Disclaimer: I do not own any characters as of yet. Very
soon though, I will. Next two chappies.
A/N: It's only been a week! Some of other stories took me a month between
the first and second postings! Now, you may not understand the importance
of this chapter, but you will later. It is the first of many clues that lead
to the end. Actually the prologue holds clues to, but hey. They're not important
yet. Anyways R&R!!!!!!
Chapter 1-Sneaky Little Francophone
Harry sighed and looked up from the book he had been reading. It was extremely interesting. A wizarding legend of Hogwarts.
"Is it a good book, Harry?" asked Hermione, clearly happy he'd been reading.
"Obviously, Mione. Too bad you can't read it," said Harry sadly.
"And why not?" asked Hermione hotly, her eyes suddenly flashing.
"Because it's in French, silly. Unless you want me to translate for you?"
Hermione grabbed the book and flipped it open. Her mouth fell open in awe. "You-You understand this?"
"Duh Mione. You're slow today!"
Hermione gave him the evil eye. "The only word I know in French is 'Bonjour'!"
"Tu pe pas même dire ça." said Harry in a perfect French accent.
"WHAT?!" asked Ron. "What the hell did you just say?"
Harry smiled mischeviously. "Je ne comprends pas. Qu'est ce que tu dis?"
Hermione looked oddly at him. "Since when do you speak French?"
"Toute ma vie. Je suis un francophone."
"Huh?"
Harry laughed. "I'm a francophone. I've spoken French all my life."
Hermione's eyes went wide. "You-You're a francophone. But you don't even
have an accent!"
"Yes I do. I;m just very good at hiding it."
Ron looked suddenly sad. "If you're French, then why didn't you go to Beauxbatons?"
"Because my parents went to Hogwarts."
"But if they were-"
"My grandmother was a Frenchwoman. My grandfather was a french speaking Englishman.
I was born in Godric's Hollow, on the border of France. My family was on
of the few that spoke English."
"Too fast for me Harry. I thought you said you were French?"
"I am. I said they could speak English, not that they did. you know I find
it funny that after I went to live with the Dursleys everyone spoke English
to me but I still didn't speak English until I was six."
"But you speak such perfect English!" exclaimed Hermione, thouroughly confused.
"You know how many times a day I say the word-er-most people think it's because
I'm nervous, but it's not. It's 'cause I can't remember a word, or I don't
know what to say. It's because I have a horrible memory for words. You've
seen my homework. My grammar and spelling are-what's the word?...atrocious."
"Ron does worse. It's really very hard to believe that you're a francophone
Harry."
"Iz it really?" he asked, dropping his cover. "I mean, I hav quite ze akscent
when I want to. I hav jus learned to hide it quite good."
Hermoine gaped. "You-You've-You've had that all along?!"
"Duh. I hav learned zat if I had it, peple will not be uncomfortible."
"This is really freaky," said Ron, his face a little pale. "I mean-" He was
cut off by the compartment door sliding open. Malfoy stood in the doorway
an odd grin on his face.
"Which one of you freaks used that impression of an accent?" he asked.
Ron opened his mouth in horror, but Harry just smiled. "Nobody, Malfoy. You
must need your hearing tested. Now get out of this compartment you filthy
little commoner." He gave the startled Malfoy a hard push and slammed the
compartment door,. He smiled, clearly satisfied and sat down. "What?"
"Commoner?! How's that going to make him mad? It's not even an insult!"
Harry laughed shakily. "It is to him. And don't ask me how I know
all this, 'Mione."
Hermione glared at him. "You know me to well." The train began to slow. "We're
almost at King's Cross. I'll-" Once again, their conversation was cut short
by the compartment door sliding open.
Severus Snape stood in the doorway.
A/N: So what do you think of my attempt at a French accent? There will be
a lot of that in this story. And a lot of French too. Most of the time I
will just use a different font or style for French so I won't have to translate
it all. Though there will occasionally be some French in here. Please let
me know if I have inncorrectly used grammar or spelt something incorrectly
in both my English and French. Thanx. I realy like this story, so don't put
it down. Critism is okay, just don't be to harsh.
Tamsy
