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Chapter 68: Delacour Mansion.
🕑 Added 2025-04-22 23:10:21 +0000 UTC[P]-[W]-[M]
French Ministry of Magic
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While Nicolas explained the situation to the Minister, Voldemort included, my mind drifted to creating a body for Cortana. I had knowledge of droids from Revan's template, along with the Halo knowledge Cortana provided, which was more than enough to start the process. To make things simpler, I decided to buy a full set of equipment to create a lifelike android from the system. As for the actual components, I would be enchanting, adding and removing pieces to improve it to the peak of my current, objectively large knowledge pool.
[Android Creation Set (Small) - Detroit: Become Human]
[Description: A set of equipment and resources from the Detroit: Becoming Human reality that will allow the user to create a loyal human-like android, including biocomponents, synthetic organs, and thirium 310, provided the user can supply enough power to the equipment. These androids have highly advanced brains which can perform billions of operations per second, fitted with trackers, and can emulate human temperature to make themselves indistinguishable from human bodies. Note: unlike the production lines, this version only creates one Android a week and is not entirely automated.]
[Cost: 100,000 SP] [Purchased]
With the dragon metal method and a self-repair enchantment, I’ll be able to make her virtually indestructible, and while an army of those Cortanas seemed perfectly justifiable in my mind, a purchase for a large factory didn’t quite fit right. I could always create one myself based on a perfected set to my own liking once I’ve finished tailoring the one I have now.
The silence in the Minister’s office stretched for a few thoughtful moments after Nicolas finished recounting the ambush in La Place Cachée, and our assumption that it was orchestrated not to succeed, but to spread fear and the return of Riddle. I’ll admit, I was a little surprised he just out right said the man’s name, alias and that he didn’t die a decade ago, mostly because Dumbledore would have done the opposite until the final moment in the Goblet of Fire. Either way, I liked the new approach.
Leaning back in his high-backed velvet chair, the Minister rubbed his chin absentmindedly as he mulled it over. “Hmm…” His thoughtful frown deepened as he slowly nodded to himself. “It would be best if these criminals were not given a platform… especially not a public trial. If this is Voldemort’s attempt to build fear around his return, then a loud courtroom will only serve as his stage.” He looked toward us with conviction. “I’ll ensure the proceedings are private. Given the nature of the attack, I’ll classify it as terrorism. That should be enough to avoid any international complaints.”
I was starting to like the man. Not enough to move to another country just yet, but definitely enough to come back for another vacation.
Nicolas gave a sharp, approving nod. “I was thinking the same thing. We can’t risk fueling rumours and panic across Europe, but this definitely needs to be dealt with in a delicate manner.”
Delacour stood and smoothed his jacket. “Give me a moment to get started. In the meantime, once I return, I’ll have you all join me for dinner at Delacour Manor.”
“Not a problem at all,” Nicolas replied with a smile. “We were headed there after our visit to the cafe, but I suppose time has passed for that now. We’ll wait right here.”
With that, the Minister exited the room, closing the doors softly behind him as the enchantments re-engaged. As the room fell into comfortable quiet again, Perenelle glanced at me with gently furrowed brows, while I stared distantly at the ornate fireplace, looking through the System Shop. “John?” she asked. “Should we be worried about any more attacks soon?”
The question snapped me from my trance and blinked, then shook his head lightly. She clearly had my abilities as a ‘Seer’ at the forefront of their mind. “No,” I said casually. “I was just thinking about enchanting a new humanoid body for someone.”
Her brow lifted in interest. “A golem?”
“Something like that,” I said, finally turning my gaze toward her. “But not mindless. I’ve already handled the intelligence part — what I need now is to design a durable, lifelike body. Something closer to human in appearance and texture… but much stronger. I think I’ve cracked the problem, though. Now I just need to build it.”
She looked intrigued. “A synthetic host for an enchantment... I imagine you’re planning arcane circuitry and biological mimicry for realism?”
“Something like that,” I gave her a small smirk. “You’ll see it soon. I should probably introduce you to Cortana soon, now that I think about it.”
Nicolas leaned forward with interest. “That kind of construct would need to balance magical conductivity with material resilience. Runes, enchantments, and organic tissue simulation. Many have tried it as a means to infiltrate Muggle leadership —” he stopped himself as his eyes narrowed. “You’ve already figured that out, haven’t you?”
Before I could answer, the doors to the office opened again, and the Minister Delacour stepped back in. “All sorted,” he said. “They’ll be processed under national security law — no one’s going to make noise about it, not even the Aurors that brought them in. At least, not unless they want to join them behind bars.” He gestured toward the fireplace. “Shall we? Dinner awaits. And I’d love to introduce you all to my daughter.”
With that, the Flamels transfigured their features back to those of the 'Farages', and we headed out through his personal Floo.
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A flash of green magical fire later, we arrived in a large, richly decorated room within Delacour Manor. As soon as the Minister stepped out, two House Elves appeared with a soft pop. They wore elegant French butler uniforms, pressed and tailored, complete with tiny silver pocket watches. The pocket watches were a nice addition, I’d definitely need to add to my own House Elf uniforms.
With a smile, the Minister turned to the one who stepped ahead of the other. “Would you let Apolline, Gabrielle, and Fleur know that I’ve returned… and that we have guests for dinner?”
The House Elf bowed low. “But of course, sir. Right away.” And with a sharp pop, he vanished.
Delacour then turned to the second elf. “Coats, please.”
Nicolas and Perenelle smiled and removed their coats, handing them off to the magical butlers. “Thank you,” Nicolas and Perenelle said warmly in unison as the elf carefully levitated them over to his hands.
Meanwhile, I just placed mine in the [Hoard], like I always do. “Always good to see House Elves treated with respect — and given uniforms. There are still some that haven’t quite started doing that in Britain.”
The Minister chuckled, brushing dust from his sleeve with a playful smile. “Yet another point for the French, wouldn’t you say?”
As if on cue, the click of polished heels echoed through the door as Apolline Delacour, an objectively attractive silver-blonde witch, entered the foyer with her two daughters beside her — Gabrielle, who beamed at her father, and Fleur, who had a similar appearance to her movie counterpart.
“Welcome home, my love,” Apolline said as she leaned in to kiss her husband’s cheek.
I could feel the Veela magic emanating from the three as soon as they walked in, but my [Occlumency] more than qualified me to deal with its effects. The daughters seemed to have a reduced amount of radiation from them, if only slightly, most likely due to the more diluted blood, courtesy of the Minister. Fluer’s was much less powerful than her sister’s, even though she had more magic, though, so I assumed it was due to her own accomplishment in [Occlumency].
A part of me wanted to use [A Firm Handshake], but I didn’t really see the point. The idea of having people enthralled like that would only be useful if I were weaker.
“My dear,” the Minister said fondly before turning to us. “May I present Lord Nicolas Flamel and his wife Perenelle Flamel —” the couple began undoing the transfiguration charms on their features, skin and bone shifting as they returned to their true forms “— and their apprentice, Lord Johnathan Grey.”
“Enchantée,” Apolline said, bowing her head gracefully with a polite smile. Gabrielle gave a small curtsy, while Fleur’s eyes went wide with recognition when Nicolas’ name was mentioned. It reminded me of the way Hagrid would get when Dumbledore was ever mentioned, and I was pretty sure Fluer had never met Nicolas, so that level of fanaticism spoke a lot about their deeds even while staying out of the public eye, Philosopher's Stone notwithstanding.
“It is… truly an honour to meet you both,” Fleur said with genuine awe, practically vibrating on the spot, one would think the floor would start giving way. “Your work in Alchemy has inspired so many of my essays! I plan to choose Alchemy as one of my electives for my Newts.”
Before she could launch into a flurry of enthusiastic questions, her father gently raised a hand with a patient smile, like he expected it would happen. “Fleur, there will be time to speak more over dinner,” he said kindly. “For now, let’s give our guests a proper tour of the Manor while the food is prepared, yes?”
Fleur visibly reined in her excitement, giving the Flamels a respectful nod while they just sent her amused smiles. “Of course. I look forward to it.”
Nicolas chuckled under his breath as he turned to me. “You see? Even when spending almost all one’s time indoors and away from the public, reputation endures.”
“I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact that you still fund a portion of all students’ education when they choose to study Alchemy,” I shot back with a smirk, which only earned me an unbothered shrug. I knew he was alluding to my ownership of the bank and still-to-be-created Magical University, but he didn’t need to add tidbits like these for me ot know that. I had seen what reputation could bring in movies, TV shows, and experienced it first-hand in the other universes I have visited.
In the corner of my eye, I caught Fleur, still visibly reining in her bubbling curiosity, acquiesce to her father’s look as he indicated to me with his brow. Turning to me, she offered a polite smile with a hint of resignation. “Would you… care to join me for the tour, Lord Grey?” she asked, only for her expression to flicker with barely concealed realisation as my identity only now seemed to hit her.
As both her brows raised, her lips parted like she was about to ask a dozen questions at once, but another sharp but subtle look from her father was all it took for her to stop herself mid-breath. I was starting to get the feeling that she was a daddy’s girl, honestly. Her mother seemed to just enjoy the silent back and forth between the two with a knowing, yet amused smile.
Ignored the silent exchange between father and daughter with a smirk tugging at the corner of my lips, I spoke up. “I’d be delighted to join you on a tour. Your home seems wonderful, and I would be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity,” I said smoothly, before turning my gaze to the youngest Delacour. “Gabrielle, was it?” The girl nodded. “Would you prefer to walk or travel by wolf?”
The girl blinked, clearly not expecting the question. “Travel by… wolf?” she repeated with confusion, reminding me of Astoria Greengrass, if only younger.
Still smiling, I snapped my fingers, and the ethereal [Spectral Wolf] materialised beside me, calmly taking a seat like the good boy he is. A startled breath escaped Fleur, and with the speed of someone trained for unexpected danger, I caught her wand spring from her wrist holster into her hand in the corner of my eye, aimed low and ready. Her parents gave her a look, with her father indicating with his hand for her to calm down.
My first thought was that she was trained to deal with people who try to take advantage of her because of her heritage. Allure or otherwise. I would have done the same in Lord Delecour’s place.
After a moment’s hesitation, Gabrielle, wide-eyed like Astoria was when she saw the wolf herself before her first ride, stepped forward. “I’d like to try,” she said, after getting encouraging nods from her parents. The wolf, seeing her approach, lowered its body to the floor in an obedient sprawl, allowing her to climb on easily.
Gabrielle reached for the semi-transparent fur, gripping it gently, and the creature rose smoothly to its feet, causing her to giggle as she found her balance. She looked like she was trying a small roller coaster for the first time.
“Ready?” I asked.
She sent me an enthusiastic nod, silver-blonde hair bouncing as she settled into place. “Yes!” She paused to send a look at her parents before she corrected herself in a more mellow tone. “Yes, sir. I mean — yes, Lord Grey.”
“Ah, none of that,” I waved off. “You can all just call me John, you’ve invited me to your home after all.”
“Okay,” Gabrielle smiled, while Fleur let out a barely audible sigh of relief, sliding her wand back into its holster and shooting me a small but pointed glance before she turned toward the wide hallway.
“This way,” She said, taking the lead.
I simply gave a light two-fingered salute to her parents and the Flamels, who remained behind. As Fleur and I strode ahead, the spectral wolf padded silently after us, with Gabrielle perched proudly atop it, giggling the entire way. From behind, I could hear Apolline’s amused voice float after us. “Darling, you know she’s not going to stop talking about that for days, right?”
My enhanced ears then heard the Minister chuckle as he spoke. “At least she’s not asking to ride a kelpie like it's a pony.”’
Nicolas chuckled. “That’s usually the effect he has.”
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The halls of Delacour Manor stretched wide and grand, much like Greengrass Manor, but not quite as much as Little Tree Castle. It was lined with floating chandeliers of pale crystal that dimmed and brightened in harmony with our steps, yet another thing I would incorporate at some point. Walls bore family portraits that nodded politely as we passed by, of Veela, Witches, and Wizards.
Fleur confidently walked slightly ahead, though she glanced back every so often with part curiosity and part caution. Meanwhile, Gabrielle continued to ride just behind me, giggling from time to time as she let go with one hand to see if she could balance, only to catch herself when she realised she couldn’t.
“This section,” Fleur began, gesturing to the elegantly carved archway we passed through, “housed one of our family’s magical archives, but now it’s just used as a library. The older sections were built during the First Wizarding War. This manor was used as a refuge for magical families fleeing Grindelwald’s forces. My grandfather helped enchant the outer wards.”
My eyes swept the intricately carved runes hidden among the beams and fixtures. “He did a good job. I can sense the multi-layered boundary spells humming along the structure.”
Fleur gave me a sideways glance. “You can sense layered wards just by walking by them?”
I smirked faintly, not breaking my stride. “Among other things, yes.”
Gabrielle leaned forward slightly from the wolf’s back, peeking over my shoulder with a broad smile. “Can the wolf fly?”
“Only if you feed it moonlight and unicorn tears,” I replied with a straight face.
She blinked, before her eyes went wide with horror as her mind registered my words. “...R-really?”
Fleur gave me a mild glare, and I chuckled. “No. But I could probably make a version that does. Maybe just conjure a dragon instead.” I winked back at the younger Delacour, who beamed.
Fleur sighed, though the corners of her lips twitched in amusement. “You’re going to give her ideas,” she muttered, thinking I was joking.
I wasn’t. If there were enough time, we’d definitely be going on a ride on Durnehviir after the tour.
“Nah, she already has plenty,” I said, nodding toward the giggling wolf rider. “You can see it in her eyes. It reminds me of someone else I met a few times.”
Fleur, being the perceptive Vella that she apparently was, turned her head with a curious glance. “One of the people you healed from the Maledictus curse?” I raised a brow at her fishing for information, or gossip. With a knowing smile, she added, “You were on the news around the world for that. Newspapers, enchanted journals — even replayed memories using Pensieve. You should be proud.”
I shrugged lightly, brushing a hand along the edge of a warded window frame as we passed. “It was the right thing to do. That’s all. ‘Not like I was rewarded for my deeds.”
“You healed them all for free,” Fleur scoffed incredulously. “That’s a curse people have been studying for centuries, and you cured it for free even though most would have charged thousands of galleons and still considered it a good deal for people.”
Yeah, but not everyone has a System giving them rewards. Actually, even if they did, they would probably still charge ridiculous prices. I simply tilted my head with a small, dismissive smile, too used to walking off people praising my ‘miracles’ to take them as seriously.
“You’re not caught by it,” Fleur murmured, more to herself than me as she observed me more closely, features gradually shifting to a tiny frown.
“Caught by what?” I asked, sending her a glance, already guessing what she was referring to.
“My Veela allure,” she said plainly. “Most men lose the ability to speak in full sentences at this distance, even while I try to reel it in. But my sister has trouble reeling hers in, and you’re barely even blinking.”
I gave a short laugh under my breath. “I’ve got very strong Occlumency shields.”
“Very strong shield, huh?” She narrowed her eyes slightly, releasing her hold over her allure and directing it at me with full force, only for me to easily ignore it like it was barely even a breeze.
“Dragons don’t always like sharing.” I said with a completely unbothered expression. She tilted her head, confused — then seemed to blink in realisation.
“Right… I read that you’re a dragon Animagus.” She looked at my dragon insignia over my breast pocket. “And that you made it into your house insignia.”
They walked for a few more minutes with her showing me a few other things like the greenhouse, potions room, and an award room with trophies members of the house had earned over the years. Then there was a lull of silence for a while before she spoke again, this time more carefully, like she’d been thinking about it for a while. “Can I ask you something?”
“Go for it.” I nodded.
“How do you do it?” I raised a brow at the question, to which she elaborated. “How does someone just… walk into our world and do what you’re done? You’ve barely known about magic for what? A year? But you’re already healing curses, forming alliances, making spells no one's heard of before…”
I didn’t answer immediately, for dramatic effect. We stepped out onto a rooftop garden, where the almost-fully set sun drifted over finely trimmed flowers. I took in the view for a few seconds before looking over my shoulder at her. “It’s a gift, honestly,” I said softly. “And I really, really love magic. So, I just make sure it’s not a gift that goes to waste. If anything, people have to sometimes come and get me just to relax from time to time.”
As I laughed it off, she stared at me for a moment before giving me a nod. “That might be the most Ravenfeet thing I’ve ever heard.”
Gabrielle giggled from behind us. “What’s a Ravenfeet?”
“Ravenclaw,” I chuckled, shaking my head in amusement. “It’s one of the four houses a student can be sorted into at Hogwarts. We’re said to value wit, learning, and wisdom.”
“And occasionally cure incurable magic diseases, of course,” Fleur smirked before shaking his head. “You know, you’re… not what I expected.”
“Oh?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “What were you expecting? Dark robes? A scowl and a glowing artefact pulsing with forbidden power? Maybe a little boy who looks like he never leaves the house because of how much I study?” I was already slightly taller than she was, if only slightly, and very muscular for my age and height, so I would be having no ‘leetle boy’ talk from her.
“Well,” she said, crossing her arms with a sly smile, “considering the Ministry, the Flamels, and probably the entire world seem interested in recruiting you — I don’t know. My father talked about you a few times, hoping that you would pay France a visit to heal its people like you did in Britain. I just wasn’t expecting you as you are.”
I hummed, already guessing as much. Her father wouldn't have to worry though, I planned to visit hospitals in every country we visit. “Nothing like an ethereal wolf to change people’s preconceptions, I’d say. People really like well-behaved puppies, regardless of size. If you ever get the chance, ask Hagrid, Hogwarts’ keeper of keys, about Fluffy.”
“I… will be sure to remember that,” Fleur simply shook her head, seemingly not wanting an elaboration on the matter, but quickly composed herself. “Would you like to see the other rooftop garden? It has a panoramic view of the Seine.”
“Of course, please lead the way,”
[P]-[W]-[M]
“ I was so please to 'ear you would be coming – zere isn't much to do 'ere, unless you like cooking and chickens. ”
— Fluer Delecour.
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Hello There
Does Beauxbatons have houses? I couldn’t find anything on their houses aside from fanon stuff.
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Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC and original ideas. All credit goes to their respective owners.
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Thank you for reading.
As always, stay awesome.
Until next time, Light's out.
Comments
omzy8484
nothing cannon, so make some magic happen and make them up.
Sad Rain
Thank you for the chapter. I don't believe they have houses. If they do, it wasn't mentioned in the books, at least to my memory.
