N/A: I was setting up the chapters to be uploaded automatically —the 15 advanced ones I have— and I realized one got left out, the one for tomorrow, of all things. Redoing everything feels like such a hassle, so I'm giving you another chapter today as a gift.
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"Exchange students, this way!" shouted Luciel, now dressed in the Beauxbatons uniform.
He wore a soft blue vest over a perfectly pressed white shirt, with a tie of the same shade and matching trousers. His dress shoes gleamed with elegance under the sunlight.
The cape seemed to be optional: short, sky–blue, and with embroidered edges. Some students preferred to wear instead a blue blazer with golden buttons at the front, similar to a formal suit, though lighter and more comfortable. The outfit gave off an air of refinement and distinction, highlighting the students' neat appearance.
The female students, for their part, wore a one–piece blue dress, elegant yet modest, to which they could add a blazer identical to the men's. The attire was crowned with a small blue hat, placed gracefully over carefully combed hair. The result was an ensemble that radiated discipline and beauty.
Hermione and Daphne, upon seeing it, hurried ahead at a small trot. Draco and Harry, on the other hand, merely shook their heads and walked calmly, observing how more Hogwarts students had also arrived at Beauxbatons.
"Hey, guys!"
The voice came from afar. Turning around, they saw Pandora and Selene waving their arms enthusiastically in greeting. Both had come to accompany Luna and Astoria, since first–year students had the privilege of bringing their parents to see the place where they would study.
Harry and Draco waved back, though Hermione and Daphne seemed too absorbed to notice. Luna and Astoria stood in the same line as them, for although they would be studying at Beauxbatons that year, the following one they would return to Hogwarts with the rest.
The two little girls smiled brightly at seeing them, while Harry noticed the group of Hogwarts students gathering around.
"The Weasleys," Draco muttered at the sight of the row of red heads before turning his gaze away with indifference.
Harry recognized them as well, though soon his attention shifted to other students. Among them were some from Slytherin and several from Hufflepuff.
"Hey! You're here too?" said Terry Boot upon seeing them, smiling with delight at finding his roommates in the same school. At his side were Michael Corner and Anthony Goldstein.
For some reason, Harry noticed that most of the exchange students were boys rather than girls. It seemed the slots had filled up far too quickly, which didn't surprise him, especially knowing Terry and his friends.
"You chose Beauxbatons because of the girls, didn't you?" Draco asked, narrowing his eyes at Terry.
"Ha! Of course not," Terry replied, glancing away. "It's the closest school."
Draco raised an eyebrow in disbelief and then looked at the other two, who quickly turned their gazes in different directions, trying to avoid his eyes.
After all, Beauxbatons was famous for having far more female than male students. It was common for families to send their daughters there to learn etiquette and optional arts, subjects of high prestige across the wizarding world.
"And how are you planning to speak French if you don't even know it?" Harry asked with a mocking smile.
The Hogwarts students glanced at one another, realizing it was a very valid point. It was as if only now the thought had occurred to them.
Luciel, who was watching everything from the front, turned to Harry and raised an eyebrow, silently asking if he was serious.
Harry approached him and, with a smile, handed him a small bag full of objects while whispering something to him.
"So you're our guide or something like that," he remarked.
"Well, I'm the one who speaks English best among the students… plus, I earn extra points," Luciel replied with a radiant smile that immediately drew the enchanted gazes of several girls entering through the castle doors. Hermione and Daphne were not the only ones impressed.
"All right, come here. I'll give you these translation accessories. Use them to speak and understand French," he explained, extending the bag.
Harry nodded, and everyone stepped forward to take an item. There were necklaces, pendants, and rings, all finely crafted.
"They're truly fascinating," Luciel murmured with interest as he picked one up.
"My mother created them, knowing there would be problems," Harry explained with a smile.
"Ah, if it was her, that makes sense," Luciel said, though his words made Harry raise an eyebrow in confusion. He shouldn't have known about Wanda.
"Well then, with these it will be easier. This school is like any other… follow me."
Luciel began guiding them, and the group fell into line behind him.
As soon as they crossed the Beauxbatons gates, a stone path welcomed them, flanked by rows of enchanted flowers that seemed to glow softly under the light. The air was filled with a fresh and sweet fragrance. The path led to a grand fountain in front of the castle.
"This is the Fountain of Good Fortune," Luciel explained. "It stands in the main gardens and was donated by Nicolas Flamel himself, in gratitude for the academy's legacy. It possesses healing and calming properties, making it one of the school's most treasured gifts. Since then, every new student must walk around it to gain good fortune for their stay here. It is a tradition."
Guided by him, they all circled the fountain and then continued toward the castle entrance.
And then, before them, Beauxbatons rose.
A majestic palace, with slender towers and walls of pale stone that gleamed like marble in the light. Tall windows and finely decorated arches stretched toward the sky, while sky–blue banners waved proudly atop the turrets, bearing the academy's emblem. Enchanted gardens surrounded the place, with statues that seemed to move ever so slightly and birds with radiant plumage flying freely overhead.
"The castle has several towers, and it renews itself whenever needed," Luciel explained with pride. "When space was lacking, the dormitory tower simply expanded. When there were too many classrooms, entire wings lay empty. The castle never stops growing, though magical architects have designed it to be easy to navigate. It's not a labyrinth. Every hallway always leads to the same place: the castle's center and the Great Hall. You'll never get lost."
"We have a large staff of cleaners and curse–breakers who scour the castle from top to bottom, removing any trace of dark magic so that the students are safe," explained Luciel as they walked on.
The hallways stretched out immaculate: white walls that gleamed with cleanliness, decorated with paintings of high aesthetic value, flower vases enchanted at every corner, and moldings carved with such perfection that each wall seemed to become a work of art.
Unlike Hogwarts, there were no medieval suits of armor decorating the corridors. Here everything evoked refinement and neatness, as if every detail had been carefully chosen to emphasize the school's elegance.
When they reached a pair of great doors, Luciel stopped.
"I know a little of Hogwarts' history: the four founders, the four houses… but here there is none of that. Here we are just one school, united. I won't say prejudice doesn't exist, but at least we try to disguise it."
Luciel let out a slight sarcastic smile.
"We try to be noble and refined. If we hate someone, we do it quietly, under the table," he added in a low voice, provoking general laughter.
"There won't be a house selection. All students of the same year take classes together, which allows for maximized teaching without splitting everyone apart unnecessarily. The welcome banquet is important, so I ask you to behave. Our student council is… a bit noisy, and they are the ones in charge of the ceremony."
Then Luciel tapped the door lightly, and it opened on its own, revealing the interior.
The group was left in awe.
The Great Hall of Beauxbatons was majestic, illuminated by crystal lamps that hung from an incredibly high ceiling, where soft sky–blue curtains floated as if dancing in the air. The tables were circular and perfectly arranged, each surrounded by chairs upholstered in blue velvet. White and blue dominated the decoration, transmitting freshness and purity.
All around the hall stood enchanted ice sculptures: on some tables, delicate dancers twirled in a silent waltz; on others, crystal animals moved as if alive. Everything looked like something out of a fairytale palace—far too refined for a simple dinner.
"Is this… the welcome dinner?" someone murmured, surprised by such extravagance.
"Yes," replied Luciel casually. "Our school always spends too much money. Of course, we have very wealthy alumni who keep donating absurd amounts… Sometimes I wonder if they do all this simply because they don't know what else to waste it on."
He shrugged, then guided the group to an empty table, while the other students observed them with interest. Some greeted them with faint smiles, curious about the newcomers.
Harry walked calmly, taking in the hall with simplicity. Yet for some reason, he felt a fixed gaze on him. Turning, he discovered a house–elf hidden behind a pillar, watching him intently.
When their eyes met, the elf gave a clumsy, awkward smile before vanishing immediately.
Harry frowned and glanced toward his wand, sticking out of his pocket.
"That was… weird," he muttered.
"What was?" asked Draco, who looked at the sculptures with indifference, as though none of it impressed him.
"Ah… I hope nothing," Harry replied, moving on with the others.
The Hogwarts students settled together at the same table, seeking familiarity.
"For today, sit here, since you don't know many people yet. Later you can sit wherever you like—except those," Luciel indicated.
He then pointed to other tables. To one side of the professors' table was a particularly ostentatious one, with tablecloths that seemed to shine and decorations even more luxurious than the rest.
"That is the Student Council's table."
On the other side was another, less lavish yet equally distinguished.
"And that is the Discipline Committee's table. I recommend you be careful with both. One is a nuisance… and the other is full of idiots. I'll let you guess which is which."
Luciel bid them farewell with a mischievous smile and walked toward a table with his friends.
"Well, it seems this will be our first day at Beauxbatons. I hope our stay here will be interesting," Daphne said with a radiant smile.
"Haaa," Harry whispered.
"She just triggered a flag, didn't she?" Draco said to him.
"Yes, she did," Harry replied.
"You two are far too superstitious," Hermione told them.