Written For:

The Golden Snitch's Scavenger Hunt. Team: Hogwarts Four

The Golden Snitch: 12 Days of Christmas - Partridge in a pear tree: Write about a character who is physically unhealthy.. (Ravenclaw, Hogwarts)

Fleur's Solution

Fleur looked at her textbook. She studied the words without actually seeing them.

She couldn't concentrate. Her mind kept going back to her sister's pleas to the Healer. "But I want to go to school. I want to go to Beauxbatons. Can't I go?"

The Healer had solemnly shaken his head. "Gabrielle, you know it would be too strenuous for you. Your body wouldn't be able to handle it."

Their mother had hugged Gabrielle from behind. "Sweetie, you're not like other kids. It's time that you accepted that."

Gabrielle had started crying into her hands.

Fleur's heart clenched. Normally, she loved going to school. She loved getting away. Of course, she loved her sister, but it was hard being home. Gabrielle's unhealthiness meant she needed constant care, and Fleur always felt like she did so much when she was home. She didn't get to play or just fool around. She never felt like a kid, but instead, she felt like a teenage adult. Other kids would never understand, but school was like a vacation to her.

But she couldn't get her sister's heartbreak out of her head. Gabrielle would never get to experience the joy of school, and it wasn't fair.

With all of the magic in the world, you would think there would be a cure for all childhood illnesses, but Gabrielle had been born with a defect, and there wasn't a cure for it. There wasn't even treatment. In fact, despite the weakness she would always have to deal with, Gabrielle had been lucky to survive.

Fleur wished she could help. Just give Gabrielle a slice of what school was like. She looked up finally and the first thing she saw was her Charms professor. And then an idea struck her. If anyone could help her, it would be Professor Agital.

X

"You want to want?" Professor Agital asked in surprise. "That's a fancy bit of magic."

"Is it possible? It's the only thing I can think of to help my sister."

"It is possible, but it might take some time to work out the proper charms."

"Please," Fleur begged. "It's for Gabbie. She should get to experience school. At least as much as possible."

Professor Agital nodded. "I'll get right on it."

X

The mirror flashed and Gabrielle's face appeared. "Fleur? What's this? Mama gave me this mirror, said it was a special surprise, and now I can see you?"

"And talk to me," Fleur said. "My Charms professor did it."

"But why?"

Fleur touched the glass surface of the mirror, touching her sister's face even if the younger girl couldn't feel it. "I'll put the mirror on in my classes, and in a way, you can experience school. It won't be the same, and you won't be able to experience your actual year, but at least it's something."

Tears streamed down her face. Fleur must have gotten a look of fear on her face because Gabrielle she reassured her. "They're happy tears. And it's great. It might not be perfect, but it's more than I ever thought I'd get."

A pretty bell rang throughout the school, prompting Fleur to stand up. "We have to get to Transfiguration."

Gabrielle clapped her hands. "I can't wait."

xXx

(word count: 538)