I was dazzled by the richness of detail and how the story of Harry Potter, from my mother's perspective, was told. It was almost two in the morning when she began to share with us, my father and me, all her adventures during her adolescence and adulthood. My father was excited, as was I. In that room, everything seemed so vivid that it was as if it were daytime outside. My mother, with her long hair and celestial walk, headed to the third sofa in the room and lay down on it, just as she used to recline on the couch in her greenhouse, resembling a Renaissance painting of a mermaid. Then, she began to narrate her story.
She meticulously started narrating the fateful night when Voldemort took the lives of the Potters and was repelled by his own spell when he cast the curse on little Potter. At that time, she was only three years old, and her memories were initially based on her parents' account. However, in the days that followed, when the wizarding world began to celebrate the defeat of the Dark Lord, she claimed that her memories became surprisingly clear. Specifically, she vividly recalled the celebration that engulfed the entire France. In Paris, iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe were adorned with a profusion of magical lights visible only to wizards. Her mind still retained images of fireworks lighting up the skies near the River Seine, creating a magical atmosphere of celebration.
When she turned eleven, she received a letter similar to the one I also received. That year, Madame Maxime addressed all selected students for the institution. My mother stretched on the sofa and picked up a long blue envelope, delicately decorated with gemstones and boasting a golden symbol composed of two crossed wands and stars. Upon opening it, several magical blue butterflies flew out of the lace, making Penelope jump off my lap and try to catch them by scratching the room's curtain.
Beauxbatons Academy of Magic
Château de Beauxbatons, France
Dear New First-Year Students,
It is with great pleasure and anticipation that I extend my warm greetings to you, future students of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic! On behalf of the entire French wizarding community and the faculty of the academy, it is an honor to welcome you to our prestigious school of magic.
Congratulations on being chosen to be part of this illustrious academy. Each of you has demonstrated exceptional talent and potential, and we look forward to sharing our unique magical tradition with you. At Beauxbatons, we cultivate not only magical skills but also a deep understanding of the beauty and elegance inherent in the art of magic.
Over the years, Beauxbatons has been a beacon of excellence in magical education, and it is our commitment to provide you with a quality magical education that will shape your talents and prepare you for the challenges that await all wizards and witches in this vast magical world. As you pass through the gates of Château de Beauxbatons, you will enter an environment rich in knowledge, culture, and mutual respect.
Eager to meet you in person, our freshmen, feel free to embark on your educational journey in our magnificent palace. Every step at Beauxbatons is an opportunity for magical discoveries and lasting friendships.
In anticipation of an exciting and productive school year, rest assured that you are a fundamental part of the rich tapestry that is Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. Prestigious and acclaimed worldwide.
Sincerely,
Madame Olympe Maxime
Headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic
After reading the letter, she explained to me that the twins Louis and Frederique received a similar letter three years later. On September 1, 1988, she and her cousin Fleur could hardly sleep due to anticipation. Unlike Hogwarts, where students departed from King's Cross Station in London, Beauxbatons' first-year students gathered in the Jardin des Tuileries, located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde.
Students positioned themselves around a fountain, awaiting the arrival of the magical carriage pulled by majestic winged Abraxan horses, a breed known for their beauty and strength. The carriage landed near the fountain, and Madame Maxime emerged to greet each student, giving a brief introduction about the school. Upon reaching the estate's gardens, veteran students awaited them with fireworks and white rose petals that transformed into butterflies, guiding them to the grand main hall. There, the Selective Mirror examined the essence of each first-year, assigning them to one of the four houses.
There were about 40 first-year students, and it seemed that Madame Maxime had a knack for selecting students even before they arrived at the school. At the end of the grand reception event, each house had a total of 12 students. Surprisingly, Fleur and my mother were placed in Sereneblesse, the same house as Fleur's mother, Clemence.
During the first year, they studied about eight subjects. Some disciplines were exclusive to Beauxbatons, differing from Hogwarts. Among them were French Magic History, Magical Botany, Applied Astronomy, Enchanted Cooking, Defense Against Minor Magical Creatures, Language and Etiquette, and Elegant Enchantments, which focused on simple, graceful spells useful for everyday life. My mother excelled in French Magic History and performed very well in Enchanted Cooking. On the other hand, Fleur showed a natural aptitude for Defense Against Minor Magical Creatures but faced challenges in Language and Etiquette, a subject that involved studying other languages to communicate simply and charmingly with other wizards.
In the following years of Marguerite and Fleur at Beauxbatons, they continued to excel, both making the most of the opportunities offered by the enchanted palace. In addition to completing mandatory subjects, they engaged in various extracurricular activities. Despite being great friends, each chose different subjects. While my mother opted for the Star Divination Club, Alpine and Mountain Herbology, Enchanted Orchestra, and the Culinary Enchantment Club, Fleur, despite being quite delicate, showed interest in joining the Artistic Dueling Club, Acrobatic Flying Team, Defense and Healing Spells, and the Spell Breakers Club.
Later on, all these subjects, besides shaping their magical personalities, contributed to Fleur becoming one of the most well-known witches in France a few years later. She not only excelled in her activities but also fought for the rights of half-Veela individuals, seeking historical reparation in the wizarding world. Observing the development of the cousins, Madame Maxime was surreptitiously preparing them for the Triwizard Tournament that would take place in a few years.
Despite the cousins' different interests, the Gautier family's legacy still echoed through the halls of Beauxbatons. Each Gautier entering the school was a source of pride for Madame Maxime, as they all possessed unique talents and stood out as some of the best students in the institution. The family's legacy continued to flourish at Beauxbatons, and the cousins became heirs to this prestige.
Between Marguerite's third and fourth years, her twin brothers, Frederique and Louis, entered the first year and secured a spot in the same house as their sister and cousin. It seemed like some force was guiding them to the same house, as later on, Gabrielle Delacour, Fleur's younger sister, was also accepted into Sereneblesse. Frederique and Louis showed exceptional spellcasting abilities, later excelling in Defense Against the Dark Arts. The Veela family, as they were known at Beauxbatons, enjoyed great prestige, and everyone liked to be around them. Besides the natural beauty they displayed, this generation was notably more united than the previous Veela generations that attended the school.
In the beginning of the fifth year, defense subjects and the clubs that Beauxbatons offered began to attract the Veela family, drawing much attention from Madame Maxime and other faculty members. During my mother's fifth year, Fleur stood out even more as one of the most talented and respected students. Her exceptional magical ability and elegance made her a leader among the students. During that year, Fleur focused her studies on advanced subjects, including Advanced Transformation Spells and Magical Zoology.
In addition to her academic obligations, Fleur actively engaged in the Artistic Dueling Club, where she honed her skills in magical duels with grace and elegance. Her regular participation in the Spell Breakers Club significantly contributed to her exceptional mastery in reversing complex spells. Alongside extracurricular activities, she excelled as a Quidditch player, serving as the primary Seeker on the Sereneblesse team. Her agility and skill on the field were admired by all, and she played a crucial role in the numerous victories achieved by her house throughout the year.
Fleur's fifth year was marked not only by her academic achievements but also by her active involvement in activities showcasing her magical ability, grace in duels, and excellence in wizarding sports. My mother always accompanied her everywhere, and in every victory, she played the role of a kind of advisor, guiding her in her feats. Gabrielle, much younger than her sister, eventually acquired these skills later on.
The Delacours took legal measures to have Gabrielle admitted to Beauxbatons earlier. Madame Maxime, initially hesitant, participated in the proceedings and eventually accepted the decision to allow Gabrielle to join the institution. Over time, she realized that, being a Veela, age did not determine intellect, and even though she was one of the youngest students in the institution, Gabrielle was as talented as her sister. When the twin Gautier cousins were in the third year, Gabrielle secured her spot in the first year, becoming one of the youngest students at Beauxbatons.
During the vacation before the sixth year, my mother, Fleur, and all the other students in the fifth, sixth, and seventh years received a letter from Madame Maxime about the famous Triwizard Tournament. The message stated that the year 1994 would be unusual for the institution's students as they would travel to Hogwarts in the fall to compete for the title. Students would need parental permission if they wanted to apply as competitors and house champions. Those who wished to go to Hogwarts just to watch the tournaments would also need permission. My mother pointed her wand at the pile of letters on the coffee table, and from it emerged a blue velvet envelope containing the invitation to the tournament.
Dear Students,
It is with great enthusiasm that I share exciting news for the upcoming school year at Beauxbatons. In the fall of 1994, we will have an extraordinary opportunity as we participate in the renowned Triwizard Tournament held at Hogwarts.
This tournament is a unique and enriching experience, providing you with the chance to represent our institution and showcase your magical abilities before the entire wizarding community. For those who wish to participate as competitors and strive for victory for their houses, I ask that you obtain permission from your parents.
Even if you do not plan to compete, everyone's presence is encouraged. It will be an incredible opportunity to witness the talent and expertise of wizards from other renowned schools. For this option as well, parental consent is required.
I hope you consider this exciting proposal, and that we can represent Beauxbatons with great dignity and pride. Surely, this will be a year that will be etched in our memories.
I await your response as soon as possible. During the beginning of September, I will provide further instructions.
Sincerely,
Madame Olympe Maxime
Headmistress of Beauxbatons
My mother shared that it was in the winter of that year that she met my father, but before reaching that part, she began to recount in detail how she got there and how the selection of students for the Triwizard Tournament occurred, along with the journey to Hogwarts for the first time. When September arrived, everyone was excited for the tournament. At the beginning of the year, everyone was instructed on how to behave at Hogwarts, and during the month of October, the dueling group selected the top 20 competitors from the 250 students, who would be eligible for the draw that would determine which participant would be called to participate in the tournament.
Fleur was one of the first selected by the dueling group, while my mother secured a spot, ranking tenth during the selection. Madame Maxime allocated a total of sixty slots: twenty for the finalists, twenty for the companions that each finalist had the right to bring, and twenty for those who wished to watch the games. More precisely, there were five slots for each Beauxbatons house. Fleur chose Gabrielle as her companion, and the twins, my mother's brothers, were very excited about the idea. My mother had only one slot, and if the two fought for it, she would take a friend who was excited about the arrival of the tournament. Frederique was more excited about going to Hogwarts, while Louis willingly gave up the slot to his brother. That year, Louis was in love with a young boy from his astrology class, who also chose to follow the tournament from afar, staying at Beauxbatons.
Everyone was enthusiastic about the arrival of November. Madame Maxime warned that it was not a school vacation, and she would personally give the necessary classes to the students and bring two more monitors to help her, just like the students from different schools would do. The carriage that would take them was equipped with a powerful extension spell, providing spacious dormitories for the sixty students. In addition, there was an entrance hall and three study rooms, including a large room for the champion to study techniques separately with Maxime. Despite being grand and luxurious on the outside, the expansion spell surprised even more inside the carriage because it seemed like a luxurious French mansion inside