Summer 1977
May 3rd, 1977
At the Delacour, Jean and his wife Appoline had brought their new born to introduce it to friends and family. Everyone was excited to see the little girl, as she was rumoured to be as pretty as her mother. Agnes had arrived in the morning, having travelled since dawn to France.
They entered the room, a wooden cradle was resting in the center, and Apolline was sitting next to it on a chair, singing a lullaby to her daughter. Agnes slowly approached them, a tender smile on her face.
There she was. The most beautiful baby she had ever seen. The mother had looked up to the guests, inviting them to get closer. Carefully, Agnes rested a finger next to the little girl who grabbed it with a tiny hand, making everyone in the room melt from the adorable gesture.
There was so much peace surrounding the mother and her child, and it soothed Agnes at once. She had been so busy and tired from travelling around and always being on the road, that sitting here, staring at the cute Delacour's granddaughter calmed her down.
She had never really thought of whether to have children of her own. She was probably too young to think of it, but it was nice imagining she could have what the young married couple had: a family built on love.
- Her name is Fleur. Declared Appolline, her eyes locked on the baby.
- Bonjour, Fleur Delacour. It is a pleasure to meet you, said Agnes now widely smiling.
The little girl had the brightest blue eyes she had ever seen, and her hair was light and blonde. She would make a beautiful witch, Agnes thought.
Jean was reading a book named " Wizards and Witches' Guidebook for Child Care " attentively, and only looked up from it when Jeanne called him for lunch.
- Where is Antoine? I thought he'd join us today. Asked Jean while putting a chunk of bread in his mouth.
Agnes and Jeanne exchanged a worried look before Jeanne gave the excuse their friend might not make it.
The truth was, neither of the girls had any news from their childhood friend. Antoine Deguire had stopped answering their mail, and only wrote to Pierre from time to time. The latter had visited his family house in Bordeaux, but his parents only knew their son was supposed to be working somewhere in Alsace, at the border with Germany. He would send money and write some letter every few months, but that was it.
It was really unlike Antoine. The wizard was more introverted than his friends, but he had never ignored their letters nor stopped giving any news like that. Jeanne had then decided to look for him a few weeks back, and had found little to no clue of where he could truly be.
- He started acting weird since graduation, Said Pierre after lunch, sitting on the sofa of the living room. He told me he wanted to help people and find a purpose in his life, but I never thought he'd cut us off like that.
- He must have a reason. Or Do you reckon Antoine's in sort of danger? Added Agnes, fidgeting on her wand.
- I am sure he is not in Alsace. I asked every wizard in the region and even traveled there myself, no one has heard of his name. He must be somewhere else. Completed Jeanne, looking down at her feet, thinking.
- This is the last letter I received from him in March.
Pierre opened a sheet of paper and made it fly to the girls with his wand. Agnes grabbed it and read it out loud.
"Dear Pierre, my brother,
I am glad to read you are well, same for Jeanne and Agnes. Please, know that all is fine on my side. I cannot write often, and there is nothing to do about it.
Things have changed, and my commitment to my 'job' keeps me busy. There are people who are making it harder for us to live peacefully, and you know how important equality is for me. Therefore, being included in a cause I find fair and vital is only the natural extent of my beliefs.
It is better for you not to know the details. I hope you will forgive me my silence and my absence.
Stay safe,
A.DG"
- Do you remember anything about what he could mean by equality? Asked Jeanne.
Pierre nodded negatively. He seemed as lost as his friend. Agnes, on the other hand, frowned her eyebrows at the letter. It did make sense. But was it really related to what she tohught it was? Or was she reading too deep into it?
- Could it be... Perhaps... that Antoine had joined a sort of ... rebellion... Or a secret army or something? Against the death eaters and that dark wizard? Do you reckon he could be going to that extent? She asked.
The three friends exchanged a few looks before Pierre cleared his throat, attending to speak again.
- Now that you mention it.. He did talk about some groups in Britain... that fought for the better good or something. He told me they were against that pure-blood rubbish beliefs.
- In Britain, you say? Maybe he's over there! Jeanne said, standing up at once.
- Wait, if Antoine really joined such community, he could be in grave danger. And if the ministry is rotted with death eaters just like Yaxley, then Antoine will be their first target as their enemy. When was the last time you saw him, Pierre?
- I saw him a few days before christmas, he was home for the holidays. But we barely had time to talk... He just seemed different, you know. Like, always careful when he talked. And you know how Antoine is! Always saying what he thinks, and all. Admitted Pierre.
- If he really is in Britain, which we can't be sure of, then he might have left earlier this year. Said Jeanne.
Antoine joining a counter-army was not what Agnes would have imagined. But maybe she had turned a blind eye on what was truly happening and had just ignored the fact that the situation had been evolving in secret, behind the scenes. All she had done was focus on her career and tried her best not to be caught using her elemental magic. But maybe.. yes, just maybe.. She had been a little egoistic ... forgetting about her muggle-born friends, and how they could have worried about their own sake while she was enjoying her minute of fame.
It was time to help find Antoine. She had planned to spend the summer at the Dunbars anyway.
She was going back to Britain.
***
June 24th, 1977
London looked the same, although a lot of wizards seemed to hurry back home sooner than before, avoiding staying out late at night. Agnes had just arrived, and was flying home on her broom, enjoying the landcape she had missed during the months she had spent away. Joshua and Jimmy were soon coming home from Hogwarts, and she could not wait to hear all about their year.
Mrs and Mr Dunbar were absent when she entered the house, and was welcomed happily by Cosmey, who seemed to be cleaning the floors at the moment.
- Miss Lenoir is back! Oh, Miss, would you like some tea? Cosmey prepares a new mixture, miss! You must try, miss!
- I would love to, Cosmey, Thank you.
Agnes went to her room to change her clothes into a more comfortable outfit. A few minutes later only, a few owls landed by her window, waiting for her to get her mail. At least five birds were querelling to be the first oen to deliver their letter, and Agnes had to separate two of them from fighting with their beak.
Most of the mail was related to her incoming participation at the yearly world duelling competition. It had already been last year she had won her first ever world nomination, and had become an icon for the duelling community.
She spent the rest of the next day answering the letters, and sending a few more to her friends. Mr Dunbar had left to the office early that morning and they had only shared breakfast together, exchanging on the latest news of the past months. Mrs Dunbar, on the other side, was eager to hear all about Agnes' adventures and future plans as a duellist.
The house was very calm, and it felt almost suffocating not having anything going on.
Agnes knew one of the reason she was back in England was to try and find her friend Antoine. But where to start first? She had no clue of where a secret army of a group would hide in London or elswhere. She had still tried and send an owl to her friend, in case it really went to him. But she had very little hope of him answering.
She would have to investigate on her own. And hurry. Because the more involved Antoine was in this quest, the more in danger he would be.
***
July 3rd, 1977
Joshua and Jimmy were finally home. It had been a very festive evening and the first few days had been filled with enthusiastic conversation during meals, and much time had been spent outside, enjoying the bright sun in the British capital. Agnes was happy to see her little brothers again. Joshua had just finished is 6th year and would finally start in final year in september. He had apparently had received good grades throughout the terms, and had been congratulated by his mother by earning a brand new broom, making Jimmy extremely jealous.
Agnes had asked a lot of questions on Hogwarts, if anything had changed, if new professors had arrived, if some had left or retired. She wanted to know everything. She had only attended the school for two years, but felt a strong tie to the place and its people.
She asked about the marauders, to whom she had not heard from in months.
- You can ask James yourself! He is coming over next week, I invited him over to spend the day. You'll be there, will you? Asked Joshua.
- I would not miss it for the world ! She said, a theatrical tone in her voice, and her hands over her head.
Her little brother gently hit her arm while laughing, and they finished drinking their tea before heading outside to play some gobstones.
***
July 11th, 1977
The following week, Joshua was helping Cosmey prepare the garden to play some Quidditch, and bewitched the hoops so it could say in the air, levitating. An hour later, the bell rang and Agnes went to get the door.
Her eyes widened when not only James Potter, but also Sirius Black was standing at the door.
- Welcome.. boys! She said, still surprised to see the second Gryffindor.
- Sirius' staying at mine, supposed it was fine to come together! Stated James, a hand over his friend's shoulder.
- Of course! You're all welcome here. Come on in, Joshua's in the back yard. Answered Agnes, a big smile on her lips.
- Long time no see, Lenoir! Look how you've changed, you're all grown up, now. Said Sirius, coming up close to the young witch, who felt the heat of the teenager's body on her.
They had flew from Godric's Hollow to their house on their broom under the summer warmth, and were all sweaty already. Agnes led them to the kitchen to get them some water, and left them once Joshua had finished setting up the Quidditch course.
Hours later, the three boys had come back inside, famished. They looked exhausted and their cheeks were red from the effort and the heat. James had removed his glasses to wipe his face with a towel, and had a well defined sun burn on his nose.
- Is Evans coming tomorrow night? Asked Joshua while taking off his dirty shirt.
- James kept asking her during the trip back from Hogwarts. If she doesn't make it, it is probably because she got fed up, mate! Laughed Sirius.
- Shut up! She will come, she said she would. Declared the gryffindor while putting his glasses back on.
- Agnes, you're coming with us, right?
Joshua turned his head to his sister who was just coming down the stairs from her room. Agnes had caught on the end of their conversation and was curious to know more.
- What are we talking about? She asked.
- The festival, tomorrow night! Everyone is going! answered excitedly her brother.
She smile and nodded. It could be nice to spend some time outside of the house with her younger friends for once.
July 12th, 1977
James Potter, Sirius black, Joshua and Jimmy Dunbar, alongside Agnes Lenoir were waiting for the rest of the group to catch on. James was wearing a nice jumper and had combed his hair especially for the occasion.
- Waiting for someone special, Potter? Agnes asked, bumping into him purposely in a friendly way to tease him.
- Just.. It's good to look good, you know? He mumbled, looking around, fidgeting on his trousers' pockets.
A few minutes later, three people joined their group. Peter Pettigrew was leading the way, followed by Lily Evans and her friend Mary McDonald. Agnes noticed James changing his posture as soon as the young woman got closer, meaning to look taller next to her.
The whole lot walked around the booths, were wizards were selling all sorts os sweets and traditional food, as well as some jokes and tricks objects which reminded them of Zonko's shop at Hogsmeade.
Lily and James were a little slower, talking at the back of the group, and everyone seemed to have caught on the romantic tension between them, and had agreed on not disturbing them. Only Sirius was checking on James from time to time, making sure he was not bored by the young woman next to him. Multiple times, Agnes and Peter had to grab him by the arm to give the two a little more privacy.
- Where is Remus, by the way? The former ravenclaw asked, while eating a strange looking candy apple.
- He couldn't make it, had some stuffs to do back home. Peter told her in a slightly unattentive voice.
That was too bad. She had not seen Remus in a year, and had barely heard from him despite a few letters they had shared throughout the months. She missed him aprticularly, as she felt closer the Lupin than everyone else of the marauders.
The rest of the night was very enjoyable, and everyone had finished the evening by sitting on the grass in a park, enjoying the clear summer night sky of London. Agnes had noticed how James had finally gently grabbed Lily's hand, and how her cheeks had become pink, visible even through the darkness of the night.
Agnes smiled, excited to see them get together. She found Lily beautiful and fine to be around. The young woman was agreeable to chat with, and had a good sense of humor. Also, the way James looked at her could not be ignored. He really was into her.