Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, except the one I created myself. All others belong to J. K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. I have only borrowed them for my amusement and hopefully yours as well.

Chapter 4

The late August day was a hot and sticky one, typical of the waning summer days in the province of Quebec.

 "Thank goodness it is cooler here in the mountains," Jolicia thought to herself as she strolled the grounds of L'Académie de Sorcellerie de Montréal, "I'd hate to be stuck in the city with this humidity. I hope I don't find this type of weather in England." 

Although her Alma Mater was called (in English) the Academy of Sorcery of Montreal, it was in fact, located to the north of the city in the beautiful Laurentian Mountains. It would have been impossible to hide such a large complex from the city Muggles, so therefore the mountain location served this purpose wonderfully. Jolicia had spent so many years here- first as a student and then as a teacher. She was making one last tour before she left to begin her new career as the DADA teacher at Hogwarts in England. She still couldn't believe that she had been recruited by Albus Dumbledore himself, one of the greatest, if not the greatest, wizard of our time. She had thought that her life was all mapped out for her here at the Académie – she would teach here for many, many years until one day, she would become Headmistress. It had all been so clear to her, and now, at the age of 32, her world had been turned on its ear. Dumbledore had pled a good case, but the thing that convinced her to accept was that she was to teach Occlumency to HARRY POTTER. Imagine that! Her efforts could one day help young Mr. Potter defeat Voldemort. She shuddered as she thought his name.  It would have been impossible for her to decline such an opportunity. From what little Dumbledore had told her about Harry, she knew he needed help desperately. So, this is how Jolicia came to find herself on her way to the other side of the world.

After taking in all of the grounds, she climbed the steps of the main building. This was going to be difficult – to take her leave of Headmistress Baguette. Except for her parents, no one else had given her so much support and had so strongly believed in her abilities. She would not be on her way to Hogwarts, if it had not been for Madame. Jolicia knocked lightly on the office door.

"Entrez, entrez, come in," called Aldine Baguette.  She was a round, jovial woman with sparkling eyes and rosy cheeks. Since the school was bilingual (English and French), she always spoke a mixture of the two languages.

 "Ah, ma belle (my pretty) Jolicia, come in, my child." She welcomed her with a hug and a peck on both cheeks, as was the French custom.

"Dis-moi (tell me), are you ready for your voyage (trip) to 'ogwarts?"

Jolicia replied, "Not quite yet, Madame, but almost."  She swallowed hard. There were so many things she wanted to say, but didn't know where to begin.

 "I still can't grasp what has happened over the last few weeks. I feel happy, sad, excited, scared all at the same time. I also have to admit, I feel a little bit like a traitor to the school and more so to you, Madame." 

Baguette was taken aback. "Zer is no raison (reason) for you to feel zis way, ma belle (my pretty)." She pulled Jolicia to the sitting area and took the young woman's hands in hers. "I haf never been zo proud of one of my éleves (students). If Dumbledore 'as chosen you to teach at 'ogwarts, then you know eet is because you are ze best zer is, ma chouette (my sweet)." 

Jolicia's eyes welled up with tears.

Aldine continued, "C'est ton destin, eet is your destiny."  She pulled a large handkerchief out of her sleeve and gave it to Jolicia. She then pulled out another for herself.  Both women dabbed their eyes and blew their noses.

 "I knew we would need un mouchoir (handkerchief) aujourd'hui (today)!" exclaimed Aldine, trying to lighten the mood. They both chuckled.

Jolicia said," I want to thank you for everything you have done for me Madame, but I fear that words won't be enough. Je vous remercie de tout mon coeur pour l'aide, le support et l'amour que vous m'avez donné pendant mes années ici à L'Académie. Vous êtes comme une deuxième mère pour moi. Je vous aime, Madame Aldine." (I thank you with all my heart for the help, support and love you have given me during my years here at the Academy. You are like a second mother to me. I love you, Madame Aldine). With that, both women hugged tightly, neither on wanting to be the first to let go.  

Finally, the Headmistress said, "Eet is time for you to fulfill ton destin (your destiny). Je t'aime aussi, Jolicia (I love you, too). The words were lumped in her throat, so Jolicia could only shake her head- yes.

 "Une dernière chose (one last thing), tell Albus zat he is a voleur (a thief), but zat I forgive him. À bientôt, ma petite (see you soon, little one)," said Aldine, smiling through her tears.

 "À bientôt, Madame," replied Jolicia. And with that, she turned on her heel and left her home of many years.