22 December 1987
Harry had never felt so awkward in the entire time he'd been living with the Delacours. Apolline's mother had insisted the entire family be together for Christmas this year. This meant they had to be up very early in the morning to take a port key. Which Harry absolutely despised as a form of transport. To meet with the other members of the family who chose not to live in the enclave.
After walking for most of the morning they'd arrived at the ward line. Holding Fleur's hand they walked through and the mirage disappeared revealing a city built into the caves. "Wow."
"Generations ago our ancestors were under constant attack by both muggles and wizards. Gathering together they built enclaves similar to this one all across Europe and closed themselves off from the world," Apolline explained for Harry's benefit.
"That's changed over time," Harry said.
Apolline nodded, smiling. "Yes. When the International Confederation of Wizards was formed, we sent representatives to request recognition for our people. Eventually our petition was granted and we were recognised as sentient creatures by the ICW."
Harry frowned as his brow knitted together. "That's dumb, Veela are people. Why would you need someone to recognise it?"
Apolline and Fleur smiled at Harry, giving him a kiss on both cheeks. "You're a good and sweet boy, Harry."
"Thank you," Harry replied blushing.
"Suck up…" Jean muttered, winking at Harry.
"You're just jealous," Apolline commented, poking her husband in the chest.
"May we continue now? Antoinette will no doubt be expecting us," An unimpressed voice asked from the back of the group.
Harry had only met the greying blonde haired man, who was Apolline's brother-in-law, once before. It was nineteen eighty five and the man, Jude Heartfilia had visited the house on business for the French Government. He'd tried to intimidate Jean into agreeing to do something for him, but Jean stood firm. Jean didn't seem remotely fazed by Jude, but Harry certainly was.
"Yes, Jude, I am aware," Jean replied flatly. The two men stared at each other for a few moments before everyone continued walking.
As they progressed further into the city Harry glanced around curiously. There were so many beautiful women around them. Apolline smiled seeing the wheels turning in her foster son's brain. "What are you thinking about, Arry?"
"Where are all the men?"
"There are no male Veela, all Veela are born girls," Apolline replied. "Ask your question, Arry."
"If all Veela are girls, how do you make more Veela?" Harry asked, his face going bright red in embarrassment.
Apolline chuckled, patting Harry's head. "One day when you're older, I will tell you."
Harry nodded and followed the Delacour's into the largest house in the city. Waiting inside was another stunning older blonde. Her piercing blue eyes locked on Harry as he entered the room. Harry shrank away from her and moved behind Jean using his foster father as a shield.
Antoinette walked down to meet them, greeting her daughters and granddaughters in turn, followed by their husbands. She last greeted Jean so she could give her undivided attention to the boy hiding behind her eldest daughter's husband. "Come here boy, let me see you."
Harry flinched, it had been years since someone referred to him as 'boy' and it brought back bad memories. Harry took a deep breath and pushed thoughts of Vernon out of his mind. He walked around Jean and stood in front of Antoinette. She studied Harry in a way that made him feel very small: "You're Harry Potter?"
"Yes, ma'am," Harry replied.
"Hmph, you are as handsome as Fleur's letters indicated."
"Grandmere!" Fleur protested shrilly.
Harry flushed red again. "Thank you."
"I'm sure you're all tired from the long walk to get here. Take some time to get settled and then you can join me for lunch."
Harry sat on his bed as Fleur examined the room they'd be sharing for the week. "Your Gran is scary."
Fleur grinned. "Grandmere is brilliant. Once she warms to you you'll see she's not scary at all."
"Uh huh. She's not scary to you because you're her granddaughter. I felt like an ant…"
"You're a handsome ant, at least according to my beloved daughter," Apolline said teasingly as she entered the room. She ignored Fleur's protests as she adjusted Harry's tie and patted down his hair. "And I agree."
"Thank you," Harry replied.
Fleur pouted as they walked out of the room and down to lunch. As they walked a curious brown eyed blonde watched Harry from further down the corridor. Hearing her mother's voice the girl ran back into her room before the two and Jude Heartfilia walked down to lunch themselves.
23 December 1987
Harry was sat on a rock overlooking the river that fed clean water into the city. Harry glanced up from his plate over to the Delacour Christmas party and then back to the river below.
"Hi," Someone called out, drawing Harry's attention.
The girl who'd been watching Harry the previous day was standing holding a plate of sweets. She walked confidently forward and sat on a rock beside Harry. She smiled brushing her hair behind her ear and took a bite out of the strawberry cake on her plate.
"You're Lucy, right?"
Lucy nodded. "Aren't you lonely out here?"
Harry shrugged. "I don't like crowds, and all the noise got a bit much."
Lucy smiled and nodded. "I understand that. I prefer quiet places where I can sit and read."
"You like reading?"
"Yep, we have a big library at home. If I didn't have chores I'd spend all day in there."
Harry smiled. "You'd like my best friend, Hermione. She loves the Delacour library. We usually end up there whenever she visits."
"Sounds like we would have a bunch to talk about."
Harry nodded as the two went quiet for a while, eating in silence. Lucy glanced at Harry shyly as he continued to stare at the tent as the noise level remained steadily loud. "Are you going to Beauxbatons next year?" Lucy asked.
"Um, I'm not sure yet. I think Apolline had talked about it. Fleur and Hermione might be going. I hope I can go too. What about you?"
Lucy nodded. "Definitely. Mum says lots of good things about Beauxbatons. I can't wait to go."
"Lucy, are you out here?" Layla Heartfilia asked, exiting the tent.
"Over here mum!" Lucy called out.
"Oh, Lucy, you're going to get your dress dirty!" Layla said scoldingly.
Lucy rolled her eyes at Harry as she stood up. "Sorry, mum."
"This is the dress your father bought you," Layla said, pulling out her wand and waving it over the back of Lucy's dress.
"Yes, mum," Lucy replied, her countenance darkening as her father was mentioned.
"Come on, Lucy, your father was looking for you."
"Yes, mum. Bye Harry."
"Bye," He replied, watching the two disappear back into the tent.
Standing at the mouth of the tent, Fleur frowned. She'd watched the entire interaction between Harry and Lucy, and she didn't like it. Harry was her friend and she wasn't interested in sharing with her cousin. Apolline and Layla had always been at odds, even as children. They'd been in love with the same man but in the end Jean chose Apolline and Layla ended up with Jude.
5 June 1988
Harry, the Grangers and the Delacour's sat in front of Jean's desk. Both Hermione and Harry were staring in awe of the abnormally tall woman standing beside a large stone bowl. Hermione's parents, Jean and Apolline had admonished the pair not to stare, but they couldn't help it. They'd never been in the presence of someone this tall.
The woman smiled at the pair as she poured a silvery liquid into the bowl and pressed a rune on the base. The silvery liquid flowed out of the bowl and formed into a screen above the desk. A few seconds later an image of a golden castle surrounded by snow capped mountains appeared.
"Did you use a video camera to shoot this?" Emma asked.
"Non. This is called a Pensive, the silvery liquid you saw me pour into the bowl was a memory. You're seeing Beauxbaton from the perspective of someone riding a broom. I will be taking you on a virtual tour of the facility from my perspective." Maxime explained as she pressed play on the recording:
"Beauxbaton Academy of Magic was established in 1284 as a school to train wizards for the court of King Philip the third of France. This castle was a gift from his majesty as thanks to the founder of this school for his years of loyal service."
"If you follow me up the stairs, I'll guide you around our classrooms and explain the curriculum."
The group watched as the Maxime walked into a wide corridor with floor to ceiling frosted glass walls on either side. "On this floor, we have our history, language, mathematics, and computer science classes."
Maxime eventually stopped at a spiral staircase at the end of the hall, and she indicated upwards. "This staircase takes you up to the second floor where you will find our ancient runes, arithmancy, science, and shop classes. The top floor of our learning wing is devoted to astronomy, politics, and life sciences."
Walking away from the staircase Maxime walked through a hallway towards another set of stairs leading downwards. "Practical magic classes are held on the lower floors of this wing. There are classrooms devoted to potion-making, magical combat, charms and transfiguration. The basement floor below opens out onto the grounds holding our care of magical creatures and herbology lessons."
"From what I'm hearing it sounds like you don't differentiate between a muggle education and a magical one," Emma observed.
"Europe recognises that the magical world doesn't live in a bubble isolated from the rest of society. Our children must interact with the muggle world at some point, we must prepare them the best we can for when that happens."
"Madam Maxime, how are computers able to operate with so much ambient magic in the air?" Hermione asked.
Maxime gave Hermione a small hint of a smile. "There are wards sewn into the granite used to build the lower floors of the Academy when we remodelled the building to accommodate the expanded class structure about thirty years ago. The school's layout and curriculum are always being reviewed and assessed."
"When it was realised that muggle technology and magic don't interact well. The decision was made to move lessons involving practical magic to the lower floors of the building and erect wards around the computer classroom. We will not be left behind in the age of the internet. If you'd like to read up on the on the ward scheme being implemented to protect the lower floors and the computer room there is a book available in the library."
Both Fleur's and Hermione's eyes lit up at the idea of learning something new. But Emma's practical side interceded. "How do you stop someone from copying the formula and finding a way around it?"
"The book is copy protected and anyone attempting to write down the formula and carry it out of the library will find their paper blank when they leave. We don't claim this method is foolproof, but it has worked for us thus far."
After Maxime showed the group around the classrooms, she took them through to the other side of the school. "This is the north wing, we have our dorms, kitchens, swimming pool, teachers offices, and recreational areas. As well, there are staircases out to the gardens and quidditch pitches. We have one for training and another for intra-school and inter-school teams. The best players from the student teams get to make it to the school team who play in the European school league."
"I read that Hogwarts sorts students into one of four houses when they arrive at the school. Does Beauxbatons have a similar structure?" Hermione asked.
"It did once, but it was decided many decades ago that dividing students along arbitrary lines was creating tension between students that bled over into their post-school lives."
"We divide students along gender lines in the dorms, the boys' dorms are along the right-hand corridor and the girls' dorms are on the left. We do not distinguish between those who are born a gender, those who identify as a gender, and those who identify as gender-neutral. All are welcome here and any abuse is dealt with immediately. I will not have bullying or harassment at my school and I deal with it personally."
"What if someone lies to access the other gender's dorm?" Emma asked.
"The doors of each dorm are charmed so that only those you verbally invite inside may enter. Anyone trying to force their way inside will be restrained and a notification will be sent to the teachers as well as to me. We also expect our students to look out for each other. If you see someone, teacher or student, acting inappropriately towards another teacher or student you are obligated to report it."
"So, I wouldn't get bullied for being smart?" Hermione asked in a small voice as Emma walked over and wrapped her arms around her shoulders.
"If you did it would only happen once. Knowledge, both its acquisition and its application are valued at Beauxbatons. Your intelligence will be cherished here, Miss Granger."
After that Madame Maxime gave the group a tour of the grounds before turning off the viewing screen and retrieving the memory. "Thank you for showing us the school today, Madame Maxime, you've given us a lot to think about," Harry said on behalf of the group.
"You are welcome Mister Potter, I hope Beauxbatons has left you with a good impression."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Once Maxime was gone, Jean sat down behind his desk and considered the three teenagers in front of him. "What did you think of the tour?"
Harry glanced at the girls who gave him encouraging nods. "I liked it. The castle was beautiful."
"Do you want to go there next year?" Apolline asked.
Harry glanced at Hermione and Fleur. "I um, I'd like to go wherever Hermione and Fleur go next year."
"Well, I want to go to the same school as Harry," Hermione stated with a smile.
"I guess that leaves the choice up to you, my dear," Apolline observed, sounding amused.
Fleur pondered the question for a moment. She wanted to attend Beauxbatons but she wasn't sure how she felt about going with Harry. As the years passed, she'd become increasingly jealous of Harry's relationship with Hermione. The two would deny it, but they were interested in each other beyond being friends. Fleur had always been the centre of attention. She wanted to be the centre of Hermione's attention but she never would be while Harry was around.
It wasn't that she disliked Harry. She liked him a lot, more perhaps than she was willing to admit. He was a sweet and kind boy who lit up any room he entered. He'd lit up Fleur's life in the seven years since he'd become part of their family. She wanted him around, but having him around meant he would be the focus of Hermione's attention.
"I… want to go to Beauxbatons," Fleur finally stated.
Joseph nodded. "Excellent, that's settled for Harry and Fleur. I obviously don't want to speak for the two of you," He said looking in Emma and Daniel's direction.
Emma smiled and kissed Hermione on the head. "I don't have a problem. Daniel?"
"I agree," Daniel replied, seeing the pleading expression on Hermione's face.
"Thanks dad!" Hermione said hugging him before hugging Fleur and Harry in turn.
2 September 1988
"Harry, you're here!" Lucy exclaimed as she ran through the crowd of students towards Harry, Hermione, and Fleur. She smiled brightly as she slowed to match her pace with them.
"Hey, you made it," Harry said with a smile.
"Yep, I'm so glad we're going to the same school. This is going to be awesome."
Harry nodded and then realised Fleur and Hermione were watching. "Oh, uh, this is my best friend, Hermione Granger."
"The one who likes books!" Lucy exclaimed with a smile.
"Harry, what have you been saying about me?" Hermione asked, flushing in embarrassment.
"Nothing but the truth," Harry replied with a grin.
"This is Fleur Delacour," Hermione said, indicating to said girl.
Lucy's smile turned brittle as she glanced at Fleur. "We've met."
"Lucy and I are cousins," Fleur explained, stony faced.
"Ah," Hermione said, glancing at Harry who shrugged. "We should get on the carriage."
"Do you mind if I join you?" Lucy asked.
Fleur scowled. "Yes."
"Fleur!" Hermione admonished. She turned to Lucy with a contrite smile. "Of course you can."
Lucy shook her head. "No, it's okay. I know when I'm not wanted," She turned and gave Harry a smile. "I'll see you at school."
"Yeah."
Once Lucy was gone, Hermione angrily rounded on Fleur. "Fleur! That was so rude!"
"Lucy isn't the sweet girl you think she is. She always wants what I have. It's been like that since we were little."
"I've only met her once since I came to live with you," Harry said as they boarded the carriage, walking along the corridor and into one of the cabins.
"Lucy's family spent several years in England after you came to live with us. They only came back to France so Lucy could go to Beauxbatons with us."
"Do you really think she's that bad?" Harry asked.
"I do. Don't trust her, Arry," Fleur replied.
Harry nodded and sat quietly as Hermione changed the topic to what classes they'd be attending at Beauxbatons. He wanted to believe Fleur, she was his friend, they'd grown up together. But her characterisation of Lucy didn't match his experience. It left him conflicted. He liked Lucy, she was pretty and sweet, he wanted to get to know her more. But then there was Fleur's warning. He needed to think on it more.
31 October 1988
"Harry!" Lucy called out as she ran down the corridor after him.
Harry stopped and smiled as he spun around. "Hi."
Lucy stopped and glanced around before wrapping her arms around him. Harry froze before returning the hug. After a few seconds they broke apart and Harry blushed. "W-what was that for?"
Lucy glanced away shyly. "I thought you might need it."
"Ah," Harry said as realisation dawned. He gave her a bitter smile. "I usually try not to think about it. The Delacours are really good about making sure I'm okay. But also giving me space."
"Oh…" Lucy said.
"Oh, no," Harry said, shaking his head and smiling. "I liked the hug. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Anyway, I should go before I get you in trouble with Fleur."
"You don't have to do that…" Harry said.
"It's okay. I know she doesn't like me, I don't like her much either."
"Why?"
Lucy shrugged. "I don't know, we've always not liked each other. Our Mum's don't like each other either."
Harry sighed. "Okay."
"Bye, Harry."
"Bye."
4 June 1990
"Huh," Harry commented between bites of toast. He was sat in the Beauxbatons main hall with Fleur, Hermione, Lucy and a bunch of their mutual friends. Harry was reading his copy of the International Wizarding Times as he usually did every morning. It was a habit he'd picked up from Jean, which had become a point of light teasing for Apolline.
"What's up?" Lucy asked, peering over his shoulder.
"A big fire took out ten hectares of Albanian forest. The paper says muggles authorities are still trying to get it under control."
"What's the magical connection?" Hermione asked.
"They found the remains of a snake in the area where the fire started. When it was investigated by the Albanian ministry of magic, they found traces of dark magic. They didn't say what kind, but that's hardly surprising."
"Weird, probably some creepy old dark wizard who tried to do some illicit experiment that went wrong," Lucy opined.
"Probably, if that's the case, hopefully they catch them," Harry commented. He folded up his paper and stuffed it in his bag and stood up. He offered Lucy his hand which she happily took, waving at her friends as they walked out.
One of Lucy's friends, Levy, sighed wistfully. "I wish I had a boyfriend like Harry. He dotes on her so much."
"They're not dating," Another friend, Cana, reminded her.
"Yet," Levy countered.
"Fair, he's so much more mature than some of these other jerks," Cana opined wistfully.
"They're not all bad. Some of them are quite sweet," Levy replied, smiling over at a boy she had her eye on.
"Whatever."
As the two girls bickered, Fleur saw Hermione staring at the entrance of the hall sadly. She took Hermione's hand in hers to draw the girl's attention. "What's wrong?"
"Hm? Oh, it's nothing," Hermione replied dismissively.
Fleur nodded disbelievingly. She didn't want to think ill of her friend, but Hermione was a bad liar. Seeing Harry walk off with Lucy clearly bothered her. But Hermione wasn't ready to talk about it. That was fine with Fleur, she could be patient, but at the same time it needed to happen eventually.
12 August 1990
Apolline was surprised to find her husband sitting in his office so late at night. Jean sat behind his desk with a glass of firewhiskey in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Apolline frowned and sat down opposite. "What's bothering you, my love?"
Jean exhaled letting the smoke clear before speaking. "Dumbledore is going to be voted out as Supreme Mugwump."
Apolline's eyebrows disappeared into her fringe. "Are you serious?"
"Yes, very much. There was a series of incidents at Hogwarts this past school year. Students were being attacked and petrified by a Basilisk…"
"What?!"
"Apparently it was a present left by one of the founders. The details are still fuzzy, but the result was one of the students fought and killed the snake. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to save the young girl who'd been taken to the snake's lair. This has been kicking on for weeks in Britain. Lucius Malfoy was sent to Azkaban and Dumbledore's positions inside, and outside England are under review."
"It's tragic, but I don't see why that would cause you to drink and smoke on a weeknight," Apolline observed.
Jean chuckled. "I am drinking and smoking because they want me to replace Dumbledore."
"I see…" Apolline commented evenly.
"Don't worry, my love. I don't intend to put my name forward."
Apolline frowned. "Why? If it's something you want, you should take it. You know I will support you, whatever you decide."
Jean smiled and nodded. "I know, but I have no interest in dealing with the politics of the ICW. Nor do I have any interest in uprooting my family to live in Switzerland once Fleur and Harry have moved out. Maybe in a few years but not now. And certainly not without your support."
Apolline walked around the desk and kissed Jean. She grimaced at the taste of tobacco and alcohol on her tongue, but she continued anyway. She put her love for her husband over her slight discomfort. "I love you, Jean."
"I love you too, Apolline."
2 September 1991
"You boys and your racing cars," Hermione commented exasperatedly as she stood at the door of Harry's dorm room.
Harry grinned as he hung up his picture of the Scuderia Ferrari 642 Formula One car, signed by its driver Alain Prost. "You should blame your Dad. He's the one who took Jean and I to our first race."
"I know, I just find it amusing how much you enjoy it. Given how scared you were the first time my Dad took you to a race."
"Yeah, that's still a bit embarrassing. It was very loud…"
"I remember," Hermione replied. She walked up to Harry and brushed his hair out of his face. "Honestly, your hair is impossible."
"Plenty of girls think it makes me look rakish."
"That's because they don't know how insufferable you can be."
"You love it," Harry replied grinning.
Hermione blushed and punched Harry in the arm. "Shut up."
Fleur watched them from the door. Once again they were flirting and she was frustrated by it. She'd known and liked Hermione for longer. If Harry wasn't going to act on his feelings for Hermione, she was. Fleur was confident Harry would find another girl, she wouldn't be as beautiful or brilliant as Hermione. But Hermione was a special girl, she deserved the best partner.