1974, Beauxbatons
January 1st, 1974
- Happy new Year!
Agnes, Antoine, Pierre, and the rest of the students who had stayed at Beauxbatons for the holidays had gathered in the common space. The christmas tree was still stadning in the corner of the room, and the spirit of festivity was at its peak. Unable to go home, the group of students had decided to prepare a party of their own. They had eaten the most delicious christmas meal and had prepared some gifts for the youngest students.
It was a strange thing, spending the end of the year at Beauxbatons. Not displeasing, actually. Indeed, being surrounded by her friends, Agnes felt happy and the atmosphere in the dorms was truly magical, as the decorations added a festive touch to the bedrooms and corridors.
They had just passed the new year, it was the beginning of everything again. January had come back in 1974, leaving december in 1973. Agnes and Jeanne had their performance comng up, the boys were expecting their next quidditch match against Team Air, and the four friends had planned to travel to Jeanne's place during the summer holidays.
Then, Agnes was going to start her 6th year in september, how exciting! Time flew by so fast, she was already turning 16 in two months. Her body was changing and her ideas and hopes for the future were evolving and transforming every day.
After the groups were done with cleaning up after the party, it was already early in the morning, and the sun was about the rise. Jeanne had sent a dove the previous day, saying she'd be looking at the first sunrise of the year, hoping her friends would do as well so they could feel somewhat 'together' to celebrate this precious moment.
Antoine walked up first to the highest tower of the school, where the aviary was located. It was the best view one could have from the castle (although left quite dirty by the birds).
They sat down where there was the least dove remainings and waited. Far in the horizon, behind the large trees in the fields, light started to brighten the darkness of the night. A ball of fire seemed to reach from beneath the earth, into the sky.
It was beautiful. The stars were slowly fading and the sunlight crushed into the indigo night embellishing the view with a pink color. Agnes would have wanted to take a picture with her eyes, capturing the beauty of this natural event. A moment later, the sun was already showing in its entirety, and the three friends were in awe.
- Do you think your no-wand-magic could make the sun go up faster? Asked Pierre.
Both Antoine and Agnes stared at him, half-amused, half-tired. Pierre had an incredible imagination, which sounded sometimes quite stupid, but extremely funny. No, she could not have any touch on anything else than the elements on earth. After a moment of silence, they could not hot their laugh any longer and kindly punched the young wizard with their feet.
Exhausted from having partied all night, they decided to get some sleep and walked back to their dorms.
***
January 14th, 1974
Jeanne Delacour was finally back since a few days, just in time for the beginning of classes. She had brought a lot of gifts to her friends, mostly magazines and sweets to Agnes, and some qudditch equipement she had bought to Antoine and Pierre (Jean had chipped in as well).
Potions had been less boring than before, as the new lessons were about the danger of love potions, and making antidotes for such devilish drink. On the other hand, History of magic had welcomed a new professor which was the most irritating witch Agnes had ever met. The old woman had a strident voice which annoyed everyone in the class. It was unbearable and Agnes had almost left the room mid-class because of it.
Antoine and Pierre had fabricated ear plugs with some herbs they'd stolen from one of their herbology class and would put them in when the professor was talking for too long.
Life was back to normal. The dorms were now filled with children from all age, speaking loudly and playing around until a 7th year would ground them into silence. The final examination for the eldest students were coming up in a few months and the stress of studying began to show on their tired faces.
Agnes was sitting in the classroom, listening endlessly to the shrill speech of the History of Magic professor. Jeanne had put one pair of the handmade earplugs and was reading her magazine, as always. Pierre was sitting a few rows at the front, and seemed to be dozing off, as his head was lowering down every few seconds.
It took one knock on the door to wake the whole class up. Agnes turned back to see who was disturbing (or saving) them. It was one of the mentors. They were usually checking on the 1st to 4th years, but the older students did not need to be assisted anymore. It was strange the student was coming to see them.
- What is it? Shouted the professor with a clear tone of annoyance.
- Miss Agnes Lenoir is requested to the Headmistress office, professor.
Agnes felt her heart miss a beat. The headmistress? Why? She had not done any mischief (or at least, not in the past few weeks). People being fetched to her office were rare. Had she figured out that Agnes had been practicing an ancient type of magic? Had she seen her using her elemental powers?
She quickly gathered her things and looked at Jeanne who had removed her plugs, staring at her curiously. She left the room, and heard the professor trying to gain the attention back on herself.
The corridors were silent and calm. They climbed up a few stairs and Agnes did not dare ask the older student for the reason of her sudden visit to the headmistress's office. He did not seem to know either, nor did he seem to care.
He left her in front of the large door, after telling her to make sure to knock. Agnes felt nervous. It was her first time entering this very special place. She knocked. The doors instantly opened themselves, and she felt slightly pushed forward.
A tall and beautiful woman was standing near the window, staring at the horizon. As soon as the young woman made her first step in the office, teh headmistress turned back to face her.
- Miss Lenoir, please, enter.
The elegant woman seemed so majestic and powerful, the 15-year-old did not dare look at her in the eye.
- I must tell you the reason for your presence in my office today isn't what I hope our first encounter would be like. I have received a dove from the Lenoir Manoir. I'm afraid it is related to your mother.
- Is she sick? asked the young witch, hesitant.
- I am so sorry, dear. Your mother passed away this morning.