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Chapter 29: A Welcome Distraction

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the story which directly takes ideas from JK Rowling. This story is not being used for commercial purposes; it is simply for pleasure and fun.

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"Gut Evening!"

A tall, blond, thin Frenchman with a chiseled jaw and high cheekbones greeted them with a distinctive southern French accent. The man was wearing a pale blue suit with a matching top hat and looked ready to conduct a fairy orchestra. He smiled at Professor Slughorn and then continued,

"Welcome to France! Oui, Bienvenue! Ef you vould pleez follow moi, we vill be on our way to ze castle."

Slughorn smiled back and beckoned Snape and Lily, who strode past the Professor and the guide quickly, her school kilt fluttering behind her. The guide seemed a bit shocked but started walking in the same direction as Lily. They walked along a short path and around a curve where a pair of sparkling, white carriages with four horses each were waiting.

"They aren't going to change back into pumpkins and mice at midnight, are they?"

Asked Professor Slughorn with a chuckle.

"But mais oui! C'est la tradition ici."

Professor Slughorn looked confused then tapped his ear three times,

"Sorry, say that again. They DO turn back into pumpkins?"

Snape left the Professor and headed into one of the glittering carriages, Lily was already inside staring out the window. Soon the horses began to trotter off and in the silent carriage the clip-clop of their hooves rang particularly loud.

As the carriages made their way towards the school Lily's eyes flickered open wider than usual and gasped in awe. Snape looked out the window to see what had shocked Lily and was met with an amazing sight. Just in front of them was Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. It was a great castle that looked as though it was half stone, half crystal as it sparkled in the quickly falling dusk light. Several powder blue and gold triangular flags were waving from the tops of high tower spires. The lawn in front of the school was beautifully decorated with symmetrical hedges that even Versailles would envy. Some of the shrubs and flower patches seemed to be humming with life. As the carriage passed them they exploded into pieces revealing that they were not shrubs but in fact hundreds of small fairies and fireflies.

As the carriages escorting the Hogwarts party arrived in front of the main doors of the castle Lily and Snape saw another set of carriages arriving from the other side of the semi-circle driveway. From within them stepped four boys that looked to be around the same age as Lily and Snape. Two of them, one with dark brown hair and eyes and a face like an armadillo and another one with long, dirty blond hair in a ponytail and a square angular jaw, were playfully punching each other while another one, the tallest and most muscular with shaggy, short, black hair and hazel eyes tried to separate them. The last one, with short black hair slicked back, so intense it shone blue bringing out his sky blue eyes, lazily stepped out of the carriage stretching and yawning. They were all above average height, although only two anywhere near as tall as Snape, and extremely muscular for teenagers. The second carriage contained a burly older wizard wearing a heavy fur coat similar to the one the four boys were wearing. Snape assumed this was the chaperone from Durmstrang and that the four boys were the winning team from the same school.

Snape knew Durmstrang's reputation very well as several of his housemates had relatives or friends who had attended. Durmstrang had a reputation for specializing in dark arts and other disciplines considered less savory at Hogwarts or Beauxbatons and as such it attracted some extremely talented but somewhat shady students and professors. Snape made a note of watching his back around them, just in case. While it was winter, in southern France the weather was mild and already the Durmstrang students seemed uncomfortable in their heavy furs and thick leather jackets.

Suddenly, to Snape's right a statute began to walk… and talk.

"Bonjour mes amis! Bienvenue! I welcome you to Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. Please gather around 'ere as our fine students 'ave prepared a small welcome pour vous!"

Snape stared up at the incredibly tall and thin women who had addressed them. She reminded Snape of an overgrown vulture. When she spread out her hands in welcome it almost seemed like she would knock over several student but they instinctively ducked out of danger. Lily and Snape stood where they were instructed. The boys and teacher from Durmstrang glanced over at the Hogwarts group. Snape didn't like how long one of the boy's gazes lingered on Lily's exposed legs. Slughorn smiled at the teacher who grimaced back, it seemed they knew each other.

Snape did not have much time to assess the Durmstrang team as the Beauxbatons students began their "small welcome". The sun was nearly set but the coming darkness was quickly dispelled by bright flashes of glittering lights that burst forth from nowhere. It looked as though thousands of tiny twinkling bulbs had surrounded the guests and the castle shone with light. From the castle two dozen girls and boys in long blue gowns appeared and began singing in French. At first the song was mild and relaxed but then, just as the last of the sunlight disappeared behind the horizon, loud bangs burst the quite atmosphere as fireworks were set off behind the castle. The fireworks filled the sky with orange birds and purple flowers, the fleur-de-lis and even letters; some in English and some in what Snape assumed was the common language spoken at Durmstrang, either Bulgarian or Hungarian.

As the fireworks show ended a different show began. Around 50 students were now in front of the main school doors and they were all singing and dancing in perfect formation, all in French of course. Lily seemed to know song as she mouthed along and stood stock still. Snape nudged her and she mouthed back, national anthem. Snape did his best to look respectful until the students burst into a different song. Now several girls and a boy made their way towards the guests watching the spectacle. All the males present including Slughorn and the Durmstrang teacher received sashes while Lily received a large bouquet of flowers wrapped in a similar sash by a tall French boy who winked at Lily and smiled a little too long. Snape felt a sense of satisfaction when Lily completely ignored him. Three girls in particular lingered much longer than necessary after placing sashes on their assigned guests. The girls giggled and threw their hair back as they talked with the Durmstrang boys. It was then that one of the girls wearing a Beauxbatons uniform broke from the large group of sash bearers and stood between the Hogwarts group and the Durmstrang group. She was less feminine looking than the other girls but certainly still pretty, or perhaps she would be if she wasn't hunching and if she had bothered to brush her short chestnut hair. She stood facing the school awkwardly. This marked the end of the welcoming ceremony and the large vulture statue woman spoke again.

"I certainly 'ope our guests enjoyed our little show. Pleeze, join us inside for some very vonderful food!"

The woman turned and walked inside. Slowly the other students followed.

"Well wasn't that just wonderful? I'll head inside then, come after you've introduced yourselves then. Ah, Professor Desislav, would you join me?"

Professor Slughorn addressed Lily and Snape and then motioned towards the Durmstrang teacher who grimaced once again but walked with Slughorn into the castle. The boy with the armadillo face who had been staring at Lily's legs almost jumped next to her.

"Hello, my name is Yanko. And you are?"

"Not interested."

Lily tried to brush him away and walk towards the castle but he wouldnt give up that easily.

"Come now, aren't we are supposed to be like, cooperating and making friends? They said the Hogwarts team was Severus Snape and Lily Evans, you must be Lily right?"

Lily stopped and looked at him.

"If you knew my name why did you ask? Did you think perhaps he was Lily?"

Lily motioned towards Snape who gave Yanko the most loathing stare he could. Yanko just smiled and turned back towards Lily.

"Well you never know, you Englishmen have some strange names."

"Names are determined by language. Of course you find our names strange just as we find Yanko to be odd."

"Excuse my friend…

It was the boy with the long blond hair in a ponytail.

… he loses his ability to think logically when a pretty girl is around."

"Loses? Doesn't look like he ever possessed that ability."

Snape scoffed. When he said this, the third boy with the shaggy black hair stepped over.

"We are the best of our school, which is how we won our contest. It's a bit presumptuous to call us stupid isn't it?"

"All I see is that there are four of you and only two of us."

"And a girl no less! Likely she was more of liability"

It was the blond boy. Lily took over the banter again.

"What is that supposed to mean exactly? What did you say your name was again?"

"I didn't. The name is Bahlmoore, Bahl for short."

"Well you're about to be ball-less and a few inches shorter buddy."

Lily raised her wand and pointed it at Bahlmoore who instinctively covered his crotch.

"Ugh, how ah-gress-if!"

It was the three Beauxbatons girls who were previously flirting with the Durmstrang boys.

"Huh?"

Lily looked at the three girls with a look of disbelief.

"Who the hell are you?"

The tallest and prettiest girl, who was also obviously the leader, stepped forward. She had long straight blond hair and large brown eyes. She almost looked like she was related to Malfoy.

"I am Veronique. This is Bernadette and Claire."

Veronique motioned towards a curvy dark haired girl with tan skin and then a brunette with angular features that stood posed as though she was having her photo taken for a magazine cover.

"And we are, Belletrois. We run this school."

"You don't say? What exactly do the headmistress and teachers do then?"

Veronique laughed shrilly,

"I assume you find yourself to be very funny. We control what happens beyond the classrooms, we know all, see all and hear all."

The other two chimed in with a

"That's right."

"So then I would assume that you're the winners of the Hunt for Beauxbatons then?"

Lily said mockingly. Veronique looked awkwardly away.

"No, we do not strive to participate in such unbecoming activities as ladies. 'Owever, some ladies of a different inclination…

Veronique paused for a moment here to give Lily a short up and down stare.

… would spend their beauty sleep running around the castle grounds like an animal. Isn't that correct Eloise?"

Veronique was now looking at the frumpy girl who had been standing quietly behind them this whole time. Everyone else turned and followed Veronique's gaze to her. Eloise was slightly surprised by the sudden attention as she seemed to be focusing on Lily's kilt when Veronique mentioned her. She said nothing but she averted her eyes and flinched.

"She iz a shame to the honour of our school."

"Why because she knows how to use her wand for more than do-ups and eye shadow application? And did you guys learn English in the 16th century or something?"

The fourth boy, with blue-black hair who had so far remained silent, let out a short laugh. The other three boys turned to look at him and then back to Lily.

"You got Damyan to laugh… not bad, not bad at all…"

It was the boy with shaggy black hair and hazel eyes who spoke.

"Seems I'm the only one who hasn't introduced themselves, I am Aleksandar, pleasure to meet you."

Aleksandar said in a husky voice and held out his hand for Lily but she just stared at him and said,

"Actually you aren't, and so far I'd hardly call this pleasurable. Come on Sev."

Lily took Snape's hand roughly and pulled him towards the castle. Snape said nothing, just stared at Aleksandar who seemed totally unperturbed by Lily's attitude. Snape didn't let his attention linger too long on them; Lily was holding his hand. Her fingers were freezing cold, likely from standing outside to watch the welcoming performance but still, it was nice.

When they got inside Professor Slughorn was waiting for them outside the Dining Hall.

"Ah there you are. Now I have prepared a bit of an entrance for us. Don't worry I will take care of it all just walk in behind me."

Lily smiled but then turned to Snape with a look at said I-don't-like-the-sound-of-this. Moments later the Veronique, Bernadette and Claire came in and scurried gracefully into the dining hall. The Durmstrang group filed in as well and stood next to their chaperon.

"Professor, what does Professor Desislav teach at Durmstrang?"

"Also Potions. It seems we will have an excellent meeting of the minds. While he doesn't have my experience, he is known for experimenting. I'm sure you two would benefit from a bit of guidance from him. Variety in instruction is practical after all."

Lily smiled and nodded in agreement. The smile disappeared as soon as Slughorn turned away and Lily was back into her sullen mood.

A few minutes later Slughorn indicated that they were going to walk into the dining hall. The entrance Slughorn prepared mostly involved a panoramic that projected images of famous British witches and wizards, all former Hogwarts students, onto the walls of the dining hall. Lily and Snape just tried to hide behind Slughorn so they weren't noticed, something not altogether difficult considering the professor's girth.

Lily and Severus took their places at a special table in the middle of the dining room where Eloise was already seated. Snape hadn't noticed her come in. She smiled slightly at Snape and Lily who returned the smile. Then the Durmstrang students and Professor Desislav came in. Their entrance consisted of acrobatics and fire wielding; it was an aggressive display of dominance. It was something you might expect from a boxer or wrestler's entrance into the ring. Aleksandar sat next to Snape who sat next to Lily who sat next to Eloise who was next to Yanko and looked none too happy about it. The professors sat at the front of the dining hall with the Beauxbatons headmistress who was standing at a podium and calling for silence.

"Avant que nous commençons à manger, tous les professeurs veulent dire quelque chose. C'est mon plaisir de vous…"

As the headmistress began her speech in French, Lily groaned then turned to everyone else at the table.

"Hey, do any of you actually want to listen to this nonsense? Every professor and government official here from all three countries will be making speeches. Do you guys even understand French?"

Everyone nodded no.

"I know a translation spell that might make it easier for everyone."

"I don't even want to listen to this dribble even in English Severus. So can I turn this off? Yes?"

Lily looked around the table and everyone nodded in agreement, including Eloise although her head was down and her gaze was still stubbornly fixed on the empty plate in front of her.

Lily raised her wand and muttered something under her breath. She remained that way for two full minutes until she put her wand down and leaned back in her chair saying,

"That's better."

And it was. No one at the table could hear Headmistress Olympe speaking anymore. In fact it was quite silent except for the noises Eloise was making by playing with her cutlery.

"What if they say something to us or we have to clap?"

Asked Aleksandar,

"Don't worry. This illusion makes it seem we are all sitting attentively and will clap when everyone else in the room does. If any of the speakers mention us we will smile and if we are asked any questions they will penetrate the sound barrier, which goes both ways; we can't hear them and they can't hear us."

"That's an impressive bit of magic."

Damyan said, speaking for the first time. Lily turned to Damyan and said

"Well, I didn't get here riding on Severus' coattails."

Yanko who was pulling out a deck of cards from his pocket, said,

"Oh, is that a popular form of transportation in England?"

Lily turned and looked at Snape with a wide-eyed look on her face that asked is-he-fucking-serious? Lily's face made Snape laugh, or Snape's version of laughing anyways and Lily burst out into giggles as well. When the laughter subsided Lily just said,

"Nevermind."

And put her head down on the table while Yanko shuffled the deck and passed out cards to his schoolmates.

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After 2 hours of speeches dinner was finally served. Snape did his best to identify and consume the French food but found it somewhat difficult. Lily seemed to be familiar with the food but it didn't seem she had much of an appetite.

After dinner the guests were shown around the castle. Highlights included the greenhouses that were attached to the back of the castle and served as an indoor garden as well as classrooms for Herbology. Apparently wandering first year student disappeared into the plant life from time to time and Lily remarked that it reminded her of the Forbidden Forest, except more prissy. Beyond the greenhouses was a large stable with gigantic horses and several unicorns. Apparently students used to use these as their primary mode of transportation to the neighboring villages on weekends but since technology has made travel by horse peculiar to the muggle population, student used bikes or flooed into one of the many wizard owned establishments. There were a series of catacombs beneath the school which were forbidden to students but the group was given a guided tour, albeit a short one. Unlike the moving staircases at Hogwarts, Beauxbatons staircases sometimes become slides. Thus, most students preferred to magic their way from one landing to another. The most popular was a spell that conjured a cloud which floated you up to the next level. No one in the party seemed all that eager to learn that particular spell preferring to conjure a simple metal platform. Apparently first and second years had to make do without the complicated spell and were constantly the victims of the stairs' temperaments. Students were also separated by year rather than into houses which each year sleeping in a different hallway with the girl end of the hallway inaccessible to the boys in the same year by a magical curtain. If a student failed a year he or she would have to remain in the same hall as the previous year but thankfully, since rooms were single occupancy, it didn't get too awkward.

Finally after what was now an exhausting day, Lily, Snape and the Durmstrang Four were led to their rooms. They were all in one hallway at the top floor of the castle, not including the towers. Snape had the corner room, whose walls faced two hallways. Next to him was Lily then Aleksandar then Yanko then Bahlmoore and finally Damyan at the end of the hall. Each of these rooms had its own bathroom which was unusual as the other students had to share a bathroom with everyone else in their year but of course, separated by gender. Lily hurried into her room, keen to avoid having to talk any further with the boys from Durmstrang.

Snape went into his room as well where his luggage was waiting for him. He sat on the bed for a moment and took in the room. It was fairly big, as big as his dorm back at Hogwarts except this was all for one person. The bed was extremely large, king size no doubt but a bit too soft and plush for Snape's liking. The walls and linens were all deep blue and gold with the wood furniture a deep mahogany. The bed was in the middle of the back wall when you walked into the room with two mahogany night tables of either side. To the right of the bed was a door which led to a small wrought iron balcony with a matching set of tables and two chairs. On the right hand wall was a small vanity. On the left wall were a dresser and the door leading to the luxurious marble bathroom which looked like the prefect's bathroom at Hogwarts. On the same wall as the door leading into the room and opposite the bed was a large desk. The carpet was plush and the same blue and gold pattern as the bedspread with a large crest in the middle which Snape assumed was the school crest.

Snape fell back onto the bed, not interested in unpacking right at that moment but his relaxation was interrupted by a loud fizzing sound. Snape raised his head slightly off the bed to find the source of the noise. It was coming from the right-hand wall between the vanity and the door. Snape stared in confusion as a bright red arch seemed to appear on the wall and then suddenly the wall disappeared, replaced by a glass door not unlike the one leading to the small balcony. Someone knocked and Lily's voice came from the other side of the door. Snape immediately got off the bed and walked over.

"Sev, let me in. You have to open the door."

Snape opened the door hesitantly and Lily was indeed standing on the other side. She walked in past Snape.

"Lily, did you cut a hole into the wall?"

"Don't worry it's only a spell. This way we won't have to go out into the hall to go into each other's room or talk. Course we could go out on the balcony, mine is right next to yours, but it's cold. Did you see the view though? Not bad right?"

Snape sat on the bed slowly; he was still overcoming the shock of a door appearing on his wall.

"Why did you bother knocking if you cut a hole in the wall? Not that I mind the manners."

"The spell doesn't work unless you let me in. Or else anyone could cut into anyone's wall right?'

"Makes sense, but won't we get in trouble?"

"No one else will know it's there but you and me. Besides what is there to get in trouble about?"

"Well, you're a girl and I'm a boy."

"Gosh you sound like you're 12. Why? Are you worried you might give in to your baser instincts during the night?"

Lily crawled onto the bed next to Snape as she asked this in an uncharacteristically deep voice.

"Don't be silly Lily."

Lily was almost straddling Snape at this point.

"I'm not being Silly Lily, I'm being Serious Lily."

Lily put her lips right next to Snape's ear and asked,

"Voulez vous coucher avec moi, cette soir?"