Chasing Fire

Wednesday:

Things went pretty well.

Breakfast with her new friends was nice, and she got her schedule, Lily showed her to her first class because they were in it together and for the rest McGonagall arranged every period someone would show Séraphine to all her classes and the teachers would just tell her what to read to catch up, luckily most of the material from that day, she already knew. So, she remembered it and took minimal notes. 

Lunch was nice and quiet as she read and caught up for charms. Then after lunch she went to Divination. She saw some people she had talked to last night. But personally, this is one of her favorite classes. Though many of her classmates hated it she was invested, the professor was kind and helped her to know what they already learned since exams were already so close, but Séraphine explained she knew everything they studied and would work to catch up just in case.

After her last class it was dinner time. She sat down with Lily and Sirius sat next to her.

“How was y’classes for your first day?” He asked with a smile that seemed absolutely like it was breathing to him. Like a second nature.

“They went really well, thank you for asking Sirius.” She smiled and saw his friend James next to him staring again and she tilted her head to smile and wave at him but he turned away once she did. She honestly thought that was strange but maybe he’s just shy?

After dinner they went to their dorms and getting ready for bed she put her hair into a braid.

They all talked. Lily was going to ask Séra how her day was but decided that after two days of school would be better to ask. After a while they went lights out and slept.

Thursday:

The next day was different, she didn’t have the same schedule for every day, it was a nice change. At Beauxbatons she had the same schedule all week but this one allowed her all over the school on different days.

Séraphine went to breakfast with Lily, Marlene, and Mary, Dorcas joined them but just as breakfast was about to end so she could show Sera to Care of Magical Creatures. They chatted and Dorcas told her how she usually has breakfast with a housemate and his friends.

“So, your friend has Slytherin friends?”

“Yes, but they’re all cool. Reggie is Sirius’ brother and Evan and Pandora’s family from France too so maybe you’ve known them or met them?

“What’s their name?”

“Rosier.”

“Oh! Yes, I believe I've heard of the family, papa usually meets families at the ministry for work. And Rosier has come up a few times.”

“Well, then, they might know your family. I'll have to ask him.” Dorcas said as they walked to where the class was being held.

They went to class together and after another student led her to her Muggle Studies class and after was free period, so she wandered to the courtyard sitting at the base of a tree and watching the school. She watched people walking in the halls and saw kids just sitting and reading. She just sat quietly watching it all.

After Free period she went to her third class Transfiguration. That was fun, McGonagall showed them all, mainly her, because she missed the first time, that she could go from human form to cat form and back. She learned what an Animagus was and found it quite interesting. Then they learned the lesson that was necessary for that day and McGonagall gave her, her catch up work.

Lunch was nice and quiet. Mail came and her parents wrote to her asking how she was settling in and writing a quick reply and sent it back with Romeo, their owl had brought it to him. After sending that she read her books and took her notes and when lunch was over, she went to the next of her classes. Astronomy was her last class before dinner and that was interesting, they learned how things connect with the way the sky acts. She adores this school and the classes.

At dinner the same thing happened as the past two nights. She talked with Sirius, his friend, James, kept staring Remus and Peter were talking to her tonight and they seemed pretty great. And then she went to her friends overhearing Sirius say as she did.

“Mate she’s a girl. Not a kelpie, try talking to her at some point yeah?”

She just shrugged it off, but the question; why doesn’t James talk to me? Rang through her head.

After dinner they all went to bed and once in their dorm her and her new friends all chatted and laughed together. Séraphine was braiding her hair again, when the conversation turned to her.

“How’d you like your first two days?” Lily asked Séraphine as the girl sat on her bed.

“It was great! This school is amazing, thank you for asking.”

“Of course, glad you love it here.” Lily smiled and Marlene and Mary sat on their beds looking at them.

“Does that mean you’ll be staying?” Marlene asked.

“Hopefully yes. I would like that.” She laughed. She tied her hair with a ribbon and looked at them all. “Honestly, it’s better here than Beauxbatons. I've already made friends and it’s my first day and no one has snubbed me off. This is truly a breath of fresh air.”

“That’s what it’s like at Beauxbatons?” Mary asked. “They snub each other off?”

“Yes, it’s all the girls do, only two of the girls I met there were cool and they were my friends. Marionette and Adrionna. You would like them. But back to the main point, yes, they do that.”

“Well, it’s a rich school there. In France, do they have the same laws as in America? Like you can’t marry muggles-” Marlene started.

“Muggles?” She asked in a confused tone, her French accent not liking the feel of the word.

“Oh, forgot they’re called non-magique in France, but there you can’t marry them can you?”

“Oh no, it’s kind of frowned upon. I mean you can but the child must attend a different school. Beauxbatons don't allow half-blooded girls. Yet they allow Halfbreeds…”

“Meaning?” Mary asked intrigued.

“I’m part Veela, on my mother’s side. I’m a halfbreed and many of the girls at Beauxbatons are too. So, they allow halfbreeds. It’s kind of more open but still weird they don’t allow half-bloods.”

“That is strange. That doesn't seem fair.” Mary frowned.

“Like I said, they snub off fair. It is what it is, I’m glad I got expelled from there.”

“Oh- EXPELLED?” Lily asked in awe.

“Oui, I put hair dye in one of my bully’s shampoo, her hair will be pink for ages.” She smirked. Marlene laughed in approval.

“I like you.” She said laughing still.

“You and James would get on nicely, he’s a talent for pranks like that himself, poor Severus.” Lily stated.

James? Hates me. Well I think he does, he never talks to me.

“James?”

“Yeah, James Potter, he’s an interesting chap.” Malene said and that last name surprised Séraphine.

“‘Potter’? Like Fleamont Potter, like the man who makes those hair gels here in England?”

“Yeah that’s his dad, though his grandfather made the business. How do you know about him?”

“His dad/grandad made those hair products?! His grandad’s products were a huge help to my prank.” Séraphine laughed.

Thinking about it, maybe that’s how I could talk to him?

“Wow, he did the same thing with his dad’s products to Severus, that’s why his dad started an un-hexable gel line. That girl at your school must still be using the hexable one.”

“Wow, that’s interesting…”

“Well if you two ever become friends make sure you get him to apologize to some people, he’s quite the prankster, and he’s pranked a few of the wrong people. Like my friend Severus.”

“Who’s Severus?”

“He’s a Slytherin, him and Lily grew up together that’s why she cares for him so.” Mary laughed.

“Ah, okay.” Séraphine nodded.

So some of the Slytherin are nice…?

“Yeah, he’s nice, I’ll have to introduce you two. At some point for now it’s late. We should get some sleep.” Lily said.

This truly was nice and fun.

She LOVES this school.

Friday:

That morning Séraphine woke up and did as she has been for the past few days. Got up, did her morning routine, got dressed and then went to breakfast.

After breakfast she had to go to potions. She found this quite fun, Lily brought her, and she partnered with Lily and her friend Severus. He did seem quite interesting; he knew a lot about potions. They even succeeded in the task first, which was nice.

After Potions she again had Care of Magical Creatures. Then Herbology and after taking care of a snapping plant she finally got to go to Lunch.

Lunch was fun. Sirius jumped onto his seat and was singing a song at Remus. Remus was yelling at him telling him to get down and Peter and James were laughing, but the latter stopped when he saw Séraphine looking at all of them, blushing profusely as he looked down. Then McGonagall was spelling Sirius off his perch and giving him attention after taking five points from Gryffindor.

“It’s the point scale, whichever house has the most points wins the house cup, we’ve won the Quidditch cup already though.” Lily explained. “So I don’t think we need the House cup again.”

“Oh, okay.” the black-haired girl muttered understanding.

By the time lunch was over she had Study Hall. She was led to the library by her friends and some other students were going too. She put out her books she hadn’t learned much about and started taking her notes. Wrote her needed essays and when she was stumped on something she got up asking Lily to tell her where the Astrology books are. Lily told her and she made her way to the area.

She was looking around and found it grabbing it and looking down at it as she walked, she clashed with someone who ran into the isle she was in.

“OW!” she said a little loudly, hearing a few shushes around them, she had fallen. She picked up her book and heard a low grunt as someone else had fallen.

“Sorry I didn’t mean to hit ya-” the one who grunted said but when he stopped, he gasped and stumbled as he was trying to get up. “Ow.” A book fell on his hand because he stumbled.

She looked towards the voice and was shocked, James. “Oh, y-you’re fine I should’ve been looking where I was going. Are you alright?” She said as he stood again, he was tall, taller than her, just a little bit. Then again, he might grow; they are only 13-14 at the moment.

“Ha, yeah all good thanks I’m a clutz a-are you? Seems ya fell pretty hard.”

“I’ve had worse if you’d believe it.” She laughed.

His heart raced at the sound but he nodded. “Yeah- uh so Astronomy you like stars?”

“Yes, but this is for class. What brought you to this area?”

“Uh-” He thought for a second, he didn't remember he looked around and then at where he came through. “I don’t remember.” He said and then he ran back from wherever he came. She tilted her head and went out the same way, him, Sirius, Remus, and Peter were on the other side of the shelves. She gave James a weird look as he ran past her and back to that spot. “Figured it out!” He said happily as he passed her.

“Sirius.” She started and he looked up at her. “Votre ami est étrange. Mignon, mais étrange.” He smiled. She knew he spoke French, they wrote their letter in French, also his family is descended from France.
(Your friend is strange. Cute, but strange.)

“Je sais. Il pense la même chose de vous, excluez la partie bizarre.” She tilted her head at that answer. The blush that was on her cheeks was small but she felt it.

(I know. He thinks the same of you, exclude the weird part.)

“Si tu le dis.” She laughed and went back to where her friends were looking at James one last time when he went back to his table.
(If you say so.)

After about an hour and a half of studying they all started classes again. 

All she thought about for some reason was how weird James was being, and then Sirius’ comment.

You’re Veela of course he thinks you’re pretty, remember what mother said?

As being part Veela, she was blessed with beauty that would only grow. But cursed with that Veela charm that could make any man fall in love with her, well, men who are interested in women, and who she takes interest in. And that hurt to have to think one day her love probably won’t be true. 

There’s still a chance of real love.

She just shook off all the thoughts of James and went through her day. At dinner she gave quick glances at him but after a few minutes she stopped. Then for the remainder of it just talked to her friends.

That night she laid in bed and tried not to think about it. She just slept thinking about how great her week was, how great this school is.

She is just looking forward to the future here.

Saturday:

That day Séraphine woke up, got ready, went to breakfast, and then just went outside.

She wanted to study and read. 

So she set her books around her and started studying. Once she needed a break she stopped and rested against the tree she was seated near.

Watching the grounds she just watched as people ran around, heard the laughter of students, and the singing of birds. All of it was sweet and melodic, she was at peace here.

“Miss Achard.” She heard a high pitched Scottish accented voice above her. McGonagall's voice. She looked up and stood up.

“Oh Professor!” She said smiling.

“I know this must be an off time to ask this of you but Professor Dumbledore has asked to see you. Would you follow me? I will allow  you to grab your books first.”

This slightly worried Séraphine.

Why does the headmaster want to see me?

She picked up her books and put them into her bag. She followed Professor McGonagall as the older woman rushed up the hill and towards the school.

“P-Professor, did I do something? Why am I being called upon?”

McGonagall looked at her, “Oh no, no, he’s just asking to check in, you are a transfer student after all.” She gave a small, kind smile.

Séraphine sighed and followed soon reaching a huge griffin statue. She heard McGonagall mutter a password and then stairs appeared.

“He’ll be waiting in his office, no rush dear,” she smiled and left. Séraphine liked the Transfiguration professor, she was nice.

She walked up the steps and ascended to the headmaster’s office and when she reached the oak doors she just walked in. After taking a breath of course. She walked in and saw gadgets, portraits, cabinets of potion ingredients, and a huge desk. Then next to the desk she saw a big huge bird, it was unnaturally large but she knew she recognized this type of bird. She stared at it. Noticing most of its feathers had disappeared she, if she didn’t know what it is, would’ve normally felt bad for the poor creature, but she knew they’re fine.

“I see you’re interested in Fawkes, Ms. Achard.” A voice came from above.

She jumped back and knocked into the desk. “Professor! Oh I’m sorry!” She picked up the trinkets she knocked over and tried putting them on the desk but they kept falling off and he finally waved a hand.

“My dear, it’s fine, please calm down,” He waved his hand again in a different motion and the objects fixed themselves. He gave a small warm smile, like a grandfather to his grandchild. “You seem nervous Ms. Achard.” He said moving to his desk now to sit.

“Well- a little bit, I mean you’re the headmaster sir.” She said politely.

“Yet you were never, from my understanding, nervous around Madame Maxime?” He said looking over his half moon glasses at her, his eyes twinkling with knowledge.

She looked down laughing. “No, sir, I wasn’t…” she truly wasn't, yeah those punishments weren’t great, and she’s powerful. But Madame Maxime could never match Albus Dumbledore’s power. She read everything about this school, and its history before she came to it, and on the train. He defeated Gellert Grindelwald, him, Newt and Theseus Scamander, and a non-magique named Jacob Kowlaski, and many others.

So yes, she’s nervous.

He chuckles. “Well, no need to be. Now, I called you here for a reason.” He said, looking at her still.

“To check in how my classes were, yes?” She asked.

“Yes, to see how your classes are, how you’re settling in?”

“Oh they are excellent sir. I quite enjoy them.” She nodded happily. “And I’ve already made friends in my house and in classes.”

“Good, good, very good. I’m glad you’re enjoying your time here.” He smiled widely, “glad you’ve made some friends as well. And I hope you know Miss Achard.” He stood again and waved his hand.

She watched him carefully.

“Help, if you need it, shall always be given at Hogwarts if you need it. And I hope you do not hesitate to seek it if need be.” He lowered his head and looked over his half-moon spectacles at her. “Now you may leave to go back to your studies. I know you have much to catch up on.” He chuckled.

She nodded and started thinking more about his words. ‘Help, shall always be given at Hogwarts.’

She smiled. “Thank you, sir. Pleasure meeting you sir.” She gave a nod and walked to the door leaving holding onto her bag.

Séraphine walked through the halls and went back outside to her tree. Finding solace, she started her work again. Then at dinner time went back with her books and sat with her friends, her mind hovering over her conversation with the headmaster again and again.