HARRY POTTER: THE LOST LEGACY

by peverell.magic

It was on a cold October evening that this story began, an evening that, in the eyes of many people, marked the advent of a new era, an era of great upheavals, although it would affect only a certain category of individuals.

25. CHAPTER 25: BEAUXBATONS HERE WE COME!

CHAPTER 25: BEAUXBATONS HERE WE COME!

Adjusting her hat once again from her own reflection, Daphne couldn't help but sigh as she contemplated the image reflected back at her by the dressing table mirror. It portrayed an eleven-year-old girl, not yet fully transformed by time and age, but already beginning to exhibit traces of the beautiful woman she would become in a few years. For now, she struggled to finish her preparations before her departure time arrived. The return to Beauxbatons had finally come, carrying with it the promise of a departure for several months away from her roots, her familiar places, and, above all, her family. This prospect was daunting for a girl who had never lived more than a week away from her parents or her sister, especially in a region where everything would be unfamiliar to her. The tension and anxiety were palpable within her, and even the worst occlumens could easily discern the thoughts racing through her mind. What else could she think about, after all? Nothing extraordinary was happening today. Although the absence of her fiancé could also be a conceivable assumption, it should be remembered that she remained in constant contact with him through letters. Over the past two years, she had had ample time to adjust to his absence.

No, the primary concern remained her return to school in this institution where she would be the first in her lineage to attend classes and refine her magic. However, she couldn't shake the feeling that the looming deadline resembled a guillotine descending upon her delicate neck. This image alone made her nauseous, and she almost dropped her hat, which she managed to awkwardly stabilize on top of her head.

She had extensively shared this anxiety with her mother, the only person with whom she could freely express her fears. It had been debated at length, and what emerged from their discussion was her greatest fear: interacting with the other students at this school. Daphne wasn't inept in social life and didn't have difficulty making new friends, according to Belvina's accounts. However, her English status, especially while her native country and her fiancé's were in continuous conflict, could pose challenges in the relationships she would establish. The mere name "Greengrass" was revealing of her true nationality, and despite making considerable progress in the language of Molière, enough to pass as a resident of that country, she harbored no illusions about certain people's inability to look beyond appearances and their tendency to stick to a generally biased first impression.

Somewhere deep in her mind, she reflected on the fact that Harry had also faced this ordeal on the day he entered the military academy in Metz, where he had been evolving for two years now. Just like her, according to his letters, he had been particularly anxious about this new stage in his young life, but it had turned out much easier for him, evident from the numerous friendships he had forged since then. Would it be the same for her? She hoped so, but her fearful nature quickly regained dominance, and even her mother's comforting words and assurance regarding her daughter's success in her studies only slightly mitigated her worries.

Yet, her anxieties seemed trivial compared to what other people in her circle had experienced. Perhaps the most telling was the current situation of her fiancé's family, or rather... his former family. Daphne wasn't concerned about the lives James and Matthew Potter were leading now that Lily, Rosalyn, and Harry were out of their lives, but their shadow lingered even after two years of estrangement. However, it wasn't that Harry, his mother, and sister wished to reconnect with that other part of his family, but James' behavior during his absence still grated on him. It was clear that it wouldn't take much for him to confront his former father outright. Being violent with him was one thing, something Harry could forgive, but laying a hand on his sister and mother, two of the people who mattered most to him, was unacceptable. Although he hadn't attempted revenge so far, Daphne was certain that sooner or later, Harry would make his father pay dearly for his impulsive actions and unwarranted violence. James' conduct since Lily's departure hadn't improved his image in the eyes of his former children, and reports of his increased arrogance, self-centeredness, and particularly his vindictiveness towards his now ex-wife only reinforced their negative opinions.

Indeed, James wasted no time in maligning Lily, even going as far as organizing interviews with major newspapers and journals in the country where he besmirched the dignity and integrity of his son's mother. His ex-wife was depicted as a chronic alcoholic, a spendthrift with no sense of restraint, a high-stakes gambler capable of losing 100,000 Galleons in one evening. Additionally, she was portrayed as a volatile, narcissistic woman who would resort to violence against Matthew whenever she felt overshadowed and couldn't bask in the prestige enjoyed by her son. The attacks went even further, and James spared no expense. Every possible and imaginable horror was written down, but perhaps the worst of all was alleging that Lily was promiscuous, sleeping with anyone and even participating in orgies where she was usually the only woman present. These cruelties had deeply wounded the poor woman when she had the chance to read the numerous newspaper clippings.

Her reputation was terribly tarnished, and while initially people had sympathized with her and understood her departure, especially after the trial in which James had embarrassingly lost, these same people had suddenly changed their opinions after reading all these lies. However, the fault lay with someone she'd never have suspected: her own son. Disillusioned by Dumbledore's words, he now harbored an unparalleled hatred towards the woman who had given birth to him, asserting to anyone who would listen that his father's words were true and that Harry and Rosie were most likely the result of his mother's late-night escapades in London's brothels. Regarding those who insinuated that he himself might be a bastard, Matthew simply stated that the title of Lord Potter could only be given to a child with the blood of that lineage, and unlike him, Harry couldn't claim it because he didn't have any genes associated with it. It was a blatant lie, and a quick investigation at Gringott's could have easily refuted these malicious claims, but nobody thought of it.

Seeing her son drag her through the mud had caused Lily considerable suffering, and it had taken her many months and the total support of her two youngest children to resist the urge to commit the irreparable. While she seemed much better now, Daphne could still perceive, through her gaze, that her stepmother still bore and would bear that scar for a long time.

"Still not ready?" suddenly asked a voice from the door.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you to always announce yourself before entering an occupied room, Tracey?" grumbled Daphne without turning around.

"I think I've been told a few times, yes…" responded her best friend in an amused tone as she approached. "But isn't it strange? I never seem to remember!"

"You should in that case, as I'm not sure others would tolerate your unannounced arrivals as patiently as I do, they might not have as much patience with you," she advised, while she resumed adjusting her appearance.

"Merlin, what eloquent phrases, princess!" teased Tracey, emphasizing the last word heavily. "Your education might have been excellent in teaching you to speak properly, but unfortunately, it seems to have robbed you of an essential thing..."

"And what would that be?" inquired Daphne without deigning to give her a glance.

"Your childlike spirit!"

Piqued, perhaps eager to contradict her friend's remarks, Daphne finally turned her head towards Tracey, offering her the most exaggerated grimace. Her gesture at least elicited a delighted chuckle from Tracey before she decided to drag a chair over to have a perfect view of the dressing table mirror as well. Daphne noted that Tracey was already clad in her Beauxbatons uniform, a lovely dress adorned with various shades of blue, accented here and there with ribbons and lace that almost made it look like an ordinary dress but beautifully complemented her friend's sun-kissed complexion.

Tracey's enrollment at Beauxbatons had been a huge surprise for her because negotiations had taken place behind her back, without her ever being informed. She had only discovered it very late when her future stepmother had invited her to spend the two months leading up to the new school year at Beauxbatons with them. How Marie-Louise knew about Tracey remained a mystery to her, but she had no doubt that her parents or even Harry were behind this affair. After the initial surprise, she was absolutely delighted to have her best friend's company during those hot summer months. Tracey's presence was a ray of sunshine in the quiet little life she had led up to then in Lamballe, and while her lively and impetuous nature played a part in that, Tracey's continual amazement at Harry and his stepmother's home and estate managed to brighten all her days; the castle was so vast that it was not uncommon during her stay for Tracey to get lost and end up in the stables, a building somewhat distant from the castle, about a hundred meters away and slightly set back. Her absent-mindedness fueled many conversations, and Daphne was surprised to see how quickly Tracey had acclimatized to this new environment.

The only downside was that her mother, although in much better health than before, couldn't participate in this trip and remained confined at home, alone, with only old house-elves for company. Lucius Malfoy's relentless attacks on the Davis' removal from the Wizengamot kept her occupied, consuming all her time and energy. Only the unwavering support of Daphne's parents allowed this poor woman to withstand the insinuations and scandalous remarks made against her by Lord Malfoy. The man's ambitions were becoming increasingly clear as time passed, and he now didn't hesitate to attack Tracey's mother about her husband's dubious relationships with other recognized Death Eaters during the Wizengamot sessions, even going so far as to claim that she might have served as a distraction and bargaining chip for them to form alliances with Voldemort, thus painting her in the eyes of many as a submissive and servile prostitute.

Tracey, of course, was unaware of this last part, and her mother refrained from telling her, but a few echoes from the Wizengamot meetings had nonetheless reached her during the summer. With some reluctance, she agreed to stay with her best friend until the end of the holidays. However, she took care to constantly write to her mother, something she never did before simply because she hated writing letters. But reaffirming the deep love she held for her mother seemed to be the best way to support her through the difficult ordeal she had faced in recent months. It also helped her maintain that perennial cheerfulness that characterized her so much. Even today, despite all her worries, Daphne could see through the dressing table mirror that her best friend, probably amused by her feeble attempts to finalize her outfit, continued to wear a smile that stretched from ear to ear.

"Let me help you," she said, taking Daphne's hat from her hands and a brush in the other. "Merlin, being served by dozens of servants has made you much less independent than before!"

"I only have two people to dress me," defended Daphne, sounding offended, thinking of the two maids who had attended to her fiancé a few years earlier.

"Perhaps, but that's already two too many. You can't even make a proper bun!" Tracey pointed out, swiftly undoing the pitiful heap of hair that Daphne had struggled to tie. "I sense that at Beauxbatons, I'll have the immense privilege of having to prepare you for our class days," she added, sounding resigned.

Daphne didn't bother to respond because, by her own admission, this kind of task had become totally unfamiliar to her. Living here had indeed caused her to lose some basic skills and had given her the bad habit of always relying on others to solve a problem she was incapable of accomplishing alone. Perhaps some self-reflection was in order...

"Tell me, Daphne, can I ask you a question?" Tracey suddenly asked as she combed through her friend's hair.

"If it doesn't concern Gabriel, our wedding, your hypothetical role as maid of honor, and the choice of godmother for our first child, then yes, you can ask," teased Daphne.

"I don't just talk about that!" protested Tracey, adopting a mockingly indignant expression. "Okay, I may mention it once or twice a day, but I don't harass you that much!"

"Of course, Tracey, of course…"

"You can be so annoying sometimes," grumbled her friend, brushing Daphne's thick locks a bit more firmly. "No, I actually wanted to know if... if you too were afraid of going to Beauxbatons for school?"

From as far back as Daphne could remember, she had never heard Tracey speak with such a fearful, almost scared voice, as if her enrollment at this school was a challenge she wasn't sure she could overcome. She herself then questioned how she felt about her imminent arrival at Beauxbatons, and despite trying to convince herself otherwise and despite her efforts to show nothing, she also felt apprehensive about this day. While the language barrier had long been crossed, her fear mainly came from the reception she would receive from her schoolmates, all French probably and raised in hatred of the eternal English enemy. Far from her familiar surroundings, her family, and loved ones, Daphne doubted her ability to face this imposing obstacle and already assumed she would have to confront open hostility from some girls. Furthermore, her character also played against her, and while Tracey knew perfectly well that her cold, unfeeling, and tough demeanor actually hid a certain shyness and great modesty, to the point of preventing her from opening up to others, it was uncertain whether the other girls would also understand this, possibly seeing in her, at worst, a cold indifference coupled with a high self-esteem and arrogance that would displease more than one.

Harry had faced a similar problem, but the difficulty had been more related to his social status and origins, an obstacle he had nevertheless brilliantly overcome if she believed his written and spoken accounts of the little life he led in his academy. This sudden recollection made her gaze wander near the window, much to Tracey's annoyance, who didn't hesitate to express it by brushing her hair more vigorously, to yet another painting depicting her fiancé adorned in his fine uniform, proud as a peacock and far now from the little boy with whom she had shared pastries several years ago. Time had done admirably well for Harry, and if today he was capable of displaying such strength in a single glance, it was primarily by ignoring his weaknesses, his flaws, everything that could hinder his long ascent to the highest spheres of society.

Why not her? That was the question she asked herself, and if she wished to honor her fiancé, Daphne deemed it fitting to follow his example, to take him as a model, the one with whom she would share her entire life in the future; a resolution that finally brought a smile to her face before remembering that Tracey was still waiting for a response:

"I cannot claim to be insensitive to what is about to happen to us shortly, but I will, however, refrain from showing my apprehension to others in order not to display any weakness on my part. A first impression is always beneficial for someone who wants to assert their authority over another, and I will not let anyone vilify my name or my person. The only thing that matters to me at the moment is the distance between my family, Gabriel, and myself…"

"That's exactly what I was saying: You talk like an adult!" chuckled Tracey, shaking her head. "I just asked if you were scared, and you're giving me a list of all your thoughts and feelings! Merlin, you're becoming boring!"

"I'm not boring!" protested Daphne, furrowing her brow. "I just had a good education, and as a future princess, I must have impeccable behavior in both gesture and speech!"

"Hm hm… Anyway, princess or not, you still seem unable to dress yourself," her friend remarked, now trying to fix her hat on her head.

It didn't take her long to succeed, and after a final glance at her reflection, Daphne rose from her seat to admire her entire uniform. Barely standing, her dress immediately fell to her feet, covering the black, polished shoes she wore as the weight of the garment was finally felt. The azure blue of her uniform was even more vivid when struck by the sunlight, and although the corset compressed her chest, it gave her an absolutely slim and pretty silhouette that her parents couldn't praise enough. Twirling around, Daphne suppressed the urge to laugh as she saw her dress follow the movement, forming pretty waves around her.

"This uniform is so beautiful," she said, admiring once again the multiple layers of muslin on the collars and edges of her garment. "It's a change from the austere and dull uniforms at Hogwarts... Dumbledore should take inspiration from this, at least for the girls…"

"That's the least of our worries, don't you think?" replied Tracey, heading towards the closet from which she emerged a few moments later with the fine jacket matching the uniform, which she handed to her friend. "Let's leave that old man to his schemes and focus on our current problems. Hm... This uniform is very pretty, yes, but as far as mobility is concerned, I don't think we'll be able to run with this kind of outfit on in the future..."

"I don't care, anyway it is beneath a lady like me to stoop to running like a common girl of low condition," declared Daphne in a falsely pompous tone, making her best friend laugh.

"Of low condition, eh? Merlin, where has the girl gone with whom I could run for hours around my parents' manor? Who dared to replace her with this pretentious creature passing herself off as my best friend? Speak, O vile sorceress! Have you hidden Daphne under your skirt!? Have you usurped her identity by some stratagem? Speak before I lose patience!"

Tracey barely managed to dodge the pillow Daphne threw at her, but her teasing had succeeded in lightening her mood even more. Daphne now emitted much less coldness and seriousness than when she had entered her room, but knowing her friend's penchant for constantly changing moods, Tracey had no doubt that her distant and reserved attitude would quickly resurface as soon as she felt uncomfortable. However, for the moment, she enjoyed this rare opportunity to have fun with her childhood friend... That was until a disruptive element came to thwart her plans.

Their little game was abruptly interrupted by the sudden entry of Rosie and Astoria, both laughing and indifferent to their presence. Bursting in like furies, Daphne's younger sister and her best friend slammed the door of her room, sending a gust of wind that almost knocked off the hat Daphne had struggled to keep in place, all the while giggling joyfully in a manner that would probably have drawn reproach from Marie-Louise. Clad in pretty embroidered white cotton dresses so thin they almost seemed transparent, their hair untangled and falling in lovely curls on their shoulders, and with a breathless look on their faces, Rosie and Astoria resembled two little wildlings who had once again been up to mischief for a reason that still escaped the two older girls. As for why they had sought refuge in her room, they preferred not to know, no longer surprised by the antics these two rascals were capable of. However, their presence bothered Daphne, and she did not bother to mince words to let them know:

"We're not disturbing you, I hope?" she grumbled, glaring at her sister, a cushion in hand that she wouldn't hesitate to throw at her if the answer didn't satisfy her.

"Oh, are you still here?" exclaimed Rosie, looking at them strangely. "Isn't your carriage supposed to arrive soon?"

Daphne was about to reply, but sudden little knocks on the door interrupted her, quickly followed a few seconds later by the small, high-pitched voice of Gabrielle Delacour:

"Let me in!" she complained from the other side, continuing to drum against the door. "I want to play too!"

"No, Gabrielle!" immediately said Astoria, while Rosie tried her best to prevent the youngest Delacour girl from entering by blocking the handle. "You can't play with us! You're too little!"

"Little?" repeated Gabrielle in an annoyed tone. "I'm not little to play hide and seek! Open up or I'll tell Sister Catherine where you are!"

The remark hit home immediately, as Daphne noticed by the sudden paleness on her sister and Rosie's faces. The two looked at each other for a few seconds, then after a simultaneous sigh, they finally consented to open the door, revealing behind it a particularly delighted Gabrielle Delacour at having been able to make them yield.

"I almost had to wait!" she said triumphantly, sounding horribly familiar to the ears of the other four girls, having heard it numerous times from Fleur's mouth. "You're lucky, Sister Catherine is searching the floor above for the moment!"

"Will someone finally explain to me what you're doing!?" Daphne finally snapped, looking at them coldly. "This is my room, and so far, I haven't given any of you permission to come in! So if you want to have fun, go somewhere else!"

"Except it's also my brother's room," retorted Rosie, sticking out her tongue, "and so far, he has never forbidden me from coming in!"

The slam of a door a few meters away, however, made her jump, and as if chased by the devil, Rosie dashed towards Daphne's bed, under which she quickly disappeared, joined a few moments later by Astoria and Gabrielle. All three began to giggle, but the laughter ceased as soon as the door of the room was opened again, revealing a few moments later the person who managed to make Rosie tremble in fear: Sister Catherine of Saint-Jérôme.

"Dressed in her traditional black robe that reached down to her feet, with a veil covering the upper part of her body and a belt resembling a rope encircling her waist, this nun did not initially give the impression of being a pleasant and friendly woman. Every time Daphné happened to cross paths with her in a corridor, she couldn't help but feel intimidated by the stern appearance of Rosie and Astoria's instructor. Of rather advanced age, with a emaciated and dry face and a gaze that resembled that of a hawk eyeing its prey, Sister Catherine was not someone to oppose or mock without incurring her wrath. Rosie often bore the brunt of her anger whenever she dared to defy her authority.

The choice of a nun to properly educate Rosie in accordance with the traditions and principles of the Catholic Church might have been surprising at first. However, the circumstances surrounding the appointment of this woman as the teacher for Lily and Marie-Louise's daughter helped clarify certain misunderstandings.

While Harry had quickly adapted to his new life and willingly assumed the responsibilities that came with his new role, Rosie's initial steps into the closed and strict world of the aristocracy proved more challenging for her. Possessing a strong character and a stubborn nature inclined toward doing as she pleased, Harry's sister quickly became known for her impetuousness beyond the borders of Brittany. This often led her into embarrassing situations not only for herself but also for her family. Finding herself in the middle of the woods on a dark night with only a governess unable to control her energy, Rosie endured the longest punishment she had ever known in her young life.

Moreover, Rosie's behavior differed from that of her brother. While she showed enthusiasm in deepening her knowledge and assimilating new information, she quickly lost interest in what she was undertaking, only finding the strength to learn through play. She managed to learn Italian by replaying some famous "commedia dell'arte" plays, and even revising her multiplication tables required turning it into a song. Only the magic lessons managed to capture her full attention, but they had to be more than just theoretical.

Yet, everyone agreed that Rosie was a sharp-minded girl with intelligence, which was overshadowed by her numerous flaws. As time passed and her mischief accumulated and intensified, her mothers quickly realized that she needed a more rigorous, stricter, and more uncompromising education to prepare her for her future role. Faced with the difficulty they both encountered in controlling their daughter's hyperactivity, Marie-Louise, with Lily's agreement, decided that it was wiser to refine Rosie's education by including an approach more focused on the contribution of religion and its precepts. This would show enough firmness to help her channel her boundless energy and set boundaries not to be crossed.

The solution was found quickly, and despite Rosie's numerous pleas and promises to improve her behavior, it took only a few weeks for them to enroll their daughter in the Convent of the Ladies of the Assumption, a prestigious Parisian institution where young girls of high nobility were educated. Naturally, this decision led to the family's move to the capital, specifically to the Hôtel de Beauvais, where Marie-Louise bought one of the suites for 200,000 francs each. However, neither Lily nor Marie-Louise minded, as they were just thrilled to be close to Rosie. The distance separating them was now only four kilometers, and since visits were allowed, both of them frequently inquired about their daughter's well-being.

Initially, Lily was slightly doubtful about the chosen institution for Rosie, but the progress she made there convinced her that this decision was extremely beneficial for her daughter. Though being of Anglican faith, knowing that Rosie would be steeped in the strictest Christian tradition somewhat disappointed her. The only obstacle was that for six months, Rosie couldn't learn magic except on rare occasions. Even though there had been no prejudices against wizards for a long time, the entire ecclesiastical community still exercised caution towards magic users, especially since the end of the persecutions against them. The memory of the inquisition was still vivid for some, requiring a strong will and desire to even hope to join any of the numerous religious orders still in existence.

Consequently, the use of magic was prohibited within the walls of all religious buildings in France, and young people who had the privilege of using it were kindly but firmly advised not to even think about it once they stepped through the doors of God's house, regardless of their noble lineage. Moreover, with the presence of Muggle girls in the convent and in accordance with the legislation on magical secrecy in the country, revealing that Rosie and Astoria were witches would have notably jeopardized their safety and survival, not to mention the reputation of the institution. Knowing the Parisian people, the convent would likely have ended up like the Bastille a few years earlier or like the Tuileries Palace, burned without anyone lifting a finger to stop the fire ravaging a part of it.

Thus, for six months, Rosie and the rest of the family left the warm countryside setting of Lamballe for the bustling and roaring city of Paris, only returning in July to continue the education of Harry's sister under the supervision of a designated nun.

For now, the nun briefly observed Daphné's room, lingering over a few hiding spots where Rosie and Astoria might have hidden. However, out of principle and respect for Daphné's privacy, she refrained from using the human presence detection spell and instead chose to speak directly with the room's owner:

"Forgive me, my child, but would you happen to know where your sister and Mademoiselle de Savoie might be?" politely asked the nun while quickly scanning the room. "These two troublemakers have taken advantage of a moment of inattention on my part to slip away..."

"Unfortunately, you won't find them here, Sister," replied Daphné, gesturing with her head toward her bed. "But I'm afraid you might have a long search ahead before you get hold of them. Who knows where they could be hiding now?"

"I see," murmured Sister Catherine, nodding slightly. "What a pity indeed. I would like to finally impress upon my students the importance of the teaching hours to which I devote my time, but I feel like I'm hitting a wall where my good intentions remain ineffective..."

Sister Catherine then began to wander around the room, pretending to take an interest in the furniture and decorations adorning the walls, ceiling, and even the wood of some furniture. Her seemingly innocent little game might have easily deceived anyone, but her inevitable approach towards the bed left little doubt about her true intentions. Daphné shuddered at the fate that awaited her sister...

"Don't you think this room could use some fresh air?" declared Sister Catherine as she headed towards the window, wand in hand. "Yes, a bit of fresh air never hurts, it seems..."

Passing along the bed as if nothing was amiss, she waited until she was next to the mattress before suddenly bending down under the bed, promptly sending a foul stench of rotten eggs from the tip of her wand in a thick cloud that quickly spread throughout the room. Coughs could be heard, occasionally accompanied by a "Yuck!" and plaintive groans as Rosie, Astoria, and Gabrielle quickly emerged from their hiding place to escape the putrid smell assaulting their noses.

"I caught you, young ladies!" thundered Sister Catherine, helping them nonetheless to extricate themselves from under the bed. "What an indecency! Hiding like common peasants instead of educating yourselves! Your mothers do not pay me to flush you out of your hiding places! If you were at the convent, I would have immediately sent you to meditate on your unworthy behavior for young ladies of such high nobility!"

"We... We just wanted to have some fun... A bit!" Rosie tried to defend herself between coughing fits. "We don't even have time to play! We... We're just working!"

"Nonsense!" retorted her instructor, pointing her wand at her."

With a wave of her wand, Rosie and Astoria suddenly winced in pain, both holding their right ears as if someone were pulling them. Surprisingly, Gabrielle had better luck. Unlike her elders, she maintained that angelic smile on her face that could melt anyone's heart, irresistibly making her look like an angel. If innocence had a face, Gabrielle would perfectly embody it.

"Ouch!" groaned her two playmates again.

"Please, Sister! We won't do it again, it's a promise!" Astoria added.

"Stop it, or I'll tell my mother!" threatened her best friend.

"Do so, and you'll find out that your mother fully agrees with my methods of education," Sister Catherine assured her, extending the duration of the spell. "She might have even gone through the same in her youth and understands that in dealing with rebellious spirits, a firm approach is necessary to educate two little troublemakers like you!"

"I tried to stop them, Sister Catherine! They didn't want to listen to me, and they even said that if I didn't join them in their foolishness, they wouldn't play with me anymore!" suddenly affirmed Gabrielle in her small, high-pitched voice.

"Liar!" exclaimed the two culprits in unison, while their instructor looked on with an indulgent air at Gabrielle's innocent face.

"I don't mean to be impolite, but could you settle this dispute in another room, please?" politely requested Daphné as everyone turned towards her. "I have no intention of driving you out of this room, but the Beauxbatons carriage is due to arrive soon, and I'm horrified at the thought of not being ready for my departure..."

"Perhaps you could have been prepared on time if you hadn't thought it wise to let these three young ladies into your room to play hide-and-seek under your bed," retorted Sister Catherine as Daphné slightly furrowed her brows at this remark. "But you are right in essence: We have wasted enough time, and I don't wish to waste any more needlessly!"

"But I don't want to learn today," complained Rosie, looking pleadingly at her educator. "Please, Sister Catherine, just this once, could you let us do something more... interesting?"

"Mademoiselle de Savoie, our Lord Jesus Christ, who is God, was obedient throughout his childhood. Therefore, you must be just as quick to obey if you don't want to stray from the virtuous path, and it starts with obeying the directives of your elders!"

These simple words, cutting like a guillotine, immediately subdued Rosie's frivolous enthusiasm, and she didn't utter another word, seemingly defeated by the nun. Having her education supervised by a nun had its advantages. Devotion to the Almighty was indeed admirable for all believers, but using the fear of His wrath to gain obedience had its own significance, especially when dealing with the headstrong Marie-Rose de Savoie.

Once again, much to Daphné's great exasperation, there were new knocks at her door: Her room seemed to have become the nerve center from which everyone in the castle gathered, or by the greatest of coincidences, it attracted the residents of Lamballe to inquire about her well-being.

"May I come in, Daphné?" asked a voice from the other side, a voice that Daphné recognized as Lily Evans'.

"Oh, um... Yes, of course, Mrs. Evans!"

The other mother of Harry also entered the room, and she couldn't hide her surprise at seeing so many people in her stepdaughter's room. Arching an eyebrow, Lily seemed momentarily taken aback by the sulky expressions on her daughter's and Astoria's faces. However, just seeing their governess and educator by their side was enough to indicate to her the source of Rosie's perceptible bad mood. The animosity between the little princess and the one responsible for her intellectual and spiritual education was known to everyone, so Lily didn't bother to inquire further and preferred to focus her attention on Daphné:

"Daphné, haven't I already asked you to call me Lily rather than Mrs. Evans?" she asked kindly as she gestured for someone to enter.

"Yes, but it makes me very uncomfortable to address you like that, Madam-Lily," she replied as several men entered her room. "Who are they?"

"These gentlemen are here to collect your belongings for Beauxbatons," informed Lily as they headed towards her numerous bags near the wardrobe. "You haven't forgotten anything, I hope? It would be a pity if we had to send one of your personal effects by owl because you had been negligent... Are your things ready too, Tracey?"

"Since yesterday, Mrs. Evans!" exclaimed Tracey proudly, puffing out her chest.

"Wonderful," said Harry's mother as she walked around Daphné.

Slightly embarrassed, Daphné let herself be observed without saying anything, ignoring the envious looks from her sister, who was impatiently waiting for her entrance into Beauxbatons since the day her uniform had arrived.

"Absolutely lovely!" chirped Lily joyfully, trying to brush out the few visible creases on the uniform with her hand. "If I had known about this gorgeous robe when I was young, my time at Hogwarts would have been greatly compromised..."

"But then you wouldn't have met James!" Rosie intervened in alarm. "And... And you wouldn't have had Gabriel and me..."

"Even more reason not to dwell on the past," replied her mother, swiftly shifting the conversation away from her ex-husband.

A sudden distant neigh interrupted them, and, heading towards the window, Rosie almost fell backward as a gigantic winged horse passed by a few meters away, dragging behind it a pastel blue carriage on which she glimpsed the Beauxbatons crest—an escutcheon surrounded by ivy and yellowish flowers, topped by two crossed wands, each pulling three stars. The passing of the carriage in front of the window momentarily darkened Daphné's room, and though no one noticed, that brief moment was enough to make her complexion paler than usual. A heavy thud was heard a few seconds later, and while the room had been plunged into total silence since then, it was suddenly interrupted by Rosie and Astoria's excited voices:

"Wow!" they exclaimed joyfully. "We're finally going to see Abraxans!"

"Did you see how huge they were!? By Merlin! They must be as big as this room!"

"How many times must I tell you not to swear!" exclaimed Sister Catherine, shooting Rosie an angry look. "And stop mentioning that pagan's name, even if he was a great wizard!"

But the two girls weren't listening anymore, too happy to have the opportunity to once again escape from the presence of their governess. Skipping almost in place, Rosie and Astoria quickly darted towards the exit, followed a few seconds later by Gabrielle, nearly knocking over one of the poor men who narrowly avoided falling by leaning heavily against the doorframe, his chest compressed by the heavy load he was laboriously carrying in his arms.

"These young ladies are truly irredeemable in their disregard for the teachings instilled in them!" Sister Catherine grumbled, turning towards Lily. "Madam, please make your daughter understand that it is not fitting for a young lady like her to behave like the most wanton girl her age! What will people say of her and her family when she is invited to grand events!?"

"That she's a lively young girl?" Lily supposed nonchalantly, shrugging her shoulders. "Honestly, Sister, don't you think you're being too strict with her? I mean, she's only nine years old! Let her enjoy a bit more of the joys of childhood before considering making her a lady of high society..."

"We should go," whispered Tracey while Lily and Sister Catherine debated the validity of the strict education given to Rosie and, incidentally, Astoria.

The two women hadn't waited for them to exit anyway, too occupied with asserting that their teaching method was superior to the other, leaving Daphne and Tracey the opportunity to take their time in exiting as well. The latter didn't wait long to join them, while Daphne, seized by a sudden feeling of melancholy, lingered for a long time in the room that had been hers for the past few years, a room in which she had experienced many things, especially with her fiancé... The feeling of leaving behind a past she didn't want to abandon crept upon her—a sensation that was admittedly ridiculous because she would probably set foot in it again in December, but it felt to her like the end of her childhood, the period of carefree innocence in which every child felt at peace, far removed from the troubles of adults. Leaving this room felt like the first act of a new life, a life that began with her integration into Beauxbâtons, and Daphne wasn't yet certain if she wanted to leave behind this calm and peaceful life. In contrast, this seemed to be the least of Tracey's concerns, as she returned a few moments later to her room, wearing a worried look but not hiding her impatience on her face.

"Well then? Can't you find your way out?" she said, tapping her foot. "Do you want me to lead you by the hand perhaps?"

"I don't need your help at all," replied Daphne, crossing her arms, forgetting at the same time the apprehension she had felt a few seconds earlier.

She preceded Tracey to the exit, casting a final glance at her room before finally closing the door, heading downstairs with her best friend. Lily and Sister Catherine were still visible a few meters away, their little verbal joust echoing through the walls of the different rooms they traversed, much to Daphne's great amusement. It seemed that Harry's second mother was gaining the upper hand over her daughter's governess, her argument about the importance of the human side of relationships between individuals taking precedence over Sister Catherine's severe and outdated doctrines.

This debate accompanied them throughout the journey, to the point where Daphne realized belatedly that she had already arrived at the grand staircase leading to the entrance when she heard the joyful voices of Rosie and Astoria descending the multiple steps to meet the people below.

A small crowd was already gathered there, notably Marie-Louise, who continued to give instructions to the porters regarding the arrangement of luggage based on its contents. Next to her, a group of women, including Louise-Elisabeth, Apolline Delacour accompanied by a particularly moody and bored Fleur, as well as several local bourgeois ladies adorned in their finest jewelry and clothing, had chosen this day to engage with the lady of the house on subjects that were unknown to Daphne for now; However, to attend their meal without participating and merely watch them eat, their issues must have been quite delicate.

This practice seemed to be common during the old regime, but public meals had never been a pleasure for Daphne, but rather a source of discomfort and unease that could quickly make her lose her appetite. Even Harry, usually of Olympian calm, didn't appreciate being relegated to a showpiece on which people marveled, and the mere fact that the local nobles were amazed by every bite of food he ingested bitterly reminded him of the same idolatry people held for his brother. So, instead of indulging in the reverential respect bestowed upon him, Daphne's fiancé often abbreviated his meals, eating relatively little when he had to do so in public, and preferring to immediately focus on the financial contracts that the local bourgeoisie eagerly presented to him.

Daphne had never been aware of the details of these documents, and Harry refrained from discussing them with her. Alone in his private office, located in an isolated wing of the castle, her fiancé took his role as a businessman very seriously, and women, believed perhaps wrongly to be too foolish to understand such matters, were generally never admitted to these meetings. All Daphne could observe was that Harry was heavily investing in public projects, including the renovation of neighboring villages' infrastructure, roads, as well as the industrialization of the region, the establishment of textile companies, and the innovation of agricultural tools to prevent the terrible famines the region had once faced. Financially supporting local political figures had also earned him a certain popularity among mayors, prefects, and deputies, and the Breton people themselves appreciated the generosity and kindness of this 13-year-old boy.

It was not surprising, therefore, to see more and more people coming to seek his advice and help, but as Harry had left more than a week ago to further his studies at the academy in Metz, his responsibilities had consequently been delegated to Marie-Louise, who turned out to be a particularly tough businesswoman but concerned about doing things right.

For now, the only male representative in the castle was Remus, who, perhaps intimidated by so many female presences, stood slightly apart and conversed discreetly with Louise-Elisabeth. But all heads turned a few seconds later when, caught up in the excitement of the departures and the arrival of magical horses, Rosie almost ran shouting towards her mother, oblivious to the impropriety of her behavior regarding her status.

"Mother! Mother!" she called out, rushing towards her, full of hope. "Mother, you must absolutely listen to me! I…"

"Come now, don't run, my daughter!" Marie-Louise abruptly interrupted her. "Where do you think you are? In a marketplace? Those are not the manners to display! One does not holler at people in that manner!"

"Forgive me, Mother," apologized Rosie, walking much more dignified towards her, while Sister Catherine suppressed yet another sigh at the lack of progress in her student. "Please, could you listen to what I have to say?"

"Can it not wait?" her mother inquired as she glanced at her watch. "Your sister-in-law and her friend's carriage will soon depart, and we wouldn't want to miss the farewell moment, would we?"

"No! But I only wanted to talk to you about a matter of utmost importance! It concerns my lessons…"

"Are you finally interested in what you're being taught?" her mother asked immediately, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"No... Well, yes! But that's not the point! I wanted to ask if it was possible to postpone today's lessons to a later date? Perhaps even spread these lessons over several days to catch up?"

"And for what reason should I grant you that?" Marie-Louise asked, restraining the urge to roll her eyes.

Searching for her words, Rosie carefully avoided looking in Sister Catherine's direction, sparing her the horror of meeting her governess's furious gaze. Her eyes then met Lily's, and although Lily tried to hide it as best she could, the spark of amusement she could perceive beyond Lily's irises left little doubt about which side her other mother would choose if she had to decide whether her daughter deserved a bit of respite in her studies. Encouraged by her mother's support, it was with a measured but confident voice that she finally decided to list the different reasons that might sway Marie-Louise towards a decision that could satisfy her:

"Because... Because I am still young, and it is bad for such a young and pretty little girl like me to spend her days working on algebra, geography, or even theology? Because you care about my well-being and Sister Catherine's teachings do not contribute to it? Because you know perfectly well that for the development of a girl my age and the awakening of my mind, play is more important than theoretical classes?" she awkwardly attempted, much like Gabrielle, to charm her with her most innocent face.

Needless to say, the result was not what she had hoped for. While some, like Remus, couldn't hide their hilarity at Rosie's childish remarks, Marie-Louise maintained the same neutral expression that generally did not bode well:

"The answer is no, Marie-Rose," she asserted firmly, as Rosie wore a dismayed expression. "You will attend your lessons as planned. You will show diligence in everything Sister Catherine teaches you and prove yourself worthy of the blood flowing through your veins and worthy of being the descendant of illustrious women we can proudly claim as our ancestors."

"Please, Mother..." she pleaded, wearing the most endearing expression.

"That won't work with me, Marie-Rose," Marie-Louise replied, as her daughter sighed in frustration. "Furthermore, I heard you were already hesitant about studying today with your governess... It wouldn't be wise of me to grant you permission to miss even more of your lessons."

"But..." Rosie began before suddenly widening her eyes, as if struck by a realization that left her speechless.

Her attitude didn't escape anyone, not even the worst occlumens, and the mischievous little smile she displayed afterward confirmed to everyone present that Lily and Marie-Louise's daughter had probably found a new way to avoid her duties:

"How about this? Book of Exodus 20, 1-18, third commandment: Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God: you shall not do any work, you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates," she recited, to everyone's surprise, in a clear voice.

This time, even Sister Catherine was taken aback by her student's last move, and total incredulity swept through the audience. Even Lily, who didn't expect such a recitation from her daughter, was speechless at her audacity. Since when did her daughter know the commandments of this book by heart?

"That... That only concerns manual labor and hard tasks," Marie-Louise attempted vainly once she had regained her composure.

"It doesn't specify, I believe," Rosie cheerfully replied, innocently wriggling. "The Lord worked six days and rested on the seventh... Who am I to oppose Him?"

"This little girl is certainly full of surprises," Louise-Elisabeth muttered to Apolline.

"She'll have her husband wrapped around her finger, that's for sure," assured Apolline, looking proudly at her goddaughter.

Marie-Louise straightened up and, after observing her daughter for a long time with an expression that made her uncomfortable, a small smile appeared on her lips as she gently placed her hand on her shoulder.

"You intrigue me, my dear," she said softly. "You seem to only care about what you're learning when it allows you to obtain some sort of compensation... I'm not sure I approve of this approach in the future, but believe me, I admire the cunning you've shown. I'm willing to grant you this day of rest that you so desire, but I will quickly verify the validity of your claims."

"Madame, I..."

"That's enough, Sister," she interrupted as Sister Catherine furrowed her brows. "Rest assured that this day will be accounted for like any other despite the lost time, but for today, I release you from all your duties. As for you, miss, keep your joy to yourself," she added, noting her daughter's joyful expression. "I won't hesitate to make you catch up on the hours of lost lessons at the slightest opportunity. Is that perfectly clear to you?"

"Yes, Mother," Rosie replied, keeping her eyes fixed on the ground.

"That's settled then," her mother said, turning to Daphne. "I see that everyone is here! Well, let's not keep the coachman waiting any longer and let's go meet him!"

With determined steps, she was the first to head towards the exit, but suddenly struck by a doubt, she stopped abruptly before turning to the bourgeois women who, unlike her, hadn't moved.

"If you'll wait for me here, ladies," she said, gesturing for a valet to come closer. "Please escort these ladies to the sitting room so that we may discuss these concerns of yours upon my return."

"Right away, madame," replied her servant as the ladies thanked Marie-Louise with more or less graceful curtsies, causing Rosie and Astoria to discreetly giggle.

The warm September air greeted them as soon as they crossed the threshold of the door, along with the summer heat that never seemed to want to end. A few people were busy here and there in the rose, wallflower, hyacinth, jasmine, tulip, narcissus, lily— a small token of affection from Marie-Louise to Lily—cowslip, and poet's eye flower beds, further embellishing the castle. Nobody paid much attention, except Rosie, who, despite numerous warnings in the past, couldn't help but frequently pick these beautiful flowers to give to her two mothers—a touching gesture on her part but one that made the official gardener of Lamballe scream in anger, resisting the urge to go and laze among these magnificent colorful bushes.

Instead, she chose to follow the small group heading towards the castle's main road, from where the furious neighing of the horses could be heard, although she inwardly vowed to take advantage of this unexpected day off to put her plan into action.

The Beauxbatons carriage quickly became visible to everyone at the other end of the alley, perfectly aligned with it and currently loaded with multiple bags carried by Daphne, Tracey, and Fleur. Others were already present, indicating that students were already inside. At the sight of the pile being placed on the roof, Daphne felt as if a whole regiment had gathered inside. While she wondered about the number of people inside, Tracey still voluntarily accompanied her a few steps behind, and most adults were engaged in a lively conversation about current politics and the initial repercussions following the Peace of Amiens, marking the end of conflicts for France for the first time in years. Meanwhile, Astoria and Rosie, far from worrying about such matters, were already running towards the two tethered horses, laughing loudly, much to the amused eyes of the few paying attention to their antics and the dismay of Sister Catherine. The horses themselves didn't seem to mind the two young girls approaching them. Used to being petted, they even lowered their bodies slightly so Rosie could touch their silky white fur, a welcoming gesture considering the girls could barely reach them even by stretching their arms.

"Don't you find it a bit small?" Tracey suddenly asked Daphne, looking perplexedly at the carriage. "We can barely fit six people inside!"

"Maybe they have many, or they're magically enlarged on the inside," she supposed, shrugging. "Mom once told me that Hogwarts carriages are like that..."

"Rosie, stop it!" Astoria suddenly exclaimed.

Turning her head again towards them, Daphne was surprised to see her younger sister giving her best friend an annoyed look while Rosie, on her part, was casually humming a tune, feigning innocence. Eyes fixed on the blue sky, Rosie swayed happily from side to side, wearing a small smile for a reason that escaped Daphne. Clearly, Harry's younger sister had played a nasty trick on her friend, despite the presence of adults.

"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about," Rosie assured her while continuing to sway slightly. "I was just doing what you did—petting this beautiful animal."

"I find that hard to believe, if you must know," Astoria retorted, starting to tap her foot. "I don't know how you managed to do it again, but I'm sure I lost control of my arm for a few seconds, and I would never have scratched... my... back in public!"

"You can't prove that I had anything to do with it in any way," Rosie assured her while humming again. "You might have just had a momentary absence, or maybe your memory is failing you."

But Astoria was no longer listening, too busy staring fixedly at the winged horse right in front of her. Daphne couldn't read her mind, but deep down, she knew by the gleam in her younger sister's eyes that she was working full throttle to figure out how her best friend had played her. The sudden gasp she let out confirmed that Astoria had indeed inherited her mother's intelligence, for although Daphne had also searched, she was quite incapable of understanding how her stepsister had achieved this.

"You used the Abraxan!" she affirmed, turning once again towards Rosie. "When you touched it, you infused a bit of magic into its skin, connecting yourself to my hand while I was also petting it!"

"A true little Ravenclaw," her friend praised, placing her hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, I didn't intend to do it again," she added, seeing that Astoria had taken a small step back.

"With you, I have to be constantly on guard," she grumbled, sighing.

And that was a precaution generally taken by everyone close to Rosie, especially since she had been capable of such feats. Much like her brother, she had early on, thanks to Marie-Louise's training, developed her innate magical talents without a wand. However, while the quantity of magic she could store within her was much less than Harry's, affecting the potency she could utilize, she compensated for this by easily manipulating it, giving it shape, and pushing the boundaries of its usage.

In terms of magical and tactical prowess, Harry and Rosie now differed significantly in their learning. While the former possessed more magic than his younger sister, knew an impressive range of spells, could handle various weapons, and quickly grasped the basics of close combat, controlling his raw magic was more difficult, which affected the dosage in the spells or attacks he used to both attack and defend. Additionally, his magic caused a lot of collateral damage, especially with area attacks, and his spells tended to be more powerful than those of an average wizard.

Conversely, Rosie possessed finesse and considerable talent in manipulating her magical core, allowing her to develop her abilities in controlling her magic and using it as she wished. While Harry could only create luminous balls that exploded upon any physical contact, Rosie was capable of shaping her raw magic into formidable weapons that were best avoided. It wasn't uncommon to see her training in duels with Harry, wielding a strange luminous bow that inflicted painful wounds on the unlucky ones touched by her arrows.

Her talent didn't stop there. Her manipulation of raw magic also enabled her to use it more subtly without raising any suspicion from the target. Like a puppeteer, Rosie could bring an object to life by creating tiny threads of magic called "conductive threads" at the tip of her fingers and applying them to the object through simple contact. Thus, she could easily engage in long-distance combat using weapons or even wooden dummies that she manipulated with a flick of her finger. This allowed her to compensate for her weaknesses in hand-to-hand combat and bludgeoning weapons, which weren't part of the teachings she received from her two mothers, while simultaneously using spells through her wand with her other hand.

Moreover, she could use this other functionality to take control of her adversaries. Like with Astoria earlier, she only needed direct contact with the targeted person or through any channel to destabilize them and prevent them from acting according to their will. She even went beyond mere physical domination by inserting her magical threads into the victim's body, akin to how microbes and viruses would act. The magical thread would then head straight to the unfortunate person's magical core, guided by a more developed use of Legilimency. Like a parasite, she would directly siphon off the victim's magic to bolster and renew her own reserves in case she had used a significant amount.

However, this ability came with risks, not only for the user but also for the person affected. Mishandling could result in the complete absorption of magic, leaving the target entirely devoid of it for life. In rare cases, this capability could, much like the Dementor's Kiss, absorb the very life essence of the poor victim, killing them instantly. Rosie was long haunted by the accidental killing of a little fairy to whom she inadvertently brought an end while experimenting with this method for the first time. Furthermore, excessive absorption of magic by a core that didn't have enough space to store it could lead to its rupture, a risk that Marie-Louise preferred not to take at the moment. She thought it best to wait for Rosie to grow and develop her core before considering experimenting with this aspect of her daughter's magic again.

"Marie-Rose..." she murmured as she observed her daughter's antics, while Remus couldn't hide the amused smile on his face.

"Excuse me, Mother," Rosie replied sheepishly. "It was so tempting; I couldn't resist taking advantage of the situation. This doesn't cancel our earlier arrangement, I hope?"

"I hadn't even thought about it, but thank you for suggesting it," her mother replied, to which Rosie looked shocked.

"I should have kept quiet..." she grumbled, sighing.

A few chuckles accompanied her remark, but most attention was focused on the work the porters were doing on the carriage roof, where a mound of luggage was taking shape. Daphne briefly wondered how so many suitcases could fit up there, and more so, how they managed not to fall off. But her thoughts were interrupted when Astoria wrapped her small arms around Daphne's waist, and from what she could hear, her little sister had suddenly burst into tears.

"Oh, what a surprise!" she exclaimed playfully. "I didn't know my absence would affect you so much!"

"You're silly," Astoria murmured between sniffles, lifting her teary eyes towards Daphne. "Did you really think I'd be happy about you leaving?"

"Well, we didn't discuss it much, and I thought that, like Rosie, you didn't care whether I was near you or not..."

"Rosie does care," she interrupted, looking over her elder sister's shoulder at Fleur's cold farewells to her mother and sister. "It hurts her a lot to have her brother far away, even if she doesn't show it. And before today, I didn't know it could be so tough to be away from my big sister..."

Astoria finally released her grip and took a step back, yet her eyes never left Daphne's, as if she wished her to never disappear from her sight. Her sister, although accustomed to her gestures of affection, was particularly moved by this sudden outpouring of love from a younger sister with whom she spent most of her time bickering. Family bonds were certainly difficult to comprehend, but she appreciated seeing that, just like Rosie and Harry, the relationship she had with her younger sister was unbreakable and built on solid ground.

"You'll write to me, won't you?" Astoria asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"As often as necessary," Daphne assured her immediately. "But since I don't really know how the Muggle postal system works, I'm not sure how often letters are delivered."

"Don't find excuses," her sister warned her. "I want at least two letters a week! Gabriel sends as many to his mothers, his sister, and you, so you'd better keep up or the repercussions will be terrible when you return!"

Satisfied with Daphne's shocked expression, Astoria flashed a radiant smile and, latching onto her arm, proceeded to accompany her to each person she needed to bid farewell to, as if displaying a trophy she was particularly proud to have acquired. Daphne complied without reacting, still surprised by her sister's warning; was she truly related to this terrifying creature?

From the corner of her eye, she noticed Tracey also engaging in the farewells. However, not being as close to the people present as she was, she contented herself with politely shaking hands or giving a clumsy curtsey, which pleased them greatly.

"Thank you again for inviting me to spend this summer with you, Madame," she said to Marie-Louise when it was her turn. "I was delighted to spend time with your son and Daphne..."

"Pleasure, my daughter," she replied warmly, accepting the hand Tracey extended. "If your mother and yourself wish to honor us with your presence another time, it will be a pleasure..."

Tracey nodded, then after one final goodbye, she headed towards the still-open carriage door. Daphne realized she was the last one remaining and that Fleur had evidently not bothered to wait for her. Her farewells must have been very brief, but her mother didn't seem to mind, too busy enjoying her goddaughter's and younger daughter's antics.

"It's time to board, Daphne," Lily kindly invited her, pulling her out of her reverie. "And it's also time for you to let go of your sister, Astoria," she added, looking amusedly at her.

"Oh, um... Yes, you're right, M-Miss Lily," she said, smiling timidly.

Awkwardly, Daphne hugged Lily, and although surprised by her future daughter-in-law's display of affection, Lily responded with evident joy. The absence of her parents might have played a part in this outburst of tenderness, but Lily didn't mind. She was too happy to be able to replace Belvina as a maternal figure for Daphne and to enjoy the intimate presence of the woman who would share her son's life.

The farewells to Marie-Louise were much more formal, owing probably to an upbringing that prohibited any exaggerated displays of kindness or sympathy in public. Although equally fond of both Harry's French mother and her English one, Daphne felt deep down that an invisible barrier of restraint prevented her from feeling fully attached to this princess. Marie-Louise had never shown herself as tender and kind as she did with her two children.

"Take care of yourself," Marie-Louise said, briefly kissing her cheek. "I wouldn't want my son's fiancée to languish away so far from home... I can't imagine Gabriel's reaction if he were to learn that you're not enjoying yourself at Beauxbatons..."

"He would probably come to get me himself," she supposed, briefly imagining Harry riding a magnificent white horse and rescuing her from the clutches of a terrible headmistress.

"A noble and chivalrous attitude, yes, it would suit him," her stepmother replied with a smile. "Go on now, my dear, I wouldn't want to delay you any longer..."

Daphne nodded slightly, and like Tracey before her, she quickly climbed the small steps of the carriage as the coachman held the door open for her. Turning around, she took one last look at the familiar faces before her that she wouldn't see for the next four months. Her heart tightened slightly at the thought, but just like Harry, she vowed to achieve the best grades in her class to benefit from the coveted permissions to leave. This resolution brought a smile to her face, and after one final goodbye to the onlookers, she finally stepped into the carriage.

The inside of it was quite surprising, far from what one would imagine for this mode of transportation. Unlike the two classic benches on either side of the door, Daphne and Tracey found themselves facing another beautifully carved wooden door in the middle of a corridor with five other doors, all designed similarly and each equipped with a small knocker for a reason they couldn't comprehend. The corridor was very welcoming, and the polished wood, potted plants, and wall-mounted chandeliers gave the place an atmosphere of calm and serenity only found in the most beautiful palaces or manors. Two windows completed the carriage's decor, and Daphne was surprised to see that neither showed the landscape outside but rather a beautiful forest with a peaceful little stream where many wild animals came to refresh themselves.

The animals, as was often the case in living magical paintings, were alive, and Tracey cooed as she traced her finger over a small fawn suckling from its mother, which started rubbing against her finger.

"It's so cute!" she gushed, genuinely emotional as she watched the little animal continue to nuzzle her finger. "Too bad I can't feel it; I'm sure it must be very soft!"

"Too bad you can't take it; I'm sure it would look beautiful in your room," teased Daphne, smiling. "But I doubt it would help you fall asleep faster, and besides, Penny would be really sad to know you could replace her with a mere forest representation."

"I don't play with dolls anymore!" Tracey protested, glaring at her. "A toy's emotions are the least of my concerns!"

"Are you going to keep talking for long, or should I start pulling your ears now so you'll deign to move?" Fleur suddenly exclaimed, making them both jump. "Follow me," she ordered, looking stern. "We don't have all day."

Without another word, Fleur walked toward the last door, with Daphné and Tracey close behind, both grumbling about the Veela. The Veela didn't even bother to wait for them to open the door, and it was almost as if Fleur was about to slam it in their faces when Daphné entered the compartment. Her eyes were immediately assaulted by the brightness of the small room, caused by the ubiquitous wood, so polished it seemed to shine along with the few candles placed here and there above the seats. These were covered with a pretty fabric perfectly matching the blue of their uniforms, occasionally adorned with orderly sewn golden fleur-de-lis, reminding everyone that the school had been largely built by the French royalty centuries ago. A large window at the other end of the compartment provided an unobstructed view of the surrounding moors, illuminated by the dazzling sun rising on this beautiful September day.

"Hello, girls!" Fleur exclaimed, her tone much warmer, turning to the compartment's initial occupants.

Taking a closer look, Daphné realized the compartment had already been occupied by two girls similar in age to Fleur. Rather tall, undeniably beautiful, possessing delicate and graceful features giving them an aristocratic appearance, this impression was confirmed when they elegantly rose from their seats to greet Fleur before taking out their fans to cool themselves. While one had a friendly face, constantly wearing a smile, beautiful brown eyes radiating kindness, and an aura suggesting a benevolent nature, the other maintained that same pinched, cold air, which, instead of enhancing her features, gave the impression she was bothered by something.

"What a peculiar idea to spend your summer here; we wouldn't have had to make this detour to fetch you!" declared the first, casually running her hand through her shiny brown hair. "We could have gone directly to Beauxbatons from my parents' manor!"

"Apologies, Marie, but unfortunately, due to personal reasons, I had to come live in this castle for a few months," Fleur replied, sighing in dismay, implying that this stay was a chore for her. "Mother absolutely wished to see her friend, the Princess of Lamballe, and my sister and I had to comply with her wishes. I had to also vouch for these two young ladies with dear Gabriel's mother," she added, turning to Daphné and Tracey.

Fleur's two friends immediately turned towards the entrance, and feeling the surprised and curious gazes of the two girls, Daphné resisted the urge to look away. Instead, she maintained that same cold, unaffected air Belvina had taught her to repel nuisances and overly bold young men. Harry had dubbed her "the Ice Queen," a nickname she found fitting given her icy demeanor when someone dared to upset her.

"Who are they?" wondered Marie, looking at them with an odd expression. "I didn't know you were into babysitting, Fleur!"

"Not babysitting," she corrected, sighing, while Daphné felt internally scandalized at being mistaken for a little girl incapable of taking care of herself. "Let's say I accepted Madame Maxime's proposition to chaperone new students, and by a curious twist of fate, I stumbled upon the only Beauxbatons student I know. The little blonde is called Daphné Greengrass," she introduced, turning towards her. "As for her friend, I'm sorry, but I didn't catch her name."

"Tracey Davis," she indicated, trying to control her nerves.

"And I am not a 'little blonde'," added Daphné, glaring at her.

"Oh, they're almost biting!" chuckled Fleur's other friend, condescendingly eyeing them.

"And you haven't seen them alone yet! Real little pests! If you knew, my friend, how much my nerves are tested in their company..."

Fleur then feigned a crying fit, but the laughter she poorly concealed behind her hands perfectly betrayed her true feelings on the matter. Tracey, on the other hand, immediately started to see red at that statement. Contrary to what others might believe, it wasn't her who lost her temper first, but Daphné, tired of being mistaken for younger than she was and deliberately humiliated, couldn't help but put these three rather provocative and insulting young ladies in their place.

"I didn't expect to come to such extremes by getting on this carriage, but it seems I must set a few things straight," Daphné declared, her voice rising. "I am Daphné Greengrass, eldest daughter and heir by primogeniture to Lord Cygnus Greengrass and his wife Lady Belvina Greengrass, the future spouse of Gabriel de Bourbon, Prince of Lamballe, Savoy, and Carignan, Duke of Chateauvillain and Penthièvre. I won't allow such rude mockery of me!"

A heavy silence fell in the small room, and Daphné, assuming the other compartments along the corridor had occupants, momentarily thought the others had probably heard her loud but brief outburst. However, she didn't care; at that moment, she was engaged in a staring contest with the three other girls, each trying to assert dominance without looking away. Then, as their silent duel lingered, Marie sighed heavily before speaking, looking troubled.

"Forgive my rudeness if I have offended your sensibilities," she apologized sincerely. "I am Marie-Henriette de Forceville, but I prefer to be called Marie," she introduced herself, inclining her head slightly in greeting. "And this charming young lady here is Victoire de Joannis de Verclos, a distant cousin whom I've known for as long as I can remember."

The mentioned girl didn't even deign to look at them, but Daphné and Tracey didn't care much about her feelings towards them. In any case, Marie had a much more friendly and kind attitude than her cousin and Fleur, and just for that, Daphné was willing to learn more about her.

The carriage suddenly began to shake, a sign that departure was finally underway. Outside, the landscape had already started to move, and as the powerful Abraxans pulled their heavy load, it became more and more abstract, as if caught in a whirlwind of colors. Then, as it gained speed, the carriage was suddenly jolted before finally taking off, reaching the treetops in a matter of seconds. Daphné and the others were quickly lifted several hundred meters from the ground, and the Lamballe estate, where Harry's fiancée had spent most of her time in recent years, presented itself fully to their view, even offering the girls a perfect panorama of the entire Breton region they had just left behind. Never before had Daphné soared so high in the sky, seen the clouds up close, and felt the warm rays of the sun with such intensity, and this captivating spectacle made her lose awareness for a few minutes of where she was. It was only thanks to Marie, who lightly shook her arm, that she realized she had been standing for all that time, admiring the world below and still not tired of looking.

"So, you're English?" Marie asked, studying them as they finally sat down in front of her. "This must be the first time I've met people from your country! I didn't know Beauxbatons accepted foreign students..."

"Generally not, but Daphné was recommended by her future stepmother to the headmistress, and since the latter doesn't refuse her anything since she financed the restoration of the Enchantment Wing of the school, it was very easy for her to get the fiancée of her son accepted," Fleur explained, without even looking at Daphné to confirm her words.

"I could have explained that myself, you know," Daphné informed her, bitter in tone, glaring at her. "I don't need someone to speak for me; otherwise, I would have hired a public announcer. Perhaps you wish to consider that career choice, Fleur? I wouldn't want to be impolite or disrespectful towards you, but I believe even that job is beyond your intellectual capacities..."

Tracey immediately burst out laughing at the flushed face of the Delacour heiress, and even Fleur's two friends had to suppress their giggles.

"Boast as much as you want, Greengrass," retorted Fleur, just as coldly. "It's possible that in the future, you won't be able to enjoy that privilege, and you'll have to beg my forgiveness on your knees."

"Threats now?" noted Daphné, rolling her eyes. "To kneel before you, my legs would need to be cut off, for never in my life will I stoop to such baseness..."

The others silently followed this exchange, involuntarily captivated by the fierce opposition they displayed toward each other. Although the origin of the omnipresent hostility in their relationship was unknown at the moment, the subsequent conversation shed new light on this sudden animosity:

"Poor Gabriel," Fleur theatrically sighed, shaking her head in dismay. "What an idea to fall in love with such a vulgar fiancée. I can only worry about his future when I see what kind of monster he'll soon be married to."

"Why do you always question Gabriel's engagement to me?" replied Daphné acerbically. "Our parents decided it, and his mother could have easily annulled it if she wished. But unfortunately for you, that's not the case, and despite the fact that this union holds no political weight or significance in my future husband's career, it is based on a feeling you cannot understand because you are incapable of feeling any emotion: love."

"A marriage must primarily be a marriage of interest before delving into such futile feelings as love," she disdainfully informed. "Gabriel would have gained recognition and prestige by uniting his family with the illustrious House of Delacour, not with the deviant, opportunistic, and deceitful Greengrass..."

Fleur didn't have time to finish her sentence before a magic wand suddenly appeared in front of her, pointed between her eyes. Its owner, Daphné, was now looking at her rival with such hatred that the tip of her wand glowed fiercely, nearly singeing the perfectly shaped eyebrows of the Veela.

"Never speak ill of my family again, or I will make you pay for your vile words, even if I have to suffer the consequences later!" she threatened, never breaking eye contact.

However, if Daphné thought to impress her elder by acting this way, what followed showed how little esteem Fleur had for her:

"I thought your stepmother had taught you the ancient art of emotional control?" she said, smiling mockingly. "It seems you still don't know how to behave properly outside the walls of your fiancé's castle..."

Then, with her finger, Fleur seized the end of Daphné's wand and directed it downward, still maintaining her smile. Daphné didn't react, simply continuing to stare at her with the same disgusted expression she reserved solely for the Veela. After a few particularly tense seconds of silence, she finally consented to tuck her wand back into her sleeve before reseating herself, arms crossed, her gaze once again neutral and devoid of emotion.

"You're right," she said, breaking the silence. "I won't lose my composure and time with you; you don't deserve such honor. But I will inform Gabriel of your behavior, and I am eager to hear his response to the disrespectful behavior you exhibit towards his fiancée. I'm not sure he'll appreciate reading this..."

Fleur, who thought she had won their little verbal exchange, quickly changed her tune upon hearing Daphné's threat. Her contemptuous smirk vanished immediately, replaced by a furious expression that she held on her face for a long while. The verbal sparring ended there, both intentionally turning their heads to avoid locking eyes again, to the surprise of Fleur's two friends and to Tracey's dismay.

"Do they always act like this when they're together?" Marie asked Tracey, looking astonished.

"I've only known Fleur for two months, but not a day has passed without one of them sending a snide remark to the other. So I think it's been the case since they've known each other," she replied, sounding bored.

"Goodness, I sense that this new school year will be lively..." muttered Victoire, turning her attention back to the newspaper she was reading.

The rest of the journey unfolded in palpable tension between Fleur and Daphné, both silently agreeing not to speak to each other for the entire trip. In truth, Fleur completely ignored her ward, and Daphné didn't bother to point it out. Instead, Daphné and Tracey got to know Marie better, the only one of the three girls who was genuinely friendlier. They learned more about their new school, the layout of the buildings and classrooms, the subjects covered, and the rather strict rules of Beauxbatons, which they had not been informed of, Fleur having not bothered to explain them the few times Daphné had asked.

Around 4 p.m., the carriage suddenly descended towards solid ground, and from where she was, Daphné saw from the window that not a single castle worthy of being a school was in sight, nor did she notice any carriages indicating the presence of other students. The sky was perfectly clear, and not a single flying horse was visible for miles around. Only a long dirt road winding through hills was visible, leading to a vast city by the sea. Being in the heart of the country, Daphné realized that their carriage was making a stop, probably to pick up other students. Her intuition proved correct when, after starting its descent, their carriage landed a few hundred meters away on a completely deserted path, sheltered from any overly curious Muggles. Their carriage and horses were invisible to non-wizards, but to avoid drawing attention to themselves, the young Beauxbatons students would embark on carriages only in remote areas, where no one would question the surprising presence of a girl in a school uniform in the middle of nowhere.

As soon as the carriage stopped, Victoire abruptly stood up, apologizing for having to leave for a few moments, and swiftly exited the compartment, surprising Fleur and the others. Even her cousin seemed surprised by her behavior, and when she returned a few moments later in their company, they were all astonished to see that she wasn't alone.

A girl of Daphné and Tracey's age accompanied her, timidly dragging behind her what appeared to be a small traveling bag and constantly keeping her head lowered for fear of meeting their gazes.

"Well, this is something!" Marie exclaimed, both surprised and displeased, eyeing her cousin. "You didn't tell me you also agreed to play guide for a new student! I see that trust is reigning!"

"I didn't see the point in telling you..." Victoire replied, shrugging. "You'll have to find an empty seat for yourself," she added, addressing her ward, whom she didn't bother looking at.

"Y-yes..." the girl replied timidly before taking a seat on the last available bench near the window, directly across from Daphné.

"Let me help you, I'll assist..." offered Marie kindly, helping her place her bag on the luggage rack provided for it.

The girl did not reply to her, preferring to thank her for her help with a simple smile, which Marie gladly accepted over silence. Later, once everyone was settled, Marie attempted to engage her in conversation, asking for some anecdotal information about her and her main interests. However, her interlocutor preferred to remain mostly silent, responding only with fragmented sentences and noncommittal grunts. Faced with this barrier, Marie quickly gave up and redirected her attention to the other five girls present. Surprisingly, this sudden disinterest in her did not seem to bother the new arrival, who mostly kept her focus on the landscape outside, much like Daphné had done before.

Harry's fiancée took advantage of the moment to observe her more closely. Fleur's topics of conversation were not deemed interesting enough by her to warrant much attention. The shyness of the young girl had at least one advantage: at no point did she dare to look in Daphné's direction, which Daphné found appreciable as it allowed her to observe the girl freely. Despite being petite and thin, the stranger had a pleasant and gentle face, coupled with her reserved character, giving an immediate impression of honesty, kindness, and friendliness. However, her appearance seemed neglected. While Daphné took particular care to appear impeccable and well-groomed, the girl had not bothered to tie her hair into a neat bun under her hat, an obligation clearly stated in the regulations, leaving her hair cascading down her shoulders without anyone reproaching or even noticing it. Additionally, her uniform, made from ordinary fabrics, also contrasted with those of the other occupants, all tailored from luxurious materials and expertly sewn. Daphné found the tradition absurd; it dictated that the richness of the fabric used in one's uniform determined the social rank of the wearer. While Daphné had inherited a very silky and shiny silk uniform, the other girl obviously belonged to the lower social categories of the country, given her less polished uniform.

This strangely troubled Daphné, unaccustomed to being so close to someone less privileged, especially as she had never felt such emotion when encountering the Weasley family on the rare occasions she had met them. The idea of taking this girl under her wing crossed her mind, but before arriving at such a decision, she hoped to first get to know her better. Her parents had always instilled in her the notion that one should know more about a person before forming a bond, and she was determined to adhere to that principle.

Minutes turned into hours, yet no one truly noticed the passing of time, captivated by the rich and diverse landscapes passing below. France was undeniably a beautiful country, and the small villages occasionally visible amidst forests and fields only confirmed Daphné's opinion of the country. Soon, the landscape changed again, transitioning from the flat plains dotted with wheat fields in Limousin to the high plateaus and valleys of Auvergne, signaling the imminent arrival at Beauxbatons. The long-dormant volcanoes of the Massif Central fascinated them, particularly Tracey, who had strangely hoped to witness a volcanic eruption from her dormitory window during her schooling. Fleur took the opportunity to assert that these volcanoes perfectly represented the explosive nature slumbering within Daphné and therefore cautioned against getting too close to her. Daphné simply ignored her, stating that if her consistency was composed of lava, then Fleur was probably filled with emptiness, a void so vast that the entire region could slide into it without hope of filling it.

As the younger ones began to suggest in hushed tones that their arrival was imminent and Marie pretended not to know how much time remained before they finally laid eyes on the Beauxbatons castle, Fleur suddenly stood up. In a voice as cold as ice, she addressed them, making sure to only look at Daphné:

"Alright, if it doesn't bother you, my little ladies, we'll now leave you to get better acquainted," she declared, heading towards the door to open it.

"Are you leaving us?" Tracey questioned her, looking at her with surprise.

"I don't need to babysit you until the end of the journey," she informed them, narrowing her eyes. "Surely you don't need me to hold your hand to the restroom or to buy sweets, do you? Besides, I don't think I can bear your presence by my side for much longer, especially when I want to discuss very important matters with my friends that do not require your input."

"But what will we do when we arrive there...?" she inquired immediately before being interrupted by Daphné.

"Indeed, you don't need us to discuss the latest fashion trends in European courts," she retorted with a smirk. "That is indeed the only topic of conversation on which we unfortunately couldn't surpass you. Sometimes I wonder if you have a piece of fabric in place of a brain to explain your great attraction to clothes."

Fleur immediately turned red with anger, yet managed to retain enough composure not to attempt a retort. Instead, she forcefully opened the door, causing it to hit the compartment's wood much harder than necessary, then retrieved her belongings with her wand's levitation. Without a glance behind her, she eventually disappeared down the corridor, her heels' clacking the only audible sound in the compartment. Her two friends immediately hurried to follow her, dragging their own suitcases. While Victoire didn't bother to bid them farewell or give the girl in her charge any final instructions for the rest of the journey, Marie did bid them a last farewell with a small sympathetic smile, discreetly excusing her friends' behavior.

"Jerk!" cursed Tracey as soon as the door closed.

"Tracey!" rebuked her friend, looking at her disapprovingly. "What language! Thankfully your mother isn't here to wash your mouth out!"

"So what? That's what she is!" she replied with a pout, crossing her arms. "Besides, it was the villagers in Lamballe who taught me that swear the other day, I'm just making good use of what I'm taught..."

"It would be better for you to make good use of educational things you're taught, not the nasty words the lower class likes to use."

"Stop preaching, Daphné," Tracey sighed, casually placing her arms behind her head. "I don't see why you're so uptight about a little insult. I could have very well said she was a walking trash heap, a strumpet, or even a bitch, you know..."

"Tracey!" Daphné protested again, giving her a light tap on the top of her head. "I'm really sorry for her behavior," she added, turning to the silent occupant who had been quiet since the beginning. "She's not usually this vulgar... Maybe it's apprehension that's making her act this way..."

"Not at all," replied Tracey. "I'm perfectly comfortable, just so you know! I could even say that I'm not afraid at all of this school and what we'll learn there! I'm just looking forward to showing this Victoire that I'm not a little girl, and that I could very well kick her..."

"I think we've understood now!" Daphné cut her off, quickly placing her hand against her mouth. "Merlin, I give us not even a week before we have trouble because of you. I hope you'll be able to behave most of the time!"

Tracey was about to reply, but a sudden giggle made both of them turn their heads. The previously silent girl was now laughing heartily, but upon realizing the attention was on her, she immediately stopped and quickly turned her face towards the window, feeling intimidated.

"Sorry," she apologized without looking at them. "It's just that you both are very funny, so I couldn't help laughing at what you're doing... I'm sorry if I hurt you..."

"Oh no, not at all," reassured Tracey, smiling kindly. "We were just surprised, that's all. What's your name?"

"Lucie," she replied hesitantly. "Lucie Desmoulins."

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Tracey Davis, and she's Daphné Greengrass. So, you're a new student at Beauxbatons too?"

"Yes, but I... I know absolutely nothing about magic," confessed Lucie timidly. "I'll probably be very bad during the classes..."

"Oh, don't worry about that," Daphné reassured her. "My fiancé also had students who knew nothing about magic, especially among his closest friends, but after two years now, they know much more than you can imagine. Gabriel is no stranger to it, and if you're willing, I could also help you in your learning."

"That would be very kind of you," she thanked with a slight smile. "But I'm not sure if I'll do justice to your lessons, I've never been very good at school..."

"Nonsense!" Tracey was as bad as a Muggle-born before I took her under my wing, but now she has made significant progress: she can now properly hold her wand, which is itself a considerable improvement!"

"Hey!" she immediately protested.

Lucie giggled again, and feeling encouraged by the kindness of the other two girls, she became much more open and eager to engage in conversation than she was initially. Their conversation continued for the rest of the journey, only interrupted briefly when Daphné searched for the compartment reserved for a kind lady who had set up a small candy stand, allowing her to introduce the little Muggle-born to magical sweets. The atmosphere was much more relaxed for the rest of the journey to the extent that they didn't even notice time passing by. The day was not yet over, and the sun was still high in the sky when they finally arrived a few kilometers from an immense dome-shaped mass in the middle of a dense forest, upon which Daphné, Tracey, and Lucie finally saw the silhouette of an imposing castle, its red brick and black slate roofs glistening in the sunlight.

Beauxbatons was finally in sight, a fact reinforced when a sudden gust of wind made them shiver, a sign that they had just passed through the anti-Muggle enchantment. There was no turning back now, and as anxiety crept back in, a single thought crossed their minds as the carriage began its descent:

The real business was about to begin.

step into the world of PEVERELL_MAGIC on P.a.t.r.e.o.n! Experience where tales unfold, magic ignites, and the future takes shape.

For exclusive support and early access to upcoming chapters, join us at PEVERELL_MAGIC on P.a.t.r.e.o.n.

Note: Get the scoop a day before anyone else! Updates release on P.a.t.r.e.o.n before they hit FanFiction. Join us for free to read ahead!