Chapter 1

The Queen of Fools

"I want to be a fool like you."

A singe lapse in concentration was all it took for this merry thought to enter Diana's head and bounce around like a jackelope. Sighing, Diana shut close the tome she had occupied herself with for the morning, mindful of its aged circumstance. She took a moment to recollect her thoughts, attempting in vain to recall the last few pages she had read.

"Nothing," she breathed.

Brushing a wavy strand of hair from her vision, Diana raised herself and exited her small recluse which was tucked comfortably into the corner of her dorm room. It would be a fruitless endeavour to continue studying in her current state of mind, not to mention woefully inefficient. Well it is necessary for one to rest, the young Witch mused. The studious Witch had been up since the early morning and foregone breakfast in favour of touching up on ancient magic scripts.

Surveying her lavish room she recalled what the rooms for most of the other Witches in the academy looked like. They were small, rustic with old and creaking wooden furniture, the bedsheets were a dull white and the floors and walls were splintered.

I truly am more comfortable in luxury like this, the Cavendish heiress affirmed for herself. After all it's what she'd grown up living like, for a prestigious family like hers - one descended of Bellatrix of the Nine Olde Witches - the scenery around her was nothing more than commonplace. Through the shameless acts of her aunt however, the Cavendish were experiencing a rather unsightly fall from grace.

Yes, the Cavendish name would soon perish. As such it was her duty to do all within her power to keep that from happening. She was talented, studious and a hard worker. If anybody could do it, it was her. If she excelled here at Luna Nova, if she used the Academies resources to her advantage, learned all she could and played her cards right, as head of the Cavendish house, she could restore it all.

That was her duty.

Though if Diana had one gripe about her room at Luna Nova, it would be that she would never enjoy the constant company of a certain talentless Witch.

"Honestly, what am I thinking?" She quickly berated herself. "If I wish to continue living my current life of luxury, I must forego others."

Diana's time at Luna Nova was only a result of her own selfish indulgence after all. After these few years here, she would have to fully throw herself into magic, and more importantly the voracious world of Witch politics. As such she would enjoy her time here at Luna Nova to her fullest, however there are some luxuries she must forbid herself of, lest they distract her from her mission. Luxuries such as being a fool.

An idiot more-like.

A commotion outside her window caught Diana's attention. Her light blue eyes flickered and outside she saw a certain group of witches frolicking about.

What drew her attention were the actions of the orange-haired tomboy, Amanda, who had taken to the skies on her broom. Her brash personality and blatant disregard for rules left much to be desired, however her physical prowess and skills with a broom were noteworthy and Diana admitted that the tomboy possessed a certain wild charm to her.

In direct pursuit of Amanda was the small statured and serious German genius.

In terms of raw mechanical talent, Constanze is miles above the rest of us. Constanze Amalie von Braunschbank Albrechtsberger was a genius of her craft. Whilst her performance in other magic subjects was middling at best, in the manufacturing and construction of magic devices not even Diana could compare. Her participation in the Wild Hunt was proof of just how widely regarded her talent was within the Academy. She was a Witch that would undoubtedly rise to great heights.

Riding along at a more leisurely pace and snacking on a freshly opened bag of crisps was Jasminka. She was… uh well… she was good at all things food related. Yes!

"If these three are all on their brooms, then does that mean…" Poking her head out Diana scanned the skies until she laid eyes on the academies most infamous trio. "Well, what else did I expect from her?"

Dragging people along into her mischief was one of the girl's greatest abilities after all.

"Come on Akko! You can do it! I know you can, just concentrate." The bespectacled fairy Witch, Lotte, spoke words of encouragement to her dear friend, flying a small ways above Akko, worry etched into her brow.

"I am concentrating! What does it look like I'm do- Woah!"

"If you can barely keep control of the broom in the air how do you expect to ever beat Diana?" Egged the mushroom loving Witch, Sucy, "though watching you struggle like this is pretty interesting."

"Sucy!"

"Ah sorry, Lotte. Though Akko's idiocy truly is fascinating. It's been over three months now and she can only barely stay afloat. Truly Akko, you are a legend of a Witch."

"Shut up, Sucy! And what does Diana have to do with any of this anyway? Just you watch soon I'm going to have her smug face kissing my shoes in defeat! She's going to –Ah! Pretty soon she- Uh! I'll…have…her…"

"What will you have me doing exactly, Akko?"

"Eh!" Shocked by Diana's interjection, the legend of a Witch, Kagari Atsuko, was left dangling upside down on her broom motionless. Floating a couple of metres away the beads of sweat on Akko's forehead reflected Diana's menacing leer.

"D-Diana what a pleasant morning it is today isn't it? Oh ho ho ho!"

"Akko, your hat."

"Wha-" Akko's hat which Diana had noticed precariously slipping off, lost all traction and departed from Akko's thick skull. Desperately Akko flailed around in midair attempting to grab hold of it. With a mighty shout she succeeded in capturing the fleeing article after several seconds of hurried grabbing.

"A-Akko… your broom…"

"Eh." With cartoonish likeness Akko looked down at the drop below, then back up to Diana, she looked around for the broom she'd departed from during her battle with her hat, and upon finding it an arms-length away, promptly began her descent to the ground.

When Diana emerged outside Akko was encircled by Lotte and Sucy, rubbing her backside with both hands. Noticing the damage Akko had dealt to her saviour, the flower patch, Diana sighed. Still, at least Akko was fine.

"A-Akko! Are you okay? You shouldn't have done something so careless!" Lotte berated her friend, before rushing to check for any injuries.

"Well it's to be expected of you, Akko. Those poor flowers though. You have my thanks friends for saving the life of the legendary witch Akko." Sucy, as always, found the situation amusing and enjoyed herself by teasing Akko.

"Ow! Ow! Ow! Jeez that smarts. Well at least everything is okay now!" Responded Akko with a wide, stupid grin. Only Akko could smile like that in a situation like this thought everyone present.

"Everything is most certainly not okay." Diana spoke, her serious gaze concentrated on Akko. Unable to hold the intensity of Diana's stare, the brunette Witch looked away and into the sky. "You've ruined the flowerbed, just who do you think planted and cared for those?"

"W-well I imagine it was the staff here and…"

"Well you're mistaken. It can't be helped." Diana whisked out her wand and aimed it at the flattened flora. "Mia Etelyusa!" Magical blue light emanated from the tip of her wand before shooting out towards their target. The plants shook, glowed blue and then began to posture themselves as if nothing had ever happened. Satisfied with her work, Diana turned to Akko who winced. "Your hand."

The injured party looked at Diana dumbstruck before realizing. "Oh! My hand, it's bleeding." Lotte and Sucy simultaneously shook their heads. The blonde witch gestured for Akko's bleeding palm. After a moment's hesitation Akko relented, and stretched her hand out. With a tenderness that surprised, Diana cupped the oriental Witches soft hand in her own. Annoyed at herself for the slight blush which painted her cheeks.

She cast a similar spell as before and held Akko's hand as it became awash in blue light. Akko oohed and awed at the slightly warm, slightly tingly feeling in her hand and watched as her cut healed.

"As expected of Diana," remarked Sucy with an approving nod at the heiress's work.

"Woah! That's incredible, Diana!" Exclaimed Akko, now trembling in excitement.

"Not really, healing magic is one of the Cavendish's specialties. This much is expected from me," replied Diana coolly, a subtle smile in her eyes.

"Still! Wow! Who knew magic could be so useful!"

"Akko…" sighed Lotte, exasperated. It was cute how even after all this time Akko constantly found new thing's to be excited about when it came to magic. After about a minute of Akko shooting off nonsense, Lotte and Sucy glanced at each other, both noticing that, curiously enough, Diana had not yet released her patient's hand.

"Oh, that reminds me!" began Sucy, "There's a new mushroom I wanted to collect. Strangely enough it only appears at around noon when one is accompanied by a freckled wearer of spectacles!"

"Eh? What's that? That sounds like a weird mushroom, I want to see it let's go!"

"No can do," interrupted Sucy, "this mushroom is way on the other side of the Academy grounds and if I want to reach it by noon I can't have your slow flying stopping me."

"Then just take me with you on your broom!"

"No can do, you've gained weight Akko, you're too heavy now."

"Gah!" Shocked, at this statement all the power drained from her body and Akko fell to her knees.

"I-It's okay Akko," reassured Lotte moving to pat her friends back. "Sucy's just teasing you, you're not too heavy. It's just that… you know we've been flying all morning so we're both tired! Yeah! So with that said, we can't really afford an extra passenger and yeah so, goodbye! See you later!" Lotte hopped onto her broom and waved goodbye.

Following suit, Sucy ascended as well, with a malicious grin plastered on her face. "Bye bye! Take care of Akko please, Diana!"

Watching the two disappear over the academy, Diana paled. They're so obvious! She screamed mentally.

"Ahh, I really wanted to see that weird mushroom…"

And she's so oblivious!

Recomposing herself, Diana offered her helping hand to the crestfallen Akko. "Seriously, Akko, you need to improve your flying skills. I was amazed the first time you flew, but to think that it's been three months and you still can barely fly…"

That's right. Atsuko Kagari, affectionately called Akko by many, the legendary Witch who was chosen by the Claimh Solais, recited and unlocked the Seven Words and used the ultimate world reconstruction magic Grand Triskelion, was ultimately, a fool.

Yet still, she's a fool I admire.

"I've been practicing every day! I just can't seem to get the hang of it!" Akko wailed in desperation. "It took me weeks just to learn how to use metamorphosis magic correctly, ahh, maybe I really am an idiot."

"That may be, but that's never stopped you before has it." Diana spent a moment contemplating her next words, picking out twigs and sundry from Akko's hair. "You can do anything, Akko. A believing heart is your magic, right?"

"Diana…"

Lotte had her fairy magic, Sucy her love and knowledge of poisons. Diana recognized that everyone in the Academy had their own unique skill, everyone she'd thought, except Akko. Now however, Diana believed that Akko could change the world of magic. Truthfully she already had, ever since Akko had used Grand Triskelion, magic had been returning to the world. She doubted Akko could feel it, but Diana had already noticed how the air outside of the Academy already felt more powerful. Even the Headmistress and teachers had been speaking about such matters in hushed, yet enthusiastic tones. Magic was slowly returning to the world, and it was all thanks to Akko.

Not that she'll ever realise it. Akko never aimed to restore magic to the world like Diana had, like even Croix had. No, she, like Chariot, just wanted to make a world where everyone could smile and be happy. Diana had heard her wish, and it was this simplicity in Akko, that Diana had come to find, so irresistibly… charming.

"You know, Diana. Lately you've been smiling a lot more lately," said the aforementioned Witch with a goofy smile.

"Have I? I guess I just like that the Academy is going back to the way it was, before Croix's little revolution as it were. Everything's calmer now, less tense. I find it much easier to focus on my studies than before."

"Hmm…" Akko remarked, a little unsatisfied at the studious answer. "Still, you've been having more fun too right? Oh, now that I think about it did you plant those flowers?"

"I did."

"And, did you have fun doing it?"

"I will admit, I ended up enjoying the respite caring for those flowers offered me far more than I expected. It truly is a rewarding experience."

"Then that makes me happy, that you're happy!" Akko beamed and Diana was left stunned for a moment. Happy? I guess… I am… I am happy. "You know, Diana, back when I was at your manor, your maid umm… Anna was it? Well, back then she said you were kind, just like your mother."

"Anna did?"

"Yeah, and to be honest back then I thought she was going senile. You, kind? As far as I was concerned you were the meanest, grumpiest and most obnoxious person at the Academy!"

"Who was obnoxious now?" Diana asked, twitching.

"Ah! But that was back then, you know! Now…now I think I see what she was saying. Helping heal me today, hearing you've been caring for these flowers. And back when I was upset over Chariot and losing my magic, you helped look for me and the words you said back then. About you, and about me…They really helped me you know. So I'm only going to say this once, but… thank you. You really are kind. What was the motto of Cavendish? Affection? I think I…I see that now."

Diana was left speechless at Akko's admission. To hear Akko's word of appreciation lifted her spirits and left her heart aflutter.

"But don't let this all go to your head alright! I'll admit for the time being you may be better than me in magic and not as stuck up as you appear! But as your rival, one day I will beat you!"

Ahh, Akko.

"Hmph, I still don't recall me ever saying I ever thought of us as rivals. We're on completely different levels, you and I. Although, perhaps with a little of my tutoring you might make it there one day."

Visibly irritated, the talentless Witch stomped her foot on the ground. "You! It won't be like this forever, okay? Ms Ursula, or is it Chariot now? Uh, anyway she's been giving me private lessons so when the final exams roll around we'll see who's laughing then." Akko raised her shoulders and looked down her nose with false bravado.

"Of course, of course. Make sure not to flush your teacher down the sink this time alright?"

"Wha- who told you!? It was Sucy wasn't it. Ahh, darn you Sucy." It was then, that Diana giggled. Akko thought the sound was nice, and laughed a little too. Before either of them knew it, all the tension in the air dissipated as they both chuckled at the other.

"Really, Akko. You're one of a kind. I think I see why Sucy enjoys teasing you so much." Puffing her cheeks, Akko glared disdainfully at Diana. "Still, more than rivals, I'd like it if the two of us were…were…"

"Friends? I mean I guess your friend can be your rival. And I'd say that we qualify. So sure! We can be rival friends!"

Diana paused, looking for a long moment at Akko's bashful, yet sincere smile. Were what? Without thinking why, the blonde Witch raised her hand, resting it fondly on Akko's cheek. The shorter Witch jumped slightly at the contact, cheeks flushed crimson. Looking down on Akko's embarrassed face, Diana felt her heart twinge.

She's too cute.

The heiress felt her heart beat faster, harder. The distance between them shrunk, smaller, closer. . Her big goofy eyes, silly brown hair, sweet lovely smile. All of it. The warmth of Akko's breath, the allure of her scent, the pinkness of her lips. All of her. Right now it all seemed so intoxicating. The heiress wondered if a spell had been cast on her.

"Diana."

Like falling awake, Diana was wrenched back to reality. She was hotter than she remembered being.

"Ahh, sorry. I noticed there was still something in your hair." She lied smoothly, removing the imaginary leaf.

"Oh, thank you." Akko responded softly, still blushing.

Diana stepped back, placing distance between them again. That was close, I can't let myself lose it like that again. Come on! Control yourself Diana Cavendish!Whilst Diana was mentally chiding herself she noticed Akko's hat still lying on the ground. She grabbed it.

"Why were you wearing this again?" Asked Diana, "You're only meant to wear this on formal occasions."

"Well you know how it is! I just thought that when it comes to Witches there are two very important things! Riding on brooms and their pointy hats! So I thought it was natural to wear this while learning how to fly." Akko declared confidently, seizing her hat and placing it atop her head with a smirk.

Diana chuckled, "Honestly, you have such a childish image of what Witches are still. Honestly sometimes you're just too cu-"

"Cu?" Akko tilted her head quizzically at the unfinished word.

Crap!

"Cu… uh I mean coincidentally I have something to give you."

"You do? Oh, what is it? What? What?"

Damn, you're too flustered Diana. Truthfully, Diana did have something for the other Witch. Though since receiving it she'd internally struggled as to whether or not she'd actually deliver the item. It was a letter, and as far as she was concerned it was not her duty to act as a courier service. She could have left the letter undelivered and no-one would have known better.

Or at least, that's what she'd reasoned for herself. More than anything, she just didn't want these two people to be alone together.

'Here," she handed Akko the letter. "It's from Andrew."

The moment Diana saw Akko's eyes spark up, her irritation flared.

"Andrew!? Again? What could it be this time?" Diana shrugged, feigning disinterest.

"Whatever it is, it's not my concern. I was asked to deliver the letter and that I have done. A message from me to him, next time you see him tell him I have no further interest in being his pack mule."

"Ah, right! Sorry for making you do this, Diana."

No, why are you apologising. That's not what I meant. Diana bit her lip, frustrated. Her gaze flickered to Akko who was holding the envelope up to the sun. The heiress sighed again, the source of her dissatisfaction not entirely clear to herself. Slithering into her mind again was that thought, creeping and rooting itself in areas it didn't belong like a snake from her aunt Darryl.

Gaze filled with foggy emotions, Diana took in the sight of Akko, thinking again,

I want to be a fool like you.

A/N: Watching Little Witch Academia was a rewarding experience and an inspiring one! Ever since the first OVA during the 2013 Young Animator Training Expo I was hooked! I am of the opinion that the second half of the anime suffered from a couple…well… Croix-related issues but Diana's arc was amazing so I'll let it slide. I do hope you enjoyed the first chapter of this story, please share your thoughts and expect more soon.

PS: 2013 huh? It's been four years since then and about the same amount of time since I wrote my last full length story. A lot has changed since then both in the world and my writing. Let's see what the future holds.