Hogwarts III, Dumbledore
"My dear Jeanne,
I am glad I finally have the time to write about the incredible few last weeks I had. I'm back at the Dunbars for the holiday. As I have told you in my previous letter, I got the highest rank in the duelling competition held by my professor, and he personally congratulated me, and insists in making me a mentor for next term. I will be helping the younger recruits and will get some more advanced practices throughout the year.
I heard that Jean is abroad for a mission for the ministry. I hope he enjoys his stay in Eastern Europe. I must be very cold over there.
Here, it keeps raining, but we did have some snow, although it melted soon after. Can you believe it if I say that I miss Hogwarts? I really enjoyed my first few months, there. Don't worry, I may be a ravenclaw now, but I'll forever be a Millefeuille.
How is it going there? Keep me updated.
A.L"
Agnes folded the letter and gave it to the owl, who flew away instantly. She was spending the holidays in London, and it felt quite surreal. She had lived a terrible beginning of the year, and now she felt at peace, sitting in a comfortable chair in the Dunbar's library. Life was weird. And in just a month, it would be her mother's death first anniversary.
She felt strange thinking about it. She could still remember her funerals, the cuffin being buried, Jeanne crying and every guests lifting their wand in the air. It felt like forever ago. She missed her mum dearly. Each day, she'd make a quick look in the sky, maybe she was looking at her from above, who knows.
***
At the end of the holidays, Agnes had not come back to Hogwarts. She had been granted a week off school to celebrate her mother's memories. Mrs Dunbar had announced it over their usual team time in the library, and the young witch hadn't been able to restrain a tear.
She was going back to France. She was going to the Manoir, she would be able to smell the perfume of her mum most certainly still present in her room, on her clothes. She'd see the old house elf, the garden, her room...
- Agnes, I wish to come with you. Had said Mr Dunbar after dinner.
She was shocked by his request. Come with her to the Manoir? Come with her to see her mum? She looked at him, shocked.
- And why would you want to do that? She had asked on a colder tone she was initially aiming for.
- I-... I think it might be good for you not to be alone on this journey.
What an excuse. Mr Dunbar was maybe good to his family, but when it came to Agnes, he would always stutter and never looked in her eyes. He'd always tried to include her in the conversation, without really paying attention to what she was saying.
Since she was still underage, Mrs Dunbar insisted an adult traveled with the young woman. They would spend a few days at the Manoir and head back to London, where Agnes would depart to Hogwarts directly. It was going to be a long trip.
Fortunately, Mr Dunbar had reserved the trip through a portkey, so they'd make it faster. Agnes had took a few portkeys before, when she'd travelled to Paris with her mother. It was a fun and easy way to move around in the wizarding world, although finding it could be troublesome sometimes.
At last, they arrived at the Manoir. They had apparated for the remaining part of the trip, allowing them to stop right in front of the Lenoir's family house.
Agnes stood there for a moment. What a weird feeling, coming back after all these months. The house looked the same, still well taken care of. Agnes had insisted in keeping the manoir, as a memory of her mother and grandparents. She entered through the large wooden door and the old elf came to meet her. He was crying of joy, and invited her and her father inside to eat dinner who had been prepared in advance.
It was even weirder that Mr Dunbar was here. Agnes did not want to care of his presence. She was here to pay her respects to her family, and honor their memory. She would put some flowers on their grave after the meal.
It was cold outside. The icy wind of january was strong, although less intense than in London. The trees were naked and a few dead leaves were lying on the ground, as a reminder of the previous autumn.
Agnes and Mr Dunbar walked to the small family cementery. It had been cleaned for the occasion, and the names of Agnes' ancestries looked even shinier, graved in gold letters.
Mr Dunbar took out his wand and created a beautiful white roses bouquet which magically went to rest on Murielle Lenoir's grave. Agnes tried no to cry as she put hers down with her hands. It was painful. Painful that the only way she could see her mother was by visiting her grave. Painful because she felt so alone, now that she was back here, with all her memories. Painful because she missed her friends and family. Her true family. Painful because she hated the man standing next to her, yet, couldn't tell him off and felt strangely at peace in his presence.
- She was a bright woman. Intelligent and kind. Mr Dunbar said, in a low voice.
- Then, why did you leave her? Agnes answered, moving her teary eyes from the grave to him.
Mr Dunbar pinched his lips and looked down at the bouquet. He closed his eyes an instant and opened it again, now staring at his daughter.
- I was... He cleared his throat. When I met your mother, I was running away from my own family. I wanted to explore the world and chase an undescribable need for adventure. Your mother, Murielle, was like a ray of sunshine in the storm. She was pure and kind. But after a few months, she had shown me how important family is, and I had decided to go back to my parents. apologize and start new. That's when she told she was expecting you.
He looked at her, and Agnes thought she saw a tear in his eye.
- I was so selfish. I realized it too late. When I came back to London, my parents had found a wife for me and we were expected to marry the following month. I was to ashamed to go back to your mother after abandoning her like that, and too scared to reveal this secret to my family. I let things go for too long, until we got Joshua. And I understood the mistake I ahd done. I am not asking you to forgive me, Agnes. I just hope I can try and be there for you, now. No matter what.
- Don't you think it's a bit late for that? Agnes said as she felt a harsh pain in her chest.
- It is late. It is late. He repeated, looking back at the gravestone.
They stayed like this for a moment, before they finally headed back to the manoir in silent, both lost in their own reflections. What a strange night, Agnes thought.
They stayed at the manoir one more day, so that Agnes could organize a few things and pack some more of her belongings she'd left when she had moved out. She also gave some instructions to the house elf before leaving.
The trip back seemed to pass by faster. Mr Dunbar could not travel with Agnes to Hogwarts as he was expected at his office, and the Hogwarts Express was not scheduled in London for another few days. After a few calls, Mrs Dunbar had informed Agnes she'd apparate that very afternoon, but did not specify with whom.
- Oh my, oh my! had shouted Mrs Dunbar.
She was walking around the house, checking if everything was at its right place place. Agnes had never seen her so agitated since last year when Joshua and Jimmy were coming home from Hogwarts.
- Everything alright? The young witch asked, slightly worried.
- Oh dear, he is on his way! Quick, get your bag, quick, quick!
- Who is ?!
- Your headmaster, Professor Dumbledore! He was on a mission in London and offered to get you to Hogwarts. He can apparate there easily. Oh, what a kind hearted man.
Agnes opened wide her eyes in shock. Professor Albus Dumbledore himself was going to travel with her back to Hogwarts?!! She had never even met him up-close and was now going to apparate with him?? Wow, that... That was something she'd be most certainly telling her ravenclaw dormmates once she got there!
Albus Dumbledore was probably one of the best (if not the very best) wizard in his generation. He was respected among all the students at Hogwarts and Agnes found him litteraly so cool (although quite mysterious, she had to admit).
She was just a normal transfer student, what had she done to deserve such a nice service from the Headmaster?
The young witch had no time to further think about it, as someone has ringed on their doorbell. Mrs Dunbar hurried Cosmey to go get the door as she checked her hair one last time in the mirror before fetching Agnes to get ready.
- My, my, good morning Mrs Dunbar, what a pleasure to see you. Said the old wizard when he entered the house. Oh, and of course, Agnes Lenoir. Nice to see you young lady. Are you ready to go? I do not want to hurry you, but I am expected tonight at the dinner banquet.
- She is ready, professor Dumbledore! Said enthusiastically Mrs Dunbar, as she pushed slightly the back of Agnes towards him.
The young woman felt so shy in front of Dumbledore. He seemed so... out of reach? Yet friendly and down to earth. She did not really know if she was allowed to talk to him or was expected to stay silent the whole trip.
- Now, now. You have apparated before, haven't you? He asked, looking down at her through his goggles.
- Yes, professor.
- You can take my arm, it will shake a bit, but I'm sure you're strong enough to handle it.
He was smiling as Agnes put her arm under his, shyly grabbing a pant of his sleeve, just in case they'd get separated in the process. She took a deep breath, and the next second, they were gone.
When they made it to Hogwarts, they arrived directly in Dumbledore's office. Agnes' head was turning, and she thought she might vomit. They had traveled hundreds of kilometers in a few seconds, that was truly impressive. But it had shaken, a LOT. Her worst nightmare would be to throw up in the world's most famous wizard's office and she tried to get back to her senses.
- Thank you, professor. She managed to articulate.
- It is my pleasure, Agnes.
The young witch was about the leave the office, when the headmaster continued to talk.
- If I may...
- Yes, professor?
- I heard you are a great duellist. Your duel teacher is having great hopes for you. And you also hardworking in your courses, as well. That is very impressive.
- Oh... Th-thank you. I just.. I really like it so... it helps.
She felt so important at that moment. And weird. Accepting the compliment of someone who had accomplished so much in his life felt almost unbelievable.
- You're... He continued. -A powerful witch, Agnes. The magic residing inside a wizard is a beautiful gift, and no one should be afraid or discriminated for having such attributes. Especially when gifted a rare sort of magic...
Agnes was listening carefully to the older man, trying to figure out what he meant. She knew he was the type to say things and expect people to read between the lines but...
Suddenly, just like a spark, she felt her heart beating faster in her chest. Oh my god.
He knows.
He knew about her powers. Her elemental powers. That was it. It must be it. His eyes locked onto hers were expressing what his words hadn't.
The young witch felt her breath accelerate, as she was scared of what would happen next. When she'd made some research on the elemental wizards, as rare as they were, it was stipulated that they should be known and identified by the government, just like animagus had to be for instance.
She had wanted to keep her powers a secret, and had succeeded for so many years now.
- Magic can take many forms, and those born with one of the rarest magics should be careful to how they utilize it.
- P-professor, I-
- Have no fear, child. I am not someone who shares one's secret, and even less someone who stick by the rules. I have seen your abilities and quickly understood the source of your rare skill. Elemental magic is most certainly the rarest form of magic. So rare that people forgot about it, as no wizard posessed such power in centuries. Or maybe they were hiding it well enough.
- How did you find out..?
- I also happen to wander around the school quite often. And not many students could make a protection sphere out of water and air, especially without a wand.
He had seen her that day, on the viaduct. She really had thought no one was there, though. She really should have been more careful. Now someone at Hogwarts knew about her secret, and not just anyone : Albus Dumbledore!
- I believe you are right to hide your powers. He continued. The uniqueness of it would be envied by many. Your secret is safe with me. But if you'd like, I would appreciate if we could discuss the extent of your powers.