Hadrian yawned as he opened his eyes, and stared at the ceiling. He jumped out of bed at a realization. Today was the day that his Père was going to bring him to Vallée de la Lune in order to buy his school supplies. He quickly got dressed in the outfit his Père had helped him pick out the night before; a simple, but elegant set of shopping robes that "fit their status as the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black," according to his Père. The robes were a little stuffy, but all Hadrian would have to do is ask, and a spell would be placed to prevent that.
Hadrian checked his reflection in the mirror. Ever since the ritual two weeks ago, he had kept noticing differences in his appearance. His hair had gone from a rich chocolately brown to the pitch black that was a staple of the Black Family, and it was no longer an untamable birds nest, but instead he had soft hair that curled around his face elegantly, just like his Père and he couldn't stop looking at it. His skin was also that same ghostly pale, that almost looked sickly, that made him look like a mini Regulus, Panda's words not his. He missed his darker skin tone since now he wasn't allowed to play outside in the garden as much. His Père told him that his skin would start burning. Hadrian also noticed little brown dots all over his cheeks and arms that Panda called freckles. Draco said that they were cute, so Hadrian decided that he really liked them. The only thing that stayed the same were his eyes. One bright green that seemed to glow in the dark, and the other was a very pale green eye that was almost white. Well, he also still had the giant scar on the left side of his face.
Hadrian heard a knock on his door, and excitedly said, "Entrez !" Come in!
His bedroom door clicked open softly, Regulus walked in. He stopped in the doorway, and asked, a smile playing on his lips, "Tu es presque prêt ? Pandora devrait arriver d'un instant à l'autre." Are you almost ready? Pandora should be here any moment.
Hadrian jumped up and down, excited that Auntie Panda, well she wasn't his aunt she was his godmother but anyway, was going with them. Luney had really been missing her Mère, since she had been at the manor to help build their bond as Life and Death Companions, and would be super excited to see Pandora.
Hadrian said, "Allons-y ! ... Oh, les robes sont étouffantes. Tu peux arranger ça ?" Lets go!…Oh, robes are stuffy! Can you fix it?"
Regulus chuckled softly, before walking over to Hadrian, and wandlessly muttered a spell under his breath. Instantly, Hadrian felt the robes loosen around him, allowing air to flow through them. The change wouldn't be visible to the naked eye, so they didn't have to worry about people staring.
Regulus walked back towards the door, turned his head to the side to speak behind him, and said, "Allez, descendons. Luna est déjà en train de prendre son petit-déjeuner. Tu ne voudras pas faire des heures de shopping l'estomac vide." Come on. Let's go downstairs. Luna is already eating breakfast. You won't want to be doing hours of shopping on an empty stomach.
"Come on, Row! We're going downstairs."
Hadrian ran after him as he left the room, and Row followed closely behind him. Regulus stopped a few feet into the hallway, and turned around. With a mischievous smile, he picked up Hadrian, and Hadrian squirmed in his arms.
"Père!" Papa! Hadrian whined, "Je peux marcher ! Pose-moi par terre ! Tu n'as pas besoin de me porter partout ! Je ne suis pas un bébé !" I know how to walk!—Put me down!—You don't have to carry me around!—Im not a baby!
Regulus just smiled, clearly amused by Hadrian's plea, and said softly, "Je sais que je n'ai plus besoin de te porter. Mais j'en ai envie. Tu vas bientôt partir à l'école, et je ne pourrai plus te serrer dans mes bras quand tu seras là-bas. Laisse-moi profiter de ces moments tant que je le peux encore." I know that I don't need to carry you around anymore. But I want to. You will be going off to school soon, and I won't be able to hold you while you're there. Let me have this while I can.
Hadrian stopped squirming, and let Regulus carry him downstairs. He didn't want his Père to be sad. Regulus's smile widened into a grin, and he held Hadrian tighter. As they reached the steps, Regulus whispered, "Merci" Thank you, into Hadrian's black hair.
Hadrian lifted his head off of his Père shoulder, and said with a smile, "Tu ne peux pas être triste, père ! Je ne te le permettrai pas !" You can't be sad, Papa! I won't allow it.
They walked down the stairs in silence. Regulus carried Hadrian into the dining room, and sat down at the head of the table with Hadrian in his lap.
"Morning Hadrian," Luna said dreamily, "Mama will be here in 3…2…1…"
Just as she said one, the wards cracked open with a familiar magickal presence of Panda's magick. Hadrian climbed down from Regulus's lap, and ran out into the entrance hall. He open the front door, and grabbed Pandora's hand before she had time to react. He closed the door behind her, and dragged her behind him as he ran back into the dining room. Hadrian ran back over to his smiling Père and lifted his arms. Regulus chuckled softly as he put Hadrian back on his lap.
Pandora watched this happen from the doorway, with an amused expression, and said as she sat down on the right side of Regulus, opposite her daughter, "Someone is excited this morning."
Hadrian grabbed one of the chocolate filled croissant, took a bite, and said, "Puis-je revoir la liste ? S'il vous plaît !" Can I look at the list again? Please!
Pandora raised an eyebrow at that, and Regulus explained, "Hadrian a regardé la liste des fournitures scolaires trois fois par jour depuis que nous l'avons reçue." Hadrian has looked at the school supplies list three times every day since we received it.
Regulus handed him the list, and Hadrian tuned them out.
Fournitures scolaires obligatoires pour les élèves de première année - - Required School Supplies For First Year Students
Trois ensembles de robes décontractées - - Three Sets of Casual Robes
Un ensemble de robes de cérémonie/de bal - - One Set of Formal/Dance Robes
Trois ensembles de robes scolaires - - Three Sets of School Robes
Un livre des ombres - - One Book of Shadows
Un jeu de cinq plumes - - One Set of Five Quills
Deux encriers - - Two Inkpots
Un livre en parchemin - - One Book of Parchment
Un assortiment d'herbes aromatiques pour débutants - - One Set of Starter Herbs
Deux jeux de petites bougies multicolores - - Two Sets of Mini Multicolored Candles
Livres obligatoires - - Required Books:
Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers (Volume 1) by Jessica Roux
The Wheel of the Year: An Illustrated Guide to Nature's Rhythms by Fiona Cook
Witchcraft: A Graphic History: Stories of wise women, healers and magic by Lindsay Squire
The Compendium of Magical Beasts: An Anatomical Study of Cryptozoology's Most Elusive Beings by Dr. Veronica Wigberht-Blackwater
How to Be Normal: A Guide for the Perplexed by Guy Browning
—Tous les livres doivent être achetés chez The Unrepentant Shadow, dans la Vallée de la Lune - -All books must be purchased at The Unrepentant Shadow in the Valley of the Moon- -
Hadrian eyes roamed over the parchment. It was written in both French and English.
"Père, que signifie « impénitent » ?" Papa, what does "un-re-pent-ant" mean? Regulus looked over from where he was talking to Pandora, and saw Hadrian's ever curious eyes looking at him.
"Impenitent ?" Unrepentant? Regulus asked for clarification. Hadrian nodded, eager to learn something new. Regulus broke into a grin as he explained, "« Sans remords » signifie « sans regret ». Il s'agit d'une personne qui n'éprouve aucun regret pour ses actes." 'Unrepentant' means 'without remorse'. It is someone who doesn't feel sorry for their actions.
"Alors, ils ont fait quelque chose de mal ?" So, they did something wrong? Hadrian said, a small frown playing on his lip.
Regulus seemed to think for a moment before he said, "Pas nécessairement. Cela signifie simplement qu'ils ne s'excuseront pas lorsqu'on leur reprochera quelque chose." Not necessarily. It just means that they won't say sorry when accused of something.
Hadrian's face lit up as he exclaimed, "Aimez-nous !" Like us!
Regulus nodded before looking at Hadrian full plate and saying, "Tu dois finir ton repas. Nous allons bientôt partir." You need to finish your food. We will be leaving shortly.
Hadrian nodded, and started shoveling food into his mouth.
"Slow down," Pandora said, shortly, "You will choke."
Hadrian slowed down, and finished eating a few minutes later. He jumped down from Regulus's lap, and grabbed his hand, dragging him to the door. Luna followed behind him, a bounce in her step as she moved.
They walked to the floo room, and Regulus said, "N'oubliez pas, l'endroit s'appelle Vallée de la Lune." Remember, the place is called Vallèe de la Lune.
Hadrian nodded excitedly, and grabbed a handful of the blue powder, and stepped into the fireplace. He waited for the others to grab some as well, and they all spoke at the same time, saying, "Vallèe de la Lune."
A beautiful blue fire erupted underneath them, and Hadrian squeezed his eyes shut. This was his first time leaving the manor. He heard distant voices, all around him, some whispering, some screaming. He felt a knot twist in his stomach, and he was suddenly able to feel the ground around him. When he opened his eyes, he was sitting on the ground, and Luna was hugging him tightly. He blinked, confused, and asked, "Luney ? Que s'est-il passé ? Pourquoi tu me serres dans tes bras comme ça ?" Luney? What happened? Why are you hugging me like that?
Luna separated from him to look at his face, and said, "You fell. You fell, and then you weren't responding. I thought that the whispers had taken you away."
"Je vais bien." I'm okay. Hadrian said, before jumping up. He immediately lost him balance, and Regulus steadied him. "Merci, Père !" Thanks, Papa!
Regulus checked to make sure that he hadn't hurt himself when he fell, and then smile down at him.
"Hadri?" Luna asked, and Hadrian looked in her direction, "Can you feel that?"
Hadrian hadn't been paying much attention, but then the air around him was sparking with magickal energy. The energy wrapped itself around his body, and it felt like it was hugging him. Hadrian giggled, and everyone turned to look at him with wide eyes. It was then that he noticed that the magick seemed to be only doing that with him. As if scolded, the magick separated from him, and floated in a loose bubble around him.
Regulus quickly grabbed his hand, and they all walked out of the cafe. Hadrian blinked as he looked at the alley. Tall buildings rose up on either side of a long winding street. The buildings seemed to be made of crystal, which gleamed and sparkled in the morning sunlight. Witches, both men and women, girls and boys, walked up and down the twisted roads, laughing with friends and family. Many school aged witches, ages 4 to 17, were weaving in and out of shop, trying to buy all of their school supplies.
Magical creatures of numerous kinds walked freely through the streets. Hadrian tilted his head curiously as he saw people who didn't move the magic in the air. They were looking around in wonder as if magic was a novel concept. Magic thrummed in the air, dancing around the group as they arrived at Le Fil fantôme.
As they walked in, the tailor looked up, and bright smile crossed her face. She said, "Regulus Black, mon client préféré ! Qu'est-ce qui vous amène dans ma modeste boutique en cette belle matinée ?" Regulus Back, my favorite client! What brings you to my humble shop on this fine morning?
"Bonjour, Annabella." Morning, Annabella. Regulus chuckled softly, and placed on hand on Hadrian's shoulder, guiding him forward. He said, his tone light, "J'ai besoin d'un essayage pour mon fils, Hadrian. Il aura besoin de cinq ensembles de robes d'école, ainsi que de dix ensembles de robes décontractées et dix ensembles de robes formelles." I need a fitting for my son, Hadrian. He will need five sets of school robes, as well as ten sets of casual robes and ten set of formal robes.
Annabella hummed as she circled Hadrian, and said, "Vous voulez nos soies de la plus haute qualité ?" You want our highest quality silks?
Regulus looked her dead in the eye, and deadpanned, "Est-ce vraiment une question ?" Is that even a question?
"Je vérifie juste." Just checking. Annabella said, seemingly satisfied with her analysis of Hadrian, "Y a-t-il autre chose dont vous avez besoin avant de commencer ?" Is there anything else you need before we start?
"Oui, en fait." Yes, actually. Regulus said, just remembering, "J'ai également besoin des mêmes pièces pour Luna, ici." I also need those same pieces for Luna, here.
Annabella nodded, and said, "Bon, commençons par faire des essais de couleurs pour déterminer celles qui vous vont le mieux à tous les deux. Suivez-moi." Okay, let's begin with color swatching to figure out which colors look best on you two. Follow me.
She lead to a corner of the shop, which had mirrors lining the walls, and comfortable looking chairs stood in front of them. She had them sit in the chairs, and placed pieces of silky fabric over their shoulders. She switched back and forth between different color combinations, pointing out whether or not the color worked with their skin tones, eyes, and hair.
Hadrian found that he looked best in dark greens, which brought out the color in his eye. Pale green, which seemed to make his pale green eye glow. Deep blue and an almost black purple, which contrasted well with his light skin tone. They tried warmer tones, such as reds and oranges, but they made his eyes look dull.
Luna was almost the complete opposite. She also looked better in cool tones, but dark colors made her look like a ghost. She looked best in pale greens, pale blues, pale pinks, and pale purples. Both Hadrian and Luna looked the best with silver, not gold.
After deciding on the colors, they each picked out three styles of casual robes, and Regulus said, "Réalisez dix paires de chaque modèle." Make ten pairs of each style.
Annabella nodded, and they moved onto the formal robes. Luna and Hadrian both picked out ten different styles, all from a sketchbook of designs that haven't been turned into outfits, knowing that formal robes had to be one of a kind.
Once they had picked out their styles, Annabella brought them over to a raised circular platform. She had them stepped onto it, and began taking their measurements. After that, she smiled, and clasped her hands together, asking, "Ce serait tout pour aujourd'hui ?" Would that be all for today?
Regulus nodded, "Bien sûr. C'est tout ce dont nous avons besoin aujourd'hui." Of course. That is all we need today.
"Parfait !" Perfect! Annabella exclaimed, and lead them to the front of the shop. The bell rang, and shop door opened. A girl walked in, pale skin and hair that kinda reminded Hadrian of Draco, holding the hand of her Mère. She was in a simple, yet high quality set of robes, with little flames embroidered on the hem of the skirt. Annabella looked over as they entered, and said, "Ravi de vous voir, Lady Delacour. Je serai à votre disposition dans un instant, dès que j'aurai fini d'aider Lord Black." Good to see you, Lady Delacour. I will be with you shortly, after I finish helping Lord Black.
Lady Delacour nodded gracefully, and her daughter stood at her side. Hadrian turned back to his Père as Regulus placed his Black Onyx Lordship Ring on the pad. Regulus had explained to Hadrian that doing so allowed money to be directed taken from their vault as payment.
"Passez une excellente journée et une excellente année scolaire ! Lord Black. Héritier Black. Lady Lovegood. Héritière Lovegood." Have a wonderful day, and school year! Lord Black. Heir Black. Lady Lovegood. Heir Lovegood. Annabella said, naming them in order of status of house.
Hadrian grabbed on his Père's hand, and the four of them left the shop.
As the door was closing, Hadrian heard as Lady Delacour said to Annabella, "Merci de nous avoir reçus aujourd'hui, Annabella. Ma chère Fleur a besoin d'une toute nouvelle garde-robe avant la rentrée scolaire." Thank you for getting us in today, Annabella. My sweet Fleur needs a whole new set of robes before school starts.