford stated looking up from where he was perusing the exquisitely made gown with a look of complete surprise.

Rarity sighed. It looked like this was going to be another one of those time wasters. “I am open for offers though.”

“N-n-no my dear. I do apologise if you took my initial surprise the wrong way. You see, something like this in Canterlot would be four times as much as that and that was if I was lucky! If you don’t mind me asking, might I enquire why you are underselling your talent by so much?” 

Rarity looked at the stranger for a moment wondering just how much she should reveal. “Thank you for your honesty. Sadly, in a small rural farming community I’ve found it difficult to sell such wares. Most the mares here are practical Earth ponies who have little interest or need for such dresses and Ponyville is hardly a booming tourist hotspot either. As such I’m stuck with just taking on whatever work I can get my hooves on to make ends meet and keep my sister…”

She never finished the sentence as the bell above her shop rung again and a bedraggled looking Sweetie Belle stormed in.

“Sweetie? What happened? Why are you not in school? Your eye!” Rarity exclaimed as her gaze focused on the black eye her sister now sported. 

Sweetie didn’t say a word. Instead, she rudely pushed past Rarity’s latest customer and swiftly slammed a note down on Rarity’s desk before storming up the stairs to her bedroom, a loud slamming of the door met afterwards by an awkward silence downstairs.

“I-I do apologise. My sister has been going through some issues recently,” Rarity finally stammered as she looked over the note her eyes going wide.

Dear Miss Rarity Belle, 

    I’m afraid on this occasion I have no choice but to suspend your sister whilst an investigation is carried out, with the possibility of expulsion a very likely outcome of said investigation. It seems your sister took offence to something an older colt said during lunch in the playground and went, how do I put it, ballistic. It took all my Earth pony strength just to withhold her but only after she’d caused significant injuries to the stallion in question. He is now currently in Ponyville general with a broken jaw, a punctured lung and numerous bite wounds amongst other injuries. Although she claims self-defence and protecting her honour, I fear there is little I can do this time to prevent Sweetie’s expulsion. A meeting of all the parties involved is scheduled for noon tomorrow at the schoolhouse, yours sincerely, 


Miss Cheerilee, Ponyville school teacher


“And that’s when I finally broke. I told him everything and he comforted me and offered his help. He stepped in to prevent Sweetie from being expelled from school, paid for the young stallion’s treatment, persuaded me to use UST on her and offered a way for her to release her anger in a controlled environment. He was the head of the Royal Guard and the only pony in two years I’d found not only willing to listen to my plight and help us but that I felt I could trust and wasn’t going to be influenced by my father’s money. Yes, I was taken a little aback by the brutality of the fights but Sweetie didn’t want to stop and there was proper medical care on hand to ensure no lasting damage was done. Plus, even if they were wrong, they finally brought a smile back to my sister’s face and, as I stated earlier, provided her with the bits that hopefully would lead to her having a better start to her adult life than I did. As for UST, again, deep down inside me I knew it was wrong but I was seventeen, barely more than a filly and at the time desperate and pretty much willing to believe anything. As far as I was aware at the time, UST was supposed to curb errant adolescent behaviour in unicorns to prepare them for adulthood with no significant side effects despite the considerable amount of pain it initially caused. And, over the next few years, I believed that to be the case. Sweetie’s acting out slowly ceased, she actually made friends in Apple Bloom and Scootaloo and gradually I was able to decrease its usage on her. But it was only when you gave me a copy of your thesis Twilight that it suddenly dawned on me the irreparable damage I had almost certainly caused my sister.”

“So why didn’t you come clean instead of trying to hide what you had done?” Twilight finally interrupted Rarity’s long explanation as the unicorn paused to take a sip from a cup of tea. 

Rarity didn’t get a chance to reply before the train suddenly screeched loudly and jerked violently. 

“What in Equestria?” Twilight began as the train suddenly began to speed up. 

“Oh no,” Rarity gulped. “Twilight, how well do you know the guards on this train?” 

Twilight’s eyes shot open and she leapt from her seat without another word. She had barely taken one step though before there was yet another ear-splitting screech and she, along with her friends were sent flying through the carriage.

The Royal Canterlot Express never made it to the Crystal Empire.
> Thursday 2: Professor Snape is a Massive ****
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“BLOOM, there you are,” Scootaloo cried. 

Apple Bloom never had the chance to reply as a speeding bullet crashed into her and knocked her to the floor.

“Oops, my bad,” Scootaloo giggled now on top of Apple Bloom. “Still getting used to flying indoors at a controlled speed.”  

“Flying indoors!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, “Professor Sprout is going to give you detention for life and that’s if Snape doesn’t catch you first!"

“Nope, they can’t, Madam Pomfrey granted me permission because of my foot.”

A guilty look crossed Apple Bloom’s face and she replied in a low tone, “Is it really that bad?” 

Scootaloo poked Apple Bloom’s nose with a finger as her trademark mischievous grin slowly crossed her face. “Nothing for you to worry your pretty head about, although, I might need some help getting off you,” she chuckled. 

Apple Bloom carefully removed and placed her friend to one side before rising from the floor and dusting herself down. “Eugh, look at me. I’ve a good mind to leave you down there. I had only just got cleaned up after helping Professor Sprout in Greenhouse One this morning,” Apple Bloom grumbled. 

“So that’s where you disappeared to this morning. Although, I’m not sure you should have been discharged,” Scootaloo chuckled from the floor as she held out her right hand.

“And why’s that?” Apple Bloom demanded refusing to assist her friend of the floor until said question had been answered. 

“It seems you’ve a severe case of Sweetietosis. A rare and contagious disease that makes you act like a…”

Scootaloo got no further as her robes suddenly transfigured into the most garish and girlish pink dress imaginable. 

“Oh dear. Well, you did say it was highly contagious Scootaloo,” Sweetie chuckled wickedly coming up behind Bloom.

“Sweeeeeeetieeeeee,” Scootaloo whined looking at her friend imploringly from the floor as she heard the rest of her dormmates erupt with laughter at her expense behind Sweetie.

“Sorry but I’m afraid there’s no cure and you had made those robes frightfully dirty,” Sweetie admonished good-humouredly, playing along with her friend’s earlier accusation that she was a girly girl as she used her horn to levitate Scootaloo off the floor and stuck the crutches Hermione had been carrying next to her under both of Scootaloo’s arms. “And this will also teach you not to disregard Madam Pomfrey’s instructions to avoid strenuous exercise for the next week at least.”

“Hey, I told you I don’t need no crutches, I’m quite happy flying…”

“If you even attempt to fly once indoors again over the next week after that stunt, I’ll not only double the amount of work in our tutoring sessions but never teach you the art of hypnosis,” Hermione stated firmly whilst looking deep into her girlfriend’s eyes and snapping two of her fingers.

“Yes, Hermione. I’ll be a good girl,” Scootaloo replied robotically before shaking her head and staring at her girlfriend with a look of concern. “You didn’t.”

“I may have had some free time in the summer in between preparing for my second year,” Hermione confessed with a guilty grin. 

Scootaloo looked at her girlfriend as if she were standing on a set of railway tracks with the Hogwarts Express hurtling towards her at breakneck speed. Before she could regain her composure though, a dreary voice the collection of second years had come to unfortunately know only all to well over the past year boomed overhead. 

“Miss Granger, congratulations on volunteering to be our test subject in class today. Devil knows where or how you learnt hypnosis.” He paused for a moment as he turned his attention momentarily onto Scootaloo and sent a sharp glower her way before turning his attention back to Hermione. “But you ever attempt to hypnotise any of your peers again and I’ll have you expelled before you can say Wingardium Leviosa, understood?” Snape droned approaching the second-years. 

“Yes sir,” Hermione said glumly staring at floor. 

“Good. Now, I suggest you all get to breakfast; you know I do not tolerate tardiness,” Snape instructed. 

“Yes sir,” the second-years repeated hastily retreating to the safety of breakfast before Snape whipped out any more punishments for the smallest of infractions. 

Just as Scootaloo reached the doorway to the Great Hall she heard the Potions Master’s dreaded monotonous drawl addressing her one final time.

“And Miss Prewett, although I should punish you for not abiding by the school’s dress code, the new look suits you. I expect you to not only wear that for the rest of the day but in every Potions lesson this year,” Snape sneered. 

Scootaloo’s face dropped like a stone.


*


“Fucking miserable old bastard. Just because he doesn’t know how to have fun doesn’t mean he should stop everyone else from having any,” Scootaloo growled angrily as she struggled on her crutches out of the Great Hall after breakfast. “Mark my words, I’ll get him back for this one.”

The poor girl had been the source of everyone’s amusement throughout breakfast. Even the usually straight-faced Professor McGonagall couldn’t help but let out a small titter at Scootaloo’s unusual attire. At least she had tried to hold back her laughter unlike her father who had rolled on the floor laughing for several minutes until Sweetie had transfigured his clothes into a similarly garish pink dress. That, had, at least been one bright moment in an otherwise extremely embarrassing and miserable breakfast for Scootaloo.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that,” Apple Bloom responded flatly. “And I won’t be responsible for any potions you end up testing as a result if you get caught.”

“He embarrassed me in front of the entire school, of course this means war. And don’t worry, I don’t plan on getting caught,” Scootaloo replied with yet another of her trademark grins.

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes knowing that any further attempt to try and make her friend see sense would be futile. “I’m just going to forget we ever had this conversation. Now, give those to Hermione and jump on my back. I’m not having you make us late.”


*


“Good morning second-years,” Snape droned as he entered the classroom.

“Good morning Professor Snape,” the Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs echoed as one in reply.

“I am glad to see after yesterday’s events that we have a full class once again in attendance,” he scoffed with a derisive look at Scootaloo.

Scootaloo would have liked to have retorted something not so nice in reply but, with the morning’s earlier meeting still fresh in her mind, she wisely opted to keep her mouth shut as Snape continued addressing the class.

“Last year I introduced you to potions and established the basic theoretical framework while applying that knowledge slowly over the year to some of the most basic of potions. This year will be a lot more practical based and focus on applying this knowledge along with perfecting those potions we first attempted last year,” Snape informed the class. “I just hope you haven’t been goofing off over the summer like my third-years and forgotten everything I taught you last year, as it shall be your responsibility to catch up.” He turned his head to Harry. “Potter, give me five of the ten vital steps to an effective potion,” he demanded.

Harry gulped, but took a deep breath and replied, “Clean and correctly functioning equipment are the first two sir. Another two would be ensuring you follow the recipe exactly as described and to use the correct ingredients. Finally, you must bottle the potion carefully and correctly.”

For a second Snape’s face took on a look of surprise before it returned to its usual grim demeanour. “Yes, that is correct. A point to Gryffindor,” he drawled.

Ron couldn’t help but let out a small snigger next to Harry upon the professor’s discomfort at having to reward Harry for remembering something he thought for certain he would have forgotten over the summer. He was so distracted that he didn’t notice Snape turning his attention on him until it was too late.

“Mr Weasley, if you find your friend’s knowledge amusing maybe you would like to enlighten us with the other five vital steps to a successful potion?” 

Ron immediately looked up at the professor with the expression of a deer caught in a car’s headlights. “Erm, precise timing in both the brewing and ageing processes. Using the correct incantation and being confident in your own ability is another.” Ron looked nervously around trying to remember the final one. “Did Harry mention ingredients?” he finally said with a sheepish grin.

Snape smiled wickedly. “Incorrect, the final one you were looking for was stirring techniques Mr Weasley. Still, a decent effort and I shall not punish you for your misdemeanour on this occasion.” Snape turned and marched back to the blackboard pulling it down as he did so to reveal the ten vital steps in a list written upon it.

He slapped a ruler upon the board to guarantee everyone was paying attention before continuing. “I shall leave these upon the board during every practical lesson to remind you. Abide by them and you will be rewarded but fail and you shall be punished. I will not accept substandard potions, and not only will you be deducted house points for poor efforts, but you will also have to come back in your own time to remake them. Furthermore, any unsatisfactory potions shall be tested by whoever made them, if I deem that they are safe for human consumption. The same applies for ill-discipline as our two volunteers today have discovered. Miss Granger and Miss Apple, please grace us with both of your presences at the front of the class immediately.”

There were a number of hushed murmurs at the mention of Apple Bloom’s name. The only pupil Snape seemed to have any time or patience with aside those in his own house was the last person any of the class expected to be in trouble. 

“What did I just say!” Snape roared slapping the ruler upon the blackboard once more as Apple Bloom and Hermione hastily made their way to the front of the class. “Another word out of turn from any of you and I’ll have the whole class back here at the end of the day to join Miss Prewett.”

“Oh c’mon,” Scootaloo retorted before she could stop herself. “Shit,” she slammed her head on her desk. 

“Well done Miss Prewett. You just got an audience to witness you taking veritaserum. Oh wait, that’s right, you’re now apparently a god and likely immune to its effects unless they are of comedic value. Thus, I think it would be better if we save my prodigy’s punishment until later for not obeying my instructions,” Snape sneered malevolently. 

“I’ll take both punishments sir. Scootaloo has already been through enough and I deserve it for my indiscretion. I’m sorry my inquisitive mind got the better of me. It won’t happen again, I promise,” Apple Bloom replied glumly looking at the cold hard stone floor of the Potions lab. 

Snape’s eyes actually widened for a flickering moment before, to the class’s astonishment, he walked over, dropped to one knee, and actually wrapped his arms around Apple Bloom. 

The girl herself was to stunned to speak at the sudden and unexpected embrace as Snape whispered in her ear.

“I feel your pain but you mustn’t blame yourself for another’s choices. We each forge our own path in life and make our own choices. Remember that.”

And with that Snape slowly let Apple Bloom go and returned to both of his feet. 

The flabbergasted second-years continued to stare utterly speechless at the Potions master.

“In light of Miss Apple’s selflessness, there shall be no detention for anyone, as long as you all behave yourselves throughout the rest of today’s lesson. Now, without wasting anymore time, today we shall be starting our journey into hair potions,” Snape droned pulling two vials with identical sickly green liquids from his robes and placing them down on his desk.

“One of these is Hair-Raising Potion, the first potion we shall be making this year in this double lesson next week. The other is what my errant protégé brewed without permission from a book of highly sophisticated, macabre and dangerous potions I leant her from the library’s restricted section over the summer and something we shall be covering theoretically over the next week.”

This highly disturbing description from Professor Snape had the desired effect he wanted in bringing the majority of the second-years out of their stupor, including Hermione, who looked at Snape as if he’d gone insane, as it dawned exactly what he was about to say.

“As Miss Apple knows exactly which is which, Miss Granger, the choice is yours. Choose wisely, you have thirty seconds. And don’t expect my protégé to assist you in any way,” Snaped finished, a wicked sneer drifting across his face as he did so.

Hermione gulped and stared at the two identical vials on the desk. Even for her there was no way of telling which was which, so she opted to just grab the one on her left, uncork it and get the whole ordeal over with as quickly as possible. 

“Blegh, that was vile,” she said with a look of revulsion as she turned back to Professor Snape who still had that wicked sneer upon his face as Apple Bloom picked up, uncorked and sniffed the second vial. 

“Hair-Raising Potion, no doubt about,” she stated stoically as she downed her punishment. 

“Ah.” In her haste to not anger Snape further Hermione had forgotten she could have uncorked and smelt both potions as she suddenly remembered from her summer reading that Hair-Raising Potion was known for its unique minty smell. 

“I’m guessing by that look on your face you’ve already realised the error of your ways?” Snape droned unsympathetically.

“Yes, sir. Don’t rush into making decisions,” Hermione responded robotically.

“And…” Snape urged.

“Remember to always smell a potion before testing to ensure it has been correctly brewed and that it is the potion it should be.”

“And…” Snape urged for a second time.

“Don’t hypnotise my girlfriend. Now, might I ask what did I just drink? And why my hair suddenly feels funny?” 

“Screaming Snake Hair Potion,” Apple Bloom deadpanned as her own hair started standing upright of its own volition. 

Hermione turned and stared at her friend gobsmacked as her hair suddenly started hissing very, very loudly much to the girl’s horror. Most of the students, who had been staring at Hermione in disbelief at her transforming hair were now pressing their hands to their ears.

“Miss Apple, despite your disregard for obeying instructions again, your Screaming Snakes Hair Potion is pure perfection,” Snape yelled to the class trying to make himself heard above the snakes. “Still, I will not reward disobedience, understood?”

“Yes sir,” Apple Bloom replied solemnly.

“Will you two stop gossiping and do something!” Hermione wailed as her now extremely pale face stared into a pocket mirror she had pulled from her robes. The girl’s usual frizzy locks had been replaced by a whole bed of dull green and black angry looking hissing snakes. “Didn’t you say that you learnt to speak to animals in the summer?” she added with a desperate glance towards Apple Bloom.

“Err, about that…” Apple Bloom started to say awkwardly.

“Although applewood wand owners have an innate tendency to be able to converse with animals and magical beings, a notable exception is their inability to communicate with serpents. This is most likely due to this type of wand mixing poorly with the dark arts, something which Parseltongue is notoriously linked to because of its connections to Salazar Slytherin and Lord Voldemort,” Professor Snape interrupted and explained to Hermione.

Hermione’s desperate glance at her friend turned to an angry glower before Professor Snape went on.

“Do not worry Miss Granger. I’ve the antidote in my office and am, unfortunately, required by law to provide it. Give me a moment.” He turned and headed to his office only to turn back in the doorway for a split second. “As for the rest of you,” he said with a stern expression across his face. “Remain in your seats unless you wish for me to revoke my earlier leniency and have you all back here testing veritaserum later. I will return momentarily.”

And with that he was gone and the class immediately started whispering to each other. Seamus even had the audacity to throw a paper airplane across the room.

The snakes that had replaced Hermione’s hair had gotten bored of screaming their lungs out and had instead started squabbling and biting each other causing Hermione some discomfort.

“Yowch!” she squealed. “Will you stop that? It hurts. YOW! Will you lot quit it?” Hermione groused painfully, wanting to rub her sore scalp but at the same time not wanting one of the snakes to bite her. 

Scootaloo, split between laughing and stressing herself to death over her girlfriend’s current predicament, was just about to rise from her chair and offer whatever assistance she could, when a strange hissing sound met her ears. The snakes instantly stopped fighting one another and, seemingly in some sort of trance, slowly started to drift off to sleep. Hermione was staring open mouthed at Harry who was walking towards her speaking some sort of strange language. The chatter in the classroom had also very quickly died down to nothing upon the realisation of just what Harry was doing.

The shattering of glass brought everyone back to reality and the snakes immediately awoke with a jump and began screaming once more.

“POTTER, just what do you think you are doing,” Snape growled furiously as he stormed over to Harry from his office doorway and lifted the poor boy up off the ground. 

“I-I, t-the snakes were causing Hermione trouble sir. I just wanted to help and remembered the time I talked to a boa constrictor in a zoo. It wanted to see Brazil you see…” Harry began to ramble nervously.

“ENOUGH!” Snape bellowed louder than even the howling snakes that made up Hermione’s hair. “You are never, ever to use Parseltongue on school grounds again. Only the foulest and darkest of all wizards use such a language to command serpents to do their evil bidding. Do I make myself clear Potter?” he finished in a tone colder than a Dementor's kiss. 

“Y-yes sir,” Harry stammered as Snape lowered him to the floor, the boy’s feet barely touching the floor before he’d pelted back to his desk.

“Good, and that’ll be ten points from Gryffindor for using dark magic,” Snape sneered after Harry before turning and looking at the only vial of Screaming Snake Hair Potion antidote that was now smashed all over the floor. “Shit, Madam Pomfrey is going to hang, draw and quarter me,” he grumbled to himself before turning back to his second-years who were talking in low whispers between themselves about Harry’s unique talent.

“All right class, settle down. Miss Granger and Miss Apple please take your seats also,” Snape commanded.

Hermione wanted to argue but didn’t want to get herself in any more trouble and as such reluctantly took her seat next to Scootaloo. The snakes that were now her hair had opted to once more start arguing with each other.

“There has been a slight change of plans,” Snape informed the class. “I am now going to teach you all how to brew Screaming Snake Hair Potion antidote. Although a little complex for students of your level, I’m sure at least one group of you will be able to brew it successfully, especially as the best batch shall be rewarded with no homework for the remainder of the month.”

This last bit had the desired effect Snape wanted as the class hastily brought their cauldrons out and got ready to attempt to create the potion he was now writing down on the blackboard. 


*


“I’d hardly call that a fair competition,” Ron whined as they departed their Potions lesson.

“At least you had a chance, my arm left arm is still numb from the number of times Hermione’s snake hair bit me,” Scootaloo grumbled as she struggled on her crutches. “You could have at least let us have a chance of brewing the antidote Bloom.”

“None of you would have been able to do so aside Hermione and she was rather pre-occupied. It’s way above your current levels,” Apple Bloom replied bluntly. “As shown by the fact Harry’s and your attempt Ron has possibly by now burnt its way through to the Earth’s core. How you managed to brew Fluroantimonic acid from those ingredients is anyone’s guess.”

“Fluroanti what?” Ron interjected looking thoroughly confused. 

“The strongest known corrosive acid in existence. Yet the fact that wasn’t even the worst attempt only further validates my point and besides, I owed Hermione one for brewing it in the first place,” Apple Bloom explained as she looked looked over at Hermione with a broad smile and a nod of her head. No explanation was required and Apple Bloom’s attention swiftly turned to that of her boyfriend whose face was covered in soot after his and Seamus Finnigan’s attempt had unsurprisingly exploded. And not even that had been the worst attempt. 

The two Sallys were covered in sticky pink goop, Hannah and Meghan had summoned a horde of flailing tentacles whilst Wayne and Dean’s attempt had ended up turning as black as the night’s sky with more eyes than snakes atop Hermione’s head. It had been a challenging lesson to say the least for Professor Snape who had just been thankful that his apprentice had once more exceeded his expectations.

Scootaloo thought for a moment and then, for once, agreed with Apple Bloom’s assessment. “I see your point. No way in Tartarus should he have even let us attempt such a potion. Typical snake trying to cover his back. I’ve a good mind to go to Dumbledore about this latest incident but I suppose I should just be grateful we got Hermione’s hair back to normal,” she finished with a resigned sigh. Snape had certainly won this battle as a number of the school clocks began to chime in the background.

“Oh shit, we’ve only five minutes to get to History!” Scootaloo exclaimed. 

Everyone stared at Scootaloo as if she’d gone mad.

“Are you sick?” Ron eventually enquired.

“Yeah, when have you ever been interested in history?” Apple Bloom seconded the initial enquiry.

“When Professor Binns will finally be teaching us something interesting. Don’t you remember the Start of Term Feast? He’s teaching us about the Chamber of Secrets today! Snape already gave me a brief overview back at the Burrow but I’m just bursting to find out more about it,” Scootaloo exploded practically bursting with excitement.

“And I would like to ask him more about what Parseltongue is and how it is linked to He Who Must Not Be Named and Salazar Slytherin,” Harry stated entering the conversation, having been unusually quiet and distracted since the Parseltongue incident during Potions. 

“Parseltongue is the language of serpents. Those who are able to speak the language are referred to as Parselmouths,” Hermione replied in a serious tone as they began to hastily make their way to History. 

“Oh, okay. So why was everybody looking at me funny in Potions then?” Harry asked Hermione.

“Because, it’s a very rare gift. Only those descended from Salazar Slytherin are known to be able to speak it. He Who Shall Not Be Named is thought to be one of his descendants as he is apparently able to speak it fluently as well and because of this it’s seen as an attribute of a dark wizard,” Ron replied.

“Salazar Slytherin? You mean the founder of Slytherin?” Harry gulped as memories of his hat sorting once again crossed his mind. Should he have really ended up in Slytherin? 

“Yes, but look on the bright side,” Ron stated as they neared Class 4F. 

“Ron, how can there be a bright side? Almost the entire second year contingent of Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors think I’m the descendant of some evil crackpot wizard from a thousand years ago and are probably also spreading rumours throughout the school that I’m actually Lord Voldemort’s illegitimate child or something,” Harry said exasperated resulting in a snort of amusement from Scootaloo as she opened the door to the classroom. 

“Maybe, but the twins once told me of a rumour that Parseltongue was the only way to override and reset all of the Slytherin dorm's security. Considering how angry Snape was back in the Potions lab, I’m guessing the rumour might have some truth to it. Wouldn’t it be hilarious if poor little Malfoy and the rest of those snakes had to sleep on a cold floor in the Great Hall because the password to their common room and dormitories suddenly changed?” Ron said with a smirk as both he bumped into Scootaloo ahead of him, the girl having stopped dead in the doorway.

Scootaloo turned and gave both boys the look of a predator cornering her prey. “I’m listening.” 


*


For the first time ever in History of Magic, no one fell asleep. Professor Binns was actually shocked, and somewhat irritated, that the students wanted to ask him questions on the subject. After being informed that their next lesson would centre around the Chambers opening fifty years ago, along with being set their homework for the week, the second-years were dismissed and had headed off to either their common rooms or the library to make a start on one of the two essays they had been set for homework that morning. Or rather, most had. 

“Just where has that little minx disappeared to this time,” Hermione grumbled looking around everywhere for Scootaloo as she left Class 4F. “You would think it would be pretty difficult for a girl on crutches to disappear but not her, of course not her. When I get my hands on her…” her voice trailed off as she snapped the pencil in her hand. 

“Ditto,” Apple Bloom replied. “And considering that Ron and Harry are also missing and the probing questions she was asking Professor Binns, I think it’s pretty obvious what she’s up to,” Apple Bloom deadpanned.

“Gone to try and reset the password to the Slytherin dormitory?” 

“Eeyup,” Apple Bloom replied with a heavy sigh. 

“I would suggest trying to stop them but it would be pointless. Harry might have some sense in that brain of his and see reason but Ron and Scootaloo don’t have even an ounce between them. Those two would just end up coaxing Harry into going along with whatever idiotic plan they’ve conjured up in spite of our excellent reasons not to,” Hermione sighed.

Apple Bloom shrugged her shoulders. “That’s Pegasi for you. Miss Cheerilee, our former teacher back home in Equestria, once taught us that each of the three tribes has a simple motto that dates all the way back to before the unification. For us earth ponies its “Stay strong and fight on”. Unicorns its apparently “Trust in your magic and let it guide you”.

“And Pegasi?” Hermione cut in. 

“Act first, think later,” Apple Bloom deadpanned. 

“You’re kidding me?” Hermione responded looking at Apple Bloom as if the other girl had just grown another head.

Apple Bloom shook her head. “Nope,” she replied trying desperately, but failing, to hold back the smile that was creeping across her face. 

Hermione, likewise, was barely holding back from breaking out into full blown laughter but managed to hold herself together enough to reply, “Pegasi: A bird-horse hybrid with very few brains and as such will always act first, think later, e.g., Scoti Alaw Prewett.”

After finishing her definition of her girlfriend Hermione looked over at Apple Bloom who was giving her an increasingly sceptical gaze.

“You forgot their desire to find a sensible and more intelligent mate to balance their idiotic tendencies,” Apple Bloom deadpanned before neither girl could withhold the laughter bubbling inside them any longer and doubled over in utter hysterics.

After a minute or so Hermione straightened up and asked, “Want to go to the library to make a start on our Potions essay seeing as Scootaloo’s disappeared?” 

“Sure! Neville, Sweetie, want to…” Apple Bloom started to say only to find that they too had disappeared. “Seriously, them too, just what is that hair brained Pegasus planning this time?” Apple Bloom sighed. “You know what? Forget it; I don’t want to know.”

“Ditto,” Hermione replied.


*


“So, we finally found the entrance; what now?” Ron enquired. 

“A-a-and might I ask why I am here again?” Neville chipped in.

It had taken Scootaloo, Harry, Ron and Neville half an hour to locate the entrance to the Slytherin common room and only then had they found it by sheer chance, nearly falling over a Slytherin student as they entered. The four of them were now huddled in a dark corner a little way away so as not to be disturbed while they plotted their next move. 

“To be honest, I’m not entirely sure,” Scootaloo replied stroking her chin thoughtfully. “And Neville, how many times do I have to tell… wait where’s Harry?”

“It’s done, I suggest we get out of here immediately,” Harry said nervously from behind Scootaloo making the girl jump with fright.

“Don’t do that. You scared me half to… wait, what do you mean it’s done?”

“I just walked up to it and like before it just sort of happened,” Harry explained with a shrug of his shoulders. 

“Seriously, that easy?” Scootaloo queried disbelievingly.

“Yeah, I know, I’m as surprised as you are that worked,” Harry replied with a chortle. “Now I really must insist we get a move on before we are caught.”

Scootaloo did not need telling for a third time. If they got caught down here she feared they could even face expulsion for what they’d done. 

As they swiftly attempted to create as much distance between themselves and the Slytherin common room before anyone noticed just what Harry had done Scootaloo finally couldn’t hold it in any longer and asked, “So, what did you set it to?”

“What Ron suggested,” Harry replied nonchalantly.

“You didn’t,” Ron exclaimed in disbelief.

Harry nodded his head with a huge grin across his face. 

“Oh shit, we are in so much trouble,” Ron groaned; picking up the pace further not wanting to be anywhere near the dungeons when Snape found out.

“Can one of you please enlighten me? Just what did Ron suggest?” Scootaloo demanded struggling to keep up on her crutches.

“Professor Snape is a massive ****,” Harry deadpanned.

Scootaloo and Neville’s jaws dropped to the floor. 

“I thought you told me that’s what you wanted me to set it as,” Harry argued indignantly, only now realising Ron’s suggestion might not have been the wisest choice. 

“As a joke. I didn’t think you would actually go and do it. Shit, look out,” Ron exclaimed pushing Harry into a dark corner as a Slytherin prefect appeared out of nowhere in the corridor ahead of them. 

Scootaloo meanwhile shoved her arms under Neville’s arms and shot up to the ceiling. To her relief the boy had the brains to remain quiet despite being scared out of his mind from dangling precariously high of the floor. Part of that was also due to Neville not wanting to distract Scootaloo and cause her to drop him as that would almost certainly lead to several more broken bones.  

As they waited for the coast to be clear once more Harry whispered into Ron’s ear, “Is this a bad time to tell you I also changed the duration of the password and locked it in with another password.”

Ron dreaded to ask but had to know. “How long?” 

“Six months,” Harry said sheepishly.

Ron groaned, they’d be lucky if they received just that long in detention with Snape for this one. Him and his big mouth.


*


“Settle down,” Snape droned pushing past the small crowd that had formed just outside the Slytherin common room. 

When the tip of his wand had started flashing red, indicating an urgent summons from one of his prefects to meet them in the Slytherin common room, towards the end of teaching his second-year Slytherins along with the second-year Ravenclaws, Professor Snape had no idea what the reason might be, just that whatever it was, it could not be good. None of the prefects he had chosen would dare to use such a spell lightly for fear of the repercussions they would suffer because of it. Losing their prefect status would be the least of their worries. 

As Snape pushed past the small crowd, he found Mathias Bulstrode standing at the front trying his best to keep his housemates calm but struggling to do so. 

“Oh, thank Salazar,” the rather frazzled prefect muttered under his breath as he saw his head of house appear through the throng of students.

“Mathias, I hope you’ve a good reason for making me end my lesson fifteen minutes early,” Snape said sternly, his piercing gaze settling solely on the poor prefect. 

The usually rigid prefect buckled under the pressure as he stammered in reply, “I-I was just f-finishing m-my rounds sir and heading back to collect my books for my afternoon Potions lesson before heading to lunch when I found the password we had been provided with no longer seemed to be correct. At first I thought that I had maybe missed an update from our last meeting but…”

“No,” Snape interrupted. “The password should still be wormwood.” 

He waited for the wall concealing the common room to slide away but nothing happened. Peculiar, how very... 

And then he remembered his first double lesson of the day with the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor second-years. 

He sighed. “Mr Bulstrode, take the students upstairs, now and stand guard at the top of the stairs.”

“Y-yes sir,” Mathias stammered in reply not daring to question his head of house. He was just about to shout out above the now deathly silent small group of about ten or so students when Snape asked him one further question.

“Mathias, one more thing before you go. Did you see anyone as you were returning to the common room?”

“N-no s-sir,” Mathias replied.

“Are you sure?” Snape pressed. 

“W-well actually, now that you mention it, there was a moment when I thought I saw a girl in a frilly pink dress and a dark-haired boy just after coming down the stairs from the Great Hall but then I blinked and they were gone. I thought it was just my mind playing tricks on me, especially as I missed breakfast this morning. Are you suggesting this was sabotage?”

“Yes, I’m pretty sure it is but until this area is secured, I cannot check for certain,” Snape stated solemnly.

“Of course, sir,” Mathias bowed before rising and shouting over the gathered crowd. “Slytherins with me. Due to an error with the password Professor Snape needs time and seclusion to address the matter and he hopes to have it addressed before the end of lunch so that you can acquire any necessary textbooks for this afternoon’s lessons. I cannot provide you with any further information at this time so no questions please unless you wish to be cleaning the Potions lab for a month.”

There were a few mumbles and groans from the Slytherins in attendance but they reluctantly followed the prefect back toward the Great Hall.

As soon as they were out of sight Snape began hissing and spitting like a snake. He had to act quickly in case any of his students tried to come out of the common room.

Parseltongue was believed by almost everyone to be solely a hereditary trait, with all known speakers having descended from Salazar Slytherin. This was not entirely true. Locked away in a secret location in Snape’s personal chambers was a tattered journal passed down from one head of Slytherin to the next over countless generations. It was a rite of passage that any Slytherin head must learn and be able to speak the language of the snakes from their predecessor. The guide assisted greatly with this and also provided many other important pieces of information. These included secret exits out of the Slytherin common room and, as Mathias was about to witness now, how to access a number of the security features in place around the castle, mostly those centring around the Slytherin common room and dormitories.

It was also Salazar Slytherin’s everlasting way of ensuring that, even when he was long gone, those who followed in his footsteps were worthy of doing so, as only a true Slytherin could master such a language. 

It didn’t take long for Slytherin’s head of house to discover just what the password had been changed to or the fact that it was now practically irreversible for the next six months.

Professor Snape stormed off to the Great Hall to find those miscreants who had dared to mess with his house. Fuck Dumbledore. He would send Potter, Prewett and Weasley off into the Forbidden Forest on their own for this one to be eaten by acromantulas and that was if he didn’t poison them first.


*


The moment Apple Bloom and Hermione knew their friends had been up to no good was when they saw an enraged Professor Snape push past a Slytherin prefect at the top of the stairs that led down to the dungeons on his way to the Great Hall. 

“Three,” Apple Bloom said as the two girls, along with the prefect, hurried after the apoplectic Slytherin head of house. 

“Two,” Hermione continued.

“One,” Apple Bloom finished just as Snape slammed open the doors to the Great Hall and roared…

“POTTER, PREWETT, WEASLEY, TO ME THIS INSTANT!”

Scootaloo nonchalantly rose from the Hufflepuff table and hobbled over to the Potions professor with her crutches acting as if she was completely oblivious to what had occurred just twenty minutes previously. 

“Something the matter sir?” she asked with feigned innocence as Ron and Harry rather hesitantly made their way to her side from the Gryffindor table.

Snape by now was red in the face with fury. “Detention until the end of the school year,” he bellowed, “And I’ll be docking…” 

“Wait what?” Scootaloo interrupted the professor indignantly. “You can’t just go handing out detentions for no apparent reason sir. That’s not fair!” the girl argued. 

“You know exactly what you did,” Snape growled.

“Yeah, absolutely nothing! We’ve been out enjoying the last of the summer sun by the lake skimming stones, haven’t we boys?” Scootaloo blatantly lied nudging Harry in the ribs with an elbow.

“Yeah, that’s right,” Ron piped up supporting Scootaloo’s lie at where they had been for the past fifty minutes. “When Harry stated that he had never tried it before as we left history me and Scootaloo offered…”

“Nonsense, utter nonsense. Mathias saw you two as you fled the scene of the crime,” Snape growled pointing at Scootaloo and then Harry.

“Sir, although the dress looks familiar, I wouldn’t feel comfortable saying for certain it was this girl I saw, if I saw a girl at all. And that is definitely not the boy I might have caught a glimpse of. He wasn’t wearing glasses for a start,” Mathias stated coming up alongside his head of house.

Snape turned and glowered at the boy angrily. “HOW MANY OTHER GIRLS WEARING FRILLY PINK DRESSES IN THIS SCHOOL CAN THERE POSSIBLY BE RIGHT NOW!” he exploded before Discord’s cool voice echoed out across the hall. 

“Something the matter Potions master?” the draconequus queried materialising out of thin air beside his daughter. 

Snape, his face now so red it wouldn’t have looked amiss on a Christmas tree turned from the now cowering prefect and growled ferociously at the draconequus, “YES, your delinquent daughter and her friends have managed to hack into and reset the password to my house’s common room and dormitories!” 

“I see,” Discord replied thoughtfully as he stroked his beard. “And do you have proof it was them?” 

Snape stalled, suddenly coming to his senses and realising that not only did he not have enough hard evidence to convict the three delinquents but that he couldn’t say any more without revealing some of his house’s deepest secrets.

As such he took a deep breath in and said coldly, “No. But trust me that when I do, I’ll have all three of them expelled for what they’ve done,” Snape snarled turning on the spot and storming back through the huge doors on his way back to the Potions lab.

“Oh my word, that was hilarious. I’ve no idea what you did and I don’t wanna know, but whatever you did, my, oh my, I’ve never seen him so mad before!” Discord wheezed barely holding himself together next to Scootaloo. “Ten points to Hufflepuff and twenty points to Gryffindor. Now back to lunch with the lot of you.”

Scootaloo, Harry and Ron all looked at one another with the same relieved look. They had got away with their prank… for now. 


*


Over the course of lunch, Scootaloo, with Apple Bloom’s assistance, managed to avoid the probing questions of her friends and eventually they gave up and moved onto a much more important topic, Scootaloo’s lunch. More specifically, a heated debate on the subject of pineapple on pizza. 

Eventually, Scootaloo turned to the only one of her friends who had yet to condemn her choice of pizza topping. “Sweetie, help me out here. Should pineapple be a pizza topping?” Scootaloo 

“Huh? What?” Sweetie said distantly to Scootaloo’s left having barely touched her own pizza. 

Scootaloo’s jovial mood turned immediately serious. “Okay, what’s up? You barely said a word in History and now you’ve barely touched your lunch.” She paused as her eyes suddenly ignited. “Somebody be mean to you this morning whilst me and Bloom were in Potions? Just tell me who and I’ll make them pay,” Scootaloo growled cracking her knuckles threateningly.

On Scootaloo’s right Apple Bloom rolled her eyes and flicked Scootaloo’s ear.

“Ow, what was that for,” Scootaloo yelped rubbing her ear.

“Aside from being completely oblivious and insensitive, you’ve got yourself into enough trouble for one day,” Apple Bloom said sharply.

“What do you mean oblivious?” Scootaloo queried looking completely lost by her friend’s response. 

“Have you seen Wallace even once today?” Apple Bloom asked Scootaloo.

“No…and now that you mention it, when does he ever miss even one meal let alone two.”

“And the Equestrian bit drops,” Apple Bloom sighed manoeuvring her head slightly so that she could address Sweetie just beyond Scootaloo. “Don’t worry Sweetie, I’m sure he’s just on a very important mission and will be back soon,” she said trying to cheer her friend up. “He certainly wouldn’t want you worrying about him like this, let alone passing up lunch!”

“Thanks Bloom, you’re probably right. I hunted everywhere for him during our free period after history with no luck. No doubt Discord has him on some errand or other,” Sweetie replied as she picked up and prepared to take a bite out of her pizza. 

“That’s the spirit,” Apple Bloom stated cheerfully. “And to sweeten the deal I’ll even give him his bath tonight when he ultimately does return.”

“Thanks Bloom,” Sweetie sniggered. “I’ll hold you to that one. In fact, I’d do practically anything to get out of bath duties,” she admitted taking a bite out of her pizza only for her face to suddenly turn sour. And then she started spitting out pineapple everywhere much to her friends’ amusement. “Yuck, who stuck pineapple on top!” she exclaimed once she was done.

Everyone immediately pointed toward Scootaloo.

“I should have known,” Sweetie growled levitating an empty platter towards her.

“Erm, Sweetie, what’re you doing?” Scootaloo chuckled nervously not liking the look her friend was suddenly giving her. “It was just a harmless joke,” she feebly attempted to argue.

“As is this,” Sweetie replied cryptically as she began to work her transfiguration magic on the empty platter.


*


“Oh come on Sweetie, be fair,” Scootaloo groused for the umpteenth time as they made their way across the courtyard to Classroom 1B later that afternoon. “Haven’t I been humiliated enough yet?” she added trying desperately to remove the revolting pointed lime green hat with a massive red D written upon it once more from her head. It was stuck fast by Sweetie’s magic.

“Hmm, let me see,” Sweetie replied wickedly whilst stroking her chin. “I’m not so sure. What do you think Apple Bloom and Hermione?”

Scootaloo groaned knowing what her friends’ responses would likely be considering what she had done to Professor Snape earlier in the day.

“Nope,” Apple Bloom responded heartlessly. 

“Well, she was very well behaved over the course of our two free periods after lunch and did complete her history essay on the key moments in the uneasy relationship between magicians and muggles over the past millennium,” Hermione stated.

“See, Hermione gets…” Scootaloo began only to be cut off as Hermione added to her initial statement.

“But she did also deliberately sneak off after History and miss our first free period to get up to mischief. I think one more lesson wouldn’t hurt in getting the message across.” 

Scootaloo’s head dropped as she grumbled under her breath, “I hate you three sometimes.”

“Well, maybe next time you’ll think twice about skipping our tutoring sessions to go and play pranks,” Hermione chided as they reached the door.

“Or tease me and put pineapple on someone else’s pizza,” Sweetie added. 

“Let’s just get this over with,” Scootaloo sighed pulling open the door to the Transfiguration classroom. 

Professor McGonagall was already waiting for them. 

“Glad you could make it girls. Please, take a seat. I’m not even going to ask why Miss Prewett is still out of uniform or why she’s now wearing a dunce’s cap,” the Transfiguration professor commented as her usually unreadable and emotionless face faltered for a millisecond.

Scootaloo buried her head in her hands as she sat down. Even McGonagall, who’d barely a funny bone in her entire body, found her embarrassment amusing. 

“Right, I believe that is everyone, so let us begin. Firstly, I’d like to start by stating that any more outbursts or dissention like yesterday’s will not be tolerated no matter what the reasoning may be and shall result in severe punishment as a result, understood?” Professor McGonagall explained.

A chorus of, “Yes Professor McGonagall,” echoed throughout the classroom. 

“Excellent. I shall consider the matter closed then. Moving on, today we shall be continuing in our attempts to master the beetle into button spell. I have been informed by Headmaster Dumbledore that Miss Belle did have the sense to at least demonstrate and attempt to teach you the spell yesterday. In a moment she shall be going around the classroom assisting me in helping any of you who might be struggling,” the professor went on as Sweetie’s eyes lit up in surprise at that announcement. 

“Now, for five house points can anyone tell me who created the spell?” 

A number of the students hands rose into the air.

“Yes, Master Hopkins?”

“Gabor Kiwaly?” Wayne replied hopefully. “At least that’s what Sweetie told us yesterday,” he added looking across at Sweetie with a smile. 

“Correct, five points to Hufflepuff. I’m glad to see Miss Belle was able to provide some background to the spell. It was indeed developed by the Hungarian wizard Gabor Kiwaly in the 1700s and I expect to have an essay from all of you on the spell’s origins on my desk by next Wednesday but for now I’d like you all to come and collect a beetle and continue your attempts at Gomb. As I’ve already stated Miss Belle and myself shall be wandering around the classroom to assist if required and the transfiguration alphabet and formula can also be found on the blackboard. Remember though, it isn’t just the transfiguration formula you need to consider but spell pronunciation and wand movement as well,” she finished waving her hand at the box of beetles on her desk as an indication to the class to come and collect one.


*


After about fifteen minutes Scootaloo had practically given up trying to transfigure the beetles into coat buttons as she finally remembered what her father had told her during the summer holidays:

that her magic might not always obey her command exactly, instead choosing a more unorthodox and chaotic outcome.

This was almost certainly one of those occasions and it probably hadn’t helped that her theoretical understanding of Transfiguration was abysmal to say the least. Still, her attempts had at least provided her with a good giggle when both Professor McGonagall and Sweetie Belle had walked past…and chose to continue walking when they looked over her shoulder and saw just what she was managing to produce with the spell. 

It had also meant that she had been left to her own devices and not reprimanded for goofing off when, after her third chocolate button in fifteen minutes, she decided to take a catnap on her desk.

In truth, Professor McGonagall had opted to ignore her indiscretion as the path of least chaos. 

Scootaloo awoke sometime later feeling very, very itchy as she heard Professor McGonagall bellow from the front of the class for everyone’s attention. 

“Alright class. Remember your essays are due…” she got no further.

Bleary eyed Scootaloo and overtaken with the uncontrollable urge to scratch herself, Scootaloo's brain simply couldn't comprehend just what she was seeing for a moment and she initially thought she was still dreaming. A portal of some sort had opened up above Professor McGonagall and deposited Wallace along with five ponies and a small dragon atop her. The fact she was able to immediately identify who they were under all that dirt, pink goo and grime she felt was quite impressive. 

"Twilight?" She exclaimed as she continued scratching herself all over much to Apple Bloom and Hermione's amusement on either side of her. "GAH, why am I so itchy?"

"We've no idea, do we Bloom?" Hermione giggled.

"Not at all," Apple Bloom clearly lied. "Maybe it has something to do with sleeping in class?" she added.

Scootaloo was about to attempt a reply as she continued to scratch herself to death but before she could a massive kerfuffle had erupted at the front of the classroom. 

"Will you get your sticky hands of...yowch! Stop that you varmint. Bloom get over here and call your friends of this instant," Applejack demanded as the entranced students fought over the cute ponies that had so unexpectedly appeared at the front of the classroom.
> Thursday Part 4/4: Bath Time (OLD)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

By the end of the lesson Sweetie and Hermione hadn’t even made an attempt at the spell. They’d instead spent the forty odd minutes or so they had perfecting their wand movements and spell pronunciation to ensure that they would cast the spell correctly when the time came to do so. Professor McGonagall had been impressed not only with the progress they’d made, but also with the maturity they displayed in not rushing to casting the spell and possibly causing Wallace greater harm.

Professor McGonagall had then moved on to returning Wallace to normal. The dog though had seemingly not learnt his lesson and had promptly growled threateningly at her. In retaliation she had transfigured into her animagus form and scratched his nose before returning to her human form as Wallace yelped and launched himself into Sweetie’s arms.

“Ahem, excuse me. Sometimes my feline tendencies like to take control,” she said, embarrassed, before walking back to the head of the classroom to remind the class their essays on the beetles into buttons spell was due next Wednesday with no exceptions before proceeding to dismiss them all. 

Meanwhile, Hermione was still stunned by Professor McGonagall’s reaction while Sweetie glowered reproachfully at Wallace. 

“What a coward. All bark and no bite,” she said looking Wallace in the eyes.

Wallace in reply gave the gave the girl’s face a massive lick to say thank you.

“Ewww, dog slobber,” Sweetie grumbled as she lowered Wallace to the floor.

“Did she really just do that?” Hermione said, finally coming out of her stupor.

“Yes,” Sweetie responded lowering herself to the floor to inspect Wallace’s nose. It was nothing more than a light scratch. She kissed it better before rising to her feet. “It was the smart thing to do. Wallace is a lot like his owner in regards to cats and if she hadn’t laid down the law with him straight away, I can only imagine that at some point Wallace would have attempted to chase McGonagall up a tree. After today’s events though, I think he’s realised who’s the boss, haven’t you?” She looked sternly down at her pet.

Wallace gave a small pathetic whine and nodded his head in shame. Bettered by a cat, how humiliating, he would never live this down.

“Very good, because the last thing I need is you giving me detention,” she said sternly to the dog. “You even think about chasing McGonagall in her cat form and it’ll be nothing but the worst dog food I can get a hold of for a month. I make myself clear?”

Wallace simply looked down at the floor in defeat and whined abjectly once more. He would most certainly have liked another shot at the bizarre human/cat hybrid, but his mistress knew him too well. A small bit of satisfaction and revenge would result in long term pain. He still attempted to try his luck and initiated his famous puppy dog look. Sweetie wasn’t buying it.

“Seriously? You think that is going to work?” Sweetie said in an uninterested tone. “You can either stop that immediately or there will be no steak for your dinner this evening,” she added firmly.

Wallace went back to looking abjectly at the floor as Hermione managed to stop giggling to herself over the image of Professor McGonagall stuck in a tree with an over excited Wallace barking beneath her and ask Sweetie, “I understand Wallace, cats and dogs are natural enemies, but what have you got against cats?”

Sweetie sighed. “I accidentally stepped on Opal’s tail when I was six. She scratched me so bad I spent two days in Ponyville General and had more needles stabbed in me than I can remember. In fact, all I really remember from the whole ordeal was needles and screaming, a lot. Been pretty nervous around cats ever since.”

“Damn, sorry to hear that,” Hermione replied, “but totally understandable.”

“Thanks,” Sweetie replied. “Although I have gotten more use to accidents and misfortune befalling me over the past few years with the Crusaders it was certainly a jarring experience. On that matter, I do wonder just what trouble Scootaloo has gotten herself into this time.”

Hermione had totally forgotten the distant scream at the start of the class up until that point. Her face suddenly dropped with worry. 

“Oh shit, sorry to remind you. Why don’t we all go to the infirmary now to check up on her? Apple Bloom is looking very impatient standing over there tapping her foot,” Sweetie said, finishing with a giggle.

“I can hear you; you know. And that’s because I’ve better things to be doing than standing around here all day. Now, come on the both of you. We’re not going to find out anything about Scootaloo while standing around here nattering,” Apple Bloom said bluntly.

Hermione couldn’t help but smile at that retort and said to Sweetie. “I think we’d better do as she says; we all know what happens when you get on Apple Bloom’s bad side!”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t be surprised if she went and talked to an acromantula and then set it on us!” Sweetie exclaimed with another giggle.

“Nah, they are to sentient to be coaxed by her, more likely a pack of wolves,” Hermione remarked.

“Fair point. Anyway, best not to find out. I’ll meet you outside,” Sweetie said as she ran over to Apple Bloom and shoved her books, parchment and ink into her satchel.


*


Hermione knocked upon the infirmary door before tiptoeing in followed by Sweetie, Apple Bloom and Wallace.

“Scootaloo, you awake?” Hermione hissed

“Ahem, didn’t I say you could see your girlfriend again this evening,” the disproving voice of Madam Pomfrey replied behind them. 

This resulted in the three girls jumping in surprise and Wallace once more leaping into Sweetie’s arms. 

“Although, honestly, I’m not surprised after how loud she screamed,” Madam Pomfrey sighed. “Just please tell me you are at least not playing hooky from class again?” 

“No ma’am, we’ve a free period. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t have let them come otherwise,” Apple Bloom replied honestly.

“Good. She’s behind the curtain over there doing some homework. Usually, I wouldn’t allow such a visit, especially after the latest complication, and give you your marching orders right now.” The stern and strict matron paused for a moment and let out a hearty breath of resignation. “But, for once even I think she could use her friends around her. Her father dropped some pretty hefty news upon her shoulders at lunchtime. She’s behind the curtains over there. Now, I’m going to pretend I never saw you and that you once again ignored the rule surrounding animals in the infirmary. I will instead disappear into my office for the next half an hour. I expect you to be gone when I reappear and not to return for the rest of the day. Hopefully, with a little bit more rest Scootaloo can return to classes tomorrow.” 

And without any further explanation Madam Pomfrey turned and marched to her office shutting the door softly behind her so as not to disturb her patients.

The three students stared at the office door momentarily before Apple Bloom said bluntly.

“Well, that was more peculiar and suspicious than, you know what, I got nothing.”

“Snape smiling?” Hermione suggested.

“Fred and George actually behaving themselves?” Sweetie suggested.

“Yeah, both of those will do,” Apple Bloom said as she marched over to the curtains Madam Pomfrey had pointed towards and poked her head through. “Hey Scoots, you in…” she stopped mid-sentence as the strangest of sights greeted her.

Scootaloo looked up from where she was writing her Herbology homework on the back of a textbook on her lap. That in itself wasn’t what was strange. The fact she was using a tail was.

“Oh, c’mon. You’ve got to be kidding me. Seriously, of all the things that could have happened, you just had to go and get a tail, didn’t you?” Apple Bloom whined as Sweetie and Hermione followed her in.

“Hey, Bloom, did you notice Madam Pomfrey seemed to be missing some of her hair?” Sweetie said as she pushed the curtains aside. She immediately collapsed to the floor laughing uncontrollably while Hermione stared wide eyed at her girlfriend.

“It’s nice to see you too Apple Bloom. Care to let me in on the joke seeing as Sweetie is pre-occupied?” Scootaloo deadpanned putting the quill back into its pot of ink on the bedside table.

“Oh, that’s because after we heard your cry earlier, I suggested you might have grown a tail. Apple Bloom dismissed it and said she would give Wallace his bath tonight in the unlikely event you’d grown one,” Sweetie managed to squeak from the floor. 

Apple Bloom did not look happy as Scootaloo held a hand to her mouth in an attempt to hide her sniggering. She was failing miserably.

“Well, I’m sorry to disappoint; it was not by choice I can tell you that now and if it makes you feel any better its appearance hurt, a lot,” she finally managed to say. “Hermione, you okay? You’ve not said a…”

“So fluffy,” Hermione interrupted before racing to Scootaloo’s bedside, sitting down next to her and grabbing hold of the tail. “Oh, my word, it’s so soft,” she exclaimed whilst rubbing her cheek against Scootaloo’s new appendage.

“Why am I not surprised Discord was right? At least I’m now aware of your biggest weakness, fluffy things,” Scootaloo chuckled.

Hermione’s cheeks started to go red but she didn’t let go of Scootaloo’s tail, letting it drape across her lap instead whilst she stroked it. Scootaloo leant in and kissed her girlfriend on the cheek before whispering in her ear. “It is good to see you again, but how did you manage to swing it with Madam Pomfrey?”

“She said you could do with the company after your dad dropped a bombshell on you at lunch. But we’ve only got twenty minutes before we need to be gone so you’d better get straight to the point of what he was talking to you about,” Hermione said, getting straight to the point. “And most importantly, why you’ve now got a tail?” 

Rather than instantly reply, Scootaloo opted to pick up a book from her bedside cabinet. “He felt it was time he gave me the talk,” she said as she handed Hermione the book.

Hermione’s mouth dropped open as she read the title of the cover.

“What does it say?” Apple Bloom asked, her displeasure at losing her bet with Sweetie suddenly forgotten to her piqued interest at Hermione’s reaction. “Woah. Wait, does that mean you’re a goddess?” 

Scootaloo nodded her head slowly in reply as Sweetie picked herself up of the infirmary floor.

“Woah,” was all Apple Bloom managed to repeat like a broken record.

“Wait, what?” Sweetie exclaimed as her own jaw dropped open. 

Scootaloo let out a deep breath before saying “Why don’t you all sit down and I’ll explain as quickly as I can…”


*


Ten minutes later Apple Bloom, Hermione and Sweetie were even more lost than they were before the explanation. Scootaloo had condensed much of her talk with Discord down and even excluded a few parts, such as the stuff concerning hypnosis and the more traditional stuff related to growing up, but the three girls were still staring at her slack-jawed.

“Woah,” Apple Bloom muttered for the seventh time.

“You can say that again,” Sweetie replied on the opposite side of the end of Scootaloo’s bed 

“Woah,” Apple Bloom said for the eight time.

“Girls, could you give us a few minutes?” Scootaloo interrupted, indicating with her head that she wanted some alone time with Hermione.

“Yeah sure, we’ll hopefully see you back in class tomorrow,” Sweetie said as she rose from the bed. “Loving the new look by the way. It’s certainly saved me a job tonight,” she added with a smirk at Apple Bloom who glowered at her in return. “Come on Wallace,” she instructed.

The dog reluctantly jumped off his comfy perch on top of Scootaloo’s legs where she had been stroking him and followed his mistress out. 

“Here’s the Potions work you missed along with a couple of photos you might like to see,” Apple Bloom stated, handing Scootaloo some papers and the two incriminating photos. “Professor McGonagall says for you to just continue practicing the beetles into buttons spell and not to forgot your essay next Wednesday. Hermione has the notes for History.”

“Thanks Bloom and what do we have here. Why am I not surprised Wallace attacked Professor McGonagall and…” she paused momentarily as Hermione tried desperately to snatch the second picture out of her hand. As she held of her girlfriend’s advances, surprisingly Scootaloo didn’t laugh as she took in the photo. Instead, her tanned cheeks once more took on a rosy glow. “Okay, why is it that I feel I should be laughing but instead am feeling rather flustered?” she admitted guiltily.

Apple Bloom could barely hold back the laughter. “Damn, you really have got the love bug bad. I’ll leave you two love birds to talk things over. Hermione, remember, you hurt her and you’ll be lucky if I get to you first ahead of Discord.”

Hermione gulped nervously and started stroking Scootaloo’s tail more rapidly.

“BLOOM,” Scootaloo cried. “Stop threatening my girlfriend.”

“Just telling her the honest truth,” Apple Bloom said shrugging her shoulders as she skipped past the curtains and went to join Sweetie outside the infirmary.

And just like that the two girls were at last alone. An awkward silence hung in the air for what felt like an eternity.

“So,” Hermione finally said breaking the ice. “What was it you wanted to talk to me about?”

“Do you still love me?” Scootaloo immediately blurted out unable to hold what was on her mind in any longer. “Now that you know what I am and the monster I’m likely to become?”

Scootaloo was surprised when Hermione didn’t respond. Instead, she leant in and locked her lips with Scootaloo’s, her tongue probing the inside of the other girl’s mouth. 

Scootaloo returned the gesture by wrapping her metallic hand around the back of her girlfriend's head and entwining her tongue with that of Hermione's. 

It was a deeply passionate and important moment for the two young lovers that confirmed just how strong their feelings were for one another and that absolutely nothing was going to stand in their way, not even the prospect of one of them being immortal and turning into a monster. 

For Scootaloo the moment passed all to quickly and she finally had to reluctantly let her girlfriends head go.

“That answer your question?” Hermione said with a timid smile as she pulled herself away from Scootaloo, her cheeks taking on a rosy complexion.

“Wow, just wow!” Scootaloo replied completely lost for words. “That was amazing!”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Hermione replied ecstatically as she lifted herself up from the bed. 

“Sorry, but the tail is attached I’m afraid,” Scootaloo giggled as she saw Hermione was still stroking it in her arms. 

Hermione gave Scootaloo the puppy dog eye treatment before grudgingly letting the tail go and, fishing in her cauldron pulled out a stack of notes. “I duplicated my notes, as any good tutor would do when their pupil is unwell. I expect you to read these this afternoon when you get an opportunity to. I think you’ll actually find this history lesson quite interesting,” she explained placing the notes on her girlfriend’s lap.

“Awesome! Thanks so much! Snape gave me a brief overview when I woke up back at the burrow and I’ve been intrigued about learning more about the Chamber of Secrets ever since. For once I was actually bummed out that I missed a History lesson,” Scootaloo said with a chuckle. 

“My word. I’d never thought I’d see the day when you were interested in History!” Hermione exclaimed before she leant in and kissed Scootaloo on the cheek before whispering devilishly in her ear. “Make sure you do as your told. You may know my main weakness, but I know yours and the kisses can quite as easily stop if I don’t think you are trying hard enough to improve your grades.”

As she pulled away, she gave Scootaloo an equally devilish wink before picking up her cauldron and departing. 

Scootaloo wasn’t sure what to feel, her heart was beating rapidly and she had butterflies in her stomach. In the end she proceeded to fall back onto her bed with the notes hugged tightly to her chest.

Hermione loved her. She really, really loved her. 

When Madam Pomfrey appeared five minutes later she was exceptionally pleased to find not only the intruders gone, but Scootaloo fast asleep with a beaming smile across her face. She pulled the duvet cover up over her patient before silently retreating back through the curtains once more.


*


“Stop struggling,” Apple Bloom growled as she wrestled with Wallace and scrubbed his back once again.

The dog howled once more, but by now he had already shattered every last piece of glass in the vicinity. An ankle lock, similar to that Scootaloo wore toward the end of her first year, adorned his right hind leg. Apple Bloom had craftily attached it when Wallace had been too busy devouring his dinner to notice. In fact, he’d only noticed when Apple Bloom had pounced upon him and dragged him into the Crusaders dormitory bathroom upon their return to the Hufflepuff common room after dinner. When he quickly realised that he couldn’t apparate to safety and that he was somehow no match for the stocky little girl strength-wise, he had resorted to the seemingly only reasonable remaining option left to him. Scream the place down and keep struggling in the faint hope she gave up in her attempts to give him a bath. It hadn’t worked and had actually led to more pain as she constantly dunked his head under the water to stop him howling and scrubbed him extra hard as punishment. In retaliation, the stubborn hellhound had continued making his protestations known to make the whole experience for Apple Bloom as miserable as it was him. Right now, you would be hard pressed to determine just who was giving who a bath. As the old cliché expression went, both looked like drowned rats.

“There, all done,” Apple Bloom said with a sigh wiping her forehead. “All that’s left is to get you dried off.”

Wallace eagerly jumped out of the tub.

“NO, DON’T YOU…” Apple Bloom started to say before Wallace let fly, shaking himself so vigorously water covered every inch of the bathroom.

Apple Bloom screamed.


*


With her natural Earth Pony stamina, Apple Bloom rarely felt tired aside from rare occasions when her assistance was required in the orchard. After her ordeal with Wallace tonight though, Apple Bloom just wanted her bed and would have happily admitted she was completely exhausted after the day she’d had.

Zoning out she didn’t bother to register the sniggers and snickers that were coming from her dormmates as she left the bathroom. She didn’t even care for modesty or decency, exiting said bathroom in her underwear and going straight for the pyjamas folded neatly on her pillow from this morning. 

As she lifted the covers back and slumped into her bed, she didn’t even give her dormmates a goodnight. Instead, she sighed in contentment and waited for sleep to engulf her. Tomorrow was another day and would surely be a better one. 

That’s when Apple Bloom’s eyes shot open and started twitching as what began as a niggle soon resulted in her scratching her body uncontrollably. Giggles and guffaws in the background immediately led her to believe she had been the victim of a prank.

“SWEETIE! WHAT DID YOU DO!” Apple Bloom exploded as the unbearable need to scratch her whole body took hold.


*


Luna stared at her reflection in the mirror and shivered. Yesterday would be a day that would live long in her memory and for all the wrong reasons. For just the start her mane was now a putrid green colour and she still wore the pink and black jumpsuit from her time as Mane-iac during Twilight’s epic tea party the previous day. She’d at least fared better than that Pegasus mare Silent Wing who had been dunked in permanent pink dye in her doll form to resemble Fili-Second. Even her eyes had remained bright pink upon being returned back to normal this morning by Twilight when the lavender mare had awoken seemingly recovered and with no knowledge of the previous day’s events. This had all seemed a little too convenient and suspicious for Luna and after retiring to her private chambers after breakfast she had slowly gone over yesterday’s events in her mind. It didn’t take her long to put all the pieces of the jigsaw together, Twilight had pranked her. The most nerdy, well-behaved, straight-laced mare in Equestria had pulled a fast one over her, the princess of pranks. And she’d fallen for her acting, hook, line and sinker.

“Well played Twilight, well played,” Luna muttered to herself as she turned off the tap to her luxurious private bath tub with her magic before removing the jumpsuit and slowly lowering herself into the pool of bubbles. With a blissful sigh she picked up and took a sip from a glass of wine before saying, “But you know this means war.”
> Friday: Dogs and Diversity (OLD)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Madam Pomfrey looked into the mirror and taking a deep breath smiled to herself. Today was a new day and she was determined to make a fresh start to the new term once Miss Prewett was discharged after breakfast. Hopefully now the chaotic start was over she could have a nice peaceful September catching up on paperwork with only a handful of students with minor ailments to treat each week until cold and flu season kicked in in October and November. The loud knock on her office door followed by Professor Sprout’s voice immediately shattered her fragile smile and sapped all the positivity from her body.  

“Matron, are you in there? One of my second-year girls got pranked with itching powder by her peers and was up most the night trying to wash it off.  Poor girl is exhausted and covered in nasty red blotches.”

“Fat fucking chance,” Madam Pomfrey grumbled to herself, her usual dour expression swiftly making its way back across her wizened face.


*


The last thing the girls in the first- and second-year dormitory that Friday morning was to be awakened at 6:45 by Professor Sprout blasting an air horn.

“RISE AND SHINE,” the Herbology Professor bellowed as she lighted all the candles in the dormitory.

“Gah,” Monica screamed as she flew off her bed and landed with a thump on the floor. 

“Ouch,” she grumbled to herself entangled in her duvet before her vision went black as Wallace landed atop her. “Double Ouch,” she said in a muffled tone underneath the great heap of black fur. 

The remaining five girls were all sitting attentively in their beds while rubbing their bleary eyes as they slowly came back to reality. 

“What on Earth? Why the early wakeup call Professor?” Sweetie exclaimed in confusion. 

“Glad I’ve got your attention Miss Belle,” Professor Sprout replied with a look that made the girl gulp nervously. “You will tell me this instant just which one of you thought it funny to put itching powder on Apple Bloom’s pyjamas. Every minute I have to wait is five more points I’ll take from Hufflepuff. Do I make myself clear?”

Four hands immediately pointed at Sweetie.

“Sweetie, it was Sweetie. I told them all it was a bad idea. The box is hidden under her mattress,” Monica squeaked from the floor pushing Wallace off her. 

“Traitors,” Sweetie growled, glowering at Monica while placing her arms across her chest.

Professor Sprout simply smiled wickedly as she strolled across the room to Sweetie’s bed. Casting Wingardium Leviosa Professor Sprout levitated the mattress up causing Sweetie to topple out of her bed and onto the floor with a bump.

“Ah, perfect. I’ll be taking that,” Professor Sprout said reaching under the mattress and picking up the incriminating box of itching powder before dropping the mattress back onto the bed frame and turning her attention to Sweetie. “Now, will you tell me where you acquired this or shall I double your punishment?” 

“I’ve no idea where that came from. I’ve obviously been framed. It’s a conspiracy I tell you,” Sweetie lied giving her head of house a defiant look. 

“Really? Your friends just ratted you out and you still deny doing anything wrong. Well, okay then, double punishment it is. Put this on.” She threw Sweetie a harness. 

“What’s this for?” Sweetie asked a little confused.

“You chose double punishment. Get dressed into your quidditch robes and then put it on. Only then shall you see what your decision has cost you,” Professor Sprout ordered with an expression that clearly told Sweetie it would be best if she didn’t ask any further questions. 

In silence Sweetie quickly changed into her robes and put the harness on along with a pair of socks and shoes.

“Good. Miss Emerett, will you give me a hand with Wallace.” It was an order, not a request.

Together the Herbology Professor and the first-year managed to lift the confused dog up and into the harness on Sweetie’s back. The girl was barely able to stand under the weight. Heck, she was still immensely proud she’d managed to hold her pet for so long yesterday without dropping him.

“I was talking to Scoti in the infirmary last night and she was worried you’d not been maintaining your fitness over the summer and have put on a bit of weight. I was just going to have you running twenty laps around the quidditch pitch. But as you are being so uncooperative, you can do those twenty laps instead with him on your back. If you’re lucky you just might make breakfast in time.”

Sweetie’s jaw practically dropped open. “Yo-you’re kidding. How am I going to be able to run with him on my back?”

“Well, maybe that’ll teach you not to play pranks on your peers in future. In fact, if I find out that even one of you has stepped out of line again this year, you’ll be on the first train back home. I’ve enough to deal with without having to quell a civil prank war. Do I make myself clear?” Professor Sprout bellowed.

The girls nodded their heads quickly in reply.

“Good, now come Miss Belle,” Professor Sprout instructed pushing Sweetie out of her dormitory before turning and addressing the remaining girls one final time. “And if any of you need something to do you are always more than welcome to assist me in the greenhouses.” 

And with that she was gone, slamming the door behind her.

For a minute an awkward silence hung in the air of the dormitory. Finally, it was Hannah who broke the silence and said what was on everyone else’s mind.

“Woah, I think we really annoyed her this time.” 

“You can say that again. Anyone else want to see how Sweetie gets on?” Susan replied from her bed. 

“Of course,” Meghan piped in.

And just like that there was a rush to the bathrooms as the remaining girls of the first- and second-year dorm hurriedly threw on clean robes and got themselves ready for their third day of the new term.


*


“COME ON SWEETIE, YOU CAN DO IT!!!” The crowd bellowed as Sweetie stumbled and fell face first into the dirt after completing her eleventh lap.

News of Sweetie’s punishment had slowly filtered around the school as more students and staff woke up. Slowly, a crowd had developed in the stands above the quidditch pitch. The Weasley twins, never missing out on an opportunity, had even appeared to take bets on just how many laps Sweetie would be able to complete. As the sun continued its slow and steady climb, she doggedly stuck to her task without a single word of defiance as sweat began to drench her entire body. 

“Had enough?” Professor Sprout enquired nonchalantly.

Sweetie didn’t reply. Instead, she forced her aching body out of the dirt and defying the fiery pain that coursed throughout her entire body she forced herself into a run. She made it halfway round the pitch before her body started to finally give out, but she dragged herself on, determined to at least complete this lap. Wallace even turned his head from his perch on her back and gave her an encouraging lick. 

“Come on, you can fucking do it you lazy cow!” Wally cawed appearing above her from the ether.

Absolutely exhausted Sweetie finally made it round for her twelfth lap before collapsing to her knees panting heavily. 

“What was that about fitness?” she said looking up at her head of house with the same look of defiance that had got her into this mess in the first place. 

The girl slowly unclasped and slipped out the harness allowing Wallace to drop to the pitch, the dog only too glad to have his four paws back on solid ground once more. Gingerly Sweetie rolled onto her back and continued to breathe heavily as the sound of footsteps approached.

“Impressive, I didn’t expect you to make it past five,” Professor Sprout mused rubbing her chin with a hand. “I think we’ve found our keeper again.”

“Thanks professor. If you don’t mind, I’m just going to lie here for a while. And remind me to put Wallace on a diet,” Sweetie wheezed from the turf. 

Wallace’s ears immediately perked up at the mention of his name and although he didn’t know what the word meant; diet sounded just as bad as bath. He wisely opted to make himself scarce in the hope that his mistress would forget the idea as Professor Sprout replied to the girl laying in the ground.

“Not at all. Now, I’m sure your friends can help you back to your dorm. I’ll see you at breakfast if you’re quick enough,” the professor said as she turned and disappeared through the throng of students that had rushed down from the stands to see if Sweetie was all right.


*


“Morning Minerva and how are you this morning?” Professor Sprout asked as she sat down next to the Transfiguration professor at the teachers’ table for breakfast a little after eight.

“Quite well, although the tea seems a little off this morning,” Professor McGonagall replied lowering her cup upon the table. “How about yourself? It is rare for me to get to breakfast before you. Something the matter?”

“You could say so. Only two days into the new term and already two of my second-years are in the infirmary due to pranks gone wrong. I’ve really had to lay down the law this time before it gets out of control. Last thing we need is another prank war like the one of '74.” Professor Sprout replied. 

“Indeed. And two second-years? I’d heard of Miss Prewett’s incident with the Venomous Tentacula but who’s the second one?” Minerva replied taking another sip of her tea.

“Miss Belle somehow got a hold of a box of itching powder and decided to slip it into Miss Apple’s pyjamas last night. Poor girl was up half the night apparently trying to wash the stuff off in the bathroom. She’s in the infirmary getting a good rest right now,” Professor Sprout explained with a look of resignation. 

Internally Professor McGonagall was laughing to herself at the fact Miss Belle had actually managed to pull the prank off. Externally though her expression remained seemingly uninterested. “Poor girl, I hope she’s feeling better soon and that you punished the culprit appropriately,” she said putting her tea down once more. Something definitely wasn’t right with it today. She would definitely have to bring it up with the house elves in the kitchen later.

“That I did. She spent an hour running laps of the quidditch pitch whilst carrying that massive dog of hers on her back. I was extremely impressed with just how long she was able to keep going, although I still don’t believe she was the mastermind behind this prank.”

“What makes you say that Pomona?” Professor McGonagall enquired as she bit into her bacon sandwich.

“Unlike her disaster-prone and hot-headed friends, she’s a lot more level-headed and only gets herself into trouble either accidentally or through gullibly being persuaded by another,” Professor Sprout answered for Minerva. 

“Well, maybe you don’t know your students as well as you think. She probably bought it for harmless fun from Diagon Alley before she arrived without thinking about the consequences it might lead to,” Professor McGonagall suggested as she took a second bite out of her bacon sandwich. 

“Possibly. Still, without any further information I’m just going to call the whole episode closed. Hopefully my stern lecture this morning got through to the girls and I’ll be making it clear to the rest of my house throughout the day. Pranks will not be tolerated against fellow housemates,” Professor Sprout stated firmly.

“Good plan and trust me, I’ve tried, but those Weasley twins never seem to get the message. As soon as I prevent one prank from coming to fruition, they seem to be planning another.”

“Like how they were planning to drop itching powder down Snape’s back in Potions yesterday?”

“Yes, exactly, wait,” Professor McGonagall turned and stared at Professor Sprout looking slightly concerned.

“Busted,” Professor Sprout said with a wide grin. “Nice muzzle and dog ears by the way. I hope you enjoyed your Poison Joke tea,” she chuckled. 

Professor McGonagall growled at Professor Sprout before realising just what she was doing and covered her furry grey muzzle with an equally furry grey paw in embarrassment.

Professor Sprout couldn’t help but break out into laughter at that reaction.

“Seriously? You two are as a bad as the students, if not worse,” Snape’s voice droned from the other side of McGonagall with a look of condemnation. “Still, I’m out of antidote and too busy to make anymore today, so you’ll just have to remain that way until my protégé is out of the infirmary and able to make some more for you,” he lied. 

Minerva turned and looked at Severus suspiciously thinking it all too convenient he’d suddenly run out of Poison Joke antidote. 

Severus just looked at her with a blank, soulless expression giving nothing away. 

She flashed her canines and growled at him.

“Bad dog, bad,” he replied smugly before tapping Minerva on the nose with a rolled-up copy of The Daily Prophet.

At this point Professor Sprout completely lost any remaining control she had as she doubled over with laughter, banging the table with a fist.

“I’m so getting you back for this one,” Minerva grumbled as she rubbed her sore nose before turning back to her bacon sandwich, which she found suddenly smelt even more appetising.


*


“Wow, she wasn’t kidding when she said she could eat as much as a horse,” Susan commented as she watched Sweetie devour pretty much everything that had been left over from the Hufflepuff’s breakfast rations.

“She’s going to have a major stomachache if she keeps eating at that pace,” Meghan jested before turning and saying firmly to Sweetie next to her. “No Sweetie, I want these last two pieces of bacon, you’ve had ten pieces already. Go have some sausages instead or something.”

Sweetie just shrugged her shoulders and did exactly that. 

With Sweetie too exhausted to walk, her dormmates used her robes as a makeshift stretcher and carried her back to the dormitory. They helped her get washed and dressed. The girls finally made it to the Great Hall at 8:30, just as most the others were leaving, including the most surprising sight of an anthrpomorphic grey canid dressed in Professor McGonagall's trademark green robes.

“Shut up you two and eat before Sweetie does eat everything. We’ve barely five minutes til' we need to get to DADA. You know Professor Discord does not stand for tardiness,” Hannah replied through a mouthful of buttered toast.


*


The girls were in for yet another surprise when they arrived at Class 104 for their lesson as Scootaloo was already waiting for them. There was no time to catch up though as a moment after entering the classroom Professor Discord appeared and they were forced to take their seats.

The next fifty or so minutes was not a pleasant experience for either the  Hufflepuffs or the Gryffindors as they learnt about Lethifolds. Also referred to as the Living Shroud and a tropical variant of a dementor due to it only being found in such climates, the Lethifold resembled a black cloak that glided above the ground using an unknown form of locomotion in search of its prey, humans. Due to it only attacking at night and only those that were sleeping through suffocating its prey to death and then digesting the remains, it was unknown just how many people had fallen victim to it. The fact only one person was known to have survived an attack from one though, was a testament to just how deadly it was.

As the lesson finally came to an end, the usual chatter and laughter that accompanied the students as they departed was replaced with a very stiff and sombre mood.

“Well, that was disturbing,” Sweetie said bluntly with a shiver.

“You can say that again,” Scootaloo replied with a shiver of her own. “I hope I never have the pleasure of meeting one of those.”

“Me too,” Susan said entering the conversation.

“So, anyway, what have I missed since you visited me yesterday afternoon? You were running it awfully close to being late this morning and you are well aware Discord does not tolerate tardiness,” Scootaloo asked in an attempt to lighten the mood and receiving a playful punch on her arm from Sweetie for her troubles. “Yowch, what was that for?” she asked a little confused.

“That was for calling me fat and telling Sprout I’ve been slacking fitness-wise over the summer,” Sweetie said with a scowl.

“Oh, she told you that,” Scootaloo responded with a guilty expression.

“Yes, and she had me spend an hour running around the quidditch pitch this morning because of it,” Sweetie added, her scowl becoming more of a glower.

“That doesn’t sound too bad.”

“While carrying Wallace on my back,” Sweetie said placing her arms across her chest to add to her glower.

Scootaloo’s mouth dropped open.

“Woah, stop right there. That’s not fair Sweetie,” Susan interjected. “You got what you deserved for putting itching powder in Apple Bloom’s pyjamas last night.”

“WAIT, WHAT?” Scootaloo exclaimed going wide eyed for a second. “Actually, I was wondering why she wasn’t in class.”

Sweetie turned and gave Susan a reproachful look before letting out a heavy breath. “Let me explain from the beginning. But first, where are we going? Library or common room?” she asked the rest of the girls.

“Broom shed. I need to get my equilibrium sorted now I’ve got this extra limb to contend with,” Scootaloo stated, her tail suddenly making an appearance from underneath her robes.

“GAH,” Susan cried in surprise jumping into the air. “You mean you were serious?” She said staring wide eyed at Sweetie. “I thought you were having us on when you and Bloom told us Scootaloo was a draconequus and now had a leopard tail.”

“Seriously Susan? You know Apple Bloom is as good at lying as I am at making potions,” Sweetie replied with a patronising expression towards Susan. 

“Yes, well…” Susan began but never got any further.

“OH NO YOU DON’T. WE’VE A WHOLE DAY OF STUDYING TO CATCH UP ON,” Hermione’s voice echoed throughout the hallway they were in.

Scootaloo looked like she was ready to make a dash for freedom but never got the chance to as Hermione grabbed her arm and whisked her away toward the library.

“HELP!!! KIDNAP!!! SOMEONE SAVE ME!!!” Scootaloo cried to no avail as everyone simply giggled in reply as she was dragged down the hallway to a fate worse than death: a lecture from Hermione!

“Well, that was unexpected. So, Hufflepuff common room then?” Sweetie said turning to Susan, Hannah and Meghan. 


*


Neville sat quietly at the end of the bed while he attempted to write up his report on Lethifolds and Death Eaters. He wasn’t getting very far. Defence Against the Dark Arts was nowhere near his best subject. In fact, aside from Herbology, he wasn’t very good at anything and he only believed he’d passed his first year because of Apple Bloom’s guidance. What the girl saw in him he had no idea, but ever since he’d picked up the courage to ask her to accompany him to the library on Valentine’s day earlier in the year, they’d hit it off and become the best of friends, the only real friend he’d ever had truthfully speaking. 

“A penny for your thoughts?” a groggy voice said from the head of the bed. 

“You're awake!” Neville said somewhat startled.

“Where am I? Last thing I remember was my head drooping as I met Professor Sprout for detention. Wait, did she knock me out with something?”

“No idea I’m afraid. It’s still Friday by the way, just before 10 o’clock in the morning. You missed Defence Against the Dark Arts but that doesn’t matter. How you feeling?” 

“My skin feels like its on fire,” Apple Bloom replied bluntly.

“That’ll be the ointment Madam Pomfrey told me she applied to cool the itching.”

“Well, it doesn’t feel like its working,” Apple Bloom replied bluntly before noticing the single red rose in a jug of water on the bedside cabinet next to her.

“Do you like it? The other boys mock me for doing so but I grow them in a planter on the window sill in our dorm.”

“Its beautiful!” Apple Bloom replied entranced by the exquisite specimen. “Thank you, you really didn’t have to, though. I’ll soon be out of here.”

Neville blushed in embarrassment. “But I wanted to,” he replied nervously.

“Well, although I need to control my anger a bit more, anyone mocks you for growing them in future and you let me know. You always know your knight in shining armour will be there to protect you,” Apple Bloom said with a wide smile.

“That I do,” Neville replied with a smile of his own, his cheeks still bright red. “I’m just sorry I didn’t realise what Professor McGonagall was up to yesterday.” 

“What do you mean?”

“I was struggling with the beetle spell yesterday when I looked up for just a moment and caught a glimpse of Professor McGonagall handing Sweetie something at the front of the class. I thought it was a little strange and after hearing everything that happened mentioned it to Professor Sprout as she watched Sweetie running laps around the quidditch pitch this morning, her punishment for her part in the prank. Next thing I knew, Professor McGonagall turned into an anthropomorphic canine of some sort at breakfast. Rumours going 'round the school suggest it was as an accident with Poison Joke, but even I’m not that dumb.”

Apple Bloom had sat through the whole story quietly. Realising Neville had finished she scolded, “How many times do I have to tell you you’re not dumb?” before she chuckled and added, “But thank you for being my knight in shining armour this time around.” 

And, despite how sore and painful it was to do so, she shuffled to the end of the bed and kissed him on the cheek making his already red cheeks glow even more.

“Now, where can a girl go to get something to eat around here?” 

Abruptly Wallace appeared and landed on Apple Bloom’s lap making her wince with pain.

She took the note from his mouth. 

Your friend said you’d got yourself into some bother and asked if we could send you something to help make you feel better. Hope these apple fritters granny baked you do the trick. Missing you dearly, AJ. 

P.S. Today marks the first of a new three-day holiday and one I am so far hating, National Pranking weekend. So far Rainbow has pranked me no fewer than 13, no wait, 14 times since breakfast and I’ve so far been covered in water, manure, tree sap and am writing you this while covered in super glue and blue fur. Yes, she went as far as shaving her whole coat of for a prank and is now complaining she’s cold, the idiot.

Apple Bloom managed a small giggle reading the second paragraph before she detached the tin tied to Wallace’s back and, after Neville had passed the dog a biscuit and he’d apparated once more to goodness knows where, she opened it up to the sight of a baker’s dozen apple fritters and a small bottle of apple juice.

Looking up she gave Neville a beaming smile. “Best boyfriend ever,” she said passing Neville a fritter before tucking into the rest of the scrumptious apple banquet herself.


*


“Settle down class,” Professor Pompernickle called from the front of Classroom 77 to the gathered group of Hufflepuff and Gryffindor second-years. He was just as pasty and overweight as a unicorn and his hair or mane was just as much, if not even more, of a scraggly mess.

Rather than the conventional method of having the class sat behind desks, he had cleared the desks to the side of the room and sat them in a circle on the floor. 

“I am glad to see we have practically a full house aside Miss Bloom who is in the infirmary, unlike my earlier class where only one Slytherin felt it necessary to attend,” Professor Pompernickle went on.

There were a few giggles in response to that statement and Professor Pompernickle waited until they had died down before continuing his lecture.

“I guess for a number of you it will come as a surprise to be a pony right now. After Dumbledore showed me the pony classroom, I felt that it was a good way to help you understand another species through practical first-hand experience. Now that that is explained, to begin I’d like to alleviate any fears or stress you may have about this class. This will be a lot more laid back and less strenuous than your other classes. Think of it as a group therapy session designed to help you understand and accept other species of equivalent intelligence. And how might you ask are we going to achieve that? Well, in this introductory lesson we are going to look at the Ministry of Magic’s three classifications of magical creatures, these being beasts, beings and spirits. We shall then go over all the species we shall be looking at over the course of this year and in small groups discuss stereotypical views that surround these species before relaying these back to each other in a group session at the end of the lesson. We will then be looking at these species individually in lessons over the course of the year where I shall be attempting to dispel these views and myths. But more on that later. To start, would anyone like to tell me the difference between a beast, a being and a spirit?”

Unsurprisingly it was Hermione’s hoof that shot into the air first.

“Yes, Miss Granger, isn’t it?”

“Here we go, now he’s done it. Glad I had a big breakfast,” Ron muttered mockingly into Harry’s ear.

Harry had to try his hardest to hide a snigger.

“The current definitions for a beast, being and a spirit were laid down by Grogan Stump, the Minister for Magic at the time, in 1811. He defined a beast as a magical creature that did not have sufficient intelligence to understand the laws of the magical community, nor bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws. A being on the other hand was any creature that has sufficient intelligence to understand the laws of the magical community and to bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws. Some exceptions have occurred over the years to these definitions though and spirits are one of those exceptions, with the classification being created due to spirits viewing the term being as insensitive when they are clearly has-beens,” Hermione said robotically like a talking encyclopaedia.

Professor Pompernickle’s mouth hung open in utter astonishment. “Outstanding,” he finally said before adding, “Twenty points to Gryffindor,”

Cheers went up from the Gryffindors.

As they slowly diminished Professor Pompernickle spoke once more. “Now, can anyone else tell me any other exceptions to these definitions?”

Scootaloo lifted her tail. Interestingly it had remained in leopard form after she’d transformed.

“Yes, Miss Prewett. That sure is an interesting way to catch my attention and may I just say it is a privilege to have such a rare being as a draconequus in my class.”

“Don’t mention it. If I remember rightly from what Melody told me, Centaurs refuse to be classified as beings as they don’t agree with some of the other creatures classed as such,” Scootaloo said a little unsure.

“Correct, two points to Hufflepuff and I’m guessing you were referring to the half-centaur Melody Song? Merpeople believe likewise and as such the whole situation has to be treated very delicately. We’ll talk more about it later in the year. Anyone harbour a guess at another?”

Seeing nobody else’s hoof aside Hermione’s rise into the air, Boris turned his attention onto the famous Harry Potter. Surely, he’d know something.

“How about you Mr Potter, any idea?”

Harry looked like he’d just been struck by lightning for a moment before saying, “Werewolves? I mean we’ve been taught in DADA that they are the most dangerous of beasts but then aren’t they also human so a being as well.”

“Exceptional logic and deduction. Another five points to Gryffindor. Miss Granger, care to fill us in on the last one.”

“Violent and bloodthirsty intelligent and sentient creatures, such as Acromantulas and Manticores along with werewolves, are not offered such status due to being more likely to kill any other being that came near them rather than talk to them,” Hermione explained.

“Correct again. Five more points to Gryffindor.”

A few more cheers came from the Gryffindors.

“Right, before we divide into our groups, I’d like you all to copy down those definitions Miss Granger so delightfully supplied us with from the blackboard behind me along with the following thirteen sentient species we shall be examining over the course of the year.”

Professor Pompernickle’s horn illuminated yellow and the board moved down to reveal the definitions of the three Ministry of Magic classifications along with the following list:

-  Centaurs
-  Draconequus 
-  Giants
-  Goblins
-  Hags
-  House Elves
-  Humans
-  Merpeople
-  Sentient Ponies
-  Spirits
-  Vampires
-  Veelas
-  Werewolves


*


“Draconequi have a penchant for disorder, chaos and mayhem wherever they go. They are also known for being loud, bossy and mean,” Susan declared barely keeping a straight face as the circle erupted into laughter while Scootaloo simply glowered at Susan from across the circle. 

Slowly Scootaloo rose to her own four hooves. “Really Susan? I heard that human’s have brains the size of a dung beetle’s but never thought that to be true until now,” she fired back with her trademark smirk. “Maybe I should lend you the book my dad gave me to inform you better? Actually, it might be a little too complex for your simple mind.”  

More giggles, this time at Susan’s expense. 

“Alright, settle down class,” Professor Pompernickle said, attempting to intervene and play peace keeper between the two girls. It didn’t work.

“Really? If I was so simple minded as you said, would I be able to do this? Leomorphis,” Susan cast, her wand suddenly appearing in one of her wings and firing of a bolt of golden yellow magic.

Scootaloo attempted to dodge the spell but suddenly found her hooves stuck to the floor. She glowered across at Sweetie, who sat on the floor next to Susan, whistling nonchalantly, her horn aglow. The spell hit Scootaloo directly in her chest and she was suddenly hit with an overwhelming desire to roar.

“Lion head spell, nice. Entomorphis.” 

Susan didn’t even have time to react the spell was cast that quick. She hadn’t even seen Scootaloo’s own wand appear in her tail. The next think she knew her own wand had hit the floor next to her and she was looking up at Scootaloo unable to say a word, just unintelligible clicking noises.

“Well, I guess you were right to some degree. Chaos and mayhem do like to follow me wherever I go. Concede?” Scootaloo jibed trotting over smugly to Susan now that Sweetie had released her hooves.

The oversized dung beetle lunged at Scootaloo. As the class roared with laughter, Professor Pompernickle rushed over in an attempt to break up the two squabbling girls only to find Scootaloo laughing her head off.

“That’s not fair!” she managed to wheeze in between fits of giggles from the floor with beetle Susan atop her. “Stop tickling me with those things!” she exclaimed helplessly from the floor before Professor Pompernickle lighted his horn and returned Susan back to her pony form followed by Scootaloo. 

“Enough,” he said sternly before turning to the rest of the class. “I hope this little demonstration shows you just how dangerous stereotyping can be and how easily it can lead to conflict. That will also be ten points from each of you from Hufflepuff for duelling in class and five points for your involvement as well Miss Belle.”

“What did I do?” Sweetie interrupted indignantly before she could stop herself.

“Make that another five. I saw your horn illuminate and have already heard about you and your friends’ fondness for misbehaving, pranking and getting into trouble,” Professor Pompernickle replied just as stern as before. “Be warned that I will not tolerate such behaviour in my classroom.”

Sweetie looked like she wanted to argue some more but sensibly decided against doing so and instead just muttered venomously, “Yes sir.”

“Good. Now, let us return to our discussion on stereotypes. And anymore tomfoolery from anyone and that person shall be spending their Saturday writing lines. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Professor Pompernickle,” the class replied as one.

“Excellent. Now you two girls return to your seats and we’ll continue. Miss Dunbar, what did your group come up with for stereotypes for giants?” 


*


After the remainder of Cultural Diversity and Inclusivity thankfully passed by without any further incidents, the students  made their way to the Great Hall for lunch back in their human forms laughing and joking about the whole ridiculous affair, none more so than Scootaloo and Susan. Susan’s jovial mood though was not to last.

“I think I’m going to be sick,” said girl commented, blanching suddenly as Hannah sat next to her grabbed a bowl and did exactly that.

The reason for this was sat across from them where Scootaloo had just made the most revolting sandwich in all of known history. It was a mixture of sardines, bananas, cheese and honey with a pickle on top.

“Hey, I find that highly offensive,” Scootaloo joked as she took a large mouthful from the abomination that should never have even been imagined let alone created. “My draconequus heritage means I have very unique tastes.” She said this whilst still devouring her mouthful, sending bits of bread, sardines and banana everywhere. 

Susan immediately grabbed a bowl and followed Hannah’s example as Sweetie sniggered next to Scootaloo, used to her friends’ peculiar habits by now. 

“My word that’s good. Anyone else like a bite?”  

“NO!” The table screamed as one. 

“Oh well,” Scootaloo said with a shrug of her shoulders. “More for me.” 

As she took another huge bite to the revulsion of her peers a chilling voice from just behind her caused her to swallow what she’d just consumed with a nervous gulp.

“I’ve just seen the latest house point scores outside the hall and bumped into Professor Pompernickle on my way in. Would one of you care to explain why my house now has MINUS fourteen house points?”

After one year, Scootaloo knew what that tone of voice meant. Professor Sprout was pissed and it was best just to be quiet and accept whatever punishment she had in store for you. Unfortunately, her fellow housemates didn’t seem to get the message.

“A demonstration of the negative impact of stereotyping?” Sweetie suggested smugly. 

“You taking fifty points from the house because Apple Bloom attacked Scootaloo with a Venomous Tentacula?” Hannah questioned cheekily.

“You taking another fifty points from our house because of Scootaloo’s sandwich being a crime against all wizarding kind?” Monica suggested just as audaciously.

“Dumbledore deducting fifty points from Hufflepuff because you turned Professor McGonagall into a dog.” 

After that last suggestion from Leanne the whole second- and first-year factions finally lost it and the table erupted into laughter. Even Professor Sprout ended up joining in, unable to stay mad at her second years any longer.

“Okay, you got me. I most certainly didn’t set you the best example with that one,” she giggled like a school girl a fraction of her age before asking, “And what’s this about a sandwich?”

Scootaloo held up her abomination. “Want a bite?” 

Professor Sprout’s face started to turn very off colour. “Sweet Merlin,” she muttered under her breath before saying hastily to the entire table in a very forced voice as sniggers started to light up the table again. “Thank you, but no thanks. I’ve just eaten,” she lied before swiftly changing the topic and tone of the conversation. “But I would also like to remind you that my decision from earlier still stands, no more pranks. Unless of course it’s against the other houses and nothing can be proven,” she added with an impish smile. “The last thing I need added to my record in Hogwarts History is worst House Cup defence in history.”

This caused the sniggers to develop into full blown laughter once more from the students situated around the table. Only when it finally started to subside did she continue.

“Anyway, on to the original reason as to why I wanted to see you all. I have a favour to ask. Who here would like to help me in the greenhouses for the next few periods? The Mandrakes and other matters have been taking way too much of my time recently and as such I’m way behind on my other duties.”

To everyone’s surprise Scootaloo immediately stuck her hand into the air. 

“Count me in. I’d rather be knee deep in dragon shit, stabbed by a Venomous Tentacula or strangled by Devil’s Snare than sit through another period of Hermione rabbiting on about the Beetles into Buttons spell.”

As the laughter once more picked up around the table Professor Sprout rubbed her chin for a moment before replying, “What an excellent idea! I’m sure Miss Granger would be thrilled to conduct a practical tutoring session! I’ll go speak to her right away and maybe Mr Longbottom might like to join us as well.” 

Without another word she departed as Scootaloo’s face went extremely pale; just what had she done? 


*


After one and a half hours of gruelling, exhausting, sweaty and rather messy periods of plant maintenance in the greenhouses along with Hermione constantly nattering in her ear and testing her on what felt like every plant in existence, Scootaloo had managed to excuse herself to get cleaned up before heading along the landing that seemingly led to nowhere. The ladder had already been lowered in anticipation of her arrival.

“Professor Trelawney, you up here?” she inquired reaching the top of the ladder. “Sorry I’m a little bit late, I was helping Professor Sprout in the greenhouses,” Scootaloo explained as she stepped into the dimly lit classroom that hadn’t changed in any way from the previous year. 

“And you’re behind me aren’t you,” Scootaloo deadpanned turning around and coming face to face with the Divination professor who wrapped her in a massive hug. “I missed you to,” she managed to squeak.

Slowly Trelawney lowered her apprentice to the ground before she began walking over to the two armchairs that sat in front of a roaring fire. A teapot, some biscuits and scones on a plate and two cups of tea already sat on a table between the two chairs. 

“Come, come,” she said waving at Scootaloo to come and sit down. “We’ve a lot to talk about today.”


*


And as it proved, they did! For half an hour they talked to each other about their summer breaks while drinking tea and eating scones and biscuits. Professor Trelawney had been particularly impressed with how Scootaloo had predicted and successfully orchestrated Harry’s rescue and had also been intrigued by Scootaloo’s new appendage. Afterwards the Divination professor had explained how they would be focusing on Astrology this year which would also involve a number of night time sessions on Mondays with her fifth years when her peers had Astronomy. They would follow on from this by continuing their studies on crystal-gazing before finally, if time allowed, making a start on dream and prophecy interpretation. Right now, Scootaloo was rapidly dividing her attention between a pile of sticks Professor Trelawney had placed on the table and her Xylomancy textbook. Unfortunately, even after nearly half an hour of going back and forth she was getting absolutely nowhere.

“Hmm,” she murmured to herself. “Strange, very strange.”

“What is it you see?” Professor Trelawney enquired, trying to see if she could help her sole student.

“Honestly, for once, I’m completely stumped. This little stick over here I think resembles a person, possibly a student, but I can’t be certain. This even smaller stick over here seems to be chasing them, a magical creature of some sort, who knows? Then there is this leaf that has fallen between them that I am certain is key, almost like the creature is throwing something at the person. Finally, there are these other two sticks here and here.” Scootaloo pointed first at a stick which seemed to be clawed at by some kind of animal. “That suggests an earthbound animal is involved somehow, while this one...” She pointed at the second stick, a thin long black one, “...Suggests darkness and possibly foul play is involved. It’s all very peculiar and confusing; that I can say.” 

Professor Trelawney rubbed her chin deep in thought before taking a sip of her tea. “Yes, it seems the twigs are being particularly cryptic today, but I’m sure their meaning will reveal themselves to you in time. I’d suggest noting your findings down and keeping them safe for future reference. Although I’d love to have you longer, I feel this would be a very good time for us to finish for today. Seeing as you seemed to have mastered it over the summer, we’ll have just one further session on Xylomancy next week before moving on to Astrology.”

“Okay professor,” Scootaloo replied as she scribbled her findings into a notebook which she had purchased over the summer solely for that exact purpose.

After packing up her things, saying goodbye to Professor Trelawney and departing back down the silvery ladder she was surprised to find Apple Bloom waiting at the bottom for her. 

“Hey Scoots, how was Divination?” 

“Highly entertaining and also frustrating. It was good to see Professor Trelawney again and catch up after the summer holidays, but I also received a very cryptic message through Xylomancy that I’ve so far been unable to crack,” Scootaloo replied.

“That’s the weird thing you were doing over the summer where you sat and stared at a pile of sticks for ages, right? I’ve still no idea how you are able to predict anything from a pile of twigs.” 

Scootaloo gave Apple Bloom a disgruntled look before replying. “Yes, and I won’t lie that it is a very complex and intricate art. Professor Trelawney was surprised just how well I’d taken to it over the summer. She told me that only one or two of her sixth years were usually able to master Xylomancy.”

“Remind me not to choose Divination as one of my optional subjects next year then,” Apple Bloom responded. “I think it would prove to be a complete waste of my time. Everything you seem to talk about from your lessons seems to just go straight over my head. I think I’d rather stick to the present than constantly predict morbid future events.”

Scootaloo couldn’t help bet let out a laugh at that response. “Yeah,” she finally uttered, “Divination isn’t like a lot of subjects here at the school. It is a lot less book smarts and a lot more natural ability and being lucky enough to be blessed with the gift,” she explained to her friend.  “Personally, I’d agree it would be a total waste of your time although I’d certainly like to see you get highly frustrated from trying and end up throwing a crystal ball through a window.”

This time it was Apple Bloom’s turn to let out a laugh before replying. “You wish. At least that’s one subject I can cross of the list to study next year.”

“I can’t believe you are already thinking about next year! This year’s barely begun,” Scootaloo exclaimed. 

“As Applejack and Granny Smith have told me multiple times. We may not know exactly what tomorrow will bring, but that doesn’t mean we should step into it blindfolded. I’d rather be fully informed when the time comes to choose my elective subjects than just toss a coin and hope for the best,” Apple Bloom explained extremely maturely for someone her age.

Scootaloo stopped walking for a moment and stared at her friend open mouthed, “Wow, that’s actually really sensible of you. Who are you and what have you done with Apple Bloom?”

Apple Bloom stopped herself before she responded. “Haha, it’s really me dodo. I guess my sister, my brother and my grandmother are finally having an impact on me. You given any thought on what you are going to choose as your electives next year?”

“Fair enough and you know you can’t call me that anymore unless you wish to become an actual dodo.” 

Scootaloo snapped her fingers and was stunned when Apple Bloom disappeared and was replaced with an actual dodo.

“Wow, it actually worked!” she exclaimed in astonishment. “You know, you actually look good as a dodo,” she chuckled before Dodo Bloom pecked her leg. “Ouch. Okay, okay, I’ll turn you back.” 

Scootaloo snapped her fingers once more and Apple Bloom reappeared looking seriously unimpressed with the whole experiment.

“You ever do that again and it won’t just be a friendly peck on the shins, understood?” 

“Yeah, yeah,” Scootaloo replied with a smirk. “Still, how about…” she went to snap her fingers again but Apple Bloom grabbed her left wrist. 

“Would you like me to help you lose you second hand?” Apple Bloom said with an expression that immediately told Scootaloo without a single word being spoken, try me. 

“Okay, okay, just having a little fun and chaos is all. No need to be such a downer.” Scootaloo retorted before returning back to Apple Bloom’s prior question. “As for next year’s electives, I don’t even know all of the subjects let alone thought about what I might take. Still, there are some perks to being a natural born seer.”

“Oh, come on! That’s cheating” Apple Bloom replied indignantly.

“Says the girl who is clearly going to choose and breeze through Care for Magical Creatures because not only can she can talk to animals but the teacher also just so happens to be one of her sister’s best friends?” Scootaloo said with a smug grin.

“Touché.”

“Now, before we get even further off track, might I ask why you are out of the infirmary so soon and why you were waiting for me?” Scootaloo queried as they restarted their journey to the Great Hall. 

“Professor McDogonagall personally came to visit, apologise and request my assistance. I did find it particularly odd how Snape was seemingly out of Poison Joke antidote. He’s very strict at keeping the antidotes cupboard stocked up in case of any emergencies,” Apple Bloom explained.

“Professor McDogonagall,” Scootaloo tittered. 

“Thought you’d like that one. I won’t lie, she didn’t half give me a fright when I woke up. Anyway, the reason I wanted to talk with you without Sweetie knowing was because I heard Professor Sprout has said a strong no to any more pranking.”

“Yeah, sad times,” Scootaloo said with the face of a puppy who’s just had their dinner taken away from them.

“But nothing surrounding quidditch practice,” Apple Bloom continued as if she hadn’t been interrupted, finishing with a devious smirk.

Scootaloo’s expression immediately changed into an equally devious smirk. “Go on…”
> Saturday: Chaos, Dreams and Quidditch (OLD)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sweetie Belle was less than pleased to not only be awakened by an air horn for the second day running, but also be awakened on Saturday, her well-earned day off. 

“GAH” she screamed waking with a start. Darkness surrounded her. 

Even in spite of this and her sleepy state, it didn’t take her long to realise that she wasn’t in her bed in the Hufflepuff dormitory. To make matters worse, as her eyes adapted to the early morning gloom, she saw her two best friends in the whole world hovering over and looking down at her with expressions that she had seen way too many times in the past during their many crusades. 

“Right, out with it. What are you two up to and where am I?” Sweetie said frankly. 

“In answer to your second question, the quidditch pitch, and to the first, nothing really. Apple Bloom just kindly offered to help me with some quidditch training,” Scootaloo said wickedly. “Remember what I told you in our first year. If you can dodge lightning, you can dodge a bludger.”

“No, just no,” Sweetie replied stubbornly as she looked around and realised the three girls were accompanied by two quidditch ball boxes. 

“I need to recalibrate my equilibrium and you need to start getting yourself back into shape after slacking off and eating all those ice creams over the summer. Some shooting and dodging practice will be good for both of us. Plus, I’ll be your transfiguration assistant for an hour later today. How does that sound?” Scootaloo said trying to tempt her friend into cooperating.

“With Apple Bloom as the beater we’ll be lucky to be out of the infirmary before the weekend is up and that’s if we’re lucky. Or don’t you remember what she did to Adrian Pucey? The boy still runs a mile whenever he sees her or at least attempts to. Two hours or no deal. And don’t try to bargain with me or I’m heading straight back to the dorm,” Sweetie replied sternly holding out her hand for her friend to shake. 

“Deal,” Scootaloo replied with a smirk shaking her friend’s hand as she pulled Sweetie up from the turf.


*


“Ooof,” Sweetie exclaimed as for the fifth time a bludger caught her flush in the ribs.

From the momentary lapse in concentration Scootaloo had managed to steal yet another goal with the quaffle. 

“Oh, very sneaky,” Sweetie exclaimed before a bolt of lightning attacked her rump. “Yowch!”

“Should have paid more attention on our practice instead of…” Scootaloo started to say before the same bludger that had just hit Sweetie slammed into her own chest nearly forcing her off her broom. 

“And you should remember that I’m a keeper,” Sweetie snapped back.

Scootaloo hung upside-down like a monkey by her tail for a moment before clambering back upon her broom. “Nice shot, just don’t try that in games or you’ll get us penalised,” she commented as she did so. “Anyway, ten more minutes and then we’ll head to breakfast,” she said as she dove and picked up the quaffle to start another attack on the rings only for another bludger to narrowly miss her.

It was accompanied by an ominous cackle from below.

“If we survive that long that is,” she muttered to herself, suddenly wondering if Apple Bloom had conned her. She’d certainly received just as many hits from the bludgers as Sweetie this morning. 


*


As the two girls brought their aching bodies in to land, Scootaloo was surprised to see Susan also waiting for them looking rather concerned.

“Great job Bloom. I think we’re both going to be sore for a week with how many bludgers we were hit by.  You sure I can’t convince you to try out for the team?” Scootaloo asked as she landed, already knowing the answer.

“For you maybe. I think one of those bludgers cracked a rib,” Sweetie interjected rubbing her ribs gingerly. “Yep, Madam Pomfrey is not going to be happy.” 

“Well, maybe you’ll think next time before putting itching powder in my pyjamas, and consider yourself lucky, Snape said he was quite happy to cover for me if I had wanted to douse your dinner last night with extreme laxative potion,” Apple Bloom finished with a chuckle.

Sweetie stared at her friend for a moment unsure if she was being serious or not. She decided it was best not to ask and just accept the injuries she’d received.

“Oh, and sorry Scoots, you know I like to keep my feet upon the ground!” Apple Bloom added turning her attention to Scootaloo.

“No worries, I’ve already two amazing Beaters anyway,” Scootaloo responded before turning to Susan. “And here’s one of them come to watch her teammates train. Couldn’t wait for the new season to begin?”

Susan didn’t reply instead simply looking down guiltily at the ground. 

Scootaloo’s smirk was suddenly replaced with a look of concern. “Susan, what’s up?”

Susan looked up with tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry, I’m so, so sorry, but…” she paused as she sniffled and wiped a sleeve across her face. “That’s why I came to find you. I won’t be trying out this year.”

Scootaloo’s face immediately dropped.

“I-I-I’ve really enjoyed my time on the team, but my aunt was concerned with some of my grades last year and told me that even at this early stage I need to consider my future. I want to be an Auror more than anything and feel I need to focus more on achieving that dream.” Susan paused for a moment to take a deep breath to steady herself before continuing. “Th-that combined with the fact I felt I was often missing out on so much last year with friends because of how much time and effort quidditch training required is ultimately why I’ve come to this decision. I’m so, so sorry,” the girl blubbered wiping a sleeve across her face again. “Please don’t hate me,” Susan whimpered stepping back as Scootaloo approached her.

Susan was shocked when Scootaloo offered her a hand. Cautiously she reached out and took hold of it. 

Rather than shake it Scootaloo sharply pulled her into a hug and whispered into her ear, “Thanks for all your hard work and dedication over the past year. We certainly couldn’t have done what we did without you. And by the way, I know you’ll make a damn good Auror; not even I saw this one coming.”

Through the sniffles and tears Susan let out a small weak laugh before replying, “Thanks cap, you’re the greatest,” as both Sweetie and Apple Bloom came over to join in the hug.


*


“Scootaloo, Saturn’s rings to Scootaloo. Anyone in there?” Sweetie chimed at the breakfast table. 

“Huh, what?” Scootaloo replied in a distant tone. “Sorry, I was just thinking about things.”

“I could see that,” Cedric’s voice replied with a chuckle.

“Hey Cedric. Sorry, I’m a bit distracted, I’ve just found out this morning one of our Beaters won’t be trying out this year. I’m somewhat worried that despite our unexpected success last year we might find it hard to replace them,” Scootaloo apologised. 

“Oh? So, Anthony has already come and told you then,” Cedric replied, suddenly looking like a huge weight had been lifted of his shoulders. 

“Anthony? I meant Susan. Please don’t tell me I’m heading into the school year with possibly no Beaters for the quidditch team. I’ve only had one enquiry into the quidditch try outs so far and they aren’t exactly Beater material.” Scootaloo replied, the look on her face somehow managing to take on an even graver tone than previously.

“Ahh,” Cedric replied with a wince. “Well, looks like we’ve an even bigger gap to fill. Would any of your friends be interested in trying out? I heard Apple Bloom was exceptional when she covered in the final game against Slytherin.”

“Not a chance,” Apple Bloom answered, immediately nipping that suggestion in the butt before she shuffled up the table to allow Scootaloo’s vice-captain space to sit down, which he immediately obliged in doing.

“That answer your question? And I think the remaining girls just aren’t really that interested. Susan already stated she quit to spend more time with them. As for Wayne, Justin and Ernest. Wayne flies like an old grandma, Justin has mentioned at least two-thousand times that ‘quidditch is nowhere near as interesting as polo’, whatever polo is, and Ernest still hasn’t forgiven Sweetie for making him run naked back to the dorm after the DADA exam last year, long story, don’t ask.”

“Hey, I resent that,” Justin retorted from across the way. 

“But to be fair, she’s correct,” Wayne said through a mouthful of scrambled eggs next to him. 

“Although I am sorely tempted to try out for revenge purposes, I have better things to be doing with my free time and people to spend it with,” Ernest said truthfully. “Also, I’d be just as worried that crazy keeper of yours would cause me injury.”

“That answer your question?” Scootaloo sighed repeating herself while rubbing her temple as she felt a headache coming along.

“What about Melody? Maddie? Or Abigail?” Cedric suggested as he grabbed a plate and started to fill it with all manner of breakfast items. 

“They’ve got too much other work on I fear to help us out this time and that’s what also makes me fearful we’ll not get any help or tryouts from the upper years either. Quidditch takes up a lot of free time and if you don’t want to pursue it as a career choice, it’s just not worth risking your grades and your desired future career for. Professor Sprout taught me that one,” Scootaloo said in a resigned tone. 

“Yeah, I know what you mean. That’s actually part of the reason Anthony has decided not to continue, along with the fact that our four dormmates have been teasing us constantly about being ordered about by a first-year girl,” Cedric responded.

Scootaloo rolled her eyes “Seriously? So that’s the fourth-year boys ruled out as well and is another reason for the fifth, sixth and seventh years to not want to try out as well. If I wasn’t under a pranking embargo and it wasn’t also yours and Anthony’s, I’d leave a storm cloud in their dorm. Do you know if any of the fourth-year girls might be interested?”

Cedric chuckled in reply. “Thanks cap, but I can handle them. I emptied their pockets of sweets and galleons last year when we won the trophy and they haven’t bothered me since. As for the two girls in my year, they are best friends with Egghead Ethel in Tamsin and Heidi’s year.”

“Shit. So that leaves me hoping and praying one of the four third year boys comes and finds me or one of the fifth, sixth or seventh years takes a gamble,” Scootaloo said whilst looking to the heavens hoping for a miracle.

“We’re doomed, aren’t we?” Cedric said pessimistically.

“Not yet, but we’re in a deep hole right now with no way out while slowly being buried alive. Oh, and our feet are stuck in concrete,” Scootaloo replied morbidly.

“So, practically doomed. Thanks for not even attempting to sugarcoat the position we’re in. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but can any of the first year’s fly?” 

“Talking with Professor Sprout last night, six of the boys are muggle born or half-bloods that barely know how to hold a broomstick, let alone fly one. The other, Zacharias Smith, well the less I repeat of what Professor Sprout told me about him, the better,” Scootaloo replied, finishing with a shudder.

“Yeah, I’ve already had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting him. For once, one less student in our house would have been a blessing. What about the two girls and this one person who’s approached you?” Cedric asked, still hoping for a miracle.

“Monica may be this realm’s version of a Pegasus, but she definitely doesn’t fly like one yet. As for the final girl and the one person who’s approached me, they are one and the same and here she comes now,” Scootaloo explained as Ginny, giggling alongside Monica, entered the hall. 

“You have got to be kidding me!” Cedric exclaimed slamming his head upon the table. 

“You’d be surprised just how good a chaser she is and under Tamsin and Heidi’s guidance I’ve got high hopes she’ll flourish and only get better,” Scootaloo explained to her vice-captain. 

“That may be so, but need I remind you we’ve already got enough Chasers unless, heaven forbid, Tamsin or Heidi drop out. Secondly, she’s a Weasley who’s also heavily infatuated with the Gryffindor Seeker. How can we trust her?” Cedric grumbled in a muffled tone, his head still on the table.

“Watch what you’re saying there Cedric; you’re treading a thin line,” Scootaloo growled trying to hold back her anger. “Or need I remind you that not only is my girlfriend in Gryffindor but that Ginny is my cousin who has constantly been overshadowed and overlooked by her older brothers. Vengeance and having a point to prove are two very good motivators. Unless of course you don’t want the Seeker position?”

Cedric’s head couldn’t have lifted itself off the table any faster if he’d tried. “What? Do you mean it? But where will you play?” he said equally as fast.

“Beater, of course. I’ve come to realise this new limb of mine is awfully strong.”

“New limb?” Cedric questioned looking somewhat confused having not yet seen Scootaloo’s tail.

Scootaloo’s tail immediately made an appearance and wafted itself under Cedric’s nose. 

The boy’s eyes went wide. 

“Sorry, it can be a bit unruly at times. Down tail, behave yourself,” she commanded only for her tail to poke her in the eye in retaliation. “Ow! That hurt. Come here.” 

As Scootaloo fell off the bench she was seated in and started grappling and fighting with her tail, much to the still sparsely populated hall’s occupants’ amusement, Ginny and Monica arrived and were just about to sit down when Cedric, slowly coming back to his senses, rose and offered his hand to Ginny, who looked at him for a moment somewhat confused before shaking it with one of her own.

“Cedric Diggory, Hufflepuff quidditch vice-captain and Seeker, formerly Chaser. Scootaloo was just talking about you, although she’s currently preoccupied,” Cedric said in the politest voice imaginable.

“Stop struggling,” Scootaloo screamed from the floor. 

Ginny couldn’t help but giggle some more. “I can see. I’m hopeful I’ll be good enough to be a reserve, but I’ll expect competition will be fierce after last year’s cup victory,” she added somewhat nervously.

“You would think that, but quidditch takes a lot of a student’s free time and along with the prejudice we are receiving due to both our captain’s age and gender, we are looking likely to be a couple of people short right now,” Cedric explained with a deep sigh.

“Oh no, that’s awful. Poor Scoots. Is there any way I might be able to help?” Ginny said genuinely upset by the news.

“Well, we’ll have to have the tryout Tuesday, but if all goes well, congratulations on becoming our newest Chaser.” 

“M-m-me,” Ginny replied in utter astonishment. “I-in t-the f-first team,” she added, barely managing to get the words out she was that taken back by the announcement. “B-but I’m only a first year!” she exclaimed.

“Yes. Although we’d rather not put you in this position, unfortunately, needs must. That is pending your tryout of course, but both me and cap are expecting big things from you in the future and that this will be a great opportunity for you if you take it. Why don’t we talk about it more over breakfast?” 

Ginny blushed as Cedric directed her to a space at the table before sitting down next to her as Scootaloo finally rose from the floor and dusted down her robes. Her tail was still jabbing her like an annoying, petulant child refusing to accept the word no, but she decided for once to ignore it. 

“Sorry about that. What did I miss?” 


*


Scootaloo was quite happy to get one over on Cedric for a change. The third-year boy had been utterly astounded with Ginny’s quidditch knowledge and the three of them along with Sweetie ended up spending a good hour discussing all manner of topics including tactics, favourite teams and players and the rules. It was nearly ten o’clock in the morning by the time the four left the Great Hall. 

Scootaloo gulped as she saw who was waiting for her as they came out.

Her girlfriend did not look at all pleased.

“There you are. How long does it take to have breakfast?” Hermione grumbled. “I’ve been waiting out here for you for half an hour!”

Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “Sorry Hermione. Quidditch business. Very important and highly confidential. Please tell me you’re not here to drag me to the library. It’s Saturday and I caught up with all my homework last night aside Divination. Just ask Sweetie here.” 

“It’s true. I’m actually quite surprised just how much she’s managed to catch up on considering she spent a whole day in the infirmary. I’ve never seen her work so hard before and all I had to do was mention that if you don’t get it done, you’ll be spending the weekend in the library with Hermione,” Sweetie giggled before wincing and struggling for breath for a moment in severe discomfort. 

"Sweetie, you okay?" Scootaloo asked concerned about her friend's well-being.

“Yeah, just my ribs. Think I better get myself to the infirmary before they get any worse, I'll see you later," the other girl struggled to wheeze before she slowly and painfullly departed.

As she left Hermione's unamused voice echoed in Scootaloo's ear, "Spending the weekend in the library with Hermione, huh, and what might I ask is wrong with that?"

Scootaloo's head immediately slammed into her hands. Sweetie and her big mouth! Why’d she have to go and tell Hermione that!

“Erm, me and Ginny will give you two some space. See you later cap,” Cedric said awkwardly, pulling Ginny along with him as he hastily made his exit, heading towards the training fields and the broom cupboard.

Hermione glowered angrily at her girlfriend; her arms crossed across her chest.

Scootaloo peeked through her hands and instantly knew that look, she was in trouble.

“So, trying to avoid me now, are we? Well, I was planning on spending this gorgeous late summer or autumn day out on the training fields with my girlfriend on our broomsticks but maybe instead I’ll help this fellow second year I’m tutoring get ahead in her History of Magic Studies in the library,” Hermione said with an unamused expression.

Scootaloo’s face dropped and for once she stumbled with her words. “Oh, come on. I didn’t mean anything by it. Please don’t be mad at me,” she pleaded desperately.

Hermione couldn’t hold it in any longer and doubled over with laughter much to Scootaloo’s surprise. “Your face!” she wheezed. “That was priceless. It’s so funny to get one over on you and see you squirm for once.”

This time it was Scootaloo’s turn to glower at her girlfriend. “Not funny,” she grumbled. 

“Oh, it was,” Hermione exclaimed wiping a tear from her eye before standing up straight once more and closing the gap between her and Scootaloo.

Scootaloo’s disgruntled look immediately changed to one of longing and she closed her eyes and leant in expecting a kiss, instead getting Hermione’s sweet voice whispering into her ear.

“Tsk, tsk, have you not learnt anything from our time together? Kisses need to be earnt. You’ll have to catch me first!”

And with that Hermione’s hot breath disappeared from Scootaloo’s face as she raced down the hallway towards the training fields and the broom shed.

“No fair!” Scootaloo yelled racing after her girlfriend. 


*


“Madam Pomfrey?” Sweetie Belle called as she pushed open the door to the infirmary.

“Sweetie Belle?” A timid voice replied.

“Fluttershy?” Sweetie Belle said in a confused tone as the light-yellow humanoid Pegasus appeared from behind a curtain.

“Yes. I’m covering for Madam Pomfrey while she’s helping Dumbledore interview a new assistant,” Fluttershy replied barely audible. “Is there something I can help you with?” she added rushing over. “Oh my, your rib, it’s broken, isn’t it? 

“Yes, but how did you know?” Sweetie replied in surprise.

“Oh, I have a natural sense for these things. Come sit over here and lift your shirt so I can examine it more thoroughly,” the shy Pegasus explained dragging Sweetie over to an unoccupied bed before pulling a curtain around them for privacy. 

Gingerly Sweetie lifted herself up onto the bed before pulling her shirt off to reveal a horrible swollen bruise across her chest.

Fluttershy gasped. “It’s worse than I thought. By the looks of it you’ve broken at least two ribs! How did this happen?” she added giving Sweetie a stern look.

“Quidditch practice. Scootaloo doubled the number of bludgers we usually play with and one caught me unawares,” Sweetie explained.

Fluttershy did not look happy with that response. “Really, you girls need to start growing up and being more responsible. I’ve heard all about your exploits this past year from the other teachers. When and what will it take for you to realise magic is serious and dangerous business?”

Sweetie looked sullenly down her lap. “Fluttershy, I’ve already had that conversation with Dumbledore after the Potions incident last year and if you think hard, I’m sure you will find that I’ve barely been in any serious trouble since. Most the times were the result of listening to or being coerced by my two numbskull best friends or someone else.”

“Yes, now you come to mention it, I did find it a little odd how you managed to stay out of mischief a little better than the other two. Was it something Dumbledore said to you?” Fluttershy replied, her tone taking on a softer, more motherly manner.

“He said a few things, such as me being on the edge of a cliff with even the smallest mistake leading to my expulsion,” Sweetie sighed, not particularly wanting to relieve the painful memory.

“I see and…” Fluttershy said, prompting Sweetie to continue.

“He asked me what I would do if I accidentally killed Apple Bloom or Scootaloo because a spell went wrong?”

Fluttershy’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.

“That’s often why I’ve found myself in the positions I have this past year. They may both have found others that are more important to them, but we will always be best friends and I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something bad happened to either one of them that I could have prevented. I was beside myself with worry after the quidditch and Philosopher’s Stone incidents last year. Apple Bloom was amazing both times, an almost emotionless rock who was there to listen to my irrational thoughts and comfort me as I cried endlessly into her shoulder.” Sweetie paused for a moment before taking a deep breath and going on. “Yeah, we tease and play pranks on each other, but what kids don’t? And I always try to ensure those two don’t go overboard, but they are constantly challenging me. Who do you think went in and fetched Scootaloo out of the lake last year before she drowned? I bet the other professors didn’t mention that to you. And for the record, trying to stop Apple Bloom when she’s that infuriated is like trying to stop a raging bull with a red flag.” Sweetie finished looking up and meeting Fluttershy’s eyes with her own. 

During her long tirade Fluttershy had said nothing, simply sitting and listening in stunned silence as the girl got everything off her chest. As an uneasy silence hung in the air for what felt like an eternity for Sweetie, Fluttershy finally spoke.

“Fifteen.”

“Huh?” Sweetie replied confused.

“Fifteen times Dash needed medical attention when we were fillies because she was protecting me from bullies and ended up getting into a fight with them. I remember one time a group of eight gave me a black eye. Even after they’d broken one of her wings and her jaw, she still sent five of them to the hospital for a week and another two home with black eyes of their own. I was beside myself with worry for a while after that occasion that the wing wouldn’t heal properly,” Fluttershy replied distantly, lost in her own memories. 

Unsure if she was supposed to reply or not, Sweetie asked, “So, you know what it’s like to want to protect another then?”

“Yes. Thank you for explaining to me,” Fluttershy replied, snapping back to reality. “I see now your actions are noble and that you are just trying to be a good, no, an exceptional friend. Rarity would be extremely proud at how much you’ve matured and I must thank you on behalf of Rainbow and Applejack for keeping an eye on Scootaloo and Apple Bloom. But just remember, no matter how much you try, you won’t always be able to be there for them and you mustn’t blame yourself in those instances. We all make our own choices and choose our own paths in life at the end of the day. It is they, not you, that should live with the consequences they cause, understood?” Fluttershy said wistfully.

“Yes, and thanks Fluttershy. I didn’t realise it, but I needed that. Did you give Rainbow the same talk when she was laid up?” Sweetie asked with a smile as she wiped a solitary tear from her eye. 

“Excellent and as Big Mac would say, Eeeeyup,” Fluttershy said with a little giggle. “Now I’d better go fetch the Skele-Gro before your condition gets any worse,” the Pegasus hybrid stated standing up from where she had perched herself on the side of the infirmary bed before departing through the curtain on her way to the medicine cabinet.

Sweetie’s smile had disappeared. She’d been lucky enough to avoid the apparently vile tasting liquid for both her broken nose and fractured foot last year. Madam Pomfrey had not wanted to rush fixing her broken nose with Skele-Gro in case it fixed itself crooked and had to be re-broken and fixed for a second time. As for her foot, it had been such a minute break that Madam Pomfrey had been unsure the potion would have any effect. As such, the matron had opted for more traditional means of recovery on those occasions. Unfortunately for Sweetie, it seemed like it was third time unlucky for her on this occasion.


*


Meanwhile, as Sweetie suffered in the infirmary, Apple Bloom and Neville were pondering over Apple Bloom’s latest acquisition in Greenhouse One. 

“Intriguing. I’ve heard of bonsai trees, but never actually seen one before,” Neville stated while examining intricately the exquisite specimen Apple Bloom had just shown him. “It is said they are supposed to have magical properties, but no one’s ever managed to prove anything.”

“Huh, strange, Professor Sprout said almost exactly the same thing to me. And I’m sure she would be happy to let you help with the upkeep of the other five she has long term if you asked her,” Apple Bloom responded.

“You think so?” Neville asked somewhat uncertain the Herbology professor would be willing to risk the delicate care of such plants to him. 

“Certainly. How many times do I have to tell you to stop doubting yourself? Why do you think Professor Sprout keeps asking you questions in class along with your assistance here in the greenhouses? She knows she can trust you!” Apple Bloom said in an exasperated tone.

“R-really? I just thought she felt sorry for seeing me alone all the time and wanted to cheer me up?” Neville said completely oblivious.

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “Nincompoop. Why did I ever fall in love with you?”

“Because I looked good as a pony?” Neville quipped cheekily.

Apple Bloom leant her head to one side for a moment deep in thought. “Yes, that’s definitely a plus point. Also, because you’re about the only one I can have a sane talk about Herbology with. Sweetie prefers talking about Charms or Transfiguration while Scootaloo would try to feign interest but end up just falling asleep and snoring loudly.”

Neville couldn’t help but chuckle in reply before finally saying, “That sentence sums up Scootaloo in a nutshell.”

“True, now, come on; we need to water and check over all the plants in Greenhouses One to Three before Professor Sprout gets back, starting with these Bonsai Trees that need clipping. Although, unfortunately the upkeep of this one in particular is part of my overall second year grade, so it wouldn’t be right or honest if I let you help me, I’m afraid,” Apple Bloom said taking charge.

“No worries, I understand. Before we start though, I’ve been meaning to ask you, where is Professor Sprout anyway? It’s not like her to shirk her duties,” Neville enquired finally turning his attention away from Apple Bloom’s Bonsai tree as he put on his dragon hide gloves and picked up a pair of garden shears. 

“She grumbled to me about something to do with being duped by Headmaster Dumbledore to sit on a panel to interview applicants for a new assistant nurse for Madam Pomfrey because Professor McGonagall had become unwell after drinking from a toilet bowl yesterday.”

Neville stared at his girlfriend like she’d just grown another head. 

“Yep, I know, so ridiculous I couldn’t even make it up. But look on the bright side,” Apple Bloom said seductively closing the gap between her and Neville.

“W-what?” Neville said starting to become very flustered, his face starting to take on a reddish glow.

“With no one else around to disturb us, I can kiss you as much as I want,” she whispered into his ear.

Neville was unsure whether to be terrified or delighted. 


*


Madam Pomfrey held her head in her hands. She almost wished she had never asked Dumbledore for an assistant. Where to start? Maybe from the beginning when the ice blue chaosling with split personality disorder had walked in. Or, how about the ghost of a one-eyed pirate whose solution to almost every medical problem they’d hypothetically put forward to him had been whisky, rum, whisky and rum or a bash on ye olde noggin. That hadn’t even been the worst applicant they’d had. That award had gone to the Ravenclaw Muggle Studies student who had based their final year project on something called Star Trek. Simply put, their idea was a magical holographic nurse. In theory it had sounded quite intriguing and interesting. In reality the poor wizard had got his spells muddled up and the holographic nurse that appeared was, well let’s just say she was doing an inspection down below the doctor’s belt. It took them five exceedingly embarrassing minutes to figure out how to end the debauchery. The American exchange student had also seemed promising until the micro dragon in her hair sneezed and turned the desk they were sitting at into nothing more than ash, while a Dr Jekyll, although promising, had seemed very twitchy and on edge for some reason. The hag in disguise had then been promptly sent to Azkaban by Dumbledore. Their seventh interview had been with a diminutive, hirsute being called Itt that none of them could understand. Things had only got even more ridiculous from there as next a bunch of even smaller yellow beings invaded the room screaming BANANA!!! The penultimate interview had been yet another seventh year Muggles Studies Student called Fergus, this time from Gryffindor. He had promptly been shown the door after his metallic monstrosity called a robot had screamed DANGER, DANGER, I AM MALFUNCTIONING! and then promptly blown up. It was at that point Professor Sprout remembered he was the cousin of Seamus Finnigan and commented on how she should have seen it coming. 

Thankfully, much to her relief, it looked like their last interviewee was a no show. 

“Well, it does seem that,” Madam Pomfrey paused for a moment as she looked down at the sheet of names on the desk in front of her.

Before she had a chance to finish her sentence though, a timid knock and a head with striking long blue hair and eyebrows popped through the door. 

“S-sorry I-I’m late. I lost track of time whilst wandering through the castle reminiscing,” Kendra Abbot stammered sheepishly as she entered the room.

Aside from her hair, Kendra was a lanky witch but with an abundance of upper body strength due to significant physical training. Her arms would have given even Apple Bloom a run for her money in an arm wrestling contest. She stood almost six and a half feet tall, sported two piercings in her right eyebrow and looked like she was somewhere in her late teens or early twenties. Her dress was a nurse's uniform similar to that of Madam Pomfrey, although a lot grubbier.

“You!” Professor Sprout growled venomously.

Kendra gulped. “P-Professor Sprout, what are you doing here?” 

“Minerva McGonagall has unfortunately fallen unwell. Professor Sprout here has kindly stepped in to help us with the interview process. As this has already been a very long and shall we say interesting experience, I suggest we not dawdle and begin,” Dumbledore explained motioning towards a seat across from the three professors for Kendra to sit down in.

“Oh, I don’t think that’ll be necessary,” Madam Pomfrey interjected resulting in both Dumbledore and Sprout to turn their heads and attention upon the matron in surprise.

“Her parents are both healers at St. Mungo’s. Kendra often visited and asked me for advice last year. She was planning on applying to St Mungo’s after graduating to be a healer herself and even had some experience days shadowing either one of her parents or myself. She is exceptionally knowledgeable, if somewhat occasionally overenergetic, and would make a fine addition to the medical team here at Hogwarts. I only have one question to ask. Why are you here and not at St Mungo’s? The last I heard you were on course to breeze all of your N.E.W.Ts.”

Still standing, Kendra didn’t reply and instead stared glumly at her feet.

“I can answer that one,” Professor Sprout growled entering the conversation. “She fluffed her Herbology practical and ended up only managing to scrape A Pass.”

Kendra immediately lifted her head and before she could stop herself blurted out, “Scrape a Pass? I scored 92.6% on the theory!”

“And only 39% on the practical,” Professor Sprout retorted.

“You’re just still mad at me for abandoning my position as quidditch captain after my sixth year. I told you, we were blooming useless and going nowhere and I had way too much work on my shoulders in trying to get my internship at St Mungo’s and achieve my dream of following in my parents’ footsteps as a healer,” Kendra jabbed back at the Herbology professor infuriated.

“Well, looked like all the extra time you had didn’t help in the end. Might I enquire what St Mungo’s had to say about your poor Herbology grade?” Professor Sprout said snidely.

“I achieved Outstanding in Transfiguration, Charms, Potions and DADA, that not good enough for you? But if you really want to know, despite my background, all my other grades and work experience, they flatly refused to take me on because of my Herbology mark, not even bothering to look at how close I was to the required grade. My own fucking parents were part of the panel that reviewed my appeal and denied me any hope of my dream job. You want to know how I reacted? I transfigured them into pigs in front of the whole panel and stormed out. Grabbed the few possessions I needed from home along with breaking into the family safe and left. Been travelling incognito and living on the streets ever since. I only learnt about this job opportunity after that draconequus you hired somehow found me. Even then I would have likely rejected his offer if it hadn’t been for the fact I was running out of money,” Kendra ranted red in the face with anger before slowly realising what she’d just admitted. “Shit,” she muttered with a resigned sigh. “Well, I guess you are going to arrest me now for improper use of magic and theft. Still, nearly two months on the run wasn’t bad,” she finished shrugging her shoulders.

Madam Pomfrey and Professor Sprout were staring at the girl open-mouthed. Dumbledore was deep in thought. 

Of course, that was the perfect moment for the door to burst open and Hannah to appear. “Kendra?... Is… it… really… you?” She exclaimed taking deep breaths in between each word as if she’d been running super hard and was now out of breath. 

“Ah, double shit. I forgot you were here. Anyway, hi cous, sorry I had to bolt without saying goodbye. Kind of got into a lot of trouble with the folks,” Kendra replied with a cheeky grin to her younger cousin. 

As Kendra had spoken Hannah had slowly got her breath back and now replied a lot more clearly. “I thought I was seeing a ghost when I saw you wandering around the castle. We’ve all been worried sick these past couple of months, your parents especially. They are not mad about the whole pig incident; they just want you home safely and have been asking and advertising about you everywhere.”

“Oh, you know, here and there while on the run from the law. Also, I don’t want to see either of those back stabbers right now and if you don’t mind, I was kind of in the middle of a job interview. Considering everything that just happened though, I feel I may need to make a quick… Treble shit. Seriously sir, the leg-locker curse. Unfair, totally unfair.”

“That it may be, but we are in desperate need of an assistant nurse and you are in desperate need of a home,” Dumbledore said astutely. “As a member of our team I can assure you that your safety is paramount and if that may be put at risk by your parents you have my solemn word that neither will be allowed on the grounds without prior consent from you, although they will be informed of your current whereabouts. This offer does come with a few conditions though. You’ll repeat your seventh year in Herbology…”

“WHAT?” Professor Sprout screeched.

“And retake your exams at the end of the year while you will also pay back every galleon you stole from your parents out of your wages, understood?” Dumbledore continued, ignoring the Herbology professor’s outburst.

“Yes, sir. And thank you sir, I won’t let you down,” Kendra replied bowing her head to the Hogwarts Headmaster.

“There is no way I’m letting this delinquent and fugitive not only back into my house but back on the Herbology tract and nothing and I mean absolutely nothing on this Earth would make me change my mind,” Professor Sprout growled stubbornly before Dumbledore could reply, refusing to be ignored.

“Hey professor, I meant to tell you that I overheard Scootaloo this morning at breakfast say she may not be able to field a team this year as both her Beaters have quit and she’s only had one enquiry about the trials,” Hannah stated casually, entering the conversation.

Professor Sprout suddenly looked alarmed. She coughed politely and then spoke, “As I was saying, your position on the tract will be dependent on mandatory involvement with the Hufflepuff quidditch team.”

“WHAT!” This time it was Kendra’s turn to exclaim loudly. “There is no way I’m taking orders from a twelve-year old second year. I’m eighteen!”

“Well, looks like I’ll be handing you over personally to a team of aurors or your parents, whichever I feel would be worse,” Professor Sprout said with a wicked smile.

“Eugh, fine, I agree,” Kendra instantly replied while pouting with a scowl solely directed at the Herbology professor. 

“Excellent, then on behalf of everyone here at Hogwarts welcome. Madam Pomfrey will show you around and explain to you more about the position and its perks, including three free meals a day. I’ll catch up with you later at dinner to see how you are settling in but right now I’ve got to go have a word with our DADA professor who I feel may have been somewhat responsible for our list of unique interviewees today,” Dumbledore said rising from his chair and making his way around the desk to shake Kendra’s hand and unlock her feet before departing.

“And I’ve got to get back to the greenhouses. Tryouts are Tuesday evening at 18:00 sharp, don’t be late,” Professor Sprout said sternly as she rose from her own chair and departed with yet another disapproving glare at Kendra as she passed the younger woman on the way out of the classroom.

Lastly was Madam Pomfrey who came around the table and, as Kendra offered her a warm smile, wrapped the younger woman in a warm hug. 

As the school’s matron slowly released Kendra she scolded, “You stupid, stupid girl. I’d wondered why your mother hadn’t replied to any of my letters recently but felt she just must have been snowed under with work. Why didn’t you come straight to your godmother to start with? You know I would have been more than happy to help.”

“Sorry Poppy. It all just happened so fast,” Kendra replied sheepishly. “And you weren’t exactly much help in my sixth year when that potion went awry and I ended up turning my blonde hair blue,” she added with a giggle.

Madam Pomfrey rolled her eyes. As if she didn’t have enough to deal with; now she had a runaway for an assistant. “Well, never mind, what’s happened has happened and your parents’ loss is my gain. I understand rules are rules, but .2%, utterly ridiculous,” she grumbled as she turned her head momentarily to the other Abbot in the room who had been all but forgotten about up until that point. “Hannah, could please send a letter straightaway to your parents and Kendra’s to inform them she is safe and well under my care. Kendra, with me. Firstly, I’ll show you to your quarters. It’s nothing glamorous, little more than a cupboard, but probably better than what you’ve been experiencing recently. Afterwards, we’ll give you and your clothes a good wash. You stink.” 

Hannah couldn’t help but chuckle at that comment as she watched the much smaller matron grab Kendra by the ear and pull her cousin out of the classroom and down the hall. She didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye!

“Ow, ow, ow, quit it!” the girl overheard Kendra squeal as she made her own way out of the room and headed in the opposite direction back to the Hufflepuff dormitory to write those letters.
> Explosions and Expulsions (OLD)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The weekend passed all too quickly for each of the crusaders. Sweetie spent much of it in the infirmary and although annoyed by her rotten luck to begin with, managed to have a delightful Saturday afternoon with Madam Pomfrey’s new assistant, Kendra, who taught her all about human transfiguration. This she then immediately put into practice on poor Scootaloo when she came to visit, focusing on firstly changing the colour of her friend’s eyebrows and then replacing her left hand with a wolf’s paw. After a relaxing Saturday spent mostly with her girlfriend, Scootaloo spent Sunday either with her head stuck in her Divination textbooks or practicing a number of intriguing new jinxes and hexes including a spell that turned your target into a ferret and another that covered your target in a terrible rash. After spending Saturday in the greenhouses with Neville, Apple Bloom was gone all day Sunday with the only clue of her whereabouts being the somewhat disturbing cackles coming from the Potions lab in the dungeons. 

As Monday arrived, a sense of normality finally arrived with it. Scootaloo was up early soaring above the clouds, breakfast went by without a scolding from Professor Sprout and all the talk that went around the second-years' section of the table centred on what they’d be learning in Charms that morning and over the course of the next year. Overall, the mood was positive and jolly as the second-years left the Great Hall on their way to Classroom 2E where their Charms lessons would be taking place that year. There was one person though who was less than happy.

Professor Flitwick sat at his desk in Classroom 2E with his head in his hands wondering what he had done to deserve this. The first few lessons of a new school year were always the ones he feared the most due to the nature of what he was required by the curriculum to teach the second-years. There had only been one year so far in his time as Charms Master at Hogwarts that there hadn’t been at least one accident over the course of the second-years' first three weeks, from exploding wands to breakages to a student accidentally blowing another student's arm off, he’d experienced it all over the past twenty-five years. Yet, this year, considering just who he was teaching, he had pleaded with Albus to think twice about this part of the curriculum and that it might be wise to wait until the students were a little older and more mature. His argument had fallen upon deaf ears and Dumbledore had simply informed him that such techniques were "the next step" and "vital for a second-year’s progression". He had honestly thought about pulling a sick day, but he knew Dumbledore wouldn’t have bought that he had suddenly fallen ill just before the lesson he dreaded every year had come around, especially this particular year. He had also seriously considered quitting his job and being nowhere near the school by the time the lesson came around but had sadly come to realise that that would have been a stupid reaction and totally irresponsible of him. He also, most of the time, enjoyed his job. Now, all he was able to do was pray. Pray that the highly complex protection charms he had placed upon the classroom solely for this lesson were enough. Pray that something, anything, would happen to postpone this lesson or at least make it so that the girl with the extremely powerful wand was not present, even if he did have Miss Prewett in the staff sweepstakes. Of course, fate being the fickle mistress she was, the aforementioned girl ended up being the first student through the door and any remaining hope of a miracle he may have had disappeared with her entrance. Letting out a heavy sigh he opened The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2, and prepared for the inevitable destruction of Hogwarts before first break as he read the title of the first chapter to himself:


It Pays to Increase your Spell Power



*


“Okay class, settle down,” Flitwick called from the front of the classroom atop a stack of books. 

The second-years had, by now, all come to respect and admire the diminutive Charms professor due to his laid-back teaching style, cheerful demeanour and lenient punishments. As such, the chatter immediately stopped and they all looked attentively towards the front of the classroom where Professor Flitwick was preparing to address them.

“Thank you. Before we begin today’s lesson, I’d just like to give you a brief overview of what we will be studying in your second year. Over the course of this year, I will be attempting to teach you a wide array of spells that can not only be used in everyday life but also as a means to protect yourself if the need ever arises. Over the first term we will be looking at more defensive minded spells, the General Counter Spell, Disarming Charm, Knockdown Jinx, Slowing Charm, Freezing Charm and, for the more advanced, shield charms. In the second term our focus shall be on more offensive spells. These shall include revisiting the Fire Making and Dancing Feet spells from your first year along with the Tickling, Engorgement and Shrinking charms. We shall lastly look theoretically at Memory Charms and the dangers that can result from them if they are cast improperly before spending a month going over what you have learnt over the two years in preparation for your second-year exam.” Flitwick paused and took a deep breath before continuing. “To be able to cast all of these spells though we need to first look at techniques to enhance your wand power and this is what we shall be focusing on for the majority of this first month. To begin, I’d like you all to open your copies of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2, to chapter one and read through it with your neighbour. After doing so, I’d then like you to work together to practice and perfect the techniques described and shown. If you require any help, please put up your hand and I will only be too happy to come over and assist. Any questions?” 

Neville’s hand slowly rose into the air.

“Yes Mr Longbottom.”

“A-are you sure this is safe?”

“No, but according to Dumbledore it is essential for your development. This is my 25th year with the school and so far, only once have we gotten past these lessons without at least a minor accident. The worst accident we had was when one student blew her best friend's arm off and another who blew his own arm off. Last year’s accident involved the destruction of my desk and the setting of my beard on fire. That was part of the reason I got rid of it. Anyway, overall, I’d rate the risk of at least one accident at around 96% in a normal school year; this year I’d rate the chance of an apocalyptic disaster at 99.9%. But, you’ve all no need to worry as I’ve placed extra protection charms on the room solely for that reason. Now, unless there are any further questions, you may begin,” Flitwick said in an overly chipper voice.

The class simply stared back at him wide-eyed and open-mouthed in total shock at what he’d just told them.

“Excellent.” With that, he jumped of the tower of books and waddled back to his desk to do some marking.

Slowly the students came to their senses and began to tackle the work set for them, even if it would lead to an inevitable disaster.


*


Nearly an hour later, nothing of note had transpired. Filius knew though that for most of that time the students had been diligently reading their textbooks and preparing themselves. It was only now that they began practicing that the chaos would begin.

“Come on, you stupid hunk of junk,” he heard Apple Bloom grumble as he finished the last of his marking.

“Three,” Filius muttered to himself not bothering to look up.

“Seriously, why aren’t you glowing?”

“Two,” Filius muttered to himself again.

“Oh really, and how is that any different from what I’m doing? Fine, I’ll try it your way.” 

“One.”

The window behind him shattered and glass fell all around him. All those hours of placing protection charms had, as expected, been a complete waste of time. At least the protections had managed to stop the glass from falling outwards onto the training grounds.

“Oops,” Apple Bloom said guiltily.

Professor Flitwick looked up from his paperwork and sighed. “Miss Apple, please remember to remain calm and in control when attempting to build power in your wand to avoid accidental discharge.”

“Sorry professor,” Apple Bloom replied blushing in embarrassment as stifled giggles rang around the room. 

“Not to worry, it was an accident and an easily fixable one, too. Just please be more careful in future,” he said politely rising from his chair, deciding to inspect his students' work in an attempt to prevent any further accidents before he repaired the window.

“Yes sir,” Apple Bloom replied meekly returning to her practice as the giggles slowly died down and the students returned to their own work. 

If a broken window was the only thing he had to deal with after today, Filius would call that a win. Of course, the very first table he approached was that of Miss Prewett and Miss Granger.

“Hello girls, may I ask how you two are getting on?” Filius enquired. 

“Nailed it,” Scootaloo replied smugly showing off her wand and its glowing tip. 

“Of course, the draconequus with the extremely powerful wand and who didn’t even bother to read even half the chapter achieves perfection,” Hermione grumbled enviously next to her.

Professor Flitwick rubbed his temple. Usually, he’d be delighted for a student to be able to perform such techniques so quickly, but in this case, he was seriously worried. 

“Miss Prewett, although I am pleased with your rapid progression, I must strongly advise you not to cut corners and to go back to finishing your textbook to ensure you have performed the technique precisely as described. Even a miniscule mistake can have disastrous consequences in the long term. 

“Exactly what I told her, but she wouldn’t listen,” Hermione stated with a smug grin while sticking her tongue out at Scootaloo childishly.

Unfortunately for Flitwick he was unable to intervene in the inevitable squabble between the two soulmates as a massive explosion rocked the room. 

He turned to see almost every other student pointing at Miss Belle and Mr Finnigan. 

The boy was frozen like a statue, his face and clothes covered in soot and hair standing on end. His right hand was still outstretched, gripping his wand like his life depended on it although now it did seem to be missing a finger.

The girl on the other hand looked remarkably better but was staring distantly into space and looked like she too was in shock. 

“I just thought if I channelled the magic from my horn into our wands it might help,” Sweetie mumbled only just audible enough for Flitwick to hear. 

Turning his gaze, Flitwick followed a black scorch mark across the floor to a pile of ash that had been his desk and fifth-years’ homework until only a moment ago. The destruction didn’t stop there though, oh no, of course not. Looking up he saw that where once had been a broken window was now a gaping hole to the outside world, bright late summer sunshine streaming in. As if on cue a piece of masonry fell and bounced across the floor. He didn’t even get a chance to respond to the carnage before yet another cry echoed throughout the classroom.

“HELP!!!” Miss Abbot and Miss Jones screamed pinned up against one of the three remaining walls, the former attempting valiantly to fend off their desk with one of their chairs; the desk now sported eyes and extremely sharp teeth. 

“Sir, sir, we need some assistance,” Miss Bloom bellowed from somewhere else as smoke wafted across the Charm’s professor’s nose. 

Turning his head, he saw Neville cowering behind Apple Bloom as the girl pointlessly attempted to put out the flames that had begun to engulf their desk. 

“EXPECTO PATRONUM,” he suddenly heard Miss Prewett cast behind him. 

A giant spectral honey badger soared over his head roaring loudly and then, rather than dissipating, somehow managed to crash through one of the three remaining walls. 

Right now, that remote wizarding outpost in the Himalayas wasn’t looking so bad, Flitwick thought to himself as he turned to one of the two remaining walls. Thankfully, the bell upon it still remained.


*


One of the lesser-known Hogwarts traditions was the annual second-year sweepstakes among the staff. Simply put, at the start of every new year each staff member put four galleons into a jar and then picked a second-year student’s name from a hat. The first of the students that were picked to have an accident in Charms that year would see that professor win half the pot, with the other half going towards any repairs required on the castle. In spite of those choosing the Ravenclaw and Slytherin students having the clear advantage this year with their first lesson coming before the Gryffindors' and Hufflepuffs', it was no coincidence that over three quarters of the accidents over the past twenty-five years had resulted from students in the latter two houses. Thus, it had been no surprise to any of the staff when the second-year Ravenclaws and Slytherins first Charms lesson went by without incident. Likewise, it was of no surprise when the alarms started ringing all around Hogwarts during the second-year Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs first Charms lesson. In fact, considering the students who were in the class, a draconequus, two sentient ponies, the boy who lived, a Weasley and Seamus Finnigan to name just a few, many of the teachers had actually been more surprised it hadn’t happened sooner. Now, half an hour after the alarm had been raised, the Hogwarts staff were all gathered in the remains of Classroom 2E listening to Professor Flitwick’s account of just what had transpired to cause such a disaster. The reactions to this were predictably varied.

Professors Discord and Kettleburn were barely keeping one another standing they were laughing so much, while Fluttershy was glowering at the two of them disapprovingly. Professor Sprout had buried her head in her hands in embarrassment. Headmaster Dumbledore looked like he almost always did, deep in thought. Filch looked like he wanted to string the culprits upside down by the ankles. Madam Pomfrey was too busy tending a burn on Flitwick’s arm to react while Professor McGonagall had a stern unreadable expression spread across her face. Most of the other staff were shaking their heads in disbelief, aside Snape who had a wicked sneer across his face and Trelawney who was staring out onto the training fields from the massive hole Sweetie had caused. 

The reason for Snape’s near smile was possibly due to the fact that for over ten years he had been forced into wasting his hard-earned galleons on this stupid tradition. Like every year, he’d been the very last teacher to be coaxed by Dumbledore to contribute and pick a student and, to his utmost surprise, this time it had been his protégé. When he’d heard it was Apple Bloom and not her disaster-prone friend that had caused the first accident, inside he had been ecstatic that he had finally won back the majority of all those galleons Dumbledore had forced him to waste over the years. As he had to accompany the third-years on Saturday for their first trip anyway, he might as well treat his protégé to a trip to Hogsmeade for a lesson on potions ingredients and an ice cream afterwards. While Snape continued to ponder over what he would be doing with all the galleons he had just won, Professor McGonagall spoke in a sceptical tone.

“Filius, are you sure you haven’t ingested some belladonna accidentally? I know she isn’t by any means a normal student, but being able to cast a Patronus at her age and one that can seemingly destroy physical objects…”

“And breathe fire,” Professor Trelawney added still staring out onto the training grounds through the massive hole behind the pile of ash what was once Professor Flitwick’s desk.

“And breathe… Wait, he never said that?” Professor McGonagall said turning to Professor Trelawney with a confused look on her face.

Sybil simply pointed out the massive hole. 

Every staff member aside Dumbledore came running over and most stared open-mouthed through the hole in the wall. A giant spectral honey badger spouting fire was flying over the training fields alongside the young draconequus to oohs and aahs from the students below.

“Hmm, a badger. Focused, determined, protective, fearless, stubborn and tenacious with a strong personality and never give up or back down attitude. Suits her perfectly, although the fire is a little unusual,” Dumbledore mused as he arrived at the hole in the wall. 

“WHAT IS IT WITH THAT GIRL AND FIRE!!!” Professor Sprout cried in exasperation.

“Welcome to my world,” Professor McGonagall deadpanned as Discord, who had still been laughing heartily at all the shenanigans with Professor Kettleburn strolled over to the Herbology professor and wrapped his arm around her.

“That’s chaos for you!” he exclaimed.

Professor Sprout rolled her eyes. They would be lucky to have a school left after the next six years the way things were going.


*


Due to their chaotic Charms lesson and the fact the teachers were otherwise preoccupied, third period History ended up being cancelled, meaning that the Crusaders ended up with four free periods before Sweetie and Apple Bloom had to depart for Astronomy and Scootaloo for her extra Herbology session with the Ravenclaws and Slytherins.

During this time, they were instructed to continue their Charms work outside and nowhere near the school or any buildings. Scootaloo had started by perfecting the techniques to increase her wand's power even further and continuing in her attempts to not only cast her patronus but to merge it with the fire-making spell as well for added protection. She’d had some exhilarating times since returning to her birth world but the near fifteen minutes spent flying with her giant fire-breathing ghost badger had been something else entirely and only topped by her first kiss with Hermione. That was until her magic started to falter and she’d barely managed to land safely, where she faced yet another lecture from Madam Pomfrey about the dangers of excessive magic use especially in one so young. Afterward, at Madam Pomfrey’s insistence, she had been taken back to her dorm for something to eat and then to go straight to sleep until her final lesson of the day.

Initially Scootaloo had grumbled and complained, only to realise as she went back to her dorm just how tired and achy her body actually was. She had barely been able to wolf down her early lunch before collapsing, still in her robes, upon her bed where she had slept soundly until Professor Sprout had come to collect her in the afternoon. Bleary eyed and yawning she had grabbed her things and then followed her head of house to Greenhouse Three, where, to her horror, she was partnered up with Draco and his two goons. The lesson had not gone well. 

Every time Professor Sprout turned her back the three goofed off and forced her to do all the work as they continued to tend to their mandrakes, replacing the soil they were in, checking they were growing correctly, feeding them, preening them and so on and so forth. The only saving grace was that she couldn’t hear any of their taunts due to her earmuffs otherwise she may well have thrown the mandrake into Draco’s face. By the end of the lesson Scootaloo was drenched in sweat and exhausted. All she really wanted to do was to go take a shower, have some dinner and then read a good book in bed while dozing off, but she had detention in the Potions lab to navigate first and if she didn’t hurry, she would be late and Snape would punish her further. Of course, it was as she rushed out of Greenhouse Three that that idiot Draco just couldn’t help but have a jibe at her.

“Hey freak, what’s the rush? Missing your girlfriend already?” he said before making smooching actions behind Scootaloo’s back, much to her ire. 

Taking a deep breath, Scootaloo ignored him and continued walking. “Don’t give him the pleasure, don’t give him…”

“You know, its rude not to answer someone when they ask you something. So, I’ll ask you once more. You missing your dirty mudblood dyke that much?” 

The chatter amongst the other students immediately stopped as Scootaloo slowly turned with a wild look in her eyes.

“What did you call her, you pile of scum,” she growled. 

You could hear every breath she took she was breathing that deeply, but even that wasn’t enough to stop her hair actually igniting. Her eyes likewise were fiery pits and furious would be an understatement to describe how she was feeling right then. 

“You heard me, freak,” Draco scoffed refusing to back down. 

“I tried uncle, I really did,” Scootaloo sighed with a shrug of her shoulders as she strolled over to Draco. 

Slowly she was regaining control of her own body and her hair and eyes were returning to normal. Still, Draco had never been so frightened in his entire life, but to his credit he refused to back down. 

As Scootaloo’s eyes locked onto the other boys she said coldly. “My uncle asked me politely to turn the other cheek, so I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. But if you ever insult…”

“Dirty mudblood dyke,” Draco repeated with a sneer.

“Chicken,” Scootaloo commanded before turning and storming away, her hair and eyes once again an inferno. 

She didn’t even stay and watch as Draco started clucking, flapping his arms like wings and attempting to peck the ground. Or that Professor Sprout was standing in the doorway of Greenhouse Three gobsmacked at what she had just overheard and at how calm Scoti had stayed in such a situation. She would have the brat expelled for this one. Mark her word; this time he’d gone too far. 


*


Professor Snape did not look happy when Scootaloo arrived three minutes late for her detention.

“Miss Prewett, how long might I ask you does it take to get from the greenhouses to here or need I remind you your detention starts at 16:15 on the dot, not 16:18. That shall be ten points from Hufflepuff and an extra thirty minutes added to your detention,” Snape drawled angrily not even allowing Scootaloo the chance to explain before instructing, “Drop your bags over there and then come to the front of the class.”

Scootaloo glumly did as she was told, not wanting to infuriate the Potions Professor further. 

I would have liked for you to have tested the Veritarserum Miss Apple here made over the summer holidays, but sadly Dumbledore has refused to grant me special permission to do so. Instead, you shall assist Miss Apple as she attempts to brew another hair potion, which you will then test. I am hoping that you have already read up on the Manegro Potion?” Snape asked emotionlessly.

Because of Hermione, Scootaloo had, and she was most certainly not looking forward to trying it. “A potion that causes rapid hair growth, sir,” she replied sincerely. 

“Correct. Congratulations, you’ve earnt back two of the houses points you just lost,” Snape stated in an equally emotionless and unimpressed voice. “Maybe if you work hard, you can earn back the rest. Miss Apple, you know where to find me if you need me.”

And with that he disappeared into his office. 

“So, what kept you?” Apple Bloom enquired as she set up her cauldron and put on a pair of gloves.

“Draco Malfoy,” Scootaloo sighed knowing it would be futile to even make an attempt at lying to Apple Bloom.

“Oh no, I’d hoped that slimebucket might have grown up a bit over the summer,” Apple Bloom sighed as she set the ingredients out in order and began reading the instructions in Moste Potente Potions. “So, what did that idiot do this time? And you’ll need this.” She passed a single glove to Scootaloo. “Some of the ingredients for this one can be extremely toxic on their own. Wouldn’t want you having yet another visit to the infirmary and losing your other hand, would we?”

“Thanks,” Scootaloo responded pulling the glove onto her left hand. “And you might want to stop what you’re doing for a moment.”

“That bad?” Apple Bloom queried unsure she wanted to hear the answer as she paused in her preparations.

Scootaloo simply nodded her head solemnly in reply. “Called Hermione a dirty mudblood dyke to my face twice,” she said so quietly Apple Bloom barely heard her.

She had been right. Apple Bloom completely froze in shock and disbelief that Draco Malfoy could be so cruel.  “Tell me he didn’t, please tell me he didn’t.”

Scootaloo simply looked at the floor. 

“Stuff Snape, just wait until I get my hands on him, I’ll, I’ll,” the phial in Apple Bloom’s hand shattered. Thankfully the gloves she had on protected her from any harm the glass may have caused.

“Don’t, please. I wouldn’t want you getting expelled because of me. You’re already walking on a tightrope after the Venomous Tentacula incident,” Scootaloo pleaded as Apple Bloom disposed of the shattered phial. 

“Well, you should at least tell Professor Sprout. He can’t keep bullying you and Harry like he has.”

“And what could she do? It would be my word against his and all the slimebuckets that adore him and witnessed the incident would quickly claim I was simply being spiteful and spouting lies because of our family history. Plus, I may have hypnotised him into thinking he was a chicken before I stormed off,” Scootaloo admitted guiltily.

“You didn’t?” Apple Bloom replied with a snort as she tried valiantly to withhold the laughter bubbling up inside her. She wasn’t doing a very good job at it. 

“Maybe,” Scootaloo tittered guiltily in reply. “I didn’t actually wait to see if it had been successful or not, although I did here the clucking in the background as I walked off,” the girl added with a devilish grin across her face.

Apple Bloom closed her eyes and tried desperately not to break out into laughter at the image of Draco Malfoy acting like a chicken that was lodged in her brain. Slowly, with a few deep, calming breaths she re-took control of her body. “Okay, now that that’s out of my head, it’s time for us to focus on brewing this potion before Snape reappears and tells me off for wasting time. As you well know, he does not take kindly to slacking off.”

“Of course, and thanks for cheering me up Bloom.”

“Anytime. Now, pass me the viper venom.”


*


It was half an hour later just as they’d finished the first section of the potion and were settling down to do some more theoretical work surrounding hair potions whilst it boiled when the door to Snape’s office slammed open.

“Miss Prewett, with me,” Snape growled as he marched towards the entrance to the classroom. “Bring your possessions.”

The two girls looked confused at one another for a moment before Scootaloo rose and did as she was told.

“I guess I’ll see you at dinner, I hope,” Scootaloo gulped nervously. 

“Yeah, I’ve rarely seen him look so angry. All the best and thanks for the help,” Apple Bloom replied with an attempt at a reassuring smile.

It did very little to help boost Scootaloo’s confidence as she followed Snape out of the Potions lab and away from the dungeons, especially as he didn’t say a word to her about just where they were going. Up numerous flights of stairs they went and along more corridors than Scootaloo could count until they reached an extremely ugly stone gargoyle.

‘Sherbert lemon,” Snape growled angrily once more. 

Scootaloo had heard about the gargoyle many times from Sweetie but was still taken by surprise as it moved to one side and the wall behind it split in two. She knew immediately where the spiral staircase behind it led and gulped in fear. She was in serious trouble this time; of that she was certain.


*


As the gleaming oak door opened, Scootaloo wasn’t at all surprised to see Draco Malfoy and his father, Lucius, along with Professor Sprout, Discord and Headmaster Dumbledore. She was though surprised to see the inclusion of her girlfriend and Professor Pompernickle. The former was glaring angrily at Draco. The five adults themselves were involved in a heated debate and barely registered the new arrivals.

“EXPULSION!” Lucius roared, “For having the nerve to stand up and say the truth. And that’s if he even did say what you are accusing him of saying. Have you gone mad Albus? And what will the girl get for hypnotising my son, just a slap on the wrist I bet?” 

“Lucius, the new rule was clearly explained at the start of term. Such language and derogatory terms will no longer be tolerated under any circumstances. We also have twelve eyewitness accounts of other students who all heard what your son said on two occasions along with the testimony of our Herbology Professor. I’m afraid it is out of my hands,” Dumbledore explained calmly. 

“The girl’s head of house. Of course, she’s going to be biased. This is a conspiracy I tell you. You’ve wanted my family out of this school ever since you found out about my past dealings with the Prewett family, of which, I would like to make absolutely clear, I was absolved of all responsibility for being under the Imperius Curse at the time,” Lucius snapped back.

“Excuse me, just what are you implying?” Professor Sprout growled. “I have been a valued member of the Hogwarts staff for over twenty-years and I can tell you that in all that time I’ve never heard such disgraceful language, although I’m not at all surprised. The old Muggle saying does say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

“And what is that supposed to mean?” Lucius snarled squaring up to the Herbology Professor.

“Like father, like son,” Professor Sprout spat in reply as Professor Pompernickle desperately attempted to get between and separate the two of them before the argument could escalate further.  

Lucius clenched his fist.

Snape coughed and everyone’s attention suddenly turned towards the new additions to the room. 

“Perhaps we should hear what the girl has to say before jumping to any conclusions?” he suggested in his usual monotonous drone pushing Scootaloo forward. 

“Excellent idea Severus. Miss Prewett, as you have probably just overheard, I’ve requested your presence here today due to an incident that occurred as you left the greenhouses this afternoon. Could you please state, in your own words, precisely what happened, please?” Dumbledore interjected attempting to wrestle back control of the situation. 

“Yes, sir, of course sir,” Scootaloo said a little apprehensively as Draco scowled at her. “It was just as I was leaving the greenhouses. I was in a hurry to get to my detention as we’d finished and packed up a little late. That was when Draco first got my attention by calling me a freak and asking if I was in a rush to see my girlfriend before mocking our relationship.”

“And how did that make you feel?” Professor Pompernickle interrupted.

“A little angry and upset, but I promised my uncle to try and steer clear of trouble this year as best as I can so I tried to ignore him,” Scootaloo replied.

“And how did Draco take that?” Professor Pompernickle asked in a soft, kind tone.

“He said it was rude not to answer someone and repeated the question. Only this time he phrased the question as You missing your dirty mudblood dyke that much?” Scootaloo finished with a sigh, really wishing she didn’t have to go through the whole experience again. 

“And how did that make you feel?” Professor Pompernickle pressed.

“My hair literally became fire; I was that angry. Insulting me is one thing but someone I love dearly and hold so close to my heart, that’s something I just cannot ignore,” Scootaloo explained. 

“So, what did you do?” Professor Pompernickle coaxed.

“Well, I wanted to beat the living daylights out of him and leave him hanging atop the Astronomy tower, but again, I made a promise to my uncle and so instead I tried to solve the issue diplomatically. I won’t lie that considering how aggrieved I was feeling I may have called Draco scum whilst trying to clarify that he really did mean what he had said. I was hoping, especially considering the reaction of our peers, he would realise the gravity of what he’d just said,” Scootaloo went on.

“And did he?” Professor Pompernickle guided.

“No. He replied, you heard me, freak, at which point I confronted him and told him that on behalf of my uncle I would turn the other cheek and pretend I didn’t hear what he said. I then tried to inform him that I would not be so lenient in future when he interrupted me and once more used the phrase dirty mudblood dyke, at which point I attempted to hypnotise him before departing before I did anything worse,” Scootaloo concluded.

Both the Malfoys were now scowling disdainfully at Scootaloo.

“Thank you my dear. Your story collaborates with the twelve Ravenclaw witness statements we have gathered,” Professor Pompernickle said sincerely before turning his attention to Dumbledore. “Headmaster Dumbledore, I implore you now to do your duty and expel Draco Malfoy. He has clearly shown that he is unwilling to change his prejudicial views, from playing truant from my class Friday morning to this frankly disgraceful verbal assault. Hogwarts and the Ministry are moving on with the times and are determined to integrate those from all areas of life into the wizarding community after the divisive nature of the wizarding war, while cutting ties with those who flatly refuse to.”

“What a complete load of trash,” Lucius snarled. “The girl more than likely antagonised him and in the heat of the moment, he just repeated some words he had heard without knowing exactly what they meant. This whole debacle is a complete waste of my time and a slap on the wrist is all he needs.”

“Well, maybe if he hadn’t played truant from class, or come and found me, he could have asked just what the words meant and learnt how insensitive they are. That is a poor excuse at best,” Professor Pompernickle retorted. “An example must be made.”

“An example of what? Dividing the wizarding community further? I won’t let you take my son’s wand and with my contacts and influence as a Ministry official, I could quite easily set up my own school. Hogwarts already runs on a tight budget. Just how long do you think it could sustain itself if a hundred or so students’ defect?” Lucius threatened.

“You wouldn’t dare,” Boris growled in retaliation.

“Try me, you pompous old fool,” Lucius said rudely while glowering at the older gentleman.

“ENOUGH,” Dumbledore bellowed trying to regain control of the situation once more. “Miss Prewett, how do you wish for me to proceed? Unless you instruct me otherwise, I am obliged by Ministry legislation to expel Master Malfoy. I do fear that that by doing so though he will not learn from the mistakes he has made. Would you be satisfied if I was to instead issue an alternate form of punishment, such as to deduct fifty house points from Slytherin, a verbal and written apology to you and Miss Granger, and detention with Professor Pompernickle for the entire year?”

Scootaloo sighed as the attention of everybody else in the room fell upon her once more. No matter how much she despised the boy and would love to be rid of him, even she felt expulsion was a bit harsh. “Fine,” she eventually said reluctantly. “But I want assurances nothing like this will happen again and that he’ll be taught to properly respect other people’s sexual orientation otherwise next time I will leave him dangling by his robes from the Astronomy tower.”

“Of course, and you have my word that if he were to repeat any of his actions he would be expelled without argument,” Dumbledore replied as he turned to Lucius. “Well Lucius, what shall it be?” 

Lucius’s eye twitched but after a moment he pushed Draco forward. “Say you are sorry to the two girls Draco and then go straight to your common room and put that in writing, no buts,” he said sternly.

Draco momentarily looked towards his father in astonishment at how he had just bent over and accepted the punishment without any argument whatsoever. Upon seeing the stern look upon his father’s face though he wisely chose not to argue and instead turned and faced Scootaloo.

“I’m sorry for saying the things I did. They were wrong, insensitive and unkind,” he grumbled unhappily.

“Thank you. And I’m sorry for hypnotising you,” Scootaloo replied sincerely as Draco turned and addressed Hermione.

“And I’m sorry for referring to you in such a way. That was wrong of me.”

“Apology accepted,” Hermione replied looking at Draco the way a mother looks at their child when they’ve misbehaved.

“Excellent,” Dumbledore replied. “Now that that’s settled…”

“No,” Scootaloo interrupted to the surprise of the whole room.

Slowly and deliberately, she walked over to Draco her eyes misting over. Reaching out she placed a hand on his shoulder.

In a voice not her own she spoke. “Take heed young man, you are treading a dangerous path. Learn from this experience, become your own man and create your own path. For if you continue on the road you are on and follow in the footsteps of your ancestors, only death and despair await you.”

And with that she suddenly became very dizzy and collapsed into the waiting arms of Professor Sprout.

“Crap, I hate it when that happens,” Scootaloo moaned before proceeding to vomit all over the floor.

“What the hell was that?” Lucius Malfoy exclaimed in utter astonishment.

“Scoti is a seer and a very good one at that. You should feel blessed Lucius, it seems she just had a prophecy surrounding your son,” Dumbledore explained wisely. 

“Nonsense and hooey. She was just trying to frighten my boy and has done a damn good job of doing so as well. Just look at the poor lad, scared half to death by her gibberish,” Lucius said angrily.

Draco was standing stock still, white as a sheet. He would never forget the look in Scoti’s eyes or the words she said to him that day for the rest of his life.
> World War Q (OLD)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scootaloo looked at the paltry selection of players she had to choose from and sighed. It was as she had feared. Six, just six, players aside herself had turned up to the try-outs. To make matters worse autumn had hit with a vengeance. Grey clouds covered the sky and pelted her and her teammates with ice cold rain whilst the wind howled relentlessly.

“For fuck’s sake,” she mumbled to herself as she walked up and down the line of players she had the pleasure of working with this year.

On the plus side, at least she had enough players to make a team, even if only just, and for the first time this year her day had gone by without any crazy shenanigans. Yeah, there had been a few more close calls in Charms, but otherwise nothing truly terrible. Actually, scrap that. The garish yellow and green spotted onesie Apple Bloom had knitted their Mandrake was an utter abomination. Unfortunately, she was slowly starting to learn that Apple Bloom’s answer to debates and problems was to throw the opposition to her view into the lake and ask questions later. Thus, she had sensibly not questioned her about it. To be fair, it had also made the Mandrake a lot more cooperative whilst they were changing its soil and feeding it.

Anyway, enough distractions. Back to the here and now. She took a deep breath and got into character. “RIGHT YOU MISERABLE LOT,” she yelled at the top of her lungs yet still only just audible above the wind. “Don’t think the lack of competition means you can take it easy this year. Training will once again be Monday mornings 6-8, Tuesday evenings 6-8 and Thursday evenings 8-10”.

Kendra suddenly couldn’t help but let out a snigger at the end of the line. Despite all the background noise Scootaloo’s sharp ears caught it and she immediately locked her eyes onto those of the young woman through the evening gloom. Kendra started barking like a dog much to everyone else’s amusement as the oldest member of the squad clasped a hand over her mouth in embarrassment.

“Miss Abbot,” Scootaloo said sternly approaching the older girl so as to be heard. “I’ve no idea how you ran the Hufflepuff team, but I run a strict but fair ship. I need your help in making me the best damn Beater possible but if I have to hypnotise you to do so then so be it.”

“WHAT? You don’t have the power to do that!” Kendra practically screamed in astonishment.

“Oh, don’t I? I believe that if you go ask Professor Sprout she’ll say otherwise and that it is perfectly legal under my powers as captain due to a recent update in the legislation she pushed through,” Scootaloo said with a smug grin.

Kendra’s mouth dropped open and her brain was working overtime to deduce whether the cold, wet streets of Scotland might have been the better option to the cold, wet quidditch pitch of Hogwarts. 

“That goes for all of you,” Scootaloo roared to the rest of her team. “Hypnotism is a new addition to the punishments list, although, sadly, limited to a maximum of five minutes at any one time and nothing dangerous. Still, that should be more than enough time to have fun with any troublemakers; I may even at times let the rest of the team decide just what we should make the troublemaker do. Understood?”

“YES MA'AM,” the rest of the team, aside Kendra and Ginny, roared back to Scootaloo.

“YES MA'AM,” Ginny bellowed realising what she was meant to say.

“Well, I’m waiting?” Scootaloo said looking up expectantly at Kendra in front of her. 

For a moment Kendra locked her eyes rebelliously with the younger girl before dropping her head, letting out a sigh and muttering under her breath, “yes ma'am.”

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t hear that. So everyone can hear, please,” Scootaloo taunted wickedly.

With a snort Kendra lifted her head and bellowed as loud as she could, “YES MA'AM.”

“Excellent, I trust there will be no further disruptions,” Scootaloo said solemnly as she turned and started marching back up the line. “For those of you with the team last year, this year will be slightly different. I will be having to have a number of lessons with Kendra to become more accomplished in my new position whilst Cedric will be doing a lot of solo training due to his new position. As such, Tamsin, Heidi…” she paused momentarily in front of the two third year girls. 

“Yes cap,” they replied instantaneously. 

“I am counting on you two to get my cousin up to scratch. She’s already got the raw ability, just needs you two to teach her tactics, moves, drills and so on and so forth. I’ll also need you two to keep Sweetie in tip top condition; she’s been eating way too much cake over the summer.”

“HEY, I am not ‘meow’,” the girl finished as Scootaloo locked her eyes onto those of her best friend accompanied by a devilish grin. “Stop ‘meow’ making ‘meow’ me ‘meow’,” Sweetie grumbled refusing to back down and remove her gaze from that of her best friend’s.

That was until a wet black ball came barrelling into her looking for the cat he’d just heard.

As a few more titters ran round the rag tag quidditch team Scootaloo turned her attention back to Heidi and Tamsin. “So, you two think you’re up to the job?” 

“YES MA'AM,” the third-years hollered in reply.

“Wonderful. Now, we’ve ten weeks to get ourselves ready before our first game. Today though most of you will be quite glad that you will not require your broomsticks,” Scootaloo yelled at the top of her voice to be heard once more.

There were sighs of relief at the thought of soon being back in the castle in front of a nice warm fire in their common room or dormitory.

“Let’s see just how many of you have been slacking off over the summer. An hour of laps around the quidditch pitch,” Scootaloo continued. The sighs turned to a round of groans. “Tut, tut, you really should have let me finish before reacting. Anyone who does beat me receives a Honeydukes gold gift basket. I’ll even give you a thirty second head start starting now.”

There was a mass panic as everyone besides Kendra attempted to make the most out of their head start, slopping through the mud, wind and rain in their quest for over ten galleons worth of the best chocolates and sweets known to wizarding kind. Sweetie practically threw Wallace of her chest as she scrambled back to her feet. 

Kendra just strolled in behind the rest of them at a steady pace. 

Scootaloo smiled as she watched her team set off. It felt good to be back on the quidditch pitch once more in spite of the terrible weather. Still, there was something missing. She reached down and unclasped a box of quidditch balls, the bludgers fighting desperately in their straps to be freed.

“Oops!” she chuckled mercilessly as she released first one and then the second before moving onto a second box. 


*


Despite the wind and rain, it didn’t take long for Scootaloo to catch up to Kendra who was sauntering along like she was out for a midday stroll on a hot Sunday afternoon in the middle of summer.

“Just a heads up,” Scootaloo yelled to the older girl. “You might want this.” Scootaloo handed the girl a beautiful brand-new oak Beater’s bat coated in iron. “Had these made by a friend of mine, Randolph Spudmore. Goblin made ironwork allows for greater power to be generated whilst minimising the impact to stability, especially in adverse weather like this,” she explained.

“Okay? Thanks,” Kendra yelled in reply a little confused. But why do I…” she ducked as one of the four bludgers flying loose around the field nearly took her head off. She’d only just noticed it in time due to the weather conditions and only her quick reactions had saved her. “You didn’t,” Kendra stated with a look that was part shock, part impressed, part pure evil.

Through the wind and rain Scootaloo gave a wicked smile in return. “I thought we could start my training. What do you say?”

“You know, for a pipsqueak, you’re not half bad and extremely devious,” Kendra replied. “I mean, tempting your team with sweets and threatening them with hypnotism to get them to cooperate and now this. Look out, that bludger is coming back.”

“Oh, I got it,” Scootaloo replied using her keen eyesight to pinpoint her target before hitting the bludger sweetly with a bat similar to the one she’d just given Kendra. 

"And utilising your tail as an extra limb to generate more power with your bat."

“OUCH MY ARSE!” Sweetie screamed five seconds later before being followed by a loud splash as she landed into a particularly muddy puddle. “SCOOTALOO, WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON YOU, YOU’RE A COFFIN. YOU HEAR ME. I DON’T CARE HOW HARD IT MAY BE, THAT’S WHAT I’M GOING TO TRANSFIGURE YOU INTO AND THEN BURY YOU WHERE NO ONE WILL EVER BE ABLE TO FIND YOU!” the girl roared indignantly somewhere up ahead, hidden by the evening inky gloom. 

Scootaloo and Kendra simply doubled over with laughter. For them the next hour was going to be a whole lot of fun!


*


Cedric looked one way and then the other. Having studied the Muggle World Wars in his final year at Primary School he had always wondered what fighting in one would have been like. He really wished he hadn’t. The reality was horrifying. Rain had soaked him through and through, screams seemed to come from every direction as his comrades lay howling in pain in the dirt while bludgers, the equivalent of bullets, seemed to be everywhere he turned and looked. But that wasn’t the worst of it, oh no. That was the cackles of laughter of the enemy that constantly pierced the air and sent shivers down his spine. In some ways he had to admire his captain’s deviousness and he should have expected her to pull a trick like this. 

He ducked as yet another bludger appeared out of nowhere heading towards his head.

“Oh Cedric, I see you!” Scootaloo cackled from seemingly nowhere yet everywhere. 

Cedric shook his head, snapping himself out of his daydreaming and back to reality. He kept on running. He’d not let Scootaloo get him as easily as she’d gotten the others. 


*


Heidi, Tamsin and Ginny kept on slogging through the mud and rain. Every one of them sported horrible red welts across their bodies from where they’d been to slow to dodge one bludger or another. Even so, despite the larger target the three of them together made, it had provided them with not only more eyes to spot the bludgers but a great chance to get to know and trust one another. Ginny had taken the right side, Tamsin the left, Heidi down the middle. 

“Bludger, three o’clock,” Ginny cried from Heidi’s right.

“And another coming in from eight o’clock,” Tamsin stated from Heidi’s left.

“Shit. Well, time to put that move we were discussing about into practice girls. I think I speak for all of us when I say we’ve already received enough bruises tonight,” Heidi stated.

“Agreed,” both girls replied before Tamsin dropped off while Ginny burst forward in front of Heidi. 

Unbeknownst to the three girls Scootaloo wasn’t far off and watching every move they made and impressed by their cohesion and teamwork after such a small amount of time. Her plan was going far better than she could ever have dreamed.


*


Sweetie cackled as she rode atop her stead in search of her prey caked head to toe in mud. Underneath the mud you could just make out her horn glowing red instead of its normal green. Her eyes also sported the same blood red colour. It was, in truth, highly disturbing and combined with Wallace and his sharp teeth, mud covered black fur and mournful howling to complement Sweetie’s cackles looked like something out of a horror film. The only thing the girl was missing was…

Sweetie revved the chainsaw she’d managed to transfigure from a piece of wood she’d found lying around and split the bludger hurtling towards her perfectly in two.

“Nice try Scoots, but you’ll have to do better than that to catch me of guard,” Sweetie cackled like a lunatic before disappearing into the gloom once more on her steed in hunt of the elusive draconequus, revving the chainsaw as she did so. 

A safe distance away Scootaloo and Kendra looked on, their faces frozen with looks of what the actual fuck. 

Finally, Scootaloo spoke. “I suppose I shouldn’t be to surprised. Her sister acts exactly the same around mud and the few unicorns I know back home also all seem to act irrational from time to time. I’m sure it has something to do with their horns causing to much pressure on their brains leading to permanent brain damage or something,” she explained to Kendra.

“You forgot to add she’s a quidditch keeper. You have to be nuts to play that position,” Kendra replied distantly still staring at the spot Sweetie had been just moments before.

“True. Now, let’s get back to the entrance; the hour’s nearly up,” Scootatloo responded beginning to move once more.

“You sure that’s wise? If I was you, I’d either find Professor Sprout, hide or apparate as far away from Sweetie Belle as possible,” Kendra enquired giving Scootaloo a knowing look.

“Pfft, I know Sweetie. She’s all talk. Now come on; we’re wasting time standing around here.”

Kendra rolled her eyes. This was not going to end well. 


*


“Let me at her, let me at her,” the mud monster bellowed trying to wriggle itself out of Kendra’s grip so that it could wring Scootaloo’s neck. “Just let me have one clean shot with my horn, pleaseeeeee,” Sweetie whined.

She had been the last of Scootaloo’s team to come in, still atop Wallace, although thankfully the chainsaw was gone. She had immediately lunged for Scootaloo only to find Kendra blocking her path. 

“Scootaloo, just look at what you’ve done to me. It’s going to take me all evening to get this mud out of my hair,” Sweetie wailed.

Trying to hold back a chuckle, Scootaloo poked her head out from behind her human shield. “Would it help if I told you, I’ve got all the girls’ access to the Prefects bathroom for the evening and gift baskets for everyone for being such great sports?”

Sweetie momentarily stopped attacking Scootaloo’s human shield. “How many types of hair products we talking about?” 

“Twenty-seven,” Scootaloo said smugly, her confidence slowly returning.

“Okay, I’m in. But first…” Sweetie whistled. 

Scootaloo turned to see yet another mud monster barrelling towards her on four legs. Crap, she’d forgotten about Wallace. The next thing she knew she was on her back completely covered in mud as rain poured down on top of her along with soppy wet licks. 

“Eww, dog breath,” Scootaloo grumbled trying, to no avail, to get Wallace off of her.

“BUNDLE!” she heard Cedric suddenly cry and before she knew it, she was under a mass of mud and sweaty bodies. 

“Okay, okay, you’ve all made your point. No more running in pouring rain,” Scootaloo wheezed from the bottom of the pile.

“Or excessive amounts of bludgers in training,” Tamsin added. “One of those bludgers gave me a frightful bruise on my arm while another gave Heidi a nasty looking bruise on her hip.”

“My left leg is going to be stiff for a week!” Heidi grumbled from somewhere in the pile.

“Okay, fine. Just please get off me,” Scootaloo pleaded.

“Ooh, what else can we push her for,” Kendra said mischievously on top of everyone.

“Don’t push your luck, otherwise I’ll hypnotise the lot of you and make you run for another five minutes,” Scootaloo growled. “And Wallace, when was the last time you had a bath? You reek.”

Wallace immediately disappeared in a puff of black smoke at the mention of the B word causing the whole pile of bodies to collapse. 

Laughing heartily in the mud and rain Scootaloo called out, “Come on; let’s get inside and have that bath before we all catch a chill. Although, before we do, did any of you realise the point of today’s training?” she asked as she slowly rose to her feet.

“I’m guessing you wanted some time with Kendra whilst hoping for likewise between me, Heidi and Tamsin to dodge the bludgers. As for Cedric, a key part of a Seeker’s job is to remain in the background and invisible so the oppositions’ Beaters don’t target them and they can thus remain focused on catching the snitch,” Ginny interjected with a smug smile.

Scootaloo's and the rest of team’s mouths all dropped open in shock and surprise as they stared at their youngest member.

“What?” Ginny said with a shrug. “When you’ve been around Scootaloo for a while you kind of expect her to pull stunts like this and have some devious reason for doing so. Plus, I had a lot of time to think whilst running in the rain this past hour.”

“I told you she would fit in perfectly,” Scootaloo whispered to Cedric next to her before turning her attention back to her whole team. “That’s some outstanding deductions Ginny; you should be proud of yourself. I won’t deny that me and Kendra were observing all of you at some point to determine just how you would face the extra challenges I put in place.” She turned her attention back to Cedric. “Cedric, as Ginny stated the key to being a great seeker isn’t solely about being able to catch the golden snitch first before the opposition. There are many smaller goals you have to achieve first to be able to do this. One of these is to have great awareness of your surroundings whilst blending into the background so that the opposition Beaters don’t pay you any attention. I hope today’s training session helped you understand that.”

“You sly dog,” Cedric replied giving his captain a playful punch on the arm. “And yeah, it did. Thanks cap.”

“Excellent,” Scootaloo replied turning her attention onto Heidi, Tamsin and Ginny. “As for you three, amazing job. You may have got hit a few times but you were able to shrug those off and learn from your mistakes quickly. The three of you are already working together extremely well and way better than I could have hoped for at such an early stage of the season. You should all be proud of yourselves.”

The three girls all now had beaming smiles upon their faces and Ginny was redder than a tomato in embarrassment.

“Thank you, captain. We shall strive to be the best we can for our house,” Heidi replied for all three of the girls with a salute. 

“I know you will. Now, we really should get back into the warmth of the castle before we all catch a chill. I personally am longing for a nice warm bath and there are snacks set up for us as well. Afterwards we can retire to the common room and play some charades before bed time,” Scootaloo stated turning and beginning the long arduous journey back to the school before turning and addressing Cedric once more. “Sorry Cedric, but Professor Sprout made sure some snacks have been sent to your dorm along with your gift basket. I’ll hopefully see you for charades in a couple of hours?” 

“No worries, understandable and you know it,” Cedric said with a smirk “Wouldn’t miss you having a temper tantrum when you lose again for anything.”

Scootaloo glowered at her vice-captain as they started making their way back to the castle. “One time and you never let me forget,” Scootaloo lamented looking up to the sky. “One point, one blasted point and all because Tamsin couldn’t work out that I was drawing a crystal ball with my wand. Goodness knows how many times I had to repeat no, it is not a circle.”

“One time? What about that time over the summer when you…” 

“Scootaloo thrust a hand over Ginny’s mouth before she could incriminate her further.

“They don’t need to hear that story,” Scootaloo said sternly.

“Oh, really?” Cedric said from Scootaloo’s other side. “Come on, out with it.”

“She added an extra window to the burrow when Ginny couldn’t guess poison from her acting and ended up hiding from Molly for hours. She was furious.” Sweetie nipped in from behind much to Scootaloo’s embarrassment and Cedric’s delight. “Now, are you going to tell me what I was supposed to learn from the past hour or what?”

Scootaloo slowly lifted her beetroot face from her hands and said to Ginny next to her, “Any ideas?” 

“Not really. I’m guessing to improve Sweetie’s fitness and sharpen her reaction times would be the two main purposes of the training session for her,” Ginny replied not a hundred percent sure.

“Yes, there is that and the fact it was blooming hilarious firing a bludger up her arse and covering her in mud,” Scootaloo admitted to a round of laughter that immediately stopped as the sudden sound of a chainsaw revving behind her materialised. 

With a gulp Scootaloo turned around to see the red eyes and glowing horn had returned.

“Five second head start,” Sweetie said with an insane cackle.

“Where the hell did she get that?” Tamsin questioned although Scootaloo hadn’t heard her.

“Scootaloo, I’m coming for you!” the mud monster cackled chasing after Scootaloo. 

“Shouldn’t we stop her before she cuts off Scootaloo’s other arm or something similar?” Cedric said somewhat concerned.

“It’s your funeral,” Kendra replied before adding, “Although I do hope Sweetie doesn’t drown Scootaloo in the bath before we get there.”


*


Monica stood in the doorway to the castle munching a bar of chocolate already regretting her decision to accompany Ginny to the quidditch tryouts. Why did it have to be chocolate, her one weakness?

It had been over an hour now since Ginny had disappeared into the rain and she hoped it wouldn’t be to much longer until she returned even if the clothing she was wearing was keeping her nice and warm. 

And that was when Scootaloo shot past her faster than lightning.

“Hi Monica, can’t stop. See you in the common room or if you want a bath follow the others,” she said so rapidly Monica could barely understand her.

She didn’t even get a chance to respond before the other girl was gone. 

“SCOOTALOO, where are you?” Sweetie’s voice bellowed from nearby sending a bloodcurdling chill down Monica’s spine. 

And that was when the mud monster appeared with a chainsaw cackling like a lunatic. 

Before she could even say a word though, the mud monster was gone and for a moment Monica wondered if she’d eaten to much chocolate and was hallucinating. Then, a soaked Ginny appeared with the rest of the team.

“Hi Monica! How are you enjoying being the new mascot bearer?” the girl giggled. 

“Scootaloo. Sweetie Belle. Mud monster. Chainsaw,” Monica mumbled from within the badger costume.

“Oh, don’t worry about them. Just Sweetie and Scootaloo settling some differences,” Ginny replied. “Now, come on, Scootaloo managed to get us the Prefect’s bathroom for the evening - as long as Sweetie doesn’t kill her beforehand,” Ginny giggled pushing her stunned best friend along down the hallway.
> The Chest (OLD)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The first half of Wednesday was uneventful for the Crusaders. The atrocious weather that had slowly rolled in across Tuesday refused to let up and they, along with their classmates, were forced to spend their entire double Herbology lesson plugging as many of the leaks in Greenhouse Three as possible to prevent the Mandrakes getting excessively cold and wet. After a quick breather, Scootaloo spent the first half of her Transfiguration double continuing to transfigure beetles into an assortment of chocolate buttons. At the mid-point of the lesson, she had proceeded to ask Professor McGonagall politely if she could attempt Reparifarge on them like Hermione and Sweetie Belle were continuing to do on Wallace, but her request had been rebuffed due to her impatient and reckless nature. The Transfiguration Professor had also added that “the last thing Hogwarts needs right now is a giant dung beetle destroying it to add to its dung pile or something equally chaotic”. Instead, Scootaloo had been assigned a reading assignment on the spell and had, by the end of the lesson, fallen asleep on her textbook, snoring loudly and drooling on it. 

Professor McGonagall had opted not to punish the draconequus for her impudence, feeling that at least by being asleep the goddess of chaos was behaving herself for once and not giving her a headache. She already got enough of those from the Weasley twins. 

Once Transfiguration finished the Hufflepuffs had gone to lunch in the Great Hall. It was as they sat down and began munching on sausage rolls, sandwiches and crisps that the first really interesting thing of the dreary day occurred. A solitary barn owl had appeared, perched on Scootaloo’s head and then proceeded to deposit a letter in front of her. Mail usually only came in the mornings and occasionally the evenings for special editions of The Daily Prophet and emergency communications. It was practically unheard of to receive anything at lunchtime and the mystery only deepened as Scootaloo examined the back of the letter to find it stamped with the Gringotts seal. She quickly ripped the envelope open to see what the matter was. 



Dear Miss Prewett,

  Whilst carrying out our annual inspection of your vault we have uncovered a small locked chest with a blood lock, the contents of which we do not have in our records. As you are well aware, for security and safety reasons, we must have a complete inventory of everything held within your vault. As such, we expect your attendance immediately to resolve this issue or will be forced to dispose of the undocumented item,


Griphook, on behalf of Gringotts Wizarding Bank


 

“Those goblins sure don’t beat around the bush, do they?” Sweetie Belle said reading the letter Scootaloo over the other girl’s shoulder.

“No, they don’t,” Scootaloo murmured in reply, too engrossed with what the letter had to say to be angry and chastise her friend for snooping on her personal mail. “Is Wallace under the table Sweetie?” Scootaloo enquired calmly.

Upon the mention of his name, said dog immediately lifted his head up and placed it upon Scootaloo’s knee.

“You know he is. Why do you…” Sweetie began to ask only to stop mid-sentence.

Scootaloo was gone. 


*


When Gringotts had been formed in the 15th century there had been a number of competitors similarly just starting up with the goal of being the number one wizarding bank. By the end of the 16th century, only Gringotts remained. In a hundred and twenty-five years it had crushed every competitor in the wizarding world. To many it may seem strange how such a bank was able to prosper considering how goblins are often seen as inferior to many wizards and when considering the gruff and unfriendly manner of such creatures. The reason though is a simple one, security. Goblins are extremely greedy and protect anything of value, money or otherwise, at any cost, even their lives. Gringott the first himself was struck down by the Killing Curse in 1528 refusing to hand over even one knut to a group of would-be thieves. The thieves may have taken the life of the bank’s founder and head, but none of them left Gringotts that day alive, the bodies barely recognisable as they were disposed of.

With security such an important factor at Gringotts, it is to no surprise that even the goblins' usual stoic appearances faltered for a split second when the girl suddenly appeared in the main lobby with a dog, or was that a wolf, as big as them. It was rare for the goblins to even think about wanting to do anything aside monitoring their wealth, but every last one of them at the counters that lined the hall watched as the girl and the dog made their way to one of the free tellers while wondering just how she had managed to bypass all the security measures the bank had in place surrounding apparition.  

“Yes, how may I help you,” the young goblin droned as Scootaloo approached. 

“Hello there,” Scootaloo began with a smile. “I just received a letter from Griphook informing me that there is something within my vault that is undocumented and I’d like to see to the matter as soon as possible please. I’m due back in class in…” Scootaloo paused for a moment and looked up at the clock high up on the wall behind the goblin, “…twenty-eight minutes,” she finished before removing the key around her neck and placing it on the teller’s counter alongside the letter she had received. 

“Of course, I’ll see if he is free,” the goblin replied looking rather uninterested. He’d only been working at Gringotts for a short time and, despite the flashy entrance, even he knew a girl as young as this would have very little in her vault and not be seen as a priority. He was as such surprised when he heard Griphook’s rapid footsteps behind him.

“Miss Prewett, I did not expect to see you so soon. I’ve the chest locked safely away in my office. I also hope my nephew was not in any way rude to one of my most important and influential clients,” Griphook stated giving his nephew a stern glare.  

Grubuck stared at the girl in front of his counter suddenly noticing the metal hand and peculiar eye. How had he been so blind and stupid? Miss Prewett. The one client his uncle had told him above all else to be polite and courteous to if she ever popped in. She had earnt his uncle more in commissions than the rest of his clients put together had in the past year. He was so screwed. 

“Not at all. I see the resemblance,” Scootaloo replied with a smile placing a galleon on the counter. “Thanks Grubuck for your help,” she said politely to the younger goblin before turning once again to Griphhook. “Now, shall we see to that chest? I’ve got to get back to Hogwarts before my next lesson or my father will…” 

“What?” growled an all to familiar voice from behind her. “Deduct twenty points from Hufflepuff and have you cleaning the windows without magic on the Discord tower on Saturday for using Wallace’s teleportation inappropriately?”

Scootaloo shivered as icy cold breath hit the back of her neck. 

“Hello Father. Sweetie tattled, didn’t she?” Scootaloo sighed turning to face the critical glare of her father. 

“That she did. I’ll also be taking that chest. Maybe if you behave yourself for once, I’ll let you see what is inside of it after class this afternoon,” Discord said in an equally cold tone as his breath.

“What!” Scootaloo exclaimed. “But it’s mine. You can’t do that. Griphook said he'd dispose of it if I didn't respond immediately!”

“Either that or I snap us back to Hogwarts right now and let Griphook here dispose of it, your choice,” Discord responded emotionlessly.

“Fine,” Scootaloo huffed pouting and placing her arms across her chest.

“Aaah, you are so cute when you’re pouting,” Discord chuckled pinching his daughter’s cheek.

Blushing with anger and indignation Scootaloo snapped the fingers on her left hand causing a watermelon to fall on Discord’s head from out of the void, landing with a splat and covering her father in marmite.

Rather than be annoyed at what his daughter had done, Discord chuckled heartily instead. “Good one. Someone’s been practicing I see,” he cackled snapping his own fingers and making the marmite disappear in an instant. “Still, I may have to add an extra couple of windows onto the tower for that one,” he said with a sly smirk.

“You do that and I’ll clean them with black paint,” Scootaloo retorted with a smirk of her own before a cough from behind father and daughter brought both their attentions back to Griphook.

“I hate to interrupt, but I believe you stated time was of the essence?”

“Yes, it is. I’ve a lesson to teach in ten minutes!” Discord exclaimed looking at the dozen or so watches that had suddenly appeared on his left arm.  “Lead on my dear sir. Adventure awaits.” 

Scootaloo rolled her eyes as her father suddenly adorned a suit of armour. “It’s twenty-minutes you dodo brain.”

“Takes one to know one,” Discord retorted sticking his tongue out at Scootaloo as they began to follow Griphook out of the main lobby and towards the back of the bank where the offices were located.

Grubuck just stared open mouthed as he watched the curious girl, her giant dog and her even stranger father disappear from view as they followed his uncle out of the main lobby to the back of the bank and the many offices contained there. He’d never believed the wild stories his uncle had told him of his new top client until then. How could one so young have so much wealth? he thought to himself as he shook his head in disbelief while picking up the galleon of his counter. Pocketing it, he turned to the next client that required his attention.


*


Whispers rang around the Defence Against Dark Arts classroom as the clocked ticked to twelve minutes past one. Every conversation centred around one topic. Where was Discord? Over the past year the god of chaos had not once been late to a lesson and the Hufflepuffs had learnt the hard way that tardiness would not be tolerated. Many of the conversations unsurprisingly centred around Scootaloo and the girl’s disappearance halfway through lunch as the reason for their professor’s late arrival. They were only stopped by a sudden bright flash at the front of the classroom accompanied by a loud pop.

“Settle down class,” Discord’s voice boomed across the classroom. “Scoti, take your seat please,” he ordered placing a small trunk down onto his desk as he did so. “I’m sorry for my tardiness. A personal matter arose over lunch that had to be seen to immediately.” He paused for a moment his gaze focusing upon his adopted daughter as she took her seat. 
before he turned back to the whole class and continued. “As punishment for my misdeed, I might let you all have an end-of-term Christmas party if you all work hard. Anyway, let us not beat around the bush. Many of you will have seen Miss Prewett’s demonstration of a Corporeal Patronus on Monday and that may have given you the wrong idea. She was only able to cast such a spell through a combination of her wand’s power, her innate magical ability, diligent studying, proper wand technique, and, most importantly, being pure of heart and able to focus on the happiest and most positive memory she could think of, which she will now share with the rest of the class,” Discord finished with a sly grin.

Scootaloo’s face immediately went red in embarrassment. “Erm, that’s kind of personal sir, I’d rather not,” she admitted in a tone completely void of her usual cockiness. 

“That was not a request. It is integral for your peers that they have…” Discord began.

“KISSING MY GIRLFRIEND, OKAY!!!!” Scootaloo blurted before burying her head into her hands as snorts and giggles reverberated around the classroom. 

Hermione did likewise. Why did her girlfriend always have to be such an embarrassment?

“Thank you. That wasn’t so hard now, was it?” Discord stated, his grin growing wider. 

“Yes, yes it was,” Scootaloo mumbled into her own hands as Discord turned his attention to the entire class.

“Settle down class,” He commanded waiting for the laughter to dissipate before carrying on. “Even in spite of meeting all these criteria, casting such a charm was still extremely taxing for Miss Prewett and after just fifteen or so minutes it wiped her out for pretty much half a day and she was still suffering magical backlash the next day. It is because of this that we will be taking your studying of such a charm very, very, slowly, mastering the basics over the next two years before looking at the more advanced aspects in your fourth year. Only when I or whoever your DADA teacher may be at the time believes that you are ready will you be allowed to attempt an Incorporeal Patronus and then, for the more advanced students, a Corporeal Patronus. Despite my penchant for chaos, I must insist that none of you attempt such a spell until that time. Failure to adhere to this will result in severe repercussions. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Professor Discord, sir,” the class replied in unison.

“Excellent. Then to start I want you all to open The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection to the very final chapter entitled How to protect yourself from a Dementor. We shall discuss this chapter in depth as a class today. Then, for your homework this week you shall re-read the chapter with your work buddy and take detailed notes and answer the question sheet I hand out. Secondly, I also want you all to think hard about what your happiest thought might be and then concentrate on it as next week in our double lesson we shall be exploring staying focused under pressure through practical application. It is easy for one to stay focused in classroom conditions, but what about, for example, when emotionally stressed? Or actually facing a dementor? Or when being attacked by a classmate? There is no point in teaching you to cast such an advanced charm if you are unable to use it when you really need to,” Discord said seriously, pausing as Hermione’s hand shot into the air. “Yes, Miss Granger,” he added in an uninterested tone.

“What was that about being attacked by classmates?” Hermione replied somewhat nervously.

“Oh, that would ruin the surprise now, wouldn’t it? All I’ll say is that the final part of your homework this week is to learn the Stinging Jinx if you haven’t already,” Discord replied with a wicked smile causing numerous shudders around the room.

“That doesn’t bode well for us,” Ron muttered under his breath next to Harry.

“Agreed,” Harry replied as Discord finished addressing the class. 

“Now, if there are no more questions, why don’t you start us off Miss Granger? I’ll let you know when you can stop reading.” 


*


For poor Scootaloo the lesson seemed to drag on and on. It took all Scootaloo’s mental resolve just to stay focused on the lesson at hand and not daydream about just what the chest might contain, especially as her father seemed to be constantly targeting her with his questions to the class. Eventually, the end came. Hermione watched dumbstruck as Scootaloo practically threw her stuff into her satchel and bolted to the front of the class to confront her father. 

“Please, just let me see what’s inside,” she pleaded as the entire class’s attention turned towards her.

“Hmm, let me think about it,” Discord teased, face hidden behind a stack of papers. “I suppose you were pretty well behaved and did correctly answer all the questions I asked you…”

Scootaloo’s face lit up for a single second until…

“But…” 

Scootaloo’s face dropped. There just had to be a but.

“Just like with the patronus charm the other day you were very reckless going off by yourself like that and need to be punished adequately. You should have waited and asked permission from a faculty member before going. Remember, 6am Saturday morning outside the front of this tower whatever the weather, don’t be late. And just be grateful that what is in this chest has piqued my interest as much as yours, otherwise I wouldn’t be letting you open it for another week at least,” Discord said sternly making Scootaloo gulp nervously before the older draconequus went on. “My magic has thankfully determined there is nothing of significant danger within it, but hasn’t been able to determine just what it holds inside due to some significantly impressive concealment and defensive charms. Before we proceed though, let us retire somewhere more private, away from prying eyes,” Discord stated firmly looking up from his paperwork and beyond Scootaloo to the prying eyes of her classmates. 

“Aww,” Sweetie whined. “But I wanted…” she began only to stop mid-sentence once more.

Scootaloo and Discord were gone.

“She’s got to stop doing that,” Sweetie grumbled before realising something. “Wait, if Discord’s gone, who’s going to get us down from the ceiling?”

Apple Bloom shrugged her shoulders next to her.

A note written in something Sweetie definitely didn’t want to know abruptly appeared on the blackboard at the front of the class.

P.S. Seeing as you’ve a free period and this classroom is not required for the remainder of today, have an extra homework assignment to improve your team building skills. I’ve rigged the room with numerous challenges and puzzles for you to find and complete to firstly get you to the ground and then to unlock the door. Your first riddle is an easy one. What has a face and hands but no eyes, mouth or ears? Don’t worry too much if my tasks prove too difficult for you and you can’t escape, you’ll automatically be released five hours from now. Good luck, Professor Discord.

“BASTARD!!!!” Sweetie screamed to the heavens.


*


There was only one-word Scootaloo could use to describe her father’s office, chaotic. To start with the whole room had been tilted ninety degrees so she was sat in front of what she was guessing was the desk but in actual fact was a live highland cow that seemed quite docile and happy to lend its back as a desk whilst munching the grass that replaced the carpet on the wall of the room. The cow wasn’t even the only live animal in the room. Above her on the opposite wall was a miniature belfry that had chimed as they appeared causing half a dozen bats to fly out, one of which was now nestled and sleeping soundly in Scootaloo’s hair, much to the girl’s annoyance. And that was only the start. Everywhere she looked Scootaloo found more and more unhinged chaos, from a portal of some sort on the ceiling to misshapen windows, curly straws and mugs and glasses with no bottoms to them. It truly was a being of chaos’s dream come true.

“Love what you’ve done to the place, Dad,” Scootaloo commented breaking the awkward silence that had accompanied the two beings of chaos since their arrival a few minutes before.

“Why thank you dear. Might I say I love what you’ve done with your hair,” Discord replied before taking a bite out of one of the mugs, the tea opting to grow wings and fly away. 

Scootaloo simply scowled at her father in reply. 

Discord coughed in his attempt to stifle a snigger at his daughter’s reproachful look. “Anyhow, rather than pass the time with small talk, shall we get on with the pressing matter at hand?” He lifted the chest up and placed in onto the back of his makeshift desk. “Don’t mind Bessy; she’s completely harmless as long as you don’t try to steal anything from me.” 

“Okay, but what exactly do you need me to do?” Scootaloo enquired. “I mean, I’ve heard of blood locks from Apple Bloom last year after that whole incident with the exploding potions she made, but I’m not that sure on just how they work. Something to do with requiring the correct DNA for the lock to… YOW, what was that for?” Scootaloo yelped looking at the pin prick on her finger her father had just caused.

“Sorry, I could have got you to do it, but that was way more fun,” Discord replied with a devilish smirk. “Now, place your finger here if you don’t mind.”

Scootaloo grumbled under her breath as she did as she was told. Almost immediately the lock clicked open.

“Blood locks are set to a specific person’s or persons’ DNA which means only themselves or a direct blood relative can unlock them,” Discord explained.

Scootaloo was barely listening, the pain in her finger forgotten as she lifted the lid of the chest open and looked inside. It wasn’t filled with gold, exquisite riches or anything equivalent, just a book, a letter and a small jewellery box greeted her. Picking up the letter she unfolded it and read it to herself.

Scoti, 

  our darling bundle of joy who brings light to our lives in these troubling times. If you are reading this in the future then what we feared was going to happen, happened. We are so very sorry we were unable to be there for you as you grew up, but, as long as you are safe, that is all that matters. I hope the following items will bring you some peace and happiness and that one day you will have a use for the rings,


Mum and Dad


Somewhat confused, Scootaloo pulled her tail around and used it to wiped a tear from her eye as she placed the letter down on Bessy’s back. Then, she picked up the small jewellery box and opened it. Two rings stared back at her and she immediately put them down and went for the book. It wasn’t actually a book, rather a photo album of her parents’ wedding. The tears were flowing freely now as she looked over the album page by page at the family she had never had the chance to get to know aside Molly. 

Scootaloo closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths as the hideous memories of her family’s demise flowed freely through her mind once more. Then she screamed. An ear-piercing wail that would have sent shivers up even the coldest blooded of creatures. The bat in her hair immediately woke up and shot into the air as the purple mohawk became a purple inferno. 

And that’s when she found a comforting pair of arms wrapping themselves around her. 

“There, there, let it all out. “I’ll be here for you when you’re ready to talk,” Discord whispered into Scootaloo’s ear.
> Hermione's 13th (OLD)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Despite the persistence of her friends over the next few days, Scootaloo refused to tell them anything about the contents of the chest. On Saturday it had taken her most the day to clean all one hundred and thirteen windows on the Discord tower even with the help of her tail and the Neapolitan ice cream snow from her father hadn’t helped either. 

Aside from that, over the next ten days, Scootaloo, along with her classmates, slotted back into their usual school routine. The second-years continued working on safely building their wand power in Charms, turning beetles into buttons in Transfiguration and looking after the Mandrakes in Herbology. History went back to an hour-long nap and Scootaloo started Astrology in Divination, while Melody visited them in Cultural Diversity to talk about Centaurs and their beliefs. 

Scootaloo also managed to drive Snape around the bend as her Hair-Raising Potion took on a bizarre colour and its side effects not only made the girl’s hair stand on end but also turned it into some form of seemingly indestructible metal for a short period of time. Wisely, Snape had made sure Hermione had taken charge the following week when they brewed Manegro Potion. Before that however had come a highly controversial DADA lesson where Discord had split the class into teams of two, where they alternated between two roles. While one student attempted to remain focused on their happiest memory, the other would continuously attack them with the stinging jinx. Hermione had subjected Scootaloo to a rather long and tedious History lesson afterward for covering her in red welts, although her complaints about how unethical Discord’s method of teaching was had ceased when Scootaloo had asked her if it had been a success and if she felt she could now focus better under pressure. Hermione had reluctantly grumbled “yes” under her breath in reply and left the discussion at that.

With the constant storms that also seemed to be rolling in one after another, Scootaloo had been forced to resort to class-based theory training for all bar one of her quidditch team’s training sessions, stating that she just couldn’t risk an injury this early in the year. 

Overall, it had been a somewhat interesting period, but nothing exceedingly out of the ordinary, for Hogwarts standards anyway, happened. That all changed when Scootaloo woke up one Saturday morning in the middle of September tied to a chair as a bucket of water was thrown over her face.

“Morning Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom serenaded. 

Scootaloo did not like the tone of her friend’s voice. 

“Why am I tied to a chair with you seven all hovering around me like flies?” Scootaloo deadpanned.

“Well,” Sweetie began in a sickly-sweet tone to Scootaloo’s left. “I heard it was a certain classmate of ours from Gryffindor’s birthday today and so we all decided to chip in and make you look more presentable. I even contacted my sister to get you a lovely new outfit,” the girl trilled holding up an overly frilly sky-blue ball gown.  

“I’m not wearing that,” Scootaloo said coldly. “And You’re just still mad at me for what I did at our first quidditch practice, aren’t you?” Scootaloo added with an inquisitive look.

“Maybe,” Sweetie replied with a guilty grin.

“Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you but…” Scootaloo got no further as Apple Bloom thrust a potion bottle into her mouth.

Once Apple Bloom was sure the contents had been forced down Scootaloo’s throat she removed said bottle as the other girl coughed and spluttered.

“Apple Bloom, what gives? That was vile and my throats on fire,” Scootaloo finally managed to wheeze as her coughing fit slowly came to an end.

“Manegro Potion. I’m going to comb and braid your hair while Sweetie gets you dressed and the other girls apply the makeup,” Apple Bloom explained.

Scootaloo screamed and attempted to get free of the tight bonds tying her to the chair. It was no good, even her tail had been trussed up good!

Sweetie giggled in reply. “There’s no point fighting or screaming for help. Apple Bloom’s rope tying skills are second to none and I’ve cast Imperturbable so no one outside can hear you. Oh, wow, that was fast. Your hair’s already starting to grow!” 

Even if it would do her no good, Scootaloo screamed some more. To Tartarus if she’d make this easy for her dormmates.


*


Hermione harrumphed, impatiently tapped her foot, and pouted outside the entrance to the Great Hall. Where was she? Scootaloo had told her to meet her here at nine am sharp and it was now nearly quarter past.

“Hey, sorry to keep you waiting on your birthday. You would not believe what the girls did to me this morning,” Scootaloo’s voice suddenly echoed from behind her. 

“You better have a damn good…” Hermione’s voice cut off mid-sentence as she stared at the girl with knee length braided purple hair in the girly outfit. She wanted to burst out laughing but instead she found herself drooling.

“Wow, no snarky remark or retort. And is that drool? The girls must have done a good job,” Scootaloo tittered.

“Of course we did. Not that your struggling helped at all,” Apple Bloom growled from behind Scootaloo. “She better appreciate all the hard work we put in. Anyway, we’ll see you both inside.”

“Ahh, but I want to… Ow, ow, my ear, quit it Bloom,” Sweetie hissed as Apple Bloom pulled her by the ear into the Great Hall. 

“If you lot don’t want the same treatment or worse, you’ll get in here right now,” she called over her shoulder in the doorway.

Reluctantly, with heads down, the inhabitants of the first- and second-year Hufflepuff girls dorm disappeared into the Great Hall.

“Thanks Bloom,” Scootaloo said nodding in appreciation to one of her best friends.

“Any time,” Apple Bloom replied with a reciprocal nod and a smile before disappearing herself into the Great Hall. 

“So, there’s something I want to talk to you about in private. Mind stepping into the side room again?” Scootaloo said sheepishly, staring at the ground as she did so. 

Slowly coming out of her stupor Hermione shook her head and replied, “Huh, sure, what’s up? And I’d say the girls did a lot more than a good job as you put it. Damn you’re beautiful. Best birthday present I could have asked for,” Hermione added giving Scootaloo a little peck on the cheek as she followed her into the small side room where their Hogwarts journey had begun. 

“I haven’t been totally honest with you,” Scootaloo mumbled staring solemnly at the floor before lifting her head up barely holding the tears back. “You remember I told you that I couldn’t remember anything during my coma after the incident where I lost my right arm last year. Well, I lied. I’m sorry, but a lot of the vivid dreams I had in that coma were not pleasant and both Professor Sprout and Molly said it was probably for the best I didn’t share them with anyone else, even you I’m afraid. They are my burden and mine alone to carry. But I’ll tell you this much. In the final dream my mother visited me and I still don’t believe it was a dream. I believe it was really her,” Scootaloo said sombrely.

“O-okay?” Hermione stuttered somewhat confused. “So, why are you telling me this now?” 

“She told me that we were meant to be together, that to find that special someone so young is a truly unique and wonderful occurrence that should see every moment be treasured and cherished. But, then after our first fight I had a conversation with Professor Trelawney who told me that we each have our own destiny to fulfill and that although our paths are intertwined, sometimes they will also take us in different directions. That’s why I want to give you something truly special for your birthday, so that no matter how far we are apart, a part of me will still always be there beside you,” Scootaloo explained holding out the violet satchel she had originally bought Hermione for her birthday, now barely holding back the tears.

“A satchel?” Hermione quizzed still confused as she took the bag from her girlfriend. Yes, granted it was her favourite colour but hardly something she’d call special. 

“Look in the front pouch,” Scootaloo replied, her mind racing.

Hermione did as Scootaloo asked and dropped her hand into the front pouch of the bag. After a moment she pulled out a beautiful gold ring sporting a flawless red ruby. Hermione’s jaw dropped open wide.

“My mother’s wedding ring. It, along with my father’s, a note and the photo album from their wedding were what was contained in that chest that was found in my family’s vault a few weeks back. We may have no idea where the future will take us or if we’ll even stay together over the course of time, but, despite that, I know in my heart that no matter what happens, you’ll always be one of my best friends and that I want to be there to help you even when I can’t,” Scootaloo finished, her tanned cheeks taking on a reddish glow.

Hermione simply stared at her girlfriend for a moment and then at the ring in her hand, utterly speechless.

Scootaloo started to look nervous. “Erm, yeah, I know that was a lot to drop on…” 

Scootaloo never finished what she was about to say as Hermione locked her lips to Scootaloo’s in a deeply passionate kiss. 


*


After several passionate and rather private minutes the two girls reappeared into the entrance way looking a little scruffier than before and made their way to the Great Hall with wide smiles on both their faces. 

“So, what would you like to do for the rest of your birthday?” Scootaloo enquired as she pushed one of the doors to the Great Hall open. “Fancy a fly…”

“SURPRISE!!!!” Pinkie Pie screamed while firing her confetti canon, making both girls jump into the air.

"May the power of Chaos compel you!" the priest exclaimed as he threw confetti all over the two girls.

“I hope you like the decorations?” The newly appointed Chaosling Queen enquired with a beaming grin. 

As Hermione and Scootaloo got over the initial shock of being blessed they suddenly realised the entire Great Hall was coated in what they could only assume was pink paint and decorated in all manner of party decorations, from balloons to colourful streamers and paper chains. Everyone was also wearing party hats and a huge banner up above said:

HAPPY 13th BIRTHDAY HERMIONE!!!

Hermione was burying her head in her hands in embarrassment, her face going bright red as Scootaloo’s brain tried to comprehend the absurdity of it all.

“Come, come, I’ve been baking with the house elves' help all night to arrange everyone a super-duper special breakfast,” Pinkie squealed with glee before pulling the very embarrassed birthday girl into a tight hug. 

Slowly Hermione lifted her head up to look into the swirling vortexes of doom that were the pink alicorn’s eyes and taking a few deep breaths she returned the hug and said calmly. “Thanks. It’s a bit much but I know you were only trying to make me feel amazing on my birthday.”

“Oh, you haven’t even seen the best part yet. I even got Professor Snape involved!” Pinkie whispered into Hermione’s ear as she released her from the hug.

“Miss Prewett, I know you had a hand in this somehow. Fifteen points from Hufflepuff and a further fifteen from Gryffindor as this has Weasley printed all over it as well,” Snape droned.

Both girls fell to the floor unable to control themselves as they began laughing hysterically.

Snape was dressed head to toe in full clown gear, makeup and rainbow afro wig included. He did not look at all happy despite the wide red smile that was painted on his face atop the white paint that had also been applied.

“Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to see Madam Pomfrey to see if she can get all this off me. That damn thing super glued the lot to me,” he grumbled pointing accusingly at Pinkie Pie and causing the two girls to laugh even harder on the floor.

“Stop, please stop,” Scootaloo wheezed. “I can’t take any more of this.”

“Oh, stop being a party pooper Snapey Wapey,” Pinkie began.

“I told you to stop calling me that,” Snape growled once more.

Pinkie ignored him. “The costume will come of magically on its own at the end of today, I’ve already told you that, you old sour puss. Why don’t you just lighten up for once and have a bit of fun!” she finished throwing a custard cream pie in Snape’s direction.

Snape was quicker and ducked. Unfortunately, Professor Sprout happened to be walking right behind Snape at that exact moment.

The two girls on the floor, who had been slowly coming to their senses, fell back down once again as the pie hit the Herbology Professor square in the face.

“Oops,” Pinkie chuckled nervously. 

“DISCORD!” Professor Spout bellowed at the top of her lungs.

“Uh oh, time for me to…” Pinkie never finished what she was about to say, frozen in place by the sudden snap of two fingers.

“What would you like me to do with her?” Discord’s voice echoed around the Great Hall as he materialised next to Professor Sprout.

“How about the stocks and a pile of custard pies?” Professor Sprout suggested wickedly.

“Perfect idea,” Discord replied snapping his fingers once more.

“Huh, what the? No fai...” Pinkie began to wail upon finding herself trapped before Snape hit her in the face with a pie. 

“You know what, that was actually rather amusing. Maybe I will stick around for a little while longer,” the Potions Professor-turned-clown sneered picking up another pie as the first slid off Pinkie’s face.


* 


Hermione soared through the sky with Scootaloo hot on her twigs. After an enthralling and highly entertaining first half to Hermione’s birthday, the two girls had snuck away in the early afternoon and, after Scootaloo had changed into her flight suit and had her fellow Crusaders cut and re-style her hair, spent a few hours on their broomsticks with just each other for company now that the incessant storms seemed too finally be over. Alas, their constant battle to outdo each other with one ridiculously dangerous stunt after another had attracted quite a large group of followers from below meaning that they weren’t actually alone. It was only when the sun started to fall and the crowd began to disperse to dinner as the clocks struck half past five that the two girls came into land. Only one person remained to greet them.

“Finally,” Sweetie scathed. “I had to send Apple Bloom on ahead with the rest of the girls, she was getting hangry.”

“Sorry Sweetie, thanks for waiting for us, we sort of lost track of time up…Why are you staring at me like that?” Scootaloo began to apologise before seeing the look on Sweetie’s face.

That’s when she heard Hermione scream behind her.

Scootaloo had never reacted quicker in all her life and even then, she was too late. She had seen a lot of crazy things in her year at Hogwarts but as she turned to see just what Sweetie was staring at, even she knew she couldn’t have predicted this. A werewolf, in the middle of the month and with the sun still out had Hermione’s right arm locked in its jaws. The girl herself was hanging limply a foot or so of the floor, pain etched across her face, tears welling in her eyes.

“RELEASE HER NOW!” Scootaloo screamed as Sweetie pulled her wand from the hoodie she was wearing, the latter shaking with fear as she did so.

To the two girls’ amazement the werewolf did just that and then, even more remarkably it held up its hands as if surrendering. As if that wasn’t enough to throw everything the girls had learnt about werewolves on its head, the near seven-foot monstrosity then had the audacity to speak. 

“Happy Birthday, you mudblood bitch,” Fenrir Greyback snarled before vanishing into thin air as if he hadn’t even been there in the first place. 

The whole event had lasted less than a minute. The damage though had been done. 


*


10 Hours Earlier, Malfoy Manor

“Grr, just why did you call me here?” Fenrir Greyback growled angrily as he followed Lucius Malfoy into the latter’s study.

“Patience my dear Fenrir, patience,” Lucius replied calmly, seemingly unfazed by his unusual company’s attitude and appearance. 

Fenrir, in all respects, looked like a criminal you would find down the darkest and dingiest alley in London. He was a tall muscular man with greying hair and whiskers, sharp pointed teeth and long dirty yellow nails. His clothes were equally dirty and shabby and barely fit him.

“Come, take a seat. Let us get comfortable before we do business,” Lucius said as he sat down behind the desk and politely offered his guest the seat on the other side.

“Cut the crap Lucius,” Fenrir growled. “Over ten years and you’ve not contacted me once, so why now?”

Lucius sighed, “Fine. So be it. My sources tell me you are after a certain artifact, the Eye of the Moon if I am correct? A dark magical artifact forged from the blood of both a human and a werewolf on an All Hallows full moon that provides a werewolf with the power to not only transform at will, but to remain sentient as well as long as they are wearing it. Am I right?” Lucius finished with a smug grin that Fenrir always hated and right then wanted to smash into a bloody pulp.

“Yes,” Fenrir replied coolly taking a deep breath as he attempted to put on his best poker face so as to not give away just how much his interest had been raised. He’d been after the artifact for years, but had long given up hope of ever finding it, fearing it was just one of those myths and legends that had no truth surrounding it. Surely Lucius hadn’t had the damn thing this entire time. 

Lucius pulled open the drawer just under his desk and reached in. A moment later he threw the eye of the moon onto the table. “It’s yours, no questions asked, if you do me one small favour today.”

“I’m listening,” Fenrir said with a wicked leer.


*


“HELP, WON’T SOMEBODY HELP US!” Scootaloo screamed, tears flooding her face as she and Sweetie dragged the barely conscious Hermione into the castle.

Of course, just when they desperately needed a teacher, they got perfect Percy doing his rounds instead.

“Just who is making this awful ruckus? So help me I’ll take ten…” The prefect began coming around a corner before he stalled as he looked down upon his barely conscious housemate in shock for the briefest of moments. Then, he took charge. “Lift her onto my back, we must get her to Madam Pomfrey right away. You can tell me what…” he paused for a moment looking at Hermione’s arm. “No, that’s impossible. It can’t be,” he said not believing his own experience and knowledge.

“A,” Scootaloo paused for a moment trying to catch her breath, “Werewolf,” she panted. “Appeared out of nowhere and then disappeared. No idea where it came from or where it went.”

“Impossible,” Percy muttered under his breath, but he’d seen enough photos of werewolf bites to know only their teeth could leave such a wound. No, what made the wound wasn’t the pressing issue right now. He needed to get the girl to the infirmary right away. “PREFECT COMING THROUGH!!! EMERGENCY!!!” Percy screamed as Hermione was carefully placed onto his back, her good arm wrapped tightly around his neck. He ran as fast as his two legs could carry him, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle trying desperately to keep up. 


*


Kendra was just departing the infirmary for dinner when she heard a voice behind her that she knew only too well.

“Stop. Nurse. Please stop.”

Percy Weasley. The stuck-up snob. What could possibly be the matter this time that could be more important than her dinner? Deliberately slowly she turned and faced the Gryffindor prefect. That’s when she saw Hermione barely conscious across his back and instantly knew the situation was critical.

“Bring her in here immediately. Sweetie Belle, with me. Scootaloo, I know you want to be with your girlfriend right now but I need you to get to the Great Hall and bring as many professors as you can. Time is critical right now,” Kendra instructed pushing the doors to the infirmary open. 

Damn. This was bad, really bad. The sole glance she’d got of the barely conscious girl on Percy’s back had told her Hermione had been mauled by something, but what? That she couldn’t be sure of until she had more information. Was she even qualified enough to deal with this? No, she couldn’t think like that. This was her job. No, this was her calling. There was no way was she going to lose a patient on her watch.


*


10 Hours Earlier, Malfoy Manor

“I’m guessing you have heard about the girl believed dead who reappeared last year after spending ten years in an alternate dimension?” Lucius asked taking a sip of tea from a cup that had appeared on the table.

“Who hasn’t? Also heard she doesn’t like you very much,” Fenrir replied with a smirk. 

Lucius slowly lowered the cup down onto the table. “Well, she’s become more than just a bother. In the past month alone, she’s foiled my plan to discredit Arthur Weasley and have his stupid Muggle Protection Act revoked and nearly had Draco expelled from school, the brat. It’s time she was put into her place.”

“You want me to infect her? It’d be my pleasure,” Fenrir interrupted, his eyes suddenly taking on the appearance of a predator who has its prey cornered.

“No, I want to make her suffer by targeting those closest to her, starting with her,” Lucius snarled pushing over a picture of Hermione. “This is her muggle born disgrace of a girlfriend and today is her birthday. I want you to give her a present she’ll never forget. Dobby here will take you to the edge of the forbidden forest. The two girls love flying and combined with the calm weather that has arrived after more than a week of torrential rain…”

“It’ll only be a matter of time before they come out to play,” Fenrir finished, his grin growing wider. “You have done your homework.”

“Precisely and yes, well, I have my sources. Your task is simple. Wait for the right moment and then get Dobby to apparate you in close. Bite the girl, preferably not too bad so she lives, and then Dobby will get you out and take you wherever you wish to go. Do we have a deal?”

Fenrir Greyback’s smile practically took over his entire face. This was turning into an unexpectedly very good day.


*


“Tell us once more exactly what happened,” Dumbledore said calmly leaning over his desk. Professor McGonagall stood to his right whilst Professors Sprout and Discord stood to his left.

“I’ve already told you five times!” Scootaloo said exasperated. “Why can’t I just go see Hermione?” 

“Scoots, I know you are hurting, but Headmaster Dumbledore just wants to ensure we’ve not missed anything, however small, that could be important,” Sweetie Belle said trying to calm her friend down. “How about I start and you just interrupt if there’s anything I miss?” 

“Fine,” Scootaloo grumbled slumping into her chair. “But I still think this is a complete waste of my time.”

After racing to the Great Hall to inform Dumbledore and the other professors just what had happened, even if it had taken some persuasion, Scootaloo and the professors had raced back to the infirmary where Dumbledore had inspected and confirmed that the girl had been telling the truth. A werewolf, in broad daylight and still a week from a full moon, had indeed infiltrated Hogwarts and attacked a student. A thorough search of the school had then been conducted, but not even a hint of the so-called werewolf could be found. It was all highly mysterious and seriously disturbing. As the search continued, with all students sent back to their common rooms for safety, both Sweetie and Scootaloo had been escorted to Dumbledore’s office to provide a more in-depth account of this latest disturbing incident to rock the school. 

“So, Scootaloo and Hermione had just come into land and I was chastising the former for taking so long and that the others had already gone ahead to dinner when the werewolf literally just appeared out of thin air behind the two of them and went straight for Hermione’s right arm,” Sweetie began.

“Apparition, but only house elves are able to do that on school grounds,” Dumbledore muttered to himself stroking his beard before prompting the girl to continue. It was Scootaloo who spoke this time.

“That’s when I was apologising to Sweetie and after seeing her face and hearing Hermione scream, I swiftly turned around to see what the matter was. I honestly couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the werewolf.”

“Neither of us could. Scootaloo screamed at it to drop Hermione and I pulled my wand out ready to defend us when it proceeded to drop Hermione and seemingly surrender before saying Happy Birthday you mudblood bitch. Then it just vanished in front of our eyes. It was all practically over before we even knew what was happening,” Sweetie continued, finishing with a shiver. “The look in its eyes will haunt my dreams for months,” she exclaimed. 

“Definitely had a house elf with him. It is clear this was a co-ordinated and well thought out attack. What we need to deduce now is why and who would do such a thing? And then to ensure it does not happen again in the future” Dumbledore mumbled to himself deep in thought before lifting his head up and addressing the two girls. “And is there nothing else you can tell us, such us what the werewolf looked like and was it wearing anything.”

Sweetie shook her head. “Sorry, all I could tell you is it was very tall, covered in black fur, had lots of teeth and as I said in my earlier account, probably male from the tone of its voice. It all just happened so fast!”

“Okay, not to worry. You both did amazing considering the situation you were put in and if either of you ever need to talk about it, both Professor Sprout and myself along with all your other professors are here for you,” Dumbledore explained. “Professor Sprout will accompany you both back to your common room via the infirmary, but only a quick visit; Miss Granger needs time to recover in peace. That is…”

“There was one more thing,” Scootaloo said deep in thought.

“Oh?” Dumbledore replied intrigued.

“The werewolf was wearing something around its neck. I only got a brief look before it disappeared, but the more I think about it, the more certain I am. I just can’t get a clear picture of what it was in my mind,” Scootaloo groaned in frustration.

“That’s very, very helpful Scoti,” Dumbledore replied with a warm smile. “A number of legends speak of ancient dark artifacts that if used properly can transform a werewolf at will. Before today I’ve never encountered one and believed such tales to be just that, legends, but from what you’ve just told me, it seems at least one of those legends might have had some truth in it. Now, why don’t you go visit your friend in the infirmary and leave this whole terrible incident to us?”  

“Okay sir, just promise me you’ll find whoever was behind this and make them pay, or so help me, I will,” Scootaloo growled, her hair and eyes two purple pits of fire as the tears returned. 

Not waiting for a response and wanting anyone to see her crying, Scootaloo turned and stormed out of Dumbledore’s office, slamming the door behind her. Sweetie and Professor Sprout quickly followed after the distraught girl to ensure she didn’t do anything stupid.

As the two students and Professor Sprout left Discord turned and spoke to Dumbledore.

“This is certainly a worrying development. Not even I saw this one coming.”

“Yes, I don’t think any of us did. Thankfully the recent developments in potion making mean we can at least alleviate the worst of the side effects of lycanthropy. The last thing the school needs right now is a werewolf on the loose every full moon,” Dumbledore replied, finishing with a sigh.

“Indeed. I’m just sorry my chaos magic is unable to help the girl on this occasion, although I’m sure Fluttershy will be only too happy to help during her transformations along with Scoti. The latter’s chaos magic provides her with a natural immunity to pretty much anything, including lycanthropy,” Discord explained unusually sober for him. 

“Well, that’s at least a small positive from this heinous and cowardly act. Still, after last year, I feel I’ve no choice but to contact the Ministry and arrange for some aurors to be stationed on school grounds at all times for the foreseeable future, just to be on the safe side,” Dumbledore said with yet another resigned sigh. 

“Agreed,” Professor McGonagall stated entering the conversation. “Do we even have any idea who could have orchestrated such a targeted attack?” 

“No. And that’s what worries me the most. From the few clues we do have we know this was pre-meditated and perfectly orchestrated so that the girls didn’t get long enough to get a good look at the perpetrator and there were as few witnesses as possible. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if the werewolf was scouting on the edge of the forbidden forest all day waiting for the perfect moment to strike. We also know that there at least two, but more likely three to four people involved, the werewolf, a house elf, someone with inside knowledge and the mastermind behind it all," Dumbledore stated with a worried expression across his face. 

“Very good observations,” Discord responded. “Still, I believe there is one possible suspect if you think about it.”

“Who?” Dumbledore and Minerva both asked simultaneously.

“You won’t like to hear this, but… Lucius Malfoy. Even before this year he and my daughter were not on the best of terms, but considering the events of the past month, I wouldn’t put it past him. I don’t want to believe that he would stoop this low, yet when you think about it, he has motif, access to the school through his son, more than likely has a house elf in his employ due to his elevated status and through his days as a Death Eater, probably knows a werewolf. I know it’s a lot of maybe’s but…”

“Fenrir Greyback,” Dumbledore interrupted, stroking his beard as he suddenly saw another piece of the jigsaw fit into place. 

“No!” Minerva gasped. “Don’t tell me he’s back!”

“Who?” Discord asked suddenly feeling he was out of the loop. 

“A well-known werewolf who assisted the Death Eaters during the wizarding war. His only goal in life seems to be to infect as many people as possible with lycanthropy so that he will some day have a pack large enough to take control of the wizarding world. He also has a particular preference for attacking children,” Dumbledore said sombrely. 

“Merlin’s testicles,” Discord muttered under his breath.

“I had hoped we’d seen the last of him after the members of his last pack were all rounded up and imprisoned, but it seems he may have reared his ugly head once again. The description Miss Belle and Miss Prewett could provide us with certainly fits and it definitely corresponds with his style and previous actions. What I’m more concerned about now is that if it is him and he has managed to get his hands on an artefact that allows him to transform at will and remain sentient…”

“Just how many more people is he going to infect before he gets caught,” Discord finished for the Hogwarts headmaster.

“Precisely. I need to get onto the Ministry straightaway. This is going to be their top priority,” Dumbledore responded rising from his chair.

“Yes, and I need to inform the parents,” Minerva sighed rolling her eyes. “I’ve no idea how I’m going to explain to them their daughter is now a werewolf.”

“And I need to make preparations, because I’m betting that if Lucius Malfoy is involved, this is just the beginning and everybody close to my daughter is in danger,” Discord growled angrily. “You may have fooled us once Lucius, but next time you won’t be so lucky,” he added in a deathly cold tone.

Gradually whilst talking the draconequus had made his way over to the far wall. To Minerva and Albus’ astonishment he sent his right fist straight through it. Removing his arm from the wall he snapped two of his fingers and disappeared without another word.

“Should I get Professors Fluttershy and Sprout to talk to him after I’m done writing the letter?” Minerva enquired, finally breaking the uneasy silence in the room.

“I think that would be wise. Who’s he got to teach tomorrow morning?” Dumbledore enquired looking through his newly acquired window.

“I believe he teaches the Slytherin and Ravenclaw first years first thing on Monday morning,” McGonagall replied.

“Merlin help them,” Dumbledore muttered under his breath as he made his way to the fireplace.


*


Scootaloo sat in the infirmary holding Hermione’s hand wishing, praying, hoping and everything in-between that she would wake up and everything would be fine. She knew in her heart that that wouldn’t be the case. Hermione was a werewolf now and it was all her fault. She should have seen this coming. She was cursed, plain and simple, destined to spend her life in constant pain, whether that be emotional or physical, and anyone who got too close to her was destined to suffer because of that. It was all her fault.

“I’m so, so, sorry,” Scootaloo mumbled, tears openly falling down her cheeks. “Why’d you have fall in love with me you silly, silly girl. I’m cursed, plain and simple, to suffer wherever I go and those who get too close to me seem to be collateral damage. Maybe its best if we just end what we have now so I don’t cause you more pain and heartache?” Scootaloo sniffled.

“You do that and I’m going to hunt you down and rip you to pieces over and over again until not even your chaos magic can save you,” a weak voice echoed from the bed followed by a series of painful coughs. 

Scootaloo’s head immediately shot up and she stared at Hermione, “You’re awake?” 

“How can I not be with you chattering like an irrational fool in my ear while squeezing my left hand to a pulp?” Hermione chastised. “If I had the strength to slap you right now to knock some sense into you, I would.”

Scootaloo actually managed to force a smile at that response. “I see some things will never change,” she tittered leaning over and giving her girlfriend a peck on the cheek. 

“Some poor soul has to keep you in line, and unluckily that responsibility falls to me,” Hermione grumbled before breaking out into another bout of painful coughs.

Sccootaloo immediately grabbed a glass of water from the bedside table next to the infirmary bed and brought it to Hermione’s lips as she pushed herself up in the bed.

“Thanks,” Hermione mumbled as Scootaloo removed the glass from the other girl’s lips. 

“How you feeling?” Scootaloo enquired.

“Like somebody took a bite out of my right arm,” Hermione said testily.

“Informative,” Scootaloo replied trying desperately, and failing miserably, to withhold the laughter bubbling up inside of her. “At least you’ve still got yours,” she retorted holding up her own metallic replacement.

“True. It does also feel nice to get some revenge for the number of times you’ve made me worry with your trips to the infirmary over the past six months you buffoon,” Hermione said, sticking out her tongue at Scootaloo. 

“Ouch,” Scootaloo replied placing her hands over her chest and feigning that she’d been fatally wounded by her girlfriend’s jibe.

“Oh, you two are just perfect for each other,” a voice unexpectedly interrupted from the end of the bed gaining both girl’s attention instantly, Scootaloo’s tan cheeks taking on a reddish glow.

“How long you been there?” she squeaked in embarrassment. 

“Long enough. Now, I’m sorry to cut this short but before Miss Granger falls asleep once more, I need to administer the first dose of the Wolfsbane Potion as the full moon is only a week away. It will not be a pretty sight, as it has a particularly unique foul taste, and I don’t think she’d want even you Scoti witnessing her struggle to consume it,” Kendra explained. “Hopefully though, after this week she’ll have got used to the taste as she has to take it every day in the week preceding a full moon to prevent a full transformation.”

Hermione’s face took on a slightly green tinge at that announcement.

“Hey, look on the bright side, you’re going to be the cutest wolf ever!” Scootaloo said with a smirk attempting to lighten the mood and cheer her girlfriend up as she rose from her chair. “And I’m going to be there for you every single time!”

Hermione simply turned her head gingerly and glowered at Scootaloo. “Why’d I have to fall in love with you?”

“Because I’m awesome and you know it,” Scootaloo said cockily as she leaned in and placed a passionate ‘goodbye for now’ kiss upon Hermione’s lips totally ignoring Kendra’s presence as she did so.

“D’aww, how adorable,” Kendra cooed from the end of the bed watching every moment of the young lovers embrace.


*


Sat in his favourite armchair in the sitting room of Malfoy Manor as a fire roared in the fireplace opposite him, Lucius Mafoy stared intently at the glass of red wine he was swilling and spoke.

“For once you have done well Dobby and not failed me. The kitchen staff have been informed to provide you with whatever you desire tonight for dinner. And if you keep helping me, there will be more rewards to follow. Maybe I’ll even let you have your freedom. You are dismissed,” Lucius commanded as he rose from his chair. 

“Yes master. Thank you master,” the diminutive house elf replied bowing to Lucius before hastily departing from the room before Mr. Malfoy could change his mind. His master was often cruel like that. 

Lucius casually strode over to the fire and looked down at the roaring flames held within. Today had been a good day, but he knew he’d only won one small battle.

“The war has only just begun,” he said to himself pouring the wine into the flames.
> A Werewolf in Student's Clothing Part 1: Intro (OLD)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Despite the best efforts of the staff, by Sunday morning most the school knew that Hermione was a werewolf. Those who didn’t were soon made aware by a special edition of the Hogwarts Hawk:


WEREWOLF INFILTRATES HOGWARTS 



Second Year Gryffindor Hermione Granger viciously attacked and infected with lycanthropy on the Training Grounds!



Are we safe? 


To no great surprise Joanne MacGyver was nowhere to be found at breakfast Sunday morning. Overall, the reaction from the students was mixed. Most were sympathetic towards Hermione but also afraid of what she might do to them. Some, mostly Slytherins and a few Ravenclaws, went as far as staging a protest outside the infirmary seeking Hermione’s removal from the school on safety grounds. Meanwhile, the Weasley twins bought Hermione a sparkly pink collar and leash, much to her embarrassment and Scootaloo’s delight, and she was inundated with flowers, sweets and get well soon cards from both Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs. The most surprising of theseand biggest bunch of flowers had actually arrived in person from a student in neither of these houses, Draco Malfoy, who had quietly said he was distraught by what had happened and hoped Hermione could come to terms with her ailment before he swiftly departed.

Things didn’t improve on Monday. Hermione flatly refused to miss any classes and had checked herself out of the infirmary after breakfast. Even on the short journey to Charms the amount of stares, whispers and students actively avoiding her would have been disheartening for most people, but to Hermione's credit, she just ignored them and carried on her way. The actual Charms lesson wasn’t much better though. Despite many of her closest friends treating her as normal, over half the class did barely any work they were too anxious and busy concentrating on the werewolf in the room. Professor Flitwick though seemed to have predicted this was going to happen and appeared quite happy to allow the class to get away with doing as little work as possible. Hermione, again, seemed completely unfazed by her classmates’ stares and whispers and just carried on quietly looking into shield charms with Scootaloo. It was just as they were departing Charms that Fay had approached Hermione.

“Her-Hermione,” Fay said nervously.

“Yes,” Hermione replied with a look of mock interest.

“The girls and I have been talking. We-we’re going to ask Professor McGonagall if she can move you somewhere more suited to your needs,” Fay explained.

“I see. You do realise that friends are supposed to stick by friends when they are down and not hurt them more?” Hermione said calmly but with a slight edge of irritation creeping into her voice. 

“Yes, well, you see…” Fay began but stalled unable to say the words she wanted to. 

“You’re afraid. Afraid I’m going to turn into a big bad werewolf and infect you all?” Hermione replied sombrely.

Fay simply looked at the floor and mumbled, “Y-yes.”

Before anyone had a chance to do anything Fay found herself lifted from the floor and slammed against a wall, her blue eyes locking onto the suddenly red ones of Hermione.

“Do you think I asked for this?” Hermione growled. “Do you even know how hard the past day or so has been for me? Or how painful it has been? It’s not just the bite that hurts, you know, just take a look at my teeth for a start!” She opened her mouth to show off two elongated canines descending from her top jaw. “Hell, if they grow anymore, I won’t be able to hide them in my mouth, not that you care. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg of the changes I’m currently going through, but do you see me complaining? Or whining about having to drink the most rancid potion imaginable for a whole week just to keep everyone else safe, no. But, if it makes you feel any better Fay, go ahead, file your protest, because…”

“Miss Granger, drop her this instant,” Professor Flitwick’s voice interrupted from behind her. 

Hermione’s eyes locked once more onto those of the terrified Fay before she threw the girl across the hall into the rest of her dormmates. 

“Sorry, professor,” Hermione said turning to Professor Flitwick. “Some people just don’t know when to keep their big mouths shut.”

“Be that as it may, I cannot have you going around threatening other students. Your position at the school is already perilously poised without you adding Bombarda to Incendio. I understand you are still coming to terms with what happened and because of that I will not punish you on this occassion. I will though be informing your head of house, who may want words with you herself,” Professor Flitwick said understandingly but firmly to Hermione. 

“Yes, professor,” Hermione replied, her voice as cold as ice.

“Very well. Now, move along all of you; you don’t want to be late for your next class,” Professor Flitwick said turning to address the whole group of stunned students.

Hermione glared once more at Fay and her dormmates before turning and storming off down the corridor with Scootaloo hastily trying to keep up. 


*


After the confrontation with Fay, Hermione’s dormmates only distanced themselves further from her over the next couple of days and she did likewise. For most that time if she wasn’t in lessons, she was sat in a secluded corner of the library alone or with Scootaloo. Tensions around the school though refused to ease and at breakfast on Tuesday morning the students had watched in awe as five owls flew in carrying a huge sack of letters from worried parents who threatened to remove their children from the school if the werewolf was not expelled. Later that morning Professor McGonagall had attempted to hold a meeting between Hermione her dormmates to clear the air, with Professor Pompernickle also in attendance. It had not gone well. Fay had once more played the sympathy card before expressing how it was unanimous amongst the girls second year dorm that Hermione was now a liability and a ticking time bomb waiting to go off. This had been met with a round of nods from Lavender, Parvati and Sophie and led to Hermione retaliating by calling all of them bigots and snakes in lions’ clothing. The whole debacle ended with the two professors being forced to separate the five quarrelling girls and Professor McGonagall sternly stating Hermione was going nowhere and that they would need to settle their differences amicably among themselves. 

It did not have the effect the two professors had desired. That evening Hermione had been found after hours asleep atop a textbook in the library and brought once more to Professor McGonagall, this time by Madam Pince. The former had then taken the girl back to her dormitory only to find the girl’s bed totally trashed. As none of her dormmates were willing to own up to the needless destruction they were all subsequently given detention the following day with their head of house and warned that any more bullying would result in immediate expulsion.

Wednesday began by offering Hermione at least a small sliver of hope and happiness. Her parents had finally sent her a letter, the first since her infection. Despite her initial trepidation to open it, encouraged by Ron and Harry she had proceeded to do so and openly cried as she read the words:

To Our Amazing Daughter,

    We are sorry not to have contacted you sooner but ultimately needed time to think about everything. We know you can read us like a book so we won’t hold back, we were scared, for you and what this infliction would mean for you in both your immediate and long-term future. The topic of whether to remove you from Hogwarts altogether also came up but was quickly dismissed when we remembered just how far you’ve come in such a short space of time and how the school has helped you to do this. We still don’t know how we will cope or be able to help you with your lycanthropy, except for clamping your jaw shut, but we want you to know that if there is anything we can do for you, you’ve only got to ask. Hope your lessons are going well and please write to us again soon, 


Love Mum and Dad


P.S. Is it wrong that we are really intrigued to see how a werewolf’s teeth are set up?

Hermione couldn’t help but let out a small giggle at that last part. By now her upper canines had grown so much that she honestly felt that she looked like a B movie vampire. If her parents could get a hold of her, they would probably close their dentistry for a whole afternoon just to probe her mouth. She also wouldn’t put it past them to stay up all night on a full moon to do likewise when she was in werewolf form. The whole crazy idea brought a smile to her lips for what felt like the first time since she’d been infected. 

“You know, I’m not sure what to be scared of more right now, my parents or being a werewolf,” Hermione chuckled to Harry and Ron while re-reading the letter just to make sure it was true. Her parents weren’t going to disown her. In fact, they didn’t seem to be that worried by it at all and almost seemed pleased at the possibility of new research.

“Well, they are dentists,” Ron quipped with a shudder.

“I wish my aunt and uncle were as supportive. If I was infected with lycanthropy, they’d just tell the school 'He’s your problem now.'” Harry added.

“Or lock you in a silver cage for the entire holidays while that blimp of a cousin of yours pokes you with a stick,” Ron suggested to Harry. 

“Definitely sounds like something they would do,” Harry said grimly before turning back to Hermione. “Anyway, you know Ron and I are here for you if you need us?” 

“Yeah, who else is going to help us pass Potions?” Ron joked. “I can barely remember what we learnt last week, let alone last year!” he added, referring to the particularly difficult sheet of questions surrounding strength potions they’d received the previous day from Professor Snape

Hermione finally lifted her eyes from the letter and gave Ron a stern look. “That’s not going to work Ron. I’ll check your homework before you hand it in for any glaring errors, but you need to put in the hard work first. Nice try though.”

“Well, it was worth a try. Now, come here,” Ron replied wrapping his arm around Hermione and providing her with a much-needed hug.

Harry did likewise from the other side creating a Hermione sandwich. 

In the midst of it all the girl managed to free one of her arms and wipe her tear-stained face. “Thanks guys; that means a lot to me. I think I’ve been so focused on wanting everyone to accept me for what I now am these past few days that I forgot the only opinions that really matter are of those closest to me. It really doesn’t matter how many people accept me through this difficult time, just as long as my friends and family do.”

“Sounds like someone has learnt a friendship lesson. Twilight would be proud,” Fluttershy’s soft voice echoed behind Hermione causing the girl, Ron and Harry to jump in surprise at the sudden intrusion and immediately break off their embrace. “Oh, I am sorry if I startled you,” Fluttershy apologised timidly, “but Headmaster Dumbledore has had correspondence back from Hermione’s parents surrounding her living arrangements whilst studying here. I hope the following compromise will suit you and your dormmates. I heard what happened last night from Professor McGonagall, truly frightful behaviour.”

The ears of Hermione’s dormmates, who were sat a little further down the table to distance themselves from the werewolf, suddenly pricked up. 

“Seriously? I’ve barely had any sleep this week for fear I’m going to wake up to a werewolf slobbering over me and whenever I have done, the dreams I’ve had haven’t been pleasant,” Fay argued, shuddering uncontrollably. “And I doubt I’m the only one,” she added to a round of nods and murmurs of agreement from her peers.

Fluttershy turned and scowled at Fay. “So, I guess you are Fay,” she said slowly to the blonde-haired girl. “Tell me, was any of this Hermione’s fault?”

“No, but…”

Fluttershy didn’t give the girl a chance to explain herself. “But nothing. You girls have known each other for over a year now and from what I’ve heard have become rather good friends in that time. Being scared is no excuse, especially for the way you’ve acted around and treated Hermione these past few days. Your so-called friend has been through a traumatic and life changing ordeal, yet rather than support her and stand by her side, you’ve ridiculed, persecuted and attacked her like cowardly bullies. It makes my blood boil,” the Pegasus seethed taking a deep breath to calm herself down before she continued. “Friends don’t abandon friends when they need you most, no matter what. That’s why all four of you after classes today along with Hermione and Scootaloo, sorry Scoti, will be spending your detention with me doing team building exercises. If Scoti and I feel you’ve done enough to mend the bonds that have been broken, Hermione will be spending the rest of the week staying with me and Discord until the full moon passes, and every week that precedes a full moon from here on out until her transformation period is over for that lunar cycle,” Fluttershy said sternly. “And if not? I’ll oversee Hermione’s transformation in your dorm to help you all understand just how painful such a thing is. Do I make myself clear?” 

Fay, Parvati and Sophie were all staring shamefacedly at their feet. None of them could either muster a retort or dared to do so. Of the few times they’d seen Fluttershy and from what they’d heard from Scootaloo, Sweetie and Apple Bloom, none of them ever dreamed it would have been possible to anger the newly appointed Care of Magical Creatures Professor, especially to the extent her tone was suggesting. And that just made them feel even worse as they reviewed their actions from the past few days in their heads and realised just how mean and thoughtless they had been. 

Lavender meanwhile had risen from her chair and walked over to Hermione while rubbing the back of her head sheepishly.

“I-I’m really sorry about last night. I told the girls that it was going too far, but Fay insisted drastic action had to be done for us to be taken seriously. Anyway, before they did anything they might regret I made sure I grabbed your plush pony Scootaloo, wrapped her safely in bubble wrap and put her in my trunk until I had the chance to return her. Looking back, I know I should have done more to stop them and I should have said something to Professor McGonagall, but as Fluttershy said, no excuses. So, I understand totally if you no longer want to be friends, but if you’ll let me, I’ll try my very best to make it up to you and be the best friend I possibly can,” Lavender rambled awkwardly before dropping her head and staring at her feet.

In less than a heartbeat she felt two arms wrap around her.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Hermione squealed as yet more tears streamed down her face. “I thought she had been torn to pieces along with the rest of the bed. You have no idea what this means to me.” 

“Don’t mention it,” Lavender replied, accepting the hug with a huge smile. “I just saw her lying there and remembered how much you adore her and can’t sleep without her now. Sophie’s even got a picture of you snogging the plush in your sleep!” Lavender chuckled as Hermione started to go red faced. 

“Wait, what?” Hermione exclaimed staring at Lavender open-mouthed as an all too well known cackle erupted behind her at the Hufflepuff table followed by Scootaloo’s voice.

“How much?”
> AWISC Part 2: A draconequus, a werewolf and a horde of inferi walk into a bar (OLD)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“GIVE ME THAT!” Hermione screamed as Scootaloo hovered above her in the hallway. 

The latter was laughing so hard she was struggling to stay aloft and out of the other girl’s irate grasp. Until now Hermione had actually been having a much better day than the previous few since the attack. She had slowly begun repairing her friendships with her dormmates who, after Fluttershy’s intervention, seemed to now be much more accepting of her and just what she was. Her two lessons so far had also gone very well. In Herbology Professor Sprout had been particularly impressed with how their Mandrake was developing, commenting that she had never seen one mature at such a rapid rate before and that at this rate it would be ready for cultivation by Christmas rather than Easter. Then, in Transfiguration, she and Sweetie had got a glowing report from Professor McGonagall after successfully casting Reparifarge on Wallace after weeks of hard work. People were still staring and avoiding her in the hallways, but not nearly as much thankfully as the previous two days and overall, it seemed her condition was swiftly becoming old news. Unfortunately, the chance of having a perfect day for once had been ruined just after lunch when she’d noticed Sophie slipping Scootaloo a piece of paper in exchange for a small bag of bits. This had caused an inevitable chase to occur.

As the rest of the class followed at a safe distance and watched the two bickering lovers, they all soon found themselves outside Classroom 104 in the Discord tower. Of course, Hermione had a plan to get the incriminating evidence back. 

“If you want to be on time, you’re going to have to come down and face me,” Hermione growled standing guard in the doorway to the classroom. 

“Oh really?” Scootaloo replied with a smug smile as she rose as high as she could in the small hallway and then dive bombed straight towards Hermione.

“You have got to be kidding me,” Hermione sighed as she planted her feet and refused to give an inch as Scootaloo rugby tackled her sending both of them barrelling into the classroom, Scootaloo ending up on top of Hermione, their lips pressed together. 

“Get a room you two!” Sweetie jibed following them in.

This was received with a round of laughter and wolf whistles from the rest of the class before it all abruptly cut off. 

“Ha-ha, very funny Sweetie,” Scootaloo replied pushing herself off her girlfriend and rising to her feet. “What are you lot all gawking at anyway?” 

The entire class pointed as one behind Scootaloo.

“Let me guess? Considering last week’s homework assignment, I’m guessing my dad has teleported us somewhere and there’s now a horde of inferi behind me?” Scootaloo deadpanned.

The class simply nodded in reply.

“Shit,” Scootaloo muttered under her breath turning to face the horde as a voice echoed from nowhere yet everywhere.

“Welcome second-years to inferi training. The insane dark wizard Discard has attacked this muggle town and killed most its inhabitants, turning them into his undead puppets or inferi as they are more commonly known. Thankfully, the Ministry had been tracking him for some time and when things started to go awol they were able to cut off communications with the muggle world and trap Discard and his puppets within the town. Sadly, communications were lost shortly afterwards with the initial team. Here was the last communication they sent,” Discord’s voice explained as a letter drifted down from the sky and fell in front of Scootaloo. She picked it up and read it to the whole class.

“Auror Star Sage breaking silence, requesting immediate backup. Discard has risen. Town secured, but we are trapped and there are only two of us left, with Lemon seriously injured.”

“You’ll also see co-ordinates of their last known location on the bottom of the note. We fear by now the worst might have befallen them. You, a crack team of aurors, have been sent in to clear up this mess. Your prime objectives are to rid the town of inferi and find and then apprehend or, if necessary, dispose of Discard. Your secondary objectives are to locate and evacuate any survivors along with any of the remaining recon team and their notes. I hope you’ve been doing your homework,” Discord said in a sickly-sweet voice. “Just one more thing. I rolled a twenty-two-sided dice; Neville’s your leader for today’s training exercise. Keep him safe, for if your leader fails, you all do. Now let the fun begin and try not to die!”

“Me!” Neville squeaked as the inevitable snapping of fingers rang in the air.

The horde, who had seemingly been frozen up until this point, advanced rapidly. 

“Well Neville, what would you like us to do?” Ron jested next to the other boy as the gap between them and the overwhelming army of undead got smaller and smaller.

“RUN!!!” Neville screamed bolting off as fast as his two legs could carry him followed by Apple Bloom and a number of others.

“For once, I think Neville has the right idea,” Harry said from Ron’s other side.

“Agreed.”

Ron and Harry bolted after their classmates as they heard a distinct cackle from behind them followed by Scootaloo’s voice.

“INCENDIO PLUVIAM” 

The heat that suddenly hit the two boys was intense. 

“EVERYONE GET TO COVER NOW!” Scootaloo screamed as she raced past the two boys practically dragging them and Hermione with her. “IT’S ABOUT TO START RAINING FIRE!”

“Did she just say?” Harry began as he was dragged along against his will. 

“Yes, yes she did,” Ron deadpanned in reply, internally scared out of his mind. So just another day with Scoti and Hermione then.


*


“Erm, should you really be doing that?” Ron enquired turning momentarily from his position at the window where he was watching inferi after inferi burn up into nothing more than ash. “Shouldn’t you be focusing on ensuring, I don’t know, that our cover doesn’t burn to the ground?” 

Scootaloo slammed the bottle of whisky she’d been swigging from down on the bar with her tail and turned to Ron with a glower on her face. “I’m about eighty percent sure the spell will die off before that happens and I’m sorry to sound ungrateful but no, thank you? Inferi may be mindless beasts, but they are incredibly fast. If I hadn’t acted when I did, we would have all been overrun and this training exercise would have been over in record quick time for all the wrong reasons. Just think for a minute; what would have been worse, a little bit of fire or Discord’s wrath and makeup test?”

The other three occupants in the bar all shuddered simply at the thought.

“Precisely. I did what needed to be done for everyone’s sake and safety. As for the whisky, do you even know how much energy, effort and concentration such a spell takes, especially from scratch? I’m going to have a mighty magical hangover tomorrow, might as well make it worth it. And I’ve been drinking since I was about eight not that it’s any of your business so I can handle my liquor. Used to steal bottles from wherever I could get my hooves on them. Now do something useful and….”  

A loud banging reverberated from the door. 

“Well, fuck, they found us. Time for Plan B. Luckily, I thought my father might devise something sneaky like this and planned accordingly in case of an emergency. Hermione, what’s more important, a little pain or passing this test?” Scootaloo enquired pulling out a small vial of white liquid and hovering it in front of her girlfriend.

The answer was obvious. Hermione grabbed hold and downed the vial.


*


“Liquified moonlight? THIS WAS PLAN B!!!! ARE YOU INSANE? AND WHY IN MERLIN’S BEARD IS SHE PINK?” Ron screamed from behind the bar with Harry and Scootaloo as yet another inferi went flying through a window. 

“AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” The neon pink werewolf in the main bar howled as she ripped in half another inferi with her jaws. 

Scootaloo stared at Ron with a deadpan expression. “Really Ron? I’m a goddess of chaos, of course I’m insane, although even I’ve no idea on Hermione’s colour scheme. But it is chaotic and I love it. And hey, my magic is pretty spent right now, you’re about as useful as a Puffskein, while Harry is our emergency option. Do you think I chose this building by coincidence?” Scootaloo snapped back whilst firing off a bolt of electricity from her metallic arm at an Inferi that had snuck past their werewolf wall. It went sailing through one of the few remaining windows in the bar.

“No, I thought you chose it for a drink,” Ron retorted as a flaming inferi flew over them and smashed into the liquor bottles on the back wall.

“If you had done your homework instead of copying Hermione’s for once, you would know inferi are impervious to most spells aside fire due to being unfeeling dead and are thus incredibly difficult to destroy. But this doesn’t mean that by restricting the number of already weakened inferi we face at any one time, a werewolf can’t deal with them. Inferi’s greatest strength lie with their numbers. By limiting the numbers able to enter the bar Hermione should be able to deal with them for the time being until hopefully our classmates can fulfil objectives two to four, rendering the inferi inert,” Scootaloo explained.

“And what if Hermione becomes overwhelmed or worse, runs out of inferi to attack?” Ron whimpered imagining how embarrassing it would be to go out to a bright pink werewolf.

“I’m guessing that’s where the trapdoor under your feet comes in?” Harry stated before Scootaloo could reply as the three of them heard the sound of yet another inferi embed itself into a wall. 

“Precisely, well spotted Harry. Let’s just hope our distraction allows Sweetie and Bloom enough time to avoid getting pinned down and complete the other objectives,” Scootaloo prayed. 


*


Meanwhile, in a deserted Woolworths nearby, the remaining female contingent of both the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor dorms along with Neville congregated at a table in the staff break room over pic and mix and a local map of the area Sweetie had found in what looked to be a muggle stationary store called WH Smith next door to discuss their next moves. From the coordinates of the note Scootaloo had haphazardly thrust into Sweetie’s hands while rapidly informing her to find a solution while she caused the diversion, aurors Star Sage and Lemon were located somewhere in the local secondary school, that much at least had taken very little to figure out. The hard part was figuring just where the necromancer was hiding. 

“We need to think about this logically,” Apple Bloom stated with a perplexed look spread across her face. “What would be the most likely place a megalomaniac would make his base?”

“Uhm, I don’t think that will work. Remember this is Discord,” Neville tried to interject, but his voice was weak and the girls just ignored him like he wasn’t even there.

“Either the most fortified or most important I’d say, like town hall,” Susan responded deep in thought. “To me that would make the two most likely candidates town hall or the old coal mine on the outskirts of town.” She pointed to the two locations on the map. “This town doesn’t really have any strikingly tall or standout buildings as such.”

“I still think we should consider that this is Discord,” Neville tried to interject again only to be completely ignored again.

“Well, if you think about it, logically the town hall would be our best bet. It’s the most centrally located, a real sign of intent and best strategic position to conduct affairs from,” Apple Bloom responded stroking her chin deep in thought.

“Uhm, if you think that is best. I still think it’s too normal for Discord. Should we not be looking at something a little crazier?” Neville pressed only to be seen as invisible once more.

“That sounds like the best course of action,” Sweetie said entering the conversation and taking charge. “As the Gryffindors have less practical experience, I’ll take them with me to rescue our two missing aurors and any civilians that might be trapped along the way. You and the more experienced Hufflepuffs head to town hall and see if you can unearth that necromancer Discard.”

This received a round of nods of acceptance from around the table.

“Sounds like a plan, but what about Neville?” Apple Bloom enquired once it seemed like the plan of action had been unanimously agreed upon. 

“Girls, please, listen to me,” Neville whimpered.

“With us, he’ll be safer falling over his own feet away from the big bad guy. Last thing we need is him being turned,” Sweetie stated matter of factly to a glare from Apple Bloom.

“Girls, please,” Neville whimpered once more.

“Humph, although I’m not happy by it, I can protect my own boyfriend thank you very much; I agree he’d be better…”

“WHY WON’T ANYONE LISTEN TO ME” Neville wailed in exasperation causing twelve heads to turn his way. 

“Sorry Neville, I completely forgot you were there. I’m such a thoughtless girlfriend sometimes. Please, go ahead, say what’s on your mind, you're always full of brilliant ideas even if we may not always listen to them,” Apple Bloom said shamefacedly giving Neville a little peck on the cheek to say sorry as her cheeks flushed red. 

“Get a room you two!” Meghan giggled only to immediately shut her mouth and gulp at the death glare Apple Bloom sent her way. 

“Uhm, w-w-well y-y-you see,” Neville stuttered before opting to close his eyes and just blurt out what was on his mind. “What you are all saying about being logical is the complete opposite of Discord and what he would do. The town hall is to cliché and predictable.”

This produced a round of agreeable nods from all of the girls in attendance fuelling Neville’s confidence.

“So, where do you think Discord or Discard as he wishes to be known for the exercise would make his base of operations then?” Susan asked what was on everyone’s mind.

“I hadn’t got that far but looking at the map, I would say the zoo next to town hall. He could use the hall as a decoy and trap for us while summoning up undead, goodness knows what from the zoo. Plus, he’d be strategically placed as well.”

As Neville saw the nods of agreement disappear into gawks of disbelief, the reality of what he had just said dawned upon and he realised it probably would have been best just to keep his mouth shut.

“Okay, who are you and what have you done with that buffoon Neville?” Fay finally questioned rather rudely.

“You call my boyfriend a buffoon again and I’ll use you as inferior chow, understood?” Apple Bloom growled threateningly.

Fay wanted to start an argument but knew when she was outgunned. “Okay, I’m sorry, but I think I can say for all of us that that caught us by surprise. I guess it really is the quiet ones you have to watch out for. You’ve snagged a good one there, Bloom and I’m sure you are more than strong enough to reel him in.”

“Of course,” Apple Bloom said with a glower at Fay while holding onto Neville tightly, not that the boy minded the affection one bit.

“Woah, woah, no need to get so touchy. For one he’s not my type and secondly, I’d never steal someone’s boyfriend, I’ve seen the pain that causes from my sister,” Fay stated attempting to defuse the situation. 

Sweetie swiftly cut in to avoid the conversation getting any more heated and to get it back on track. “Anyway, before the inferi find us or worse, let’s split up and move; just replace the town hall with the zoo in my previous plan. Gryffindors with me, Hufflepuffs with Apple Bloom.”

“One change. Neville’s coming with us. We’ll face this monster together,” Apple Bloom deadpanned.

“B-b-but I thought we already stated that it would be safer if I went with the search and rescue team?” Neville attempted to argue. Why, oh why hadn’t he just kept his big mouth shut?

“Nope. As you’ve just demonstrated, leaders lead from the front. So, you’re with us. And besides, you’ve got me by your side; what could go wrong?” Apple Bloom chuckled giving Neville a particularly hard squeeze.

“Everything,” the Gryffindor second-year managed to squeak out to a round of laughter from all the girls aside Apple Bloom who give him all to knowing accusatory glare. “I-I m-mean nothing dear, I trust you entirely dear. What could go wrong?”

“Surely by now you know I can tell when you’re lying?” Apple Bloom deadpanned, her glare intensifying.

Neville gulped. If the zombie animals didn't kill him by the end of this, he was sure his girlfriend would. 


*


“Aaahahahhhhhhhh” Neville screamed ridiculously loudly despite running full pelt for his life.

Why, oh why had he opened his damn mouth?

“OOOAOOAAAAOOAOAOAOOA,” the hulking great undead baboon chittered angrily behind him closing the distance, its razor-sharp teeth soaked in blood.

Why oh why hadn’t he just kept his damn mouth shut? 

“I’m going to die,” Neville wailed, tears staining his vision as he tripped and fell to the hard, cold, concrete under his feet. 

He was expecting the jaws of the baboon to lock on and rip him apart at any moment, the only solace being that at least he had been right. As soon as they’d got within fifty yards of the zoo a horde of undead primates had stormed from the walls to intercept and scatter them, picking them off one by one.  

Where, oh where was Apple Bloom?

“STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM MY BOYFRIEND,” the aforementioned girl’s voice thundered from out of nowhere.

Momentarily the baboon lost its focus and turned towards the noise, only to have its face caved in by Apple Bloom’s right fist. Actually, that was putting it mildly. The girl’s fist went straight through the baboon’s skull and out the other side, sending baboon brains flying everywhere including Neville’s mouth, much to the boy’s revulsion. 

“Sorry I’m late. Got a bit held up back there,” the girl said as she nonchalantly shook pieces of baboon skull off her hand, then turned and with a warm, friendly smile offered the exact same hand to Neville. 

Well, it would have been friendly if she hadn’t been covered in blood and gore. 

“At least we know your hunch was right. Now, come on, we can’t hang around here any longer; we need to find the others and regroup. I feel a tactical retreat and await re-enforcements might be our best option,” Apple Bloom stated urgently.

Neville was still staring dumbstruck at the obliterated monster on the floor. Yet more trauma he would need to speak to his therapist about once home for the holidays, Neville thought to himself as he finally managed to grasp his own trembling hand onto that of Apple Bloom’s own. He would worry about that and how insanely strong his girlfriend was later. Right now, he had bigger things to worry about, like simply surviving until the end of the current lesson. 

“See, nothing to worry about,” Apple Bloom commented cheerily pulling Neville to his feet.

“I think I’m going to be sick,” Neville retorted and promptly did just that.

To his relief it missed Apple Bloom’s feet.

Apple Bloom simply rolled her eyes. Only her Neville could be so brave yet such a wuss at exactly the same time, but then again, that was one of the many reasons why she loved him so much. To her, he was simply one in a million and she would protect him with every breath she had, no matter what was about to come their way. 


*


Underneath the deserted town, two sets of feet pounded against damp muddy ground. 

“Come on Harry, we need to get out of here,” Ron exclaimed.

“Cool it Ron, I doubt those things were able to follow us in here, wherever here is?” Harry replied.

“I think it might be something left over from one of the muggle wars. I remember my dad telling me something about them building such catacombs to protect them from explosive devices dropped from the sky. They probably run under most the town,” Ron explained before suddenly becoming distant and changing the topic. “D-do you think Hermione and Scootaloo are okay?”

“No, but it was clear Scootaloo wasn’t going to stand by and let those undead monsters swarm her girlfriend without a fight,” Harry answered honestly 

“True,” Ron replied, allowing a sombre silence to drift across the two boys.

For a short while the sound of their own feet and the low hum from their wands was the only company the two boys had. 

“Erm, Harry,” Ron suddenly whimpered.

“Yes Ron,” Harry replied.

“Not to alarm you but someone is pointing something very sharp and pointy into my back,”

Harry stopped running immediately and turned wand raised.

“Drop it,” a voice snarled from behind Harry with an equally sharp and pointy knife.

“Ron, Harry?” Melody Song suddenly hissed recognising the two boys. “It’s okay Marcus, you can lower the knife. What are you two doing here?”

“Discord’s second year inferi training fifth and sixth periods, yourself?” Harry replied, glad to see another friendly face. 

“Discord’s sixth year survival training, third and fourth. Why the knives you may ask. He confiscated our wands and left us at the mercy of a horde of inferi, we’ve had to improvise. Said that any survivors after the period would be helping his next class. Think me, Maddie and weasel face are the only three who made it this far though out of the fourteen. You should have seen perfect Percy’s attempt at diplomacy with the necromancer spectacularly backfire, it was hilarious,” Melody explained with a chuckle.

Ron guffawed. “I can only imagine. And you call him that to?” 

“Yep, pompous idiot always thinking he’s better than everyone else. The necromancer couldn’t even be bothered to keep him as a slave and instead just incinerated him. Obviously, he was just teleported out of the scenario, but it was highly satisfying to watch.” Melody explained. 

“I can imagine,” Ron responded with a smug smile. “Anyway, when we were brought here, we were given the tasks of ridding the town of the inferi and the necromancer along with rescuing some trapped aurors and any surviving towns people. Well, I’m glad we at least managed to tick off one of those.” 

“So, it was you lot who summoned that fiery inferno earlier? That was insane!” Maddie exclaimed unsure whether to be in awe or very worried.

“Just Scootaloo,” Ron replied. “That was her idea followed up by liquid moon.”

Maddie’s mouth dropped open. Just one twelve-year-old girl had managed to make it rain fire!

“Liquid moon?” Melody interjected, then paused for a moment as just what that meant sunk in. “OH FUCK, Scoti is another level of insane.” 

“Yeah, I already told her that,” Ron deadpanned.

“I don’t get it?” Maddie said somewhat confused. “Oh wait; you're friends with the werewolf girl, aren’t you? Holy fuck that was insane.”

“And the knut drops. Harry, any chance you’d like to give me some help, this is usually Hermione’s forte, or are you and Marcus just going to glower at each other until the end of the lesson?”

“Huh, sorry Ron. Can someone explain to me how this snivelling toad managed to survive?” Harry said continuing to shoot daggers at the elder Slytherin boy as he turned his attention to Ron.

Maddie and Melody couldn’t help but look at each other and snigger.

“Don’t you dare tell them,” Marcus growled.

“Tell us what?” Ron and Harry asked simultaneously.

“The inferi don’t attack him; they think he’s already one of them,” the two girls blurted out together.

Ron and Harry couldn’t help but break out into full blown laughter.

“It’s not funny!” Marcus fumed.

“Oh, it so is,” Ron wheezed barely able to stand up straight.

And that was when Discord’s voice came out of nowhere.

“Dearie me second-years. We are only just reaching the halfway point of the lesson and with Miss Granger and Prewett falling that leaves just half of the twenty-two so called crack team of aurors remaining and you haven’t even breached my stronghold yet. Tsk-tsk, I really expected better from you all. But I suppose you’ve still got your leader so all is not doomed! It’s up to Neville and the rest of you to pull your classmates out of the mire otherwise you are all going to have a mountain of catch-up work for homework!”

The laughter had stopped. Ron and Harry were just staring at each other. Discord had got Hermione and Scootaloo. Probably the class’s two strongest weapons. Along with half of their class. They were totally screwed.


*


Sweetie Belle ran.

How had she been so stupid? How had she not seen it coming? As soon as they’d stepped into the school, they’d all been doomed. 

All had seemed quiet when they initially entered the school, to quiet it had proved to be. Sweetie’s instincts had told her something didn’t seem right and to back out immediately, but she hadn’t listened and by the time she had, it had been too late. The doors had slammed shut behind them and a horde of inferi had swarmed them from every side in the narrow corridor they had found themselves in. Fay had been the first to go, bravely charging head first into the inferi in an attempt to clear a path. Soon after Parvati had been dragged kicking and screaming into a classroom and despite desperately fighting back-to-back with their wands using Incendio, the horde had slowly closed the distance between them and Sophie had eventually been pulled from them. With no hope of escape, Lavender had nobly told Sweetie to save herself by transfiguring into something small enough to slip by the inferi. She hadn’t wanted to, but knew there had been no time for arguing and that it was better if one of them escaped than none.

She now just hoped her friends didn’t see her like this, she would never hear the end of it. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo just loved to tease her high-pitched voice and call her Squeaky Belle. They also knew it annoyed her, a lot.

Lost in her own thoughts, Squeaky Belle the unimouse barely heard the feet until it was almost too late to get out the way

“Hey, watch it up there,” Squeaky Belle squeaked indignantly hopping onto whoever’s leg it was to avoid being turned into a mouse pancake. 

It turned out to be Ron’s 

“Aaaaaaaaahhh, there’s a rat on me!” The boy exclaimed shaking his leg in an attempt to shake Squeaky Belle off. 

A rat? She was a mouse. Indignantly Sweetie sunk her teeth into Ron’s leg as her small horn started to glow green.

“Yow, it bit me!” Ron exclaimed once more.

“Hold still Ron,” Harry instructed coming over. “I’ll try and pry it off with…”

Both boys stared in utter amazement as a naked Sweetie Belle suddenly popped into existence in front of them. 

“Shit, I knew I’d forgotten my clothes in the rush,” Sweetie grumbled.

“Boys, we heard the commotion, what’s the matter?” Melody panted running up from behind them with Flint and Maddie.

All three immediately went red-faced when they saw the figure of the slim naked girl in the dim light. 

“Boys, if you know what’s good for you, you will turn around and look away this instant,” Melody stated firmly.

The three boys immediately knew that Melody wasn’t asking; she was telling them and they sensibly did as they were told. Melody then proceeded to remove a cloak clasped around her neck   and handed it to the now shivering girl. 

“Thanks Melody. No idea why you are here, but thanks,” Sweetie said gratefully accepting the cloak.

“Long story. Short version, Discord’s survival training for year six DADA students and now those survivors you are supposed to be rescuing in your lesson. Yourself?” Melody enquired.

“Attempted one of the side objectives. Ended up being a trap and getting ambushed. The old, first contact needs rescuing ploy. Can’t believe we fell for it. In the end we got picked off one by one until there was only two out of five of us left. Lavender instructed me to transfigure myself into something small and get out of there. Better one of us survived, got back and helped the others than none of us we agreed,” Sweetie explained.

“And I’m guessing you didn’t have time to go through the usual protocol for such a spell?” Melody asked.

“Hole in one,” Sweetie responded overly cheerily as she rose from the dirty floor.

“Ah, well it sounds like you’ve learnt a valuable lesson and that very much does sound like a Discord thing to do,” Melody replied stroking her chin. “Now, come on. We need to find as many allies as we can before that evil Necromancer Discard wipes them all out. The more of us there are the better chance we have of formulating and executing a plan that will stop him,” Melody explained, taking charge.


* 


Hiding amongst some foliage whilst staking out the zoo from a safe distance, Apple Bloom rubbed the bridge of her nose. This was what she was left with. Seamus and Wayne, two boys who looked like they’d had way too much fun with explosives, her boyfriend, who right now looked like he was attempting to break the world record for longest heart attack as he hyperventilated into a paper bag, and Sally-Ann, who just wouldn’t stop crying about Sally being dragged off by a horde of gibbons despite constantly reassuring her it was just a training exercise. The most useful two pieces she had left were Leanne and Susan, who were currently too busy squabbling with each other over possible courses of action to be of any real use. Right now, Apple Bloom knew she had good enough pieces, she just wasn’t a good enough chess player to utilise them to her maximum advantage. She could really use Sweetie right about now. Was she one of the other four still out there? She hoped so. Was there any chance of Sweetie realistically finding them if she was and in the fifteen or so minutes left of the lesson? No. This lesson was going to end in utter humiliating failure and they would be set a full textbook worth of homework to write about why they had failed and how they could improve in future. Apple Bloom looked toward the heavens and prayed.

“Pssst, Apple Bloom, down here,” Sweetie’s voice suddenly hissed, causing Apple Bloom to look all around.

Seeing nobody, the girl shook her head. Great, now she was hearing things, too. This lesson just couldn’t end…

“In the bush over here, hurry, and bring everyone you have,” Sweetie’s voice hissed again. 

That was when Apple Bloom noticed the pair of eyes peeking out from the bush opposite her. 


*


“Sweetie Belle, what happened? Where are the rest of the girls?” Apple Bloom exclaimed in the dark dingy tunnel they now resided in. “And why are Melody and Maddie here?”

“No time to explain, we’ve barely…” Sweetie began.

“Ten minutes remaining,” Discord’s voice boomed out of nowhere. “My oh my, for a crack team of aur…”

“GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR”

“Wait, how did you get in here? I thought I’d neutralised you two already.” Discord’s voice suddenly changed to one of surprise and worry.

There was a sudden click, like the sound of a leash being unclipped and then…

“Sic him girl.”

That was Scootaloo’s voice.

“Now daughter there’s no need for… AAAAAHHHH, I yield, I yield, just call her off, please call her off!” Discord screamed

“What do you say Fay?” Scootaloo’s voice echoed. “Hermione does seem to be having a lot of fun with her new chew toy; it would be a shame to spoil her fun don’t you think?”

“I’m sure another five minutes won’t hurt anyone except Professor Discord,” Fay’s nonchalant voice echoed out across the tunnel before everything went silent.

For what felt like an eternity the group just stood in stunned silence in the eerie darkness of the tunnel. 

“Well, that was anti-climactic,” Melody deadpanned.

“Erm, what just happened?” Neville finally said in a confused tone to break the silence. 

“I think Discord just got his just deserts,” Apple Bloom replied next to him with a smug grin.
> AWISC Part 3: Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Werewolf? (OLD)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After yet another chaotic but rather normal Wednesday all things considered, the remainder of the week slowly petered out and fewer and fewer people seemed concerned or bothered about the werewolf that now resided at Hogwarts. Dumbledore had even managed to smooth things over with most of the parents for the time being, aside Lucius Malfoy who was still pushing the Ministry to have Hermione removed from the school on safety grounds.

After Hermione had passed out on Wednesday following her unexpected transformation, the proposed team building exercise had been replaced with her dormmates creating Hermione a we’re sorry basket for when she returned to the dorm to collect her things on Wednesday evening before departing for Professor Fluttershy’s and Discord’s place in Hogsmeade. Hermione had glowered and then laughed at her dormmates for including a box of dog biscuits, only to then find herself craving them as the week went on and cranky when she ran out. The dog biscuits though weren’t the worst or most embarrassing part of the basket. That had gone to the fluffy pink handcuffs her dormmates had somehow acquired, most likely from the Weasley twins, and placed on her plush Scootaloo pony which had sat atop the hamper. Unsurprisingly, this had caused Hermione’s face to go bright red and she’d mumbled to herself: 

“I’m never going to live down being a pink werewolf, am I?”

Overall, Hermione found her concentration waning as the week went on as her mind started to be overcome by primal urges, specifically to bite and maim. This unsurprisingly led to her becoming very frustrated with herself in lessons over the course of Thursday. To begin with, she accidentally blew up the desk Scootaloo and she were brewing their strengthening potion on after carelessly dropping half a dog biscuit into the cauldron. This had resulted in Snape deducting thirty house points from Gryffindor and Hufflepuff and assigning both girls a two thousand word essay on The Importance of Remaining Focused when Brewing Potions on top of everything else Snape had given them to do with the Strength Potion they had just attempted to brew. Then, for the first time ever, she found herself sleeping alongside the rest of the class in History of Magic. Afterwards, as they exited the classroom, she again found herself the source of everyone’s amusement as Sweetie grumbled that she had struggled to concentrate and hear what Professor Binns had been saying due to Hermione barking and tearing apart her textbook with her teeth in her sleep next to her. Things hadn’t improved after lunch. Unable to replicate her success earlier in the week with Reparifarge she had ended up howling loudly in frustration halfway through the lesson without even realising what she was doing initially. Professor McGonagall had been a lot more sympathetic than Professor Snape but had also finished by telling Hermione sternly:

“Still, I will not accept lycanthropy as an excuse for not doing your homework this week Miss Granger, although I’m quite certain you’d rather die than blemish your perfect record. As for you Miss Prewett, don’t you even think about using my werewolf girlfriend ate it as an excuse for not doing your essay and preparation for Vera Verto in a few weeks’ time.”

This last comment had produced yet more giggles from the class at her expense and embarrassment for what already felt like the tenth time that day. Hermione was thankful when the lesson had finally been over and she was able to retire to a quiet corner of the library to study with Scootaloo. For once the latter helped the former as they attempted to make a dent in the mountain of Potions homework they had received, Hermione’s mind heavily clouded by the impending full moon. 

The change in everyone’s attitude towards Hermione was clear and evident on Friday morning when she didn’t turn up to classes. Their worry and concern for their friend was clearly evident as Professor Fluttershy, who was covering for Professor Discord who was still in the infirmary after Fay had cast Ossio Dispersimus on both his arms on Wednesday, had informed them that Hermione had been violently sick during the night and was currently in bed with a fever, but that she would be fine by Monday. It was to no one’s surprise that little of the theoretical work on inferi set for them by Professor Discord was done over the two periods, distracted as they were by Hermione’s absence in combination with Fluttershy’s kind nature not to push them to work. Cultural Divination wasn’t much better, where unsurprisingly Professor Pompernickle had brought forward the topic of werewolves for that week’s lesson. To top it all off, in History of Magic after lunch Professor Binns proceeded to drone on about the Great Werewolf Assault of Littleham where, in retaliation to stricter controls from the Ministry of Magic, a whole band of rogue werewolves had attacked and attempted to infect as many occupants of a muggle village as possible in 1805. Scootaloo hadn’t even been able to get away from werewolves in Divination, where she and Professor Trelawney had discussed the importance and influence of full moons in Astrology.

To Scootaloo’s surprise, Fluttershy was waiting for her as she came down the ladder from Professor Trelawney’s classroom.

“What’s wrong? Tell me!” Scootaloo said bluntly not wasting any time with pleasantries or small talk.

“The whole process is too much for her, she’s snapping at anything that gets close to her right now. Kendra and I have done everything we can but…”

“You can’t get her to take any more of the Wolfsbane potion,” Scootaloo said with a heavy sigh.

Fluttershy nodded her head sadly. “And that’s not all. She’s biting herself, not deeply, but…”

“Take me to her Fluttershy, please,” Scootaloo interrupted.

“A-are you sure that is wise? I know you are immune to lycanthropy, but she could still hurt you.”

“Fluttershy, I’m trying my best to stay calm right now, but my girlfriend is currently suffering from a terrible life changing ailment for the first time all alone and probably scared out of her mind. Either you take me or I get in a whole heap of trouble for leaving school grounds without supervision or permission. And considering my record it’ll probably be suspension or expulsion. Your choice.”

Fluttershy sighed. “Let’s go find Professor Sprout and get the paperwork filled out.”


*


“Drop it,” Scootaloo commanded. 

The neon pink werewolf looked at her Alpha with two large golden eyes and gave her the puppy dog look.

“Don’t you give me that look. Like my tail, my eye is not a chew toy,” Scootaloo scolded trying to stay mad but failing miserably. 

Hermione took a step back. 

“Don’t…” Scootaloo began.

Hermione turned and dropped to all fours, preparing to bolt in yet another game of chase.

Scootaloo was quicker, launching herself atop the werewolf’s back. 

“Good thing Berry had that bucking bronco in her bar back in Equestria,” Scootaloo muttered to herself as Hermione playfully tried to toss her off her back. 

After several exhausting minutes, Scootaloo once more managed to get a hand behind Hermione’s left ear to scratch a certain weak spot she’d discovered earlier in the evening. 

Hermione immediately dropped Scootaloo’s eye and rapidly began stamping her back right leg up and down.

“AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,” the werewolf howled loudly with delight.

As Hermione’s bucks slowed, Scootaloo slowly slid off the werewolf’s back and picked up her replacement right eye.

“Ewwwww, werewolf slobber,” Scootaloo grumbled, first attempting to wipe it on the rather tatty and torn t-shirt she was wearing before realising that that had been completely torn to pieces a few hours back wiped it on what remained of her trousers. “Suppose that teaches me for cheating at hide and seek.”

Hermione nodded her huge head as she yawned and stretched. 

“Finally tired you out have…” Scootaloo started to say but never finished as Hermione reached out and grabbed hold of her. 

The werewolf then slumped to the ground yawning and showing off her very sharp teeth once more to Scootaloo.

“Ewwwww, dog breath,” Scootaloo grumbled as Hermione squeezed her tightly. “Eeek, not so tight!” she added with a squeak.

Hermione hadn’t heard her; she’d fallen asleep and was now snoring loudly in Scootaloo’s right ear whilst snuggling her girlfriend like she was some beloved stuffed toy.

“Well, this is another fine mess I’ve got myself into,” Scootaloo chuckled to herself as she managed to turn her head towards the starry sky and, as Hermione whimpered and moved in her sleep, succeeded in getting her left arm free.

As she lifted it up and prepared to wrap it around her girlfriend she hesitated for a moment, staring at the many scratches, bites and bandages that hadn’t been there a little over twenty-four hours ago. These were only the tip of the iceberg. Scootaloo’s whole body was littered with them, the worst being either the scar that went from her left shoulder blade to her right hip on her back or the deep bite in her left side. 

Any bite or scratch obtained from a werewolf, whether in human or animal form, will leave a permanent scar. This is why so many werewolf attacks often prove fatal, as if the wound doesn’t kill them, a lack of immediate medical attention often does. In fact, blood loss from the wound failing to seal is the number one cause of death from werewolf attacks.

The words of her father from one of last year’s DADA lessons suddenly came to the forefront of Scootaloo’s mind. She sighed stroking Hermione’s short coarse pink fur. Every bite, every scratch, was worth it to her. After arriving at Fluttershy and Discord’s cottage, or Shrieking Shack as it was known locally, on the edge of Hogsmeade yesterday afternoon, Scootaloo had wasted no time in trying to calm Hermione down despite the risk to her own physical well-being. After many hours, scratches and bites later, she had finally managed to get Hermione to drop off into a restless sleep. She'd then affixed the glittery pink collar the twins had gifted to Hermione, except that now it had been fitted with not only a tracking device similar to the one in her ankle bracelet last year, but magical charms to allow it to change size with Hermione’s transformations and prevent removal through pretty much anything. Hermione had found this out in hilarious fashion this evening when she’d attempted to bite it off immediately after transforming only to be given a nasty, but relatively harmless and humorous, electric shock. 

Scootaloo chuckled at the memory momentarily only for a sad smile to slowly cross her face as another not so nice one flashed across her mind. 

The look of fear and pain etched across Hermione’s face as she’d transformed. It had been a whole lot worse than the liquid moonlight prequel and had led to Hermione nearly biting her in half until the werewolf had recognised her Alpha from a few days before. After begging for forgiveness, Scootaloo had leashed Hermione and they’d gone out into the garden behind the so-called shack for extensive training. Only when Scootaloo had felt she had finally wrested control and fully domesticated a werewolf using only dog toys and treats did she unleash Hermione. They had then spent the past two hours or so wrestling, chasing and generally just goofing about. Heck, any onlooker from a distance would have thought it was just a girl and her dog playing in their back garden except for the fact it was the middle of the night.

Still, as Scootaloo heard the village clock in the distance chime one in the morning, no matter how much fun it had been, the past five hours or more had had an excruciating toll on her body. She was nowhere near as durable as a werewolf as the claw and bite marks across her body demonstrated and she had been lucky the clawing she’d taken across her back had narrowly missed both her wings. And this was only the first time. Would it get easier as time went on or harder? What would Hermione do if she seriously hurt her or worse? Heck, she was only twelve; what was she thinking? How could she cope with living with a werewolf in the long term? What was she thinking?

And then, as all these questions and more started to flood and overwhelm Scootaloo’s mind, something wet and slimy slid up the side of her face, Hermione’s tongue. That was followed by the werewolf’s nose burying itself deeply into Scootaloo’s neck and whimpering softly.

Scootaloo finally lowered her arm and pulled Hermione closer to her before returning the gesture with a kiss of her own on Hermione’s forehead. 

“Love you too,” Scootaloo mumbled turning to stare up at the full moon as Hermione’s whimpering ceased and her tail begun to wag.


*


“S-Scoti,” Fluttershy stuttered poking her head out of the back door of the Shrieking Shack five minutes later with a lantern in her hand. “How’s it going?”

No reply. Fluttershy tentatively took a step out of the shack. Although she loved all animals, even she seemed unable to communicate to werewolves and this meant that she was extremely on edge as she stepped away from the safety of her home, fearing Hermione could suddenly pounce on her at any moment from the shadows. Her nerves were somewhat eased as the edge of the lantern light caught hold of two clearly visible shapes on the ground someway in front her. This was almost instantly replaced with a surge of fear though that the girls might have seriously hurt one another and she rushed over as fast as her two legs would carry her. Panting from the sudden bit of exercise, Fluttershy held the lantern aloft as she neared and stared open-mouthed at what she saw.

Werewolf and Pegasus snuggled tightly together on the grass, both fast asleep in each other’s arms. 

Slowly, her look of surprise turned to a warm smile.

“How are they doing?” A voice to Fluttershy’s left made her instantly jump into the air in fright and she had to use every ounce of control she could muster not to scream loudly and possibly wake the werewolf in front of her.

“Discord, what have I told about not sneaking up on me like that?” Fluttershy said sternly in a low tone so as not to disturb the two sleeping girls in front of her.

Discord smiled wickedly appearing out of a portal to the chaos verse in his natural form with a glass of chocolate milk in his eagle’s claw. 

After taking a sip, the draconequus replied, “That you’d give my favourite shoes to a family of mice to make their new home out of.” 

“Precisely. Although I am glad to see you here. Aren’t these two just adorable?” Fluttershy stated highlighting the two entwined girls on the grass. 

“One for the album I do believe,” Discord chuckled taking a photo with a camera that had spontaneously replaced the glass of milk in his eagle talon. “Although I am somewhat concerned by the number of bites and scratches Scoti has received.”

It was only then that Fluttershy realised Scootaloo was missing her T-shirt, while her trousers were not faring much better. What concerned her more though was the countless bites and scratches that covered the poor girl.

“Oh my, poor dear and she’ll catch her death from cold out here,” Fluttershy gasped bending down and examining Scootaloo’s wounds.

“Ugh, five more minutes Bloom,” Scootaloo grumbled in her sleep before attempting to snuggle deeper into her furry equivalent of a hot water bottle.

“My oh my, she’s tough. Some of these are really deep. I’m surprised she managed to keep going for so long. This bite on her side especially will need to be treated by Kendra in the morning. But it can wait. For now, I say we take them to the spare bedroom and let them sleep,” Fluttershy commented. “Scoti must be exhausted.”

“Yes,” Discord replied with a heavy sigh. “To be honest, even I doubted she could tame a werewolf and was rather reluctant in letting her attempt to do so. Even with her natural immunity to lycanthropy, the risk of injury was high and she’ll now bear a lot of these scars for the rest of her life. Not even her innate chaos magic will be able to heal all of them completely although it will do its best.”

It was at that exact moment Scootaloo rolled from her back onto her side and they caught sight of the deep long scar that ran down the length of her back. 

Fluttershy gasped. 

Discord finally broke. He collapsed onto the ground, clasped his head in his hands and wept. After a short while a pale-yellow wing wrapped itself around him and he heard Fluttershy’s soft and gentle voice coo in his ear.

“There, there, Dizzy, let it all out. You know I’m always here for you if you need me to be.”

After a while Discord looked up and spoke. “W-what are these feelings? W-why do I suddenly c-c-c,” he couldn’t force the word out of his mouth.

“Care?” Fluttershy suggested.

“Yes,” Discord admitted. “For her and for you. I didn’t realise until,” Discord paused once more taking a deep breath as his hands/paw/talon started to shake until Fluttershy reached out and took one in her own. 

“When she first got seriously hurt earlier in the year?” Fluttershy again suggested.

“Yes. I was beside myself with guilt. But why? It’s just not fair,” Discord wept.

“What’s not fair?” Fluttershy asked somewhat perplexed.

“These bizarre feelings of concern, worry and guilt. And most notable of all, anger. Anger that despite all my magic and the fact that I can see countless futures and alter them…”

“Sometimes even you cannot foresee what will happen. Oh Dizzy, my beautiful, chaotic and carefree Dizzy, not even gods are perfect,” Fluttershy interrupted while stroking her lover’s cheek. She then placed a delicate, comforting kiss upon said cheek.

“But, then what’s the point of being a god if you cannot bend reality to your every whim and desire?” 

“I think you’ve already answered that one,” Fluttershy replied with a soft smile. 

“What?” Discord replied a little confused.

“To discover the importance of other creatures in your life.”

“That sounds like some corny friendship lesson that egghead friend of yours would come up with,” Discord replied rolling his eyes disbelievingly.

“Deny it all you like, but I know the real Discord. The one that has searched for what must have felt like eternity across dimensions to find another like himself so that he can rid himself of the painful void of loneliness that tears at his heart. The one that saved an innocent baby girl from certain death to watch over and raise her from afar as his own until the time came to reveal himself as her benefactor,” Fluttershy began to explain.

Discord grumbled incoherently under his breath but didn’t interrupt.

“The one who loved and held me and then refused to leave me in a country at war to raise our twins alone and afraid. The one who I want to marry me and spend every waking moment of the rest of my life with through good times and bad with his adopted daughter and her werewolf girlfriend. Tell me to my face right now that this Discord doesn’t exist and I’ll return to Equestria with Mr. Snuffles and you’ll never see me again,” Fluttershy stated laying all her jokers down on the table as she pulled out a hypno ring that she had bought from Zonko’s joke shop the day before. 

Discord simply stared at Fluttershy for an eternity with wide eyes, his mouth agape.

“Well, what will it be?” Fluttershy asked stoically despite her insides feeling like they were tied in knots. Had she pushed him into commitment to soon?

“T-twins!” He suddenly exclaimed. “Double the chaos!” he added with a wide grin appearing across his face.

Fluttershy let a smile slowly cross her own face as she nodded in reply.

“So that was what Kendra wanted to talk to you about in private at the scan yesterday. You sly minx!” he snapped his talons and returned to his human form sporting a very dapper black tuxedo, white shirt and black bow tie. To top it all of a rattlesnake sat sleeping atop his head. 

Fluttershy’s smile turned to a gasp and she cupped a hand over her mouth as Discord lowered himself to one knee in front of her and pulled out a ring of his own.

“Might as well do it properly,” he said. “Fluttershy, bearer of the Element of Kindness, will you marry this foolish old draconequus and grow even older with him in our haunted house?”

Tears started to drip down Fluttershy’s cheeks. “Yes, of course I will you goofball,” she answered barely able to keep her voice down.

And just like that she was engulfed in a blinding rainbow.

“Okay, this was unexpected,” Discord chuckled nervously putting a pair of sunglasses over both his and the rattlesnake’s eyes.

Slowly the blinding light faded and Fluttershy reappeared.

“Uhm, what just happened,” she squeaked.

Discord stared at Fluttershy in her Pegasus form with a bear’s front right leg, eagle’s left and tiger back right, with her cutie mark now only appearing on her left flank. She also now adorned rabbit ears, a giraffe tail, and a kirin horn. Slowly the god of chaos raised a questioning eyebrow. Seriously, all this time he had just needed to fall in love to create another draconequus, how cliché. It was like the cheesy plot of a Disney movie. 

“Hey, my Alpha’s trying to sleep over here. Stop with the light show or I’ll bite you so bad you won’t be sitting right for a… Oh, my bad. forgive me your highness for my rudeness but I was having a wonderful dream of devouring a rabbit that that lightshow cut into,” a rather polite and refined voice, if somewhat annoyed, echoed from behind Fluttershy.

Fluttershy, staring open mouthed at her new found form, turned to see a somewhat grouchy looking pink werewolf staring back at her.

That was the last straw for Fluttershy. She screamed. 


*


In the depths of the night, deep, deep in the Canterlot Library with her head as per norm stuck in a book, Twilight Sparkle abruptly shuddered as a cold chill ran up her spine.

“What has Discord done this time?” She sighed to herself. “At this point I wouldn’t be surprised if he corrupted Fluttershy.”

“Wow, Twilight, you pretty much got it in one! Although, I’d say less corruption and more love!” Pinkie Pie’s voice replied in Twilight’s ear.

“GAH!” Twilight exclaimed falling off her chair and onto the floor. “Pinkie, when did you get here?” the alicorn replied with yet another sigh while laying on her back on the floor.

“Oh, just now after feeling that massive shift in chaos energy. I know I should probably wait until Fluttershy tells you, buuuuuuut I just had to tell someone and you’re the only one awake at this hour,” Pinkie explained looking like she was ready to burst as she bounced up and down on the spot above Twilight.

“Pinkie, calm down, stop rambling and tell me what’s happened to Fluttershy. Has Discord hurt her in anyway?” Twilight asked seriously as she picked herself up off the floor.

“No silly, of course not they’re….” Pinkie began only to suddenly be interrupted by another voice and the sound of hoofsteps approaching.

“Did you two feel that love energy in the air? I wonder who proposed to who this time. It was certainly a big one that’s for sure as it is only on rare occasions that I have the power to break the boundaries of reality.”

“Cadence, what are you doing here? How did you get here? Will one of you two please just explain to me what in Tartarus is going on and what Discord has done to… Oh no. Oh please Celestia no.” The bit had dropped. “Excuse me for a moment your majesties.”

Twilight’s horn ignited and she disappeared.

“Huh, well she at least seems to be taking it better than I…” Pinkie began.

And then the sun rose outside the window five hours earlier than expected followed by an almighty scream as the Canterlot voice hailed from atop Mount Canter.

“FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKKKKKKKKINNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGG DISCOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRDDDDDDDDDD!”

“Huh, I wonder if I should tell her Fluttershy’s now a draconequus, also immortal and has the official title of Queen Fluttershy, Mistress of Chaos,” Pinkie informed Cadence only to get a grimace followed by a face hoof in reply. “Twilight just reappeared behind me, didn’t she?” The Chaosling Queen deadpanned.

Cadence simply nodded her head in reply. She already knew it was going to be a very, very long week for her.  


*


As the clock struck eleven, Fluttershy opened the trapdoor in the floor to a very annoyed hiss.

“You are late.”

“I’m so sorry. I had a very late night and…”

“Something is different about you? The horn. You are no longer a mere mortal. I’m guessing one of you finally mustered the courage to ask the other?” the old and raspy voice hissed.

“Discord was thinking about asking me?” Fluttershy blurted out with a look of surprise. 

“He wanted my advice on the matter, yes. I will say no more than that though. He along with you gave me a second chance at living and I shall not betray his trust now or until my dying breath. The only other thing I will say is congratulations, Fluttershy, queen and goddess of chaos.”

“T-t-thank you. To be honest, it’s all come as a bit of a shock to me and I’ve spent most the night awake trying to make heads and tails of it all. At least Discord was able to help get me back into my human form, even if I’ve now got a horn to add to my wings,” Fluttershy replied highlighting the new appendage that now protruded from her head. 

“You took to this realm and using a wand very well, I’m sure you will adjust to your new horn equally so. Now, I do not wish to be rude, but I am awfully hungry this morning. May we continue this discussion whilst I am eating? I would rather enjoy the company if you could stay for a little while longer. It is true what you said about friendship, that you only truly feel loneliness after you’ve discovered it,” the voice responded reassuringly and wisely.

“Of course! I made you your favourite to say sorry. Do you mind helping me bring it down?” 

“Seasoned chicken?” Mr. Snuffles, the one-thousand-year-old basilisk, hissed with delight as he lowered his mighty head underneath Fluttershy and lifted her back up towards the hole in the floor through which she had just come.

It was just after she had been lowered back down into the tunnel and was laying the basket of chicken onto the floor in front of Mr. Snuffles that an almighty scream erupted from somewhere up above. 

“What now?” Fluttershy sighed tiredly.


*


September 14th 1992  Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures

Dear Miss Shy,

   Due to the fact that not one of our executioners will deal with the ancient basilisk at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for less than five million galleons and, after a careful review of both your character references and background check, we have reluctantly decided to accept your request to have Mr. Snuffles registered on the dangerous pets register under your name. Attached you shall find the newly created special licence that allows you to keep such a creature. Thus, simply put, he’s now your problem and you are fully responsible and liable for his actions from this point on. Good luck, and we shall see you in March for your pet's bi-annual check-up if you are still alive,


Gethsemane Prickle (Head of Beast Division for the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures at the Ministry of Magic)



*


As sunlight finally managed to pierce its way through the curtains in Discord’s and Fluttershy’s spare bedroom, Hermione slowly and groggily opened her eyes to find that her mouth was full of something cold and hard. 

“Morning beautiful. Mind if I have my right shoulder back, please?” Scootaloo teased playfully causing Hermione to look up at her girlfriend guiltily, her face beginning to turn scarlet. 

Hermione opened her mouth, screamed in shock, and rolled out of the bed she was sharing with Scootaloo with a thump. Of course, as she rose gingerly from the floor, Professor Discord slammed the door open.

“I heard someone scream, are you two…” He paused and stared at the practically naked girl standing in front of him and immediately went red.

Hermione reacted by slapping his face before screaming even louder, “GET OUT,” just as Fluttershy appeared in the doorway.

She swiftly dragged Discord away, scolding him for bursting in on the girls without knocking first and telling him that as punishment he would be spending the morning helping her bathe Mr. Snuffles. 

In amongst all this Scootaloo had fallen out the other side of the bed and broken out into a rather unladylike fit of giggles.

Unbeknownst to her, after finding her clothes, Hermione had picked up her wand from the dresser beside the bed.

“Oh, all foreseeing eye of truth, is Scootaloo about to sprout leeks from her ears?”

It is Certain flashed across Scootaloo’s vision as she heard two very well-known words from behind her. 

“Embrujo Puerro”
> Scootaloo's Egyptian Oddity (OLD)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Over the course of Sunday, Scootaloo wasn’t sure whether to feel ecstatic she had the old Hermione back or completely horrified. This was because by the end of the day she had an ice pack on her left wrist from Hermione working her so hard to ensure they did not fall behind on their schoolwork. And, to make matters worse, she had to do it all with leeks sprouting out of her ears. Hermione flatly refused to reverse the jinx until every last piece of homework was done to her impeccable standards. Upon her return to Hogwarts, Scootaloo had been so exhausted after over seven hours of doing nothing but homework that she had simply ignored her dormmates and slumped into her bed without even bothering to change her clothes. 

Scootaloo was awakened on Monday morning by Sweetie whispering urgently in her ear and giving her a gentle shake.

“Hey Scoots, wake up. We’ll be late to training otherwise.”

“Ugh, what time is it?” Scootaloo replied groggily.

“5:30,” Sweetie hissed.

“Okay, okay. Let me just get my quidditch robes on,” Scootaloo yawned pulling her legs around and sitting up on the edge of the bed before letting out a wince of pain.

“What’s wrong?” Sweetie replied with serious concern.

“A word of advice, don’t ever play with werewolves. They scratch and bite, a lot. This is embarrassing but mind giving me a hand getting changed?”

“Uhm, okay?” Sweetie replied a little confused and taken aback by her friend's response to her initial query and then her request.

Everything became clear when she helped Scootaloo take off her t-shirt and saw the deep scar that ran the length of her back along with the bloody bandages that adorned her side. 

“Holy fuck,” Sweetie swore. 

Ginny and Monica gasped in shock behind her. 

“Shit, they’re going to need redressing. Mind helping me Sweetie? Your magic will make it easier,” Scootaloo grumbled as she slowly released the bandages from her side, blood dripping to the floor.

Sweetie sighed. “I know what the answer is going to be, but do you really think it’s wise for you to be playing quidditch today?” 

“Thanks for the concern Sweetie, but you know me. You would have to literally chop of one of my limbs off to stop me playing quidditch. And besides have you forgotten Kendra is on the team?” Scootaloo replied with a smirk as she opened the top drawer in her bedside cabinet and pulled out a roll of bandages. 

Sweetie rolled her eyes as she illuminated her horn. “Fine, but I’m going to make sure you don’t cause yourself any more harm.

Scootaloo’s arms snapped to her side as a wide grin spread across Sweetie’s face.

“Girls, like to give me a hand?” Sweetie cackled as Scootaloo suddenly realised she should have gone back to bed.


*


“Oh, my word, I couldn’t have done a better job myself,” Kendra managed to squeak as she rolled on the ground laughing hysterically along with Heidi and Tamsin. Even Cedric was finding it hard to hide his amusement. 

Scootaloo tried to make a retort in reply but her mouth was bandaged shut and as such all that came out was a rather irritated muffled grunt. In fact, aside from her eyes, every last part of Scootaloo’s body was now covered in bandages. Credit to Sweetie’s first aid knowledge and magical ability; Scootaloo could still move reasonably freely; she just now looked like something that wouldn’t have been out of place in a Neighgyptian pyramid or one of the cheesy B level monster movies she had often snuck in to see at Ponyville’s small cinema. 

“Hey, look on the bright side. At least you won’t get caught short when you have to scoot to the loo,” Tamsin quipped forcing herself up off the ground with a snigger.

This led to yet more laughter to break out amongst the team as Scootaloo attempted to glower at Tamsin while pointing wildly at the pitch and jogging on the spot.

“Sorry, I don’t understand mummy,” Tamsin replied cheekily.

Scootaloo unclipped the latch on the box of quidditch balls and, with the only part of her not covered in bandages, her tail, picked up a beater's bat before pointing to the sky with it. 

Tamsin gulped, jumped onto her broom and flew off at breakneck speed. Even on her Nimbus 2000 she knew nothing could outstrip the Firebolt. Many times already she and her teammates had been caught by a bludger whilst watching in awe as the Firebolt zipped majestically through the sky seemingly defying every known law of magic. 

Scootaloo unclasped the bludgers and with breakneck speed and agility hit one and then the other with the bat held in her tail. The laughter suddenly died and everyone stared up into the sky as Tamsin dodged the first only to fly straight into the path of the second one that just clipped her head. 

Dazed and confused the girl veered off course and flew out of the stadium.

“Wonder where she’ll land?” It was Cedric who stated what was on everyone’s mind not in the least concerned. 

Crashes had become the norm of training the past few weeks as Scootaloo, a natural on any broomstick, had slowly adapted to her new role on the best broomstick to have ever been made, period. In summary, if you could get out of training without a trip to the infirmary to be patched up, that was a win. The rest of the team were just thankful that due to her age and current physique Scootaloo couldn’t hit the bludgers overly hard, even when using her tail, and that Kendra was sitting back and simply coaching Scootaloo, because during the few times Kendra had caught hold of a bludger it had caused serious damage, mostly to the stadium but also practically shattering Heidi’s arm, reducing Cedric’s broom to splinters and sending Ginny shooting like a rocket almost the whole length of the pitch before the girl was brought to a rather painful halt by the seats in the stand. It was remarkable the first year was able to stand after that hit with only a few minor scrapes and bruises. Even so, when questioned about it by Scootaloo, Kendra had simply replied:

“Should have been quicker at dodging the bludger and besides, remember I need all the patients and ailments I can get my hands on if I’m going to be the best Matron Hogwarts has ever had!”

Cedric’s mind was abruptly brought back to the present by a loud squelching sound.

“I’m guessing she landed in the lake, lucky,” Ginny grumbled glowering at Kendra as she remembered the incident from the week prior. 

“I’m not so sure…” Cedric started to say before they heard Hagrid’s booming voice in the distance.

“Good lord girl, what are you doing crashing into my manure pile. Come on, I’ll help get you outta there.”

Everyone broke out into laughter once again, only for it to be short lived as two more bludgers whizzed past them. 

Everyone looked up and immediately got the message from the mummy flying on a broomstick in the sky. That was a warning. They quickly mounted their brooms, jokes forgotten as the seriousness of Scootaloo’s training session took hold. Still, everyone kept their distance from Tamsin when the girl returned smelling worse than ten dungbombs going off at once. Even Cedric refused to catch the Golden Snitch when he caught sight of it hovering around the girl. This earnt him a bludger to the knee from Scootaloo and yet more work for the team’s nurse-in-training. Afterwards they had all headed back to their dorms for a quick shower, or a long one in Tamsin’s case, before breakfast. All aside Kendra and Scootaloo who went to the prefects’ bathroom to assess and redress Scootaloo’s wounds properly. 

By the time Scootaloo made it to breakfast the clock was nearing half past eight and she was surprised not to even get a glance from her peers as she entered, even if her robes were covering most her wounds

“Hey Bloom, hey Sweetie, what’s all the hubbub?” Scootaloo asked as she squeezed in between her two friends. “Huh, what’s this?” She said to herself as two pieces of parchment magically appeared in front of her.

Dear Student,

    We understand you and your peers might be feeling slightly worried and anxious after a number of disturbing events at the beginning of this term. Let me reassure you that the safety of all our students is our top priority here at Hogwarts and it is because of this that we shall be implementing several temporary changes outlined below:

1.  Firstly, you may have noticed some witches and wizards you have not seen before patrolling the grounds this past week. To the younger students who may not know who these people are, these are aurors, highly trained law enforcement officers working on behalf of the Ministry of Magic. For the time being, there are at least three pairs of aurors patrolling the grounds twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
2.  Secondly, so as not to get in the aurors ways, curfew for all students, including prefects, is being set to 6:00 and 20:30, except for quidditch practice and pre-approved lessons. ALL STUDENTS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A TEACHER BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 20:30 and 06:00 WHEN OUTSIDE THEIR DORMITORIES. We are not liable if anything were to happen to you for disobeying this rule. 
3.  In regard to quidditch practice, teams shall be escorted to the pitch from their common rooms by their head of house who shall oversee proceedings before accompanying all students back to their common room. 
4.  For late night lessons, students shall wait beside the entrance to their common room twenty minutes before the start of their lesson for either their teacher or Mr Filch to accompany them to class.
5.  Furthermore, except for quidditch practice or an authorised reason, no student shall leave the castle after dark. 
6.  Hogsmeade trips shall be reduced from fortnightly to the last Saturday of each month, the next one being October 31st. Any student attempting to sneak out and visit Hogsmeade outside this time shall be given detention for the remainder of the year and shall see their house deducted 75 house points. Any further breaches of this rule will result in expulsion.
7.  Special events, such as the Halloween feast are currently planned to go ahead as expected but may be cancelled at short notice.
8.  All students must remain in groups of three or more at all times when outside classes, unless prior approval is granted. Students shall though currently be allowed to go where they please on school grounds except when it violates any of the restrictions stated above or below.  
9.  The Forbidden Forest is STRICTLY OUT OF BOUNDS at all times and any student disobeying this rule shall be immediately expelled.
10.  Remember, room and possession searches can and will be carried out if necessary and if you do see anything suspicious, however minor or insignificant looking, report it to a member of staff immediately without delay.

We are hopeful that these changes will only be necessary up until Christmas but we currently cannot ensure that that will be the case and more restrictions may need to unfortunately be added before they can be lifted. We apologise for the inconvenience these will cause you in the short term but wish to remind you that your safety and wellbeing are of the upmost importance to us,


Headmaster Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore on behalf of the staff of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry


Scootaloo read and then re-read the first piece of parchment, a smile slowly forming upon her lips. And then, to everyone’s astonishment, she started cackling like a loon. 

After looking nervously at each other for nearly a minute and as more and more people started to turn their heads and look quizzically at Scootaloo, it was Susan who piped up the courage to enquire into Scootaloo’s sudden state of euphoria.

“Erm, Scootaloo, what’s so funny? That note pretty much just turned the school into a prison for us.” 

Slowly pulling herself together Scootaloo replied, “Yeah, but with all the extra security, maybe, just maybe I can have a peaceful month for once, especially as my detentions will be over after Wednesday. No insane lunatics sending a troll after me or chopping off one of my few remaining limbs, as long as I don’t make Apple Bloom angry again, unwittingly getting involved with Hagrid, being eaten by something from the Forbidden Forest, having some crazy premonition…”

“Okay, okay, I think we get the message,” Susan replied placing her right hand on her forehead and shaking it. Only Scootaloo could see the bright side to these new restrictions.

“And most importantly…” Scootaloo continued ignoring the interruption only to be interrupted herself.

“There’s less chance of you skirting your tutoring sessions,” Hermione stated flatly from behind Scootaloo. “Now, are you going to eat some breakfast or am I going to have to listen to your growling stomach throughout Charms?”

Scootaloo’s face dropped as sniggers erupted around her and she immediately dove her head into her bowl of Pixie Puffs coated in cheese sauce as she started to read over the second piece of parchment only to mumble through a mouthful of cereal, “Oh it’s about him,” and screwed it up into a ball.

“That’ll be one galleon Bloom,” Sweetie sniggered from Scootaloo’s left.

“Damn,” Apple Bloom grumbled.

Scootaloo just ignored them and moved onto a rather ginormous plate of fruit topped with baked beans as Apple Bloom passed the galleon across in front of her. 

“Just what were you two betting on this time?” Hermione said reproachfully from behind Scootaloo. “And Scoti, that was extremely bad manners. Professor Lockhart gave his life for the school and to keep us safe. The least you could do is pay him some respect. In fact, seeing as we caught up with pretty much all our work yesterday, I do believe we’ll have time to make him a card in one of our free periods today!”

Scootaloo inwardly groaned. Her formal name, she was in the dog house. Oh well, might as well make it worth it. “Yes Mrs. Hermione,” she replied in a snarky tone earning her a light slap on the back of her head as snickers broke out amongst Scootaloo’s dormmates.

“Oh, I don’t think she meant it like that Hermione, she’s just…” Sweetie began before stopping mid-sentence.

“Cat,” was all Scootaloo said and in an instant Sweetie was on the table sending plates flying everywhere.

The Hufflepuffs were unsure whether to laugh or be annoyed at the remains of their breakfasts flying everywhere. 

“Meow,” Sweetie said sweetly licking a hand.

That immediately broke the ice and laughter erupted around the table.

“Well, that solves the problem of the next few weeks at least.”

Scootaloo gulped at the sound of her head of house’s voice behind her.

“Firstly, you shall reverse the hypnotism, Miss Prewett. Then, I was coming to inform you that due to me having to now oversee each of your quidditch practices, I would need each player, aside Kendra, to assist me for two hours every fortnight in the greenhouses. It looks like you just volunteered to do everyone’s shifts for them this week. We can even make one a tutoring session, can’t we Miss Granger?” Professor Sprout stated coldly.

Before Hermione even had a chance to reply, a red dot landed on the Herbology professor’s robes. The next thing Professor Sprout knew, she had been bundled over by a flying Sweetie Belle!

“WEASLEYS, DETENTION FOR BOTH OF YOU AFTER CLASSES TODAY AS WELL ALONG WITH TEN POINTS FROM GRYFFINDOR,” Professor Sprout bellowed from the floor trying to force Sweetie Belle off her as Scootaloo found herself laughing so hard she couldn’t snap her fingers properly to break her control over her friend. 


*


Dear Student,

On behalf of all the staff here at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft I wish to apologise for our carelessness surrounding the untimely demise of Professor Gilderoy Lockhart. Due to the hectic nature that a new school year always brings with it we, the staff, feel we may have overlooked just how much of an impact his death has had upon you, our students, and wish to rectify the matter as quickly as possible. As such we will be leaving a book of condolence here in the Great Hall until the Halloween feast for anyone who wishes to send Professor Lockhart’s family their condolences. 

Furthermore, we are in the process of erecting a statue in the front courtyard to commemorate Lockhart’s brave and heroic service to the school. Marks of respects and mourning, such as flowers and photos, can also be placed here during the month of October. Once again, any notes of condolence shall then be passed onto Lockhart’s family. Lastly, Professor Pompernickle shall also be holding private and confidential one-to-one counselling sessions every weekday evening from now until the end of October for anyone who has been adversely affected by Lockhart’s passing. As well, a reminder that alongside your teachers, our matron, Madam Pomfrey, and her assistant, Madam Abbot, are always available if you ever need to talk to someone about bereavement, your mental well-being or anything else that may be troubling you.

Once more I’d just like to reiterate how sorry we are that it has taken us this long to act in regards to this matter and just hope you find our response, although belated, satisfactory, 

 


Headmaster Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore



*


“Hermione not so, oh yeah right there, that’s the spot,” Scootaloo said slowly drifting off to sleep in her girlfriend’s arms with a purr of contentment.

Unsurprisingly, as soon as Sweetie had regained control over her body, she had ignited her horn and transfigured Scootaloo into a ginger house cat littered with battle scars and a very long and fluffy tail. This had evidently earnt her a similar punishment to Scootaloo despite her arguing to Professor Sprout that they were studying the General Counter Spell in Charms first thing. 

Professor Sprout had replied to the girl’s reason with, “Nice try, but what you just did was a Transfiguration spell Miss Belle. Finite Incantatem would have no effect whatsoever on it.”

This had immediately shut Sweetie up, although she did manage a smile when Professor Sprout added that Scootaloo could remain a cat as part of her punishment until the start of Charms or whenever Professor Flitwick said otherwise. 

To everyone’s astonishment, as they entered the classroom and sat down, the Charms professor chose to simply raise an eyebrow at Cataloo before proceeding with the lesson as if nothing was amiss. 

As far as Flitwick was concerned, he was rather looking forward to a peaceful lesson on a Monday morning for the first time this school year. Besides, he had total faith in Miss Granger’s tutoring skills, believing that the Gryffindor girl was more than up to helping Miss Prewett catch up in a free period, along with dealing with the inevitable chaos it would certainly bring with it.


*


“Biscuit?” Dumbledore offered to his unexpected guest.

“No, thank you sir,” Draco Malfoy replied squirming in his seat across from the headmaster, head lowered.

“Okay then, but you are missing out on a treat. If there is one thing Muggles do particularly well at, it’s making a good biscuit. The Hobnobs in particular are sublime,” Dumbledore said warmly with a smile.

“Oh, w-w-well I wouldn’t want to be rude,” Draco replied helping himself to a Hobnob from the plate and swiftly finishing it off.

“I told you they were good. Now Draco, what seems to be the matter? For someone who’s often full of confidence, you’ve seemed awfully nervous and tentative this past week. Is that what you wished to talk to me urgently about?” Dumbledore said calmly trying to ease the poor boy’s nerves.

Draco nodded his head in reply. “Is my dad a bad person?” he blurted out suddenly to Dumbledore’s surprise.

Credit to Dumbledore though, on the outside he remained calm and collected, “What makes you think that my dear boy?” he asked politely.

“I’m not deaf. I hear the whispers about the things my father did during the Wizarding War. That he bribed and blackmailed his way out of a one-way ticket to Azkaban and was never under the Imperious Curse. That he’s a bad egg, always up to no good and best to avoid. How he’s got the Ministry in his back pocket and now…” Draco paused and stared despondently at the floor as tears filled his eyes and slowly fell to the floor. “It’s all my fault, it’s all my fault,” he started babbling uncontrollably.

“Draco, just what do you mean?” Dumbledore pressed, “Just what is the matter?” 

Draco didn’t look up and instead continued to ramble. “Scoti’s words really hit their mark and made me realise just how much I’ve been walking in my father’s shadow in an attempt to please him, blind of his past and his bigoted prejudicial ways. But I really thought when he sent that letter he wanted to change, finally turn over a new leaf and do some good for the magical community. I was such a fool. Oh, how could I have been so naïve, so gullible. He just used me like so many others previously in his life to get what he needed, Hermione’s birthday and how she loved daredevil flying. He told me he wanted to make amends by buying Hermione something nice for her birthday whenever it was, but didn’t know what she might be interested in. He’s despicable. How could anyone target a thirteen-year-old girl like that? Even if she is Muggle born, she’s one of the smartest witches I’ve ever known and a lot better person than me. I don’t even deserve to be at this school anymore, I’m not sure I even want to be here anymore, I’m nothing but a puppet,” Draco sobbed finally pausing to catch his breath as the pent-up emotions that had been bottling up inside him this past week finally came to the fore.

Dumbledore took a deep breath and then replied. He wanted to console the boy but first, “Draco, I understand this must be extremely difficult for you right now but can you please tell me where is the letter your father sent you?”

“Gone, threw it into the fireplace in my common room upon his request to destroy it after reading,” Draco sniffled disconsolately in reply.

“I see,” Albus Dumbledore replied emotionlessly rising out his chair and walking round his desk to approach Draco.

Although the letter was a huge loss, Albus was not surprised Lucius had requested his son to destroy any possible discriminating evidence that could have even remotely linked him to the attack on Miss Granger. 

With a comforting smile on his lips Dumbledore spoke, attempting to reassure and console the poor boy. “Better people than you have been coerced and fooled by your father Draco and, although it may not make you feel any better, you are probably the youngest to ever realise he is a man not to be trusted. Unlike him though, who only demonstrates some of the worst traits of a member of the Slytherin house, such as traditionalism, self-preservation, maliciousness and deceitfulness, you are a prime example of the good that can come from a house full of snakes. You show determination and ambition to put right the wrongs of your ancestors, live a better life and forge your own path even if it breaks from tradition. Then there is your cleverness to fully understand your father’s carefully crafted plan at such a young age. But now I need to know if you have the levels of resourcefulness Slytherins are supposed to possess and I’ve heard so much about. Remember, even when they are flat on their backs and staring defeat in the face, a Slytherin never quits and in those moments of despair a true Slytherin’s spirits will always stand tall and true. So, now I must ask you, are you a true Slytherin? Will you let your past haunt you and drag you into despair and misery or help me in correcting the wrongs of yesterday for a better tomorrow?” 

Gradually Draco raised his head and wiped his face with the sleeve of his robes as Albus Dumbledore held out his withered old right hand towards him.

Draco grasped hold of it with his own right hand. “A Slytherin never quits,” he said with grim determination. 




*


Scootaloo’s Monday didn’t get any less peculiar after Charms. After being allowed to sleep through the entirety of Charms and then History, where Professor Binns had droned on about even more werewolf revolts, as a cat, she had found herself, along with Ron and Harry, roped into making a memorial piece for Professor Lockhart in the library. This ended up being a pyramid of photos, with the bottom two lines reading Professor Lockhart 26th January 1964 – 1st September 1992, an honourable and noble wizard who shall be sorely missed. It had also ended with the four of them covered in as much glue and glitter as the memorial piece itself, along with a stern lecture from Madam Pince.

After tidying herself up and having some lunch, Scootaloo had caught up with Apple Bloom and Sweetie before they, along with Hermione, Ron, Harry and Neville had found an empty classroom to practice Finite Incantatem in. For the first time she could remember though, Scootaloo had found her wand refusing to cooperate and cast the spell to remove the bunny ears atop Hermione’s head. 

“DISCORD” Scootaloo finally yelled at the top of her lungs after more than an hour of infuriating frustration.

“Well, this is a surprise,” Discord’s voice replied into Scootaloo’s ear.

“Huh, what, I didn’t expect you to actually reply. I thought you had class right now and where are you anyway? And why has everything gone dark?” Scootaloo responded confused.

“Yes, I’m currently teaching my fourth years up in the Discord tower, so we’ll need to keep this brief. We are communicating via telepathy. The reason why everything has just gone dark for you is that it takes time to learn and be able to use telepathy while doing other things. Your physical body is likely staring off into space while drooling from the mouth like a zombie. You really do astound me though, it took me till I was sixteen to use telepathy in any form,” Discord explained before asking, “How did you manage to do it by the way? I don’t remember providing you any texts on the subject?”

“I was getting frustrated with a spell I couldn’t perform for my Charms homework and let out my frustration by yelling your name,” Scootaloo replied to the void. 

“Interesting, very interesting. Apologies I can’t talk more about telepathy but I really need to return my focus back to my class in a moment. I’ll find some time to talk you through telepathy later in the week. Anyway, what was this spell you were having trouble with?” 

“Finite Incantatem,” Scootaloo grumbled.

“Ah, have you not been reading So, You’re a Draconequus?” 

“Yes, but its very long and often quite tedious,” Scootaloo grumbled some more into the void, finding this whole out of body experience quite disturbing and eerie. “Care to enlighten me on what part?”

“That until you reach maturity, you may have trouble reining chaos in and being able to control it completely. Finite Incantatem is a spell often used to cease chaos or inhibit its development, thus more than likely explaining why your wand is currently refusing to cooperate. You are simply not powerful enough yet to perform it, even if it seems like rather a simple and straightforward spell to your peers. For a draconequus, such a spell is the equivalent to fifth or even sixth year level magic. I’ll talk to Professor Flitwick this evening and provide him with a letter explaining the situation. Still, there’s no harm in continuing to attempt it. Now, I really must be getting back to my class.

And just like that Scootaloo heard a snap and was back in the classroom, everyone crowded around her looking worried. 

“Oh, thank goodness you’re okay,” Hermione sighed with a clear look of worry on her face. “You just cried Discord’s name out and then went all zombified. None of us had any idea what was going on.”

“I thought you were having a stroke,” Neville stated timidly.

“I tried to bet with Sweetie it was something draconequus-wise, but she agreed that was the most likely option and refused to cooperate. So, were we right?” Apple Bloom enquired getting a reproachful look from Hermione.

“Yeah, telepathy. No idea how or why it happened, but it did and as I’ve not used it before that’s why I went all zombified till I finished talking with Discord,” Scootaloo explained shaking her head and slowly regaining her bearings. “How long was I out?” 

“About fifteen minutes. We were just thinking about going to fetch someone,” Hermione answered.

“Wow, really, it barely felt like five minutes, if that. At least Discord was able to answer why I’m having trouble with Finite Incantatem,” Scootaloo responded with a look of surprise. 

“Let me guess, a draconequus thing?” Apple Bloom deadpanned.

“Eeyup. I’ll tell you all on the way to the Great Hall. I’m famished. Who knew telepathy could drain someone of so much energy?” Scootaloo replied with a smirk.

As the gaggle of students collected their belongings and headed for the exit, Hermione’s voice made them all turn around.

“Ahem, Scootaloo aren’t you forgetting about something. What am I supposed to do about these?” she indicated to the two bunny ears atop her head. 

Scootaloo rubbed her chin for a moment before replying with a wide grin as her tail appeared with her wand from behind her back, “Hmm, how about Elephanti Corpus?”

Before Hermione even knew what had hit her, her nose had been replaced with an elephant’s trunk.

“SCOOTALOO” Hermione yelled before trumpeting loudly.

To no one’s surprise, Scootaloo had vanished.


*


After wisely steering clear of her girlfriend and making her way to Herbology early, resulting in nearly giving Professor Sprout a heart attack for actually turning up early for once, Scootaloo’s day was about to get a whole lot stranger, even by her standards. 

Draco Malfoy actually pitched in and helped her with their mandrake. Yes, he wasn’t very good, but he certainly tried and Scootaloo wasn’t going to chastise him for the few mistakes he did make, thankful to actually have some help for a change, even if Tweedle Dumb and Tweedle Dumber spent most the lesson gawking at the two of them like brainless fish.

Just when Scootaloo thought the behaviour of the usually spiteful and arrogant Slytherin boy couldn’t get any weirder as they packed away, he actually went and asked Professor Sprout if she needed any further help with anything.

Although slightly taken aback by the request, Professor Sprout was never one to turn down assistance and said she would be delighted for the help, stating how she needed some help setting up a special enclosure for some Eqyptian Sand Snipers that had just arrived.

As everyone else slowly filtered out of Greenhouse Three, Scootaloo and Draco stayed back and waited for Hermione and Sweetie to arrive. As Professor Sprout turned her back for a moment, Scootaloo immediately turned and hissed in a low whisper to Draco the question that was plaguing her mind.

“Just what are you up to?” 

“I’m not sure what you mean? I was just trying to be helpful,” Draco hissed in reply.

“That’s bullshit and you know it. You’ve hated my guts since day one,” Scootaloo retorted.

Draco sighed. “Take heed young man, you are treading a dangerous path. Learn from this experience, become your own man and create your own path. For if you continue on the road you are on and follow in the footsteps of your ancestors, only death and despair await you,” he replied with a distant look upon his face. “Those words have been stuck in my mind ever since you said them. I’m not saying I’m going to change overnight. I still believe to a certain degree that Muggles aren’t worthy of gracing the halls of Hogwarts aside the odd exception such as Miss Granger. I’m also strongly against the relationship you two have. But before you snap at me for my views hear me out. These are views imprinted on me by my family and I’m starting to realise that just maybe they are wrong. So, I want to hear the other side of the argument and make my own choice on what is right and what is wrong. Thus, are you and your girlfriend willing to give me a chance and give me your side of the argument?”

For a minute Scootaloo just gawked at the boy with her mouth open wide in total shock. Out of everything that had happened today, this was by far the one she would have least expected, not that she’d expected any of them in the first place! Before she had a chance though to fully comprehend what she’d just heard and reply, there was a knock on the door.

“Professor Sprout, you in here?”

It was Sweetie’s voice.

“Ah girls, perfect timing, come in, come in,” the Herbology professor replied un-burying herself from the store cupboard she was in. “As you can see, Master Malfoy has kindly offered his help as well,” she added dusting off her robes, not that it made even the slightest difference considering how dirty they already were.

“Kindly offered?” Hermione asked with clear surprise in her voice. “You mean he’s not here because he slacked off again and made Scootaloo do all the work as usual?”

“Actually, he was quite helpful today.” It was Scootaloo who replied, surprised to find herself defending a person she would have an hour ago happily fed to Hermione on a full moon. 

Hermione stared at her as if she’d gone mad. Thankfully, Professor Sprout intervened before the situation could become any more awkward.

“Quiet, please. We have a lot of work to get through today and very little time to do it in. Firstly, have any of you heard of an Egyptian Sand Sniper?”

As three heads looked around at one another with blank expressions across their faces, Hermione’s hand rose into the air.

“Yes, Miss Granger, go ahead,” Professor Sprout encouraged.

“The Egyptian Sand Sniper is a rare magical variation of the Venus Flytrap, except that it can grow much larger, around two metres in height with roots around three metres in length in all directions when fully grown. Also, unlike the Venus Flytrap it can move from one position to another by using its roots, has actual teeth and buries itself in the sand waiting for some unwitting victim to walk overhead, using its roots to feel for vibrations. Originally originating from the Egyptian deserts, the species has now managed to spread across pretty much all the deserts in the world including supposedly a sub-zero variant in the Antarctic desert. Despite this widespread habitat they are still considered one of the rarest magical plants in existence and those who have seen one often don’t live long enough to report what they’ve seen,” Hermione explained like an audio encyclopaedia. 

“Excellent Miss Granger. Fifteen points to Gryffindor. That is exactly why those of you here for detention should view it as a treat rather than a punishment. You see, some blind fool somehow managed to smuggle two baby Egyptian Sand Snipers into the country. Long story short, they were discovered by two rather startled border guards, one of which is now missing an arm. For your detention today you shall be helping me create a habitat for them in the smallest greenhouse, Greenhouse Eight, which inhabits the exotic plants I’ve had to take in over the years for one reason or another. You shall all stay close to me as there are some rather dangerous specimens in there and I’d prefer not to have to rush one of you to the infirmary,” Professor Sprout explained before shuffling the kids towards the door of Greenhouse Three.

It wasn’t long before the four students and their professor found themselves in the sweltering heat of Greenhouse Eight, so hot due to the magical heat lamps that were set into the ceiling. The heat was almost instantly forgotten about though as all four students’ attentions were drawn to the two heavily chained crates that were creating quite a fair bit of noise in one corner.

“Ah, it seems they have awoken once more. Whilst I see to them, do you four want to start pouring sand into that large empty container over there,” Professor Sprout said as she pointed to a humongous container that took up nearly half of one wall of the greenhouse and wide as Scootaloo was tall. Steps had already been set up for them so that they could reach the top of the container.

“Yes, Professor Sprout. I’ll see to it that no one is caught slacking or touching anything they shouldn’t,” Hermione replied with a stern look at Scootaloo.

“Thank you, Miss Granger,” Professor Sprout replied as she set off to deal with the two lively new additions to her greenhouses. 

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Scootaloo said with mock hurt as Hermione continued to glower at her once Professor Sprout had departed.

“Who slept through the entirety of Charms and History today as a cat?” Hermione deadpanned. “And who also left me with bunny ears and an elephant trunk at the end of our free periods?”

“Okay, guilty as charged,” Scootaloo admitted with a chuckle. “But it was funny, you have to admit.”

“Oh, I’ll tell you what’s funny. Working you to the bone during detention. I think some particularly tough questions on sand-preferring plants might be in order followed up by an extracurricular essay. I’m sure Professor Sprout would be thrilled to read an essay all about how plants have managed to adapt to arid conditions,” Hermione responded with a wicked smile.

“You wouldn’t dare,” Scootaloo replied, sounding more confident than she felt.

“Hmm, well I’ll see how good your knowledge is first along with how hard you try and then I’ll make my decision.” 

Scootaloo gulped, she was doomed; extra homework in one of her least favourite subjects, just what she didn’t want.

“First of all, I want to know why he is here and what’s going on between the two of you?” Hermione demanded as they began making their way over to the newly set up enclosure. 

“I’m sorry for all the grief I’ve caused you, really I am. However much it pains me to say it you are a better wizard than I am, despite being. No, sorry, still new to this. Despite having the handicap of a non-wizarding upbringing,” Draco said solemnly in reply. “As I was just saying to Scoti before you two arrived, I still have my doubts on muggle born witches and wizards and on relationships such as yours, but they are from what I have been taught by my family and after recent events, I want to hear your side of the argument and then make my own decision on where my own beliefs should lie.”

Much to everyone’s shock and surprise Hermione proceeded to take a quick glance over her shoulder before proceeding to slap Draco’s left cheek with her right hand. “Now I call us even. Personally, I trust you about as much as hiring a hag as a babysitter but I can tell from the tone of your voice you are being serious about wanting to change and I’m guessing taking Scootaloo’s prophecy seriously. As such, I’m going to have to give you a chance. But and it’s a big one, you are on thin ice. One slip up and Scootaloo and I will get Discord to give you detention until the end of your days at Hogwarts. And that’s if we’re nice because if there is one thing you definitely shouldn’t do, it's fuck with a werewolf.” Hermione finished with a low growl and showed of her extended canines.

Draco gulped. “Understood,” he said nervously as he rubbed his cheek.

“Excellent, now get on that stepladder and I’ll start filling you in about muggle life and the difficulties of being a muggle born wizard as I pass you bags of sand,” Hermione commanded.

Without a word Draco did as he was told as Sweetie and Scootaloo stared in bewilderment at each other.

“What just happened?” Sweetie finally queried to one of her two best friends.

“I honestly have no idea. Either Hermione and Draco are now friends or Hermione just found a new chew toy,” Scootaloo replied.


*


“Ow, ow, ow. Quit it Bloom. That hurts,” Fred hissed as Apple Bloom dragged him by one of his ears. 

“Yeah, we were just trying to lighten the mood,” George winced as Apple Bloom dragged him by one of his own ears.

“By turning my Draught of Peace into a Laughing Potion when I wasn’t looking and then making it explode into Professor Snape’s face. Sorry, but I don’t find that funny. Why Professor Sprout had to send you to the dungeons for detention I don’t know. Ah, here we are.” 

Apple Bloom, not willing to risk one of the twins scarpering attempted to knock using her foot but instead ended up kicking the door down. 

“Oops,” she said sheepishly as she looked over at Professor McGonagall who looked up from the marking she was doing.

“Miss Apple, just what is the…” she paused as she caught the inevitable sight of the Weasley twins in Apple Bloom’s grasp. “What did they do this time?” she sighed with resignation.

“Corrupted my Draught of Peace and turned it into Laughing Potion,” Apple Bloom deadpanned. “Then had the nerve to make it explode in Professor Snape’s face. I got hold of them before they could make a quick exit but as you can imagine Professor Snape wasn’t in a fit state to punish them for their crime, so I thought I’d bring them to you. Personally, I’d like to throw them both into the lake.”

“We were just trying to get Professor Snape to lighten up for once!” George argued.

“C’mon professor. Surely even you can see the funny side of what we did,” Fred added.

“Quiet. Both of you,” Professor McGonagall demanded. “Firstly, fifteen points from Gryffindor each. Secondly, I believe some alternate clothing is required.” She pulled out her wand and before the two boys knew what was happening, they both found themselves in swim shorts. “Seeing as detention seems to faze neither of you, how about a nice leisurely swim across the lake instead as Miss Bloom suggested?”

“You can’t be serious?” one of the twins said with a look of sheer terror.

“It’s barely above freezing!” the other exclaimed.

“Well, maybe next time you’ll finally think twice about your actions. Now, Miss Apple, if you wouldn’t mind helping me escort the boys to the lake,” Professor McGonagall said emotionlessly rising from her chair and coming out from behind her desk. 

“With pleasure professor,” Apple Bloom replied finishing with a hearty cackle as she grabbed a hold of both boys’ ears once more and dragged them from the office. “And sorry about the door. I’ll come back and fix that later for you.” 

“Not to worry, I’m sure Filch will be able to fix it. Now come along, before it gets dark!”

And that was how the Weasley twins learnt to never mess with one of Apple Bloom’s potions and how Professor McGonagall finally got a few days of peace and quiet as the twins recovered from mild hypothermia in the infirmary.


*


“Yes Miss Prewett, before you ask, I have talked to your father and received a letter from him regarding your inability to cast Finite Incatatem at this time. I will ensure it is not on your end of year practical examination but for now can you continue to at least attempt the spell or assist Miss Granger so that she is able to cast it successfully,” Professor Flitwick called from the classroom on Tuesday afternoon.  

“Oh, I’m sure she will be more than happy to help me sir,” Hermione replied for Scootaloo in a sickly-sweet voice. “I think I’ll start with trying to correct Elephanti Corpus.”

Scootaloo gulped as an elephant’s trunk slowly replaced her nose. This was going to be a long afternoon.
> Chaos Flu and a Boggart too! (OLD)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yeah, but with all the extra security, maybe, just maybe I can have a peaceful month for once.

Scootaloo remembered the words she had spoken just a few days before. Why oh why had she tempted fate?

“AAAACHOOO!” she sneezed once again sending even more confetti shooting across her bed before laughing uncontrollably once more.

Of course, she had woken up on October first feeling like a ton of bricks had hit her. Her dormmates, upon seeing Scootaloo’s sudden sickness, had immediately called for Madam Pomfrey and Professor Sprout. Yet, they were not experts in draconequus health and they too had been flummoxed by this new chaotic illness until Professor Sprout had called Professor Discord for assistance.

“Chaos Flu,” the older draconequus said seriously in a hazmat suit as Scootaloo vomited cupcakes into a bucket beside her bed. “There’s no cure or medicine that can be prescribed; we’ll just have to wait it out. Usually, it disappears just as randomly as it appeared within forty-eight to seventy-two hours as long as it can be kept contained and its spread minimised. Thus, we’ll need to lockdown the school until it has had its fun, gets bored and disappears.”

“Lockdown the school, are you sure…” Professor Sprout began only for a scream in the hallway outside to cut her off.

“Nobody told me I’d be covered in polka dots when I lost my horn!”

It was Melody Song’s voice.

“And why do I have an uncontrollable urge to laugh about it?”

Then came Maddie Fairweather’s voice. “Yeah, well at least you don’t look like a frog and have a craving for flies. AAAAACHOOOO! Just what is this bizarre sickness anyway and why am I constantly sneezing confetti?”

Discord simply gave Professor Sprout an all too knowing look before saying, “And by the vines that now seem to have replaced your hair, I’m going to make the assumption you’ve caught it…AAAAACHOOOOOO. Oh shit,” he grumbled to himself before letting out a slight chuckle.


*


Scootaloo stared at herself in the mirror.

She was going to kill him.

"Your torso will always be made up of your birth form," he had told her.

She was going to kill him. 

"Immune to lycanthropy," he had told her.

Her tail, which had been behaving itself mostly these past few weeks, decided to make an appearance, tapping her on her now-hairy left shoulder. 

“Oh, and you can settle down. Where were you when I needed you to distract my werewolf girlfriend? Hiding between my legs no doubt just because she chewed on you a bit,” Scootaloo grumbled continuing to stare at herself in the mirror.

Her entire chest was covered in coarse neon pink fur. She had hoped it had only been a side effect of the flu but twenty-four hours later it remained. It was most certainly permanent.

When she got her hands on her father…

“Hey Scoots, you okay? You’ve been in there over ten minutes and we need to get to breakfast,” Apple Bloom’s voice interrupted her thoughts. 

It had been four pretty miserable, if not occasionally hilarious days for the students, spent stuck inside their dormitories as the Chaos Flu had swept across the school like wildfire, infecting almost every student and member of staff. For many it had been nothing more than an inconvenience, just a few hours of feeling rough, sneezing confetti, vomiting cupcakes and laughing uncontrollably before returning back to doing whatever work they could from their textbooks. For others it had been longer and had had other peculiar side effects, such as blurting out secrets, unusual transformations, a sudden interest in being a pirate and so on and so forth. Nobody though had had it worse than Scootaloo. Three whole days she had spent tossing and turning in her bed, barely even able to eat! When she had finally awakened to feeling back to normal on Sunday morning the first thing she had done was order a huge fried breakfast. Thankfully, for some unknown reason, the house elves seemed unaffected by the illness that had ravaged the school and were quite happy to deliver food to individual dorms. It had taken her most of Sunday to fully recover and it was only now, on Monday morning, that she was seeing the full effects the Chaos Flu had had on her. 

She was going to kill him.

“Scoots?” Apple Bloom’s voice came nervously along with a knock on the bathroom door.

Scootaloo yanked open the bathroom door and stared at one of her two best friends in the entire world.

“What’s with the…” Apple Bloom paused for a moment as it dawned on her. “That isn’t a fur coat, is it?”

“Nope,” 

Apple Bloom couldn’t help but let out a little snort of amusement. “Look on the bright side; I’m sure Hermione will love it!”

“Where’s your spade?” Scootaloo deadpanned.

“What?” Apple Bloom asked, her laughter abruptly stopping and instead replaced with a look of confusion.

“I need to dispose of a body, specifically my father’s,” Scootaloo growled as her hair ignited.


*


To Scootaloo’s relief, after her bout of Chaos Flu the next few weeks proceeded as she had originally hoped October would, peacefully without much incident. 

It had taken her a while to calm down over the whole werewolf chest incident that her father had simply described as a unique phenomenon caused by your immune system being overwhelmed from having to deal with the lycanthropy still in your body and Chaos Flu at the same time. She had not taken kindly to that description and had promptly deposited a whole pile of bull shit atop his head, which had ultimately earnt her yet another detention.

Still, despite constantly waking up to find pink fur all over her bed or the occasional destroyed pillow, she had slowly become accustomed to her latest body change as time went by. It had also helped that Hermione had, after laughing uncontrollably for nearly ten minutes, adored her new look. Hermione had stated that it was something to constantly remind Scootaloo of her and had got Scootaloo to order some crop tops so that she could rest her head on her fluffy tummy when no one was looking. 

As for lessons, nothing to out of the ordinary happened. They moved on to Vera Verto in Transfiguration, where, much to Professor McGonagall’s relief, Scootaloo managed to achieve similar results to the rest of the class, even if her goblet was a little more chaotic looking with a zigzagging stem, square bowl and luminous yellow colour in comparison to her peers'. After her struggle with Finite Incantatem in Charms, Scootaloo found herself back to her best when they moved onto Expelliarmus, with Professor Flitwick staring in disbelief as she managed to disarm five of her classmates before even one of them could cast a jinx on her. 

The most noteworthy thing to occur was the slug outbreak in the greenhouses, which Professor Snape took advantage of by testing the second-years on the herbicide potion they had originally brewed in their first year for if brewed and used properly on dummy rubber plants it was also a sure-fire way to kill off pests. This also resulted in a rather nasty and tedious homework assignment on The Importance of Flobberworm Mucus as a Potions Ingredient. 

Meanwhile, Professor Sinistra had been absolutely flummoxed at how Scootaloo had no idea on the correct order of the planets yet could somehow pinpoint the current location of every planet in the sky, without a telescope, and tell her how that would impact her life over the next couple of days. She had initially scoffed when Scootaloo had told her that Neptune was angry with the actions of Pluto recently and as such would be sending a storm their way very soon. It had been one of the best nights for star gazing of the year so far with no rain or cloud cover predicted at all. Within an hour of Scootaloo’s prediction the wind had picked up and the rain was pelting the castle ferociously. Professor Sinistra, not a big believer in astrology or divination, had been at a loss for words.

In History, Professor Binns moved on from werewolf revolts to the history of wizarding Britain’s political structure and topics such as the Wizengamot and the formation of the Ministry of Magic and the Wizards’ council that preceded it, while Scootaloo had particular fun in one Cultural Diversity lesson talking about Draconequui.

At this particular moment though the lesson on everyone’s mind was Defence Against the Dark Arts. Every student had been very relieved Discord had not bought either a nundu, a chimera or a manticore with him a few weeks backs, although the thestral Fluttershy had brought along to the training grounds last week had resulted in a rather amusing lesson as half the class couldn’t actually see it as they were yet to either witness death or accept its reality.

“So, what do you think Discord has got up his sleeve today?” Apple Bloom asked as they entered the Discord Tower.

“As long as no invisible horse attempts to eat my hair again, I don’t mind what it is as long as it isn’t something extremely dangerous,” Hermione grumbled glowering at Scootaloo. 

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Scootaloo asked guiltily. 

“You know why,” was all Hermione said tetchily in reply to a round of sniggers. “Apple Bloom, is she lying?”

“Now, what kind of friend would I be…” Apple Bloom began.

“I’ll help you with today’s Defence Against the Dark arts homework,” Hermione interrupted.

“Oh, most definitely. I can tell by her eyes,” Apple Bloom replied instantly. 

“Traitor!” Scootaloo growled before a cold shiver went through her spine as Hermione placed a hand on her left shoulder and squeezed.

Just when had her girlfriend got that strong? Oh, right, werewolf. 

“So, are you going to tell me just what you did to get that thestral to start munching on my hair or am I going to have to swing you by your tail to teach you a lesson for being a bad girl?” Hermione whispered into Scootaloo’s ear.

Scootaloo gulped. “Maybe, just maybe, I levitated one of the steaks Fluttershy had brought with her behind you.”

“Oh, did you now. And let me ask you. Will you be doing anything similar again in future?” Hermione said coldly as she squeezed Scootaloo’s shoulder.

“No ma'am!” Scootaloo squeaked as the sniggers continued to reverberate around them.

“Good girl,” Hermione whispered into her girlfriend’s ear as she slowly released her 

“Well, I think we know who wears the trousers in their relationship!” Sweetie said between sniggers. “Although it is quite ironic she’s the one wearing the collar!”

Hermione often now didn’t go anywhere without her sparkly pink collar on. Despite finding it slightly peculiar to begin with, it was just yet another thing her fellow students had gotten used to over time. Any who had enquired about it had simply been told it was a tracking device and electric shock collar for both her safety and her fellow students. 

As Hermione turned ready to snap a retort back at Sweetie, Scootaloo took her chance. Having learnt over the past year of the precise location of a number of the Discord Tower’s traps that didn’t randomly change location she leapt forward and slammed her feet down on the floor. As Scootaloo pelted it down the corridor, she gulped once more as her girlfriend’s voice echoed throughout the corridor.

“SCOOTALOO, YOU ARE SO DEAD THIS TIME!”

Totally worth it Scootaloo thought to herself.    


*


As the majority of the class squelched into Classroom 104 covered in snot coloured gloop, Scootaloo sat whistling at her desk not even attempting to hide her guilt.

“Hermione, what happened…” She began with feigned ignorance only to have a bucket of the gloop deposited over her head. 

“Now, we’re even,” Hermione growled sitting down next to Scootaloo as Discord attempted, but failed miserably, at holding back his laughter at the front of the class.

“My, oh my,” Discord wheezed sat atop a chained trunk that was struggling underneath him. “Do I even want to ask?” 

“Never date a werewolf; they have dominance issues,” Scootaloo replied removing the bucket from her head.

“I think the same can be said about draconequui,” Hermione said flatly before sticking her tongue out at her girlfriend.

“Enough, please,” Discord wheezed once more. “You two are acting like an old married couple!”

This caused the whole room to burst out laughing and both Hermione and Scootaloo to go red in the face. 

Slowly, as the laughter subsided, Discord took charge. “Settle down please. I’ve something extra special for today’s lesson. Who here might be able to guess what is in this chest?”

Everyone except Hermione and Scootaloo just looked blankly at one another.

Discord sighed. “Anyone else aside the dog and her bone? No, okay then, go ahead Miss Granger.”

“Looking over the list of creatures we’ve got left to study this term the obvious one would be a Boggart. It’s a shape-shifter that can take the form of whatever will frighten us most.”

“Excellent Miss Granger. Now why don’t you come up here and show us all how to deal with one?” Discord replied.

Hermione’s eyes went wide. “M-me sir?” she squeaked.

“Yes, you. No time like the present. Chop, chop,” Discord instructed.

Scootaloo snickered next to Hermione. It was just like her big brain to get her in over her head.

“Ah, Miss Prewett. How kind of you to volunteer as Miss Granger’s second. Master Potter, why is it useful for more than one person to face the Boggart at any one time?”

Scootaloo immediately stopped snickering as Harry’s eyes shot open in surprise at being put on the spot. 

After a moment, Harry made an attempt at the question. “Er – because I’m guessing the boggart can only take the shape of one person at a time. So, if there are two people, it will become confused and not know what to transform into.”

“Excellent. Get up here and bring that grinning ginger haired nitwit next to you as well,” Discord instructed.

Ron’s face immediately dropped.

As the four students gathered at the front of the class Discord gave them some very simple instructions.

“The charm that repels a boggart is very simple. The only difficult part to it is that it requires force of mind. You need to force the boggart to assume a form that you find amusing as the only true way to finish a boggart off is through laughter. You all got that?” 

The four selected students backed by the entire class nodded in reply.

“Excellent, so who’s first?” Discord asked.

Three sets of feet all took a step back at the same time.

“Excellent. Master Weasley. How very brave of you,” Discord stated reassuringly. 

Ron looked to his left and right suddenly realising his so-called friends had left him up a river without a paddle, or even a boat for that matter. All the colour suddenly drained from his face.

“Now, now, no need to look so scared. First of all, what is your biggest fear?”

“Sp-sp-spiders,” Ron whimpered as the chest continued to shake under Professor Discord.

“Splendid! I want you to imagine the biggest, scariest spider possible, as that is what is about to come out of this trunk in a moment,” Discord explained.

Ron looked like he was about to have a heart attack.

“But don’t you worry. I won’t release the boggart until you are one hundred percent ready, okay?” Discord continued. 

“I-I don’t think I’ll ever be ready,” Ron whimpered again in reply physically shaking at the knees. 

The class chuckled in the background at that reply. Discord ignored them and continued to focus his attention on Ron.

“Oh, you will be, I’ll make sure of that. Now that you’ve got that image ingrained in your mind, I want you to think for me really hard, what would Professor Discord do in this situation? Okay,” Discord explained some more. 

“W-what w-would Professor Discord do? What w-would Professor Discord do?” Ron began to mutter under his breath “What would…” And then he paused and to everyone’s surprise he began to laugh. 

“Excellent,” Discord said with a smile. “Now, focus solely on that image. Focus really, really hard on it and let nothing else distract you. When I jump of this box and unlock the lock I want you, while focusing on that image to point your wand at whatever comes out and shout Riddikulus! Got it?”

Ron nodded his head, the colour slowly returning to his face along with a look of steely resolve. “Riddikulus,” he muttered under his breath.

“Outstanding,” Discord stated jumping off the trunk. “Perfect pronunciation. Just remember that Riddikulus requires force of mind to alter the boggart into an amusing form and you shall be fine.” He then turned to the rest of the class. “I hope every one of you were paying attention to what I was just telling Master Weasley here as it’ll be each of your turns shortly. While he attempts to deal with the boggart, I want each of you to think of your biggest fear and then either think about how you can make that comical or if you’re struggling to do that, think about what I would do in that situation, okay?”

“Yes sir,” the class replied as one.

“Amazing. Now without further ado.” Discord placed himself behind Ron and pulled his wand from his suit. “Alohomora,” the lock on the trunk clicked open and fell to the floor with a thump.

Slowly the lid lifted open and two long spindly legs poked themselves out of the trunk followed by a mass of beady eyes and then a huge abdomen. 

To Ron’s credit he didn’t take a second glance at the ginormous spider before pointing his wand at it and shouting “Riddikulus!”

Lime green Roller skates immediately appeared on the spider’s feet along with a giant rainbow afro wig atop its head. Ron laughed. The boggart looked stunned as its legs went from underneath it and it struggled to stand.

“Exceptional Ronald, twenty points to Gryffindor. Now, step back and let someone else have a turn. “Scoti, you’re up next,” Discord instructed. 

Scootaloo took a reluctant step forward as Ron stepped back. The boggart suddenly changed into a huge slobbering, and bright pink, werewolf that slowly began to advance on Scootaloo with a wild look in its eyes.

Scootaloo took a deep breath, closed her eyes for a moment and then with a look of grim determination cried, “Riddikulus!”

The werewolf was immediately replaced with a giant chicken much to everyone’s amusement.

“Excellent, ten points to Hufflepuff. Now Hermione. And the rest of you start forming an orderly queue please,” Discord instructed once more.

Hermione stalled as she approached the boggart and it suddenly changed into a very stern looking Professor McGonagall shaking her head.

“Failure, utter failure,” boggart McGonagall tutted shaking her head. 

Hermione’s wand faltered, her hand shaking. Discord, seeing the trouble Hermione was having immediately intervened, pushing Harry forward and causing the boggart to become confused. And then, to Discord’s dismay, it took the shape of a dementor. Rushing forward he pushed the two children aside and faced the boggart, which immediately turned from a dementor into nothing but an inky dark mist. 

“Oh, nice try,” Discord said with smirk. “Riddikulus!” he cast and the inky darkness was replaced by Fluttershy in full clown gear and makeup riding a unicycle.

Discord threw a banana peel onto the floor in front of boggart Fluttershy and in an instant the boggart went flying through the air and landed with a crash, into the chest that Discord slammed shut afterwards before locking it once more.

“Okay, well that was unexpected. I do hope you two are all right,” Discord said with just the most minuscule bead of sweat on his forehead. “It is unusual for even me to be caught unaware. I was not expecting one of my students’ biggest fears to be fear itself. Very sensible Master Potter, ten points to Gryffindor and a further five for your brilliant answer earlier on.” 

Discord held out his hand and helped Harry back to his feet before turning to Hermione who was likewise being helped to her feet by Scootaloo.

“Miss Granger, five points to Gryffindor for your knowledge earlier but you have a long way to go in overcoming your fear of failure. Keep practicing and I’ll let you have another crack at the boggart on Friday. For now, go take a seat and have a rest,” Discord stated before turning back to the remainder of the class. “Now, who else would like to tackle the boggart?”

Apple Bloom gave Sweetie a slight nudge in the back sending her flying forward as she whistled nonchalantly. 

“I saw that Miss Bloom. Why don’t you and Miss Belle come and tackle it together?”

Apple Bloom gulped and stepped forward alongside Sweetie Belle.

“Now, so that we don’t have any more unwanted surprises, what do you two believe you fear the most?”

“Death,” Apple Bloom admitted sombrely without a second thought.

“Oh, now that’s an interesting one. How do you think that fear could possibly be beneficial for you though?” Discord requested while stroking his beard.

“Well, I’m guessing it’s like Harry said earlier. The boggart will have trouble focusing on just what to portray,” Apple Bloom replied just as sombrely as before. 

“Precisely, this will give you just a slight edge and an extra second or two to cast Riddikulus! Use them wisely. And what about you Miss Belle?” Discord explained to Apple Bloom before turning his attention to Sweetie Belle.

Sweetie’s face had gone red and she was staring at the floor. “My sister,” she said so quietly even Discord struggled to hear her.

“A little louder so everyone can hear please,” Discord instructed.

“MY SISTER,” Sweetie roared before realising just how loud she had been and covering her mouth with her hands in embarrassment as the entire class burst into laughter. 

After a moment to compose himself, Discord replied. “Fair enough. Now, who wants to go first?” 

Getting her revenge, Sweetie nudged Apple Bloom forward. 

After giving one of her best friends a stern look over her shoulder, Apple Bloom sighed. “Lets just get this over with.”

The lock on the chest clicked open and fell to the floor with a thump. Slowly the boggart re-emerged and faced Apple Bloom. 

The girl froze in terror at what greeted her. 

“Apple Bloom, help,” boggart pony Applejack cried weekly lying on the floor. Her stomach had been completely ripped open and her insides were now on the outside of her body. She stared pleadingly into the young girl’s eyes. 

“No, no, no,” Apple Bloom stuttered trying to raise her wand but suddenly finding her body unwilling to cooperate. 

Sweetie was just about to step forward to help her friend but before she could someone else stepped out of the crowd wand raised. 

The boggart turned to the newcomer and immediately took on the form of Professor Snape.

“Riddikulus!” Neville cried and suddenly Snape was dressed like an old lady in a garish green dress with a fox-fur scarf and a hat with a hideous vulture atop it. To top the whole look off he had a giant red handbag.

This was too much for everyone, and, as the class erupted with laughter, the boggart suddenly exploded and burst into a thousand tiny whisps of smoke before disappearing completely. 

“Outstanding Master Longbottom. Ten more points to Gryffindor although now we no longer have a boggart to practice on. Might I ask, just what made you think of Professor Snape in such horrifying yet humorous attire?”

“W-well I was wondering who I was frightened of more, Professor Snape or my grandmother and the image of him wearing my grandmother’s clothes suddenly just popped into my mind,” Neville admitted sheepishly.

“I see. Well, you’ve earnt everyone the rest of the lesson to concentrate on their homework instead. If you work hard enough, you’ll have no homework this week other than practicing the Riddikkulus charm. The double sheet of questions can be collected from my desk and all the answers can be found in the chapter about Boggarts in your textbook,” Discord stated. “Hopefully I can find another boggart for our lesson on Friday.”




* 



 


“Seriously Hermione? Your biggest fear could have been anything and yet it’s failure. Wow, that’s seriously lame,” Scootaloo said somewhat mockingly as they departed Defence Against the Dark Arts. “And you couldn’t even stomach facing it, super lame.”

“Hey, I wasn’t the only one to fail!” Hermione snapped back.

“Yes, but Bloom had to deal with literally seeing her sister dying, while Harry’s fear is fear itself. You could have at least frozen by seeing something truly frightening, like your parents dying or I don’t know, the moon?” Scootaloo suggested.

“The moon?” Hermione quipped looking at her girlfriend sceptically. 

“Yeah, you know, being a werewolf and all. Ooh, now that would have been a cool thing to fear the most, yourself except in werewolf form!” Scootaloo stated excitedly.

“Like you then? Are you really afraid of me?” Hermione asked, the tone of the conversation suddenly taking a drastic and much more serious turn.

“N-no,” Scootaloo stuttered taken aback by her girlfriend’s question. “I-it’s not like that. M-my biggest fear is…” she paused for a moment staring forlornly at the floor before blurting out “…losing you to your werewolf side and not being able to do anything to help.” 

Hermione immediately stopped walking and grabbed hold of Scootaloo’s arm to stop her too. 

“Seriously?” she asked raising Scootaloo’s chin to see tears in her girlfriend’s eyes. 

Scootaloo nodded sombrely in reply. “You can remember everything you do as a werewolf but can’t do anything to stop yourself from committing the atrocities that your alter ego does. My biggest fear is that one day I won’t be able to be there for you and you’ll do something as a werewolf that you’ll regret for the rest of your life or worse, it will be me you rebel against and it’ll be all my fault for putting you in that position,” Scootaloo rambled barely making much sense towards the end of her tirade of emotions as the tears started to stream down her face. 

Hermione tenderly reached out with a hand and wiped away the tears, along with a dollop of green gloop, from her girlfriend’s cheek. “Thank you,” was all she said before she leaned in and planted a kiss upon Scootaloo’s lips.

For Scootaloo, the soft and tender kiss ended way too quickly, although this time it was because of outside interference.

“Oh no, you two can have lovey dovey time later,” Sweetie Belle said firmly as she pulled Scootaloo way from Hermione by her right ear. “Right now, Scootaloo has a date with mine and Apple Bloom’s hair. It’s going to take us all afternoon to get this goo out,” she finished with a scowl.

“Sweetie!” Scootaloo whined to deaf ears as she was dragged unceremoniously away from Hermione. “Hermione help me!

Hermione simply shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. “Sorry, you’ve brought this one on yourself,” she shouted down the corridor with a devilish smirk as she turned and raced to catch up with Harry, Neville and Ron.
> Apple Boom's 13th Birthday Part 1: Breakfast (OLD)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


*


Apple Bloom squealed with delight as she opened the package and stared at the book it contained.

Apple Bonsai Trees: A History and a Guide for Optimal Care by Elias Montague 

“I guess from your reaction you like it then?” Sweetie enquired sitting on the end of her own bed watching Apple Bloom’s reaction. 

Apple Bloom simply nodded her head in reply with a massive smile adorning her face.

“Well, that’s a relief because it’s going to have to count as both your birthday and Christmas present from myself and Snape the snake. I can’t actually fathom how such a book could cost so much,” Sweetie stated with a shake of her head. 

“It’s the only known book in existence that specifically focuses on apple bonsai trees but was written well over two hundred years ago, thus most copies have been lost to time and there weren’t that many to begin with. How in Equestria, sorry, force of habit, on Earth did you find one? I’ve been hunting for the past two months for a copy with no success. Wait? Is this why Snape said he didn’t want me in the Potions’ lab yesterday?” Apple Bloom explained and then asked still staring at the latest prized tome she would be adding to her collection as if it was all a dream. 

“Snape knows people apparently,” Sweetie replied as she jumped off her bed, went over to the full-length mirror adorning one wall and started combing her hair. As she finished combing and started to apply some black eyeliner, she explained to Apple Bloom a little more. “He pounced on me and Scoots as we left Professor Sprout’s on Sunday. Wanted to know if I had any idea what you might like for your birthday. I told him you were struggling with the care of your bonsai tree and after a specific book but that it was super rare and difficult to find. Yesterday he came and found me to tell me he’d found a seller but that it was a little pricey and asked if I’d be willing to go halves and make it a joint birthday/Christmas gift.”

Sweetie was suddenly put off from what she was doing by a pair of arms wrapping themselves around her and lifting her off the floor.

“Hey Bloom, watch it. You’ll make me smudge my makeup,” Sweetie exclaimed. 

“Don’t care,” Apple Bloom tittered in reply as she continued in her attempt to hug Sweetie to death, the other girl desperately attempting to pry her of with numerous misty black tentacles that extended from her horn.


*


Apple Bloom was so happy that she literally bounced down the hallway towards the Great Hall. Aside from the book, the rest of the girls in the dorm had all chipped in and persuaded Fluttershy to buy them a hamper of sweets and chocolates from Honeydukes for her. They’d also given her a great big badge that now adorned her robes and magically fluctuated between 13 Today! And Officially a Teenage Witch. To top it all off, it was Wednesday and she had double Herbology to start the day, her second favourite subject after Potions. And that was even before she considered just what Applejack and Rainbow Dash might have…

“Happy fucking birthday Apple Butt,” Wally suddenly cawed appearing through a wall in front of her.

Apple Bloom stared at the ghost parrot, who was somehow wearing a party hat, for a moment before turning around and glowering at a sniggering Scootaloo.

“What did I say about calling me that name?” The red-haired girl growled.

“Well, technically, I didn’t call you that name. Wally did,” Scootaloo replied smugly.

“Oh, well it’s okay then if this axe this knight is holding should accidentally come into my possession and chop your other leg off, as, technically, the axe did it and not me?” Apple Bloom deadpanned in reply. 

Scootaloo gulped. “Would expulsion be a better excuse not to harm me. Plus, there’s still my other birthday surprise to see first.” 

Apple Bloom continued to glower at Scootaloo as she pried the axe from the knight’s hand. “Fine but after that first surprise, I’m taking this just in case.”

Scootaloo gulped nervously once more.


*


It was as the group of first- and second- year Hufflepuff girls neared the entrance to the Great Hall that they noticed the large throng of students that were hanging around the second-years' noticeboard. They quickly parted to allow Apple Bloom and her friends through when they saw the huge metal axe she was wielding.

As they got nearer to the noticeboard Apple Bloom started to become aware of Scootaloo getting a little jittery and immediately realised this must have something to do with that second surprise of hers. As she turned her focus back to the noticeboard her eyes straightaway located the A4 piece of parchment that hadn’t been there the day prior:


THE WEASLEY TWINS PROUDLY PRESENT:



APPLE BOOM’S 



13th BIRTHDAY FIREWORKS 



TONIGHT (NOVEMBER 4th)



19:00



THE TRAINING FIELDS



TEACHER APPROVED



ALL WELCOME!


 

“SURPRISE!” Scootaloo exclaimed with a nervous chuckle. “The twins may have asked if they could have a loan to invest in making their own fireworks and, coincidentally, they’ve just had their first experimental batch come in.”

Apple Bloom’s left hand slapped her forehead before she turned and gave Scootaloo a reproachful look. “Scoots, you are aware of our track record with fireworks, right?”

“Twelve destroyed buildings, eleven hundred times I said “This is a bad idea”, ten lectures from family, nine Celestia 3000’s, eight moons to fully grow our coats back, seven second degree burns, six manes on fire, five third degree burns, four moons of being grounded, three hospital visits, two very angry sisters and a forest fire. That’s just off the top of my head,” Sweetie interjected next to Apple Bloom before remembering something else. “Oh, and that’s before I even start on the whole hair-brained scheme to use rockets to help you fly Scoots. Remind me how long you were in surgery to get that…”

“I think they’ve heard enough,” Scootaloo interrupted placing a hand across Sweetie Belle’s mouth as she blushed with embarrassment. “This time will be different because we’ve got adult supervision and won’t be going anywhere near the fireworks, just watching from a respectably safe distance with a mug of hot cocoa whilst writing out Happy Birthday Apple Bloom with sparklers. I bet you both twenty galleons absolutely nothing will go wrong,” Scootaloo said confidently.

“That’s the spirit,” Fred, or was it George, said appearing out of the throng of students. “You have our 100% guarantee nothing will go wrong.”

“But, just in case it does, we have to legally remind you that we are not legally liable for any damages our fireworks might cause,” the other twin stated.

Apple Bloom’s head met her palm once more. “I’m going to breakfast and enjoying the castle while there still is one to enjoy.”

And with that she turned and, with the axe still hanging over her shoulder, marched into the Great Hall where her worries about the impending birthday fireworks display were almost immediately put to the back of her mind as she saw the selection of apple-based delicacies laid out on the Hufflepuff breakfast table. 

“Delivery from your sister,” Discord’s voice cooed in Apple Bloom’s ear making her jump and turn around. “Woah, watch where you’re swinging that thing. Should I even ask why you’re carrying an axe? Please tell me my daughter wasn’t crazy enough to get you that for your birthday. I barely managed to get the fireworks display approved with the other teachers.”

“Nah, this was from one of the knights out in the hallway. Scootaloo got Wally to wish me happy birthday…”

“Well, that doesn’t sound at all bad,” Discord interrupted a tad confused before Apple Bloom could finish.

“Apple Butt,” Apple Bloom growled through clenched teeth. 

“Ah, that explains it then. Please tell me you haven’t beheaded her. I was hoping to withhold that trick from her until she is a little older and more mature. She gets in enough trouble right now without having her headless body wandering around scaring her classmates.”

“No, wait, she can do that? Excuse me a moment.” Apple Bloom made to push past Discord only for him to firmly stand his ground.

“You behead my daughter and not only will I send you back to your dorm for the entire day, you’ll also not get the letter your sister sent you or the present Mrs. Dash asked me to purchase for you.”

Apple Bloom pouted and glowered at Discord for a moment before backing down. “Fine,” she huffed. “But don’t you think it would be hilarious to see her reaction?”

Discord stalled for just a split-second mulling the idea over in his head until a stern voice spoke from right behind him.

“Dizzy, unless you want to spend the entirety of December in the doghouse as well, you’ll confiscate that axe this minute. It may be her birthday but that does not mean she can get away with decapitating one of her best friends for a prank.”

Discord gulped and shuddered. “Yes dear. Of course, dear. Hand it over Miss Apple. And be grateful that it is your birthday otherwise I would be deducting points from your house for carrying such a dangerous weapon on school grounds.”

“Yes sir,” Apple Bloom grumbled handing the axe over to Discord with her head down looking glumly at the floor.

After snapping his fingers and sending the axe back to where it came from Discord then attempted to cheer Apple Bloom up. “Now, don’t feel down. It is your birthday after all and you’ve a wonderful breakfast to enjoy with your friends along with a letter, birthday card and birthday present to open,” Discord explained lifting the girl’s head up whilst holding out the letter and the gift in his other hand. 

This immediately brought a smile back to Apple Bloom’s face as she took hold of the two items and it only got wider when Fluttershy came out of hiding from behind Discord and handed her a card to go with the letter and the present. 

“From the rest of the girls and me,” she said with a smile before grimacing and placing a hand on her enlarged stomach region. 

“Thanks Fluttershy, but are you all right?” Apple Bloom replied giving the draconequus, Pegasus, human hybrid a concerned glance.

“Yes, I’ve just started to feel the babies kicking these past few days; that's all,” Fluttershy admitted bashfully.

“Really! May I feel?” Apple Bloom responded with clear excitement. 

“Of course, just be gentle please,” Fluttershy instructed taking hold of the teenager’s hand and placing it on her enlarged belly. 

After a moment Fluttershy grimaced once more and Apple Bloom’s eyes lit up. 

“Wow, that’s incredible,” Apple Bloom gushed with awe at the feeling. “Do you mind if I ask if you know what sex they are going to be yet?”

“Twin boys,” Fluttershy replied as Scootaloo and Sweetie appeared in the massive doorway of the Great Hall along with the rest of her dormmates. 

“Hey Bloom, there you are. You kind of just ditched us back there. What you doing?” Scootaloo asked appearing next to Fluttershy.

“Fluttershy’s babies have started kicking. It’s a really incredible feeling,” Apple Bloom admitted removing her hand from Fluttershy’s belly.

“You should see the magical ultrasound pictures they got on Sunday. They were unreal. Thanks for letting me attend again, although don’t ask me to babysit when they are born unless you want your house literally turned upside down,” Scootaloo replied.

“No problem at all Scoti, you are part of our family after all. Why wouldn’t we let you attend? And I understand. Babies are a handful and just thinking about what two Draconequui babies will be like sends a shiver even down my spine.” Fluttershy paused as said cold shiver ran down her spine. “Anyway, that’s still a few months away. Right now, if you will excuse me, my bizarre food cravings have been going through the roof since I became a draconequus and I’ve a severe need for bacon, eggs and gummy bears covered in wasabi flavoured ice cream and hundreds and thousands this morning. And I do hope you like the card; Applejack designed it especially for you,” Fluttershy went on before she sauntered past Apple Bloom on her way to the teachers’ table while humming a jaunty tune. 

As she departed Discord bent down and whispered to the Crusaders, “I do apologise if her behaviour seemed a little off and forced. What with the boys often being restless during the night, her bizarre cravings and her fluctuating emotional state, she’s barely been able to get any sleep this past week. She’s even sent me to the moon, twice!”

“Oh Dizzy,” Fluttershy’s voice cooed a little way away. “I told you I am absolutely fine and not in the least bit cranky but if you continue to worry about me…”

“Oh shi…” Discord began to say before the sudden snap of two fingers echoed throughout the hall. 

“Now, does anyone else wants a one-way trip to the bottom of the lake with cement blocks for shoes?” Fluttershy cackled like a lunatic before suddenly realising what she had done and snapping her fingers once more.

A very sodden Discord still with cement shoes reappeared in front of her. He also had a fish gasping for water on the top of his head. 

“I’m so, so, sorry,” Fluttershy wailed throwing her arms around Discord. “My mind's just such a mess right now. I don’t even know what I’m doing half the time!” 

“There, there dear. Don’t you worry about it, its totally understandable with what you are going through right now,” Discord consoled wrapping his arms tightly around his fiancé after dropping the fish into a jug of water.

“Hey Bloom, remind me to steer clear of Fluttershy for a while,” Scootaloo whispered in Apple Bloom’s ear.

“Pfft, you’ll be fine. If you can survive being beheaded, I’m sure you can survive anything pregnant Fluttershy’s scrambled mind might come up with,” Apple Bloom deadpanned in reply. “Now, I’m going to tuck into my breakfast before you lot attempt to devour my apple fritters.” 

As Apple Bloom skipped over to the Hufflepuff table, Scootaloo simply stared at her friend in total shock.

“Did she just say you can survive being beheaded?” Susan suddenly asked from behind Scootaloo. 

“Yes, I think she did,” Scootaloo mumbled in reply.

“Can I…” Susan began only for a scythe of inky darkness to suddenly slice through the air and more importantly, Scootaloo’s neck.

The girls all screamed aside Sweetie who just shrugged her shoulders.

“What, I wanted to see if it was true or not,” she argued as Scootaloo’s head rolled onto the floor.

“I-i-is s-s-she…” Megan began trying to force the words out.

“Ouch Sweetie, that hurt,” Scootaloo’s head lamented from where it had rolled onto the floor.

The girls all screamed once more aside Sweetie who commented, “See I knew she would be fine. Well, I was 90% sure.”

Slowly she wandered over and picked Scootaloo’s head up off the floor and placed it back upon the other girl’s neck. 

“See, better than before,” Sweetie said trying to hold back a giggle.

“You put it on backwards!” Scootaloo lambasted her friend as she raised her arms and attempted to put her head back in its rightful position. 

“As I stated, better than before,” Sweetie giggled alongside the rest of her dormmates.

“Thanks,” Scootaloo responded rolling her eyes as she bent her neck one way and then the other to make sure she had managed to correctly realign her head and that it wasn’t going to fall off again anytime soon, unless Sweetie had other ideas. “Now, before Apple Bloom eats everything, Fluttershy sends me for a swim or one of you decides to behead me again, I’m going to grab me a bowl of cereal with bacon and sausages topped with apple sauce.”

Susan’s face started to turn somewhat green. “Please tell me you don’t mean all together?” 

“Of course,” Scootaloo called over her shoulder as she headed toward Apple Bloom who was already devouring the plate of apple fritters that Applejack had sent her. 

The sudden squeal the red-haired girl let out in between scoffing apple fritters as Scootaloo sat down totally caught her by surprise and she nearly fell out of her seat as she did so. 

“Hey Bloom, what gives?” Scootaloo enquired rubbing her ears causing a few metal cogs to fall out of each along with a quill. “Huh, I wondered where I’d put that?” Scootaloo muttered to herself as Apple Bloom, mouth once again full of apple fritter, simply shoved the letter into Scootaloo’s face.

Dearest sister,

  THIRTEEN YEARS. Just where has the time gone? I hope this letter reaches you in time and you get the chance to enjoy your birthday fritters. I am very sorry that I won’t be able to make your birthday this year due to a combination of an exceedingly good harvest and my current condition (I do hope you enjoy the attached scans!). I’m also deeply sorry that I can’t give you anything else on your birthday, although I’m sure that sly wench Rainbow Dash is up to something, but I do have a few things to say about your nephew. Yes, you got that right, it’s a boy, and, strangely enough, a Pegasus. Just to top it all off as well, Discord isn’t the father, Dash is. I’ve no idea what that Draconequus did but somehow me and Dash have both fathered each other’s foals and not him as originally thought. So that means you are now going to be an auntie to two foals, not one! Dash by the way is expecting an earth pony filly. Our first scans, that are attached, have shown no issues and that both foals are healthy and developing well. Me and Dash are also doing well, although she can be a bit cranky at times from me refusing to let her drink any hard cider during the pregnancy and I’ve also had a few strange cravings including a nasty one for strawberries of all things. Finally, we know this is early, but we’ve already been discussing godparents and decided to let the ‘father’ determine the godparents for each foal. Dash was laughing heartily when she chose Discord as my foal’s godfather but she soon went quiet when I decided to choose Fluttershy’s brother Zephyr Breeze as her foal’s godfather. She brought that one on herself. Anyway, and more importantly, Dash wants you to be my foal’s godmother and I’ve chosen Scootaloo to be hers. I hope that is okay for the both of you? Please reply to say you accept the offer and also ask Scootaloo as well if she accepts my offer as well. Have an epic 13th birthday and I hope you like the card, 


Applejack Dash-Apple



 


“Oh, that’s priceless. Looks like you won’t be getting out of babysitting duties after all Godmother Scootaloo,” Sweetie cackled reading the letter over Scootaloo’s shoulder. 

Scootaloo groaned and let her head slam into the table. The unmistakeable smell of an apple fritter crossing her path immediately saw her lift her head back up. 

“Last three. One for each of you. Only right I share them with my three best friends in the entire world,” Apple Bloom said with huge smile across her face whilst examining the baby scans in her other hand. 

Scootaloo immediately grabbed hold of the Apple family delicacy and wolfed it down in seconds. Sweetie, eating hers more daintily while holding it in a tentacle, sat down on Apple Bloom’s other side and asked, “Three best friends? What do you mean three…”

“A-A-Apple Bloom, h-happy birthday,” Neville interrupted approaching the three girls from behind.

“Ah, say no more,” Sweetie said as she finished of the apple fritter and moved on to the rest of her breakfast whilst observing the nervous boy hand Apple Bloom a well wrapped small box and a card.

“I w-wasn’t too sure what you might like so I asked my grandmother for help. She sent me this,” Neville admitted sheepishly as Apple Bloom placed the baby scans down for the time being and carefully unwrapped the box.

As soon as Apple Bloom had unwrapped her latest gift it became evidently clear to her that it was a jewellery box of some sort. A short note was attached.

Thank you for being the shining light in my grandson’s life and for bringing a smile back onto this old crone’s lips. Enjoy the gift and have a wonderful birthday, Augusta.

Intrigued, Apple Bloom carefully lifted the lid of the box. She gawped at what greeted her inside - a beautiful silver bracelet with three diamonds shaped like apples embedded on one side. 

Neville was equally stunned. The bracelet must have cost his gran a small fortune.

“Wow Bloom, you must have really impressed Neville’s gran over the summer,” Sweetie commented in between sips from a glass of orange juice.

Cautiously lifting the bracelet out of the box Apple Bloom proceeded to try it on her left wrist. Although initially seeming too big for her wrist, the bracelet swiftly adapted to fit it perfectly. 

“Woah, a re-sizing charm. As we found out with the mascot costume, those aren’t easy to cast and certainly not cheap. Sod impressing Neville’s gran, I think she already wants you to marry him,” Sweetie chortled. 

That was too much for Neville and he would have fainted if not for Apple Bloom holding him up and offering him the last of her birthday fritters.

“Easy there Casanova, Sweetie’s just messing with you,” Apple Bloom said whilst sending a stern glare in Sweetie’s direction. 

“No, I wasn’t. Hey Scoots, ten galleons that before Apple Bloom turns eighteen Neville’s grandmother forces them to marry shotgun wedding style,” Sweetie cackled ignoring Apple Bloom’s glare and instead focusing her attention on Scootaloo behind Apple Bloom. 

Scootaloo coughed midway through her cereal before muttering under breath, “I’m no longer hungry,” before she swiftly rose from her seat and departed. 

“Well, that was weird. Wait, you don’t think… oh my god she has. You two are going to get…”

BAM

“Ow, my dose,” Sweetie squeaked as blood streamed down her face.

“Ow, my fist,” Apple Bloom retorted shaking said fist. “You were warned, don’t deny you weren’t and besides, you should know my motto by now, act first think later. Now, where were we? Ah yes.” She turned her attention back to Neville as Hannah, sat on Sweetie’s other side, attempted to stem the flow of blood that was streaming out of Sweetie’s nose.

Neville meanwhile was white as a sheet, nervously nibbling away at the apple fritter like a mouse as Apple Bloom pulled him in close and kissed him on the cheek. This at least had the desired effect she had hoped for and returned some colour to his face.

“Just ignore those idiots. Who knows where our relationship will take us? This bracelet really is too much though and I don’t think I’ll ever be taking it off. It’s gorgeous,” Apple Bloom gushed. “I’ll have to write a thank you note out for your grandma…”

“Neville and Apple Bloom sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S…” Sweetie squeaked, nose stuffed full of napkins.

Hannah’s head slammed into her palm. “You didn’t.” 

Apple Bloom didn’t say a word. She simply stood Neville up and rose from her seat. Planting another kiss on her boyfriend’s cheek she said in a sickly-sweet voice, “Neville, be a dear and look after my other present and card if you would please, I have some trash to take out.” 

Neville gulped. “O-of course.” 

“Oh really?” Sweetie replied smugly as Wallace started to growl from underneath the table

Apple Bloom barked and Wallace’s growls turned to whimpers as he laid back down, tail between his legs.

Sweetie’s cockiness faltered for a moment but she refused to back down. “Neville and Apple Bloom sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G! First comes love, then comes…”

“Detention for bullying,” Snape’s voice boomed from behind Sweetie causing her face to drop like a stone. “Thank you, Miss Belle, for once more agreeing to assist my apprentice in her work after classes are finished for today.”

“What!” Sweetie squeaked indignantly while turning around to face the Potions professor. “But she punched me and broke my dose!”

“Miss Apple, is this true?” Snape droned with an accusatory glare at his apprentice.

“Yes sir,” Apple Bloom said honestly staring at the floor. “But she did tease…” 

“No buts. I believe this requires serious action…” Snape went on.

Apple Bloom gulped fearing the worst.

Sweetie turned around and gave Apple Bloom a smug grin.

“Ten points to Hufflepuff for attempting to improve Miss Belle’s appearance, just as she attempted to mine,” Snape stated with a wicked grin of his own, the rainbow mohawk still gracing the top of his head.

Apple Bloom’s jaw dropped and then she burst out laughing as Sweetie turned and stared dumbfounded at the Potions professor.

“What?” Squeaky Belle whined. “But that’s not fair!”

Snape ignored her. “Now, onto more pressing matters. Did Miss Belle manage to hand over the present we…”

He got no further as Apple Bloom leapt of her chair and ran over to give him a hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. It’s just what I needed to help me with Pear,” she gushed again lifting the startled Snape off the floor as she did so and causing everyone in the hall’s attention to turn towards the two of them.

As Apple Bloom slowly lowered him to the ground and released him, Snape brushed down his robes and, to everyone in the hall’s astonishment, actually smiled as he said, “I’m glad you like it and I do hope it helps in your Herbology studies. Despite wanting to stay and talk some more, I need to prepare the Potions lab for my first lesson. I’ll see you this afternoon. I do believe someone wanted to learn more about the lupine potion?” And with that Professor Snape turned and began to make his way towards the doors to the hall.

A wide smile had appeared across Apple Bloom’s face once more. That was until Snape turned and spoke in his usual stern tone one final time to the two remaining Cutie Mark Crusaders at the table.

“Miss Belle, because I’m in such a good mood this morning, I’ll overlook your misdemeanour this time and revoke your punishment, just please try to treat your friends with a little more respect and courtesy in future. That goes for the both of you. I’d hate to have to restrict your lab privileges in the future Apple Butt.”   

The smile immediately evaporated from Apple Bloom’s lips and she gulped. “Y-yes s-sir,” she stuttered with a few rapid nods of her head.

Sweetie was to in shock from Snape letting her off her punishment to even snigger at him using the nickname that Apple Bloom detested. “Did he just?”

“Yep, lucky bitch,” Susan replied across the table. “That’s probably the first time anyone’s ever had a punishment revoked by Snape. They’ll probably have to include it in the next edition of Hogwarts: A History. Professor Severus Snape set the record for longest amount of time of any professor to show even an inch of compassion, eleven years, two months and four days.” 

This immediately sparked a chorus of laughter from the entire collaboration of first- and second-year Hufflepuff students. Even Neville managed a giggle. All except Apple Bloom who had sat down and tucked into a bowl of Apple O’s cereal as she finally got around to opening the card Fluttershy had given her. Her roller coaster of emotions continued as she saw the picture on the front of the card, the latest Apple family reunion that she had sadly been forced to miss. As tears slowly formed in her eyes, she opened the card to find not only a ten-galleon gift voucher for Flourish and Blotts (that AJ had clearly stated was Twilight’s idea) but many heart-warming birthday messages from her family and friends. As the tears slowly began to fall from her eyes, she found a strong pair of arms wrapping themselves around her as Neville, unsure what to say, attempted to silently comfort his girlfriend’s homesickness while an awkward silence hung in the air for what felt like an eternity. 

Finally, it was Hannah who spoke. “Hey Bloom. We all know you suffer badly from homesickness and, well, I just want to say on behalf of all of us, we’re all here for you if you ever need to talk about it and we’re all really happy you chose to study at Hogwarts.”

This was greeted with a round of nods around the table as the rest of her friends all agreed to Hannah’s statement.

“Thanks Hannah. Sorry, I shouldn’t be crying on my birthday; the card just took me by surprise is all,” Apple Bloom replied wiping the tears from her face.

“Don’t be. As I said, we all understand. If you really want to do us all a favour, I think we are all dying to know just what is in that last present of yours.” 

The smile that had adorned Apple Bloom’s face for most the morning slowly grew upon her face once more as her attention turned to the square yellow box with a light blue bow that sat in front of her.