1980, "Heureux Événements"
Septembers 30th, 1979
"This year's World Duelling Championship was fuming with talented witches and wizards. The Hungarian Jeromos Balogh is our new champion! The 26-years-old young man had portrayed a skilled demonstration of what duelling is truly about, leaving to the past the previous champions, such as Agnes Lenoir who did not even bother signing up for this year's tournament. Did she get cold feet? No one will ever know! It is most certainly time to look forward to what Balogh will show us in the incoming year!"
Agnes threw the latest paper of the Daily Prophet on the kitchen table, and sighed. Her minute of fame was over, wasn't it? She expected it would not last. But she couldn't help feel so frustrated, being only 21 years old and already forgotten by the public to let someone else take her place. It was obvious she would not participate in this year World Championship, as it would have put everyone around her in danger.
Being hunted down by the dark lord was very limiting in terms of traveling and moving around, let alone participating in a Worldwide famous event.
She had spent the rest of the summer in Ireland, practicing with her friends and teaching them the roots of duelling and defensive magic. It had been rather entertaining, and she was feeling satisfied when she had made it back to London. She was stronger and more prepared. Having little to no rules when fighting had something rather thrilling to it.
- James, have you seen Sirius? He hasn't come to any meeting for the past few weeks. Had asked Alice, while peeling potatoes for the dinner.
- I went to his place last week, he was in rough shape. But he'll come around I am sure.
- He better attend tomorrow's meeting. Said Fabian Prewett, a man with a long dark grey cloke on his back. He is still obliged to keep up with the missions.
- Come on Prewett, the poor boy lost his father and younger brother in the same year. Please have some sympathy! Told Alice with an annoyed tone, peeling more agressively her potatoes.
The man nodded in apology and saluted the lot before vanishing. A few member of the order had visited the cottage to get some news and share the progress of their mission. James Potter removed his glasses before rubbing his eyes, seemingly tired.
Agnes stood up from her chair where she was cutting the rest of the vegetables and pour the whole content in a large cooking pot. The fire on the stove was capricious, so she snapped her fingers discreetly and fire came out of it, thrown onto the stove which ate the flames and started to heat the pot.
She liked to use her magic for other things than just fighting. It reminded her it was not only for battles, but the elemental power could be a great help in all kinds of domains.
No one was paying attention, and she sat back in her chair.
- Staying for dinner? asked Frank to James.
- No, thanks. Lily is waiting for me at home, I don't want to leave her alone too long!
He put on his glasses back on his nose and waved at the three people in the kitchen before vanishing as well, just like Fabian Prewett had done before him.
The next day, Sirius showed up at the meeting, his hair was longer and messier than before, and he had a growing beard and mustache. Agnes welcomed him with a smile and led him to the living room, where other wizards were already waiting.
The young wizard looked calmer than usual. He sat down next to Lily on the sofa, who touched his arm kindly to say hello.
Albus Dumbledore arrived at last, and everyone seemed to tense a little, and adjust their posture. The headmaster made a quick speech delivering some news and handed out some papers so that each wizard could have their next lists of things to complete and to investigate up til the next meeting.
***
December 12th, 1979
Agnes was woken up by a strange noise coming from the bathroom. She rushed out of her bed and ran to the source of the noise. There, Alice was bended over the toilet seat, throwing up.
- Alice, are you alright? Do you need anything?
- I- I'm fine.. I just.. I felt a bit dizzy..
Agnes helped the young woman stand up and handed a towel to wipe her mouth. Her face was paler than usual and she looked sick.
When they went down for breakfast, Agnes handled the cooking while her host was resting on the sofa in the living room. She had never seen her ill before, and it was surprising to witness her feeling so weak. Maybe it was something she had eaten the previous day ? Or just exhaustion. It is true that the Longbottom had been busy with the order and their own job outside of the house. Agnes was taking care of most of the house chores, to thank the couple for their long-term hospitality, and was trying her best to help them take some rest.
But living in constant caution wasn't the most relaxing thing to do.
The following week, Alice was almost constantly hurrying to the bathroom in the morning after she'd wake up, and felt better during the day. After the 6th consecutive day she had vomitted, Agnes was about to ask to fetch a doctor.
- No, Agnes, trust me, I don't need a doctor... I'm okay.. I'm actually more than okay..
The young witch had not understood her words first. She had assumed Alice did not want to worry her, and had told her to let her deal with it. It is at dinner, when Agnes was back from her mission (she had posted some mail through the muggle post), that Frank and Alice were waiting for her, a strange expression on their face.
- We have something to tell you, Agnes. They had started to say.
- I'm listening.. Agnes responded, lowering her fork to the plate.
- I am pregnant.
Alice's voice had resonated in the room, leaving a silence ruling the moment. After the information had finally reached Agnes' brain, she jumped to her feet and looked at Frank, who was half laughing half crying of joy, happy to share such news with her.
- She told me this afternoon, I couldn't believe it! He said, wiping his tears with the tablecloth.
- Alice, Frank! That's amazing! Congratulations, I'm so happy for you! Blimey, you're going to have a baby...!
The three friends hugged each other, and Frank took out his wand and made a beautiful cake apparate on the table.
What news, Agnes thought.
***
December 25th, 1979
Christmas this year had a pecurliar taste. Albus Dumbledore had not allowed Agnes to celebrate the end of the year festivities at the Dunbars. She knew it would put them in danger to visit the family at that particuliar time of the year, and that if Voldemort wanted to get to her, that would be the first place he would look.
Therefore, she had sent an owl to Jimmy in Hogwarts, who had related to his parents the absence of his sister for christmas.
Alice and Frank Longbottom had invited some other members of the order to celebrate with them, as for the marauders. Lily had announced her pregnancy a few weeks later than Alice, and the two ladies were eager to talk all about their symptoms and the potential gender of their baby.
Agnes felt much respect for the two young women. They were in their twenties, already expecting a child in their life, and combatting the dark wizards in their free time while having a job to take care of. She, on the other hand, was stuck at home most of the time, and had to secretly escape to train for a inevitable battle against Lord Voldemort. But she was going crazy.
She hated not being able to help the order more and go back to the Dunbars, or travel to France to see Pierre and Jeanne. Her mail was limited and she barely had any news form them now.
She had swore to herself she would confront Dumbledore about the matter, but decided to wait after christmas, not to spoil anyone's joyful moment.
James and Lily arrived early that day to help Agnes and the Longbottoms prepare the dinner. Alice and Frank had visited his mother during the day and had been back in the middle of the afternoon. They had announced Alice's pregnancy, which had moved the soon-to-be grandmother to tears (although Alice mentionned not knowing whether it was happy or desperate tears).
Remus, Sirius and Peter had made it a little later, just in time for their first drink: a nice fresh cocktail made by Agnes herself.
- Try that out, Sirius! Muggle recipe, they call it 'black velvet'! You'll like it I'm sure. She said, proudly handing the beautifully presented glass.
- Always up for anything!
Sirius grabbed the drink and sipped it right away, before his eyes widened in surprised enjoyment.
- Bloody hell! It's an even better version of the best booze I've ever had!
- How did you learn all those things about muggles? Asked Remus who had come forward from the living room.
- Pierre and Antoine are taught me most of it, and I studied it on my own back in London. My little brother Jimmy also introduced me to some place to observe the muggles in their natural habitat. 'Really fascinating, they are!
- I'm dying to try one of the muggle place called.. wait.. Remus, what was it again?
- You mean the one you've been harassing me about?
- Precisely.
- I believe muggles call it a disco.
Agnes laughed, she had heard of it too. People would gather at night in a large room where there were no other lights than colorful neon ones and msuic blasting everywhere. It was a place where muggles could dance freely and drink some alcohol. She had never been there, but Antoine enjoyed it a lot and had met a lot of his girlfriends there.
Her eyes lowered down on her glass at the thought of her late friend. There was so much he had not experienced yet, so much he could have done with his life.
But she swayed this idea from her mind and tried to focus on the present. She had to be strong for herself, for her family, and for the people who had been there for her during this eventful year.
- Then that's decided ! We're going dancing!
Sirius was moving around the kitchen, his glass already half empty. He was mimicking some dance moves, making Alice laugh at his goofiness. Agnes had not caught the end of the conversation, and turned to Remus for some explanation. The latter seemed exasperated but ended up also laughing at his friend.
Lily and Alice were chatting in the sofa while the men were setting the table. Agnes had prepared some non-alcoholic drinks for the girls and was finishing up the ragout she was making for dinner.
The atmosphere was soothing. Everyone seemed in a good mood, and Sirius looked happier he had been in a long time. James had apparently visited the Dunbars on Agnes' behalf a few days prior and have given them the gifts she had prepared for her family. She hoped to see them soon.
Remus appeared at the kitchen door, and rested his shoulder on the doorway.
- Many things going on at the same time, huh? He said, putting his hands in his trousers' pockets.
- Tell me about it, responded Agnes with a smile. Both Alice and Lily pregnant.. That's something !
- Do you reckon it'll be a girl ? Or perhaps a boy?
- Alice is sure it'll be a boy, but Lily bets on a girl. I do not think it matters, really. As long as he or she is healthy.
They cheered their drinks together in a harmonious dinging sound.
- Merry Christmas, Agnes. Remus said, looking directly into the young witch's eyes.
- Merry Christmas, Remus.