(This is my first post on Tumblr. I’ve been a silent reader for a long time and recently came across the #exolvo thing. I fell in love with the whole Elsa and Anna being in Hogwarts concept and couldn’t stop myself from writing)
Constructive criticism is appreciated.
THANK YOU
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“Elsa, wait !”
Elsa runs faster than she ever has, heels clicking against the floor in loud clanks but the sound gets eclipsed by the hammering of her heart. A cold sweat breaks out on her brow and her brain feels like it’s developing running cramp all over it. Her gloveless hand is clutched against her chest in a desperate attempt to stop her powers from breaking free.
Fear overrides any other emotions and it becomes impossible to try to exercise any control over her powers, frost spring out of her feet leaving an icy trail in her wake, as her weak legs take her to an unknown destination.
She doesn’t know where she is running to, or for how long, but when she does stop, she’s in the classroom at top of the astronomy tower. Elsa shuts the door behind her and clicks the lock into place as softly as she can.
The classroom is empty, barely lit by the few green torches burning. Finally alone, Elsa slides against the door and collapses onto the ground, pulling the collar of her robe over her hair, shaking and clutching her head.
She has failed yet again and now everyone knows she’s a monster. Including Anna. The deathly spikes she left behind were proof enough. She has seen the uncertainty flash across everyone’s eyes. The fear.
She has avoided Anna for eight years, neglected the pain in her sister’s eyes every time she ignored her, has trained herself to not feel, numb the longing she felt for Anna. And for what ? For her to mess up and lose control anyway.
“ Elsa talk to me….please. ”
“ Anna leave me alone ! ”
“ Yes ! That’s all you ever say to me. All you know is how to shut people out ! ”
“ Anna, enough. ”
“No! Why do you shut me out !? Why do you shut the world out !? What did I ever do to you !? ”
“I said…..ENOUGH !”
That’s all it has taken, a small slip of control, a small argument, and she has almost impaled her sister. Her sweet, loving sister, who has only ever wanted to spend time with her, whose heart is too big to give up on Elsa even after being splintered by her absent older sister time and again. But now Anna will realise why she can’t be around Elsa, specially after seeing how dangerous Elsa is.
Elsa’s heart breaks at the realisation.
But no. Monsters don’t have hearts.
Elsa shakily rises on her legs, her body trembles at the effort. She’s tired. Oh so very tired. Tired of pretending, tired of hiding this huge secret that has brought her to her knees with it’s weight, tired of ruining Anna’s life over and over again.
She strides towards the balcony, and comes to a halt just before the glass door. Elsa lets out a shuddering breath as her eyes focus on her faint reflection on the glass, the night sky outside filling up the black spaces like an overlapping painting.
Elsa has never hated herself more before.
Such a fake. A monster hidden behind a pretty face . Her blond hair tied into an impeccable bun as if it’d hide the mess she actually is. Someone who has caused only pain and suffering. Cursed. Someone who’s void of any feelings. Numb and Cold. Someone who can’t remember when she has truly been happy. Perfectly pitiful.
Frost covers the glass. Wind howls and roars and answers to Elsa’s grief with a terrifying vigour. Her normally cold skin feels icy as she folds her trembling arms around her stomach as the urge to throw up overcomes her. Her vision wavers like a television with poor signal. All the dark and green and blue makes her brain hurt and eyes scream in agony.
She lets out a feral scream and smashes the glass with her fist. It shatters and small pieces of it embeds into Elsa’s hands. Blood flows freely from a particularly large gash but she ignores it.
It hurts. It hurts so much.
Good.
Monsters deserve to be hurt.
Elsa continues to spiral into a mindless string of self loath. It feels like she is sucked into an unforgiving twister, going tighter and tighter as time passes. The air becomes harsh to breath and the wind’s holler impossible to bear for her ear. In her head, she hears her parents screaming at her, watches as ice shoots from her hands and hits Anna, exactly like that night seven years ago. It has been at the young age of eight that it has occurred to Elsa what consequences of having powers can be and the first time she has ever become afraid of herself. Now, the fear has grown into hatred towards her powers and herself.
Elsa begins to hastily untie her bun, blood from her hand sweeping into her hair. She is sweating all over and breathing heavily. Her blond hair falls over her shoulder in a messy French braid. Tear streaks run down her chin. She tries to rub them but a piece of glass stuck in her hand jabs her cheek. She doesn’t care.
She looks down and sees hundreds of her reflection on the shattered glasses staring back at her.
Her white hair is matted with beads of red on them, the dark circles under her eyes standing in sharp contrast against her pale skin. Blood covering the left side of her face from her bleeding cheek. Her eyes red and wide. It hit Elsa how easily she could be mistaken for a monster in this state. Or perhaps, seen for what she truly is.
She picks a rather big piece of glass with two fingers. It fells so balanced and lethal and…..right in her hand.
One slash. One slip and one mistake. The glass will go though that one point on her wrist and then she won’t have to fake anything ever again. She won’t have to pretend.
She will be free.
Anna will be free.
Just one slash. Just one. Jus-
Someone tries to open the door, finds it locked and knocks.
Elsa lets out a gasp and slowly back away, letting out a little cry as she steps on the shattered glass.
They try the door again upon hearing the voice. “Elsa, is that you ?”. It’s a female’s voice. Not Anna’s.
Elsa tries to slide the glasses out of her hands, but the blood has dried and now they are stuck, feeling heavy and brittle but still so right. She flicks her fingers and the bigger pieces fly across the room hitting the floor with a shatter. Elsa hears people leaping into action behind the door as they knock harder, begging for entrance. “Elsa ?”
She hears the muttering of a spell, and sees as the door slowly slides open. Panicking Elsa chokes, “No! Don’t enter please “
The door opens nonetheless. Harry and Hermione stands just outside the room staring intently at the scene before them. The blood on the floor, on her hands, in her hair…
Elsa can’t look at them. She is standing on a mess of broken glass, shaking and bloody. Her robe fluttering in the icy storm.
Harry and Hermione enter and from the corner of her eyes, Elsa can see they are breathing heavily and sweating. They have probably been searching for her.
Why bother ?
They are better off without her anyway.
Hermione covers her lower face with her hands, both from horror and to protect herself from the cold, staring through her fingertips as blood continues dripping onto Elsa’s robe.
Harry lets out a breath, “Elsa, What…why ?”
Elsa wants to laugh. Why indeed ? She doesn’t know, it might be because she’s finally lost it, or maybe because it is hurting so much and she can’t take it anymore, or maybe because the repressing of emotions has ultimately driven her mad.
She just wants it to end.
Elsa looks at them with such hollowness in her eyes that Harry’s breath hitches. She is white, her eyes unfocused, and she looks past them without any emotion in her expression as if nothing is grasping her vision.
Hermione softens her voice as best as she can, “Arendelle, it’s okay. We can talk. We understand”
Elsa sees red, “Understand ?” She snarls, the wind picks up in speed and strength, “No, you understand nothing. None of you do. You don’t know what it’s like to carry a secret so huge it tears you down. You’ve no idea what it feels to be different, to question every minute of the day ‘why me ?’”
Harry wants to deny her claim then and there. Cause, he knows. He knows what it’s like to be different, to question why him ? But, the Elsa standing before them is not the smart and stoic witch who kept her emotions locked in a box with no keys. No, this Elsa is beyond reasoning, not emotionless but so filled with emotions that it’s threatening to shatter her like the broken glass laid so menacingly on the ground.
“We don’t” Harry lies, “But, we can help. Let us help you please. Tell us what’s wrong ?”
Everything, Elsa thinks. All the spite she displayed only minutes ago vaporises, leaving behind someone who looks utterly tired and defeated. The howling wind comes to a jarring halt as snowflakes remain floating in the air. “……I only want to stop hurting”, she whispers.
“What hurts ? Your hand ? We can-”
“I hurt my sister” Elsa’s voice carries like a soft breeze around the room. She glares so intently at her hands as if they are the reason for every problem in her life.
Perhaps, they are.
“Elsa, she’ll understand” Harry says softly even though he has no idea if it’s true. But, Anna is the kindest person he’s met so she will understand, right ?
“No. She won’t. She shouldn’t. I just keep on hurting her. Anna will be so much happier without me”
Silence. So much silence and the silence of no one knowing anything and no one knowing what to do. The silence of pity and ‘you’re pathetic’ and ‘Anna deserves a better older sister’.
“Don’t !” Harry’s voice brings Elsa back to the present. She suddenly finds herself out in the roof under the night sky, realising just now that she has involuntarily walked backwards from them and is just few steps away from the edge.
Just few steps.
Elsa turns away.
She has tried so hard, so very hard to conceal her powers, her emotions. Neglected her sister even if it broke both their hearts. Stayed away from human contact even if her mind craved for it. Remained standing with an emotionless facade, when all she ever wanted was to join Anna in a family hug. So many sacrifices. So many sleepless nights. So much pain.
No more.
Just few steps and she can end it all.
Her legs move in their own accord and she vaguely hears Harry and Hermione yelling for her to stop. But, she’s so beyond caring. She needs to do this. End this nightmare she’s living. The nightmare she’s forced on Anna. It is a small price to pay. The last sacrifice. Elsa has failed in everything in her life but she won’t fail in her death. She will set Anna free.
“Just….take care of my sister”
With a last plea to look after her sister, Elsa jumps and vaguely feels something hit her….and then she’s falling, robe fluttering, and wind whistling past her ears. Soon the world goes into darkness and everything fades into ringing.
Just an old edit of something I wrote yeaaaaars ago. I think I’m gonna start writing again. I love this for me!
***
An ocean of people, old and young alike flooded King’s Cross Station as the doors from each of the wagons flew open, releasing a herd of excited students. Laughter and warmth filled the air, creating a cheerful atmosphere that matched the ornaments adorning the already festive surroundings. Relatives greeted the incoming students with hugs galore, friends and classmates gave each other high fives and early presents, and the sound of bags and luggage being hauled away scratched through snow-covered pavement. It was a glorious scene that added to the anticipation of having hot cocoa during cold nights of doing nothing but spending time with family and friends.
It was finally Christmas break and Molly had been looking forward to this for months. Gathering her children in her arms, she gave each of them forehead kisses, her hugs dispelling the bite of winter’s air.
“My goodness! How I’ve missed you!” she exclaimed, relief washing over as she mentally noted their appearances — still in tact and in one piece. “But where’s Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Anna?” It only took a few seconds for Molly to realize that her children didn’t get out of the train in their usual complete set. Harry, Hermione, and Anna were hers, too. Her children. Where were they?
Fred rolled his eyes. “Aww, mum. We’re not good enough for you?” He teased, feigning insult before dramatically clutching his chest. “George, Ginny, and I are the only ones you need!”
“I’m serious, Fred. Where are your other siblings?” Molly glared before standing on her tippy toes in an attempt to scan the crowd for the missing children. Before she could ask another question, Ginny gently grabbed her by the shoulders. “Mum, they’re fine,” she smiled, rubbing her hands up and down her mother’s arms. “They’re a bit delayed because Anna stayed a little longer to make her rounds of literally giving the entire Gryffindor house presents. Hagrid’s coming over to drop them off at our place later.” Molly studied her daughter’s face to catch any sign of lying but saw none. Dropping her doubts, she shook her head and chuckled before placing a hand on Ginny’s cold cheek.
“Oh, Anna. That one has always been so kind and generous.” The doting mother grinned fondly at the thought of her other daughter, the “youngest” of her three girls. Hermione being the eldest, Ginny following after, and then Anna. Molly treated her children’s friends as her own. She did not care how small her house was, and how low finances can be; she made sure that each and every one of them received presents while having a home to stay in during the holidays and whenever they wanted to.
Even though she was grateful for her ever growing family, Molly had another wayward child that she longed for to come home. Filtering out the noises surrounding her, she cast her gaze on Elsa Arendelle, a lone figure standing by the corner of the platform. “Gin, would you happen to know where Elsa’s heading for the holidays?”
Ginny glanced at her mother, following her probing stare. “Mum, who cares? She’s probably going to Norway and lock herself in her room. That’s all she does in school anyway,” she sneered, not even bothering to care whether Elsa could hear her or not.
George squinted his eyes and straightened his fingers over them like a visor. “I think Miss Arendelle will be spending Christmas by herself, mother,” he concluded pensively, frowning at Elsa’s direction. “I do believe Hermione extended your invitation to her,” he added when he heard his mum sigh, “but of course… it was declined.”
Ginny and George exchanged looks, elbowing Fred to say something to somehow make light of the silence that blanketed them. Once he saw an opportunity, he seized Ginny and George’s arms towards a Hufflepuff infested area on the opposite side of the platform. Quickly blabbering about the Hamada boys and something about fried chicken, Fred had succeeded in whisking his siblings away from their mother and her inquiries about a pariah that half the school seemed to despise.
Whoever it was that Elsa was waiting for hadn’t arrived yet. Molly once again observed Elsa as she wrapped herself around her torso, scrutinizing her shoes or whatever dirt that was on the floor. My dear, what is going on with you?
It would’ve been easier to just walk away. She had her own kids and not-really kids to care for and nurture. Why add another one in the mix when she could barely fit them all in her tiny home? No one would fault her if she turned around. No one would notice.
But right then and there, she was reminded of a Ravenclaw that bore the same eyes as those of the Slytherin girl standing just a few feet away from her. The resemblance was uncanny. It was as if she was standing in front of the same Ravenclaw that befriended her, defended her, and came to her aid countless times without asking for anything in return all those years ago.
Iduna. How could she abandon Iduna’s eldest child?
Molly brushed away a stubborn tear with the back of her hand. Without realizing what her body was doing, her feet moved as if they had a life of their own, heading towards the emptiest corner of the platform where the ghost of her deceased best friend stood idle and alone.
“Hello, dear,” Molly said in an almost whisper, careful not to startle the blonde girl. Elsa’s head snapped back up, her mouth dropping by the slightest bit, eyebrows slowly rising up underneath her fringes. She looked so much like Iduna, and my god, those freckles reminded Molly of a younger and sun-kissed Agnar during his Quidditch days.
Elsa didn’t say anything, but that was okay. She didn’t have to. Molly’s smile widened as she extended a hand out to her. “I haven’t seen you in a very long time, Elsa. My name is Molly Weasley. I’m your godmother.”
I swear, Frozen/Harry Potter crossover, aka Exolvo, is the most delicious crossover i have ever had. I eat dat shit up. I first came across Exolvo verse in March 2020, and i come back to it just now and it's still as *chef's kiss* as ever.
I just read an Exolvo bit. I was wondering if it was on ao3 or something? Is there a full fic? Also I keep imagining post-car and Hermione comes back after restoring her parents memories. She goes to Elsa and says she gets it now - protecting the people she loves even if they hate her for it and are hurt by it. And Elsa just gives her hug because she wishes Hermione never had to understand that. Anyway, this au you made hurt me. It was mean, and I'm REALLY hoping there a full fic of it 🤧🤧🤧
Thanks for drop kicking that lovely and explosive headcanon into my living room without any prior warning. Seems we’re even now for trading pain for pain.
While there isn’t any ‘full fic’ of Exolvo, @arendellesfirstwinter did conveniently create a pretty great masterlist of content which can be found here
I just read some of your drabbles in exolvo and THEY ARE SO GOODDDDDDD. Now i'll start with the serpent and the lion AND re-read the drabbles. Thank you for such amazing fics.
Aww wow thanks hun that’s so sweet of you! I’m so happy you like my stuff and I hope you enjoy S&L :)
AN: This is a sequel to a fic I wrote a few years back, called “The Patronus”. I started this fic after rewatching Order of the Pheonix back around Christmas and I finally got enough motivation to finish it. In my first fic, it’s revealed that Elsa’s able to cast a cobra Patronus after she and Anna are attacked by stray Dementors, and Anna then asks Elsa to teach her the spell. I’ve decided to follow up on that request.
“Ok, so there’s something I have to show you, but just like before…you can’t tell anyone.”
“And…like I said, I swear I won’t.”
Anna had led Elsa down an empty corridor in the school, making numerous turns around corners and constantly checking behind her as if someone was hot on their trail. When Elsa was certain that her sister had somehow managed to get them both lost deep in the depths of the castle, they stopped in front of what seemed like an ordinary wall.
But then the wall shifted. A massive crack formed right down the middle, and the halves parted like great, stone doors. Elsa shot a glance at Anna in alarm, and all Anna responded with was a wide grin.
As they entered the strange room beyond the doors, Anna finally explained, “It’s the Room of Requirement. It—”
“Only appears if it’s needed,” Elsa finished, still in awe of the great chamber they stood in. Large, massive stone arches lined the central nave, but the pillars did not touch the ground, seemingly holding the ceiling up with a great, unseen magic rather than stone. The walls were lined with ancient, decaying mirrors reflecting the room a thousand times.
“You know about this place?” Anna asked in surprise.
“I’ve read about it,” Elsa told her, “I took some time to read up about the school during some of my free time.”
Anna laughed softly. “That sounds about right,” she commented lightly, “I’m surprised you and Hermione don’t hang out more.”
Elsa rolled her eyes at her sister’s teasing. “And how do you know about this place?” she wondered.
Anna drew a deep breath. “This is…where we’ve been learning,” she said carefully, “But I’m serious, y…you really can’t tell anyone about this.”
Elsa met her sister’s worried gaze, and with the most sincere earnestly, replied, “You have my word, Anna. I won’t tell a soul.”
Anna smiled again, and said excitedly, “Ok, well… Let’s get started then!”
Elsa nodded, but panic was starting to set in. She had never really taught before, and although this was just her sister, it almost felt like she had even more pressure to do it right. “Ok, so let’s start with the basics,” she said, “Let’s see your wand movement.”
Anna got her wand out and flicked her wand in the way Harry had taught her a couple times. After a moment Elsa nodded again, and said, “Good. You’ve got that part down. Why don’t you try actually casting it?”
Anna bit her lip slightly in concentration, focusing everything on performing the spell. After mentally preparing herself, she flicked her wand and stated, “Expecto Patronum!”
Nothing, not even the smallest bit of light, escaped her wand.
“See?” she said in dismay, “This is what I was talking about! I’ve got nothing.”
“It’s fine, Anna,” Elsa told her comfortingly, “It’s not exactly an easy spell. Remember: you need to have some kind of positive, light-filled memory or thought. Something that just…fills your whole being with joy.”
“I thought I had that, but…” Anna said with a sigh. After a slight pause, she turned to her sister and asked softly, “What do you think about?”
Elsa gulped nervously, feeling her face flush a little in her embarrassment. “I…” she stammered slightly, suddenly feeling very self-conscious, “I…think about you.”
Anna took a moment to process that information, blinking a few times in shock. “Y…you think…about me?” she questioned, “But… Why?”
Elsa sighed heavily. Unable to fully make eye contact, she revealed, “You are the only light in my life, Anna. You are…fire, life, warmth. You have always brought me so much happiness, and even in the last few years, just watching you grow and doing things that made you happy, it…” She trailed off, then. Anna caught her wipe something from her eyes. Elsa then turned to meet her sister’s gaze, and stated softly, “You are my sun. In a life that is nothing but dreary storm clouds. I couldn’t think of anything else more perfect for that spell.”
Anna merely stood there, her mouth slightly agape, stupefied by what her sister just told her. Subconsciously, she shook her head, because there was no way she meant that much to her sister…right? Elsa… She had to have had a better life that what she was describing.
“Elsa, I…” Anna couldn’t think of what to say. She had never thought she would ever mean that much to her sister. Elsa had always been so cold, so distant, and sure Anna now knew why but… It was still so much to get her head around. Learning about Elsa's sacrifice had left her feeling a million emotions at once. She was angry, saddened, confused. Knowing why still didn’t excuse all the hurt and pain she felt over those years when it seemed like Elsa wanted nothing to do with her. But at the same time, she was now able to imagine what it must have been like for Elsa. And Anna found that she was unable to think about that for long.
The longer she processed it, the longer this strange, warm feeling was starting to brew in her chest. She was Elsa’s sun. Elsa cared for her so much that she regarded her as the sun.
“I’m…I’m gonna try again,” she stated confidently, believing with her whole heart that now she had something that would make the spell work. She thought about what Elsa had just told her, about how good it felt to be Elsa’s sun. And when she was ready, she flicked her wand and cried, “Expecto Patronum!”
A bit of light burst forth, but it fizzled out quickly, and came no where near to producing anything effective.
Anna felt her heart sink in disappointment. But determination and stubbornness quickly took hold. So she tried again. And again. And again. Each time, only thin little whisps of light that didn’t even illuminate the room appeared.
“Anna, hold on for a second!” Elsa said over her sisters many and increasingly desperate attempts to produce the charm.
“No, I can do this!” Anna argued, “I…I have to do this!”
“This spell is hard, Anna. You don’t have to get it right today,” Elsa told her.
“Yes, I do! I do because I owe it to you!” Anna finally stopped after blurting that out, and she quickly slapped a hand over her mouth.
Elsa met her panicked gaze, and while she seemed confused, she still said softly, “You don’t owe me anything, Anna, especially this spell. We can get it some other time.”
Anna sighed, deflating as she did, and admitted, “No, it’s just… Y…you think so highly of me yet I can’t perform the one spell that’s based entirely on someone’s happiness. You…you think I’m the freaking sun but… I’m just as depressing as a rain cloud. I don’t even have a happy memory that’ll make this stupid spell work.”
When she looked up, she could see it in Elsa’s eyes: guilt. Elsa bowed her head in shame, and said quietly, “I’m…I’m sorry, Anna.”
“It’s…it’s not your fault,” Anna told her.
“It is, though. Partially, at least,” Elsa sighed, “I took so much away from you.”
“And that took so much away from you, too,” Anna reminded her, “It just…sucks. What happened to us. And with everything that’s happening now, too…”
She trailed off, then, as she noticed the air around them had turned cold. Small, delicate snowflakes were forming in the air, and frost on the floor at her sister’s feet. Elsa had her eyes screwed shut, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, and she was muttering something about maintaining control under her breath. Anna looked at the snow, then around the large, empty room they had all to themselves. Just like the great room in their old house…
“You shouldn’t hold it back like that,” she said softly.
Elsa shook her head. “It’s too dangerous right now. I…I can feel it.”
“But holding it in only hurts you,” Anna protested, “What if… What if we take a break from teaching me and we work on you?”
“Me?”
“Just…just let it go. This room is meant for magic practice, after all.”
Elsa looked around the room with uncertainty. “But…what about you?” she asked slowly.
Anna proudly displayed her wand, and said, “Harry says my shield charm is top notch.” Elsa still seemed unsure, so she added, “Elsa: we’re not kids anymore. Ok, we’re still technically kids but not little kids who don’t know what we’re doing. You’re probably one of the best witches in this school and I’ve been learning a few tricks myself. You can control your magic. I know you can. And I can be careful.”
“I…I don’t know, Anna…”
“You’re helping me learn. Let me help you.”
Slowly, ever so slowly, Elsa looked down at her hands. She spent a long time just staring at them, weighing out the pros and cons of doing this kind of practice. Her magic stirred restlessly under her skin, urging her to take up her sister’s offer. But her fear was just as desperately demanding she didn’t. After an extended pause, she drew a deep breath, and said shakily, “If I tell you to run, run, ok? If things slip out of my control I don’t want you trying to help by putting yourself in danger. I’ve lost control on my own before - I can handle it. What I can’t handle is you getting hurt again.”
Anna solemnly shook her head. “You have my word,” she said simply.
Elsa took another shaky breath. “Ok,” she said, glancing around the room as if searching for a good place to start, “Ok…”
After another moment of Elsa hesitating, just looking around the room in confusion and indecision, Anna asked, “Are you…gonna do anything? Or are you thinking?”
Elsa frowned. It was the expression she made whenever she was overthinking something, when her concentration was laser-focused on her current task at hand. “I…I don’t know where to start,” she admitted quietly after another minute of thought, “I…I’ve never really… It’s been so long since…”
Anna felt her heart sink as she watched Elsa stare down at her hands with a lost and confused frown on her face. She supposed it was like learning how to use a spell that was way above one’s level. Something so complicated and intricate and immense that there was no easy approach, no clear way of getting started on learning it. Only it wasn’t, really, because there was no one around who could teach Elsa anything about using her magic. It was hers, and hers alone, one with her heart and soul and body and mind in a way most magic isn’t and the only one who’d know anything about it had forced herself to forget as much as she could about it in the hopes it would leave her body.
“Well,” Anna began slowly. She wished with all her might that she could be a better help, but her memories of Elsa’s magic were faded, gone in some places. “You said we used to play with your magic before…the accident,” she said, “What if…you start there? How’d we normally start to play?”
Elsa swallowed hard. “Well, I’d start by making it snow,” she said carefully.
“Ok! Then let’s start there!” Anna said with encouragement, “Snow indoors, huh? How’d you do it?”
Elsa held her hands out, unable to hide how much they were trembling. “L…like this,” she said as she turned her hands over each other. A ball of shimmering magic began to manifest between them, growing brighter and spilling loose snowflakes onto the ground as it expanded in size. Anna found herself unable to look away. It was magic she had never seen before, so much more captivating and amazing than anything produced from a wand. She grew up in a world with mythical creatures, magic, and wonder but just that one orb of winter magic was otherworldly to her. But then, just when she thought it couldn’t get better, Elsa flung both arms up, throwing the orb high up toward the ceiling. There, it exploded like a massive firework, sending intricate snowflakes flying through the air. As each one landed, little piles of snow appeared, and very quickly the room was a winter wonderland.
“Amazing,” she breathed as she watched the falling snow.
Elsa observed her sister taking in her magic with as much awe as a schoolgirl and found herself suddenly pulled back to their childhood. Back when magic was magic and not some dangerous force capable of stealing away everyone she ever loved. Back when they knew no hardships and could easily find more joy in the world than trials. Back when they were free to just be themselves, no reputations or personal limits to uphold.
For the first time in years Elsa felt like a kid again. For the first time in years, she felt a real, genuine smile growing on her face.
“You think that’s good? Watch this,” she said excitedly. Without hesitation, she stomped her foot into the ground, forcing magic to spill out over the floor. As it spiralled out from around her, ice coated the stone tiles until the whole room was one large skating rink.
Anna found herself sliding around on the slippery surface without even having to move, but before she could do anything else, with another flick of Elsa’s wrist, icy magic circled around her feet, forming skates under her shoes. “Whoa, ok, that…that was really cool, Elsa,” she said nervously, “But I don’t really…”
One look down and she saw Elsa had made her own skates as well. Suddenly, without warning and most certainly without any flinching, uncertainty, or doubt, Elsa took Anna’s hands in hers. “Come on!” she cried happily, “I can teach you!”
Anna wasn’t entirely sure where this new Elsa came from but she was too overjoyed to question it, instead allowing herself to be pulled along across the ice, laughing the whole way.
What followed could only be described as fun, just pure, unadulterated fun. As they skated, Anna lost her balance and ended up in a snow pile. Before Elsa could help her up, Anna managed to nail her with a snowball, and skating turned into a massive snowball fight. After they had tired themselves out, they collapsed together in the snow, giggling and grinning in a way neither of them had in ages. Anna started to make a snow angel first, then Elsa followed her lead.
They got up to admire their work, and before Elsa knew it, Anna rushed forward and threw her arms around her. Laughter turned to something more as it started to sink in for both of them. They hadn’t done anything like this - as sisters - in years. Neither thought they’d ever do this again. Yet here, in the room that only appears when it’s needed, they proved themselves wrong. And as they embraced each other, tears of joy flowing and smiles that felt so foreign on their faces, both silently made a vow to never forget this moment.
“Thank you, Elsa,” Anna uttered, hugging her sister just a little tighter as she spoke, “It was truly magical.”
“I should be thanking you,” Elsa replied with a nervous laugh, “You reminded me how much fun my magic could be…” But then she stiffened, and pulled away slowly. She glanced around the room, a frown overtaking her smile, and in a lost little voice completely void of all the confidence she just had moments ago, she admitted, “But… I don’t know how to thaw it.”
Anna could see worry and panic slowly creeping up into Elsa’s expression. The longer she looked around at all the ice and snow covering the room, the more her hands started to tremble as she fidgeted them in front of her. Her breathing grew harder, more frantic, and, counterproductively, snow flurries she wasn’t in command of began to form around her.
Anna rushed forward and without thinking took Elsa’s hands in hers. They were ice cold, and somehow getting colder, but she didn’t let go even despite Elsa’s horrified expression staring down at her action. “Hey, look at me,” Anna said firmly, waiting until she had Elsa’s full attention. When Elsa finally pulled her eyes up to meet her sister’s, Anna told her with the utmost sincerity, “I know you can do it.”
“I…” Elsa stammered. Something about her eyes was wrong. They weren’t focused, instead lost in a sight only she could see. Anna had a sinking feeling her memories from the accident in their childhood had come back to haunt her. “I…I can’t…”
“Then you don’t have to,” Anna told her, never letting go despite the biting cold, “It doesn’t have to be today, Elsa. You did amazing, what you’ve already done. So what if you can’t thaw stuff yet? That’s what the fire-making charm is for.”
Somehow, through all her panic, that joke managed to reach Elsa and she choked out a small laugh. But her smile faded away quickly. “I should…I should know how,” she said in defeat, “I used to know…”
At this, Anna frowned. “You used to know?” she asked, “What did you do before to make things thaw? Can you remember?”
Elsa shook her head quickly. “I…I don’t… I could just make the snow go away,” she replied hesitantly, “We would finish playing, and before we’d sneak back to our beds, I’d just…make it go away.”
“Did you have to think about anything in particular? What if it’s like the Patronus charm?” Anna pushed gently, “Ice seems to form on its own when you’re scared or angry, so what if it thaws by thinking happy thoughts?”
Elsa looked around the room again. “I…I don’t think it works like that, Anna…”
“Just try, for me?” Anna gave her sister’s hands a little squeeze in comfort, then released them. “If it doesn’t work, then I’ll break out the fire charm I just learned. But I really think you can do it if you do the same thing you do with your Patronus charm.”
Elsa had both hands clasped together, but slowly she let go and extended both arms out on either side. She closed both eyes tight, her face contorted slightly in her intense concentration. She thought of Anna, just as she did for her Patronus. She thought about all the joy her sister brought her, how she was always exuding light and life when Elsa’s world seemed so miserable.
It didn’t seem to be working. She could feel, very faintly, her magic that resided in the ice and snow around them, but it was like it was ignoring her. She opened one eye slightly to steal a glance at Anna, only to see her sister watching her with so much hope and encouragement in her expression. Anna’s faith in her was unyielding, stronger than it ever had been before, and Elsa felt something stir. She felt her heart warm, soaring with emotion as she realized why she always turned to thoughts of her sister when she needed it. It could be summed up in one little statement that she wished she said more often, that she will try to say more often:
“I love you, Anna.”
Suddenly it was like someone had just flicked a light switch. In an instant, she could feel every particle, every snowflake of her magic in the room. Every ounce of it was listening, now, waiting for her instruction. She hadn’t felt this in years, but it was familiar. It was truly what power felt like. It was like how she channelled magic through her wand. It was control. And with that control, she could give a command:
Thaw.
The snow and ice started to break apart, turning into glowing snowflakes rising up toward the ceiling. The higher they got, the more the light faded, until there was nothing left. No snow. No ice. It wasn’t even cold.
Before Elsa could even open her eyes or lower her arms, Anna had rushed forward to smother her in a tight hug. And for once, Elsa didn’t flinch. Instead she wrapped her arms around her sister and hugged just as hard. Anna choked out a half laugh, half sob of joy. “I knew you could do it,” she breathed, “I knew you could.”
“I…I couldn’t have done it without you,” Elsa replied, “I really couldn’t have. I can’t thank you enough.”
Anna pulled back so she could look her sister tearfully in the eyes. “I’m so proud of you, Elsa,” she said softly.
Elsa’s grin only grew, but before she could respond, a loud noise startled them apart. They both turned to look toward the source, and realized that the entrance to the room was opening up. Before either of them could do anything about hiding, the rest of Dumbledore’s Army entered the room, Harry and the gang in the lead.
Everyone stopped the moment they spotted Elsa.
“What is she doing here?” Ginny demanded as she moved around Harry.
“Look, guys,” Anna said, taking a defensive stand in front of her sister, “It’s fine. She won’t tell anyone.”
“But she’s a Slytherin,” Ron retaliated.
“But she’s a good Slytherin,” Anna insisted, “Besides, she’s been helping me. And she might be able to help you, Harry.”
Harry didn’t seem to be one way or the other, his face relatively neutral in expression. But he was intrigued by that. “What do you mean?” he asked, speaking to Anna but eyes focusing on the shy Slytherin taking shelter behind her sister.
“Well,” Anna began, deflating slightly when she realized just how many people were glaring at the two of them. She felt Elsa take her hand in hers, and with a quick look back, she felt her confidence return. “She knows how to cast a Patronus. A really powerful one at that. She’s been teaching me.”
“Really?” Ginny scoffed incredulously, “She can cast a Patronus?” There were quite a few murmurs from the crowd, all expressing similar disbelief.
“Alright, alright,” Hermione commanded over everyone. Once she had quiet, she continued, “The Patronus charm is extremely difficult. You’re telling us that she can cast it?” While she seemed a little more convinced than the rest of the crowd, one could tell by her tone that even Hermione was skeptical.
“I believe it,” Harry stated simple, gaining shocked looks from everyone.
“What?” Ron hissed, “How can you think that someone like her can-”
“You mean someone who repeatedly rivals Hermione in grades and has an incredible way with a wand?” Harry cut in, “Yeah, it’s pretty easy.” He then turned to Elsa, and added, “But maybe you should prove it.”
Elsa felt her heart stop for a moment, and she was suddenly hyper-aware of all the judging, doubting eyes boring into her. She found herself nearly petrified in fear, but then Anna squeezed her hand. When their eyes met, Anna whispered, “You got this.” She then let go and backed up a little, to give her sister some space.
Elsa gulped nervously, but still shakily took out her wand. She could hear Ginny and the others scoffing and making comments.
‘Breathe,’ she told herself, ‘Think of Anna. Do this for her.’
Elsa shot her sister a brief glance, and then with a flick of her wand, said, “Expecto Patronum!”
Light burst forth from her wand, twisted and twirling around through the air before it formed a neat little coil on the floor at her feet. The coil moved, before revealing itself to be a small cobra, calming rearing back to get a better look at the group of students.
“Whoa,” Ron gasped despite himself, “She can produce a Patronus! …And it’s a snake.”
“A little one at that,” Ginny said with an unimpressed sigh.
“This is nothing,” Anna said excitedly, “Elsa. Can you make it bigger? Like you did before?”
Elsa looked to her sister with mild alarm. She then looked at her Patronus. The cobra looked back at her and blinked.
“That’s…impossible,” Hermione began, “I’ve never heard of someone being able to change the shape of their Patronus…”
“Well, you’re about to see it!” Anna proclaimed, “Go on, Elsa!”
“Alright, I…I can try,” Elsa stammered. She thought about Anna again, allowing herself to feel that same protective energy she felt the day she and her sister were attacked by Dementors. She felt her magic inside shift, whipping up like the wind in a winter storm. But that energy only worked with her, went into the charm, and as she waved her wand the little cobra quickly surged forward, spiralling around her and producing more and more light. The light trails spread out even further, circling around herself and Anna, until the Patronus reformed as a massive snake, towering over everyone in the room.
Everyone jumped back in alarm. Some even drew their wands for protection. The only one who wasn’t afraid was Harry, who was merely grinning from ear to ear. “You’re full of surprises, Arendelle,” he said with a small laugh, “I’d love to see a Dementor go up against that.”
“Oh, it’s really fun to watch,” Anna piped up, “You know, if Dementors weren’t also terrifying.”
Elsa felt a smile growing on her face. With another wave of her wand, the giant cobra dissolved into light trails again, which dissipated as they spun around her until they reformed back into the small little cobra from earlier. With one final flick of its tongue, it disappeared completely.
“And that’s why I asked her to teach me,” Anna stated triumphantly.
Most of the other students nodded in agreement. Ginny still seemed skeptical. Hermione appeared to be struggling to hide her shock, but despite herself gave Elsa a respectful nod. Ron muttered grumpily, “It was still a snake…”
“What it is doesn’t matter,” Harry said simply, “What matters is that she can do it. And bloody amazingly, at that.” Turning to Elsa, he added, “I’d be more than happy to have your help, if you’re willing to help, that is.”
“That means no telling anyone,” Ron interjected, “Especially anyone from your House.”
“Especially Malfoy,” Ginny added with a grimace.
Elsa cast a glance at Anna. With a smile, she assured them, “I would be more than happy to outright lie to Malfoy’s face about this.”
“Then it’s settled,” Harry declared, before turning to the rest of the Army behind him, “Let’s get started.”
Within only a few minutes, the Room was positively alive with spells as students practiced what they’ve learned. Today it was the Patronus charm, and Harry had gotten right to work in teaching everyone the proper method. As he circled the room giving instruction, Elsa was assisting individuals who were having trouble.
Anna at first merely watched her older sister giving Colin Creevey some pointers. Seeing Elsa now, so confident and warm with the other students, so comfortable in her own skin, filled Anna’s heart with pride. For the first time, Anna truly felt like she had her sister back, finally free from the fear and cold Elsa had been dwelling in for years.
Anna glanced down at her wand. She remembered all that had transpired that day, all the things she and Elsa did that only reaffirmed just how much better things were between them. She remembered Elsa’s joy. She remembered her own joy. She was Elsa’s sun, and Elsa was hers.
With that, Anna took her wand and, now with more confidence than she ever had before, said proudly: “Expecto Patronum!”
From where Elsa was, her focus was initially on Colin. The younger boy was just starting to produce streaks of light from his wand, and it was starting to take form as Elsa encouraged him. But then his - and every other student’s - concentration was broken by a single, mighty roar.
All heads turned to the source of the sound, and Elsa couldn’t hold the smile on her face when she spotted Anna standing there, partially in pride and partially in shock, staring at a large, silvery lioness still attached to her wand by a few remaining tendrils of light.
“Why am I not surprised?” Ginny commented humorously.
Elsa wasted no time to rush up to Anna and envelope her in a tight hug.
“Elsa,” Anna gasped, pointing to the lion in astonishment, “I did it!”
Elsa laughed and hugged her sister harder. “I can see that,” she said, “I’m so proud of you, Anna. I knew you could do it.”
“I have you to thank,” Anna told her, wiping away a few tears in her eyes, “I really couldn’t have done it without you.”
Elsa pulled back to cast her sister a warm smile. Anna returned the expression. Anna’s Patronus then approached them to seemingly rubbing its body against Anna’s legs, purring loudly, causing the pair to break into joyous laughter.
From across the room, Harry, Ron, and Hermione watched their reaction. Harry merely grinned, feeling his heart warm upon seeing the sisters reconnecting. Ron, meanwhile, was frowning in deep thought. “Hang on,” he muttered, “So if her Patronus is a lion, and her Patronus is a snake, and she’s in Gryffindor and she’s in Slytherin, then…”
“I’m sure it’s just a coincidence, Ron,” Hermione interrupted with a sigh.
Harry chuckled to himself. Then, in the lull, he heard something that wiped the smile off his face. It was a low thud coming from one of the mirrored walls.
Thud.
That time it was louder. More students turned to look at the wall in concern.
THUD.
Dust sprinkled down from the ceiling, and one of the ancient mirrors on the wall cracked.
Suddenly, with a little puff of stone dust and glass, a small hole appeared in the wall. Harry only had time to briefly make eye contact with the vindicated person on the other side, before there was a bright flash and the whole wall exploded.
As the dust settled, everyone in the Room groaned in dismay. There on the other side was Filch, Malfoy, and his cronies, all looking very pleased with themselves. But none were quite as smug as the woman in the fluffy, pink blazer.
“Well, now,” Umbridge crooned with a fake smile so sweet it could give one a toothache, “What do we have here?”
Could you maybe humour me and maybe update your Exolvo fics because I miss your updates and I miss Elsa and Anna’s Hogwarts adventures? Maybe? 👉👈 (I love you)
“What are you doing here?”
Harry could honestly ask himself the same. It should be a simple question that should be so easy to answer; a no-brainer that doesn’t need much explanation or unnecessary analyzation. But the thing is, it’s much more complicated than what it seems because it involves an Arendelle - and anything involving an Arendelle demands more than a simple answer. So Harry thinks twice. Thrice. He opens his mouth and closes it again when vapor starts to come out. He shivers a little. It’s in the middle of summer. He doesn’t say anything.
“I’m… I’m sorry it’s so cold in here. I’ve seen them, they’re everywhere. They—”
Could it really be the dementors lurking around campus that’s causing this change in weather? Is that what Elsa really thinks as she hesitates and trips on her words? Why is she apologizing? This is Hogwarts after all, and anything bizarre, unimaginable, or illogical can make sense in such a place fueled with magic and mystery. Harry knows that all too well. He is also aware of the existence of magical people with special powers, too. Could it be… ?
Dementors. He desperately wants to agree with her, but deep down, he knows better than that just as he knows it’s better to keep some secrets buried and hidden. Hidden and unacknowledged like that lonely boy under the stairs back in Privet Drive. So he goes along with it. It’s the least that he could do for all those times Elsa passed him by the hallways without snickering. Without staring at his scar. Without a word of insult. Without a word at all. Those brief moments when they met each others’ gazes during classes, there was grace in Elsa’s eyes that others would mistake for coldness and arrogance. There was empathy and deep sadness in them that Harry couldn’t quite understand.
There is sadness in them now amidst the wariness.
So Harry chooses grace. The last thing he wants is to have Elsa walk out on him. Not here. Not now. Not when Anna’s laying unconscious in one of Madame Pomfrey’s beds.
He takes a careful step forward, trying hard not to shudder, trying hard to block out the acerbic whispers spilling from the paintings on the walls.
Dark Magic. Cursed. Monster.
“Elsa,” he starts, making his voice gentle and non-threatening as possible. “Your sister needs you. Please… please go and see her.”
