This story takes place after my first story based on the ship Qrowin, which will be referenced often in here. However, if you don't feel like reading through that entire story, or you don't really ship Qrowin, feel free to start here. It can also be read as stand alone, so you won't be missing too much. The few prologue "episodes" (skipping through a large period of time) will catch you up on the few little things Ironwitch went through in "Tragedy to Blessing"

As of right now (because of school) I don't know how often I can update this, but once summer hits I'll finally be a free woman it this is going to be a fun little project!

Enjoy!

-annawrites

"Is it true, Miss-"

"Headmistress," Glynda interrupted, holding her head high in front of the camera. Beacon may have been almost completely demolished but she wasn't ready to give up her title, not yet when there was still hope.

"Sorry," the reporter, Azura Pane offered Glynda a half-assed apologetic smile, and then crossed her legs before continuing, "Is it true, Headmistress Goodwitch, that eighty-five percent of Beacon's structure has been demolished by the recent attack on the school?" Glynda blinked, took a moment to breathe, and then nodded shortly,

"Yes, that is true, however-"

"And you still have hopes that the school will resume session, despite the strange Grimm that has taken up residence on the tower-despite the rising numbers of Grimm in the area?"

"Of course, I have hope!" Glynda was fighting desperately to keep her composure, her chest felt tight, her hands were clenched into fists, "Beacon's previous headmaster, Professor Ozpin, would never have given up on the school. It was a haven for the children, a place of learning, knowledge, a place where they could hone their skills and grow to understand themselves better."

"Some might argue that this was one of the late Professor's greater faults," Azura said, waving her arm nonchalantly. Glynda gritted her teeth.

"Professor Ozpin was an honorable man, and he believed in providing a strong and safe environment for children to learn and grow in-"

"Ah! Of course, we have a second special guest today who is here to offer another opinion on the Fall of Beacon and recent failures in the school's faculty to restore the school to its former glory. If we could please welcome General, and Headmaster of Atlas Academy, James Ironwood." Azura rose from her seat to greet the general as he marched onto the stage. Glynda was frozen in her seat. She had no idea he was here, no idea he was even in Vale. Her heart almost skipped a beat when she saw him. He looked to be in poor health. He hadn't shaved in some time, his hair was somewhat disheveled, and there were dark circles under his eyes. Yet, his uniform was still a pristine white, and when he greeted Azura with a shake of the hand he was smiling. What are you doing here James? The moment his eyes locked with hers, Glynda stood slowly, her knees shaking, and held out her hand.

"General!" She tried to sound happy to see him, tried to sound glad to have his support, but she was feeling so many rolling emotions in her chest and stomach that she felt like she was going to throw up. Her smile, she was sure, looked weak and fake, probably almost as fake as Azura's and definitely more uncomfortable. James offered her a genuine glance of apology,

"It's good to see you, Headmistress Goodwitch."

The three of them once again settled down in their seats, and Azura glanced between the two of them before settling on James, "Alright, General, as you know the Headmistress and I were just discussing Beacon's former headmaster, Professor Ozpin. What is your professional opinion about Professor Ozpin's defense here in Vale at the academy?" James hesitated, and Glynda recognized that look in his eyes: regret.

"I once thought that Professor Ozpin was foolish, for keeping such a seemingly low guard on the academy and the City of Vale. However, I was mistaken about both observations. The Professor was an incredible, and wise man. He knew what he was doing. It was I who should have listened to him."

Azura looked surprised, but she regained her composure after a moment. "And what about the efforts of the faculty of the academy? As we speak, several of them are still trying to clear the courtyard of Grimm, and others are trying to rebuild the student dorm rooms? Do you think the academy can be saved?"

James clenched the armrests of his seat, and then whispered, "I have hoped beyond my wildest dreams that the situation at Beacon Academy would improve. However, with the lack of resources we have now, and with the increase of Grimm on and around the Academy… I have my doubts that Beacon can be reopened by the end of the year." Glynda's heart dropped to her stomach, and she was sure she was going to be sick. The world was spinning around her.

"What would you suggest to young men and women who are seeking to fulfill their dreams and train to be huntsmen and huntresses?"

"There are still three incredible academies open to students: Shade, Haven, and Atlas. Applying to these three schools is encouraged. Don't give up on your dreams. Of course, these three academies are also offering open spots to teams who no longer have a place at Beacon Academy."

"Thank you for your wonderful input, General Ironwood."

"Of course," he nodded. Glynda's eyes met his again, and she offered him as poisonous a look as she could muster, while Azura said goodbye to the viewers.

"...A huge thank you to both General James Ironwood and Headmistress Glynda Goodwitch. Next up is the weather!" The moment the cameraman gestured that the camera was off Glynda stood, her legs shaking, and stumbled off the set as fast as she could, making her way back out into the streets of the City of Vale. It was raining. Streams of water overflowed from the gutters of the houses and shops along the street. In the distance was the sound of thunder. Glynda silently cursed her foolishness for not bringing a coat or umbrella.

"Here." James was standing next to her, holding out his coat. "We're going to have to run." Glynda swatted his arm away,

"I'm not in the mood to talk to you, James." She stepped out into the downpour and began to walk back to her apartment, heels clacking and splashing across the sidewalk. The rain was quickly drenching through her clothes. Her blouse was already clinging to her skin. Her hair was slowly becoming plastered to her neck. Her glasses were fogging up, and she kept walking, after a moment she heard footsteps dashing after her.

"Glynda, you're going to get sick!" James shouted, reaching for her arm. She pulled away from him and spun around to face him.

"I knew you didn't have faith in our efforts, James, but you've just confirmed it on national television!" She shouted, "No one's going to fund us now! Not after General Ironwood has said that our… our… that what we're doing is…." She slapped him across the face, and he barely blinked.

"Glynda, you know I couldn't lie… Look at this place! Look at it." He gestured to where she could see the tower and that beast above the town houses. Every time she looked there her heart felt cold. "You're out there, risking your life for nothing! The moment that tower fell was the moment it was over. And you have to believe me when I say, I have hoped beyond all hopes that things would change, that things might get better. Glynda it's been months and they aren't. Please! Please…" The rain was soaking through his coat now, and Glynda was soaked to her skin, and her arms were beginning to shiver. She felt tears threatening to fall, and the new world she had built up for herself and the other faculty threatened to fall with them. "Glynda, it's over." And she broke, her knees giving out in the utter hopelessness that filled her. She fell, but James caught her by her arm and supported her, and when she looked into his eyes, she saw torture.

"I… I wish I could have… I wish I had listened to him," he whispered.

"To who?"

"To Ozpin. If I had just… Maybe things wouldn't be this way. I'm so, so sorry, Glynda. I'm so… so…"

"This is not your fault," she whispered. "It's not your fault." He pulled her into a tight embrace, lifting her up off her feet, and she buried her face in the crook of his neck.

"You're soaking wet," he murmured, after a moment. She laughed a little, leaning out slightly to look him in the eyes.

"So are you," she said, brushing her thumbs across his jaw.

"Come with me to Atlas." The thought was so tempting now, especially looking down at him, the way he looked in the rain-with his hair slick. She remembered the several more recent nights, before the fall of life as she knew it, that they had spent together.

The night of the ball he had come home with her. It had been an accident-a stupid accident probably, but she couldn't look back and regret it. She remembered him stepping out of the shower, the way he had looked at her wrapped in only a towel. The way she had felt, like she could do that every day, like she could wake up to that face and love him for the rest of her life. Now, looking down at him in the rain, she felt the same way, and it hurt more than anything she had ever experienced before. She wanted to go with him, so, so desperately, but she couldn't abandon Vale, not yet. He asked again, concern in his voice, "Come with me to Atlas." She shook her head and she could almost see the light fade from his eyes.

"I'm so sorry, James, you know I can't. Even if there's no hope for Beacon… Vale is my home…"

"Glynda…" Once again her feet touched the wet ground, and his warmth disappeared.

"I'm sorry, James… I'm…" She stepped away again, and turned around, and dashed back out into the rain.