The Queen of Frost and the Fall of a Fraud
By the end of the week, Hogwarts had reached a collective decision.
No meeting.
No vote.
No paperwork.
It simply… happened.
Hogwarts' New Mascot
Ninetales (Alolan) began appearing everywhere.
Sitting beside Professor McGonagall during patrols Napping near Professor Sprout's greenhouses, making plants grow healthier just to impress her Curling near the Great Hall fireplace, tail tips glowing faint blue Escorting first-years who looked lost or scared
And somehow—
She never blocked hallways.
Never broke rules.
Never caused trouble.
Students started leaving offerings.
Biscuits.
Fruit.
Charms homework (neatly tied with ribbons).
One Ravenclaw even left a book recommendation.
Ninetales accepted none of it.
Except biscuits.
She accepted all the biscuits.
The Official Moment™
It happened during breakfast.
Ninetales padded into the Great Hall, tails flowing like moonlit silk.
Every table went quiet.
She jumped gracefully onto the staff table.
Sat.
Curled her tails.
Professor Flitwick gasped softly.
"Oh my…"
Professor Sprout clasped her hands.
"She's perfect."
McGonagall sighed, defeated.
"…Very well."
She stood.
"I hereby declare this creature an honorary Hogwarts mascot. She is not to be disturbed, touched without permission, or used for publicity."
Lockhart choked on his pumpkin juice.
McGonagall's eyes snapped to him.
"Especially not for publicity."
Thunderous applause erupted.
Hufflepuff cheered.
Ravenclaw clapped politely.
Slytherin nodded in approval.
Gryffindor whooped.
Ninetales flicked one tail.
A soft wave of frost traced the ceiling—forming a shimmering snowflake crest above the hall.
Students stared in awe.
Keith, sipping tea beside Rias, muttered,
"…She likes the attention."
Rias smiled.
"She deserves it."
Lockhart's Revenge Plan (Delusional Edition)
Lockhart lay in the hospital wing that night, staring into a mirror.
His eyebrows were uneven.
His hairline… questionable.
And rumors said he'd screamed when he first saw his reflection.
He clenched the mirror frame.
That fox humiliated me.
Keith Runcandel humiliated me.
This cannot stand.
Thus, Lockhart devised a plan.
A brilliant plan.
A plan so clever, so daring—
Madam Pomfrey confiscated three drafts and called him "a danger to himself."
But Lockhart persisted.
Attempt #1: The "Exclusive Interview"
Lockhart cornered Ninetales near the library.
He held a self-written parchment titled:
"The Ice Fox Who Chose Me"
"My dear creature," he whispered dramatically,
"Just a few questions for the fans."
Ninetales stared.
Blink.
She turned her head slightly.
A perfect illusion formed behind her—
An image of Lockhart signing books…
Then running from pixies…
Then screaming as cornish pixies bit him…
Then being frozen.
The illusion replayed.
On loop.
A group of Ravenclaws burst into laughter.
Lockhart turned pale.
"…You're bluffing."
Ninetales yawned.
The illusion expanded—now projecting above the corridor.
Professor Snape walked past.
Paused.
Smirked.
And continued walking.
Lockhart fled.
Attempt #2: Sabotage (Instant Karma)
Lockhart tried sneaking frost-repellent charms into Ninetales' favorite resting spot.
The charm rebounded.
Freezing his own robes solid.
He hopped down the corridor yelling,
"POMFREY—!"
Students applauded.
Someone yelled,
"Encore!"
Attempt #3: The Ultimate Mistake
Lockhart finally snapped.
He burst into the courtyard during afternoon break.
"I AM NOT AFRAID OF A FOX!"
Silence.
Ninetales looked up from beside Keith.
Slowly stood.
Keith raised one finger.
"Ninetales."
She stopped.
Tilted her head.
Keith sighed.
"…Fine. One warning."
Ninetales stepped forward.
Her tails flared—not violently, not angrily.
Just… regally.
A pressure fell over the courtyard.
Not killing intent.
Judgment.
Lockhart dropped to his knees.
"I'M SORRY—!"
The frost formed words on the ground:
"NO AUTOGRAPHS."
Then vanished.
Lockhart was escorted away by McGonagall.
Again.
Hogwarts' Verdict
By evening, the castle buzzed with gossip.
"She's smarter than Lockhart." "She froze Ron again with just a look." "Snape respects her. That's terrifying." "She chose Keith. Obviously."
Ninetales curled beside Keith that night in the common room.
Susan offered her a biscuit.
Accepted.
Daphne brushed her fur.
Allowed.
Astoria hugged her neck.
Encouraged.
Keith rested his chin on his hand.
"…You've conquered Hogwarts in two days."
Ninetales flicked a tail smugly.
Rias laughed softly.
"Our fox queen."
Outside, snowflakes drifted gently over the castle.