Emerald is but a shade of green, and represents but a shade of friendship.

Chapter Two: Emerald

The Hall was now deathly quiet, staring at the little girl who claimed to be of Merlin blood. According to legend, the line had died away, never to carry on. How was this girl a Merlin?

“Only children proving to be of magical descent can appear on this list, Miss Merlin. Are you sure you have magic within you?” Minerva spoke a bit rashly, knowing the question to be stupid but wanting answers anyway. There was no way this girl was a witch, or she would have shown up on the list.

Savannah looked around at the many faces watching her with interest and fear, curiosity and distaste. She looked to the teacher’s table, where many brilliant minds sat and then bit her lip. She had only just gotten her wand, and was dismal with it.

“I’m quite sure. Watch closely.” Savannah felt the streak of recklessness rise up within her, making her backup a few steps and hold her hands out in front of her, palms facing the ceiling. Suddenly fire erupts straight up from the skin, spreading out above the tables and forming shapes. Students and teachers alike screamed.

“Don’t be afraid!” Savannah yells, watching the fire as she guides it to its proper shapes. A lion prancing around, batting playfully at a powerful eagle. A snake twining around a badger, rolling over and over in fun. They dashed about the Hall, high above the heads of the witches and wizards, before flying, leaping, and slithering up into the clouds of the enchanted ceiling and going out with a hiss.

Headmistress McGonagall had kept her gaze on the girl, noting the slight sheen of sweat that had appeared on her face, her eyes never once leaving the flames, her concentration unfailing. Her hands trembled but relaxed as the fire disappeared.

“Was that fiendfyre, Miss Merlin?” There was no question. No child was so powerful to have wandless magic as that without some ancient power in her veins.

“No, headmistress. That was a spell created by my father. It’s called chwaretân. It means ‘playful fire’ in Welsh.” Savannah explains to her headmistress. Minerva shares a piercing glance with her long time colleagues, Pomona and Filius, and turns to look firmly at the small girl before her.

“I’m sorry, Miss Merlin, but you cannot be enrolled into Hogwarts.” Gasps of shock and indignation fill the Hall, but Savannah only nodded.

“I expected as much. Yet I have magic, I should be allowed to come here to learn. I want to learn! I remember distinctly that it is a rule of Hogwarts that if there should be one student willing to learn, Hogwarts will not close her halls to that student. Why am I any different?” Her voice had taken on a desperate edge. Minerva stares regretfully at the girl, but she could not take the chance. She put her hand on the tiny shoulder, noticing its acute frailness, and began leading her from the hall.

“We shall write your parents and they can collect you in the morning.” Savannah allows herself be guided away. As they reach the doors, a scraping sound was heard and the pair turn to see the newly sorted first years walking towards them, anger and determination etched into their faces.

“What do you think you are doing?” Headmistress McGonagall demands. They pause and look at Savannah pointedly before looking at McGonagall. Peregrine speaks up first.

“She’s the one who got us here. She helped us with the boats, saving the few who fell in. She kept us together in the forest and never let any of us fall behind. She saved us and brought us to Hogwarts. But we won’t stay here if she can’t. We stick together. No one gets left behind.” An answering cheer rises from the first years. Headmistress McGonagall was speechless. Savannah steps forward, gratitude shining on her face as she looks at her friends.

“You guys will stay.” She stops their protests. “You’re not leaving me behind. I’m just going in a different direction. This is your home, this is your school. You will stay.” Peregrine bows her head and goes back to her seat, the others following shortly. None look happy. Savannah looks back to Minerva.

“Shall we?” Minerva nods slowly, greatly impressed with her selflessness. The doors close behind the two. A tumultuous amount of conversation breaks out as food appears on the tables, the professors debating heatedly amongst themselves.

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Author’s Note: So what do you guys think? Do you like it? Love it? Hate it? I hope to update every Wednesday, but that is subject to delays. Love you all and stay magical, my darlings!