1974, London
London, 20th January 1974
Agnes woke up early that day, just like everyday since she arrived in London. The sound of people talking downstairs was hard to ignore. Although her father only lived with his wife for now, but they seem to have people over from dawn til dusk.
She opened the large wardrobe, and grabbed a few pieces of casual clothes. A box of unopened things had been stored there. She stopped for a second, still in her underwears. In the box, her Beauxbatons uniform was folded gracefully.
She felt the blue silk under her fingers, caressing the soft cloth, reminding her how it felt under her skin. She loved wearing that uniform, and she had felt so proud of attending Beauxbatons. How wonderful would it have been to graduate with her friends?
She closed the box and put it back to its initial place. Once she had dressed up, she looked at her own reflection in the mirror. She looked so dull and felt ugly. Her hair had lost of their natural shine and her skin seemed colorless.
A knock on her window grabbed her attention. There, a beautiful dove was resting on the edge, waiting for Agnes to open. The young witch rushed to the window and the bird seemed to politely thank her, and it entered the room, looking for some food and warmth. The dove had brought a letter, which Agnes hurried to read. It was from Jeanne.
"My dear Agnes,
Everything happened so fast. Thank you for telling me about what happened. I was really worried about you, after the funerals. The boys and I were all wondering when you were coming back to Beauxbatons. The Millefeuille house students were all asking about you.
I hope you had a safe trip to London. Mum said Jean is going to work there this summer, maybe you can see him! I would love to visit, if my parents allow it. They say the situation is quite bad there these days. You be careful!
Do not worry for the performance, I have everything under control. Pierre and Antoine are working hard to win against this Ombrelune this year as well. I'll let you know how it goes. Please, keep sending doves. Or, are you swtiching to owls now?
Let me know,
I love you too, I wish you were here. Our bedroom at Beauxbatons feels empty without you. Hope to see you this summer, take care Agnes.
J.DLC"
Agnes felt her chest warming up, she felt so understood and heard. It was the first time in days she'd get into contact with someone familiar, someone she actually knew. She was so grateful Jeanne had written back so fast. The young woman gave some bird food she had kept on the side to the dove and went down for breakfast. Now, she felt brave enough to face her new hosts.
After a few days living under his roof, Agnes had found out a few things about her father (although she didn't like calling him that). Mister Dunbar was a pure-blood wizard, who came from a long line of rich wizards who were quite influent at the ministry. He knew a lot of people and everyone knew him. He was quite awkward and sometimes didn't know what to say , but he would always finish his sentence with a 'good'. Or more like 'gewd' with his strong british accent.
They hadn't talk that much since Agnes's arrival at the Dunbar's house. Her father was busy with work and would come home later for dinner, so Agnes only ate with Mrs. Dunbar. She was intimidating but always polite to Agnes. She had even complimented her posture when eating. Agnes had wanted to tell her she'd learn that from her mother, but thought it might incongruous.
When she entered the dining room, Mr. Dunbar was sitting at the table, his Daily Prophet paper open in front of him. Mrs Dunbar looked up to her and invited her over with a slight smile while sipping on her morning tea.
- Come sit dear, Cosmey made some abricot jam yesterday, I heard you like it with fresh bread.
- That's very kind of you, thank you.
Cosmey was the house elf of the Dunbar house. She was a sweet girl who was passionately dedicated to the family she worked for. She seemed quite shy and Agnes hadn't talked to her personally yet.
Mr Dunbar closed brutally his newspapers before putting it on the side, grumpily whispering some comments on what he had just read.
- Any news, darling? Asked Mrs Dunbar while dipping her bread in the half-cooked egg.
- I'm afraid only bad ones. I will have to visit Jenkins today. How did you sleep Agnes? Answered the man, while taking his cup to his lips.
- Very well.
There was a silent. After a few second, Mr Dunbar looked up at his daughter and cleared his throat.
- Would...would you like to spend an evening out of the house, tonight? We are invited at the Crouchs' for dinner.
He seemed hesitant and kept looking back and forth to Agnes. She was staring right at him, now used to his strange attitude. She really didn't understand how her mum could have fallen for such a man.
But the idea of going out did seem entertaining. She was already sick of staying indoors.
- Yes, I would like that.
Mr. Dunbar seemed relieved. He whispered his usual 'gewd' and saluted everyone before leaving the breakfast table. One second later, he had disapparated. The two women finished their meal in silence.
The Dunbar family had two sons who both attended Hogwarts during the year. Agnes had not met them yet, as they only came back for the summer and christmas. The young witch found it enraging how these two boys had gotten the chance t have their father near them when she had to live with her single mother all her life. It wasn't fair. But she was starting to undertand that many things around her were quite unfair.
She disliked Mr Dunbar. She could not see him as her father. He was just a host, someone who she had to live with for a few months before she would enter her new school.
Hogwarts. She had heard of it, obviously. It was the first rival school of Beauxbatons, but both shared a longstanding friendship. She had never met a Hogwarts student, but she'd heard that their dorms were dusty and their uniforms were old-fashioned. She was not excited to go there for one bit.
Sometimes, when she closed her eyes, she'd imagine the south of France, where she had grown up. She could see the swamp where she used to go explore with her mother, or the beautiful gardens of Beauxbatons where they used to play snowball fights in winter and have picnics when the days got warmer. Oh, how she'd miss Beauxbatons.
When Agnes was back in her room, the dove had flown away. She felt nostalgic. What was her friends doing at that moment? Where there thinking of her? She was suddenly interrupted in her thoughts when someone knocked on her door. It was Cosmey.
- What is it? Asked Agnes, kindly.
- Mistress Dunbar asked Cosmey to show Miss Lenoir a few choices for tonight's gown, miss.
Oh, right, she had forgotten about that part.
Agnes loved dressing up. Her mum had always bought the prettiest dresses and jewelries for her and her daughter. It was also part of her education at Beauxbatons to always look distinguished. She liked feeling elegant in her clothes and liked to take care of herself.
Cosmey snapped her fingers and a large selection of gowns appeared in the room. It was all different colors and there was all types of sizes and style. Agnes decided to try them all, since she had nothing better to do.
-Oh, oh! Miss Lenoir looks exquisite in this one, miss!
Cosmey was adorable. It seemed like she truly enjoyed playing dressing up and sitting on the side, watching Agnes try each piece one by one. They stayed like this the rest of the morning, and Agnes thought that, maybe, she had found a friend after all.