Chapter 8: A/N I do not own Harry Potter. It's the end of the school year and french is still in italics.
"Do you want me to go with you?" Gabrielle asked, not sure she wanted Cassie there alone.
"No, Gabrielle. Thank you. I have to do this myself. Could you please take my school trunks? I'm not sure how much I want to bring it there." Cassie said, worried they would find the memory vials she had stolen.
"Okay, dad's going with you, though. There's nothing you can say to stop him." Gabrielle said, giving her a pointed look.
When they got to Châteaux d'Aubigny, Mr. Delacour greeted her father and insisted that he accompany her inside, refusing to leave her side the entire time.
"Very well, you may enter Mr. Delacour." Michel said coldly. "I assume you've brought luggage in which to pack, Cassiopée. We will not be giving you anything more than what is in your former room. Anything you leave is no longer yours." he said unsympathetically, walking away into his father's study and closing the door.
"Come on, Cassie. I'll help you pack. I've brought something for you to pack." he said kindly, placing his hand on her back to nudge her further.
"They left everything exactly as it was." Cassie said confusedly, she was sure they'd leave the bare minimum.
"You're still their daughter, Cassie. They may be hurt, but I'm sure they love you still." he said gently.
"With all due respect, monsieur, you didn't see the way they looked at me." Cassie said, thinking back to that day in April melancholically.
They spent the rest of the time in relative silence, packing everything Cassie thought she would want or need. She packed all her clothes, blushing when she had to fold her intimates in front of him, the jewellery she inherited and got as presents, her books, her shoes and purses and accessories. She left all of the decorations and her diaries, as well as the picture of the whole family from before Christmas. She wrote a quick letter to her brother, hoping he would get it, and left with Mr. Delacour in tow.
"Mr. Delacour. I hope you are well?" she asked, completely ignoring her small daughter as she ran into them on the landing.
"Under the circumstances, it could be said so, yes. Aren't you going to acknowledge your daughter. It seems to me she has been trying to catch your attention for a while." he said, trying to get Cassie to see there may still be some hope. He was sorely mistaken.
"Really, I do not see my daughter here. I believe she is in the gardens out back. I will go and see what she wants." she replied coldly, turning on her heel and leaving him open-mouthed at their cruelty.
"I'm sorry Cassie. I thought for sure that she would… I don't know. Change her mind when she saw you."
"It's okay, I expected as much." Cassie said tearfully, picking up the smaller bags and walking down the stairs. He followed sadly, vowing that he would never leave this girl alone, just like her parents had.
They walked out the door and Cassie made sure to put the letter where her brother would find it. Mr. Delacour flourished his wand and sent her belongings ahead, taking her hand and Apparating to his house.
Before term ended, Cassie wrote to Professor Dumbledore, sending him a copy of the 'educational emancipation' her parents and she had signed, explaining that they gave her power to decide where to study and sending him her decision to study at Hogwarts, requesting the amount for tuition. After a few weeks, and many papers to sign, Cassie was officially a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and it made her extremely happy. She would go on nonstop about the school and how different it was from Beauxbatons. Fleur got tired of it, and quickly, and stayed with her friends for a few weeks before Cassie was set to travel to England.
The Delacours traveled with her to London, taking advantage and going on a mini-vacation. They accompanied her to Diagon Alley, not entirely liking how crowded and messy it was, and quickly left for the much more organized muggle shopping district. Once they were done shopping in Oxford street, they went sightseeing around London to all the popular attractions and returned to the muggle hotel they were staying at.
Cassie had been contacted in late January by Mr. Aedtner regarding her grandfather and she had made arrangements to meet him in London over the summer vacation. So the second day they were in London, Mr. Delacour and Cassie departed the Waldorf Hilton to meet up with Mr. Aedtner at the Wellington, a pub near King's College, around ten. Cassie dressed in a red knee-length dress with a cardigan over it for the meeting, unsure of how she would tell him off for breaking his promise to tell no one. They took a table outside, ordering a few drinks and some fish and chips and waited.
"Ms. Gratien! How have you been? I trust school is going well?" Mr. Aedtner asked as he stepped up to them and shook Mr. Delacour's and her hand in greeting.
"School went well, thank you, monsieur. You had something to speak to me about?" Casse asked politely, never forgetting her lessons on propriety.
"Yes. Actually, it's regarding your grandfather. There was a bounty on him, you know what a bounty is?"
"Yes, I know what it is." she said distastefully.
"Well, the bounty is yours. I have the check, here. I just need a signature from a guardian." he said, looking expectantly at Mr. Delacour.
"I-I don't know if I want it, sir." Cassie said honestly, hating the taste in her mouth at the thought of accepting the money.
"It's yours, Ms. Gratien. You may do with it as you please, but it is yours." he said, handing the papers over to Mr. Delacour and presenting the check to Cassie.
"Whoah!" she said, her eyes wide at the amount she held.
"It's quite a sum. Ms. Gratien, I would like to thank you again. I know it took a lot of courage to do the right thing. But we are very grateful you did." he said seriously, gratitude clear in his voice. He stood up and offered his hand, bidding them both a good holiday and went on his way.
"Come, Cassie. Let's deposit this in your vault at Gringotts." Mr. Delacour said, paying for their food and leaving for the Leaky Cauldron. They crossed the barrier into the busy street and wound their way to Gringotts. Once inside, Mr. Delacour and Cassie approached the counter, getting the key out from her purse, as well as her wand for identification, and telling the goblin that she wished to exchange the check for wizard currency and store it in her vault, which had been transferred from the France division to the one in Diagon Alley.
"Very well, the check amount comes to 207910 Galleons, 12 Sickles, and 2 Knuts. I will have the amount transferred into your vault in a moment. Would you like to visit your vault today, Ms. Gratien?" the goblin asked
"Not today, thank you. Will that be all you require?"
"No, you are done. Here is the receipt. Have a pleasant day." he said, handing her a signed parchment with the amount being transferred.
"So, what did mr. Aedtner want?" Gabrielle asked, grabbing her friend the moment they walked into the suite and dragging her to the room they shared.
"He gave me a check. For the bounty that was on my grandfather." Cassie said, still not believing she took the money.
"What?"
"Yeah. I know. Your dad and I have just come from Gringotts. I deposited it. Although, now I'm having second thoughts."
"Cassie, don't. I know that look. You did the right thing in December. And now you have no job, you have to pay for all of your school supplies and anything you might need. The money is yours. You don't have to use it, but keep it for emergencies." Gabrielle said looking at her in what she thought was a wise manner, but was really just big blue eyes boring into her friend's.
"I suppose you're right, I hate to admit that I could need it, but still… I feel so guilty already, now I get paid for betraying my family?" Cassie said, tracing the pattern of the carpet with her eyes.
"You know I'm right, C. And if anything, they betrayed you. Not the other way around. The only one with any semblance of redeeming qualities is that gorgeous brother of your." she said, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Ugh, that is so gross! You like my brother?!" Cassie said, flopping back on the bed and putting the pillow over her face.
"You have eyes! Ignore that he's your brother and tell me he's not cute." Gabrielle said, grabbing the pillow from Cassie and throwing it onto the other bed in the room.
"Ew, no. I will never admit to that. It'd be like you saying your dad's a hunk!" Cassie said, shivering from the thought of her brother being cute.
"What, he was! I've seen pictures of him when he was younger, and I can definitely see why mummy fell for him. Also, have you seen his eyes?" Gabrielle said, mocking her friend.
"How can you be so… cavalier about it? Or whatever the word is, I don't want to think right now." Cassie groaned out.
"When are you going to go shopping for your school stuff? I don't really like Diagon Alley so much, it's incredibly disorganized, absolutely nothing like Place Cachée. At least there, you can see where everything is. Here it's all so crowded together!" Gabrielle asked, complaining about how different it was.
"I agree, it's not as organized as where we usually go, but it looks so cute! It's very colorful and there seems to be so much, I saw this clothing shop with the most gorgeous pink dress robes on display! I know you leave tomorrow morning and we're meant to go out to dinner, but I really want to go there with you! Hopefully it doesn't disappoint!" Cassie said excitedly, sitting up in bed and grabbing her hand as she spoke about the shop.
"Let's go ask mummy, she'd be easier to get to say yes than daddy. You know he hates shopping!" Gabrielle said, standing up and opening the door to speak with her mother.
"Please, mummy! Cassie saw the prettiest pink dress robes in the display, we don't have to buy anything! Just go look. Please!" she begged, giving her the best puppy dog look she'd ever done.
"Oh, all right! I could never say no to either of you. I'll go and tell your father and Fleur. But we won't be too long, we have to get ready for dinner, after all, and the English eat dinner rather early for my taste." Apolline said standing up gracefully and exiting the room.
"You know, I wish I was half as graceful as your mother, G. Sometimes I feel very elephantine." Cassie said, quirking her head to the side as she observed her friend's mother.
"You don't look it, though. That's how we can all tell you and your sister apart. Well, other than your blonde hair and her black hair, you are a gazelle, and she's a trampling horse." Gabrielle said, looking sideway at her with a grin.
"She does go trampling around a lot. I don't think she ever mastered how to walk soundlessly." Cassie said seriously, bursting into laughter a few seconds later.
The Delacours and Cassie navigated the streets of London as if they'd lived there their whole lives. When they arrived at the Leaky Cauldron and crossed through the barrier to Diagon Alley, the three girls scrunched their noses in aversion at the bustle of the crowd but made their way quickly towards where Cassie had seen the dress robes. They entered Twilfitt and Tattings and parted ways, Fleur went to browse through the various velvet robes and cloaks, hoping to find one in Beauxbatons blue so she could wear it in winter, their uniform really didn't do much to keep the cold at bay when they were out in the courtyards despite all the warming charms in place. Cassie and Gabrielle went straight to the shoes; the selection was vast and exactly their style. There were one-inch heels-Mr. Delacour refused to let Gabrielle wear higher heels than those, and Cassie stood by her friend- with buckles, bows, flower designs, matte shoes, sparkly shoes, strappy shoes, suede shoes, silk shoes, and so much more. Mr. Delacour wasn't too bored, however, as he was admiring a particular top hat at the other end of the store.
"I'm so glad we convinced your mother to bring us here! I have found my new favorite place! I could die happy!" Cassie squealed excitedly to her friend, admiring a pair of pale pink, ankle high Wellington boots with buckles on the side. "These should be great for Hogwarts! I've heard it rains hard there! And these are so cute! Although, the uniform is black, so maybe I should get the black ones." Cassie said, holding them both in her hands trying to decide which ones to get.
"I'd go with the black, they'll match whatever you're wearing." Gabrielle suggested.
"How right you are! What will I do without you?!" Cassie asked putting the pink boot back, suddenly not sure about her decision.
"You'll manage. I'm sure at least one girl at that school has some fashion sense." Gabrielle said, rolling her eyes playfully.
"You're right, you are. But that doesn't mean I won't miss you!" Cassie said, throwing her arms around Gabrielle.
"Excuse me, madame. Do you have this in a size five?" Cassie asked the attendant.
"Of course, miss. I'll go get it for you."
"Thank you."
"What happened to not buying anything?" Fleur asked as she neared them and looked through the shoes.
"It's too hard!" Cassie cried, tilting her head back and placing her hand on her brow dramatically. "And they are too cute! Besides, it rains too much in Hogwarts and I'll be needing them. I just wish they had heels, I'm far too short."
"You'll grow, Cassie. I'm sure you remember Francine? She was shorter than you our first year, and now she towers over everyone!" Fleur said, amused by the gir;'s antics.
"I suppose you're right, Fleur. But heels are still cuter than no heels." she said, nodding airily.
"I agree, but for now, daddy needs to think I only like two-inch heels so he won't argue when I move on to the taller ones. I'm going to tell you two my secret, but it should never leave us three…" Fleur said, waiting for the younger girls to nod. "I slowly go up by half-inch. That way, he never notices. I started at one-inch, like you two, but by Christmas, I was at one and a half. I'm at two and half now, but these shoes are just too cute! Even if they are only two-inch heels."
"I know, right! This is officially my favorite place in Diagon Alley. Although, if I'm to stay here until the end of August, I have to keep all the money locked away, or else I'll buy the whole store." Cassie said jokingly.
"All right girls, enough gossiping. We have dinner to get to. Buy whatever you want, only one item Fleur, Gabrielle, and we'll meet outside." Apolline said, raising her fingers at her daughters in warning.
"I'll get the cloak and you get the shoes?" Gabrielle asked her sister excitedly, she knew the cloak wouldn't fit her well, but they had a system worked out whenever their parents said 'one thing' and it was Fleur's turn now.
"Sure, let's go pay while Cassie tries on the boots." Fleur said, taking her sister's hand and walking to the counter.
"These fit fine. Did the monsieur buy the hat?" Cassie asked the attendant quietly.
"No, miss. He didn't." he answered.
"Okay, I'll take the shoes and the hat please, but don't let them know, I want it to be a surprise." she said with a cheeky grin.
The following morning, when the Delacours were packed and ready to drop Cassie off at the Leaky Cauldron, Cassie made sure to sneakily place the hat inside their luggage with a letter telling them how grateful she was and how fond she was of them, especially after being cast out by almost her entire family.
"Ready?" Cassie asked with a watery smile.
"We are, darling. Will you be alright? It would be no bother for one of us to stay with you until August." Apolline said with a kind smile gracing her features.
"Absolutely, I will be fine. But I will miss you. You've been my second family for so long, it seems that now you are my family." Cassie said, smiling broadly with tears streaming down her face silently.
"Oh, don't cry, then we'll cry and Claude will be stuck with three tearful women." Apolline said tears of her own forming.
"They're bittersweet tears. I will miss you all dearly. But you are right. No more tears." Cassie said smiling, walking closer and enveloping them all in a tight hug.
"You must write me at least every week!" Gabrielle said when they finally hugged, not letting go until she got her promise.
"I will! Poor owls, but I will write you at least once a week. I promise." Cassie said, doing their secret handshake since forever.
"Also promise not to teach anyone else our own handshake! You must swear as well!" Gabrielle said tearfully.
"I solemnly swear, this handshake stays between us!" Cassie said, hugging her friend tightly once more and giving her a kiss on each cheek to seal the deal.
"Goodbye Fleur. I'll miss you. Thank you for teaching us how to do our makeup, I'd be lost without you!" Cassie said, hugging the older girl tightly. "I hope you will write to me as well?"
"Of course, Cassie. You are my friend too." Fleur said tearfully, kissing her on the cheeks as well.
"Oh, enough of goodbyes! I'm going to start crying soon!" Claude exclaimed from behind Cassie, holding his arms out for a hug.
"I can't thank you enough, Mr. Delacour. Truly, I consider you family after everything that's happened, you have been so good to me." Cassie said into his chest.
"We don't consider you family, Cassie. You are family to us. Have been ever since you and Gabrielle met. As such, I think you should call me Claude" he said affectionately. "We should get going. We'll miss our portkey back." he said, detangling himself from the small girl.
They wove through London until they arrived at the Leaky Cauldron, and Mr. Delacour entered with Cassie to get her situated in one of the inn's rooms. She still hadn't received the Hogwarts letter with the required material for next year, but she had already gotten confirmation from Dumbledore that she would in fact be attending the following academic year.
