Hard to Swallow

Lucie was tired from her shopping and was now sitting at one of the tables reading her new book. Her grandmother had gone off to see if it was possible for them to book a room for the night and told Lucie not to move from her seat. The young girl would have much rather followed her grandmother but agreed to comply with the order. She at least had something to read though it was rather dull.

She yawned as she tried to get more interested in these weird and wonderful things they were expected to learn at Beauxbatons. Lucie yawned and wrinkled her nose. "Do we have to actually drink these potions?" she asked herself. Knowing what was in them was worse than the time she read the ingredients on the bottle of medicine her mother made her take. At least that time she had no idea what those unpronounceable words meant.

Serah had almost finished shopping. Now all she needed to do was meet Milan at Banshee Booksellers. But Milan wasn't due for several more hours. So Serah figured she'd go reconnect with the location where she made her first friend.

When she walked into La Petit Dragon, she saw many students from Beauxbatons, most of them older than herself. Most of them looked like they'd have a problem with a fourth year sitting at their table.

But then, she saw a younger girl reading a first year Potions book. That would be the safest bet. Make a new friend and help a first year. Two of Serah's favorite things.

She walked over to the girl's table. "My name is Serah. May I sit with you?"

The furrow in Lucie's brow deepened as she continued in her attempt to absorb the information on the printed page. She had an awful feeling potions was not going to be her best subject. Probably none of them would. It wasn't like her school in Amsterdam. And the fact the lessons wouldn't be conducted in Dutch wasn't going to be the hardest thing she would have to adjust to either. She had at least learnt French at school.

With her focus on her book and the coming year, Lucie hadn't noticed anyone coming up to her table. She jumped and looked up at the older girl. Quickly she shut the book and stammered out with, "oh um sure. Lucie. I mean my name's Lucie. Lucie Banken. How old are you? I mean well you're obviously not new like me so you must be older mustn't you?" She flushed as she realised suddenly that she was not giving Serah a chance to respond to any of her words. "Um sorry. Sometimes I get a little carried away."

Serah was about to give up on talking to the girl. She hadn't noticed her for what seemed like an eternity.

But when the girl did respond, it was an onslaught of questions.

"I'm going to be fifteen in two weeks. I'm a fourth year at Beauxbatons. Is that where you're headed? Just guessing by the first year textbook you're holding. And you're fine. My best friend is always asking questions. I'm very used to it. Nice to meet you, Lucie."

"Potions? Is that what class you're interested in?" Serah asked, finally sitting down across from the girl. "It's pretty fun. If you like cooking a ton of weird stuff. I prefer Charms, myself."

"Fourth year," Lucie whispered in awe. At a normal level she added, "that sounds so old. So you must know heaps about this school right?" She was beaming at the assurance about the asking questions thing and took it as permission to continue asking questions of her own.

She looked down at the cover of the new book and shrugged. "I'm not at all sure if I am or not. I'd only ever thought potions were fiction or just normal medicine from herbs." She leaned forward. "Do you really use newt eyes and frogs livers and stuff in potions which you give to people to drink?" Her eyes were wide at such a thought of doing that and then blinked at the mention of Charms. "Well I'm not sure what subject I'll like. I mean they sound so odd. Most of them. How do you learn how to fly? Do you flap your arms like this?" She waved her arms about and nearly hit someone passing their table. "Sorry," she squeaked before continuing on talking to Serah. "Because I'm not at all sure I could do that."