Chapter 7
"I say, Radagas, I am sorry you can't come to Durmstrang with us," said Zoltan Nagy, "but I bet you have a good time and manage to Maraud at Prince Peak." Radagas was staying for a few days, as was Sigismund, with the Von Freyers, who were Zoltan's step grandparents.
Radagas chuckled.
"The parents of the nice upper class German Sphere children would die of shock if a goblin went to Durmstrang," he said. "Alrik and Fyra reckon it'll all be good though."
"And they have a pretty good group," said Zoltan, who knew his Prince Peak counterparts fairly well, courtesy of Eduard Von Frettchen's parties. "I do wonder if Zhenga will have a go at getting her name in the Goblet of Fire."
"I think she's too tied up worrying about the Order of the Dragon and their various traitors, from what I heard," shrugged Radagas. "I say, it is nice to be able to be going to school knowing all that's going on behind the scenes, not like some poor oik who hasn't a clue and thinks that all schools do is teach people."
"Well, it took Harry Potter to get that tradition changed, I think," chuckled Zoltan, "But I must say I hope they don't deal with all the supremacists and things before I'm in the sixth and get to do field trips to kill liches and things."
"And you have oodles of years start on me," said Radagas, who appreciated Zoltan's situation of being a year above his chronological age, since he was himself starting school a year early.
"Yes, but you'll be… well, no, you won't be in age for the next Triwizard but I'm sure you'll manage to sneak into it," said Zoltan.
"It's got to be done," said Radagas, seriously.
Zoltan's father, Attila, overhearing this conversation, smiled to himself. Before Jade Snape had so radically rearranged the very thinking at Durmstrang, the idea of sneaking into the Triwizard underage would never have occurred to any of them, and he knew, because Headmistress Agata Bacso had told him, that her decision to involve the Musical Marauders in designing the third task had been a cynical exercise in preventing them from finding a way to slip any of their names into the Goblet of Fire at Beauxbatons and give the Wizarding World any more conniptions than it was likely to have when Lilith Snape turned up as an underage and extra contender. Attila had no doubt the little girl could manage it; she had waxed Arithmantic on the subject to both his sons and their set.
Another guest, indeed one who lived in the holidays with Attila and Caecilia, was Vighard Sternschuppe, now he was part of the Blood Group, and had, with help, managed to overcome his violent temper. He did intend to try for the Triwizard, although he had every expectation that one of the Eulenspiegel twins would be the Durmstrang champion. Part of the reason for the gathering of other children had been to take a selection to Durmstrang all in one go, because it made the logistics easier, and the only other young Hungarian was Sigismund's adoptive sister – he was technically a cousin – Klarisza, who was already firmly admiring of Vighard, and established as his fag for the year. Bronislava Frolika, who lived with her brother, and Beremud Gerecht were happy enough to meet with their fellow Marauders as their friends in NeuBrandenburg had already departed for Schloss Adler. Also Corneliu Stanescu, Beryx Szabo and Lindhard Natterzahn had elected to spend a few days with their favourite teachers before heading for the Lodge which served the same purpose as the Hogwarts Express, in giving the children time to let off steam, practise new jinxes and establish relations with others, if they happened to be new.
The only other new one for whom the Musical Marauders were more or less looking out would be Ivaylo Ivanov, younger brother of Ilarion, now in the second, and a relative of the former Bulgarian team chaser, Ivanova. Ilarion and his friends formed a layer of Marauders, but were only five in number, and could conveniently, Sigismund had suggested, absorb Ivaylo and Klarisza, as their group had absorbed Zoltan, the only Marauder type in his year.
"It's one of the advantages Prince Peak has on us," said Zoltan, gloomily. "They only take the brightest and the best, so they are bound to have more Marauders."
"It's more about the attitudes and traditions," Sigusmund said. "Because Durmstrang will take a few generations to recover from being so awful as it was."
"And at least it has Marauders to make sure it happens," said Zoltan. In some ways he envied Radagas, going to Prince Peak; but both he and Sigismund had turned down the option to transfer, on the grounds that they did not want to leave their friends, and because they could do a lot to help Durmstrang. After all, they might all do a year post graduate study at Prince Peak after leaving school, and take advantage of its musical tradition. He grinned. Severus would have something distinctly waspish to say about the descent of Marauders en masse.
Meanwhile he bid Radagas the best of luck, and helped him pack for his journey to Zurich, whence the Prince Peak train left.
oOoOo
Clovis Gierek took his adopted son to Zurich, where the pupils for Prince Peak met on a muggle train station before going through a wall into wizarding space to board their train. They also took Otylia Winkela and Boleslav Winkel, now in the second, and established Marauders. Clovis had recommended Prince Peak to their parents, who were neighbours of his own parents, and concerned about the ideals of Durmstrang.
Rainer Von Luytens, whose blood sang with Radagas' own blood, was already there, standing on one leg and swaying precariously whilst talking to a good-looking and very Germanic lad.
"Hello Radagas, this is Falk, Falk, this is Radagas, I told you about him," said Rainer. "Falk's coming to Prince Peak so he can have his pony because he's horsy like me."
"Well, it takes all sorts," said Radagas. "So long as you don't do Arithmancy by stamping your hooves."
Falk grinned.
"Arithmancy is not my strong point, but I must concentrate on it as it is the basis of all higher magic," he said seriously.
"Same here," said Radagas. "However, I can manage enough art that Professor Snape thought it worth cultivating, and you can take shortcuts with art and music."
Falk brightened.
"Can you? I did not know. I, too, have tested worth being given art lessons, which is good, because apart from History I'm not very academic."
"Well are you going to Maraud?" asked Radagas.
"Of course we are!" said Falk and Rainer with one voice.
"My brother was one of the first Marauders at Durmstrang," said Falk. "I might have thought it my duty to go there, but there are lots of Marauders there now, and I want to ride."
"We've got more, one of them a resident of the Prinzhorn who want to maraud too," said Rainer. "Zenz has several Marauding siblings, and you know Vetrik gan Torik, I think, Alrik's brother."
"I've met him but only briefly," said Radagas. "He's quite enthusiastic."
Rainer laughed.
"That's Vetrik," he said. "The other resident is Ehki, an elf, but he's a bit quiet; I'm not sure at all that he'd Maraud, Grandfather says there's a kid from Luxemburg on a Quidditch scholarship, and an American boy and some girls but I don't know any of them."
"Will you kids shoo inside the barrier and stop talking Marauder business in front of muggles?" said the slim, neat girl wearing a Head Girl badge.
"Sorry, Flo," said Rainer. "Come on, you oiks!" By now he did not even sound self-conscious about being firmly English in idiom.
Flo smiled to herself. She would hide firmly that she had something of a soft spot for one of the adopted children of Jade Von Luytens, Snape as was, who had enabled Flo and her brother Fred to settle down at school and make real friends. Flo adored Jade from the bottom of her loyal heart, and hoped to live up to her hero, even though she doubted that she would emulate Jade in being a Triwizard winner as well as head girl. Flo knew well enough that she would never be able to put her heart into a silly competition, when there were plenty of others to show up any supremacists.
Thinking of defeating the supremacists, Flo waved to the Villeneuve twins as they arrived, giggling in an unseemly manner for young people now entering the lower sixth and wearing the plain flame tie reserved for prefects.
"What's up with you two, Emil made a cheering potion and overdid it?" asked Flo.
"Oh, we've been suckering Achille, can't wait to share it with all and sundry!" said Cecilia.
"I'm afraid you will have to wait," said Flo. "Do you want to have a prefects meeting on the train or have the combined sixth and Severus in on what you've been up to, after supper?"
"We can wait for supper, we've been sitting on our giggles for days," said Emil. "And I guess it is a matter for the combined sixth, because the little tick is planning on taking over the Triwizard, well getting his tool to do it."
"And he really IS a tool, and in the sense English muggles use the word," giggled Cecilia.
"Go away and stop dropping hints; it'll wait," said Flo. "Ghastly pair that you are."
Flo firmly put all this from her mind in order to welcome a small girl with red hair.
"I have a Hubble-Weasley on my list, as well as Alison Lowther, who is a Weasley, which are you?" asked Flo kindly.
"Oh, I'm Mildred Hubble-Weasley, and I'm looking forward to meeting my cousin, I've heard of her and how eclectricity blocked the family from magic, how AWFUL!" said Mildred, all in one breath.
"Breathe occasionally, kiddy," said Flo, "though if you can manage that much without training you should be passable at Chanting. And here is Alison, whom I can identify by her brothers, don't either of you DARE do anything inappropriate."
Fred and Peter Lowther grinned identical grins.
"No, oh mighty head girl," said Peter.
"Well, Alison, relative peace and quiet at school for you without those nutters around," said Flo, proffering her cheek for a friendly kiss from each of the original Muggle Marauders. Alison regarded this thoughtfully.
"You don't really dislike them," she said.
"No, but don't tell them that," said Flo. Alison digested that then beamed at her.
"Hello Alison, I'm your cousin Mildred," said Mildred, "And my branch hasn't had a whole lot to do with the other Weasleys OR the other Hubbles, can we be friends?"
Alison regarded her.
"We CAN, but wouldn't it be a good idea to get to know each other first rather than rushing into it? I know already Adolfa Nachtigall, who is also starting, because my brothers made sure I met her."
"Then there's only one more girl you need to meet, who I believe is here now, Mercedes Lebaton, whose sister and brother are with her," said Flo. "Adolfa is on the train; I forbade her to come out and meet you in case she accidentally broke something, like Zurich."
"Crumbs, she sounds like my Hubble cousins," said Mildred.
"Well I am heartened that your trunk doesn't look as though it has had an earthquake, unlike young Grace's," said Flo, seeing Rose and Grace Hubble. At least Hanna-Leena Tommila always packed for her friend Rose, or neither trunk would survive the journey intact! "Hello Solange and Claude, Mercedes, meet two of your class mates, I fear you girls are outnumbered two to one by boys, Grace, get that trunk through the barrier and get Hanna-Leena to sort it out for you, you can meet your cousin Mildred when you and your kit are safely stowed."
That was all but two of the new first years, including the most disorganised of them, and Grace might go and join the rest of her Marauding group already assembled. And this looked like the American boy, Ambrose Daggerton with his genial parents, his mother trying hard not to cry at her baby going to school so far away.
Ambrose grinned, trying not to look scared.
"Am I supposed to say 'Guten tag?' he asked.
"Only on German speaking days, and day one is always a free-for-all language-wise," said Flo. "We speak French on two days and German on two days and English the rest of the time; it increases the language skills no end. Now let me find you a couple of boys who know the ropes and leave you deciding whether your desire to fight for the rights of others leads you to Maraud."
Flo marched Ambrose firmly onto the train and deposited him on Rainer, Radagas, Falk and Vetrik.
"Oh yes, you know Sevnev," said Rainer, airily, "from the Gymkhana last year at Hellibore's. Falk and I are both horsy, and we heard you were all right. Do you maraud?"
Once Marauding had been explained, Ambrose agreed that he most certainly DID Maraud, and was it only for boys.
"Not hardly," said Rainer, "only we were eavesdropping on the girls and none of them seemed quite….."
"….Quite lawless enough," said Radagas, who knew that he meant their blood did not whisper to Rainer any more than to him, in the same way as he was able to tell who would Maraud at Durmstrang.
"Gee!" said Ambrose. "I guess my parents wouldn't want me to break rules for the sake of it, but they wouldn't want me to hold back whatever the rules if it meant betraying my principles."
"He'll do," said Radagas. Rainer, who had been about to say it, looked briefly outraged, then laughed.
"You are so egal- egal – equal to each other," said Ambrose, admiringly.
"No point being otherwise without marking yourself as ridiculous, is there?" said Falk, laconically.
"We all think much alike, we only look different," said Vetrik.
"Vetrik and me belong to families who have shown Durmstrangers that Goblins can be equal," said Zenz Breuer.
"No elves in this group?" asked Ambrose.
"Ehki is in our year but he chooses not to Maraud," said Rainer. "It's up to him; he's one of life's gentle people. We don't know yet about the last boy, he hasn't arrived, oh yes he has," as Flo brought in another goblin boy.
"Jurgo gan Fered, sponsored by the Luxembourg team the Bigonville Bombers," said Flo.
"Please, Fraulein Flo says you lot fight for rights for people and I want to, too," said Jurgo. Rainer and Radagas exchanged brief looks, acknowledging the sensing of who was right; and Radagas held out his hand and said,
"Put it there, Jurgo, man, and welcome to the would-be Marauders of this year."
"That means Ehki is the only boy not Marauding," said Zenz.
"He'll support, though," said Rainer. "He's a Von Strang elf and just because he doesn't want to be actively involved doesn't mean he won't be a staunch supporter. And we can maybe give him time and he might join later."
"Yes, in Hiob's group, Vivienne D'aubert took her time to make up her mind," said Zenz. "And I think he will. Actually, I'm going to ask him if he's changed his mind; see you in a minute," and he left the compartment where Marauding was going on, to return very shortly with the delicate-featured elf boy, who had accepted the taller natural form from Erich Snape Von Strang's chanting.
"I did not think I wanted to Maraud, but I think I was wrong," said Ehki. "It's not that I don't want to be left out, but that it is right for elveses to be a part of it from time to time to help out others."
"Well said, Ehki," said Radagas. "My adoptive mother is an elf, my adoptive father is human, and I think I might have another sibling soon; my little brother Clovis, or Vissy as he's called at the moment, is a full elf but my dad did a ritual to make him blood of his blood too, so he will grow up like a half-elf. And my friend Zaly is half elf in a bad way, and his mum died, but he's adopted too and he's a Marauder, and so by the way is my dad, he's one of the people who was impressed by Vetrik's and Zenz's families."
"Boy, how some of them would stare in the States!" said Ambrose. "I sure like seeing people walk tall as people."
"I vote we call ourselves the Constitutional Marauders and see if we can't get changes to the American Department of Magic's Constitution," said Rainer, having a mother who was a bit more au fait with international politics than most.
This was carried.
oOoOo
Flo meanwhile ran into Pru Buffer, who was pirouetting down the corridor.
"Pru! I mean, Professor Buffer!" said Flo.
Pru dissolved into giggles.
"Oh Flo! How I love the sound of that! Professor Buffer! And the older ones who know me as Pru won't be likely to be my pupils except in a kaffee und kuchen sort of lesson if they want any supplemental Astronomy, because I'm only starting it with the little ones to ease me in, and if anyone talks really fast to take it as an elective."
"That'll make life easier," agreed Flo. "I am glad you got your grades!"
"And HOW!" said Pru. "I managed 'O' in Potions and Divination, and 'E' in Astronomy and Care of Beasts, so as I'm not very busy, I volunteered to take remedial kids for Professors – for Severus and Dimsie, and help, er, Carmenta with the big ritual readings to see how the Russians plan to louse up the Triwizard. The Golden Sun is going to have a go, but as I read it a protégé of Mimi Snape's boyfriend – no, sorry, husband – is going to walk all over him."
"You diviners do live exciting lives," said Flo.
Pru shrugged.
"A lot of it is in the interpretation. Miss Gimlet, I mean Carmenta, is so frightfully practical and down to earth, it's impossible to get too silly about what cards fall or whatever. And once you have a good idea what's going to happen you can plan for it, which to my mind stops life getting TOO exciting when you least want it."
"Fair point," said Flo. "Did you tell Severus about what you saw?"
"I sent him an owl," said Pru, "which he acknowledged with thanks. He's going to get Law Visick and Eva Schiff and Carmenta and me together to do a Div-in as you might say. Which will probably get most out of Law, but Carmenta and I have the knowledge to prod him in the right direction without hurting him."
Flo nodded.
"Again, it's co-operation and the willingness to listen to even quite little kids which will be our edge," she said. "The opposition tend to place a lot of store in individual ability, and rivalry, so the idea of co-operating is alien to many. As I understand it from what Zhenga and co were burbling about, the Order of the Dragon is having a number of expulsions, and it's the ones who want to seek personal glory who are the ones who are doing the dark magic crap."
"Well, it's a short cut, and people who want short cuts take to dark magic like ducks to water," said Pru. "Oh, I have to tell you this! You know my rotten great aunt said she'd leave me all her loot if I managed even one NEWT? Well she was so overcome that I'd outdone her by so much she actually asked if I'd sold my soul to Voldemort or something! I told her I'd only leased my soul to Severus Snape as he required me to teach, and I swear she almost had an apoplectic fit, mummy was terrified. The silly old bat doesn't scare me, though; I have four NEWTs not two, and at higher grades. And then the silly moo asked me why I would waste such talent teaching when I might apply to be an Unspeakable in the Ministry."
"Ouch, I bet she didn't like the answer," said Flo.
"She didn't," said Pru. "I told her that several of our teachers had worked at the Ministry for a while, and one of them was an Unspeakable, and they left readily for higher things like teaching as there is no more challenging nor noble profession, especially when disillusioned with all the hot air from a bunch of inadequates who can't do anything but ministrate."
"Is there such a word?" asked Flo.
"There is now," said Pru.
oOoOo
Pru was invited to join those who were to hear the account of the Villeneuve twins after supper; which was delayed by only a short address from Severus.
"We already know our Head Girl; I believe she has volunteered AHHa as her deputy, and I hope, AHHa, that you will not let her down. As you all know, it's Triwizard year again, which means a suspension of all other outside fixtures I'm afraid. I'll be taking the horsy ones to selected meets as usual and we can have internal games of Quidditch and Quiddpolo. The staff and postgraduate students will put together a scratch team for you; which means we get to play the Asimov twins on our team which should give you almost as much challenge as a professional team, as Zlatko is known for suckering his Seeker counterpart quite royally. Oh and with regards to the post graduates, we have a new music room which is out of bounds to anyone who is not a serious student of music; which is to say Silvina, Julian, Kizzy, Siegfried, and Rainer. There is a pre-school child who also has permission."
Severus had already spoken with Amos Leroy about Kizzy's amazing voice, and had found him enthusiastic about working with children who took their music seriously. He had been impressed by Silvina's published work, and Godfrey's playing, and was much more amenable to suggestion than he had been at school. Severus thought once again that had he stayed at Hogwarts, a nasty situation might have been avoided; but then, one could not be everywhere. It was a shame Amos had not been sent to Prince Peak in the first place.
oOoOo
"Spill, twins," said Yrdl. The entire of the sixth and most of the faculty were to hear what the Villeneuve twins had to say; it was more than Marauder business if Achille planned on interfering with the Triwizard, as in theory any one of the sixth might be involved.
Cecilia giggled.
"Well I was glad of the occlumency lessons, Severus," she said. "I – Antti, don't look at me in outrage, this is out of school and we're next door to being adults. Teachers DO have first names."
"It is then permitted?" asked Antti.
"To be honest, I encourage it – away from the little ones – because you are spending the two years in the sixth training to be adults, and perhaps one day colleagues, even if in different schools," said Severus.
"It will not be easy," said Antti, solemnly.
"Cheer up, Antti, mate," said James Potter's portrait, "It's going to be easier than learning the lesson that sometimes breaking the rules keeps bigger rules."
Antti considered this.
"Thank you; that is so," he said.
It being Antti, nobody threatened to scrag him for holding up the report. Helping Antti to be comfortable with himself was important.
"Anyway, the little tick tried to shove his eyes down my brain, sorry Severus?" as Severus muttered something.
"I merely wished that my reprobate daughter had not invented that graphic, but rather horrible description of legilimensy," said Severus. "Pray go on to where you resisted Achille's eyes down your brain."
Cecilia giggled.
"He thinks he's put a compulsion in me to adore him but as I don't I guess I managed to avoid that," she said. "I thought I'd ask you to look and see if he managed anything more subtle as well."
"He didn't; I already checked," said Severus. "And I am a better legilimens and occlumens than Voldemort and I don't think there are many who surpass me."
"If any," said Yrdl. "And I say, Severus, can we all have a crash course before the Triwizard? I don't trust some of those Russians and any sympathisers of Achille, if there are any, further than I could kick them."
"Wise," said Severus. "And yes, of course; Occlumency classes on… Tuesday evenings, and Sunday afternoons. I'll rope in all the staff who are capable."
"That's probably most of us," said Krait. "Those of us who aren't ex-Marauders have knocked around a bit."
"And we can borrow the Asimov twins too," said Severus, "and invite Amyetis to join in. Good point, Yrdl, sorry Cecilia."
"It was right to raise it," said Cecilia.
"How did you persuade him to let you stay at school and not marry him out of hand?" asked BaHH. "Wasn't he saying you didn't even need OWLs?"
"I told him that the honour of the family required both of us to sign up for the Triwizard as I might surpass Emil, and wouldn't he be PROUD of me if I was Triwizard champion, and then I batted my eyelids a lot."
"I was watching on view-o-sneak; it was a loathsome display of come-hithery," said Emil. "I was nearly ill from watching it. And she let him kiss her."
"But only a kiss, I shrieked and had maidenly fits when he tried to grope me," said Cecilia. "I told him I must be pure, but PURE for him on our wedding night, and the ghastly little freak swallowed it whole and told me what a wonderful example of French womanhood I was."
"Oh, pass the bag someone!" said Crow.
"That was what I meant," said Emil.
"I have to say, I am glad he isn't after Svetlana or me to tie himself diplomatically to Zorn," said Sandalla.
"Too stupid to know its significance," opined Silvina, "at least if half of what I've heard is true."
"Shortsighted and tunnel-visioned more than stupid, per se," said Severus. "And he was pleased that you were to attempt the Triwizard?"
"Yes, he said that I should be the second chance, since he had arranged – arranged mind – that the Beauxbatons champion would be his follower and the inevitable victor," said Cecilia.
"I cannot think that he has subverted Pharamond," said Severus, startled. "I felt nothing and he is blood joined."
"I have no idea who Pharamond is, beyond the soul-print you just projected of him, Severus, but that wasn't the name of the boy Achille has in mind," said Cecilia.
"Go on," said Severus.
"He's a boy called Clarembaut Gandouffe Rénébreux, and by the sound of him he almost deserves it," said Cecilia.
"Gandouffe? Ain't that old French for Gandalf? A bit pretentious wot?" said AHHa.
"I doubt he and his family ever heard of Tolkien," said Flo, dryly. "Tolkien used real names from ancient sources; like that kid, Radagas, in the first, and other names common in Norman French, like Frodo, Drogo, Fredegar, Peregrine and so on. Which pop up in the Wizarding world from time to time because we like the archaeic, sorry Cecilia."
"That's all right, nothing subsides AHHa like a knowledgeable lecture aimed at him," said Cecilia cheerfully. "Like BaHH. Anyway, this Clarembaut is to go into the sixth or Premier at Beauxbatons and wow them all because he's had both English and German tutors at home and took his ELMs early and already has several ELFs as well. But then so did Lionel Dell and Jade, so that's nothing anyone can call him on. And because of that, and because he's studied Arithmancy to high level, Achille is banking on him being the one chosen."
"He might well be," said Severus. "But I rate Pharamond for being flexible. We shall have to see. And if this Clarembaut does stand for Beauxbatons, then our champion must just wipe the floor with him at every point. Most of you are more than capable of having taken OWLs early, and most of you also turn in NEWT-level answers more than half the time anyway, because you will talk about things like Assimilative Correlation by various means and Extrinsic Alteration, and since I've heard those terms from some of you since you were in the second, I don't doubt for a moment that any one of you doesn't have as much knowledge as this French boy who just happens to have the pieces of paper that says he knows the terms. The point is, does he understand them?"
"It is a Marauder thing to learn more than is necessary; and though I know the terms through hearing them discuss things, is it your wish that those of us who do not Maraud should not stand as candidates?" asked Antti.
"Not at all," said Severus. "Marauders tend to pick up the broad knowledge base needed for such things, but there is no reason to suppose you have not as good a chance as many Marauders, especially the excellent way you have been working lately, Antti. And the more able supporters the champion has, the better, and whilst I personally think I know who is going to be chosen, you are a staunch supporter, Antti, and a very able fighter against evil."
Antti flushed and looked pleased. He had no very realistic expectation of being the Prince Peak champion, even though in many schools he would probably feature as the star pupil now he was working to his full potential, but to be valued by the head as a staunch supporter meant a lot to him.
"Well, if that's the burden of your budget of news, Cecilia, that gives me something more to work with, as regards the school seers," said Severus. "Thank you for putting up with being kissed by Achille; I'll ask Sirri to award you your favourite meals for a week to take the taste away."
"Now that's a more practical award than medals and trophies," grinned Cecilia. "I really had to work for that, I affected to be jealous when he said he had someone in Beauxbatons, as though I thought it was a girl he preferred to me. I shall be jolly glad when I can tell him how we filmed his inept lovemaking on omnioculars to show around school for shits and giggles."
"I'd get the diffusion grid against Avada Kedavra up before you say that," said Erica Malfoy Chang, seriously. "He tried to get Dad to arrange a marriage with me, and I was only twelve at the time. He uses Unforgivable curses first and thinks after. Trust me."
"I shall, Madam – er, Erica," said Cecilia, seriously. "I believe you!"
oOoOo
Clarembaut Gandauffe Rénébreux had in the meantime arrived at the lodge where Beauxbatons pupils met, and was busy informing an outraged Première and Terminale classes that he was the only possible choice for the Triwizard, and that it was only the foolish and outmoded rules that had forced him to come to school for a year to mix with the hoi polloi in order to demonstrate his superiority.
He had no idea that his forehead sported the words 'regarde, le petit imbècile' from a hastily murmured chant from Pharamond, who was not about to take lying down the insults to his school and education.
When Clarembaut discovered his facial adornment he demanded that something be done about it, and he was foolish enough to demand a potion to cure the same, from Amédé Cuiliere, who was on duty, and had heard something of the boy's comments.
"Why, Clarembaut, as you are so superior to whichever pupil put it there, you will surely have no trouble removing it," said Amédé. He recognised a chanter's touch, and suspected Pharamond, but had no intention of either removing the curse or telling the new boy how to do so.
Clarembaut had to wear the malediction until he got to the school proper and could appeal to the Headmistress. Olympe Maxime asked some very searching questions about how a boy as old as seventeen might end up being jinxed on his very first day, and became very scathing about people who disrespected their educational establishment and only joined in order to gain personal glory and prestige. However she called for Desolina Uccello, who laughed.
"Dear me, if a boy can't uncurse himself from a corridor curse any second year might manage face to face, and some have been known to manage as a ritual sending, I can't think why he imagines he should be capable of standing for the Triwizard," said Desolina, dismissively. She had already been given chapter and verse by Pharamond, and knew what to expect. As Pharamond had, by this time, received an owl from Cecilia, he had reported this in full, on the expectation that someone who Darryl rated as a chanter should be told the whole story.
Clarembaut went a dull red.
"I have never come across curses like this, it is outside of the scope of proper school work and of the Triwizard," he said.
"It's a fairly standard curse form to be found at ZP, my apologies, ELM, in Dark Arts," said Desolina, dismissively. "'Silly bugger he may be, let it go and be free. Silly bugger be quite clean, be unseen'," she chanted in English, which somehow fitted the concept of the curse. "There, my boy, you are free of it," she added.
Clarembaut's English was rudimentary but he had the gist.
"You need not think I will readily forgive you ridiculing me," he hissed.
"Clarembaut, I did not have to remove it. If you do not apologise, I will put it back," said Desolina. Her defiance of the Russian invaders the year before had done wonders for her self confidence.
Clarembaut choked through an apology and rushed off rudely without waiting to be dismissed.
"He will be trouble," said Olympe.
"He's an agent of Achille Villeneuve," said Desolina. "Pharamond told me; his contacts in Prince Peak let him know. Probably before Professor Snape knew, if you were wondering why he hasn't contacted you."
"Ah, these marauders," sighed Olympe. "I am expecting to speak to Severus tonight by floo; no doubt that was what he wanted to talk about. Well, I need have no fears, you are quite as equal to dealing with trouble as Darreeel."
Desolina laughed.
"Well, maybe not, but I'm not bad," she said.
