Argus Filch grumbled slightly. What on Earth was wrong with McGonogal? Sending two 11 year olds into a dark forest at night. He looked behind him to make certain that the two children were still following him. They stopped at the front doors and Argus pressed a button on a wrist console. The children looked surprised. He was about to explain where the portal led when there was the distinct clicking of heels on stone. Argus looked about to see Professor McGonogal bringing a blonde boy in Slytherin robes towards him. Professor McGonogal spoke up “Mr. Filch, I have one more student for the detention tonight, Draco Malfoy. He was also caught out after curfew. I thought I told you that the detention was with Hagrid in the forest tonight. What’s this?” McGonogal gestured to the portal.
A young red headed woman stepped from the portal. McGonogal thought she was a Weasley at first. Ivy looked at Argus and smiled “I’m sorry to keep you up late, Argus. What was it that needed my attention?” Ivy looked at the children in front of her and smiled. Argus sighed “Ivy. These three were caught up after curfew a couple nights ago. Professor McGonogal thought it best to assign them detention in the Forbidden Forest for tonight.” Ivy looked at the tall Scotswoman. The look Ivy gave McGonogal made her feel something that she hadn’t felt in years, fear. Ivy growled “What were you thinking? Sending three 11 year olds into a known dangerous environment with barely any supervision or a way to defend themselves? Hagrid is a Prince of a man, but, he can’t handle a detention in a forest. You dissapoint me.” Ivy sent two of the children through the portal, a boy with a scar on his forehead and a girl with bushy brown hair.
Ivy turned to Argus “Argus, you mentioned something would be of interest to me for my Art Collection, what is it?” Argus grinned “A lost work by Diego Velasquez. It was in a hallway lined with paintings. I think you will recognize the subject.” Ivy looked at the painting that Argus brought out from a hiding place “It can’t be. I thought it was lost forever.” Ivy had tears in her eyes as she hugged Argus. Ivy smiled slightly “Thank you for finding this. It’s the one painting that Zach and I have been searching for. Even Carmen has looked for this to no avail. Don’t worry about the children that went through the C5. When you contacted me, I made arrangements for them.” Argus smiled at Ivy “What about this one?” Ivy looked at Draco “Since he’s a first year, why not make him write lines?” Ivy looked tired all of a sudden “Being owner of a school with an unfortunate teaching record from the last decade can be tiring. Argus, I am placing you in charge of things along with Pomona Sprout until Ragnok and I can sort out the mess.”
Ivy hugged her friend and walked through the portal. She saw Harry Potter and Hermione Granger admiring several paintings she had hung in her office. Ivy smiled “Impressive, aren’t they? I love collecting various paintings from the time of the Italian Renaissance and the Spanish Golden Age.” The two children watched as Ivy hung up the painting that Argus gave her. Harry looked at it and blushed scarlet. Hermione looked at it in surprise. The painting was of a nude red headed woman. She appeared to be relaxing while laying on a bed and looking at a chess set while holding a Chess Queen. The most striking thing about the young woman was her face, she looked just like Ivy!
Ivy saw Harry and Hermione’s reactions and smiled “This painting was certainly fun to pose for. It’s from Diego’s youth. It was actually the first painting of his with a live human as a model. Why he picked me, I am still uncertain.” Harry and Hermione looked at Ivy in shock. Ivy slapped her forehead and laughed. She ended up retailing the duo with the story of how she met Diego Velazquez and posed for one of his most famous works. Ivy smiled at the two “The painting is called The Caissa. Now, you two have just served your detention. I have a suite of rooms set aside for you since it is so late. I am also aware of your treatment by your so called housemates.” Harry and Hermione looked sad at that. Ivy looked at them “Not to worry. Everything will work itself out.”
Ivy walked the two to their suite in the resort section of Beauxbatons. Ivy thought it funny that Hermione didn’t seem to recognize any of the statues they passed as being from the Beauxbatons brochure that was delivered to her family. Ivy bid the two goodnight and made her way to Olympe Maxime’s office. Ivy looked at her friend and smiled “I think that Harry Potter and Hermione Granger will become two of the finest students that Beauxbatons has ever seen.” Olympe smiled “Indeed. How did the “detention” go?” Ivy smiled “It went well. I wonder if I can lure Argus ver to Beauxbatons with the promise of a position as Art Historian?” Ivy handed Olympe a Rocky Patel Aged Limited Rare cigar and lit one up for herself. These next few years would be very interesting.