Chapter Twenty-Two: Chilly Encounters

Cordelia couldn't feel her toes.

Forget toes, she couldn't feel most of her body.

While Southern France was one of the most beautiful locations in Europe, it also happened to be one of the coldest. It didn't help matters that Beauxbatons was located on top of the snow-tipped mountains, making the Hogwarts students groan and shiver as they ascended the mountains.

It had been at least three hours since their departure from Hogwarts, yet after the first hour, Tom and Cordelia had taken to ignoring each other, only speaking when absolutely necessary. Peculiarly, neither seemed to be uncomfortable by the silence and chose to lounge with books of their own and warm cups of tea.

At the start, Cordelia was unsure what the silence meant, her mind trailing to thoughts of uncertainty as she constantly snuck glances at Tom. That didn't last very long as his gaze finally met hers, one eyebrow amusedly raised while a cocky smile painted its way across his lips.

"Do you need anything?"

Cordelia flushed a light pink as she muttered a 'no' and turned away from him, suddenly very intrigued by the passing clouds and bits of snow. Tom simply chuckled at her reaction and went back to his book, too engrossed to notice the mounds of snow descending onto the train.

An eerie silence settled onto the Hogwarts Express as they approached Beauxbatons. The train tracks were now diagonally descending towards the snowy mountains as the students quivered in their seats, contemplating whether the Triwizard Tournament was worth facing such weather.

Thankfully, the more logical purebloods immediately sought out warming spells as the train rushed to a stop, it's whistle emitting a loud noise as Dippet abandoned his seat.

For a moment all was quiet as everyone glanced at the mob of students and teachers in baby blue cloaks. It was only when Dippet cleared his throat that their attention diverted from the quizzical mob of French students.

"While mingling with the other schools is appreciated, I advise you to follow the discussed protocol and uphold Hogwarts' prestige."

The balding professor paused for a moment, taking the time to meet each student's gaze before he stepped aside and gestured the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws forward. Cordelia let out a sigh as she busied herself collecting her handbag and adjusting loose strands of hair.

"Hey-"

Tom's sudden call made her pause as the brunette's hand faltered and fell into her lap.

"You'll do fine."

Riddle's words surprised her as Cordelia huffed and tucked her hair behind an ear, simply nodding as Tom opened the compartment's door and allowed her to lead the way.

Much to his dismay Cordelia didn't bother heading straight for the exit, choosing to wait for Druella and Phyllis as the Slytherin males led the way. It was evident Tom had planned to stick around a little longer, but he couldn't do much except huff and trail towards Abarax.

"Someone's angsty."

Phyllis giggled at Druella's observation, turning towards Cordelia as they finally exited the train.

The Palace of Beauxbaton was an extravagant yet elegant chateau, while it wasn't nearly as big as Hogwarts, its four floors and various towers were quite impressive. With lush gardens, navy blue decor and extravagant fountains coating every inch of the entranceway, the Slytherin girls were unsure whether to gawk at the sheer excellence or ponder the spells required to maintain such a rampant place.

Cordelia couldn't help but take in a deep, calming breath as they approached the arched passage leading to the grand entrance.

It was nothing like Hogwarts' antique decor and bland, bold gates. Beauxbaton had a peculiar colour scheme, one containing golds, whites, and splashes of every shade of blue. While the tiled floor of the passage was white marble, the arch itself depicted various pieces of art, each of them containing gold fairies and blue sceneries.

The arch, however, was nothing in comparison to the gate.

Humongous double doors automatically opened as Dippet approached them, his gaze diverting from the gate to the school itself. It seemed the students weren't the only ones awed by Beauxbatons' splendid grounds, for Slughorn, Dumbledore and Dippet couldn't help but marvel at the grand gold gates.

While the doors themselves were a deep gold, extravagant blue swirls coated their entirety, occasional flowers and butterflies dotting the golden gates. Cordelia was certain no one would spend enough money to have the gates made of real gold, but knowing the French's ways she couldn't help but doubt that thought.

"I think I'm going to transfer after this year."

She giggled at Phyllis's words, her chuckles being echoed by Druella as the trio finally made their way past the gates.

The entrance hall seemed grander than anything Cordelia had ever seen. While Hogwarts' ceiling reflected the weather outside, Beauxbatons' high archway depicted a scenery similar to the one on the initial passage's arch. There was only one difference between the two, while the arch in the garden favoured tones of blue that pertained to the garden, the entrance hall's arch was painted in light shades of blue and white.

"Dippet, Dumbledore!"

A large French woman spread her arms in welcome as she detached from the small cluster of students and professors near the back of the hall. Her hair flowed till her shoulder in thick ringlets, their light brown tone complimenting the bloody red cheetah print robe with fur on the top.

Cordelia had heard of this woman, her thick accent and large figure confirming the teenager's guess. Madame Olympe Maxime was larger than they predicted her to be, but her statue wasn't what made Lia gasp surprisedly. Many people were aware of the headmistress's proclaimed giant blood but chose to shrug off the rumours as mere speculation.

However, most would still remain cautious of the woman, yet Dumbledore walked forward with a pleasant smile as he embraced the lady, Dippet following right after.

"She's something alright."

Druella's words were met with a jab in the ribs as Cordelia plastered a fake smile and ensured no one had heard her cousin. Alas, the damage was done as a certain Beauxbatons boy turned towards the trio of girls, his eyebrows raised amusedly as he met Cordelia's gaze.

For a moment Lia simply stared back at him with a sheepish grin before turning back towards her cousin with an irritant frown. Druella, on the other hand, simply wiggled her fingers at the boy as a greeting and turned away from him, focusing on Madame Olympe Maxime as she led the Hogwarts professors towards the great hall.

Cordelia chose to let her gaze linger on the boy as the professors and a few students, presumedly the heads and prefects, around him dispersed. The group of Hogwarts students followed after the faculty as they entered the Dining Chamber.

Awed gasps and coos echoed around them as Phyllis, Druella, and Cordelia walked past the double doors, their gaze lingering on every aspect of the place. Wood nymphs serenaded the occupants as they ate various French dishes, their voices loud enough to be heard yet too quiet to understand.

The ceiling was unlike the arches outside, rather than art it painted a vivid picture of a blizzard on the mountain, with constantly moving bits of snow and light drops of rain. Ice sculptures dotted the premises and helped paint an icy yet homely picture, one that Cordelia couldn't help but get lost in.

"It's pretty, isn't it?"

She jerked in her position as Lia turned towards the left, noticing the boy from before. Unsure how to respond she simply nodded and smiled, following after the receding mob of Hogwarts students.

"I thought the schools would be performing."

The boy shook his head at the question, directing Cordelia to one of the three long wooden tables in the hall.

"The performances will take place after the food."

Knowing it would be rude to simply nod again, she waited for them to reach Phyllis and Druella before replying.

"What's your name?"

He paused, grinning at a curly-haired brunette girl with caramel skin.

"Antoine Ravenport, and you are?"

The name was one Cordelia had never heard, its pronunciation being unique yet peculiar. However, it suited the fair-skinned blue-eyed brunette boy. With dark grey pants, a baby blue shirt, and a navy blue vest, Antoine looked like the epitome of a French boy, but his guyliner and several bracelets suggested otherwise.

"Cordelia Black-McMillan, but you can call me Lia."

Her French companions seemed to pause at that, only speaking after Phyllis and Druella introduced themselves too.

"I've heard of Arcturus Black, he works in the ministry, does he not?"

Antoine's accent was heavier than usual as he spoke, his words coated with a hint of poison Cordelia easily distinguished.

"I wouldn't know, I haven't spoken to him in two years."

The French boy smiled at this, leaning back on the bench as the coloured girl opposite of him finally spoke.

"Estelle Vaillancourt, it's a pleasure to meet you."

While the girl's accent was similar to her peer's, Cordelia sensed a thicker undertone, one that was similar to Rodolphus's step mother's voice. It was unlikely that Estelle was related to the Lestranges, but Lia couldn't help but feel slightly excited with the idea of discovering her friend's stray sibling.

The group of five settled into a comfortable silence as they served themselves, only starting up a conversation when they got past the appetizers.

"So, how exactly does Beauxbaton's house system work?"

Phyllis's question was met a grin from Antoine as he shuffled in his seat, slightly turning to the left the address the girl seated across Lia.

"Beauxbatons' houses are based upon two of the most important things in our school, beauty, and alchemical properties."

Estelle continued after that, her hands constantly gesturing as she spoke.

"We three main categories for each of them. There's integrity, clarity, and proportion for beauty, which are simple to understand. The alchemical ones are a little hard to explain."

She paused as Antoine took up the conversation, setting down the cutlary as he spoke.

"There's sulfur that represents the soul, mercury which is spirit, and salt, the body. In that order the elements of beauty and alchemical properties represent Bellefeuille, Ombrelune, and Papillonlisse."

The information was a lot to take in, making Druella and Cordelia simply nod while Phyllis absorbed their words before replying.

"Which one are you in?"

"Both of us are part of Bellefeuille. However, the houses don't hold as much importance as your houses in Hogwarts."

Estelle's pronunciation of Hogwarts made Cordelia chuckle as she finished her meal, allowing her new and old friends to converse as she turned towards the nymphs performing near the front.

It had taken her a moment to realize someone was glaring at her, and another minute to notice Tom's murky brown pools sending a death stare towards Antoine as the French boy cracked a joke. For the life of her Cordelia couldn't understand Riddle's sudden urge to project envy onto the Ravenport heir, but she chose to ingore his stare as she turned back towards Estelle and struck up a conversation.

After a night full of festivities and meeting the students of Beauxbaton and Dumstrang, Cordelia couldn't help but slump into her bed as soon as the professor led the three Slytherin girls to the Hogwarts female dorms.

While the girls from all four houses would sleep under one roof, they maintained their differences with two empty beds dividing each house. The Slytherin trio chose to take beds closest to the doors, while the Gryffindors lounged in the beds closest to the windows.

All was quiet as the girls slumbered after a long night at the Palace of Beauxbatons, yet the silence was cut short with yet another sigh as Cordelia turned in her bed.

With a defeated groan the brunette abandoned her bed, grabbing a cloak to cover her nightsuit as she exited the room.

Cordelia hadn't expected to encounter a Hogwarts student in the halls, much less a familiar brunette boy leaning against one of the fountains in the gardens.

"Couldn't sleep?"

Orion was startled out of his position as he turned towards his sister, sending her an annoyed eye roll.

"Yes. What about you?"

She shrugged as Cordelia sat beside her brother, casually leaning her head onto his shoulder.

"I feel like this pressure is crumbling me. I mean-" Lia paused, unsure how to continue.

"What if I'm not meant to be here?"

Orion smiled as he adjusted his position, moving Cordelia's head into his lap. Much like their childhood days in the circle, the grey-eyed boy sifted his fingers through her long brown strands. During their childhood there were many occasions where the blue-eyed witch would loose her temper and threaten to respond to their father with magic, and even more times when Orion would calm his sister by reading to her with her head in his lap as she was lulled to sleep.

Today wasn't any different as Cordelia drifted off, groggily watching as Orion leaned his head onto the fountain's decorative pillar and sighed, looking at the stars with a small smile.

"You don't have to be scared, Lia, you're exactly where you're supposed to be."

She grinned and curled into her brother, curving into a fetus position around Orion as he brought his knees up and moved her head to his chest.

As they drifted off, the siblings finally felt at peace with themselves, regardless of what the future held.