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Vespertilio

Chapitre Trois

Franz blearily looked around as he sat in a way too comfortable four-poster mahogany bed with deep red drapes and fluffy pillows that was deliciously warm, surrounded by maroon-colored walls, red carpet with gold emblems printed throughout, three more four poster mahogany beds with their own red drapes and their own boys sleeping in them.

He idly recognized a boy his brain labeled as Neville the Frog Boy, and he sat there for about ten more minutes staring off into space until his brain caught up with what had happened. Then he jumped up, excited out of his mind. He was at Hogwarts! HOGWARTS! No little sister, no annoying cousins, no stupid parents or overbearing grandmother, no dull France, HOGWARTS!

Flying through his smartly packed trunk and dressing, he raced out of the dorm and into the common room with his books in one hand and his wizarding cap and new red and gold tie in the other. He spotted a impatient Jackie was reading the bulletin board placed near the entrance and rushed to her, haphazardly placing his things on a small table where they fell immediately, he rushed up to her and caught her in a spinning hug, spewing rapid-fire French as though his mouth wouldn't stop moving.

"We're here! Here, here, HERE! Jackie can you believe it?! No demon child, no hag straight from the catacombs, no FRANCE! No hoighty-toighty French girls or designer obsessed French boys to try to weasel themselves into our family's good graces! We're at Hogwarts! WE'RE AT HOGWARTS! Can you possibly believe it?! Can you, can you, can-UMPH!" He was cut off by the combine power of a dainty hand slapping onto his face and across his mouth and irritable green eyes daring, just daring, him to say one. More. Thing.

"Franz, I love you dearly, I do. But SHUT UP. Or-" She cut herself off and looked around the room, taking notice of the few (very few, as it was about 7:00 a.m. and classes didn't start until about 9 in the morning) upperclassmen trickling into the common room, and hissed her last statement in French, her voice just as sharp as her eyes, promising pain and retribution. "I will send you into the infirmary so broken, bloody, hexed and cursed that they will have to send you to St. Mungo's before they could identify you! Am I clear?"

The blonde boy nodded quickly, rightfully being afraid. There was not a damn thing that Jackie said that she didn't attempt to go through with to the best of her ability. And that was without a wand.

By the time classes rolled around, Franz and Jackie had walked to each of their classes nibbling on some cinnamon rolls they had taken from the Great Hall. Waling into their first class, they blinked at the grey and black tabby cat that perched neatly on the desk of what they assumed to be Professor McGonagall' desk. After staring at it for a accumulated five minutes, the cat gave an irritated flick of it's ear and gestured with it's tail to some seats on the side.

Shaking off their awe (Franz literally shook his head like a dog) they sat down, and pulled out the required parchment, quills, ink, and their textbooks, the talked about the cat.

"I wonder what it's name is. And I don't mean to call it an 'it' but I don't know it's gender or it's name. but I can't go and ask it, and Professor McGonagall isn't here, and what do you think?" Franz shot off and looked to his cousin with bright baby blue eyes.

Jackie was still staring at the cat though. It had now directed it's gaze to another pair of students who had just walked in however, and was not staring back. "I think it's a her, but it could very well be a male, as scientific studies have shown that women bond better with male pets and likewise for men. But I'mnot getting a 'cat' feeling."

His blue eyes took on a contemplative look, before he nodded. "Yeah. Cats usually get a good look at you, determine whether or not you're worth their time, and then look away because most humans aren't. Hmmm…" He gained an enlightened expression. "Didn't we hear about some witches and wizards that could shape shift? At Dauphins?"

As they contemplated this, doing the work as instructed on the chalkboard behind the desk, more and more students came into the class, filling the seats. Awkward about breaking the studious silence that had befallen the room, they discontinued their conversation to do their work until the doors were (rather rudely in Jackie's opinion) pushed open harshly hitting the wall.

Harry and Ron rushed in, getting a sneering look from Malfoy and his rumps and an exasperated one from Hermione who sat directly in front of the desk, they ran in.

"We," Ron huffed, "Made it. Can you imagine the look on old McGonagall's face if we came in late?" They both now gazed at the cat that sat primly on the Professors desk. Bunching it's legs, mid-leap it turned into a stern-looking Professor McGonagall, brown and graying hair in a prim bun atop her head and dressed in velvet emerald green witches' robes. Half the class stared in awe, no more so than the two boys that were center of her stern look. Ron swallowed. "That was bloody brilliant!" He exclaimed. Harry simply stared.

McGonagall's stern gaze flashed with some unnamed emotion. "Well, thank you for that assessment Mr. Weasley. Perhaps it'd be more useful to you if I were to transfigure you or Mr. Potter into a pocket watch? That way one of you may be on time!"

Ron looked down, thoroughly reprimanded. Harry was as well, but felt the need to stick up for their predicament. "We got lost." He told the professor quietly.

"Then perhaps a map?" She told him sharply, but that didn't mean that she didn't soften, ever so slightly. "I trust you don't need one to find your seats."

With a swish of her robes, McGonagall walked back up to her desk, beginning the lesson now that everyone was in attendance.

Jackie looked at her cousin with a mild bit of respect. "You called that one." She told him under her breath.

Franz smiled proudly. "Yes well, you know how I love to change."

Jackie rolled her emerald eyes and gave Franz a slight shove before they both looked to the front and began to take notes.

Jackie and Franz walked to the dungeons with only slight dread. Potions were Jackie's forte where Charm's was his, but that class wouldn't be until later. However, they had the class with Slytherins. They had them in Transfiguration as well, but McGonagall was the Head of Gryffindor house, and know to be very stern, whereas Snape was well known to… favor the Slytherins.

Walking quickly into the dungeon and strategically picking a place in the middle (not too close to the desk, but not too far that it was obvious that they were trying to get away). They decided to people watch. Hermione came in and waved. After placing her things at her chosen seat (the front thankyou very much) she traipsed back to speak with them.

"Where on earth were you this morning? You weren't at the Great Hall this morning, and you weren't in the common room either." She question immediately.

Franz turned to Jackie, "Is she always going to greet us with a question? No 'Hi', 'How're you doing?', 'How's life?' for us huh?" He sent the girl in question a lighthearted wink.

Jackie gave a slow smile and decided to play along. "Two of those options are questions, therefore out of the question." She turned and gave her friend a faux stern look, a frown planted firmly on her mouth though it was twitching at the corners. "You listen here missy! You are now and forevermore designated to say a greeting to us before you spout off question! Understood?" She wagged her winger at her friend and Hermione gave a decisive nod before the trio burst out laughing.

"Well, for your information, I have this terrible habit of waking up at 6 something in the morning. Even on weekends. So I was dressed and ready before you were out of REM stage." Jackie told her a faint smile playing on her lips, and a content look in her eyes.

"It really is terrible. 'No rest for the Wicked.' They say and you know she's as wicked as they come. I have seen her, swear to God, smile at someone so sweetly and then when their back turned get such a dark look. She took her scarf off and was about to-"

"Oh, would you shut up you dunce?" A sneering voice interrupted, and turning around they saw Draco Malfoy backed by Crabbe and Goyle.

"What's it to you?" Hermione immediately shot back. "We weren't talking to you."

"Hermione." Jackie's sharp tone stopped her. "Stop talking to the twat. His idiocy will rub off on you. And I simply can't have that. I need intelligent conversation around here, and that is very obviously," she gave Malfoy a appraising look. "Lacking here."

Malfoy, anger in his steel grey eyes and an enraged blush high in his cheeks, simply sneered at her and went to take a seat at one of the front tables and began to heat up his cauldron, as indicated by the board behind him.

Hermione huffed offended, and the two girls attempted to glare a hole into the blonde's head. Franz decided to diffuse the situation before Jackie showed off her miraculous muggle brawling skills. "What? Don't I count as intelligent conversation?" He gave her his best pout, stunningly resembling a puppy that was kicked for no good reason.

"No." Jackie's immediate response was harsh and cruel, but it got the her to lighten up, even if it was just a sadistic smirk.

Franz held his hand over his heart and feigned being injured, but before he could speak the door was thrown open.

In stormed Professor Snape, walking like a man on a mission, he immediately shot down most of the hopes of the students in class. "There will be no foolish wand-waving or silly incantations in this class." He turned to face them sharply, his expression unreadable. "As such, I don't expect many you to appreciate the subtle science and exact are that is potion-making. However, for those select few," he glanced at Malfoy and drug his gaze across the room, pinning down some of the more privileged Slytherins, "who possess the predisposition," he crossed his arms, "I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death."

Snape's dark eyes found Harry, sitting next to Hermione diligently writing something down, and while neither his tone or his expression changed, but his entire outlook seemed to become malevolent. "Then again, maybe some of you have come to Hogwarts in possession of abilities so formidable that you feel confident enough to not pay attention." His voice rose, and Hermione nudged Harry so that he would pay attention. Swiftly placing his quill back into his ink he set his hands upon the table and gave Professor Snape his fullest attention.

"Mr. Potter." Snape sneered. Our new celebrity. Tell me, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" Hermione raised her hand, and after much bothering from Franz, as did Jacquleane. Harry glanced at Hermione, before turning back to Snape and shaking his head. "You don't know? Well, lets try again. Where Mr. potter would you look if I asked you to find me a bezoar?"

Hermione's hand shot up like lightning, while Jackie and Franz now both raised their hands rather luxuriously. Harry was distinctly embarrassed and nervous. His answer was quiet. "I don't know sir."

Snape, however fired off another question. "What is the difference between monkshood and wolfs bane?"

Neither Hermione, Jackie, or Franz bothered to lower their hands. Harry repeated his first statement with even more reluctance. "Pity." He now looked distinctly smug, if not in expression than in the way he was holding himself. "Clearly, fame isn't everything, is it, Mr. Potter?"

Franz and Jackie each had an expression of disgruntlement firmly on their faces. They didn't like this teacher at all. Jackie made it a point to sneer in Malfoy's direction when he garnered a gloating air to the Harry-bashing. Harry silently glared at their Potions instructor as he went on to the rest of the lesson.

After the lesson, the Slytherins all walked out with a sense of superiority while Some of the other Gryffindors gave Harry looks of pity.

Ron found Harry's side, and was speaking to him while Hermione, Jacquleane and Francis walked out of class together.

"I don't' know why he was asking those questions. I only knew because I read through all of my books before school started, and I bet you all know because of your preparatory school. Plus, France has already been shown to have a more rigorous education system." Hermione was thoroughly put out, at both the treatment of Harry and the inability to show off her intelligence.

Franz smiled at their new friend. "You're right. In France, we have eight years of schooling, all required. As such, the prep schools are even more rigorous, trying to make it easier for the new students to integrate."

Jackie gave Hermione a disbelieving look. "You read through all of your books? I just glanced through for a couple of hexes and jinxes to use on that one there. And he only did that to boost his own ego. Harry must look like, or remind him of someone he hates."

Hermione ignored the young Frenchwoman. "Eight years? We only have seven here at Hogwarts."

"Oh yeah, ignore the chick who knows French. Not like she knows anything." Jackie muttered humorously, gathering the amused looks she was looking for. Hermione and Franz shared a look before bursting into laughter, Jackie grinning next to them on their way to great hall for lunch.

All around, people were doing the homework they had gathered throughout the day, while the first years looked through their books. Hermione was reading (well reading again as she so bashfully told them) 'Hogwarts, A History' while Franz rooted on Seamus, who was trying to transfigure his water into rum. Jackie was watching almost uninterestedly, hoping that he would blow himself up again.

Seamus' Scottish accent rang through the Great Hall as he attempted the spell over and over again. Franz glanced over at Jackie who was watching, but not seeing. "Should we tell him that it's his wand work that's messing up the spell?" He asked her in gleeful French, smiling at Seamus when he glanced at them suspiciously.

Jacquleane's smirk was deliriously impish. "No, I'd rather like to see him blow-." What Jackie wishes for comes true it seems, because just then a resounding explosion made everyone look to see a smoking Seamus, wand still high in the air. Laughter filled the Great Hall until everyone heard the Owl cries that signified mail time.

Awe colored the expressions of many first years at the odd but beautiful sight of owl after owl soaring through the rafters. Franz narrowed his eyes before pointing up at a barn owl. "I think that's Noctus."

Jackie rolled her eyes and slapped him over the head. "No, that's Marella you idiot." Just as she said this the Barn Owl landed and perched on the table in front of them, with a medium sized brown package in her talons and a white envelope clutched in her beak.

Franz took the letter, sliding his thumb across the Folet family's coat of arms, before popping it and reading quickly. Jackie fed the owl a piece of the ham she was eating, and took the package.

Franz let off a loud bark of laughter. Jackie nudged him while undoing the twine. "My mother says that if I had wanted to go to England, they could've made it a family affair."

Jackie snorted. Looking at the small card in her hands she read it aloud. "You are on verge of disgracing us. However, schooling in another country will be good for the both of you, and you have my blessing in doing so. Francis will not be forced to leave after he tells his parents the truth of his whereabouts. In the package is some chocolate. Dark chocolate for Francis, white chocolate for you. I expect a proper letter, and a list of your professors post haste.

Your Grandmother,

Diana Folet."

The moment the word chocolate had left her mouth Franz had all but torn the box from her hands and pulled out his box of chocolate. He gave a excited exclamation and began to open it with all the ferocity of a starving man. Jackie gave a amused glance to Hermione who was staring at them uncomprehendingly, as the letter had been in French. "Grandmother is the Matriarch of the Folet family line. That includes the Bonnefoy and it's smaller branches, like the Delacour's. What she says goes, and since she says it's okay for us to be here, we can stay here no matter what Franz's parents say."

Hermione gave a sound of understanding and then stared hard a Francis, who was attempting to gnaw the plastic off the box. "And what are you doing?"

"Trying to get to my chocolate." he replied.

Jackie blinked at him. "And the pointy silverware all round can't get it open?"

Franz blinked and then smiled sheepishly. "Uh… Maybe?"

Jackie rolled her eyes and looked to Neville when another boy their year exclaimed that he had a remembrall.

"I've heard about those. When the smoke turns red, it means you've forgotten something." Hermione filled in those at the table, and they watched in awe as the smoke turned red before their eyes.

"The only problem is," he shrugged helplessly and stared hard at the remembrall, "I can't remember what I've forgotten."

Jackie laughed. "Well, at least you know you've forgotten something. It's the first step to remembering anything."

Neville smiled at her nervously. "Yeah. Um, I don't know your name."

Franz smiled and reached over to shake Neville's hand vigorously. "That's okay. I'm Franz and that's Jacquleane." Franz eyed him. "Weren't you the one who lost your toad on the train?"

Neville brightened minutely. "Yeah. His name is Trevor."

"What kind of toad is he?" Jackie asked him.

Neville thought about it and shrugged, not noticing the remembrall in his hands turn a little darker red. "I'm sure Gran told me, but I can't remember."

Franz smiled. "We can tell." Neville blinked, and the orb turned an even darker red before realization lit up his face and he looked at the remembrall to turn a lighter (but still dark, mind you) shade of red.

They didn't think anybody could turn the color of a remembrall, but Neville certainly tried, even as they laughed.

"Not like she knows anything" = "Pas comme si elle ne sait rien"

REVIIIIEWWW