Once Upon An Enchanted Ball ( A Rise of Red/Glassheart Fanfic)

Chapter 1: New Beginnings

The ambiance of the headmaster's office was nothing more than patronizing.

Decorated with picture frames dedicated to the heroin stories of generations before, all with a sprinkle of pirate memorabilia to remind the scarlet-haired girl just exactly who she was sitting before at this very moment. And despite the uncomfortable silence, or the even more uncomfortable velvety armchair she was sitting in, Red knew better than to make any sudden moves- or noises, for that matter.

She was smart enough to know she was already testing her luck not coming in tearful disarray. Although her cousin's suggestion seemed reasonable, Red was adept at feigning sincerity when there was no other way out.

Growing up under her mother's dictatorship had taught her a few hard truths:

Never let your guard down.Love is never the answer.Deny, deny, deny.

The whimsical hell that was Wonderland taught Red that in moments like these, it's best to remain calm and deny, deny, deny.

"One would assume you already know why you've been called here," a stern voice echoed ever so slightly along the walls. With the swift movement of her aquatic throne, there she sat, ever so determined- Headmaster Uma.

Headmaster Uma's stern gaze pierced through Red as she sat across the desk, the weight of her recent mischief hanging heavily in the air.

"You've been practising that dramatic chair spin, haven't you?", despite the fact that she knew she was already testing her luck just by speaking, it was never like Red to miss an opportunity to crack a joke when she felt necessary.

"Princess," The title stung Red's cheeks and crimson colour. She had assumed that at Auradon Prep that title would have been left back at Wonderland.

"Now is not the time for cracking jokes...despite how right you may, or may not be." Uma shuns and Red resists the urge to let out a snicker of laughter, choosing to keep it inside for later.

"My apologies, Headmaster. It's just- well, I'm not exactly sure why I've been called here." Red begins, despite an initial eyebrow raise from Uma. "I was merely just continuing my academic prowess when-"

Uma lifts her pointer finger, eyes sealed shut with a subtle grin on her lips.

"Hold it right there," the Headmaster interjected, cutting off Red before she could weave another slippery tale. "I know you're accustomed to lying your way out of situations back in Wonderland, Your Highness. But here, you're on my turf." She chuckled, a menacing glint in her eye. "You have two choices: tell me the truth, or consider your tongue as good as gone. Choose wisely."

And with that, Red chooses to remain silent.

There was no lie to tangle herself in if she refused to speak. Her eyes pierced through Uma's, searching for any hope of a bluff beyond those menacing orbs. There wasn't. And with that, Red finds herself in an mildly intense staring contest that seems to last forever. If only her mother could see her now. The Queen would merely scoff at such an act of weakness and it stings Red's mind beyond control. There was so much more the girl could be spending her Tuesday afternoon on. Sure, maybe it was the extracurricular activities that got her into this mess but maybe that was Auradons fault for preaching about embracing your interest...or whatever their motto was.

Uma sighs, the realisation that she wasn't going to get through the first-year seemed to be an already known fact. "You know Red, you remind me a lot of myself when I was your age." The former vigilante began.

Red rolled her eyes dramatically, letting them drift to the back of her head. Slowly sinking into her chair, she braced herself for what she assumed would be a long-winded speech prepared by Uma. She might as well get comfortable.