The First Meeting

Dane had to admit, the library at the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry was as impressive as he'd always imagined it would be. The vaulted ceilings seemed to reach up into the sky and the bookshelves seemed to reach the ceilings in turn.

"I wish I had a camera," Dane said to himself as he entered the place, looking about in awe. Because of his somewhat distracted state, he failed to notice that there was someone directly in his path until he collided with her. Yes, her—for it was a young lady, he saw, as his attention snapped to his immediate surroundings. She wore a uniform of blue, with a matching hat, and dark stockings. Her high-heeled shoes seemed to be hovering an inch or two above the floor where a number of books were now scattered.

"Oh, I'm sorry about that, m'sieur," she said to him in a beautiful, almost musical voice. By her accent, Dane immediately placed her as one of the girls from the French school competing in the tournament being hosted by Hogwarts.

"No, pardon me, demoiselle," Dane replied in what he hoped was passably good French. "It was my fault. Please—let me help you." He picked up the books that lay at her feet. "May I carry these for you, demoiselle? They're a bit heavy."

"You speak French well, m'sieur," she told him and favored him with a smile. For a moment, he nearly dropped the books again. She was even more beautiful when she smiled; her voice was truly enchanting.

"Uh, thank you, demoiselle," Dane replied. "At least reading my dad's French dictionary paid off after all."

"Dictionary?" she said, a puzzled look crossing her face.

"I, um, learned your language by reading a dictionary. I didn't have a phrasebook." Dane smiled; silently he hoped he didn't look like the fool he was apparently making himself to be.

"Remarkable!" the young lady commented. "But you must get a phrasebook. It would make it easier. Oh! Where are my manners? Please, let's sit down before you get tired from carrying those heavy books."

"All right, demoiselle. Thank you." They moved to a couple of vacant chairs at the near end of a long table occupied mainly by Hogwarts students.

"I'm forgetting my manners," Dane said as the sat down. "My name is Dane Peregrino."

"I'm Felicienne de la Croix," his companion replied. "Pleased to meet you, Dane."

"Enchanté, demoiselle," Dane said. He wondered if he should kiss the back of her hand like he saw in all those movies that he watched but decided against it. There was such a thing as taking friendliness too far.

"Merci, m'sieur Peregrine," she said, giving him another smile. Dane couldn't help but be transfixed. Her features weren't pure French, as far as he could tell—long black hair, dark-caramel skin, eyes that were almost Oriental in shape, a fine nose, and her lips...

"You're welcome but please call me Dane. And may I call you Felicienne?" Dane said. "You have such a lovely name".

"All right—Dane. And yes, you may call me Felicienne. And thank you for the compliment."

"So—do you intend to read all these books?" Dane gestured towards the sizable stack that he'd put on the table between them.

"Actually, Dane, some of those books were simply floating when you ran into them," Felicienne said with a hint of amusement in her eyes. "I only intended to read these." She picked three books out of the pile.

"Ah, I guess I'll read these then," he said, taking one of the remaining four. "Hmmm! Healing Herbs And Poisonous Plants...just what I was hoping to find here."

"Are you a student here, Dane?" Felicienne asked him as he opened the book in his hands. "You seem a bit young to be a professor."

"You're most kind, Felicienne, but no—I am a guest here, just as you are."

"Really? Where are you from?"

"I come from Southeast Asia—the Philippines, to be exact," Dane told her. "I've been hoping to come to Hogwarts whenever I get the chance to visit England. And at last, I have."

"Ah...the Philippines!" Felicienne cried. She lowered her voice at a glance from the students at the other end of the table. "My mother told me that she and my father would visit your country whenever they had the chance. During their courtship."

"Let me guess—your mother is Vietnamese, perhaps?" Dane asked.

"Yes, she is. My father was a doctor with the French Red Cross. They came to France after their wedding and lived with my father's parents on their farm. That's where I was born."

"No wonder you're so beautiful," Dane said before he could stop himself. Felicienne fell silent, eyes downcast. A noticeable blush crept across her face.

"I, um, meant that, well..." Dane tried to figure a way out of his predicament but Felicienne gracefully solved the problem.

"Thank you for the compliment, Dane," she said. "My grandparents tell me that I was blessed with the features of both my mother and father. You do them an honor by your words."

"Well...you're welcome," Dane said, much relieved. For the next hour or so, the two were silent as they read through the books before them. Occasionally, however, their eyes would wander towards each other. Dane did so more frequently but by then, Felicienne's only response was a partially hidden smile, especially when he would catch her sneaking glances at him as well. When he had finished his book, he stood up and stretched a bit.

"Well, I must say, that was an interesting book. All those notes will come in handy," he remarked.

"These students are certainly fortunate to have such excellent reference material here," Felicienne agreed.

"Um, are you hungry?" Dane said. "Would you care to join me at the refectory or wherever it is that there's anything to eat here?"

"I'd love to, Dane," Felicienne replied, "unfortunately, I must meet my friends in a few minutes. Our headmistress would like to speak with us about the tournament, I believe."

"Some other time, perhaps. It was a pleasure to spend time with you, Felicienne." This time, Dane didn't hesitate. He took his companion's hand and kissed it. Felicienne blushed once more but she was smiling too. Dane took that as a sign that he hadn't done anything too forward.

"Thank you for your company as well, Dane," she said to him.

"How about...I accompany you to wherever you're supposed to meet your friends?" Dane offered.

"I don't see why not," Felicienne said. To his surprise, she took his arm and walked closely beside him as they left the library. Not a few students and professors turned their heads as they descended the stairs on their way to the courtyard. Once there, Dane saw several other blue-clad young ladies talking among themselves.

"That would be them, I suppose?" he asked. Felicienne nodded as she waved at her friends.

"I must go, Dane. Thank you for again for your company in the library," she said to him before leaving his side.

"It was my pleasure," he told her. To his surprise, she kissed him on the cheek. Then she went to her friends.

Dane was left standing in the courtyard with his hand on his cheek where she'd kissed him. He watched as they went inside, no doubt to where their quarters were. Part of him felt like yelling up at the sky. With a great degree of control, he commanded his feet to move and take him to where the refectory or the kitchens might be. He was sure that he wouldn't eat a thing but he sure needed something to drink. His throat felt dry for some reason. On his way back inside, he looked back again, hoping to see Felicienne but she was gone. Oh, well—perhaps he would see her later in the day.

"Ah, Mr. Peregrino, there you are."

Dane turned and saw Professor Dumbledore. The Headmaster of Hogwarts was accompanied by another professor, a rather severe-looking man in black. It was the school's Potions Master, Professor Snape.

"Hello, Headmaster Dumbledore," Dane said. "And Professor Snape. Good morning to you both." He bowed slightly. Headmaster Dumbledore had been the one who had invited him to Hogwarts; fortunately, the venerable old wizard knew many of his former teachers. Apparently, they'd all met each other at some point in their lives. He wasn't surprised; Dumbledore was probably as old, if not older than some of his teachers.

"Master, if you'll not be needing me for the moment, I must return to my chamber," Professor Snape said to the Headmaster.

"Oh, yes, Severus," Dumbledore told him. "We can continue our conversation later."

"Professor Snape, one moment please," Dane said.

"What is it, Mr. Peregrino?" Professor Snape wanted to know.

"I would just like to thank you for the information you gave me this morning," Dane said, holding out his hand. "I will certainly make use of it."

Professor Snape took his hand and shook it perfunctorily. "Anyone with the inclination can learn potions, Mr. Peregrino," he said. "And I must admit that you're more attentive than most of my students."

"Thank you, sir." The Potions Master nodded briefly in acknowledgment and then left.

"Come—walk with me," Dumbledore said. "I see that you're making the most of your time here, young man."

"Yes, sir," Dane replied. "This is the first time I've been here and I'm not sure if I'll be able to come back so I would like to learn as much as can while I'm here."

"I see..." Dumbledore fell silent for a few moments, except for when he greeted a student or a professor who passed them.

"Your quest is personal, as your teacher's letter stated," Dumbledore said to him softly, as if weghing his words carefully. "Would you care to at least give me a hint as to what it may be?"

Now it was Dane's turn to fall silent. Dumbledore didn't press him; instead, he waited for the young man to speak up.

"If I can be vague about it, sir," Dane began," I would have to say that I'm...looking for someone. Someone who...took a part of me away."

"Ah, is that right?" Dumbledore nodded. "And this...someone that you're looking for requires the magic that you hope to learn here at Hogwarts?"

"Yes, sir," Dane replied. "Perhaps I might not learn all the magic that you teach here but what I learn will be enough, I think."

"Your quest is a long way from its ending. You've a long way to go, I think."

"Yes, sir."

Dumbledore stopped and looked Dane in the eye. "Mr. Peregrino," he said, "I can't presume to tell you to end your quest; that is your choice entirely. I will tell you this—there are many kinds of magic that you can learn here at Hogwarts. But the one you find will be most useful may not be the one that you seek to begin with."

Dane was puzzled. The Headmaster merely looked at him, as if trying to help him to understand. But Dane still couldn't tell what it was that he meant. Dumbledore, however, began walking towards one of the castle's wings. Dane fell right in beside him, still wondering what the old wizard was trying to tell him.

"By the way, you've met one of our other guests?" Dumbledore asked, breaking his train of thought.

"Pardon me?" Dane replied. "Oh—you mean Mlle. de la Croix?"

"Yes, Mr. Peregrino," the Headmaster said. "I mean her."

"Well, yes, sir, I did get to speak with her in the library," Dane said, feeling a little embarassed.

"According to her headmistress, she's quite a brilliant student," Dumbledore told him. "It's too bad she didn't enter her name in the Triwizard Tournament."

"Did her headmistress say why she didn't, sir?" Dane was curious to know.

"Apparently, she felt that some of the older students deserved to enter the tournament," Dumbledore told him. "But she expects to enter the next one."

"I'm sure she's going to do well," Dane remarked.

"Yes, I'm sure." Dumbledore stopped in front of a closed door. "I'll be expecting you for dinner, Mr. Peregrino. Do continue your learning but remember what I told you."

"I will to both admonitions, sir," Dane said.

"I'll see you this evening at the Great Hall then. Goodbye for now, young man." Dumbledore opened the door and stepped inside. Dane waited for him to make his exit and then went off to find something to eat before resuming his research. Professor Sprout had allowed him to sit in during one of her Herbology classes and he wanted to get there ahead of the students so that he would be as unobtrusive as possible.

The Great Hall was always full of people during the evening meal but, with the addition of their guests, the Hall was packed. Thankfully enough for Felicienne, it wasn't claustrophibically tight. She'd never really liked being in large crowds. She was grateful that the Hall was apparently large enough to house all the students and professors without turning them into the proverbial can of sardines.

As she was helping herself to a piece of bread, one of her schoolmates whispered to her, "So, Felicienne, which one is he?"

Felicienne turned to her, puzzled. "Which one is who, Margot?" she whispered back.

"Which one of these young men is the one that you spent time with in the library?" Margot asked.

"Who told you that?" Felicienne wanted to know.

"Oh, a little bird, my friend," Margot answered with a teasing smile. "The other girls saw you with him earlier today when you went to meet with Fleur and our headmistress."

Felicienne didn't answer but her eyes swept the room, searching for Dane and finding him at the table with the other higher witches and wizards. As if sensing her, he looked up from his meal and gazed right at her.

"Ah, is that him?" Margot remarked. "Well, he is indeed rather handsome. Is he a professor here?"

"No, I believe that he's a guest of Hogwarts, just like us." Just as Felicienne reached for her cup to take a sip of wine, she heard his voice in her head.

Good evening, demoiselle. How was your day?

Felicienne looked around wondering if anyone else had heard him. When it became apparent that no one did—and that Margot was preoccupied chatting with another of their schoolmates—she answered him.

Rather well, m'sieur. Thank you for asking.

Are you attending the first day of the tournament tomorrow?

Perhaps; Fleur would be disappointed if we weren't all there to cheer for her. Although she does know that I can't stand to be in the midst of a lot of people.

Claustrophobic, are you, demoiselle?

Yes. Then Felicienne brightened up as a thought came to her. Are you going to to the tournament?

I was invited, demoiselle. I guess I have to be there. I'll just have to wake up earlier than usual to...exercise.

Exercise?

One must practice one's skills, am I correct? I do so every morning.

I see. Perhaps, after you practice, you can fetch me so that we could go together?

Dane's reaction wasn't what Felicienne expected. He appeared to be choking on a bit of food. Luckily, he regained control of himself before Hagrid, Hogwarts' half-giant groundskeeper and Care For Magical Creatures teacher, could give him a good slap on the back.

I'm sorry, Dane, a flustered Felicienne said.

No, no—it wasn't your fault...I was just surprised...um, yes, if you want, we can go together tomorrow. I'll pick you up at the courtyard after I practice.

Very well. I apologize for your mishap.

Don't worry about it, demoiselle. Shall we be able to meet after supper?

I don't see why not. But not for too long; I must get up early as well to help Fleur prepare.

All right. Once I'm done eating, I'll meet you at the courtyard then.

Felicienne replied with a nod. She didn't think that Madame Maxime would mind. After all, the students were all given time to socialize with each other before bedtime. Some of her schoolmates, in fact, had already left the table. Fleur was still deep in conversation with some of the other Beauxbatons seniors. No doubt they were talking about the tournament. Felicienne wondered if she would be just as calm as Fleur when it was her turn to take part in it. Then again, she knew that Fleur was tense enough; she just didn't want to let it show in front of the other students, particularly the younger Beauxbatons students—especially her sister.

Once her meal was finished, she stood up, excused herself, and then exited the Hall. A few moments later, Dane left the Hall as well. Dumbledore's gaze followed him.

Professor McGonagall noticed the Headmaster's attention towards their other guest. "Is something the matter, Albus?" she asked.

"No, it's quite all right, Minerva," he told her. "I believe that young man maybe closer to finding the magic that he seeks than even he expected."

"His is a dark path, I fear," Professor McGonagall remarked. "If he were an Auror, I'd still fear for his safety. And he isn't."

"He doesn't need to be an Auror," Dumbledore said. "I think, as long as he can find the magic and learn it well, he'll be safe. And we may even see him again."