Little Miss Trouble
‘Little Miss Trouble’ was the name gifted to Séraphine Achard by many over her years at Beaux Batons Academy of Magic.
It’s not that she was bad, just slightly misbehaved. Not really into following rules that well. But it wasn’t just those things that made her. It’s the fact she’s in a school full of hotty-totty pompous rich girls.
Yes, she is the second child, first daughter, next woman of the Achard family line. One of the richest and purest lines of magical peoples. And yes, she loved her family of course. But she never loved the idea of the things that came with their name.
On top of that her mother was the one who instructed the rules, her father usually was more free reigning with her. With her siblings as well, well more-less on Claude’s account. Still, the boy had freedom. Then Margot, well mother, had her wrapped. The youngest girl ALWAYS listened, when the other two broke a rule she knew and then mother knew. But she was far too young to understand, still only 11. So, as stated their mother forced rules and forced them to feel and own their status.
Claude did fall sometimes, but being the mama’s boy he was, and well, being a boy, he got away with it. (Honestly the second child missed the brother she knew growing up, but she can’t complain). And Margot was just the eyes and ears for the time.
But that girl.
A phrase out of her mother’s lips. Muttered in disappointment, sometimes anger. Quite often.
She is a prankster. She is mischief. The rules and her status were nothing but suggestions to her. Her mother would scold her she’d just do it again, just 5 times worse than before. Her father taught her to be a little prankster. On his days off he’d let her sit with him in his office and he’d build things with her. Tell her stories. After she was off to school (per her mother’s request), those meetings with her father lessened.
So now here she is 13 and sitting with her two friends who offered to stay with her before her punishment.
“You think they’ll expel you?” Marionette asked. Her voice was higher pitched and very delicate. Just like a lady through and through. Exclude the pranks which she usually came up with.
Adrianna snorted. She and Séraphine were the most suspected for trouble, and the two were basically inseparable like sisters. So no, Adrianna was no lady, she wasn’t even sitting properly with her skirt right now. “They were all harmless pranks! Besides those girls are bullies they needed a lesson. They won’t expel her for that–right?”
Séraphine shrugged. She’s a lady when she wants to be. Always postured though. So, a mix of the two. Her voice was smoother than Adrianna’s and lower than Marionette’s but the three of them accented each other perfectly. They were a style that never went out of fashion. “If I do the only thing, I’ll lose out of this, is you two.” She sighed; she didn’t fear getting expelled. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. All she feared was losing her friends, other than that, her mother’s furry fit that would happen once she hears the news, but this was just a small thought.
“Séra, you know how your mother is, aren’t you scared?” Marionette protested at her friend’s lack of care.
She groaned and stood. “No, I’m not.” She fixed her skirt and looked out the window taking off her hat. “Mother pushed me into this, she should blame herself.” she grumbled. Looking out at the grounds she sighed again. This school is beautiful, you can’t deny it.
With the peacocks in the gardens. Butterflies flying everywhere. Even the fairies who lived in the garden could be seen from this tower. The lake has a reflection of the greenhouses and of the plant that loomed over it. Then the mountains far, far off hiding the school from prying eyes. She loved the view. Just not her confines.
“Where will you go if you do?” Adrianna asked as the two joined her at the windowsill, glancing at the grounds.
“I don’t know.” Séraphine shrugged “Anywhere that’ll accept me after this, I guess. You think Durmstrang is accepting?”
Marionette rolled her eyes laughing slightly and pushed her friend’s arm. “ Sois sérieux! ”
(Be serious!)
“ Je suis désolé que vous ayez raison. ” She held up her hands defensively and laughed.
(I am sorry you are right.)
“Séra, if you leave, just write to us. Promise?”
“I promise my dear Marionette, and Adrianna, you two are my partners in crime! If I leave, I’ll find us new recruits.” she winked and smirked.
“Miss Achard!” A voice called and the girls turned quickly, the headmistress tall and regal woman stood in front of them. Her eyes narrowed onto Séraphine and leaned towards being very cross. She was fair and tolerant but after all the trouble “Little Miss Trouble” has caused, it was reasonable.
“Madame Maxime.” The girl quickly put her hat on and bowed.
“Come in, we shall discuss- what are you two doing here!?” The tall woman said. Her accent was thick and being a tall woman, she had more carry. Especially in a small hall like this.
The two other girls looked at Séraphine who waved them off, as a sign of ‘I’m fine go’. Then they looked at their headmistress.
“Sorry Madame.” They both muttered, oddly at the same time, and scurried away.
“Well, come now.” She muttered and turned away and walked into her office. Séraphine follows close behind. They entered and just by her luck, her parents were waiting. Her father was watching for her, and she smiled at him, yes, she is a daddy’s girl and knew her father wasn’t about to get as livid as her mother was about to. “Sit Miss Achard.” The tall woman pointed to the middle seat and sat in her much larger one.
The thirteen-year-old sat in the chair and sighed as her mother gave her a dirty eyed look. Her father looked worried.
“Now you three must all know why we are here?”
“Because my daughter has been causing trouble again?” Her mother asked harshly. “Those wretched things you call pranks again?” tone bland of all emotion.
“Exactly. Her pranks she’s been pulling have been disruptive, horribly annoying and out of hand! This is a school for young ladies.”
“Yes, do not mention the laughing my pranks have brought many-”
“Quiet Séraphine!” Her mother snapped. “If your father hadn’t taught you these wretched things you wouldn’t be such a distraction-”
“Mialys! She’s just a child! Madame Maxime they’re all harmless-”
“Quite on the contrary Monsieur Achard. The latest: she turned three girls in her house’s hair purple and hexed the hair to dance.”
Her father bit down a laugh. “Where’d you get that from?” he asked her.
“A wizard in England created hair products they use and I-”
“It is NOT important!” Her mother yelled. “If you hadn’t taught her these incessant things, we wouldn’t be wasting our time here!” She snapped.
“Which brings me to my point.” The headmistress said. “You won’t have to waste your time here anymore Monsieur and Madame Achard. I am hereby expelling you Miss Séraphine Achard.” She said looking at the youngest of the room.
Her mother officially was disappointed and made that very clear, but her father was just looking at her with an expression as if to say: “Everything will be okay.”
“I expect you to leave soon, we’ll allow you to say goodbye to your friends-”
“A reward after what she has done!?” Her mother practically spat.
(Not very ladylike, is it?)
“She will be coming straight home, summon her things to the train and we’ll be on our way Madame. “Let her say goodbye to her friend's” nonsense.”
The younger girl sighed exhaustedly. Then, Madame Maxime sighed and with a flick of her wrist all the girl’s trunks and two cages holding her pets appeared in front of them.
“There. I’m sorry to have done this. She has potential just not with this school-”
“Oh, don’t apologize! She’s the one wreaking havoc! Thank you, Madame Maxime, we’ll be on our way now.” Séraphine’s mother stood and started walking out to summon their poor elf Greemes. Séraphine’s father gave her a look and stood.
“ Venez maintenant mon petit feu de feu. ” He said holding a handout to her. She gave Madame Maxime a look and the woman nodded apologetically.
(Come now my little fire sprite.)
“I’m sorry, Madame. I hope the rest of the year goes well.” She said finally standing. “As well please do not blame Marionette and Adrianna for any of these. They were just dragged into them.” It’s a lie through her teeth but she knows her friends don’t deserve to fall with her.
“I had letters sent to their parents, but I’ll explain to them the position.”
“ Merci Madame .” She bowed her head and walked to her father. She silently took his hand leaving and their elf who had just appeared followed carrying Séraphine’s bags while she took her pets. “I’m sorry to have you carrying so many things Greemes.” She whispered.
“It is alright mistress, Greemes lives to serve.” He uttered and followed.
She sighed and held onto her father. Knowing that until they got onto the train, she was safest with him. Then once on the train, it was an earful of anger…
“You are a disgrace! Thinking that you can cause havoc with no consequence! I wish you were like your siblings! But no, you are Little Miss Trouble and that is all you will ever be!” she yelled. During that Séraphine just zoned out not really caring to hear the rest.
“If that’s all I can be,” she thought. “I don’t think I want much else.”