Harry's Future

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Harry awoke from a light doze to see the countryside of southern France quickly slipping by the window. He, in the company of the entire Delacour family, was on his way to Beauxbaton Academy of Magic as a guest of Professor Jacque LeMond as he had promised all those months ago. It was the Monday after George and Angelina had been married. The wedding had been a complete success with both the participants and weather cooperating to produce a truly memorable event. The timing of the two events had allowed the Delacours to act as Harry's companions and guides for his first trip outside of Great Britain. They had taken the Channel Tunnel train from London to Paris and were now rolling south to Marseilles. Fleur assured Harry that the Academy would provide transportation the rest of the way. He thought about what lay ahead and he let out a sigh. 

"Such a big sigh, 'arry. Does sometheeng bother you, mon frère?" Fleur asked as she sat next to him in the compartment. 

"I guess I'm just a little nervous, Fleur. I just hope I don't do anything to embarrass myself or anything," he said with a little smile. 

"'arry, 'ow could you theenk such a theeng?" 

"I don't know. I guess seeing you and your classmates arrive for the Tournament and how you've described the school and all, it all seemed so sophisticated, you know? I don't want to come across like some kind of clown or something." 

Fleur had been sitting somewhat close to Harry and now she slid back on the seat so she could look at him more fully. 

"Mon Dieu, 'arry. Eef I did not know you better I would 'ave said you are makeeng the joke. Yes, Beauxbaton ees a magnificent place and we take great pride een our school and ourselves. Thees does not mean that you should feel embarrassed or, what? You feel inferior? 'arry, remember they weell be measureeng themselves against you, not the other way around," she finished, holding on to Harry's forearm and smiling at him. 

Harry looked across the compartment to see the other Delacours looking at him. Gabrielle was nodding as she understood most of what was said. The parents looked over to Fleur obviously for a recount in French. After Fleur did so, Mr. Delacour looked back at Harry and said something which Fleur then translated. 

"Papa says do not be concerned, they weell not know what 'it them," and then she giggled. 

Harry looked at Monsieur Delacour and said, 

"Merci." 

Gabi was nodding emphatically. Harry decided he could still be a little nervous. It wasn't much longer until the train glided to a stop at the Marseilles station and the five got off. Fleur spotted something and she grabbed Harry's arm excitedly. 

"'arry, look," she said as she pointed to a small group of inconspicuously dressed people who were standing off to one side on the platform. "There ees Professor LeMond. Eet looks like 'e 'as bought several other teachers and students to greet you. I told you you 'ad notheeg to worry about." 

As Harry and the Delacours approached the small party, Professor LeMond stepped forward and offered his hand to Harry. Harry took it and as they shook hands the Professor said, 

"Welcome to France, Monsieur Potter." 

He then finished his welcome in French. 

"'e says that 'e ees most pleased that you 'ave taken the time to come to Beauxbaton and the entire school ees most excited to welcome you. Transportation ees waiteeng." 

The Professor smiled and after Harry shook hands with the others that had come to meet him he was escorted to a pair of small vans. Harry and the Delacours, along with the Professor, got into the first and the others in the party took the second. The Professor said something and Fleur translated,