As Madame Savuterre's speech came to a close, the dinning hall errupted, the sound of chatter and clinking glasses and plates filled Chlo's ears. Chlo was suprised but extremly pleased that Madame Savuterre had been chosen to be Headmistress of the Beauxbatons Academy, and knew that she was both the most worthy and the best choice for the role.

Chlo looked over all the food, and felt her stomach start to grumble unhappily, and soon found herself gingerly reaching for a sweet smelling pastry and placing it on her plate, before filling her bowl with an almost clear broth, and quickly spooned thewarm liquid into her mouth. Chlo closed her eyes in satisfaction, and letting out a sigh, placed the spoon back in the bowl and searched the room for any familiar faces. It wasn't long before she found a few people she knew on the table closest and began to wave excitedly, though she still found herself silently wishing that her sister still attended Beauxbatons, so that she would have someone to talk with on her own table.

Biting her lip uncomfortably, Chlo looked up again, catching Madame Savuterre's eyes, and smiled shyly, bowing her head slightly in embarassment, and quickly began tucking into her pastry and broth, and busying herself with all the classes she would be taking this year, and soon lost herself in her thoughts...

Sophia looked around excitedly. She was so glad to be back at Beauxbatons, but she wished her friends were in the same house as her. She waved at her best friends, Marie, Adrien and Liana before turning her attention back to her own house.

I guess I should make some frineds in my own house, so I don't have to spend mealtimes alone. She thought to herself. Glancing around she noticed another third year who seemed to be lost in her thoughts. She looks nice, maybe I should try to talk to her.

At that moment Madame Savuterre came to their table. She seemed friendly, and she talked to some pupils, asking about their times at Beauxbatons. The girl who had been lost in her thoughts, was now talking shyly to Madame Savuterre. I better talk to her before she gets lost on here thoughts again.

"It's Chlo, right? You were in some of my classes last year, I'm Sophia." she looked at the girl hopefully, and waited for a reply...

Chlo turned her head in the direction she had heard the voice come from, pushed her hair out of her eyes and smiled.

"Yes it is Chlo. You said Sophia, right?" Chlo questioned, though didn't wait for an answer, "Yes you look familiar! I'm sorry if I sound over-enthused." She gushed, "but no one has spoken a word to me the entire meal; and here I was thinking Belangérs were supposed to be friendly." She chuckled, visibly relaxing around the pretty girl and found herself asking before she could stop herself.

"Are you a veela!?... I mean, how are you?" Chlo offered quite aware of how rude her question may have come across, and that she had been speaking so fast that she hadn't yet given Sophia the chance to reply. "Enjoying being back at Beauxbatons?" She asked earnestly ...

Sophia laughed softly. "No, no I'm not a veela. I love being back at Beauxbatons, the classes are so fun and I love seeing my friends again! I'm sorry I talk a lot." she said, before she carried on her stream of chatter. "My friends always tell me I need to slow down when I talk, we're all in different houses you see, which I think is quite cool. So what about you? Do you have any friends outside of the house? O h I'm sorry, that came across quite rude... um..." she trailed off, hoping she hadn't offended the girl.

"Really! Well you're very pretty." Chlo stated warmly, "no, I'm not offended," she smiled, "I have a few friends in other houses, but not really any in Belanger, see I think alot of people remember the way my sister, used to act when she attended Beauxbatons, and they just assume I'm the same... not that I feel any ill will towards them. I just wish they'd give me a chance..." She drifted off, before adding with a smirk, "I think you'll find I can rival you in the talking department."

"I'm really glad to be back at Beauxbatons, my family can be quite difficult, so my times here are my happiest. So do you have a big family?" Chlo asked interestedly, relishing the feeling of actually talking not just to someone; but to another Belganger, who was genuinely interesting to talk too.

"Haha thank you, I'm flattered, you're very pretty yourself. I'm an only child, though I have people back home who are basically my family and then there's my friends here, they're like my brother and my sister, we know so much about each other." she said warmly. "What's your sister like? I'm not sure if I remember her, I'm awful at remembering people." she loved having someone to talk to at meal times, and she already liked the girl, they seemed to have a lot in common.

Chlo smiled at Sophia's compliment, and brushed her hair out of her face for the second time since they had begun talking. Chlo edged slightly closer to Sophia and spoke in hushed tones. "My sister already had an 'air of superiority' for lack of a better term, before she begun coming to Beauxbatons, my family are purebloods, and well they aren't the most inclusive, pro equality types. My sister came to the Academy and met other people who felt the same way about their, ehem, blood status. Lets just say she liked everyone to know how she felt about that." Chlo finished quickly, "you can guess what she thought when I was sorted into Belanger... and my brother. Hah!" She added rolling her eyes comically.

"Thats why I don't blame people." Chlo said simply, before trying to divert the conversation to a more upbeat place. "Beauxbatons is the happiest home I could ask for, I mean Belangers keep to themselves but I have some wonderful friends in Mauplume and Grodeffroy." Chlo said enthusiatically.

Sophia, realising that the topic was closed, quickly changed the subject. "You know, at Hogwarts, the houses don't get on at all. There's this really intense rivalry between them, can you imagine how different Beauxbatons would be if that were the case here?" She thought about how many of her friends were in different houses to her, as was the case for many pupils at the school.

"So, what classes are you most looking forward to?"

"I'd heard of that, but didn't think it was true. How can you have an instant dislike to someone because of their house? Very ridiculous" Chlo chuckled.

"Oh and I can't wait for Potions and Magical Defence. Oh and charms! I love them so much. It's Herbology and Ancient Ruins I struggle with... What are your favourites?" Chlo enquired, wondering whether Sophia and herself would agree of differ when it came to favourite classes, though she knew that she liked the girl greatly indeed, and that even if they differed perhaps they could study together.

"Oh and what do you do in your spare time?" Chlo added quickly.

"I love potions, I often try to create my own ones, with varying results. You see this scare here," she said pulling up the sleeve of her robe, "I got that when the cauldron exploded. And then there's Arithmancy and Ancient Runes, they sound interesting. I love duelling, so Magical Defence will be great, especially if we get to do more practical work! Hey, we should study together, and you could be my partner in some of the subjects!" She said, barely able to conceal her excitment.

Her friends weren't really interested in Potions or Arithmancy, preferring Transfiguration and Divination, things Sophia had no interest in, now she had found some one that she could work with, and in her own house. Sophia found she had more than just a friend that she could sit with a meal times, but a friend that she could work with outside of their house.

Chlo could barely contain her excitement, but felt the need to clarify, just to be certain, "you mean you'd want to study with me?" She asked guardedly, "that would be amazing! I'm so glad you enjoy potion and Magical Defence, my other friends prefer Celestial Studies, I find it such a bore though." Chlo giggled conspiratorially. "Duelling is incredible. I think it's liberating being able to protect ones self." She grinned. "So do you know what you want to do in the future?" She pondered.

She was completely amazed how at ease she was with Sophia in such a short amount of time, and even more so that she had disregarded her dinner, and hoped that Sophia enjoyed talking to her as much as Chlo enjoyed Sophia's company.

"So what do you make of Quidditch?" Chlo enquired.

Avalyne moved her food around her plate, catching little bits of conversation bubbling around her as the rest of the hall dined and chatted. Her first year at Beauxbatons came and went in a whimper, much to her disappointment. While it was good to see some familiar faces, like the older student Chlo Aurelis, the incoming first years were a nervous, but happy sort, too. Taking in their wide-eyed faces after they were sorted into their houses reminded her of what her sorting was like. It felt like ages ago, but with the coming of a new year, new professors, and a new headmistress the new year was beginning to hold much promise. Maybe this year, she'd have something to write to her father and brothers about. Tucking a stray hair behind her ear, her eyebrows raised at the thought of having to share the corridors with her younger brother Nikolai in just another term. She looked up suddenly, turning to look over at the older girls chatting nearby.
"I heard the Harpies were doing well this year," she blurted out without instigation. Remembering herself, she held up her hand in apology and looked back down at her plate. "Sorry. Didn't mean to interrupt or anything. I just heard Quidditch and I couldn't stop myself."

Chlo turned quitte suddenly at the mention of the Welsh all female Quidditch team. "Avalyne am I correct?" Chlo beamed, "A fan ofthe harpies are we? I think their brilliant. Pro girl power and that, they prove women can be fantastic Quidditch players." She smiled, "...though, I have grown arather partial to the pink robes, and feminine flight of the Quiberon Quafflepunchers." She blurted before a cascade of giggles fell from her mouth.

"I'm sorry, I do apoligise, I'm Chlo Aurelis, and this is Sophia. How are you finding it back at the Beauxbatons?" Chlo enquired cheerfully.

Avalyne looked up again and nodded at Chlo with a giggle. "Love to watch them play. I haven't heard much about the Quafflepunchers this season, though." With a small smile, she nodded and waved at Sophia.
"I'm finding it all very interesting, really," Avalyne replied quickly. "Like, half the staff from the year before is gone. Seems a little strange to me, but it's probably nothing. How about you two? What do you make of things so far?"

Chlo listened interestedly to the second year girl, " yeah it's a bit strange all the chop and change with the staff, though I am please that Madame Savuterre got to be our Headmistress , perhaps with the old lot gone, we might have a chance in hell of learning something." She smiled mischeviously.

"I'm loving it, though I'd say that no matter what, I couldn't stand another day at home! Plus the more I learn here, the more pranks I can play at formal dinners my parents insist we attend." Chlo whined, rolling her eyes.

"What about you, do you have any siblings?"

"One can only hope," she answered with a chuckle. "Madame Savuterre seems like she'll work out. I can only wonder about the rest of the staff though. I hope our new charms teacher actually decides to teach. Didn't learn a damned thing last year!" Avalyne huffed and returned Chlo's smile, then looked back at Sophia.

"It certainly beats freezing to death on the coast," she paused, pushing another fly away behind her ear. "I have four siblings; three boys and a baby sister, but they're all younger than me. It's nice to get away for a while..." As her voice trailed, Ava looked over at the head table to drink in the new professors' faces. Quickly, she turned her attention back to the conversation. "I take it your family crowds you, too?"

"You sound wise beyond your years." Chlo noted cheerily, "Yes! I mean the profession I want to go into requires charms, well most do, but still... do you have any idea what you want to do?" Chlo enquired wonderingly.

"Oh you live on the coast, how lovely!" Chlo cooed, "I'd love to do that someday. Crowd me? Umm... Yes and no. I mean I have 1 sister and 1 brother, so it's not crowded in that sense, it's rather... they like to breathe their pureblood ideologies down my neck. I feel like I can't be the person I want to be around them. How are your family... " Chlo drifted off, not wanting to make Avalyne uncomfortable.

"So what are your favourite subjects?"

Sophia smiled as she watched the conversation between the two girls. She felt bad for drifting into her day dreams when Avalyne had mentioned the Holyhead Harpies, as she was remembering the match she had gone to see with her dad just before the start of term.

"The Holyhead Harpies are the best team, my friend back home doesn't agree, he supports the Tornado's." she said, grining and shaking her head in mock disapproval. "I'm Sophia by the way." she added, smiling at the younger girl.

Avalyne's smile grew wider as Sophia came back into the conversation. "Very nice to meet you, Sophia. The Harpies have been my favorite team for as long as I can remember."

Looking up at Chlo again, Ava's dark eyes lowered and she chuckled nervously. Her home wasn't anything to sneeze at, but with so many family members, it felt like a little shack on the shore. "It's cold in Brittany this time of year, but yes...it can be lovely. Depending on the scenery you're looking for, the Rivera's always a treat." She pursed her lips and thought for a moment when Chlo explained her family and their pushing of the blood purity issue. "Exactly, they crowd you," she chuckled. "My family...is loud and full of characters," the second year answered. "Father's a wizard and mother's a muggle, so we tend to not think or talk about such things..." her voice trailed. "At least not when mother is more concerned with father blowing the roof off the house," she added quietly. She was quiet for a long moment following that, wondering if she was beginning to speak to much or too freely.

"I think I'd like to either work for the ministry or travel. My father's a potion master of sorts, but I don't think I'd like to get into the 'family business,'" she sighed, moving her fingers in the air to serve as visual quotes and emphasize her point. "But..." she began. "Some ministry jobs require adept potion brewing, so it might be necessary," the younger girl finished with a shrug. "What is it you're planning on getting into?"

Chlo threw her head back, and smacked her leg, deep chuckled rolling easily off her tongue, at last when she'd regained control of herself, and student and professors alike were no longer looking in her direction, she spoke. " Yes, I suppose that would be a textbook definition of crowding."

"Oh please don't think I meant anything bad about blood purity!" Chlo rushed, feeling incredibly guilty, "I most certainly do not share their views." She added wanting to reassure Avalyne as best she could, " I find learning about Muggles and their lifestyles fascinating... Did you know they have a whole subject on it at Hogwarts? It must be amazing having two different worlds come together like that." Chlo babbled.
"And your fathers a Potion Master, thats amazing! I absolutely love potions!" She continued, "My Father works for the French division of the Ministry of Magic, and my Mother is a dressmaker; Elizabeth Danella Designs... they're quite well known in Britain I'm told." She chuckled.

"We don't really have a 'family business,' though I know my mum would love me to go into to business with her, I'd love to work at St Mungo's in England or to be an Auror, and then later on in life to teach at the Beauxbatons... Slim chance though." She chuckled.

"So do you fly?" She asked

"You know, Chlo, I'm beginning to get scared, I would love to work as St Mungo's!" she said with a grin. "I either want to be a Healer or something to do with potions, Avalyne it's so cool that your dad's a potions master! Although she doesn't say anything, I know my mum wants me to work for the Daily Prophet, that's the English newspaper, but journalism really doesn't appeal to me. And some of the people she has to work with..." she trailed off with a shudder, remembering the last time her mum had dragged her to work.

"As for blowing the roof off, my mum is constantly yelling at me for trying to create potions. I've blown up our summerhouse before, that did not go down well." she said laughing.

"So do either of you play Quidditch?"

"It's all right, Chlo," she smiled. "It's different, but I wouldn't change it. Living with a muggle parent, that is. Father's an interesting sort for certain, but my mother keeps him grounded. No magic to complete chores, no flying after dark, that sort of thing..." she babbled and then chuckled nervously after finishing her prattle. She cleared her throat and gave Chlo a warm smile. "What kind of dresses does your mother design, Chlo?"

"Journalism would be interesting. Think of all the places you'd see and people you'd meet," she smiled at Sophia, but let it falter a little when she began to think about the people actually working in the offices of newspapers. "Then again, it could also grow tiring rather quickly..." Avalyne shook her head slightly and took a small breath, remembering vaguely what it was her father was attempting to brew when he set the garage ablaze and what it was her mother was yelling at him for. "The last time actual damage was dealt to the property, I was about four...I think."

And when they both mentioned flying and Quidditch, the second year girl's face lit up and her eyes brightened a little. "I love to fly, but seldom have anyone to actually play Quidditch with at home. All my siblings are younger than me and the only one who can fly aside from myself and my father is Nik. It was interesting watching a few of the games here last year."

"Oh don't be put of journalism, it's just the Prophet is Ministry run so it tends to be a little... controlling, about what gets printed. I think writing for a magazine or an independent newspaper would be pretty interesting." Sophia said hurriedly. She smiled as she saw the girls enthusiasm for flying, she was the same.

"I think I might try out for the team this year. There were no positions for Chaser open, that's my position, but two of them left last year so..." she thought back to earlier in the conversation.

"Chlo, I know your mums designs. I wore one of her dresses to a wedding in the summer, it was gorgeous! And Avalyne, you never told us what you wanted to do when you left school."

"I wonder when try-outs are..." she hummed almost absently. Shaking herself from her thoughts, she thought about the question and chewed her lip. "I don't think I've given it much thought. Maybe something with magical creatures or something. I know whatever it is I end up doing, I'd like travel to be a big part of it. I'm sure I'll figure it out when the time comes."

Chlo smiled, and quoted off by heart, "Elizabeth Danella Designs, brings dressmaking into the 21st century, it is designed to bridge the contemporary and classics of materials, styles and shapes, to allow you to look the best you can be". Chlo smirked, before a grin broke free, "My mother designs and creates every piece, being dress robes, cloacks, trousers, tops, skirts etc.. you get the idea. You can see she's coached me on this." She rolled her eyes and her mothers ridiculousness.

"Have you really Sophia?" Chlo turned in suprise, she hadn't thought anyone in France knew of them, "My Mother is just going to adore you!" She smiled, reaching for a lemon tart and placing it on her desert plate.

"Journalism huh? I have to say I agree with Sophia, as ong as you worked in an environment that wasn't Ministry orientated, I think you'd enjoy it very much.

"Your father sounds delightful," Chlo enthused, "We have a small room where I try to correctly make potions... well I did, until my potion blew through the wall into my mothers study, where her designs were... I was in quite a bit of trouble for that one." She smiled uncomfortably.

"You guys love Quidditch too?" Chlo asked, unsure she'd heard correctly, "I adore it! My brother taught me to fly in our garden... I play Chaser too."Chlo added quietly.
"I don' play with my brother so much now, he's rather busy, but I like to keep on top of it."

"Maybe when lessons begin our Flying teacher will bring up try-outs." Chlo muttered absentmindedly.