The Smartest Witch of the Age

A/N: this story is different from anything else I've ever written, format-wise.  Ergo, it may be different from what you've read; during certain parts it may be helpful to recall "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" by Longfellow and reference that work for cadences to make it a bit less grating on the old mental ear.

Chapter 1: Or At Least, She Wasn't at First

A gaggle of children crowded into the small room set aside from the main hall, a concession to the noise they would undoubtedly make during the event.  They were a bit rowdy, but down to even the smallest infant, dressed in what muggles would call their "Sunday best".  A shuffle of old feet against an older floor signaled for the children's silence.  The younger children plopped down nearest the front, while the older children, a few holding infant cousins or siblings too young to be on their own.

An old witch walked through the doorway, her gait still showing the signs of how determined and quick she'd been as a young witch.  She smiled as she watched the children seating themselves, waiting for whatever their promised amusing surprise would be.  The witch tucked her silver hair back up into its messy bun, the pale curls doing their best to escape.

The witch cleared her throat as she reached the lone chair in the room and sat in it as lightly as she could.

"Well, well, good morning to you all," she said in a voice clear as a bell.  A few children responded but most watched with wary eyes.  She snorted to herself, blaming the parents for those.

"I'm here to entertain you lot instead of enjoy myself at the festivities," she continued, trying to make it sound like she'd rather be with the rest of the 'adults'.  "Take a seat, and we'll have a story."

A few groans came from the back, but the witch ignored them.  She warded the door for silence to and from the room, and to keep the children from leaving too early.

"You can all call me Granna," she said, settling back and wrapping herself in her shawl.  "And oh, does Granna have a story for you..."

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Listen my young, this room is nae cage

I'm here to amuse you, treat you and learn you

About she, the one, the Smartest

The Strongest

That witch of the AGE

The Boy, The Pure, The Young and the Other

Four did we know, four did we owe

Our lives

Our loves

Even sister and Brother

Not always like this, not always alike

Weaker, smarter, younger then older

A trial

A loss

All to grow bolder

So listen, dear children

To one who is sage

The story of...

The Smartest

Only then the Strongest

Witch of the Age

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The younger children looked slightly bored, but the older ones were trying to hide their rapt attention.  Just who was this Granna talking about?  One girl children, barely young enough to be considered a child anymore, smirked, tugging a long, reddish-black curl.  She watched Granna and wondered how long it would be before the dunderheads figured it out.

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A/N: so, here's the first, quite short chapter.  Hopefully you'll give it a chance, I do have grand plans for this one.  It hit me, of all places, in the shower earlier.  Hell, some of the best inspiration comes from the shower, right?