Children of Sin

Chapter 30

"Maman!" Layla ran into her mother's arms when she entered the hall, "I didn't know you were coming today."

"Hello darling," Larissa tightened her embrace around her beloved child, "I just finished up some work and came to see you before I left."

"Hi Aunt Rissa," Stelle Borier-Delancy came to greet her aunt, "it's been awhile since I've seen you. Did they hire you to deal with Potter?"

"Yes Stelle," Larissa releases her daughter in order to hug her cousin's daughter, "and you're right, it has been awhile. When you all come back, I should take you out for lunch."

"It looks like my daughter is close with you," Clarene observes, turning to Larissa, "I'm glad that we all get along."

"So am I," Larissa agrees, "family should take care of one another."

"I'll take you up on that," Stelle grinned, "you know, now might be the best time to introduce you to someone." Stelle went back to the Ravenclaw table, and returned with a dark haired girl. "Aunt Rissa, meet my best friend Nancy Porter. She's a huge fan of yours, so when she found out we're related, she insisted on meeting you."

"Bonjour," Larissa extends a hand, "it's a pleasure to meet a friend of Stelle's. I'm Larissa Arquette."

"It's a real honor to meet you Madam Arquette," Nancy eagerly shook Larissa's hand, "I'm a huge fan of your work. In fact, my favorite has to be your thesis on the magical possibilities of obsidian. Is it true that you've patented the method of using obsidian in alchemy?"

"I'm glad you enjoyed the paper," Larissa smiles, "and yes, I did patent the obsidian vessel method. I filed with the ICW, so my patent is valid all across the world. Now, Stelle dear, have you seen the boys. It's been lovely to chat with you all, but I just wanted to say a quick hello before heading home."

"How did we miss such potential?" Horace whispered to Filius. The two of them were the teachers who mentored the most students; they were the teachers that cultivated the talents of their students. Minerva took interest in very few people; she could go years before taking interest in a student again. Pomona Sprout would be happy to mentor, yet her subject, herbology, wasn't one that students tended to invest in. Charms and Potions were amongst the most practical subjects for budding witches and wizards to focus on, so it made sense that the teachers who taught them had the most protèges,

Horace's club was an obvious show of mentorship; select students could receive advice and connections by joining. He was happy to listen and chat with students, and if a student had something experimental they wished to try, Horace was happy to assist. Filius was more subtle; if he noticed talent, he approached the student to offer extra credit and courses. Filius assigned extra research papers, answered complex questions, instructed promising duelers, and spoke often with students who displayed extraordinary talent. 

Both had their eyes out for students with gifts; so, how had they missed a student of such revolutionary talent?

"Damian is with Rolf at the Slytherin table," Layla answered her mother promptly, "and Victor is off hanging out with Ray, likely in the chariots. Apparently, the two of them are writing letters to Lèon, Felicia, and Damian Garcia."

"I can escort you to the chariots," Madam Ballard offered, "unless you'd like to speak with your other son first."

"That would be best," Larissa turned to the Slytherin table, "Merlin! This is bringing me back to my school days."

Damian was talking to Rolf and Cesare when a hand tapped his shoulder. He was incredibly surprised to see his beloved mother standing smilingly behind him.