Je Regrette Rien

-3-

The boys woke up early, before the first light of sun had come through the curtains. All of them moved rather sleepily. Except Neville, who looked out the window almost wistfully, “I wonder what we’ll get to see.”

“I don’t know,” Dean said grabbing Neville by the arm, “Come on. I’m hungry!” The whole group ran out into the hall, crashing straight into Gabrielle Delacour.

“Are you all right?” Ron asked, pulling the little blonde to her feet.

“I’m fine,” she said, her cheeks growing red. “I was just coming up to tell you that breakfast has been prepared.”

“Good,” Dean said, bolting down the stairs.

“We’re starving,” Seamus explained to a shocked Gabrielle.

“Oh, I understand,” Gabrielle said with a smile.

* * * * *

The strong wind later that same day whipped through Parvati Patil’s long dark hair as she leaned over a railing at the Eiffel Tower. “Watch it, Parvati,” cried her twin sister Padma, “Your hair keeps blowing in my face.”

“Sorry,” Parvati said drawing it up around her shoulder.

“Isn’t Paris great?”

“Yes, I’m glad mother let us come.”

“I wish we could go to the catacombs. I could do a study on ancient culture.”

Parvati looked strangely at her sister for a moment and then remembered why the other twin had been put in Ravenclaw in the first place. “I’ll settle for a good fashion show. I wonder if there will be any while we’re here.”

“Parvati!” called a male voice from behind the two girls. They turned to see a sandy haired boy running towards them

“Seamus!” Parvati squealed with delight as he reached them, “What are you doing here?”

“Siteseeing with the other boys. You?”

“We’re visiting Padma’s new boyfriend,” she said, elbowing her sister, “My own encounter with French men wasn’t quite as fruitful.”

“What happened?”

“I’d rather not say.”

“Oh, okay,” Seamus looked at her a bit curiously and then he saw someone coming closer out of the corner of his eye. “Here come the others.” Mme. Delacour, Gabrielle and Ron were now approaching.

“ Who are zeese lovely young ladies?” Mme. Delacour asked of Seamus.

“Madam Delacour, Parvati and Padma Patil.” Parvati and Padma both smiled.

“Enchanté.” Mme Delacour said brightly.

“De même,” the twins said in one voice.

“Oh that’s cute,” Mme Delacour said with a smile, “Would you like to come along with us, or are you waiting for someone?”

“Actually, My boyfriend’s mother should be meeting us any minute now.”

“Ah, I see.” She turned to the boys, “If we’re going to go…” She never finished her sentence. A strange noise went whizzing by the group, just missing them.

“What was zat?” Gabrielle asked turning around. Nothing was back there.

“That’s weird,” Ron said frowning and looking around. Then it came again, only louder this time.

Mme. Delacour looked shocked and turned to Gabrielle. “Go get zee uzzers. We must be going.”

“Oui,” Gabrielle said concisely and then sped off.

“Are you sure you won’t come with us?” Mme. Delacour asked Padma and Parvati.

“I’m sorry, Madam Delacour,” Padma said, “But we promised.”

“I understand girls,” Just then Gabrielle came back with Harry, Dean, and Neville. “Au revoir!” she called to the Patil twins, dragging Ron and Seamus away to the others.

“What is it?” Harry asked.

“Yeah, Gabrielle won’t tell us,” Dean added.

“Je ne sais pas, but my intuition tells me something is wrong,” Mrs. Delacour said, worriedly leading the boys away.

* * * * *

A crowd was gathered at the French Ministry of Magic building. People were running about like chickens with their heads cut off. “What eez zee emergency?” Fleur asked angrily of the crowd. No one answered so she repeated her question even louder.

“They’ve apprehended someone that was trying to set up an attack on the Eiffel tower,” The head of Fleur’s department said solemnly, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“What?” Percy asked quickly. He had come along to do his studies on how the French Ministry operated.

“That’s what I said when I heard. Je suis Michel Aulait. Et vous?”

“Percy Weasley sir, French-British relations.” Michel and Percy shook hands.

“Come with me,” Michel said, “Both of you.” Percy and Fleur followed Michel to his office where three people were waiting. They stood up when the others entered. “May I introduce you to two of my favorite colleagues Jonathon and Christine Bones and their daughter Susan.”

“Hello,” said the dignified, brown haired man.

“Hello,” Percy responded with a bow.

“M. and Mme Bones, these two fine young people are Fleur Delacour and Percy Weasley.”

“Ah, yes, I’ve heard of both of you,” said the charming blonde haired woman in a sweet voice, “Fleur was in the tournament, am I right?”

“Oui,” Fleur said blushing.

“And Susan had quite a crush on you Mr. Weasley.”

“That was awhile ago, Mother,” said the 15 year old, her face pink.

“Now, M. Bones, Would you care to tell us what has happened?” Michel Aulait said impatiently.

“Oh yes,” Mr. Bones said as the others sat back down, “My family was on a short holiday here in Paris when Christine and I received an urgent owl. The letter said that there were Death Eater Operatives….”

“Wait a minute M. Bones,” Michel jumped in, “I had reassurance from the British ministry that these rumors of He-who-must-not-be-named’s return were completely fabricated.”

“This letter was from a very reliable source,” Christine Bones said angrily.

“I don’t doubt that Mme. Bones, but your Minister of Magic…”

“Cornelius Fudge doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” a small voice said. She didn’t think anyone had heard her and she was wrong. Several faces turned to glare at her.

“Young lady, please remember that he is your Minister of Magic, a title that deserves some respect.”

“M. Aulait, would you mind if I finish telling what happened?” Mr. Bones interrupted.

“I’m sorry, please continue.”

“As I was saying, Christine and I received a letter saying that Death Eater operatives were positioned in Paris. We couldn’t come up with a good reason for them to be here, but we went on highest alert and informed the local Aurors of dark activity. Thank God one of the Death Eaters was captured.”

“M. Bones,” Fleur asked suddenly, “Who sent you zis letter?”

“A friend from school.”

“Can you be certain this friend is trust worthy?” Percy jumped in.

“I would trust him with my life.”

“Who is he?”

“I’d rather not say, for his safety you see…”

“Understood, sir.”

“Now, if you’ll excuse me. We are meeting someone in about 20 minutes.”

“Yes, you may go,” Michel Aulait said gesturing them off, “Oh, wait. My daughter Dauphine’s 14^th birthday party is this weekend. You remember Dauphine Don’t you?”

“Oh yes, she’s 14 already?”

“Yes, time flies. Maybe Susan would like to come. Here’s an invitation.”

“We’ll see what we’re doing,” Both parents said at once and then they walked away like a happy family.