Chapter Two

Lauren woke up at eleven and packed her bags into the carriage. She stood on the front lawn of her villa while her butler helped her into her carriage. She chose to wear her pale pink robes lined with gold as she wanted to look elegant and sophisticated for her father. She was angered that her mother had to leave so early in the morning that she couldn't say goodbye to her only daughter.

She eyed the small houses and the many fields of France from high above in the sky. She closed her eyes and awoke as she felt her carriage land on the ground. A man approached her carriage and held out his hand. "Thank you", she said quietly as she stepped out of the carriage. He took her luggage and they walked to the front door of one of the biggest mansions she had ever seen. The man opened the door for her and she stepped inside the house.

"Your father will be home at eight and requests that you have dinner with him in the formal dining room half an hour after his arrival", the butler stated.

"Of course", Lauren nodded.

"Lauren?" a voice asked from behind her. Lauren turned around to see her brother, Oliver Wood. "I haven't seen you since you were this little!" Oliver demonstrated with his hands.

"Oliver! How are you?" she asked, giving out her hand.

"No need for formalities!" Oliver laughed, pulling her into a hug. Lauren stiffened up and quickly released herself from his hug.

"I'll show you to your room?" he asked.

"Thank you, Oliver". Oliver led Lauren up a big staircase and Lauren admired the grandeur and magnificence of the interior details of the manor. "You have a lovely home, Oliver".

"It's yours too" Oliver stated, not looking back as he led the way.

Lauren didn't know how to reply and kept silent. "How's mother by the way?" Oliver asked.

"Oh, she's fine", Lauren replied. "You never replied to her invitations to come over to France. She was bitter about that".

"I see. You never came over to England", Oliver replied. "And I hate the French".

Lauren laughed but quickly stopped herself.

"Would you like to rest? Or I could show you around the manor if you want?" Oliver asked.

"That would be lovely", Lauren replied, eager to explore the home. Oliver opened a door, allowing his sister to enter first. It was a large room with a grand four poster bed, rich dark red curtains and stylish furniture. "This is a beautiful room".

"Don't you remember it? It used to be yours". Lauren looked outside a large window in the room to see a breathtaking view of London.

Oliver looked out the window. "What? Not as magnificent as the French countryside?"

Lauren laughed. "It's different. I've been everywhere in the world but I've never really been in London. The last time I was here, I was five".

"Well then, I'll take you around London! How about that? I'll invite some of my friends along".

Lauren smiled. "That would be terrific. Can you show me around the manor?"

Lauren and Oliver spent a few hours touring the manor. Lauren insisted on viewing every single room and soon they were sitting outside in the courtyard, discussing old times. "I've missed having a sister, you know?" Oliver stated randomly, "I hear you're quite the socialite in Paris, all the guys swarming all over you!"

"Who told you that?" Lauren blushed, a little surprised.

"Sebastian Smith and Gerald Hastings, they're two of my best friends at Hogwarts".

"I know them! They live in France with their parents during the summer holidays! I always see them at soirees. They never told me they knew you!" Lauren exclaimed.

"Did they try anything on you?" Oliver asked concerned.

"You're the typical over-protecting big brother I thought you'd be" Lauren laughed, "Sebastian asked me out on a date, but I denied his request".

Oliver nodded approvingly.

"It's because I have a boyfriend—but we're taking time off—and what about you? You're a Quidditch star at Hogwarts, I bet all the ladies are chasing after you!" Lauren teased. "Mother told me about that, Oliver, she's very proud of you".

"There's only one girl in mind—her name's Katie Bell. But it's not going to happen".

"Well she'd have to be a moron not to see what a great guy you are Oliver. I mean—I haven't spoken to you in years and you're treating me so well, I kind of expected you to give me the cold shoulder".

"Divorce is an ugly thing, Lauren. If I ever have kids I don't want them to have to go through what we did, you know?"

"That's exactly what I've thought", Lauren sighed. "I've missed having a brother, Oliver".

Oliver and Lauren spoke for hours in the courtyard, catching up on the years that they had been apart. Lauren was interested in Oliver's school, Hogwarts and Lauren told Oliver of the many social events in Paris that she lived for. "How is Beauxbatons like?"

"Well, it's an all-girls school, as you know. You're constantly keeping up with fashion trends and so on but it has a very good curriculum".

"That's good. I'm glad there aren't any boys there! I've always been glad you were at that school, knowing that you were safe".

Lauren rolled her eyes, "Come on, Oliver! I can take care of myself!"

"How's mother?" Oliver asked again, and extremely suddenly.

"She's still the same I guess. She's been successful with her fashion designs but she travels all around the world. I hardly see her which is why I love going away to school. It can be so lonely sometimes in the villa, just with the servants. Mother wants to move to Holland but I refused and we've been fighting for so long I just couldn't take it. That's when I decided I wanted to stay here for a while".

The stars were bight in the sky above and Lauren suddenly realized it was already late in the evening. Oliver suggested that they enter the dining room. A large bang was heard in the house and Lauren saw her father for the first time in years standing before her. "Lauren, how lovely to see you!" her father said, holding his hand out to her. Lauren shook his hand and smiled.

"Thanks for letting me stay here for a while".

Lauren, her father and brother sat in the dining room for three hours. Lauren's father was constantly asking her questions about her school, her life in Paris and her past. "You look so much like your mother, Lauren".

"Thank you" Lauren said awkwardly. With her fair complexion, rosy cheeks, slim frame, big brown eyes and long dark brown hair, Lauren knew she was the spitting image of her mother. Oliver nodded in agreement.

"Your mother told me you are going to attend the school in Holland, "Magische academie van Holland voor meisjes?" her father asked.

"She'd like to think so", Lauren stated calmly.

"I see", her father said confused.

What Oliver said next was unexpected. "Maybe Lauren should attend Hogwarts and stay in England instead, Father?"

"Is that what you want, Lauren? Because if it is, I'll make sure that happens. I know Dumbledore very well and he's taken many transfer students under his wing over the years", her father explained.

"We could spend more time together", Oliver stated, "I go to Hogwarts so I could show you around".

"What would mother say?" Lauren asked her father.

"I'll talk to her. But before then, I'll arrange for an interview with Dumbledore tomorrow and Oliver can show you around the school, it would be empty now because of the holidays".

Lauren smiled, "I'd love that".