Hogwarts I
October 10th, 1974
Attending Hogwarts was an interesting experience. On the academical aspect of things, Agnes felt at ease and had quickly picked up the pace. She spent her afternoons either studying at the library or chatting with her housemates in their common room. She loved it. The first time she had penetrated at the top of the Ravenclaw tower, she had thought she was in a dream.
The common room was an incredible work of art. The color blue was sublimized by the classical marble statues and moldings on all ceilings and walls. The windows offered a beautiful view on the lands surrounding Hogwarts and Agnes took a few minutes every day to enjoy it.
She shared a room with a few other girls from Ravenclaw who were pretty nice. They'd sometimes play games in the evenings, betting on sweets and some galleons. She was glad they'd welcomed her so well.
Her favorite class so far was Muggle studies. The professor was funny and often gave proper explanations of Muggle behaviors and traditions which Agnes loved to listen to. She now understood better some of Pierre and Antoine's jokes she'd heard in the past. It was one subject she was actually learning something she'd never read in books before.
She had interacted with a few other students from other houses, but spent most of her time with teh Ravenclaws.
Joshua and Jimmy were busy with their own group of friends so she did not have much time to really hang out with them. But it was probably for the best. She wanted to get to know new people here.
She sometimes spotted the Potter and Black boys wandering around in the corridors, and they always seemed busy preparing some pranks or god knows what punishable mission.
She foudn them cute, she had to admit. They were two years younger than her, but were starting to grow even taller. She witnessed their voices changing, and felt almost nostalgic when she'd spotted Barty Crouch Jr once in the great hall, almost the same height as her.
She was reading a letter written by Jeanne. They'd decided to correspond every week, to keep in touch of the news. Agnes had told her all about the multiple moving stairs of Hogwarts, and its funny ghosts wandering around the school. She had specifically expressed her disdain for one named Peeves.
Jeanne seemed good, as well as Pierre and Antoine, who had apparently changed physically, and Pierre was already developing a mustache, which looked really amusing (Jeanne had featured a moving picture to illustrate her words).
- Hey, Lenoir! What you up to? Flitwick wants to see you in his office.
Hassan Shafiq, the ravenclaw prefect, had approached Agnes who was sitting on a sofa near the window. She looked up at him and thank him. What did professor Flitwick want to see her for?
She walked faster than she'd like and quickly reached her house's head teacher's office.
- Miss Lenoir, welcome, welcome. Said the little man.
He was sitting on his high chair at his desk, apparently grading some papers.
- You asked to see me, professor?
- Yes, yes, indeed. Take a seat, dear. Well, as you know, our school offers various classes and extra-curricular activities for the students to diversify their skills and enjoy new hobbies. I see that you have not yet joined any club activities..?
- Oh, yes. Hm, I thought I might skip that this year. I am just getting acquainted with the place for now, so-
- It would be only my humble recommandation, but to fully be immerged into the passion of your remaining school years, I suggest you pick one club and try for the first term, at least.
Agnes nodded and accepted the paper Flitwick handed her. It was a list of the possible activities she could choose from. There were so many! She thanked the professor and left the room.
If she had to pick one, it would not be Quidditch that's for sure. Especially because the trials were in a few days, and she knew how competitive it was to get in. She was not as passionate as some of her classmates, and glagly left her place to someone else.
Advanced potions ? Err, no. She had enough of Slughorn for now, didn't need to spend more time listening to him show off his best achievements.
There was also the choir, but she had no interest in singing in particular.
She went through the list. Her eyes stopped to one line. She knew what club she'd join.
A few days later, Agnes had gone for the first time into the south wing part of the castle. She was hesitant but finally found the courage to knock on the door. A professor she had never met opened the door with a spell, and she shyly entered the room. There, a dozens of students stared at her, curious.
- Ah! Miss Lenoir, welcome to the Duel Club of Hogwarts! Please, join the rest of your classmates, I was just going over the fundamental rules.
The duel club, Yes. It sounded so right. She knew all the basic spells used in duelling, and had even practiced it when she had been attending tutoring at the Blacks' family house back in London.
The first day at the club, they had gone over the basic remindings of the risks and important rules of duelling. There were not a lot of first years, but many were trying out the activity for the first time. Agnes listened carefully to the professor's instructions. Then, the students were divided based on their age and level groups were made.
In the first group, were the oldest and most skilled students. Only a few younger kids had made it to that group. It was Agnes' turn now. She felt nervous, having to perform in front of everyone, but she was excited to finally do some real practice.
Her first match was against another 6th year. It was a thin-looking boy who did not seem too confident. It was probably his first time.
The professor announced the start of the duel, and Agnes grabbed her wand firmly and casted an Expelliarmus spell to start softly. The boy cried in shock and tried to do the same but Agnes had already casted Stupefy, leaving the boy as still as ice.
Everyone stayed silent. Agned hurried to the boy to check on him and return his wand who had flew a few meters away. Had she come off too strong?
But one by one, students started clapping, in awe. Even the professor looked stunned. He quickly came back to his senses and came to the poor boy who was just regaining his ability to move.
- Amazing job, miss Lenoir! You are going straight the the first group!