Closed Fears and Foes PV Henri de Bourbon

Date: July 15, 2021 (Thursday)

Location: Bourbon Château, Allier, France

Any other summer, a trip to France would have elated Liana beyond words. The culture, the architecture, the language - it all would have seemed so charming. If only there wasn't a veil of gloom and apprehension draped over her head. Most of June and the first two weeks of July were spent trying to maintain a fake smile while her stepmother-to-be and the Lynch entourage fluttered around the Kerr manor, planning the wedding. Some spinster, probably a cousin, had jokingly said that Liana would make a pretty flower girl, and the look on Lady Ophelia's face was that of gleeful inspiration. Fearing possible humiliation, the girl requested to go to Hogwarts summer camp; the response was negative - she had a 'very important' role at the wedding and thus could not leave. The answer was foreboding. It certainly was not the woman's love for the Kerr heir that led to demanding her presence at such a major event, because the moment Marcus Kerr announced that he needed to make a business trip to Paris, Lady Ophelia told him that he should take Liana along - making it clear she did not care for the girl's company. Father was not too happy to adjust his arrangements, either. Quite understandably, these circumstances dampened any excitement that the eleven-year-old might have felt about the unexpected excursion.

Don't speak unless spoken to. When conversing in French, pronounce carefully. If you're asked to entertain them with a song, do not refuse. They have a son about your age - get along with him. The commands were given with an unmistakable implication that should she fail to carry any of them out, there would be dire consequences. The first part was easy, as she was not the chatty type. Not much could be done in regards to the language, though. There was some hurried last-minute brushing up on her meager French skills and cramming of a few vapidly polite phrases. Nothing beyond the very basic niceties. She really hoped the hosts would be able and willing to speak in English. Otherwise, it would just be a terribly awkward visit. Then there was the singing... The mere prospect of possibly needing to perform in front of an audience immediately caused her palms to get sweaty and her throat to dry up; why was it that members of the high society always wanted to flex by showing off artistic talents of their offspring? Even her father, who mostly saw art as a waste of time, demanded that she learn at least one musical skill. While she did enjoy singing in itself, doing it for others (and knowing she was being judged) always made it unpleasant. And lastly, getting along with the young Bourbon - which seemed to be the most important part of the instructions - she would definitely do her best, and hope he was given a similar advice by his own parents.

After the customs, their first stop was Place Cachée. The quaint elegance of the area momentarily allayed Liana's trepidation. Oh, if only she could stay here for the day, or for however long it would take to settle the business deal. There must be a wizarding hotel somewhere among these splendid buildings, surely? However, as Father pointed out, plans had already been made, her presence expected. It could come as an inadvertent insult if she suddenly decided not to show.

They still had a few hours to kill, and Marcus Kerr chose to do so in a café, seated outside and sipping on plain coffee as he went over some parchments filled with minuscule text. Liana, in the meanwhile, sat patiently, her iced tea almost untouched as her eyes wandered the square, identifying all the places she would want to explore. There was a bookstore - the fact that most literature sold there would be in French did not make it any less alluring. The clothes shop that some graceful-looking witches were just leaving seemed like the very place to get some dresses for the balls she knew Hogwarts would be hosting. And would the pet shop have some exotic familiars she could longingly look at?

Confined to her chair and forbidden to go exploring, she found that the minutes crawled by extraordinarily slowly. When it was finally time to leave for the Bourbon Château, she was almost glad to feel her anxiety flooding back in; at least that dispelled the suffocating boredom.

They went to an establishment that offered access Floo Network. Her father checked his pocket watch, ensuring that they would be arriving precisely on time, even to the second. Punctuality was key. He went first, Liana followed. As the powder left her fingers and the green flames engulfed her, she closed her eyes; usually this method of travel didn't make her sick, but combined with the jitters, it made her feel as if she was about to spill out that half a cup of iced tea she drank. Through the dying roar of the flames, pieces of conversation reached her ears.

"...and this is my daughter, Liana. She's eleven - I believe that's the same age as your son?" she could hear Marcus Kerr say in flawless French. Liana opened her eyes just as the green fire disappeared, and stepped out of the fireplace to stand beside her father.

"It's a pleasure to meet you; thank you for inviting us to your home," she recited to the best of her ability, curtsying as she spoke. Her gaze quickly scanned the welcoming party, identifying the boy (Henry? Henri?). Liana gave him a sweet smile, just like she was taught to do when first meeting people she wanted to be liked by. Please please please speak fluent English, she was begging in the privacy her mind.