Book 1: The First Year (ROTBTD Hogwarts AU) (PREQUEL)

7. Rapunzel's POV: Early September (Part 1)

Rapunzel gazed up at the sky. By then the sun had almost set. Its dying rays painted the clouds in shades of dusky pink and deep indigo, the colors soft and melting, creating a tapestry the likes of which surely only belonged in dreams.

To not only see an unobstructed view of it, but to fly in it...to be surrounded by such awe-inspiring beauty...Rapunzel closed her eyes and envisioned it again, what it had been like on the journey there.

Next to her stood Mother, one arm wrapped around her shoulder, the other held up to see the time.

"...The train will be coming any minute now," she finally said. "I should be going."

"Mother, I will see you again soon, right?" Rapunzel turned to hug her. Her arms were so small they barely fit around her mother's waist.

Mother stroked her head adoringly. "We will see each other again before you even get a chance to miss me. Make sure you listen to your teachers."

"I will. I promise I'll be good."

"I know you will. I love you very much, Rapunzel."

Tears welled in Rapunzel's eyes at the familiar words. "I love you more."

"I love you most." Mother kissed her head. Then she spoke over her head, addressing the professor who stood nearby. "You will be seeing my daughter safely to the castle, yes?"

The witch nodded. "I will be escorting all of the first years to the castle."

"Good." Mother gently pried Rapunzel off of her. She gave her one more kiss, then nudged her in the direction of the other adult. "Go on, flower. Go wait with her."

Rapunzel did as told. Her mother settled side-saddle on her broom. It rose elegantly into the air, up, up, until she hovered far above the platform and out of reach. She waved to Rapunzel. The sight was enough to make her lip tremble.

But she didn't look away. She watched her mother fly further and further, until she become no more than a speck in the sky. And then she was gone. Rapunzel sniffed and rubbed at her eyes.

"Cheer up, little one. Aren't you excited? You'll get to meet new friends soon."

Rapunzel jumped. She'd almost forgotten about her new guide. Had her sniffling been that loud? Had it been upsetting? She peeked over her shoulder to check.

The woman smiled down at her. In the lantern light, her skin gleamed the deepest shade of brown, and her robes swallowed the light entirely. She was tall and thin as a storybook scarecrow. From where Rapunzel stood, her witch's hat looked tall enough to scrape the stars from the sky. In her smile was the faint shine of a golden tooth.

What an extraordinary person! This was no mere village healer or soothsayer, this was a witch whom people wrote stories about. Surely she wouldn't have possessed that glint in her eye or that twinkle in her smile had she not done and experienced extraordinary things. What a thought, that Rapunzel would meet such a fascinating person her first night out in the world.

Was the castle full of other such interesting people? What kind of stories would they have? How many would she meet? Would any of them like her? What could she learn from them? So many possibilities, so many outcomes, they all stretched out before her, infinite and tantalizing.

Rapunzel couldn't take the suspense anymore. She had to know. "...Are you...are you an adventurer?" she asked, rocking onto her toes, hands clutched to her chest.