Hogwarts VI, Fire on my Fingers
Her hand was on fire, yet it wasn't hurting one bit. It was a comforting heat, just a warmth as if she'd got closer to a fireplace. She looked at the headmaster who did not seem surpised by what she had just accomplished. He nodded in an approving stance and took out his wand in one hand, a candle in his other. He asked Agnes to light the latter from where she was sitting.
- I will burn you, professor! It's too risky. She feared.
- I am here to restrain the flames in case you miss, do not worry Agnes.
He was a very convincing man, she thought. They locked eyes one last time in an understanding look, and Agnes focused on the flames stuck on her right hand. She could feel them, as if it was part of her. Somehow, she knew what she had to do and lifted her fingers to aim at the candle. In a sharp move, she threw a tiny fragment of the fire towards the wick. To her surprise, it landed right on the candle, spilling a little of wax on the professor's finger who did not flinch one bit.
- Very good, now try to retrieve the flame from the candle wick. Dumbledore asked, still focused on Agnes.
Fawkes was looking down at them from the upper floor of the office. He seemed to clean his feathers while glancing attentively at the on-going practice. Agnes closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again, staring right at the tiny flame emanating from the candle. She imagined it moving back to her, and the next second, the flame was rushing back towards her. She just had the time to grab it with her hand before it'd reached her face. When she opened her palm, the fire had vanished.
Dumbledore was smiling and sat back down at his desk, sipping some more of his tea. He added some milk and looked back at Agnes.
- You have great technique skills and you have much potential in mastering the elemental magic. Let's not rush, however. I believe you can practice little by little every week, to become more accustomed to your own power.
Agnes nodded. She was proud of herself for not having messed up her first real training in front of Dumbledore.
The young witch ran to the lower floors of the castle. She was a little late to her duel club activities, as her 'tea time' with the headmaster had lasted longer than she had planned.
When she entered the room, everyone was already practicing. After having apologized to the professor, she joined her group with whom she was used to train and prepared her wand to duel her first opponent.
Today, Snape was looking at her quite intensively. They had not really talked much since the time he had won their duel, and they kept practicing on their own, never with each other. He was a strange 14-year-old teenager and Agnes found it hard to read him. He did seem passionate about duelling and winning his match, but always just stood there and was not trying to be the main character of the class or anything. His jet black hair and pale skin made him look even more mysterious.
Their eyes locked as she realized she had been staring at him the whole time. She gave him a quick smile before focusing on the match she was referring.
Behind her, two students were talking about what they had read in the Daily Prophet that very morning.
- I know right! It's getting out of hand. My father has enchanted our house just in case... Being a half-blood these days sucks..
- Tell me about it, we usually go on holidays to my uncles' in Africa every summer, but now mum says it's too dangerous to travel now since I am a muggle born...
The attacks against those who weren't born in a pure-blood family were still happening periodically. Agnes had thought it would calm down, as no tragic news had been written in the Daily Prophet for a few months. But since a few days, there were witnesses who'd seen wizards starting to target specific people and attack them physically. Agnes thought of Pierre and Antoine. She had not received any letter since a few weeks now. Should she be worried?
She was forced to jump back to reality when a first year student asked the permission to use the restroom.
When she had looked around the room, Severus Snape was still staring at her with a strange expression. Not a good one, it seemed...
May 3rd, 1975
My dear Agnes,
I am so sorry I haven't answered you last letter. Things have been hectic at school and back home.
First, please be reassured that Pierre and Antoine are doing fine and still passionate about Quidditch. They still talk all about last year's World Cup and how they'd wished they had attented the final match with you.
They meant to write to you, but the school has been sort of careful with sending doves to Britain these days. They fear that some of the criminals will try to indocrinate Beauxbatons students through sharing propaganda flyers.
I hope the situation is okay at Hogwarts. You seemed happy in your last letter, I am so glad for you. I miss you lots!
Let me now inform you of a VERY important matter I meant to tell you a little while ago. Jean is getting married! Yes, you read me well.
He has met a witch (apparently she is half-veela, can you believe this?) when he was working in Eastern Europe at the beginning of the year, and it seemed like the real coup de foudre ! They seem really in love. They will marry this summer, and I hope you can attend the wedding!
The Dunbars are more than welcome to come with you, of course. I will ask mother to send you a proper invitation, and maybe you can apparate here? I just got my licence!! Let me know if you can make it.
Love you dearly,
J.DLC
Agnes was sitting by the chimney in the ravenclaw tower. Everyone was enjoying the spring days and would go on picnics weekends. But the young woman had found the need to stay 'home' for once. She wanted to finish a book on duelling and imagine new techniques for her incoming inter-houses championship. It was the last one for the season before the end of the year and also her last chance to win a few more points for the overall House Cup. Ravenclaw was tighting up with Gryffindor who had won the Quidditch House games. Everyone was being careful during class, making sure to complete their homeworks in time and focus to not lose any more points recklessly.
She was making a few movement with her hand to practice a new spell she was reading about in her book. It was a tricky one as it resembled another so she had to put an emphasis on certain moves. It was a stronger version of incendio. Maybe... Maybe it could be done without a wand? She thought.
She looked at the chimney, who had not been turned on since the winter days. Maybe she could just...try to light it up without her wand?
She checked to see if anyone was in the common room, and when she realized she was completely alone, she lifted her hand, jsut like she had practiced in Dumbledore's office, and flames appeared on her whole hand. It was bigger than last time. She took a deep breath before throwing a fireball into the chimney, lighting it up at once.
Brilliant, brilliant!!
She laughed nervously. She was getting better at it day by day. The headmaster had instructed ehr to practice daily to be more comfortable and get more control on her power. She had also managed to used the earth elements, which seemed easier to bend than fire.
Agnes felt powerful, and it felt good. But she also knew she would have to be more careful as people around her could become suspicious. She used her water bending power to turn down the fire in the chimney, and left the common room as if nothing had happened.
The end of the year was approaching, and her first year at Hogwarts had been eventful and she had to admit she loved it here. Being in Ravenclaw was a blessing and she felt understood, and she could share her hobbies and passions with her housemates. She had made some friends within other houses as well, and couldn't wait for them to spend their 7th year all together.
Furthermore, her summer days would be exciting as well, since Jean Delacour was getting married and she would finally see Jeanne, and most certainly Pierre and Antoine as well. She had also been invited to spend a few days at the Potters. Maybe she'd go, after all. They were all younger than her, but she found the group really fun to be around. Especially Lupin, who she had found out shared a keen interest in books and learning. She had even taught him a few spells she had learnt by herself.
***
The last training before the championship was over, and Agnes felt exhausted. She had duelled with 5 of her best classmates. She had won everything, of course, but she had used all her energy for it. When she left the room with the other students, she spotted a younger girl waiting in the corridors. She was wearing the Gryffindor's uniform. It was the first time Agnes had seen her. She had long ginger hair and a soft face structure. Her green eyes were subliming her appearance. She was holding a few books in her hand and was looking at the students leaving the duel club classroom.
A second later, Severus Snape escaped at last from the room, and the face of the gryffindor student lightened.
- Severus! She called.
- Thank you for waiting, the Slytherin boy answered, letting out a shy smile.
Agnes was shocked. It was the first time she had seen him smile. Like, ever. The red haired girl must have been his close friend. Or his girlfriend. Hm. Snape with a girlfriend? That did sound weird. The two younger students left and Agnes was left there. She sort of envied them. They looked cute together.
- Ready for next week, Lenoir? the duel professor asked, locking the door of the room with a spell before leaving.
- Yes, I believe so professor. Today's practice only reinforced my motivation for the championship. Agnes answered, casually.
- I respect your enthusiasm and self-confidence, Lenoir. I hope to see great duels!
He waved a her and smiled before leaving in direction of his office. Next week was the annual duelling championship at Hogwarts, and she represented the Ravenclaws this year. They were going to be put into teams and she was competing with two other housemates against Gyffindor, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. And the whole school was going to attend the matches.
How thrilling, she thought.