With the Ball ending in a complete and utter devastating disaster, Bea was glad she was going to Hogwarts instead of Salem. She was still a bit apprehensive, as were her parents, but it was better than the American school. Her parents and Thomas took her to the train station in the morning, with Thomas chattering excitedly and her parents giving her quiet and serious advice. She hugged them all tight, promised to write at least once a week and pinky promised her little brother that she'll write him whenever she ran into a ghost or saw a fascinating creature. He clung to her in the last minute, as he did every year, not wanting his big sister to go away. She kneeled down, so she was facing him, hugged him tight and reassured him in rapid French, that she'll be safe, he'll have lots of friends to play with, she'll write and that she'll miss him too, very very much.
When Thomas calmed down enough for Bea to let go of him, she kissed Maman and Papa on their cheeks once again and then boarded the train. She found an empty compartment, not really wanting to talk to people. She needed time to think about everything, maybe take a nap and read The Hobbit again. This wasn't time for making friends, that came later.
She settled down on the seat and took her book and iPod out of her bag. Along with her iPod came a scarlet badge. It fell on the floor and Bea picked it up, twirling it in her fingers.
A Prefect. They actually made her a Prefect.
The letter that accompanied the badge explained that her old Head of House at Beauxbatons wrote to Hogwarts administration, telling them they were considering making Beatrice a Prefect, but since she transferred, they couldn't. He also told Hogwarts about Bea's academic achievement so far and recommended her for the Prefect position. Apparently, the administration at her new school believed she could be trusted with such responsibilities. She wasn't sure whether she liked that or not. Starting a new school year in a country with a different language would be hard enough, without having to make sure people were following rules. She wasn't even very aware of what those rules were.
Her parents were happy and proud, of course, and Bea didn't want to disappoint them, so she accepted the position. She had a meeting with the Head Girl and Boy later on during the train ride and she expected she'll see what her duties are then.
The witch put the badge back in her bag, put her headphones in, put her iPod on shuffle and opened her book. An unexpected journey, all right...
Home 
