Breaking Black (A Sirius Black Love Story)

Chapter 88

January 2, 1979

January second at eleven fifteen at night.

That was the precise date and time Regulus spilled to Sirius in a letter. Regulus would not be a part of the attack, but multiple Death Eaters would be terrorizing Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. Their main intent was to gain support from any willing young students while purifying the school from the high level of Muggle-born and half-blood tolerance. Madame Vallotton, the headmistress, was at the top of their hit list, as a very successful and powerful Muggle-born witch.

Sirius gave this information to Dumbledore, who believed it immediately. Dumbledore suspected there may be an attack on Beauxbatons at some time, and apparently the headmistress was concerned too. They put up extra security measures, however, the school knew they would not be a match for a group of powerful, dark wizards and potentially the Dark Lord himself. Dumbledore decided to send the Ministry's (and the Order's) three most powerful Aurors: the Longbottoms and Alastor Moody.

Sirius had to beg Dumbledore to go with Mad-Eye Moody and the Longbottoms to Beauxbatons. He argued that he gave the information, so he should be allowed to go. I knew Sirius just wanted to prove himself (mostly to Mad-Eye and Dumbledore) helpful to the Order. Sirius wanted to be successful like James. Dumbledore denied his request at first, telling him he was too rash and impulsive for such a dangerous task. However, when I offered to go with him to keep him in line, Dumbledore immediately agreed. Sirius protested, but reluctantly allowed it. I honestly wanted to prove myself too. Dumbledore also sent three other Order members for a total of eight people.

Remus and Peter were not assigned to the task. James and Lily stayed in Britain too, specifically in the Ministry of Magic's Auror Offices to monitor for any low threat crimes while Moody and the Longbottoms were gone. Sirius was so excited for the dangerous task. He seemed cocky about the plan, thinking nothing would happen in Britain while we were all in France. The trip to Beauxbatons took four trips of Apparating from country to country and one long and freezing flying carriage ride into the mountains of the hidden location of the school's castle.

I'd never seen another magical castle other than Hogwarts. Beauxbatons took my breath away. The other Order members looked unimpressed, but I assumed they'd seen it before. The castle was elegant and tall, the high walls a light grey color. The castle nearly blended in with the surrounding breathtaking mountains. It had beautiful Gothic architecture and reminded me more of a famous cathedral than a school. The flying carriage landed on the snowy lawn next to a spectacular ice sculpture garden. The doors to the entryway opened upon our arrival and the headmistress stepped out into the snow to greet us. Madame Vallotton was a beautiful witch with a heavy French accent. Mad-Eye seemed very interested in everything the pretty woman was saying.

I loved the beauty of Beauxbatons castle. Although we were there to save her and the lives of her students, Madame Vallotton gave us a tour. She said it was "only out of hospitality," but I found her to be very showy and proud of her school. Although, from the extensive beauty of the castle, I didn't blame her for wanting to show it off.

Beauxbatons was like Hogwarts' stuck up aunt. There was so much attention to detail and not a single speck of dirt on any of the lavish carpeted floors and French memorabilia on the walls. The light-colored walls themselves seemed to glitter like the snow outside. Multiple large, pure white and fluffy Great Pyrenees dogs patrolled the halls. They were a sort of defense system for the school, specially trained and magic security animals. Madame Vallotton insisted they would be great assets to us when the castle was under attack. Sirius loved the concept of dogs protecting the castle and said he would suggest that idea to Dumbledore.

All the students wore uniforms of light blue, and they all spoke French. Girls gawked and giggled over the handsome Sirius, who seemed to love the attention as they pointed and spoke about him in a foreign language. I was mildly jealous, but Sirius loved the attention. I think it reminded him of his popular days at Hogwarts.