1974, Journey to London
January 17th, 1974
- Why would I go live with a man who abandoned a pregnant 17-year-old girl and only reached out when she had done all the work herself? I can sustain myself on my own. Thanks.
Agnes was fuming with anger. She had woken for the first time with a lighter heart than she'd had in the last few days. For once, she felt like her day would not be as miserable. But when the representant of Underage Wizards Care had shown up at her front door, she'd have never guessed how terrible her day would turn out to be.
She hated adults. They always acted like they knew what's better for everyone, thinking they are so philosophical with their stupid ideas.
The old man had started to show his condoleances, which Agnes had politely acknowledged. She was starting to get used to it. But it all had gone down hill when he had shown her papers stipulating she was not allowed to keep living alone in her house, as she was still underage.
- But I have no other family. She had said to him.
- I must let you know that your father has reached out to gain access to your custody. You will therefore leave as soon as possible to London, where he, your legal guardian, is waiting for you.
Agnes thought it was a bad joke at first. She had no idea her father had any right on her, as her mom had always kept well known he had shown no interest in Agnes at all. How come he wanted custody now? She felt her pulse accelerating as the old wizard was asking her for a signature.
- Your family heirlooms, as well as your financial heritage will all be transferred into a vault at Gringotts, which will be created under your name. You are expected in London by the end of the week.
- I have NO intentions to move to England, to a man I have never met in my entire life, and what would happen to my school life in Beauxbatons? Couldn't I just live there until I'm 18?
- I am afraid it is not an option we can consider, Miss Lenoir. As for your education, you will be completing your 6th and 7th year at Hogwarts. I am sorry, but there is no other way.
If she had thought her mum's death was the lowest she could go, Agnes had just reached hell. She had no one else beside her friends at school. It was what she had worked so hard for, what she lived for now. And it was going to be taken away, all of this?
Her heart sunk at the idea of not going back to Beauxbatons. Everyone was waiting for her, she had to perform with Jeanne, she had to attend Pierre and Antoine's quidditch game, they had to travel together this summer. It wasn't fair.
She thought of running away. But the only place where she wanted to be was Beauxbatons, and she couldn't hide there forever. It was pointless. And it was friday already. She was expected to leave France at once. What a joke.
She decided to send a dove to Jeanne. She had to let her know.
"My dear Jeanne,
I am writing this letter as I pack my things to leave the manoir. I hoped to come back to Beauxbatons as quickly as possible, and continue to live with the people I love the most, my friends.
Unfortunately, I was told to travel to England, to go live with my father. I do not want to go. I have all I need here in France.
But I will come back. As soon as I turn 18, I will move back here and we can all be together again. It's just 2 years. I can endure it.
I am sorry for letting you know of my departure this way, but my time is limited as I must leave tomorrow. I apologize for I won't be performing with you this year.
Thank you again for coming to the funerals, your presence helped me say goodbye. I love you.
I hope you can wait for me.
A.L"
January 18th, 1974
The train was half empty. Agnes had found a seat easily near the window. She liked to look at the landscape. It was her first time traveling to another country. She did spend a day in Italy once, but she was so young she did not remember any of it. The warmth of the train was so comforting Agnes had slept almost the entirety of the trip. The next stop was St Pancras. She had finally made it to London.
She felt scared and anxious. She always loved to go on adventures but this one had not been one she'd expected.
The station was announced, and the train started to slow down, and eventually the crissing sound of the rails indicated their arrival. The young woman grabbed her bag who was resting on the next seat.
She couldn't wait to learn how to apparate instead of spending hours on a train or on a carriage. Apparating sounded so cool and useful. Her grandfather had promised he would be the one to teach her when she'd be of age. Her eyes started to get watery, thinking of her family who was buried, left to rest alone back at the manoir.
But it was not the time to look fragile. She had to be strong, as she was about to meet the man who had broken her mum's heart: her father. She had seen a picture of him once, that Murielle had secretly took of him during the summer they had spent together. But that was it.
Would he look really old? Would he have a long white beard? He was much older than Agnes's mother, meaning he would probably be in his fifties now.
She stepped out of the wagon, looking around for anyone who would recognize her, or that might have looked somewhat familiar. She had been told someone would pick her up. Eventually.
- Bonjour Agnes.
A man had appeared from out of nowhere behind the young witch, who restrained a scream of surprise. He was tall and his hair were still of a healthy dark brown, and he had a well maintained beard. He had bright blue eyes, just like Agnes's.
- Hello. She said simply, not used to speak english anymore.
- I hope the trip was not too tiring.
- It was fine.
- Good. I- hm. Let's go home now, so you can rest.
It was so awkward. Agnes felt the man staring down at her. She did not dare say anything and only followed him silently outside of the train station. The atmosphere in london was quite different from what Agnes was accustomed to. She had been multiple times to Paris, but here, the muggles looked a bit different. It was raining and everyone was holding their umbrellas tight to them.
But instead of taking the normal path, the british man led Agnes to a small corner of the street. They waited a bit, and finally, the man pushed a few stones on the wall and they could go through. There, a gorgeous street revealed itself ahead of them. It had curious shops everywhere and most certainly wizards walking around.
- This is Diagon Alley. We will walk a bit, if that's fine. My house is up the hill.
They'd eventually reached the end of the busy street, and there was now a much larger road with residential buildings all around. In the middle, a little park was embellishng the urbanized environment.
It was... quite nice. The neighborhood looked peaceful and pretty. They stopped in front of a three-floor typical british house, and climbed up the few stairs before the man invited her in.
- Welcome to your new home, Agnes.