Louanne Delacour

Prologue

September 1st, 1993

Sunshine beat down on my face as I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. Today was going to be my first day at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I went to Durmstrang my first year, and Ilvermorny my second. My parents travel a lot for work, so naturally, I go with them everywhere. 

As I got up to get dressed and ready for the day, I heard loud footsteps running to my door.

"Louanne! Today's the daaaay," my little sister Gabrielle sang as she barged into my room. By now, this was a normal occurrence, so I paid her no mind, and went into my ensuite bathroom to brush my teeth. She casually threw herself into my desk chair and draped her body over the back of it behind me. "Ugh, I wish I got to go to school," she complained. She's ten, so she wouldn't be going to school until next year.

"You know, school isn't as fun as you think it is, " I yelled to her. Spitting in the sink, and washing off my brush, I continued, "There are a lot of tests, and the teachers-and classmates-aren't always the best." Still having to pack some last-minute outfits, I walked through the open door and made my way to the closet at the opposite end of the room. Gabrielle followed me over to the bed and slunk her shoulders. I saw a sad look on her face before she turned around and picked up my cat, Kit, who had been peacefully sleeping through the morning.

"Yeah, whatever." I found everything I needed and piled it onto my mattress. Then rounding the corner, I found my trunk next to my desk and started piling things into it. I managed to get my parents to enchant the inside to fit more, so I piled as much in as I could inside. Gabrielle stayed silent, fiddling with her hands in her lap.

"This is just for the year, right? I mean, we're moving back to France for real next year?" She looked up at me hopefully. Well...

I hesitated before answering. "That's the plan..." I latched the trunk and set it up next to my door. "But mom and dad tried to get transferred last year and well, here we are. In Scotland, of all places." I stuffed my hands into my jean pockets and kicked the floor before looking at her. "We're closer, but I wouldn't be surprised if we have to stay for another year or two." Gabrielle looked down at her hands.

"Yeah, that's what I thought..." she muttered. Instantly feeling regret for giving her the bad news, I tried to change the subject.

"But we don't have to worry about that right now." I walked over to her and sat on the bed. I stole Kit from her and stroked the Siamese kitten's fur. "And besides; Harry Potter is supposed to be a third year at Hogwarts too. And I for one don't want to miss that." She smiled and agreed. Making sure I got everything, I scanned over the room and grabbed an empty leather messenger bag on the back of my office chair.

"I totally forgot about that! I heard last year, he slayed a Basilisk in a secret vault under the castle. Classic white knight thing," the girl gushed, laying down and gazing at the ceiling. "And the year before that, he destroyed you-know-who again!  Who was supposedly posing as his teacher. Can you beieve that?!"

"Sure I can." Muggle headphones, a muggle walkman, my sketchbook, pencils, my wand, a book, and diary, were all things that made their way into my bag. I find it absolutely necessary to pack entertainment on long rides. Especially if you find yourself sitting next to a rather unpleasant person. "Along with blowing up his aunt a few days ago. Heard mum and dad talking about it."

"I guess you're right. But still. I would give anything to meet him," Gabrielle said, sitting up and crossing over to the door. She made a move to open it before pausing and turning around. "Who knows? Maybe you and Harry will become besties and go on an adventure together?" Gabrielle teased.

"It could happen," I shrugged. I walked over so now I was standing in front of her folding my hands over my chest. 

"Sure," she said sarcastically. "I'm going to go eat breakfast and wait for you to be late for the train ride." She was halfway down the stairs before she turned around and ran back, "Oh, and you better write me every week at least. And if you don't try out for the quidditch team, I won't speak to you ever again."

"Course you won't." She stared blankly at me. "Oh, you're serious? Okay, okay fine. But you better write back."

She held out her pinky. "I promise." I linked my little finger with hers and ushered her out the door.

"Now go, you big nuisance, or I really will be late!"