╰┈➤ ❝ [𝑃𝑅𝑂𝐿𝑂𝐺𝑈𝐸] ❞ೄྀ࿐ ˊˎ-
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Beauxbatons Academy of Magic
- Pyrenees Mountains, France.
( October 1994. )

(Dialogue is in French, but I'm not writing an entire chapter in French and then translating it so it's in English. But imagine they're speaking French and the subtitles are on or something idk.)

𝓣he crisp mountain air filtered through the open windows, carrying the scent of pine and frost. The Papillonlisse dormitory was alive with the sounds of bustling trunks, the rustle of silken robes, and the occasional burst of laughter.

Delphine Devereaux sat cross-legged on her neatly made bed, a soft frown creasing her forehead as she folded her favorite periwinkle colored cloak. Her fingers moved methodically, yet her thoughts were elsewhere.

"Delphine, you've been staring at that cloak for ages," Fleur Delacour teased, her French accent laced with humor. She stood by her own bed, her silver-blonde hair cascading down her back like a river of moonlight. Fleur's trunk was already fully-packed, its contents folded with her signature precision and elegance.

Delphine glanced up, offering a small smile. "I'm just... making sure I haven't forgotten anything."

Fleur's knowing gaze lingered. "Or you're thinking too much, as usual."

"Both," Delphine admitted with a quiet laugh.

On the far side of the room, Camille Dubois let out a loud, exaggerated groan, her head buried in her trunk. "Can someone please explain why we have to pack for an entire school term? Hogwarts better be worth it. It's my last year."

"It will be," Élodie Lemione chimed in from her perch on a nearby chair, her legs crossed elegantly. "It's not every day we get to witness the Triwizard Tournament firsthand. You'll survive, Camille."

Genevieve Fontaine flopped onto her bed dramatically, holding up a shimmering silver scarf. "Survive? Well personally, I'll thrive. Rumor has it the boys at Hogwarts are utterly dreamy."

Élodie rolled her eyes. "Genevieve, they'r boys, not fairy tale princes. Try not to embarrass us."

Genevieve gasped, clutching her scarf to her chest. "Embarrass? Moi? Never."

"Never say never," Camille muttered as she tried to force her trunk shut, sitting on it for good measure. "Knowing you, you'll fall in love within the first week."

"And what's wrong with that?" Genevieve shot back, tossing her scarf dramatically over one shoulder.

Delphine chuckled softly, letting the familiar rhythm of their banter settle her nerves. But a faint hum at the edge of her thoughts drew her attention. It wasn't a sound, not exactly-it was the familiar flicker of a stray thought of another slipping through her untrained Legilimency. The words weren't clear, more like a muffled melody, but the emotion was unmistakable: excitement mixed with apprehension.

She closed her eyes briefly, trying to block it out. She hated reading other's minds, it wasn't something she did on purpose, it wasn't conclusion, it would just happen - but she still felt as if she was somehow invading someone's privacy, even if by accident.

"Delphine?" Fleur's voice broke through, softer now. "Are you all right?"

Delphine blinked, her cheeks coloring slightly. "Oui, I'm fine."

Fleur gave her a pointed look but said nothing. She knew better than to push when Delphine was overwhelmed. Instead, she crossed the room and sat beside her, their shoulders brushing. "You know you can tell me anything, n'est-ce pas?"

Delphine's lips curved into a genuine smile. "I know."

"Is this about...?" Fleur lowered her voice, glancing briefly at the others.

Delphine hesitated, then nodded. "It's getting harder to block out the thoughts. There's too much... noise."

"We'll figure it out," Fleur promised, her voice steady. "Together."

Meanwhile, Camille finally managed to close her trunk with a triumphant grin. "There! Done. Now, who wants to help me charm my books to weigh less?"

Genevieve raised her hand eagerly. "Only if you let me borrow that gold bracelet of yours."

"Deal," Camille said, already digging through her jewelry box.

Élodie smirked. "And people say we're competitive about academics. You two are worse with accessories."

"Accessories make the outfit," Genevieve declared, holding up the bracelet victoriously. "And if I'm going to Hogwarts, I intend to be unforgettable."

Delphine glanced out the window, her gaze fixed on the snow-dusted peaks in the distance. A gust of wind stirred the curtains, as though the mountains themselves were urging her forward.

"What are you thinking, Delphine?" Fleur asked softly, her tone gentle but curious as she studied her friend's faraway expression.

Delphine hesitated, her eyes lingering on the snow-dusted peaks in the distance before shifting back to Fleur. "I'll tell you later," she said quietly, her voice steady despite the slight unease curling in her chest.

Fleur arched a perfectly shaped brow, her lips curving into a small, skeptical smile. "Promise?"

"Promise," Delphine replied, her smile more certain this time. And with that, she turned back to her half-packed trunk, letting the rhythmic chatter of her friends fill the room once more.