Bienvenue, en France

--June 30th, 1991, Reinhardt Manor--

"Kids hurry down, the portkey is documented to be used in half an hour. We do not want to get in trouble with the French Ministry the second we step foot there!" called out Theodoric to his two grandchildren

Today was the day that the Reinhardt family would be taking their trip to France and then after they explored France sufficiently, they would check out wizarding Germany and then Pellworm Island where the ancestral castle is.

"Coming Grandpa, I just needed to stuff- I mean, pack the rest of my clothes," Sofia said with an innocent smile

"Sofia, let me see your luggage."

Sofia hesitated for a moment but then promptly handed her suitcase to Theodoric, who, upon inspection of the contents of the suitcase, let out a heavy sigh."

"Sigh, Sofia, there is a sizable extension charm applied to this suitcase and you still have enough clothes in here to almost overload it," Theodoric said as he facepalmed

"What? I really like my clothes."

"I'm guessing the amateur fashionista over there packed too many clothes?" asked a chuckling Alaric as he descended the stairs with his suitcase in tow

"what's a fashionista?" asked Sofia with her head turned to the side like a puppy

"I'll explain to you later Sofia, first we need to leave through the portkey, and Alaric, I'm surprised you even know what that is," Theodoric said

"What can I say, muggles pique my interest." Alaric Shrugged

As soon as the two youths reached Theodoric's side, they took the portkey and quickly appeared in what seemed to be the wizard's equivalent of TSA in France.

The trio walked up to the woman at the desk and she asked them a series of questions

"Bonjour, monsieur, S'il vous plaît state your name and reason for your visit to France." asked the kind lady who looked to be in her thirties, but knowing wizards and how differently they age, she may just be in her fifties or above, of course, do not ever ask a witch what her age is or else.

"My name is Theodoric Osric Reinhardt, Lord of the House of Reinhardt, these are my two grandchildren, Alaric Siegfried Reinhardt and Sofia Emma Reinhardt. We are here for pleasure and to explore your beau pays, Madame." Theodoric said while flashing his signature small yet captivating smile at the woman.

Seeing the handsome older man in front of her, she couldn't help but blush.

"A-Ah, very well, here is your d-documentation" stuttered the flustered woman

'you cunning old bastard' thought Alaric

The reason he called Theodoric cunning, was due to the easy way they got their documentation to enter the country, usually, most visitors, especially those from wizarding Britain, have to jump through several hoops to get their documents, but one fancy smile was all it took for Theodoric to get theirs.

As the group was walking away from the desk, they were almost past the wizarding TSA before they were stopped by a formal-looking man who wore a navy three-piece suit underneath a long black coat made of fine acromantula silk, the coat being of the generic wizarding look. (Kind of like Newt's coat from the movies but black in color)

"Excuse me Monsieur Reinhardt." said the man in a thick French accent while slightly bowing out of respect

"Comment puis-je vous aider Monsieur?" Theodoric said in French to make the conversation easier for the man

(I will be using ""this"" as a way to signal that they are speaking French)

""I was sent here by the French Minister of Magic to notify you of a formal invite to lunch by Minister Émilien Barrault."" The man informed Theodoric

""Hm, I see, well, I and my grandchildren would be honored to dine with the minister.""

After a few more minutes of conversation about the details, they were told to be at the famous wizard restaurant "Cuisine magique" quite the basic name Alaric thought but hey, wizards aren't known for their creativity now, are they?

--a few hours later--

The Reinhardt trio had just arrived at the entrance to the Estate at which they would be taking up residence for the remainder of their time in France.

The Manor that they will be staying at was actually owned by the French branch of the House of Reinhardt but unfortunately died out around a century ago when the last living member died childless, this the estate reverted back to the main branch and has stood idle for some time.

The old estate finally saw its next residents when Theodoric gifted it to Louis, Alaric's uncle for he and Silas to live in.

The Estate then promptly because the new home to the House of Duval who after almost a millennia of being in Britain, had finally returned to the land of their forefathers.

Despite living in France however, Silas had told his dad that he wanted to study at Hogwarts instead of Beaxbatons due to the school focusing more heavily on their female students and leaving their male students hung high and dry for the most part.

Theodoroic proceeded to ring the doorbell alerting the dwellers of the manor if their arrival.

*cue elaborate, fancy-ass doorbell sounds*

""Ah, good afternoon Lord Reinhardt."" The old yet kind butler said as he opened the door. ""Please, come in, you can deposit your effects with my two assistants, Nigel and Rolland.""

""It's a pleasure to see you again Robert."" Theodoric said with a nod to the old butler

""Lord Louis and the little lord shall be down soon, please follow me as I show you to your chambers.""

As the trio walked through the main hall of the manor, Alaric couldn't help but reminisce about times of old.

'It seems they still haven't taken down the old Reinhardt banners' Alaric thought while gazing up at the old banners draping the walls emblazoned with the heraldry of the family, a shield with a mighty azure blue dragon with its wings spread out, fire coming out of its snout on a field of white with cross swords behind it.

'I remember visiting this old manor as a child in my last life and making quick friends with Valentin my then, distant cousin.'

'Such a shame that his descendants died out, he was a great man, a greater wizard too.' Alaric thought with a somber countenance

"Is everything ok little brother?" Sofia asked in English with worry over his sudden dour expression

"Ah, yes sorry, everything is just... fine sister," Alaric said while assuming his calm and cold demeanor which had become the normal expression on his face as of late

--not long after, the living room of the manor--

As Theodoric, Louis, Sofia, and even little Silas were conversing about all they wanted to do and see during the visit, Alaric was sitting off to the side twirling a single pebble in the air with his wind magic while seemingly deep in thought, yet all that he was thinking about was those he has left behind and had to bury in his many lives.

'When will it end?' Alaric thought while giving out a sigh

""So Alaric, what do you wish to see on your visit here?"" Louis asked in French as it was his mother language

Hearing the question, Alaric stirred from his stupor and responded to his uncle's question.

""Hmm, well, I would like to see the famous magical creature auctions I've heard so much about, I've always wanted to have several pets."" said the boy who to everyone who didn't know better, would think was crazy for wanting to own a magical creature at such a young age, however, his family already knew of his innate connection to creatures due to not only magic power but also a certain incident that happened not too long ago.

The only reason he would even go to the auctions at such a young age as well is due to him being gifted an XXXXX-level ownership license from his grandfather after witnessing the actions of the boy back at home.

--Flashback to a few weeks ago--

As it was only a few weeks before Sofia came back from school, Alaric was bored and went for a walk around the grounds of the estate where he happened upon the Hippogriff stables that Daniel likes to take care of as a hobby.

While there, he paid Daniel a visit as he was brushing one of the Hippogriffs however, Daniel soon panicked when he saw Alaric just waltz into the pen and go up to the largest Hippogriff there.

"Alaric no, wait!" Daniel called out, not wanting his best friend's grandson and heir to get mauled by a hippogriff, however, much to his surprise, not only was the largest hippogriff in front of Alaric bowing to the boy, but all of them were currently giving the boy a bow.

When Daniel saw this he couldn't help but stand there with his mouth agape at the sheer ridiculousness of the image in front of him.

"A-Alaric, why, no, h-how are you doing that!" Daniel yelled out in shock at the scene before him

In his best attempt to fabricate a lie, Alaric said, "I don't know Daniel, I just... feel a connection to these beautiful creatures." right after answering the still-shocked butler, Alaric lifted a hand and gently pat the creature on its neck, the Hippogriff named Onyx due to his jet black coloring chirped in pleasure and comfort alongside each pat.

It was from then onward that Onyx became Alaric's personal Hippogriff and Theodoric gave the boy the license. Sure there was some pushback from the Ministry and the other pure-blood families, but eventually, Theodoric got his way, as per usual.

--Flashback over--

""I'm still not happy that you ventured into the pen without so much as a warning to Daniel."" Sofia said with a stern tone as she remembered how distraught she was when she first found out what happened after she saw her little brother flying on the back of Onyx after she got home.

""What can I say dear sister, I just have a way with all creatures."" Alaric said with a nonchalant shrug

""Whatever,"" Sofia said with a hmph at the end

""Well, if you still feel that way later once we go out to meet the French Minister for dinner, I've heard there is a rather high-quality auction being held not too far from there, it also starts a couple of hours after your appointment with the minister. I'm sure he would love to take you all there as to accommodate your every whim." Louis said with an eye roll as he knew no man with power who was of sound mind, would ever reject one of Theodoric much less any Reinhardt member's wish

""Perfect, then it settled, after we eat with, um.""

""Émilien."" Theodoric said seeing Alaric couldn't remember the minister's name

""Right, him, after we dine with Minister Émilien, he can take us to the auction."" Alaric said with a resolute tone

""Even if I said no, you would just go on your own wouldn't you Alaric?"" THoeodircd said with a tired sigh

All he got back was a small smile from his grandson, it however didn't go unnoticed to Theodoric that Alaric had this almost nostalgic look in his eye when he talks about magical creatures.

'Hm, what a peculiar boy.' Theodoric mused to himself

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