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Chapter Text

She was running late to class. Her best friend, Caroline, ran behind her. The girls giggled as they went.

“Emmy! Wait up!” she called.

A giggle escaped her lips as she turned to look at her friend. Caroline’s dark braids flowed behind her. The rest happened in slow motion.

Caroline extended her hand for Emmy to take for them to run to class hand in hand, as friends should. Her fingers grazed Emmy’s and then- destruction.

An explosion extended from the wall beside Caroline, knocking her to the ground. Her body was crushed under the rubble from the wall that had exploded. Her hand was still perfectly extended for Emmy to take.

Emmy’s eyes were wide as she stared down at the corpse of her friend. She cupped her hands over her mouth as broken cry fell from her lips. From the hole in the wall emerged a man in a cloke dark as night with a silver mask that struck Emmy with fear. He extended a wand at her, ready to strike.

“EXPELLIARMUS!”

Brown curls bounced in front of Emmy and shielded her from the attacker. Emmy could hear the sound of wood clattering to the ground. He was disarmed.

“Stupefy!”

Her mother said and in a flash the man was down on the ground. She turned to her daughter.

“We have got to get you out of here.” She said, her hands gripping her shoulders. “What’s going on?” “There’s no time, Emerald, we have got to get you out of here now.”

She took her daughter’s hand and ran down the hall of the school. “Where are we going?” Emerald asked. “My office.” Her mother snapped, holding her wand aloft to defend from anymore attackers.

Her mother was the school’s head master, which normally Emerald would have complained about. Having her mom watch her every moment that she was at wizarding school wasn’t quite what a teenager desired. But now, it seemed like a saving grace. 

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“Put these on.” Her mother shoved a pair of shoes in her hands. Emerald looked down at the silver and red sparkling heels.

“You can’t be serious.” She deadpanned as she looked back up at her mom.

“The shoes from grandad’s stories?” “They aren’t just stories.” Her mother insisted.

“Emerald Ozma Thropp put them on.” She snapped. “Okay okay fine!” She said as she slipped off her shoes and stepped into the jeweled heels.

“Wait… if grandad’s stories aren’t just stories… does that mean that you-” “We don’t have time for this.” Her mother said.

“What you need to know, Emerald, is that you are and extraordinary girl from an even more extraordinary family.” “Are you the real Dorothy Gale?” She sighed.

“Yes.” “And you really went to Oz?” “yes, pay attention.” “Oh my god.” “They’re here for you.” Emerald’s face fell.

“What?” “These people are dark wizards. They want to use you for your power.” “what do you mean, power? I can’t even pass potions class.”

“Emerald that doesn’t matter!” Dorothy snapped. She sighed. “Your father and I… we have history with magic. I, as you know, went to Oz, learned magic, I defeated wicked witches, and came back home to Kansas to live as a nobody.”

“But what about dad?” Emerald asked. Dorothy hesitated. “What about dad?” She asked again, emphasizing it more this time.

“Your dad… Liir is… Liir is-” A banging at the door pulled Dorothy from explaining who her husband was.

“He is a powerful wizard.” She said quickly. “That’s all I can tell you for now. You have to go.” she said as she looked down at the shoes now on Emerald’s feet. “You’re kidding.” “Emerald Thropp-” “Alright fine!” She said.

“How do I use them?” “Think of somewhere.” “Where?” “Anywhere far from here.” Dorothy told her. “Click the heals three times and say ‘there’s no place like-’ and fill in the blank with where you want to go.”

The door was blown off it’s hinges and three cloaked wizards stood in the door way.

“EMERALD GO NOW!” Dorothy screamed. Emerald clicked her heals together three times.

“Theres no place like safety” she whispered simply. She felt a breeze wish past her and when she opened her eyes she was in an office, not her mother’s office, facing a man who looked incredibly like a thin Santa Claus.

“Hello Emerald.” He stood and noticed the shoes on her feet. “I’ve been expecting you.” 

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“Who in the hell are you?”

“I’m sure you have many questions right now.” the man said as he stepped closer to her.

“Where am I?” “You are at Hogwarts, school of witchcraft and wizardry.” He told her simply. “And I am Albus Dumbledore, a close friend of your mother's.”

“Funny she never mentioned you.” “I asked her not to.” He said. “If the death eaters had heard you mention my name during your escape they would have known where to find you next and put us all at risk.”

“Us?” “My students, of course.” Emerald nodded slowly. Students, that made sense, this was a school. “Speaking of whom I shall get you a guide.” “A guide? Why?” Emerald asked. “You will be staying here. Your classes will resume here with us. You will be sorted eventually but for now I deem you to be an honorary Gryffindor as your guides will be.”

“I don't understand.” Emerald said simply. “I just want to go home.” “I’m afraid that’s not an option for you anymore.” “Why not?” “Your school has been found and engulfed by death eaters.”

“What is a death eater?” “Pity the news didn’t reach you sooner, Miss Emerald.” Dumbledore said with a shake of his head. “Death Eaters are dark wizards who serve an even greater and darker wizard.” “What does this have to do with me?” “With you? I would say everything. You would make a wonderful asset for the dark lord.”

“What does that mean?!” Emerald snapped. “The daughter of Dorothy Gale? Not to mention the descendant of Elphaba Thropp.” “who?” “The wicked witch of the west.”

Chapter Text

“You’re out of your mind.”

“Am I?” Dumbledore countered.

“Your mother knew the truth and was ashamed. She constantly rattled with the right way to tell you.” “I don’t believe you.” “Your father’s mother was the wicked witch of the west. And your mother killed her.”

“You wanted to see us professor?”

The discussion was interrupted and Emerald turned to see three students in robes all roughly her age. Her eyes zeroed in on the one in glasses with messy black hair. He seethed with power. Much like she did.

“Ah, yes.” Dumbledore walked over to them.

“These will be your guides.” He explained. “Mr. Ron Weasley, Ms. Hermione Granger, and Mr. Harry Potter.”

“Hi.” Ron said with an awkward wave. “Pleased to meet you.” Hermione stuck her hand out for Emerald to shake, which she did. “Hello.” Harry said with a nod.

“This is Miss Emerald Thropp.” Dumbledore said, gesturing to Emerald. “I do believe she goes by Emmy, is that correct?” Emerald nodded. “She will be a new student joining us. No doubt she will need help catching up with classes. Hermione can help her with that, no doubt, and she will be adjusted into the same classes as Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley. For now she will be an honorary Gryffindor until she can be properly sorted.” Dumbledore announced.

“I trust you three will do your best in helping her get around. Now off to your dorms. Tomorrow will certainly be a busy day for all of you.” 

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“A student starting almost halfway through first term… have you ever heard of anything like it?” Ron asked Harry as they made their way to the Gryffindor common room.

“No.” Harry said simply. “Me either.” Ron replied. “Which is exactly why we shall do our best to make sure Emerald is completely caught up with our work.” Hermione insisted.

She turned to Emerald and offered her a smile. “Not to worry, we won’t let you fall behind.” “Speak for yourself.” Ron muttered.

“Hermione’s always on top of everything. There’s not a class she hasn’t passed or a paper she’s ever procrastinated.” Hermione seemed to glow with pride. “Honestly, I just like to stay organized.” She said simply.

“Anyways, tomorrow’s first class is potions.” Emmy groaned. “Potions? I’m awful at that.” She said with a sigh. “I can help you, if you want.” Harry offered and Hermione shot him a look. Helping others with their studies was always her job. Harry was slide stepping into rival territory.

“I might take you up on that.” Emerald said. “Then tomorrow afternoon we have charms.” Emerald nodded.

“Charms I can handle.” 

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As if the whispers at breakfast weren't enough the stares and pointing made Emerald feel more out of place in the great hall than a pumpkin in an apple tree. She felt incredibly warm in her seat next to Hermione as eyes stared down at her like stars in the night sky.

“Why do people keep staring at me?” She wondered aloud as she bit into a pumpkin muffin.

“Probably because you don’ look like us.” Ron said with a mouthful of toast. “Ron!” Hermione glared at him. “Well it’s true!” He replied once he had swallowed his food.

“She hasn’t got her robes yet… no one dresses like that during school days. Certainly not a student.” He said. Suddenly Emerald’s gingham flannel shirt, jeans, and converse felt really big on her. Or did she just feel really small?

Honestly, she couldn’t tell but she knew she felt one thing.

Uncomfortable.

As if the gaping hole of loss inside her wasn’t enough now she had to deal with teenagers doing what they do best, judging an outsider. She shivered.

“It won’t be so bad later.” Hermione said encouragingly. “It’s just bad now because no one knows you.” “Thanks?” Emerald said with confusion. “Once they get to know you it won’t be so bad.” Emerald remembered what both her mother and Dumbledore had told her. Who she was, who she really was.

Visions of a wicked green witch danced in her mind. As if being the descendant of the west’s most wicked witch wasn't enough, she would also have to face the fact that her mother was one of the most infamous witch killers of all time.

Dorothy Gale, child. Wonderer. Witch killer.

Emerald wasn’t so sure Hermione was right on this one. Once these students got to find out just who she was, she was certain they would be far from amiable. 

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“Ah our new student!”

Professor Slughorn greeted Emerald as she filed into the potions classroom behind Harry and Hermione.

“Might I say I am quite excited to have you in my class! What an extraordinary opportunity!” He added excitedly. “Please have a seat next to Mr. Potter I think that will do nicely.” It hit Emerald suddenly that this professor knew.

He knew who she was, what she was. Knock off Santa must have told him. And if he had told this professor then it was safe to assume he had told all of the professors. All the other students were soon to know her secret.

Emerald offered the giddy professor a polite smile and took her seat next to Harry.

“Before we get started on today’s lesson of poison Anecdotes, I would like to introduce to the class our new student.” Slughorn announced. Emerald felt the tips of her ears heat up and sure enough they were bright green.

“Miss Emerald Thropp transferred from a distant western school lost in a disastrous attack of death eaters.” He said as he gestured to where Emerald sat.

“And of course she is most notably the descendent of Elphaba Thropp, better known as the Wicked Witch of the West.” Whispers from around the room rose.

“And,” He continued, Emerald fidgeted with her thumbs nervously,

“The daughter of Dorothy Gale, the child who slaughtered wicked witches under the blessing of a good witch of the south.” 

Chapter Text

"Quiet down quiet down." Slughorn announced trying to quiet the gossiping class.

Emerald sat, fully embarrassed, next to Harry and tried to hide her gaze. She stared intently at her lap and watched her fingers nervously play with each other.

"I'm sure miss Thropp can answer your question about her unique heritage after class." He said. "For now, we must begin our lesson." There were sighs and groans from around the class.

"Take out your copies of Advanced Potion Making and turn to page 36." As if the embarrassment from the beginning of the class wasn't enough, Emerald felt a sense of panic set in as she realized she did not have a textbook. How was she supposed to follow along, let alone pass, this potions class without one.

"Here,"

She was pulled from her thoughts as Harry pushed his worn out copy between them. A polite smile on his face. "We can share mine." He added. Emerald pressed her lips into a brief polite smile before leaning over to look at the requirements for the potion.

"Read these instructions very carefully and follow them exactly." Slughorn instructed. "When you are in dire need of an antidote it is imperative that you get it exactly right."

"I'll make the potion for both of us," Harry offered. "You can help, if you don't mind." "Yeah of course." Emerald said. "Great." Harry pulled the book back to him so he could read the instructions carefully. "I'll go grab what we need and you can help me put it together."

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"Well done well done."

Professor slughorn said as he inspected Harry and Emerald's potion. "You two make quite the team, just as I had hoped." He grinned. "My two star prodigies." gloated the professor.

"As for the rest of you," He turned his attention to the rest of the class. "Some of you exceeded my expectations for today, to those of you I would like to extend a complement of a job well done." He announced. "Others of you may want to practice this potion a little more. It is quite essential for passing my class."

He added as he eyed Ron Weasley who sat behind Harry and Emerald. Ron's face went a little pink as he looked down at his book.

"Now, class is dismissed. See you all on wednesday!" Harry snapped the potions book closed and placed it in his bag.

"Have any questions yet?" He asked Emerald. She merely shook her head as she followed him and the others out of the class room.

"Well actually, I do have one." She said. "Is that teacher always so-" "Eccentric?" Hermione offered. "Uh... well that's a nicer way to put it, but yeah. Is he always so eccentric?" Harry laughed at her question. "Yes." He said simply. "Slughorn is... well... he likes to collect gifted or special students like a spider with it's web." "ew." Emerald scrunched her nose up in disgust.

"But is it true?" Hermione asked, suddenly changing the tone of the conversation. "Is what true?" Ron asked. Hermione looked to Emerald. "Are you really the heir of Oz?"

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"The what?" Emerald asked.

"I supposed I should have worded it better." Hermione shrugged.

"You are the daughter of Dorothy Gale, correct?" Emerald nodded. "Who is Dorothy Gale?" Ron asked. "A character from what I always assumed to be, fictional story about a muggle born girl who travels to a land of witches and wizards. She kills two of the witches who were evil and frees people from their tyranny and receives blessings from good witches and wizards alike. I never thought she was real... until now."

Hermione looked at Emerald, who felt the tips of her ears turn green again.

"That would make you the heir of Oz, the child of it's hero." Hermione noticed the green on her ears. "And descendent of the Wicked Witch of the West... If I'm honest it doesn't seem possible. You don't seem possible."

"Hermione you can't just tell people they don't seem possible." Harry teased and Hermione rolled her eyes.

"My father was Liir Thropp. The son of the Wicked Witch of the West." Emerald explained, but really she had no right to be explaining it. The information was new to her as well. Hermione knew just as much about her enchanted genealogy as she did.

"Incredible." Hermione noted. "The magic of Oz would run through your veins then making you a very powerful witch." "look, I'll tell you like I told discount Santa Claus-" "Who?" Ron asked and Harry snickered, trying his absolute best not to laugh. "I think she means Dumbledore." "I am not a powerful witch. I couldn't even pass potions at my old school." "You did pretty alright with me." Harry said. "Because you were telling me what to do." Emerald replied. "If I really do have all of this magical family history then it's all really utter bullshit. Im the same as everyone else. I am not special. Just a regular witch."

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"Well.... I have to ask..."

Hermione continued, still obviously fascinated by Emerald. The four were now walking to lunch at the Great Hall. After which they would have Charms, Emerald looked forward to that. She had always been good at charms.

"Yes?" Emerald replied.

"Do you have them?" "Have what?" "the shoes." "Shoes?" Ron raised a brow. "You're joking. Hermione you just met her are you already asking to borrow shoes from her." "Ron of course not." Hermione said with a frustrated sigh.

"In the original story, Dorothy Gale was gifted a pair of enchanted silver shoes by a good witch. It's how she returned home from Oz." "A portkey?" Ron asked and hermione shook her head. "No, this is Oz magic. It's beyond portkeys and apparition."

She explained before turning her attention back to Emerald.

"Do you have them? I mean it would explain how you got here so fast after... after the death eaters attacked." "I thought you couldn't apparate within Hogwarts." Ron said. "This is different, Ron. Rules like that don't apply to enchanted shoes from another world." She looked back to Emerald, waiting for a response to her question.

"Yes." Emerald finally replied.

"I have them."

Chapter Text

The charms classroom was larger than Emerald thought it would be. Rows of students lined the walls and looked down at a center where a tiny professor stood, greeting the students as they filed into the room.

"Ah!"

He said as his eyes fell onto Emerald.

"You must be the new student! I expect great things from you miss Thropp! That name carries quite a weight to it you know." He added with a smile and a nod. "Why don't we have you sit next to Mr. Malfoy." "but professor,"

Harry cut in quickly upon hearing the name of his most hated peer.

"Professor Dumbledore is having me, Hermione, and Ron escort Emerald around school today." "I am aware."

Professor Flitwick said with a nod.

"However, I believe there are no open seats next to you three, am I wrong?" "You are correct..." Hermione admitted. "I thought so. There is an open seat next to Mr. Malfoy. Miss Thropp will rejoin you all after class for you to escort her to the dormitories."

He added and moved to speak with a different group of students in slytherin robes. "Careful with Malfoy." Harry warned Emerald. "He can be a bit of a snake."

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"Today, class, we will be learning the drought charm!"

Flitwick announced once the entire class was settled in their seats. Draco had been silent other than the glare that he shot Emerald's way just before class had started.

Flitwick raised his wand and summoned a pail of water in the middle of the class. "As I remember, your reading for the past three weeks has been on this very charm. Let's see if anyone can get it right...."

He flicked his wand and the pail soared through the air and stopped right above Hermione's head.

"Before Miss Granger gets soaked!' He announced and Hermione's face paled. Draco snickered next to Emerald who felt a sense of panic.

She couldn't quite explain it to herself but the idea of being soaked by a pail of water seemed absolutely dreadful.

"You have forty five seconds, class. Begin." He announced and the room announced in students shouting charms, trying their best to dry up the water in the pail. No one succeeded.

"Pity" Flitwick said before he gave his wand another flick and the pail overturned.

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"STOP IT!"

Emerald cried and shot out of her chair. Her hands outstretched before her as a zap of pure green light shot from her fingers to the pail which completely vanished in a puff of red smoke.

All eyes turned to look at her. Emerald's eyes widened in fear as she looked at her own hands which now were stained green. It looked like she had played around in green paint with no regards for cleanliness. It was the deepest shade of green at her finger tips and faded back to pale flesh as it extended up her arm.

"Just as I predicted." Flitwick said with a smile. "Emerald Thropp, you are just as bright as I had hoped you would be."

"bright?" Draco said with a snicker and a raised brow as he looked down at her green arms. "She's phosphorescent." He added and Emerald turned to glare at him. "What's the matter asparagus?" He continued to tease her. "Overcooked, are we?"

"That will be enough from you, Mr. Malfoy." Flitwick snapped at him. Draco opened his mouth to protest but Flitwick didn't let him finish.

"If anyone would have treated the heir of the wicked witch of the west with any ounce of respect, I truly assumed it would have been you, Mr. Malfoy." Flitwick added and Draco's demeanor fell as he realized just who he was sitting next to. He turned to look at Emerald who was trying desperately not to look at him.

"You're-" "Shut up." "You can't be." "I said shut up!" Emerald snapped, shouting the demand much louder than she had hoped. The lights of the room flickered as her body teemed with unfamiliar power.

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"I didn't know you could do that." Harry said as he led the way out of the charms classroom followed by Hermione, Ron, and Emerald. "No normal witch should." Hermione harped as they walked back to Gryffindor Tower. "I didn't know I could either." Emerald said.

Her hands had faded back to pale flesh by now. The green was gone, and good riddance Emerald thought. Being associated with the wicked witch of the west was still something she was getting used to and she did not  like it.

"You gave malfoy quite the fright, though." Ron said with a bit of a grin. "Good on you." He added. "Ron, there's more to her power than just terrifying Draco Malfoy." Hermione said. "Oh yeah? Like what?" "I'm not sure. But Emerald should be able to do quite a few things that we can't." "How?" "For starters, she is her mother's daughter." Hermione turned to Emerald.

"She is now the possessor of the ruby red slippers." "You really are interested in my mother's shoes, aren't you?" "How could I not be." Hermione said with delight. "Yeah how could she not be. A magical artifact within arms reach. Why it practically has Hermione's name on it." Harry added before he turned to the portrait of the fat lady and uttered the password to grant them all access to the common room. They all filled in behind him.

"I'm just curious, is all." Hermione said. "I thought they were a myth. That is until you showed up." "Well you were myth-taken." Emerald replied as she managed a grin. Harry and Ron shared a chuckled but Hermione's eyes drifted away from the group and over to a trunk that sat next to the fireplace of the common room and was illuminated by it's flames. It hadn't been there before.

"What's that?"

Hermione asked as she gestured to it. The four approached it. Harry picked up a note that had been left on the top and read aloud.

"A few more family heirlooms for you miss  Thropp . You may find them useful. -Dumbledore."

They all turned to Emerald who sighed. She wished people would let her heritage go and instead treat her as a normal plain witch.

"Go on." Hermione urged her. "Open it."

She stepped forward and undid the latches of the trunk and swung the lid open. The first thing to make it's self known soared out of the box in a flash so fast none of them could even see what it was.

It zoomed around the room in a black blur before coming to a stop infront of Emerald. A broom. Not just any broom. This one was jet black from the stick all the way to the bristles.

"No way...." Hermione muttered. Emerald reached out and took it by the handle. Her fingers wrapped around it and the broom felt uncomfortably natural in her grasp.

"What? What is it?" Ron asked.

"It's the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West."

Chapter Text

"Ooookay."

Emerald said slowly as she removed her hand from the broomstick and once it had lost her touch it clattered to the ground lifelessly. Harry picked it up and examined it at once.

"This broom is ancient." He said. "Unlike anything I've ever seen." "Harry be careful with that!" Hermione snapped. "Why?" "It's a magical artifact!" "It's an old broom." "An old broom that belonged to one of the most renowned witches of all time!" Hermione continued. 

"What else is in there?"

Hermione asked as she leaned over Emerald's shoulder to get a look at the inside of the chest. Emerald reached inside and pulled out what looked like a diary. On the cover of it was written in silver cursive letters:

"𝒯𝒽ℯ ℒ𝒾𝒻ℯ 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒯𝒾𝓂ℯ𝓈 ℴ𝒻 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝒲𝒾𝒸𝓀ℯ𝒹 𝒲𝒾𝓉𝒸𝒽 ℴ𝒻 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝒲ℯ𝓈𝓉 ."

"Ew a diary?" Ron raised a brow in disgust. Hermione gasped.

"A first hand account of the life of the wicked witch of the west???" "Do you want to read it?" "I shouldn't.... It's yours." She said slowly to Emerald, who handed her the diary. "Please be my guest."

Hermione tried to silence the squeal that fell from her lips as she snatched it and instantly began flipping through the pages.

Once again Emerald reached into the trunk and this time she pulled out a hat. Her hat. It was black as night and it's cone was shaped into a perfect point.

"A witches cap? You can get one of those in Hogsmead."

Ron said.

"This was her hat." Harry said. "Who's?" "Who do you think?" Harry replied.

Emerald dropped the hat back into the chest as if it had bit her. The hat struck fear into her heart. She did not want to be associated with the Wicked Witch of the West. Her mother was Dorothy. She was the child of Dorothy, killer of the Wicked Witch of the West. Not the heir of wickedness.

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She reached into the trunk once more and pulled out another book. Only this one looked much older, ancient.

"Another book?" Ron grumbled but upon hearing her favorite word, Hermione was summoned once again with curious eyes as she observed the book in Emerald's hands.

"I don't believe it." "What?" "That's the Grimmerie." "Bless you." Ron replied. "No, the Grimmerie." Hermione persisted. "It's an ancient book of spells. It's been lost for years. Your grandmother must have found it and when she died it had to have been lost with her." She said.

"What's so special about some old spell book?" Harry asked. "This one was written in a lost language of spells." Hermione explained. "Very few can actually read it and use it." "Great. Another dusty old book." Ron said and Emerald reached for the last thing in the chest.

She pulled out an emerald green envelope with cursive writing on the back, her name had been scrawled in gold ink. Hesitantly she opened it and out of it she retrieved a yellow weathered piece of paper.

"Well," Hermione spoke, "What does it say?" She asked. "It's- It's from my grandmother." Emerald said. "It's from the wicked witch of the west."

Emerald,
By now I have no doubt that my reputation has been tainted by the people of Oz. Not only that, but Liir tells me your mother's father has written books on her adventures here in Oz and has made me out to be some wicked old hag. I know it must be hard to convince you of this, but that is simply not true. I know the lies have gotten to you before I have, but I would like to beg of you Emerald, read my account of things. I have left it for you. You must understand the power you posses. You are stronger than you know. You are the heir of Oz, the key. Please, keep yourself safe. You will be hunted as was I.
With the love of your Grandmother,
Elphaba Thropp
the  Wicked   Witch  of the  West

Her hand shook as she held the letter.

She felt hatred. Pure hatred. That the most wicked and vile woman in history, according to her mother, thought she could leave a letter to her like this and claim that was wasn't as evil as the stories had made her out to be.

Dorothy wouldn't lie to her, would she? Mother's don't lie. Or do they?

"Here."

Hermione handed her the copy of Elphaba's diary. "I think you should read this, not me." She told her. Emerald took the book without a word but she looked down at it with disgust.

The Wicked Witch was just that, wicked. And she deserved everything that she had coming for her. Every threat, every wound, and every drop of water that had been thrown on to her by Dorothy Gale.

Wickedness must be punished for good. So her mother had always said. She was torn from her whirlwind of thoughts when another student entered the common room.

"Harry,"

The group looked up to the new student. Neville Longbottom handed him a slip of paper. "It's from Dumbledore. He said to give it to you. It's for the new student." His eyes drifted to Emerald.

"Which I'm now guessing must be you." He said nervously. "Hi." Emerald said as she offered a wave but Neville squeaked with a fright.

"Is she really- is she really the descendant of the Wicked Witch?" He asked Harry. "She is." He replied as he handed Emerald the note. "But she doesn't bite." He added with a kind smile to Emerald.

She felt a warmth blossom across her chest. To have someone defend her. Finally. It was nice.

"I saw what happened in charms..." Neville continued slowly, cautiously. "I am every bit Dorothy's daughter as I am the Wicked Witch's Granddaughter." Emerald stated.

"Dorothy? Who?" "Dorothy was the girl who slayed with Wicked Witch." Hermione said. "Talk about family drama." Ron muttered. "Ron!" Snapped Hermione. "It's fine." Emerald dismissed it with a wave of her hand.

"Well it was nice meeting you." Nevile said, a little less nervous, before he left for the boy's dormitories. "So what does it say?" Harry asked. "Hm?" Emerald replied. "The note. From Dumbledore. What does it say?" "Oh." she opened it quickly and began to read.

"He wants to see me. After dinner." she said and her eyes found Harry. "And you. He wants you to come as well."

Chapter Text

Emerald sat next to Harry at dinner in the great hall. They sat across from Hermione and Ron as the fellowship time was wrapping up between students and some were heading off to bed.

Ron was continuing to stuff his face with dessert, Pumpkin muffins and apple pie. Fall was in the air and Halloween would be upon the students very soon.

"What could dumbledore want to talk to you both about?" Hermione wondered aloud. "He said he was going to sort me into a house." Emerald said.

"What for?" Ron asked before he swallowed his mouthful of pumpkin muffins. "You're in Gryffindor, aren't you?" "Not exactly." Emerald said slowly.

"Dumbledore named me an honorary Gryffindor for the time being until he could sort me into a house properly." "When's that happened before?" "Never." Hermione said. "But Hogwarts has never had a student arrive half way through the first term before." She looked to Emerald.

"Emmy's an exception." she said brightly. "Lets just hope you stay in Gryffindor." Ron grumbled and took another bite of the muffin.

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Harry led the way to Dumbledore's office. Between the two of them, only he knew how to get past the defenses set in place to guard the headmaster's office.

"Ah, I was wondering when the two of you would arrive." Dumbledore said as they entered, pausing his conversation with another professor, Professor McGonogal.

"Leave us Minerva." Dumbledore said and the witch nodded before she left. She cast a knowing look to Harry, and a cautious one to Emerald before exciting the way they came.

"Did you enjoy the apple pie?" Dumbledore asked, his focus on Emerald.

"I'm sorry?" "The apple pie at dinner," He continued. "Your mother was particularly fond of apples. When they weren't being viciously thrown at her by a grouchy tree, of course." Harry stifled a laugh.

"She lived on an orchard, right? In the mountains? Dorothy was so proud of her apple trees." "Yes sir." Emerald spoke with a nod. "An orchard in the east." Dumbledore smiled.

"I should hope our apples would have made her proud." He said.

"Now as to why I called you here." He turned to his desk and retrieved something that looked like an old hat. "I believe I promised to properly sort you into the correct house." He said. "Come take a seat, miss Thropp, and let the sorting begin."

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"Mmhhh"

the hat grumbled in her ears as it was placed on her head. The sensation of wearing a talking hat was new and unusual to her.

"You... you child are something else." It spoke. "A daughter of magic both good and evil. A child of two worlds." It continued to rumble. "The stench of wickedness is overpowering. You bear her name, her power, and you despise it. The heir of the Wicked Witch."

"No!" Emerald said in a hushed tone. "No? My dear child. There is no denying who you are. It's all here, but there is your mother's over powering light. Dorothy Gale, innocent, sweet, just and above all the slayer of dark witches. She freed an entire people from the tyranny of witches and wizards. That would make an excellent Gryffindor... your mother would be quite at home in Gryffindor."

"then let me stay in Gryffindor!" She hissed.

"Not so fast, child. As much as you are your mother's daughter you carry the sin of her wickedry. You want to forget. So badly. You want Elphaba eradicated from your family tree. But you don't understand. There are two sides to every story, Emerald Thropp. And with her blood running through you I understand. I see it. The makings of a perfect SLYTHERIN"

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Harry paled and took a step back at the announcement.

"No..." He muttered.

"There we have it." Dumbdledore said and removed the hat from emerald's head.

"Slytherin? But I wanted-" "It doesn't matter what you wanted, my dear, the sorting hat is never wrong." Emerald frowned. She knew arguing would be ultimately useless. Even from beyond the grave, the Wicked Witch of the West was controlling her as her slave.

"I shall see to it that your belongings are brought to your new dormitories. I think a Mr. Malfoy would make a decent assistant to guide you to your new room. You should meet him outside the great hall."Dumbledore announced. "Do I need to lead her there, professor?" Harry asked, a look of worry on his face.

"I should think not." Dumbledore said with a shake of his head. "Miss Thropp will manage. Meanwhile, you and I will have a much needed discussion." He said as he held up a bottle of liquid and Harry understood.

As much as he wanted to walk with Emerald, to warn her of the dangers of not only the Slytherin house but also of Draco Malfoy, he knew how important his time with dumbledore was.

Researching horcruxes through memories. Harry sighed. He turned to Emerald, he hoped the foreboding expression was enough to send her a warning to be cautious. "Good night, Emmy."

Chapter Text

The halls of Hogwarts were much darker and larger when traveling them alone at night.

She was so worried she might get lost, she didn't even notice that she was coming right up upon the great hall. She walked right past it at first, and then noticed the soft glow of the floating candles. She stopped, backed up, and stood in the door way, waiting for this Draco Malfoy who she only knew as they boy she sat next to in charms earlier that day.

The one who had called her asparagus when her arms turned green. Although the look he gave her when her heritage was revealed showed that he regretted his quips. It made her sick, the thought of using her heritage to strike fear into people.

She was torn from her thoughts when someone around her cleared their throat. She turned and standing on the other side of the door way was Draco Malfoy. "You're late." Emeralds retorted. "You're early." He replied. "I supposed it would take you much longer to find your way back here." "Well you thought wrong." Emerald replied. Draco sniffed at her witty reply.

"Are you really the child of the Wicked Witch?" "I am the child of Dorothy Gale, slayer of wicked witches." "That's not what I heard." Draco replied.

"I heard that you were the descendant of Elphaba Thropp, one of the most renowned witches in history." Emerald was quiet and Draco began to walk, waiting for Emerald to follow him.

"Why is it so important if I am? What difference does it make? I'm still a person." "A person with remarkable potential." "I wish people would stop saying that." "Oh I'm sorry were you not there in charms today when you eradicate a bucket of water with no wand, just your hands and sheer magic?" Draco snapped at her and they stopped walking so that Emerald could glare up at him.

"What in the name of Oz is your obsession with me?" He was silent for a moment. "My father knew your grandmother." "Everyone keeps saying they knew my family which is funny because none of them every mentioned any of you."

"Well..." He began slowly, "My father knew of her. He idolized her before the Dark Lord came along." "the who?" "The dark lord?" Draco raised a brow. They had begun to walk again and his voice had dripped down to a whisper.

"He is the most powerful wizard to every live." "More powerful than Elphaba?" "I didn't say that." Draco said. "Don't put words in my mouth." He added with a sneer. "But he wants to purify the wizard race." "What does that mean." "It means no more filthy mudbloods dirting up the wizard world." "Mudbloods? You mean halfbood wizards?" "Precisely." Draco nodded.

"What's the matter with halfboods?" "they aren't pure." "And you say that The Wicked Witch of the West was pure?" He was quiet. "Well? You said your father idolized her, didn't you? Do you think she was a pure witch." He was still quiet.

"What about Dorothy? My mother was a farm girl until her trip to Oz where Glinda blessed her with the gift of magic. My mother was a muggle. So what does that make me?" Her voice rose and the tip of her nose turned green with anger.

Draco chuckled at her.

"Well it seems the artichoke is steamed." there was a fierce pop of skin and Draco raised his hand to his cheek where Emerald had slapped him.

"Enough with the jokes. Leave me alone." "you hit me!" he seethed and snatched her wrist. "Don't you ever touch me like that again, do you understand?" He hissed in her face. "Why?" Emerald asked, a sly grin tugging at her lips. "What are you going to do about it?" she continued and Draco's confidence fell.

"I could turn you into a toad. Or worse. You saw what I did to that bucket of water. Oh I wonder what I could do to you that could really make your skin crawl." He let her wrist go. "I am the heir of Wicked Witch of the West, aren't I?" He stepped back. "You're insane." Draco mumbled.

"I'm wicked."

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"You really said that to him?"

Harry asked over breakfast. Emerald nodded, a tinge of guilt tugged at her heart. Hadn't she just felt disgusted by using her heritage to strike fear into the hearts of others? And what had she done? Exactly that.

Well, not entirely. Draco deserved it. He was egotistical and rude. He was ambitious and proud. He was dangerously curious and cunning.

Much like she was slowly finding herself to be. Shame rose over her.

"I wish I hadn't." "why?" Ron asked, nearly choking on his toast. "Malfoy deserves it. He's as proud and evil as they come. If anyone deserves a good bone rattling threat around here it's him." "Besides... now that he's working for Voldemort I'm sure he'll be dishing out threats of his own soon." "Harry!" Hermione scolded him with a sour look.

"We don't know for certain that he's working for anyone let alone you know who." "What are you talking about?" Emerald asked. Hermione sighed. "Harry has been under the impression that Draco Malfoy is a death eater." "A death eater?" "Yes." Harry replied. "Death eaters killed my mother." Hermione shot her a glance.

"What?" She asked. "Death eaters killed Dorothy Gale?" Emerald nodded. "Why else do you think I'm here?" "well yes, I know you're here because death eaters attacked your school but I didn't know they killed your mother." She replied. Emerald seemed distant as she remembered Dorothy in her final moments.

"She gave me the enchanted shoes and told me to use them to escape." Emerald began explaining. "I clicked my heals together three times and whispered 'there's no place like safety' and the next thing I knew I was in Dumbledore's office meeting you three."

"Astounding." Hermione noted. "The shoes knew to bring you here. They knew Hogwarts would be the safest place for you." "Hermione shoes don't think" Ron muttered. "Not normal shoes, no. But enchanted ones do."

Chapter Text

The more Emerald heard about Draco Malfoy the more she did not like him.

But nonetheless she had still been sorted into Slytherin and here she sat, next to her new guide, in Transfiguration class.

Her Gryffindor friends were not in this class as they were not required to take it as sixth year students.

"Good morning class."

A woman stood before the mixed group of Ravenclaws and Slytherins. Emerald recognized her as the woman she saw in Dumbledore's office last night. The professor shot Emerald a knowing look before continuing her lecture.

"Today we will be learning about changing the form of an animal, more precisely, today we will be giving monkeys-" Her eyes landed dead on Emerald. "The ability to fly."

Emerald's heart dropped and she felt her face heat up. She was certain she was blushing bright green. She could tell by the snicker from Draco beside her that she was, as he would say, phosphorescent once again.

✮ ⊹₊ 𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊 𓆏 𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊₊ ⊹ ✮

"Miss Emerald, before you go,"

Professor McGonagall called to the young witch as she filed out of the classroom behind Draco and Pansy. She turned to look and Draco stopped as well, looking to the head of Gryffindor house.

"Come speak with me please."

She requested of her with a small smile on her face. She looked to Draco.

"Go on Mr. Malfoy I will see to it that Miss Thropp makes it to her next location safely."

Draco simply shrugged before shuffling out of the room following the other Slytherins. McGonagall looked to Emerald.

"I cannot express what a delight it is to meet you dear." Emerald sighed. "Here we go again." She grumbled to herself.

Another teacher ready to preach to her about how much they knew her mother or her grandmother. But this woman looked old enough she possibly could have known the Wicked Witch of the West.

"Your grandmother was a dear friend of mine. Taught me a lot about transfiguration. When I saw I had you in my class I couldn't be more excited." She said.

"You sound the same." "I beg your pardon?" "All you teachers sound the same, claiming you all knew my family when none of them ever mentioned you." Minerva's expression became sour.

"You're right." "Huh?" "It was never mentioned to you that we knew your grandmother or your mother, do you know why?" "Why?" "Your mother, Dorothy Gale, was terrified of what you would do once you learned the truth." "The truth about what?" "So you haven't read it then, the book Elphaba left for you?" Emerald felt anger rise in her chest. These people were so certain they knew her own family better than she did.

"No I haven't I want nothing to do with that wicked witch!" She shouted. McGonagall wasn't fazed.

"She thought you might react like that. That's why she entrusted me with a letter, to beg you to understand." "It was you." Emerald said, her eyebrows furrowing. "You left that trunk in the Gryffindor common room full of her things."

McGonagall didn't admit it but she didn't deny it either. "She wanted so badly for you to know the truth. The more of it you know the more powerful you become. Just like her." "I already told you I don't want to be like her." "For you, my dear, I am willing to strike a deal." "About what?"

McGonagall stood and walked to her desk. "You wont have to do any of the homework for this class." "Oh really?" "on one condition." She said. "You read Elphaba's diary and understand what exactly happened in Oz all those years ago."

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Emerald pushed her way through the crowded halls of Hogwarts, desperate to find the Defense against the Dark Arts class room. Her discussion with McGonagall had gone over her lunch period and now she was running late for Defense against the Dark Arts.

McGonagall had told her where the classroom was, but finding it was easier said than done.

"Excuse me!" Emerald called out to a blonde girl in black and blue robes wearing the most unusual pair of glasses she had ever seen. And that was saying something for the heir of Oz.

The girl turned and pulled her glasses up and rested them on her forehead. She smiled dreamily.

"Ah," She said softly. "You must be that Oz girl." She stated. "It's nice to meet you, though, I thought you'd be greener. Or perhaps you're going for something different. In that case I think you'd look nice in a soft blue. You should try it."

"What?" Emerald breathed, her eyes screwed in confusion. "I'm Luna." The blonde introduced herself. "Emerald." "I know." What an odd girl.

"Can you tell me how to get to the Defense of the Dark Arts classroom?" "Oh sure." Luna said with a nod. "You're nearly there. Just head up this hallway and it's the first room on your right. Be careful though, it's crawling with Nargles."

Emerald looked down the hall to where Luna had gestured she go. "What are-" She turned back to Luna but she was gone. Emerald sighed. "That's alright. I didn't want to know anyways."

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"You're late."

Draco grumbled as he saw her approach the classroom. He had waited outside for her. "But I made it, didn't I?" "You got lost, didn't you?" He teased. "Didn't think we'd need to lay down a road of yellow bricks for you to find your way to class." Emerald shot him a glare.

"Keep teasing me like that and I'll turn you into a toad." "Take your seat miss Thropp." An unimaginably dull voice called as the pair entered the classroom. "You as well Mr. Malfoy and please make sure our new student behaves herself." "Yes professor." Draco replied to the man with greasy black hair and a wickedly pointed nose.

Draco grabbed Emerald by the arm and led her to a pair of desks. Harry and the others were in this class and caught Emerald's gaze as she sat next to Draco Malfoy.

"As I'm sure you all know," The professor announced. "I have no tolerance for celebrities or their descendants." He moved closer to where Emerald sat. "Heritage is not important to me, frankly I could care less." He stopped in front of Emerald and glared down at her. "What matters to me is if you can actually succeed in my class."

Chapter Text

Professor Snape Dismissed his class.

Though he actively displayed his distaste for Emerald she couldn't help but appreciate that he was the one teacher in this entire school who didn't make a fuss about who she was or who she was destined to be. Snape only cared if she could do the work he asked of her.

"Could you really do it?" Draco asked as he followed behind her on their way out of the class room.

"Do what?"

Emerald snapped over her shoulder. "Turn me into a toad. Could you really do that? I don't think you could, honestly, the Wicked Witch didn't turn anyone into toads. Maybe she made the flying monkeys, and she practically made the man of tin but-" Emerald stopped in her tracks.

"How did you know that?" She asked. "You aren't a muggle you aren't familiar with the stories, or are you?" "I told you." Draco rolled "My father idolized the Wicked Witch. He learned all there was to know of her." They began to descend a pair of stone steps. "So you know the story then, of my mother and Oz?" "Well of course I do." Draco scoffed. "What kind of fool do you take me for? Do you honestly think I'm really stupid?"

"no," Emerald said as she continued down the steps.

"Not really stupid."

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The pair entered the Slytherin common room and there it was.

That same wickedly green trunk that had appeared in the Gryffindor common room. Elphaba's trunk.

"What is that?" Draco asked as he approached the trunk. Emerald didn't have time to stop him.

"Wait it's-" She threw out her hand, outstretched towards the trunk and a strong breeze hit them both. The lid of the trunk flew open and out of it came the enchanted jet black broom of the Wicked Witch of the West.

It soared with the sudden breeze to Emerald and nestled itself in her hand as if it belonged there. That sickeningly familiar feeling kicked in. The broom was just right in her hand. Draco's eyes had gone wide and he became even more pale then he already was.

"Is that..." "It is." Emerald said, her eyes refusing to meet his. "The broom of the wicked witch of the west."

"Can I touch it?" He reached out and Emerald instinctively pulled the broom away from him. "No." She said in a hissed whisper.

✮ ⊹₊ 𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊 𓆏 𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊₊ ⊹ ✮

Dinner had been uneventful. Emerald had sat with her Gryffindor friends once more and filled them in on the rest of her day. Harry had scoffed at her thankfulness for Snape's disregard for her heritage but Hermione had understood, she always seemed to.

Now Emerald sat in the corner of the Slytherin common room, book in her hands, and ready to fulfill her promise to Professor McGonagall.

"The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" Was gripped loosely in her hands as she flipped the pages to what was tiled as "A note for Emerald,"

My dear child, I am astounded that you have finally picked up this message from me to you. I hope I can reach your understanding from beyond life.

Emerald rolled her eyes but continued on, flipping the page to the first chapter.

I was born on a crisp October evening to Dr. Edwin Thropp and Mrs. Elouise Thropp. Let me answer your question right away, no they were not green.

In fact, from the moment I was born and my father laid eyes on me he wanted nothing to do with me. I call this the seed of my wickedness. A father's shun.

My sister, Nessa, was the apple of my father's eye. Hence, why he gifted her with jeweled shoes. Everything he did he did for her.

Nessa took pity on me until she tasted the power of the Grimmerie. But that is a tale for later. First, let me tell you how I met two people I know you are familiar with, Glinda the Good and the Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz.

Glinda was just as you have always heard, she was good. She took pity on me and formed a friendship with me. We journeyed together to see the wizard.

The wizard had heard of me, how I was unnaturally green and possessed a uniquely powerful talent for magic. He had requested to meet me and Glinda escorted me to him. I was no older than eighteen at the time and I was honored to be asked by Oz the Great and Powerful to the capital of Oz, the Emerald City.

I expected the same as your mother, a man with power of legend but was faced with a simple top hat wearing con man from another world with no real power.

He presented me with a Spell book he had come in possession of after arriving to Oz. Glinda had given it to him in hopes he could make sense of it. He couldn't and that's why he had asked me here. He wanted to know if the green witch could read the ancient text and that's when I knew he was powerless.

The wizard intended to use me for his own gain, not for the better of Oz but for the better of himself. He wanted to pass off my magic as his own ,  and use it as a source to enlist tyranny into the land of Oz.

I would not allow it. The Wizard tried to make a spectacle of me, to sweeten me up and force me to take a liking to him. He called me the heir of Oz. He paraded me around as the child of emeralds.

We arrived to Munchkinland in the east where my sister now resided. He made a spectacle of me. I fought back. I told the munchkins the wizard was a fool, a coward, and ultimately powerless.

I used my power to pull a broom from a munchkin woman and with the spell book, the Grimmerie, I enchanted it and gave it the power of flight. It turned jet black, a reflection of my own rebellion against the wizard. I left the Wizard that day and left the spellbook with my sister for safekeeping.

Chapter Text

"What are you still doing up?"

A voice pulled Emerald from her midnight reading. She looked up over the pages of her book as Draco entered the common room.

She noticed the fire had died down to embers and the common room was dark and scarce.

"A bit of late night reading, hm Thropp? What could this be?"

He snatched the book from her and held it high out of her reach.

"Hey!"

Emerald shouted as she stood and tried to grab it. He was just tall enough where he could hold it above her, teasing her like a dog.

"Give it back!"

She shouted. And Draco chuckled as he held it lower for her to grab only to pull it away before she could snatch it.

"The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West?"

Draco raised a brow.

"Give it!" "No I don't think I will." "I said give it back!"

She shouted and a flash of green lightning expelled from her hand which had flushed with green wickedness. The lightning shot his hand and Draco howled with pain. He dropped the book to the ground which Emerald picked up.

"Brat." Draco snapped. "Yes you are." Emerald replied as she scooped the book up from the ground.

"Why is that so important to you anyways? I thought you despised your heritage." He asked but Emerald didn't answer.

"You said yourself you want nothing to do with the Wicked Witch of the West. That you're just a normal witch. Why do you care what happens to her belongings?"

He strode over to her, pompous with each step.

"You know the story, she was wicked to your mother." "There are two sides to every story, Draco."

✮ ⊹₊ 𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊 𓆏 𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊₊ ⊹ ✮

"What do you mean by that?"

Draco looked at her with disgust.

"Elphaba was wicked. Theres no other side to it."

"That's Dorothy's version of the story."

Emerald said as she settled back down in her chair, flipping the pages of the book open back to where she left off before she was interrupted.

"You're starting to like her, aren't you?"

Draco asked, amused as he sauntered over to the chair where Emerald sat and leaned against it, looking down at her.

"Her wickedness is growing on you." "It is not!" "That's not true." "What do you know?" "Only what I've been able to observe." "Which is?"

"You've grown into her power nicely. In charms class you eradicated a bucket of water with just your hands. You used your power to get what you want just now but shooting me with a bolt of green lightning, which still hurts by the way, you're lucky it's past midnight otherwise I'd be up at the hospital wing right now begging for the aid of-"

"Look I'm sorry. Something just comes over me sometimes and I can't explain it."

Draco grinned smugly.

"You're just like her. You'll make a fine Witch of the West one day." "Shut up."

Emerald snapped the book shut, seeing as he wouldn't let her concentrate there was no reason for her to try to read with Draco around.

✮ ⊹₊ 𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊 𓆏 𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊₊ ⊹ ✮

"There's a war coming, you know."

Emerald turned to face Draco. She had surrendered for the night and was heading up to her dorm when Draco suddenly called to her.

"What?"

She said as she turned to face him.

"The dark lord, he will wage war on the halfbloods soon."

he said as he walked over to her.

"Which could include you, unless you're smart."

He said.

"What do you mean by that?"

"You are the heir of Oz. The dark lord knows it. He would spare you if you agreed to help him." "Help him? Have you misplaced your mind?"

"He would spare you, if you serve him. But if you fail... if you go agains the dark lord... he is far from forgiving and understanding. He is cruel and he will make sure you know it."

For a moment there was something in his eyes. It wasn't cruel or pompous like usual. It was fear. Draco was fearful of something, someone.

"Draco,"

Emerald said slowly as she stepped closer to him.

"Has the dark lord threatened you?"

Draco itched at something under his shirt sleeve. He didn't respond.

"Is he forcing you to serve him?"

His jaw clenched.

"Don't you dare ask me such a thing."

he snarled.

"All I'm saying to you is a war is coming, you will need to pick a side, and it is best for you to pick the side that will leave you alive. Don't be like Elphaba. Fight with him not against him if you want to live."

In that moment, Draco was talking about someone other than Emerald and Elphaba. He was talking about himself.

✮ ⊹₊ 𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊 𓆏 𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊₊ ⊹ ✮

"Harry!"

Emerald ran after the chosen one, books in tow, including the diary of the Wicked Witch, which she hadn't read anymore since Draco interrupted her last night. She found herself unable to focus on its contents after what Draco had told her.

Harry was walking with Hermione, just Hermione. Ron was missing.

"Where's your third friend? The redhead?"

Emerald asked and Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Probably snogging his new girlfriend." "oh?"

Emerald looked to Harry who offered her a warning look not to press Hermione on the subject.

"Oh." Emerald said "Well, anyways, I want to tell you about a conversation I had with Draco last night."

"About what?" "the dark lord."

Emerald said as she pulled "The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" From her bag.

"I think Draco is being threatened to work for the Dark Lord as a death eater." "oh not you too!" Hermione groaned.

"He isn't being threatened." Harry snapped. "Draco's as evil as they come. He'd follow the dark lord willingly." "But do you know that?" Emerald asked.

"Or is he just trying to survive a war?" "What's the difference?" "There's a huge difference."

Emerald said as she opened her book.

"Elphaba refused to chose the winning side when it came to her tyranny obsessed wizard and it resulted in her melted."

She pointed to the paragraph she read last night. Harry peered through his glasses down at the passage, skimming over it.

"What does this have to do with Draco?" He asked.

"Draco is trying not to be the collateral damage of another battle between witches and wizards. That doesn't make him inherently evil, it makes him a desired survivor."

Chapter Text

"Why are you defending him?"

Harry Potter snapped.

"Harry...." Hermione whined, not wanting to hear Harry shout at anyone again over this matter.

"I'm not!"

Emerald countered, her nose flushing green with rising anger.

"Really? 'Cause it doesn't sound like that to me! You should have never been sorted into Slytherin. It's fogged your brain."

"Harry there are two sides to every story! Sweet Oz don't let your self righteous savior complex shroud that from you."

"So what, now you've done a bit of reading on your gram and now you're suddenly some sort of philanthropist?"

"Harry please don't." Hermione persisted.

"I was blinded by my own biases. So you might be as well." Harry glared at her.

"Have you stopped for once to think that maybe Draco isn't as bad as you think he is? Who are you fighting, Harry, your high school nemesis or the Darkest Wizard to exist in the twentieth century?"

He was silent. Emerald had a point.

"If you aren't careful the dark lord will feed off of that hatred and distract you."

She continued. Harry let out a breath he didn't know he was holding in.

"I suppose you have a point." He said and Hermione sighed with relief.

"But he is still a death eater whether we like it or not, he still works for the dark lord. He is to be treated with caution, do you understand?"

"Oh Harry..." Hermione shook her head.

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"Hi harry."

A girl Emerald hadn't met yet sat down with them at the Gryffindor table.

"Ginny,"

Harry greeted her with a smile.

"When do you think Quidditch results will be posted? You are the captain of the team after all."

Emerald perked up.

"Quidditch?" She asked and the redhead turned to face her. She raised brow in confusion as she looked her over.

"I'm sorry, who are you?" "Emerald Thropp." She introduced herself. "Ginny Weasley." Ginny replied.

"I'm assuming you've already met my idiot brother. Well one of them at least."

"Do you mean Ron?" Ginny nodded. "Ah." Emerald said with a nod.

"Are you interested in quidditch?" Ginny asked and Emerald nodded.

"Well the list hasn't been posted yet- why don't you talk to Harry about doing an extra tryout?"

"She wouldn't be on our team." Harry shut her down quickly.

"What do you mean?" Emerald asked. "Yeah Harry, what do you mean?" "Emerald's a Slytherin."

Ginny seemed to recoil.

"Sorry, I didn't know."

"But she's a good Slytherin." Hermione said.

"Perhaps you could talk to Draco about joining their quidditch team." "Fat chance." Harry grumbled.

"Draco isn't playing quidditch this year." He said.

"I wonder what he could be doing in that new found free time... oh wait I know-" "Harry stop it!" Hermione snapped.

"We can't have any conversation with you anymore without you bringing it back to your mad assumptions about Draco Malfoy. Let it go."

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"You'll have to excuse Harry."

Hermione said as she walked with Emerald out of the great hall. It was Saturday which meant no classes but it also meant that Harry and Ginny had Quidditch practice.

Emerald wished she could join them, quidditch had always fascinated her but they didn't have a team at her school. Dorothy, funnily enough, was not terribly fond of a sport of witches and wizards on brooms.

So, now instead, She had agreed to join Hermione at the library. She kept "The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" tucked under her arm as they went.

"He has been obsessed with accusing Draco of being a death eater since before school started."

"Why?" Emerald asked. "What proof does he have?"

"We say Draco with a few other notable death eaters in Diagon Alley, a place frequented by dark witches and wizards. We still aren't sure what they were doing there but Harry is convinced it was an initiation of sorts."

She explained as they entered the library.

"But I have to ask," She stopped and turned to her, "Why are you so quick to defend him?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Draco isn't exactly liked by most students outside of the Slytherins. He has been known to be a bit of a bully."

Hermione said as she pulled her books from her bag and laid them on an empty table, claiming it for them.

"You must understand, we have known Draco much longer than you have. He is not known for his kindness or understanding." Hermione said.

"But you don't think he's a death eater?"

"I am undecided on that." Hermione said.

"At the end of the day he's just a boy. Just like Harry. But there's no denying that he does come from a long line of death eaters." She opened her text book for defense against the dark arts.

"Now let's get you caught up on some homework."

✮ ⊹₊ 𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊 𓆏 𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊₊ ⊹ ✮

"I think that's enough for today." Hermione said as she closed her book.

Emerald let out a yawn.

"When you hit the books, Hermione you really don't hold back." Hermione smiled.

"What can I say? I am an education enthusiast." "Yeah no kidding." "Miss Thropp."

The girls chatter was cut short as they both turned to see Draco. He was pale and something looked off. He looked... scared.

"I was told to escort you back to the common room." He said.

"But Hermione and I were-" Hermione cleared her throat and put her books away.

"I was just going actually. I will see you at dinner."

she flashed Emerald a smile before scurrying away leaving them both alone in silence in the library.