Equinox Enchanted . Blue Raven Artworks

"Equinox Enchanted"

June 2021

Professor Flitwick stepped through the open doors of the Great Hall with pride in his step. He walked with such a bounce in his step that one would have suspected he had charmed his loafers to float.

"Ah, I see you've already gathered!" He grinned widely under his thick moustache when he saw the small group of students eagerly awaiting his presence at the end of the room. "Good. Good!"

Liana was among the handful of students, watching Flitwick's trek with as much anxiety as she had eagerness. After all, the short-statured Head of Ravenclaw House was about to announce who would be cast in his play.

She took another glance around the room. The ever-popular, ever-humble Penny; the headstrong, determined Merula; the thoughtful, creative Badeea; the kindhearted, yet easily distracted Barnaby; the suave and passionate Diego; and the confident and stylish Andre... Each had auditioned for the lead roles, but only two would be chosen. She felt another pang of uncertainty. How could she ever stand out among them to catch Flitwick's eye?

The part-goblin professor reached the stage at the far end of the Great Hall and proceeded up the stairs to reach eye-level with the group of teens. He adjusted the round glasses in his nose and clasped his hands together. "Well, my dear students, I'm sure I don't have to reiterate that these are monumental times," he continued smiling jovially. "Together, we will all bring about the first dramatic performance Hogwarts has seen in many, many years. Although the roles are few, I am confident every one of you will play a critical part in its creation. Please know that I appreciate your interest and your enthusiasm!" He blinked, noticing Barnaby raising his hand. "Yes, Mister Lee?"

"Did I get picked for a part?"

Flitwick chuckled. "Ah, well, that's what I'm about to announce," he said.

"Oh!" Barnaby glanced between Merula and Diego. "Okay then!"

"You oaf," Merula sneered under her breath.

"I just wanted to be sure I didn't miss it," he whispered indiscreetly, garnering a number of annoyed glances in his direction.

"'Equinox Enchanted' tells the story of a heroic Spring Nymph who stops the Winter Sprite from bringing about an eternal cold," Flitwick explained, "and in the process, the two fall for one another and express their feelings of true love in a heartfelt scene!"

"Ugh," Merula rolled her eyes. "Of course it's gotta get all soppy at the end."

"I think it's romantic," Penny smiled, glancing to Liana.

Liana, however, was now nervously scanning the boys for the third time. If she were picked, would she even feel comfortable acting such a romantic scene with any of them? Andre and Diego were good friends, but could she pull off something that could seem so personal? And that didn't account for Barnaby and their now mutually dissolved relationship; she could only anticipate a great deal of awkwardness if he ended up as her co-star.

"These lead roles must be strong, confident actors to be able to portray the range of emotion required, and I am overjoyed that two of you have made the cut!" Flitwick's enthusiasm again soured when he noticed Barnaby raising his hand. "Yes, Mister Lee?"

"I got the part??" Barnaby stood up.

"Sit down!!" Merula grabbed him by the back of his sweater and yanked him back onto the bench.

"But—"

"Give the man a chance to announce it!" Andre leaned over to the dumbfounded Slytherin.

"Oh, he wasn't saying—"

"Barnaby!!" Liana shot across the table. Her anxiety was quickly overwhelming her patience.

He swallowed and ducked his head, falling silent.

Flitwick's mouth hung open for a moment before he shook his head and cleared his throat. "Allow me to announce the lead roles," he said carefully. "In the role of the daring Spring Nymph..."

Liana held her breath and shut her eyes with her heart pounding in her chest.

"...I have cast Miss Liana Nichols!"

She gasped, her eyes popping open.

"Oh my goodness, Liana!" Penny excitedly brought her hands to her face. "I'm so happy for you!!"

"What thrilling news," Badeea nodded. "You will make an amazing Spring Nymph."

Merula had deflated somewhat, but as usual, she waved it off. "I didn't want to have to play in some lovey-dovey scene anyway."

"Oh my goodness," Liana still hadn't quite grasped the news as she grasped her hand across her lips. "I got the part!"

"And the part of the Winter Sprite will be performed," Flitwick smiled as his eyes drifted to the fireplace across the room, "by Mister Talbott Winger!"

Liana gasped again. She hadn't even noticed Talbott was in the room, but sure enough, the soft-spoken Animagus was sitting, alone, near the fireplace. He had donned a rather shocked expression that was only exasperated from the attention he was now receiving.

"Winger?" Diego repeated, a look of confusion plastering his face.

"Are we talking about the same guy?" Andre whispered.

"I never knew he was interested in acting," Penny added, perplexed.

Merula's eyes narrowed. "Winger won't even sit near us, and we're expected to believe he's going to stand on a stage in front of the whole school?"

Liana, however, hadn't heard a word her friends were saying. She was looking on toward Talbott with her face slowly flushing pink. It grew even rosier when the awkward young man met her gaze from across the room.

"Miss Nichols and Mister Winger, you were both standouts in your auditions." He gave a knowing smile as the two returned their attention to him. "I am eager to see what you both bring to your roles."

The two nodded quietly from their places, taking note of the increased stares they were both receiving from their peers.

"There are a few more supporting roles I will dole out now." Flitwick continued, though he was quickly to point his finger towards Barnaby. "Mister Lee, you'll want to listen up for this one."

With all eyes back on Flitwick, Liana slowly rose to her feet and slipped around the table to toward the fireplace. To her surprise, Talbott was walking towards her, and they met beneath one of the tall windows.

"Hey," she began.

"Hi," Talbott said with a nervous smile, his hands clasped behind his back.

"I'm... really glad that we're co-stars together!" She also attempted a smile. "I guess we're really going to be spending more time together after all!"

"Guess so," he turned his rusty-brown eyes aside.

"I didn't know you had auditioned," she took a glance behind when she heard a squeal of excitement from Penny.

"I decided to try when I saw you... um," he swallowed. "When I saw you audition, I wanted to audition too."

Her smile warmed. "I'm touched that you would step so far out of your comfort zone for me."

Talbott broke eye contact again as he dug his shoe into the ground. "You have that affect on me," his lips skewed. "There's no way I'd be able to do this without you."

"Same here," she drew her hand across the back of her neck, spilling her hair over her shoulder. "I don't think I could act out an intimate moment with anybody else."

"It may not even be acting," he offered gently, only for his eyes to bug and his face to flush beet red. "Oh—um—I mean—"

She took his hand, also blushing. "No, that's kinda what I was thinking..."

Talbott's flustered nature instantly calmed. "...Oh," he said softly, looking at her hand around his. The smallest of smiles began to tug at his lips.

Barnaby whooped with excitement behind them. They glanced back to their friends to watch Professor Flitwick agree that Barnaby would be able to bring his pet knarl with him in the spring scene.

"Say, what would have happened if I wasn't picked, but you were?" Liana turned back to Talbott.

"I wouldn't have taken the part," he said simply.

"You would have disappeared through the window." She smirked, finally breaking a smile across his face with her remark.

"Probably," he admitted. "But I don't have to worry about that now."

She squeezed his hand tighter as she grinned. "I'm actually kind of excited now."

"I'm getting there."

"Just let me know if it ever gets overwhelming for you."

The touched smile that shone from Talbott's face was enough to knock Liana off her feet.

"Thanks, Liana. I appreciate that," he squeezed her hand back.

"And the final member of the Winter scene will be Miss Snyde as one of the Winter Sprite's cold army of snowdrops!"

"I can do that," Merula gleamed.

"That should account for everyone in this room!" The professor clasped his hands together again. "I again thank you for your interest, and I hope to see you back this evening for the initial script read-through!" His teeth stayed clenched. "Yes, Mister Lee?"

"Will Knarl get a script too?" Barnaby's hand was still raised as he spoke.

"I'll trust you to keep him on task," Professor Flitwick nodded patiently. "Thank you all!"

He then shuffled through the Great Hall and left without another word.

The room was silent for only a moment before every eye turned to Liana and Talbott.

"So, you two are the stars, eh?" Merula leaned back on the table with her legs crossed. "Are you up to the challenge, Winger?"

Talbott's brows lowered. "Yes."

"Why wouldn't he be?" Badeea adjusted her headscarf. "He wouldn't have auditioned if that was the case."

"You Ravenclaws and your logic," Merula rolled her eyes.

Andre leaned his arms on his elbows. "I dunno, from one Ravenclaw to another, I'm worried you're getting in over your head."

"Thanks, but I know what I'm doing," his rusty-brown eyes slipped to the floor.

"We're just concerned that you'll be asked to do things that you, well, don't usually do," Diego attempted to keep the discussion diplomatic. "After all, Flitwick's just named me as assistant director, and I want to make sure both of our leads are—"

"We'll be all right, Diego," Liana interrupted when she noticed Talbott's mood growing strained, "though we appreciate the concern."

"Yeah, Liana can handle this." Barnaby nodded.

Merula turned to him. "You're on their side?"

"I'm on my Knarl's side," Barnaby said proudly. "Since Talbott got the lead, I get to be in the spring scene with Knarl!"

"Your knarl's name is Knarl?" Andre asked under his breath.

Merula waved her hand. "You'd rather play sidekick to a knarl than play Liana's love interest?"

"Of course!" Barnaby offered matter-of-factly. "Besides, I'd only want to play the love interest if Liz was the other half."

"Aw!" Penny brought her hands to her lips, overcome by the emotion in Barnaby's simple statement.

"Oi, you lot are a bunch of romantics!" Merula slumped forward.

Badeea pressed her lips together as the complaints continued in mumbles and mutters. "Look; Professor Flitwick knows what he's doing. It's his performance after all. If he chose Liana and Talbott, who are we to question what he sees in them as his actors?"

The thoughtful Ravenclaw effectively silenced the motley group of friends.

Liana glanced at her co-star, smiling when she found him looking to her. She knew different aspects would be a struggle for them both, but it would be worth it just to spend more time with someone she truly admired.

And, by the way Talbott returned her smile, the feeling appeared to be mutual.

—

"You changed me, Spring Nymph," the Winter Sprite spoke, holding hands firmly in his own. "I can feel the ice of my heart melting within me."

The Spring Nymph stepped closer, bringing one of her hands to his chest. "I can feel the warmth within you," the Spring Nymph smiled.

Talbott was almost unrecognizable within the frost-enchanted costume he was dressed in. His olive skin was set in contrast against an icy cowl draped around his neck and shoulders, and traces of frost swirled onto the blue velvet tunic he wore. A brown leather belt was tied to his waist with dark navy tights tucked into frost-covered boots.

Liana was dressed in a sleeveless, emerald green dress with ruffles of tulle layered along the skirt. Golden vines were stitched across her bodice and along her knee-high boots and long gloves. A circlet of pink flowers and leaves hung in her wavy hair, and her pale skin almost seemed to glow under the stage lighting.

"I will no longer bring about an endless winter," the sprite said.

"It is important for spring to come at its time, but it is just as important for winter to arrive in its season," the nymph replied. "Life is a balance; a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to harvest, a time to weep and a time to laugh!"

"I understand now; life needs us both to keep in balance!"

She drew in a deep breath and brought her hand to Talbott's cheek. "And I need you... for me."

His eyes narrowed softly as his hand reached up to cover hers. "In all my years, I never thought I'd feel..."

"In love?" Liana asked, eyes wide.

Talbott smiled. "Yes," he said. "In love with you."

Liana stepped back, a hand on her chest as she beamed from within. "As am I. The love we share is the truest love there is. It will be as eternal as the winter you intended, and an example to the world that love conquers all."

At that, the two leaned in close with lips parted and eyes dipping closed. The moment they had been waiting all night for was finally there. Liana and Talbott at last shared their romantic kiss.

The cooing of 'awe' from the audience soon turned to gasps of surprise as the Winter Sprite and Spring Nymph rose from the stage in a sparkling of magic. Talbott took Liana by the hand and spun her around before tucking her against his side and kissing her cheek. She giggled with excitement just as the curtains slid closed. Thunderous applause soon followed.

Now behind the curtains, the blond-haired student holding them aloft with his wand lowered them back to the ground. Wide-eyed and almost bursting with excitement, Liana threw her arms around Talbott in a celebratory hug. Her feet again left the ground, but this time it was because he had lifted her himself.

"We did it!" She laughed into his shirt.

"We did! And, you were amazing," he set her back down.

"As were you," she giggled, mimicking her lines.

"And you look amazing, too," he added with a sly grin.

"You look awfully smart yourself," she ran her finger from his icy cowl to his chest.

"Careful," he narrowed his eyes, "you may make me melt."

The two shrieked as Diego suddenly thrust his head through the part in the curtains. "Hey you two—get out here! Your fans are waiting!" He grabbed them and pulled them through the curtain before they could speak another word.

At once, a small crowd had gathered around them as professors and students alike showered them in complements. Merula was bragging to Ismelda how she was the most powerful snowdrop in the Winter Sprite's army while Penny's younger sister Beatrice admitted that she had done 'okay, I guess.' Andre checked on each costumed character to alert them on how amazing they looked from the audience, and Badeea accepted Penny's praise for her beautifully painted backdrops. Even Liz had come up from the audience in support of Barnaby—and Knarl.

"Brava! Brava!!"

One by one, the gathering group parted to allow their part-goblin professor to have a straight shot to the two stars of his show. As he shuffled his way up to them, Liana could see that Flitwick had tears in the corners of his eyes.

"Bravissima!" He pressed his hands together tightly after a few claps. "I never imagined such a stunning performance—it was even better as I had envisioned!" He let out a short laugh and almost bounced upon his toes as he grasped each of their hands. "Miss Nichols, Mister Winger, I knew I had chosen the best actors for these roles. Thank you—thank you for bringing my performance to life!"

"Thank you for writing such an incredible play, Professor!" Liana bowed her head.

"And, thank you for believing in me," Talbott added sheepishly. "I know you were taking a risk casting me..."

"Oh, no," Flitwick tilted his head with a broad smile beneath his moustache. "I knew exactly what I was doing when I chose you both. I visit the common room often, you know, and I've seen the two of you spending more time together. I was hoping your budding romance would come to full bloom by the time you reached the stage," he winked, "and I was not disappointed!"

The two, flushing pink, glanced at each other.

Flitwick could only chuckle as he sauntered back into the crowd, leaving the two Ravenclaws slipping back into each other's arms with a smile.

YEP. Had to draw more Liana and Talbott, and then I had to write some fanfiction to go with it :D This is if the play had actually gone as planned...... not chopped and turned into a one-woman monologue. I used some dialog from the game (Hogwarts Mystery), and even threw in some Ecclesiastes because why not ^^ Also, I have a headcannon that Barnaby and Liz start dating because they seem like they'd be incredibly cute together too. So even Mr Lee gets a happy ending (with Knarl too) ;)

Tags: Liana Nichols