The Last Protection: Harriett Potter's Legacy

Chapter 35: A New Beginning

The early morning sun filtered through the French countryside as the Beauxbatons Express station came into view, its polished silver and blue carriages gleaming in the light. Harriett sat in the carriage with Sirius, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and trepidation. This was the day she had been waiting for, and yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling of stepping into the unknown.

Sirius seemed to notice her nerves. "You’re quiet this morning," he said, his tone softer than usual.

Harriett glanced at him, biting her lip. "Just thinking. It’s a lot to take in, you know? A new school, new people..."

Sirius smiled, the kind of smile that always made her feel grounded. "Harriett, you’re a natural. You’ll charm them all within the first week. Trust me, the world’s not ready for you."

She laughed despite herself, shaking her head. "Thanks, Sirius."

The carriage slowed as they reached the station. The platform was alive with activity—students dressed in pale blue robes carried trunks, said tearful goodbyes to their families, or chattered excitedly with friends. Harriett’s eyes were drawn to the train itself, its sleek design far different from the Hogwarts Express she had seen in books.

"This is it," Sirius said, stepping out of the carriage and offering her a hand. "Ready?"

"As I’ll ever be," she replied, taking his hand and stepping onto the platform.

---

Sirius helped her navigate the bustling crowd, his presence a reassuring anchor amidst the chaos. Once they reached the loading area, he crouched to her level, his expression serious.

"Listen, Harriett," he said, placing his hands on her shoulders. "You’re going to do amazing things here. But if you ever need me—if you feel lost, overwhelmed, or just want to talk—you write to me. Day or night, I’ll always be here for you."

Harriett nodded, her throat tightening. "I know, Sirius. I promise."

He ruffled her hair, earning a half-hearted glare. "That’s my girl. Now, go show them what you’re made of."

With one last hug, she turned and boarded the train, dragging her trunk behind her.

---

The interior of the Beauxbatons Express was luxurious, every detail carefully designed to reflect the elegance of the school it served. Harriett wandered through the narrow corridor, peeking into compartments until she found an empty one near the center of the train. Settling into a seat by the window, she stowed her trunk and gazed out at the platform.

Her thoughts wandered to Draco. She knew he would be boarding the Durmstrang ship soon, heading to a school known for its strict discipline and focus on the Dark Arts. The idea of being separated from him felt strange, but she reminded herself that this was her journey, her chance to carve out her own path.

The compartment door slid open, pulling her from her thoughts. A girl with dark, curly hair and caramel-colored skin stood there, her pale blue robes immaculate.

"Mind if I join you?" the girl asked in French, her tone warm but poised.

"Not at all," Harriett replied, grateful for the hours she had spent practicing the language with Andromeda.

The girl smiled and slid into the seat across from her. "I’m Thalie Giroux," she said, extending a hand.

"Harriett Black," she replied, shaking it.

Thalie’s eyes widened slightly. "Black? As in the Black family?"

Harriett sighed inwardly. She had been bracing herself for this reaction. "Yes, my family recently moved to France."

Thalie’s surprise quickly turned to curiosity. "Well, that’s certainly interesting. I imagine you’ll make quite an impression at Beauxbatons."

Before Harriett could respond, the door slid open again, and two more students entered—a sandy-haired boy with a shy smile and a girl clutching an armful of books.

"Mind if we join you?" the boy asked.

"Go ahead," Harriett said, scooting over to make room.

"I’m Louis Fontaine," the boy introduced himself, sitting beside Thalie.

"Sophie Marchand," the girl mumbled, barely looking up from her book as she slid into the seat next to Harriett.

---

The train began to move, and their compartment came alive with conversation. Thalie, with her quick wit and easy charm, quickly took the lead, explaining Beauxbatons traditions and answering Harriett’s questions.

"You’ll love it," Thalie said, her eyes sparkling. "The château is beautiful, and the classes are fascinating. Oh, and you must see the gardens—they’re magical in every sense of the word."

Louis nodded eagerly. "And don’t forget the food. The feasts are incredible. Nothing like Hogwarts, from what I hear."

Harriett felt herself relaxing. Despite her initial nerves, the company was pleasant, and the excitement in the air was infectious.

Sophie, who had been silent for most of the journey, finally looked up from her book. "The Winter Ball is a highlight," she said, her tone matter-of-fact. "Though I imagine it will be particularly interesting this year, with you in attendance."

Harriett raised an eyebrow. "Why’s that?"

"Because you’re a Black," Sophie replied simply, returning to her book.

Thalie chuckled. "Ignore her. She has a habit of stating the obvious."

---

As the hours passed, the landscape outside transformed. Rolling hills gave way to a picturesque valley, and in the distance, Harriett caught her first glimpse of Beauxbatons Academy.

The château was breathtaking, its pale stone walls glowing in the afternoon light. Turrets and spires reached towards the sky, and the surrounding gardens were a riot of color. A shimmering lake reflected the grandeur of the school, completing the idyllic scene.

Harriett felt a thrill of anticipation as the train pulled into the station. She and her companions gathered their belongings and joined the throng of students disembarking.

---

At the gates of the school, Madame Maxime herself stood waiting. Her presence was commanding yet warm, and her rich, melodic voice carried easily over the crowd.

"Welcome to Beauxbatons, mes chers élèves," she said. "You are about to begin a journey that will shape you into the witches and wizards you are destined to be. Bienvenue."

Harriett’s heart swelled as she crossed the threshold into the school grounds. This was it—the start of a new chapter, one filled with promise, magic, and endless possibilities. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt like she truly belonged.