Author's note: I have several Harry Potter stories I want to get posted. Hopefully you will enjoy all of them. This one will take place during GOF. I'm not writing in French accents for the students. Please just imagine that they are French. : ).
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with JKR and I don't own HP. I only own my OCs.

Something Unexpected
Chapter One

Rain splashed against the classroom windows. Lucille Auclair wrapped her arms around herself to fend off the early morning, October chill. She sat in the small room, where she attended her advanced course in defensive magic, along with eleven other students in her year.

Flour Delacour, her closest friend, was seated on her right, talking animatedly with a boy from her charms class. She suppressed an eye roll at the glazed look in his eye. Fleur had that effect on all of the boys. Fleur wasn't oblivious to her charms either. She knew how to use them to her advantage. No-one sat to her left, she had taken the seat closest to the window. It was her spot during class as well. She enjoyed being able to look out over the gardens.

She turned her gaze toward the large windows. The skies were a steely gray and the tree branches swayed slowly in the wind, like dancers waltzing to the beat of the raindrops. The Pyrene's were visible beyond the grounds, a beautiful backdrop to the sprawling manicured gardens.

All of the students stood when the door to the classroom opened. They watched as their headmistress, Madame Maxime, crossed the room and took a seat at the desk in the front of the room. Once she was seated the students sat as well. Lucille sat straight in her chair, undeniably curious about why Madame Maxime had called this meeting.

"I've gathered you all here because you have been selected to represent the school. This is a great honor." Madame Maxime began. Lucille glanced sideways at Fleur, who looked intrigued. "I announced at the beginning of the year that this school year would be different. It is my greatest pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament has been reinstated."

A rare murmur broke out amongst the students. Students at Beauxbatons rarely spoke when Madame Maxime was talking, they had far too much respect for their headmistress to partake in such behavior. Unlike her classmates, Lucille said nothing.

Obviously understanding the students' surprise and excitement, Madame Maxime waited for the voices to die down before continuing. "The tournament will be held at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Scotland. Due to the fact that we will have to travel for the tournament, and that we will be staying at the Hogwarts grounds, I have decided to select only my most talented students to travel with me and volunteer to participate."

Lucille slowly raised her hand.

Madame Maxime nodded in her direction, "Miss Auclair"

"What about our studies, Madame?"

The Headmistress smiled at her, "Your dedication to your studies is no doubt the reason you have been selected to represent Beauxbatons. Do not fret, your studies will continue during our stay at Hogwarts."

Lucille nodded, "Thank you, Madame."

Madame Maxime smiled, "Now, of course if you do not wish to travel and volunteer to represent the school, you can remain here at Beauxbatons and resume your normal class schedule. The Triwizard Tournament will be an arduous challenge for whoever is chosen. The challenges are extremely difficult. They can also be dangerous. That is why I have only chosen my most gifted students to volunteer. You will have one week to decide if you are going to travel with me to Hogwarts."

The students all nodded their understanding. A few murmured in excitement about the prospect of participating in the tournament. All of the students stood when Madame Maxime got to her feet, "You are dismissed." She announced.

Lucille collected her bag and followed Fleur out of the room. Once they were in the hallway, Fleur turned to face Lucille, her silvery blonde hair billowing around her shoulders. "You are going, no?" Fleur asked.

"I'm not sure. I think I am going to write to my parents and see what they think." Lucille shrugged.

"I'm going." Fleur said with surprising finality.

"But Fluer, it's dangerous. Don't you think you should think about it for a little while? Maybe talk to your parents?"

"Absolutely not. I am not giving up the opportunity to represent Beauxbatons. I plan to be chosen and I plan to win."

"I'm sure you will." Lucille said. When Fleur set her mind to something that was it. She was determined and she was talented. Nothing stood in her way.

"I will," Fleur insisted.

"Trust me, Fleur, I never doubt you." Lucille smiled at her best friend, who let out a melodic laugh.

-x-x-x-

Lucille sat in one of the many arbors in the Beauxbatons's gardens. The rain had slowed and was now a pleasant, light drizzle. Her black and white magpie was perched on her shoulder and a piece of parchment was spread over her lap. Lucille dipped her quill into the bottle of ink sitting beside her on the bench.

Dear Mom and Dad,

How are you? I miss you terribly, as always. Classes are going well. I am really enjoying my advanced defensive magic course and my charms class. I received top marks on my last exams. Noel is doing well. She enjoys looking out the windows in my dormitory and sleeping in front of the fire.

Madame Maxime had a meeting with some of the students today. They have decided to reinstate the Triwizard Tournament. I am one of the students she selected to represent Beauxbatons. I am not sure if I should go or not. It is being held in Scotland at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Do you think I should participate? Madame Maxime says it can be difficult and dangerous. I wouldn't want to embarrass Beauxbatons and I wouldn't want to embarrass you. What should I do?

I love you,

Lucille

Lucille fastened the letter to her magpie's leg, "Please take this to mom for me." She gave the bird a peck on the side of her tiny face before setting her free. She watched as the little bird flew off into the distance.

-x-x-x-

Her mother's response arrived the next day, during her break. She was once again sitting in one of the arbors in the garden, her textbook open on her lap. She removed the rolled-up parchment from the little bird's leg and stroked its feathers gently. "Thank you." she told the bird before it flew off to rest. Deciding to read the letter after her classes, she tucked it into her bag.

She had charms, defense, and alchemy in the afternoon. The classes seemed to drag under the weight of her anticipation. Once her charms class was dismissed she went straight to the dormitories.

Noel was waiting for her in a chair by the fireplace. Lucille shared a dormitory with Fleur and another girl named Clarise. Clarise was a quiet girl who kept to herself. She spent the majority of her free-time studying or reading.

The dormitory was large, with double four poster beds with light blue satin bed curtains. A large stone fireplace stood between the large windows that looked out over the gardens. Around the fire sat three cozy chairs covered in a soft, light blue fabric. Each girl had a large white wardrobe, a white bedside table, and a white trunk to hold their belongings. They each had a white writing desk as well, to sit at when studying.

Lucille scooped up Noel and placed her on her lap. The cream-colored cat looked up at her with large, innocent eyes. Lucille gently stroked the cat's back before adjusting her dainty pearl color. The cat meowed and butted her head against Lucille's hand. Lucille responded with a gentle ear scratch.

After Noel had curled up in a ball on her lap, Lucille grabbed the letter from her mother and unrolled it. She smiled at the sight of her mom's handwriting.

Lucille,

Darling, you could never embarrass us. We are so proud of you. If you would like to participate in the tournament, we support your decision. We know that you are more than talented enough to participate. Madame Maxine chose you for a reason. Please let us know if you decide to travel to Scotland and please keep us updated. Beauxbatons would be lucky to have you as its champion.

Your father and I are doing well. We are busy with caring for your grandmother. She is adjusting well to the move to the guest house.

Congratulations on your marks. We all love you, darling.

Sincerely,

Mom.

Lucille rolled up the parchment and smiled. She was pleased to hear that her grandmother was doing better. After a bad illness, her parents had decided to move her into the guest house at their Chalet.

A twinge of sadness seared through her. As much as she loved Beauxbatons and enjoyed her studies, she missed her family when she was at school. She hated being away from them.

How would it feel being all the way in Scotland if she decided to participate in the tournament? If she was already homesick, how would her heart handle being more than a thousand miles away from her home.

But she had the opportunity to make her parents, and her school, proud. Would she regret it if she passed up the opportunity?

She watched the flames as they danced on the hearth and stroked Noel's soft fur, deep in thought.

"I think I know what I have to do." She told the kitten after several minutes of quiet contemplation. She gently stood up and sat the cat on the seat of the chair. She went to the desk and grabbed a piece of parchment. She grabbed her favorite quill and dipped it in the bottle of ink on the corner of her desk.

Dear Mom,

Thank you for supporting me. I think I am going to travel to Scotland for the tournament. I want to make you proud. I asked Madame Maxime and she said that we would continue our studies during the tournament. I was glad because I didn't want to miss my final year of studies. Thank you for always believing in me.

I am glad Grandma is feeling better and she likes staying at the guest house. I cannot wait to see you all! I will write again soon.

Much Love,

Lucille.

Lucille rolled up the parchment and sat it aside. After dinner she would send the letter to her mother. She stood up and walked over to her wardrobe. She pulled open the door and pulled out a light blue, white, and gold knitted throw, made for her by her mother for her first year at Beauxbatons. She wrapped the blanket around her shoulders and went back to the chair by the fire. Noel jumped up on the arm of the chair, allowing Lucille to sit down, tucking her legs beneath her. She smiled as the cat crawled back onto her lap. Noel began to purr as Lucille gently scratched her ears.

Lucille tilted her head back against the chair, watching the sunset over the mountains and raindrops snake down the windows. Enjoying the warmth of the fire, she closed her eyes and whispered, "Well, Noel, I guess we are going to Scotland."