Chapter Seven, Classes

Persephone was amazed as they trapeze through the palace; it was stunning. When they reached the north tower they came across a cast bronze statue of their House emblem standing before the cream-coloured stones roused in gold French architecture. The First Years were only left confused for a moment before the Prefect Annika Patel stepped forwards reaching out a finger to touch the right antenna of the butterfly. The second she did, a riddle appeared on the leaf part of the statue that Annika read out for the First years to guess: "'A box without hinges, key or lid, yet golden treasure inside is hid.' What do you think the answer is to this riddle?

Each time you enter the common room you will have to answer a riddle. It changes every day to stimulate our minds, either waking you up for the day or relaxing you after classes." Annika explained the process to enter their common room, and how the other two Houses have to answer a password relating to their House.
"Egg. The answer is egg." Persephone answered, the moment she answered, the butterfly landed on the leaf as the golden French architecture turned into a door frame, the cream-coloured stones grinding as the new, recently appeared door swung open revealing their common room; the first years letting out gasps of wonder and amazement.

The walls were a dark teal colour with golden French architecture breaking up the block colour beautifully, overlooking the picturesque grounds were large windows with light purple drapes covering the windows were on either side of the common room - taking up a 1/3 of the wall space before it was broken up by a large fireplace on the East side and floor to ceiling redwood bookcases painted white which were stocked full with all sorts of books ranging in a multitude of subjects for class, extracurricular and pleasure reading on the West side.

Two redwood doors sat at the back, north facing wall both bearing a plaque embossed in gold. The left plaque read 'First to Third Years', and the one on the right read 'Fourth to Seventh Years'. A lush white carpet covered the flagstone floor with a light purple rug sat under a low redwood table before the fireplace with a curved deep blue sofa and matching armchairs sitting surrounding it. While an identical set of armchairs sat before the bookcases with small round redwood tables sat beside them bearing purple lamps; each set had light purple, light teal and dark purple cushions on them. The window seats contained the same matching cushions as the sofa and armchairs.

Finally, a crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling and paintings and brightly crafted statues (most created by the current and former art students) decorated the common room along with a few potted cypress trees.

"As you can see your dormitory will be through the first door on the left, and up a set of stairs. The first door you will come across up the spiral staircase is the one you go through while further up the staircase leads to the second- and third-year dormitories." Annika explained. "When you enter the door with 'first year' on it, you will come to a common area with many desks and bookcases for you to complete your homework, but you can also complete it in the common room where others can help or in the library.

Around your common area will be several doors with two names upon it. We believe that two to a dormitory is more than enough; unlike other schools. While you're here I want you to know you can come to me or anyone else in our House if you need help with anything - ranging from homework to feeling homesick. You will find your timetable on your bedside table come morning, so I suggest you get a good night sleep. Any questions?"

While Annika was answering questions Persephone and Mila waved goodnight and headed upstairs and towards the door with their name on it. To Persephone's delight, she happily noticed that the bedroom was designed in light purple - her favourite colour - and cream and gold. They had a large four poster bed each with dark purple drapes, a shared bathroom that had hints of purple, but their own walk-in wardrobe with their clothes already hung up; finally a small bookcase sat on the left side of the bed for their schoolbooks and/or other reading material, and a bedside table on the right.

The two girls didn't talk much as they unpacked their other belongings as they were tired and nervous about the following days classes. So instead they hugged each other goodnight, got ready for bed and wrote letters to their families. The moment Persephone climbed into bed Hedwig flew over from the owl perch by the window overlooking the gardens and landed on the headboard unlike Mila's eagle owl who stayed on its perch head tucked under its wing. Feeling more relaxed, Persephone with both Familiars surrounding her stoked Hedwig's breast feathers and kissed her head before she turned and stroked Nyx and kissed and hugged her as the kitten curled into her side.

Picking up a self-inking quill, parchment and a notebook to lean on, Persephone started her letter:

Dear Daddy, Papa Rodo, Falco, Vinda and Batsy,

I miss you all so much but I'm happy and made a new friend on the way here. Her name's Audrey Blanchet and she's a Nymph like Cami!

Mila and I were sorted into Papillonlisse; Océane and Dominique are in Ombrelune and  Camille and Audrey are in Bellefeuille. The best part.... My common room and dormitory is PURPLE!!! We have two towers, one leading to the first to third year dormitories and the other to the fourth through to seventh year dormitories.

Upon entering the door for first years you come across a common area with multiple desks and bookcases for homework and multiple doors around the room as it's two to a dormitory.

I'm both excited and scared for the classes tomorrow.

I love you all and miss you all so much!

Love

Persephone
Xxxx

Smiling in satisfaction, Persephone handed her letter to Hedwig after addressing the envelope and sealing it.
"Be careful Hedwig." Persephone cautioned, kissing her owl's head earning a comforting hoot as Hedwig snuggled against Persephone for a moment before flying off towards the windows which opened automatically as both Hedwig and Mila's owl approached.

Persephone sat cross-legged on her bed watching the window until Hedwig was a speck in the darkness; the windows closing automatically, keeping the warmth inside. The two best friends bid each other goodnight as they closed the drapes settling down in bed, Persephone snuggled with Nyx as they intended to get a good night's sleep.

* * *

Persephone seemed to absorb all she learnt in her lessons as if she were a sponge eager to soak up all the knowledge she could. Much to the fond amusement of her friends. Persephone's favourite lessons had to be Art, Defence Against the Dark Arts and Potions. All throughout her lessons her emerald, green-silver eyes gleamed other worldly with the wonder that filled her after each class. She would always be forever grateful to her parents for setting things in motion so they could move to France, as this was where she was supposed to be. She knew that deep in her bones.

* * *

~ Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts, Scotland ~

Dumbledore let out a yell of rage throwing his trinkets into the fireplace where they shattered against the stone showering the rug with fragments of glass, wood and metal. He cursed Sirius Black and the Potters for ruining his plans. He needed the brat to die. He couldn't have anyone more powerful than himself. He just couldn't!
"You will rule the day you decide to cross me, Black!" Dumbledore snarled. "I should have killed you and killed the Potters myself but much earlier than when they died. But that would have ruined my plans. Now, the Potter brat will suffer tenfold because of their betrayal! I can't have anyone more powerful than me, I won't allow it!

But how could he take her to Beauxbâtons instead of Hogwarts? How will I control her now!?" While Dumbledore was ranting to himself, Phineas once again slipped from his portrait to head for his other one at Black chateaux. Phineas knew that something needed to be done about Dumbledore! He had no idea what was taking the Ministry so long to act? If it had been anyone else then Dumbledore the Ministry would have acted and arrested them immediately. He knew one thing; however, Sirius was going to lose his well taught tight control of his magic over this.

Magical Britain will soon be on the receiving end of the Black Anger as no one messes with a Black least of all a Lord's daughter. Dumbledore's days were numbered, and he didn't even know it, and neither would he see it coming so blinded was he by his own ego. It would be a day that Phineas was gleefully waiting for.

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