#i think elle navigates around her peers (if she attends school) much the same way that julius did

[kresnikcest]

it already is impossible to write "ludger and elle both live" without addressing julius raising ludger, but goddamn does violet-eyed elle surviving make it even worse than prime ludger and green elle. especially with whatever victor might feel about julius (and if he knows about claudia).

[necromaniackat]

Finders Keepers

Chapter 2: Welcome to St Therese  

As of the other night I am now referred to as the purse of St Therese. I honestly don't see why, I lied right to two headmasters faces with little to no guilt. I could’ve blabbed about the secret tunnels; that would’ve ended with the tunnels being closed and secret meet ups put to an end. Then I could be called a prude or a stick in the mud. Although, I may have forgotten to mention Mackyla and Ella had boys over too. They’re my best friends, what was I supposed to do? Rat on them? I may like order, but I also like my friends. I won’t go another two years without friends. As much as they drive me batty, I’d go insane without them.  

My dad has never actually met my friends before, but I’ve met all of his. It's strange to know my dad was pals with James Potter, Harry Potter's dad, the boy who lived, indeed very strange.  

My dad fought in the wizarding war with the Order, they tried to recruit him last year, but he wouldn't budge. I asked him why and he said he was tired of fighting. Since ma died when I was a baby dad has tried to distance himself from the wizarding world. He basically muggle! Not that there is anything wrong with muggles, but you can see it in his eyes, he misses the magical world. He still uses magic in his life but not often.  

I sighed at the thought of my parents. They began dating in sixth year and got married right out of school. A few years later ma died a few months after I was born.  

I wandered down the corridors with my books tightly held to my chest and my nose pointing down. I trailed behind Mackyla and Ell to our first period etiquette class. The two of them went on about their upcoming dates with those two Hogwarts boys. I couldn’t help but grin at my two boy crazy lovestruck friends. But the grin was cut short when my face met the cotton fabric of Mackyla's robes. I stepped back in confusion, my eyebrows knitted together.  

“What the?” I exclaimed. “-What’s going on?” I questioned when I recovered from bumping into Mac. Mackyla and Ella were stopped at the mouth of the class room. I gently pushed past them when I got no response. By the looks on their faces something had them in awe. This isn't something you see every day, despite being a witch in a world of magic. Oddly enough being awestruck isn’t a daily thing. So, seeing my two best friends I such a state made me follow their wide eyed gaze to the source. My jaw dropped as my heart dropped with it. My stomach lurched and I nearly fell back on my butt.  

In Professor Spitz classroom was a large group of Hogwarts boys, sitting sleepily at the far side of the classroom. They looked at the girls pouring into the classroom like they were three headed octopuses. I. suppose I was looking at them the same.  

Once the shock wore off the three of us found our seats, Ella sitting behind Mac and I. The usual morning chatter was replaced with silence and low whispers. Mackyla and I shared awkward glances with each other and Ella. It was as though we were asking each other what was going on, why were there Hogwarts boys in our classroom?  

My attention was caught by Professor Spitz and Madam Therese waltzing in with Professor McGonagall, from Hogwarts, trailing behind them.  

“Good morning ladies,” Professor Spitz greeted in a lively tone. “-And gentlemen.” She added acknowledging the boys in the class. A choir of girls sang back to her a morning greeting that sounded monotonous.  

“Madam Therese has an announcement to discuss with you.” Professor Spitz announced. I sat up straighter in my place. Madam Therese stepped forward to the very front of the class. My stomach twisted and turned in wait of this announcement.

“Good morning all.” Madam Therese’s voice was full and confident.  

“Good morning Madam Therese.” A choir of female voices, including mine, greeted in return.  

“Seeing as there has been a recent rise in Male presence here at St Therese, Professor Dumbledore and I have decided that the boys of Hogwarts are in need of some manners, therefore you will be sharing etiquette lessons for the remainder of the semester.” Madam Therese told the class, it was followed by an awkward silence that filled the room. I was unsettled by this announcement. I didn’t like this plan whatsoever. If Professor Dumbledore wanted to teach the boys some manners, then they could've stayed at Hogwarts instead of coming here.  

“Professor Dumbledore saw to it that the boys learned manners from the politest of their peers.” Professor McGonagall added making most of the girls perk up in pride. I take pride in following the school rules and how I represent them. St Therese has been a very well respected school for young witches for centuries.  

“Does this mean we're going to learn how to curtsey and sip tea?” A boy from the back of the class asked rudely. I had to fight the urge to spin around and glare at him. Etiquette classes are more than knowing your please and thank you, it's knowing how to behave in different situations.  

“Not exactly. Professor Spitz and Professor McGonagall will explain everything to you.” Madam Therese spoke with such confidence that it almost made me smile. I still wasn't happy about this seemingly experiment. I will preach this until the day I die, I came to St Therese to stay away from boys, not to be thrown into the same class as them.  

“Miss St Claire, would you care to explain to the boys what this class is about?” Professor Spitz called on me without hesitation. I remained upright as I started wide eyed at her. It wasn’t until Mackyla jarred her knee into the side of my leg that I blinked.  

“Ugh, yes Professor. I’ll explain.” I stuttered nervously as I stood up and found a place at the front of the class. I lifted my gaze to look at the mixed class. There were more girls than boys.  

My eyes were drawn to an abnormally blond haired boy sitting at the back of the class with his arms crossed and nose pointing at the desk. He appeared to be mildly inconvenienced by being here. Well, that makes two of us.  

“Etiquette class here at St Therese is about learning how to behave in different situations and how to properly navigate confrontations. As well, it teaches us how to debate. The motto of this class is ‘don’t raise your voice, raise your argument’.” I explained basically after taking my eyes off the blond boy at the back. But soon my gaze found him again.  

“Well done, Eliese!” Professor Spitz praised like a proud mother. I shared a pleasant smile with her before going to my seat again. Mackyla sniggered at me, referring me as a teacher's pet once again.  

That class seemed to drag on forever, much longer than any other class I had. We went over the basics, chivalry was included. I was oddly surprised by how mild mannered the boys were. Especially that blond boy, although, he is rather quiet and keeps to himself. He, himself, is very smart and the few times he did open his mouth all that came out was intelligent things. It left me a light star struck if you asked me.  

The sixth year boys will be attending etiquette classes until the Yule Ball. Then it will be decided if the classes will continue on at Hogwarts, so everybody gets a chance to learn what we’re learning here. That thought made me smile, as well as knowing that every time Professor McGonagall interacts with the girls of St Therese she is left in awe by how well-mannered and educated but feisty we are. She wants to have similar classes at Hogwarts.  

Ella and I casually walked to potions while Mac went to ancient ruins. Ella dreamily talked about how charming Dean Thomas is. I couldn’t help but smile at her. I may not be boy crazy, but I will always support my friends and I always will unless they tell me there a Death Eater, that’s where the support ends.  

“Eliese,” Ella sang softly as we walked side by side down the corridor. I glanced over at her.

“Yes?” I replied.  

“Why do you not like boys so much?” She asked curiously. My train of thought stopped, and I was faced with a question that I didn’t like the answer to. The answer is always the same; I just never found boys interesting enough to give them my attention. Plus my dad might lose his mind if I became as boy crazy as Mac. Maybe not as much as Ella but he’d most certainly lose his marbles if I chased after boys the same way Mac does.  

“I mean, in all six years that we’ve been friends you never once had a crush on a boy or even given them a second glance.” Ella added cautiously. I shrugged away the tinge of remembrance and shared a crooked smile with her.  

“What are you getting at, El?” I asked curiously. I wanted to know where this was coming from. Ella doesn’t ask questions unless there’s a motive to it.  

“You couldn't take your eyes off the blond haired boy at the back of the class. That’s new for you.” And there was the motive. I pursed my lips together and sighed deeply.  

“If you think I have a crush on the blond in the back then I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but I kept looking at him because his hair is incredibly blond.” Lies. Lies. It's all lies. I didn’t know why I kept looking at him, but I did find it rather annoying.