I posted ch.41 just before this, so make sure to read that one before getting onto this one :))
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1st July 2000- Saturday
Leanne twitched violently, leaning backwards out of reflex as a man brushed past her briskly, his fine robes trailing after him as he continued on his way, giggling companions following at his heels with nary a glance in her direction.
Curling closer to the wall, she bit her lip nervously as she observed the crowd with trepidation, eyes roving over their decorated robes, dresses and other formal wear, with insignia embroidered on their backs denoting their important houses and allegiances. She threaded her fingers through her thin, plain dress with a frown, staring at the finery surrounding her. Lea had thought her mother's bracelets and necklace would be enough, it had to be enough as it was all she had, but consequently, it was not.
Leanne felt regret for entering the Selection, having forgotten in her excitement that the environment she wished to enter was one so far removed from normal society that she could barely recognise it. And she stood out like a sore, dirty thumb. Sure, there were others here that she could see who wore less extravagant outfits, but at least they held themselves with enough confidence that some were looking past that and interacting with them. Lea felt like a ghost, stood in the corner of the hall.
She patted at her plaits with self-consciousness, nervously peering at the men and women surrounding her, shying away when spotting any derisive stares sent her way from the Lords, Ladies, Heirs, Heiresses, Princes and Princesses surrounding her. The only title she could claim was that of a Student of Beauxbatons.
The woman used all her might to stay rooted in her spot, knowing that the hardest part hadn't even passed yet, and she couldn't be the only one to go running out of the hall before the Selection even began.
"Leanne Buchanan, daughter of Royce Buchanan." Her name was called by the Eunuch quickly, luckily, as her surname was high on the list. She hurried up the steps, gripping hold of her skirts in an attempt to seem more graceful than she truly was, not looking back as she heard the giggles and whispers begin.
The Eunuch gestured for her to place her hand on the orb, barely glancing from the scroll in his hands, and did so with a slightly shaking hand, pushing her magic into it, uncharacteristically confident.
One of the only reasons as to why Leanne had even attempted the Selection was due to her magical power.
"Leanne Buchanan has scored a total of 85 in the Magic Power Test. She passes into the next round." The examiner announced after reading off the monitor he held in his hand, writing down the score onto the sheet of those who had passed. Leanne breathed out a sigh of relief, turning on her heel to walk back down the steps. She was too relieved to notice the way those who had sneered at her were now gaping, eyes glistening with envy.
A maid grabbed her hand, and Leanne made a noise of surprise, staring at the woman as she tugged her along to another room. She remembered as she entered that the first day of the Selection was not yet over, and there was still the Health section to grit her teeth through, especially when the invasive fertility test began.
Leanne breathed a sigh of relief when it was all over, and she received her results.
"Leanne Buchanan has Above Average Fertility and is in perfect health. She passes into the next round." She accepted the key handed to her by the Eunuch, nodding her head gratefully, before scampering off to seek out her room in the Palace.
On the way, Lea passed many other candidates who had passed onto the second round, who gave her cursorary glances over their shoulders, surrounded by the maids they had brought with them for the Selection. Depending on whether they were selected, and which rank they were given if they were lucky enough to capture the Emperor's attention, most of those maids would be sent home soon enough. They were looking at her because she was lacking any at all.
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| INTIMACY | - HPxTMR
Fanfiction● Word Count: 175k ● ◇ Ever since he was young, Harry had been fascinated with the Emperor, the founder of the Slytherin Dynasty and ruler of the world. When the chance appeared to become a part of his Harem, Harry jumped at it, eager to figure out...
