Chapter Eight: Lilium

The smell of soot, the feeling of invisible fire licking his legs and arms as a swirling green whirlwind passed over his tightly shut eyes. Within seconds, he was stepping out of another fireplace, his hands could tell it was made from stone and he quickly stepped out to prevent someone from landing on top of him. His eyes opened to the first glimpse of the school, marble white walls greeted him with large open windows to catch the mid afternoon sun. It was truly beautiful, the stone work was done elegantly but still held a firm and sturdy look.

Harry quickly found Sam, who was a little ahead of him, brushing the soot from her robes and looking around like he was. Several fireplaces lined the room, likely being one of the view sources of travel to and from the school; if he recalled it was on an island.

"New Student?" A voice greeted him, it was deep and sounded rough against his ears. The pair looked up to the giant man, who stood at a solid seven foot and seemed to have been carved from stone with how chiseled his entire body appeared "Go out door, wait by dock, professor be back soon." His voice was gruff and seemed simple the longer he heard it.

Harry nodded his head, casting a quick look at Sam, and followed the few other students that were walking towards the door, some looked a little older than them, others were about their age. He was almost run over by an older teen and his group of friends, some were carrying their gear, or brooms, holding onto hands, pets or their wands.

"This place is amazing!" Sam whispered excitingly to him as they walked towards the large doors, that lead out towards a cluster of islands. They could see the large spire that was likely the School, it was made of the same kind of white marble with large windows, and large white stone walls surrounding the base of the tower. Trees, mountains, old ruins could be seen just from the Entrance Tower. "I mean we grew up hearing about Hogwarts, but wow!"

Harry gave her a coy smile, ruffling her hair as he did "You're right, I think this will be a good start for us." He looked out towards the main land in the distance, a crash of water off the shore and a bright flash of white fire made his eyes widen.

"Was that a Dragon?" A new voice asked from his other side, both of the kids brought their eyes from the now gone white flash. The girl was small for their age, obviously a first year from her look of wonder, and likely a Muggleborn as well. Her hair was a bright flaming red, shinning blue eyes and covered in freckles; she seemed to be missing a front tooth as well, though it showed signs of growing back.

Sam nodded her head furiously "The school is near a dragon nest! Corvus-" She said excitedly, grabbing onto his arm.

"We are not going dragon hunting! Not again!" He said loudly, prying her arm away and making strides away from his sister. "No, no, no!"

Sam pouted as he quickly walked away, likely towards the docks so they could sail towards the school. The other girl gave her a curious, confused glance as they slowly made their way towards the dock together.

"So….dragon hunting? That's a thing?" The ginger asked with a casual air about her, but Sam could see curiosity in her eyes. "And you've tried it?"

Sam gave her a shrug, a pout on her face "I make him follow me for a few days into the woods, looking for a dragon; and he hangs it over my head." Her voice was mocking, glaring at Harry's back.

The girl gave her a smile "I'm Joan, Joan Arkmaid." She held out her hand, Sam could tell she didn't come from a good background; they were dirty and she had a large bandage on the top of her hand. She saw something similar in the other girl.

Sam reached out, grasping her hand tightly but not enough to hurt her injury "Virgo Obsidian, pleasure to meet you." She gave the girl a smile, and looked out towards the docks once more.

XX~XX~XX~XX~XX

As time passed from late afternoon, into early evening; the first years were gathered around by an old witch with a patched pointed hat. "Firstly, welcome to Beauxbatons, we are here to teach you in the practical arts of magic." She explained blowing smoke from her cigarette "I am the Deputy Headmistress, Camila Kryo, also the Charms Professor." A wave of her wand summoned a chair for her to sit.

The room was tucked off towards the side of the dining hall, located between the student dorms and the main exit for the grounds. The best way Harry had found to explain the school, was a large wheel with the tower being the center. They had spent a few hours looking around, they had vast ground across the island, the main entrance hall was also the Staff's lounge. Leading away from the entrance in the wheel towards the student dorms was the student workrooms, and creative stations.

Leading away from the main exit, was what the older students had dubbed the Physical Hall; as it focused on building the body not the mind. Funny enough, the Library was right next to the Physical Hall; though he learned fairly early that much of the Library was locked away in sections. Then leading from the Library was the Hall of Champions, with awards large and small, some gold, some bone or furred.

The classrooms seemed to be all located in the tower, he had yet to explore the center or the grounds that surrounded the tower itself, what looked like gardens, and a small owl enclosure. So far he seemed like he would enjoy spending time exploring the grounds outside of the Spire.

"Here at Beauxbatons, we believe in competition among your peers." She explained, shooting her wand towards the blank wall behind her, suddenly it was full of names and titles "We feel it is unfair to group older students with newer students, as such tradition dictates that groups shall be put in place, this year there are thirty of you new students. This means that there will be five teams of six among you all, this will be decided by our Book of Records, each of you will sign your name on its pages."

A large podium rose from the ground, which had a thick tattered leather bound book resting upon it. Kryo tapped it with her wand, bring the ancient item to life. "Ah! Another year has gone by eh? Flamel should be impressed this place hasn't been torched to the ground yet." The book spoke, as it flipped through its ancient pages "Regardless, I have a task at hand. Come scrawl your titles, and I shall find the perfect team for your name."

It didn't take long for all of the students to sign their names with the feather ink quill, some used with practiced ease, others had issues; Wizard, and Muggle Raised. The Book shut its pages for a few moments, before it once again came to life.

"Kelly Weasley, Guenevere Roux, Nathan and Natasha Polar, Cassiel Flamel and Claire Roland."

"Stephan Brown, Del Martian, Jean Bureau, Gaston De Marla, Leon Burtion and Marie Pain."

"John Rosewood, Michael Oppal, Naomi Hudson, Hugh Morel, Lauri Williams and Heather Uriel."

"Lacie Wolfe, Jane Wilson, Joseph Potze, Maurice Sax, Sonia De Villiers and Lise Gerard."

"Joan Arkmaid, Devin Gaunt, Corvus and Virgo Obsidian, Cain Vaughn and Gabrielle Delacour."

"Tradition dictates that the groups will choose a title to be called and a leader among them, though you have seven days to choose these; some will have to have a title appointed or maybe a leader; trust me, Boggart Dust, isn't an appealing name. Think Wisely." With that the book opened widely, the names that had been spawned like fire in the air, quickly flew into its pages and then seemed to burn onto the stones behind it.

Harry watched as the book slowly disappeared into the vault once more, then the Professor stepped back into the picture "You all heard your group, remember we are not a Coed facility, males are known as Jays and females are known as Doves." She gave a harsh glare to the group "If I find someone in a roost they do not belong, they will not enjoy what comes next."

The woman looked the group over once more before nodding to herself "The Head Mistress will be here in a few minutes, divide into your groups and stay with them." She said tapping her wand at the end of another cigarette. The older witch then left from the only door within the room, leaving the first years to themselves.

"I can't believe we are on the same group!" Joan said loudly to Sam, as they hugged each other with smiles on their faces.

Along with the red head, a dark haired boy who was rather tall and filled out; casually walked over to the slowly forming group. His features were rather serious, though he did seemed laid back even if just barely. Harry wondered which this one would be Vaughn or Gaunt, he recalled hearing that name but could exactly place it well.

"You must be Corvus." His voice was a hair deeper than most of them, likely signaling that he was already going through puberty. "Cain of House Vaughn." He held out his hand, and though it was clean Harry could feel callousness as he gripped him.

"Ah, the one from the shop….I had a feeling The Tome would place us together…." It was that red eyed boy he met at the Robes shop, he looked exactly the same as he did that day. "Devin Gaunt."

"Oh! New people, I'm Joan! Joan Arkmaid." The ginger introduced herself to the new males.

Harry looked over at Sam, who nodded to him "Yes, I'm Corvus, and this is my younger sister Virgo, a few hours labor difference." He explained waving his hand around, Vaughn dressed well but it wasn't of the highest caliber not like Devin who seemed to dress in the best of black.

"Where is Delacour?" Cain frowned at the air, looking around for the girl "She was assigned to this group right?"

"Indeed I was Cain, Devin, you're both looking well." A young blonde appeared from behind Harry, he recognized her instantly as the girl from the Wand Shop; the girl with the Bird Symbol.

That made Harry pause for a moment as they introduced themselves and tried to get comfortable. He sought out his power within once more, making his eyes burn that bright purple again. He focused on the girl first, a bright blue sword seemed to hang over her being; like a powerful weight, waiting to be used.

'She's special among the Witchclan, but Witchclan she is, Battleborn are good strong allies."

His gaze swept to Cain, who was lightly sharing a conversation with Delacour, his energy was clouded and dark brown. Within this swirl of dark energy, he could almost see the shape of an eye; it was wild and uncontrollable but it seemed lazily and bored. Till the eye seemed to lock onto him, and opened wide turning a bright sickly yellow within; he shifted his gaze.

'The Lion and Tiger may be more powerful, But the Wolf does not perform in the circus."

As his gaze had shifted, he looked on at Devin who was standing in comfortable silence, their eyes locked "If you plan on reading me, I would suggest that you do not look upon mine." His voice was soft, but the venom could not be missed.

Harry slowly nodded his head "It was not my intention to pry-"

Devin quirked an eyebrow at that "Is that not why you did it, so that you could learn more about the people you've been thrown together with?" His gaze narrowed, and within a few seconds he was within Harry's personal space "I care little if you wish to spy on the others, but you will, stay out of mine."

Harry slowly nodded his head "Yeah, sorry, didn't mean to make-"

"You didn't mean to make me upset? Obsidian, I have no emotions for you to upset." His tone hadn't changed once during their whole conversation. "I am simply telling you what will be, do not try reading me with your cursed eyes; they will burn out of your skull."

Harry paused, casting a glance to the soft whispered words of those around him, before looking back at the young man before him "Do you know what I am?" He whispered almost too low to hear.

Devin gave him a grin, his teeth perfect and white "Obsidian, this entire group, is composed of the cursed and the monstrous, none more than you and I." He leaned back just a hair "Gabrielle how are you, you look well."

The Blonde gave him a tight smile, she had been approaching their conversation "You know how much I detest that name, Devin, should I find it on your lips again, I might have to rip them off." She said with a cheerful voice and a sharp gleam in her eye; she wasn't joking.

"I'm taking that as a well then." Devin said with an amused smirk "Should we discuss names now, or after the Mistress speaks?"

Ark popped out of her conversation with Sam "I say we should be called Dragon Bane!" She spoke in her high quick voice, a toothy smile across her features "After all, Corvus and Virgo have both been Dragon hunting before!"

That got a curious, humorous and disapproving eye cast at the False twins, most children entertained the idea of Dragon Hunting at one point or another. "It's suitable, for now, we have a week to prepare." Cain said with a grunt, hands firmly in his pockets. "Though the leader of the….group, should be someone who has our best interests in mind, I think I'll nominate myself."

"I have no intention of following you, Cain." Delacour said with a snap "I believe I shall toss my nomination in as well."

Devin seemed completely indifferent, gazing off to another side of the room, out one of the large windows.

"Oh, I would be a terrible leader." Sam said with a hand over her lips "Corvus might do well enough though."

"Same, I'd probably get us all caught on fire at some point." Harry didn't miss the look of fear cross Delacour's eyes, likely something more there.

Harry shrugged a little "I suppose I wouldn't be a terrible leader-"

"He has my vote." Devin spoke interrupting, his eye barely glancing over his slightly turned shoulder.

"Be that as it-" Delacour was interrupted by the Head Mistress calling out for silence, and for all eyes to land on her.

She was extremely tall, broad shouldered and defined areas of muscle across her body; her dark brown hair was cut off at her shoulders. She wore a flattering robe, though she did seem to carry some man-ish features, a notably strong jaw. Madam Maxime, she has ten years of experience as Head Mistress before this year, and records show that she's done an extremely good job at keeping students alive.

"I believe, that you have all been welcomed to this Academy of learning." She had a deeper than normal female voice as well, though she lacked the apple that men carried. "I will say this once, this is an Academy in which we accept our fellow Magical users, all who carry Magic are welcome here." Her black eyes danced across the room. "Should I hear any whisperings of Blood Purity, Racism or any type of Culling, I shall be most displeased and will act accordingly."

The entire room was silent as she said these words, the woman didn't look like the type to mess around. Harry glanced over at Sam, who was staring at the window, but he knew that she was listening to the woman intently. "Good, now that we have gotten that unpleasantness out of the way, please, join us for dinner, I am sure that many of you are hungry." She held up her hand as a few of the brash students started to move forward "It is custom on important feast days, such as this, for you to be seated with your group; you will notice based on the tables. On any other day, there will be long tables as opposed to round, on those days you are free to sit with anyone from any year."

Harry smirked at that, meaning that he could widen his circle of information, maybe find someone interesting to copy; he had only nine more Wizards that he could to that too. His eyes strayed down to the hidden tattoo on his finger, his eyes could clearly see it, but no one else could unless he focused on that power within.

XX~XX~XX~XX~XX~XX~XX

The group sat in the Feasting Hall, Harry gazing around the room looking at the Professors that sat at three different tables. Headmistress Maxine was seated with three others, Deputy Kryo who was chatting with a scarred older man with dirty blonde hair. The other bright blonde man seemed indifferent to the conversation going on around him, as he sipped on his wine.

Below them the other two tables were sat a little apart from them eight professors sat at each of them, ranges of ages and sex's divided them but they were all of Beauxbatons. A menu was placed in front of them by a quick moving House-Elf, who then moved to another table.

"What was that?" Joan said with a wide eyes, tracking the bat-eared little creatures as they moved from table to table. Water, Juice and Tea was placed at each table before they had sat down, Wine for the older students.

Cain who was sipping on his hot-tea gave her a look, before he spoke "They are creatures who serve those with powerful magic, they live off of it." He explained to the girl, gazing down at the menu.

"They're usually only found in the homes of the wealthy, though families with powerful magic can attract those without bonds." Harry said quickly, gazing down the small menu.

Sunday September 1st
~Starter~
Onion Soup
2. Courgette Tagliatelle Salad

~Main Course~
1. Moules Marinières
2. Pot-Au-Feu
3. Magret de Canard

~Deserts~
1. Tarte Tatin
2. Gâteau Basque

Harry frowned at the menu, glancing over at Sam who was looking at her menu in the same manner, even if Bella was an awful cook; it was home. Figuring the soup and duck would be the best bet, he set the menu down and joined back into the conversation.

"I have heard the Gaunts are new to France, Devin, are they not?" Cain grunted as he passed the menu over to one of the creatures.

Devin didn't look up from his book, which was nondescript "Yes, within the last hundred years." He spoke loud enough "My Grandfather moved from England, my family was having a dispute that he did not want to be part of." His voice was raspy, as if he was smoking since he had been born.

Gabriel who was quietly observing the group "The Vaughn's are from Wales, Cain, so try to get off your high horse." She gave him a smirk, before sipping on her iced water.

"Delacour, a family known for their ability of politics, François, lord of Béru." Devin said once again without looking up from his book. "An ancestor of yours no?"

"Let me guess, Family history's are a pass time?" Sam spoke up, from her doodles, her pencil barely raised from the paper "You won't be able to find anything on ours."

Devin nodded "You're correct, The Obsidian name is new to me as is Arkmaid." He gazed over to the redhead who was people watching. "But I will endeavor to find as much as I could about them."

Sam frowned a little at that "Please don't strain yourself, we're from Germany, even if you did find something I doubt it would be very enlightening." She explained, glancing at Harry who was listening intently.

Devin glanced up at that "Interesting, likely from Black Forest area of Germany, seeing as you both see, to have knowledge of those around you. The lack of accent-" He was cut off by the food arriving.

"Ah, I found a weakness it seems, food shuts you up." Gabby quipped as she stabbed her salad.

Devil looked up from his soup "Gabrielle, are you telling me I talk too much?"

"Entirely."

XX~XX~XX~XX~XX~XX

They were escorted to their rooms by some of the Sentries, the first years were on the top floor of one of the ground floor buildings. It was right next to the Sentries Rooms, those of the student body who were above 4th year, and usually impressive academically or in some extracurricular.

They were separated of course, men on one side of the dorm and women on the other, they weren't warded other than a portrait too overlook each room; their eleven, it's very doubtful that someone would do anything suspect. Everyone was separated by their groups, likely to keep warring sides away from harming others.

'Gaunt, Obsidian and Vaughn.'

Cain frowned at that "Why is my name last?"

"It's alphabetical." Devin said aphetically, before pushing the door open and entering the room.

Harry gave Cain an apologetic look before entering as well, the room was pretty Spartan; white walls, three beds, a steam heater and a large out-looking window. A couch and a lounging chair were off towards the corner, along with a small bookshelf. The first year boys had to share a bathroom down the hall, all of them.

Devin gazed down at the sheets in distaste "This will have to be rectified, I refused to sleep on cotton, my skin is sensitive." He snapped his fingers, a wizened House-Elf appeared "Harpeth, remove these abominations from my bed, and arrive once per week for my laundry." The old elf nodding in understanding and began his work.

Cain and Harry were looking at Devin in amazement "Dude….really?" The first of them spoke slowly, looking around for his duffle.

"What?" Devin asked scrunching his eyebrows together.

Harry shook his head, walking over to the bed that he claimed as his own, the one furthest from the window. Digging around in his pocket for the shrunken trunk, before a quick tap of his wand enlarged it and he began to pull his clothes out, hanging things in his bedside wardrobe. He pulled a small end-table from the trunk, and set the granite slab that was to be used in the Dark Arts.

Books, trinkets, pictures and other little items soon surrounded his bed area, along with his wand case, which he set the beautifully crafted object inside. Devin's house-elf was decorating his area for him, as he read his little gray book on the recliner.

Devin seemed to have a very arcane sense of style, very old magic and very black. Cain was vastly different his style was old magic, animals and nature. Cain was making his bed, he had a large but soft looking fur blanket; likely made from fox, or rabbit.

From the open window, a flutter of wings gathered his attention from a stubborn picture frame, which then landed on his shoulder. "Scarlet, now where have you been?" He scolded his friend with a smile.

'Would you believe me if I said, that I found something to catch my interest?'

XX~XX~XX~XX~XX

Sam looked at the door in front of them 'Arkmaid, Delacour and Obsidian.' The little ball of red-headed energy bolted past her and into the room.

"Wow! It's so big! I've never been in a room like this before." She said as she quickly jumped from wall to wall, the duffle bag had to be hers, just like the ornate travel trunk had to be Delacour. "Can I have the bed by the window!"

Gabby shook her head "Sure thing, just as long as I can have the bed away from it." She muttered, walking towards her trunk and scratching a bandage on her wrist. "Also, stay out of my stuff." The blonde began unpacking.

Sam just giggled "No worries, just as long as I can put my plants near the window for the sun, you can soak up all those rays." She pulled her own trunk from her pocket and began to pull all of her gear out. She brought a lot of her plants from home, the most dangerous or temperamental of the bunch stayed at home under Bella's watchful eyes.

"So what's the deal with that Devin guy?" Joan said as she had already put her clothes away, she didn't have anything in the way of personal items. "He just seems so…disconnected?"

Gabby answered as she folded a pair of jeans "Devin is a Gaunt, the family is….odd, even in many of the circles of the wizarding world." She explained looking up for a moment, before going through her motions again "I've known him for about four years, I don't think I've ever seen him smile."

Sam raised a brow at them "Somehow I doubt that, maybe he is just reserved." She explained shifting the pots of plants around making sure they got what sunlight they needed.

Gabby didn't look up as she placed a picture frame on her bedside table "Maybe." She shifted around the entire room towards the couch "So what are your guys plans for the future?"

Joan looked up from her gaze of the grounds "Well…I wanted to get away from home anyway, so mission accomplished." She said then pondered for a minute "I don't know where I'm going now, but now that I'm a witch, I don't know what I'm going to do."

Sam gave her a soft smile "Don't worry, you'll find out what your strengths are in the coming weeks." She looked over at Gabby "Probably something to do with plants, maybe a Herbalist." She nodded to herself "You?"

Gabby gave them a smirk "I want to beat my Sister in everything she does."

XX~XX~XX~XX~XX~XX

Welcome To Beauxbatons! In the next chapter we shall be going to class! Meeting a few of the professors and the other listed students such as the Beasts and Flamel! While this chapter wasn't really that hard to write, I've been going through some stuff and haven't had the drive.

Sorry about the wait and I hope you enjoyed.

Demon