Joyeux Noël (Mimosa & The Clements)

Subject: Joyeux Noël (Mimosa & The Clements) Sat Jan 02, 2021 6:33 pm

After the first game of the Quidditch season, and Mimosa being found in his bed, Nikolai Kessler had not thought past the point he'd climbed in to bed with the witch. Too tired from the Quidditch match earlier that day, and somewhat lulled by the glass of FireWhiskey he'd consumed whilst playing poker with the boys, Nikolai had not really thought about the next morning. Instead, he'd fallen asleep pretty quickly with the comfort of Mimosa's body beside him, and the soft hints of citrus only further making him relax.

Which was exactly why the next morning had been such a stir. Nikolai had woken up first, not really associating the ticklish sensation of Mimosa's hair against his features for what it was. It had taken him a moment to work out where they were, and that Mimosa was in his bed. As if the teenage boy was not already subject to awkward morning rituals, having the small witch pressed against his body only aided in making it worse.

Worse still, there were groggy voices outside the closed curtains of the four poster bed, bemoaning headaches from the excessive drinking the night before.

"Kessler can't still be asleep." Charles' groggy voice sounded past the curtains on the other side of the room. "OI! KESSLER! Stop beating your meat. Having the curtains closed doesn't make it okay!"

"I'm not doing that!" Nikolai retorted instantly, for one thing he did not appreciate the sentiment of being the kind of guy who did that with his dorm mates present. ~~Too often, anyway.~~

"Then why the closed curtains?" The voice was moving closer, and then the curtains snapped back quickly. Nikolai had had the hindsight to roll on to his back, drawing one leg up towards his body to hide the effects of the morning, but Charles was not interested in the boy. The low whistle that escaped his lips brought the attention of the rest of the room as a chorus of 'what is it' 'what's he done' ringing around the room.

"You slept with Mimosa?" Charles asked incredulously as Mimosa stirred beside him. Nikolai floundered in that moment, not knowing what to reply to that. Technically, he had slept with Mimosa, but they both knew that Charles meant... It had become common knowledge Nikolai had not yet lost his virginity, and the sixteen year old was becoming increasingly more conscious of this fact. "You sly dog!"

Mimosa had finally woken up at that point, looking innocently out at the other boys in that moment.

"You slept with him?" Charles asked Mimosa, who confirmed the point without thinking about it. Charles looked bemused as he turned away from them both. "You'll have to tell us all about it later, Nik!" The laugh was one that made Nikolai feel the same level of uncomfortable as Charles always made him feel. Turning back to Mimosa, the boy had gently persuaded her to head back to her own dormitory, so that the boys could change and get ready for their day. The younger witch had left to a number of heckles, and Nikolai had rested back in to his pillows with a soft groan of frustration.

***

The weeks had carried on in much the same as the start of term, with the exception that a rumour now followed him and Mimosa around. The news that they had 'slept together' had spread around the school like wildfire. Charles was happy to tell stories about how they'd done it, listing various positions and insisting he'd heard it happen when he came up to bed that night. The girls had gone with their own version of events that didn't sound too much nicer, and Nikolai had found himself holed up in his books when in public more and more often because he couldn't stand to listen to it.

Ravenclaw's Quidditch match had seen them leapfrog Slytherin in to the lead for the Quidditch Cup, and though it might only be two games in to the season, Nikolai had drilled his team harder than before to ensure that they were going to be ready for the match in February against the Blues. Whilst many of the team said they didn't need to worry until after Christmas, they were cut short with their words when they finally managed to pull off a tidy win against the Slytherin reserve team in training, with flawless tactics being displayed.

Mimosa hadn't returned to his dorm since, but they had gotten closer. Handholding had become a regularity for almost everywhere they went now, and from time to time Nikolai found himself engaged in kisses with the witch that whilst nice, left him more than frustrated by the time they'd ended. Every time he wanted more, though, the image of his mum came to mind, and the point of consent pushed in to his brain once more. If Mimosa wasn't suggesting more, then that wasn't consent, right? Did suggesting it mean consent, or was that against consent? The question was a blur to him, and so each time she pulled away, he waited for her to return for more.

The latter meant the rumours died away from them, though, instead moving on to more interesting -- in Charles' opinion -- news of those people who were being super active.

It left Nikolai to concentrate on his studies in his free time. The year was going much too fast, which meant he had little and less time available for much else. His part time job in Hogsmeade was implicating on his study time, as well as his prefect duties in the evenings, but somehow... he was managing to keep on top of everything he needed to.

Which was why he'd gone to his dad in the middle of December. The Junior Magizoologist's had a trip planned in January to go on a short weekend expedition. There was no doubt he wanted to go, but the trouble remained in the price of the trip. One hundred galleons was a sum of money Nikolai did not have from his weekend job -- it would have taken him a life time to save that much -- and Charles almost always took any of his spare money in stupid games that Nikolai got roped in to with gambling. Ordinarily, he wouldn't have gone to his parents for the money because he knew it was a lot of money, and he didn't want to put pressure on them. The money he was after, however, was his own. The winnings from the World Cup that his dad had unkindly taken from him because he apparently couldn't be trusted.

What he'd expected to be an easy conversation with the eldest Kessler had not been easy at all. Andrei Kessler had asked him whether he truly thought he deserved to go on such an expensive trip. Nikolai had listed how he was doing well, as Quidditch Captain, as Prefect, his grades were doing well, and the research he'd started for his own paper to go to the Magizoolist group was well under way -- though put on a short hiatus due to the colder weather. Nikolai could not see why his dad wouldn't let him go on the trip, but he'd been told.

The money was for saving. For his future.

Neither Andrei or Nikolai's mum had forgiven him for the mishap during the summer.

And, because the boy was playing much too dangerously with an underage witch. A witch who he really did need to distance himself from because of who she was.

Nikolai had pointed out, not unkindly, that the money would be going to his future. That the Junior Magizoologists would be his stepping stone to a good career if he could make the necessary contacts now. That his paper was important, and this trip could help.

The point that the mishap in the summer was the summer and he'd already been punished for that and that further reprimanding for that was vastly unfair had not aided to help his case.

And the insistence he'd done nothing wrong with Mimosa had only fallen on deaf ears as Andrei's piercing gaze looked through his son with the notion of not quite believing the teenage boy. The resounding no had followed, and Nikolai had been dismissed from the office without another word on the subject. Just the reminder to write to his mum because he hadn't done so for a while.

Nikolai had done nothing of the sort.

Instead, he'd headed back to the Common Room in a foul mood. Only to find the boys in quite the opposite mood, and in the mood for playing with someone. Nikolai had been that someone, and the notion of things he could do to earn one hundred galleons in the next couple of weeks had ranged from ingenious to down right disgusting.

***

It had been in the last couple of days of term that Nikolai's lack of plans for the holidays had been raised with his peers. He was one of only a few students on the list to stay at Hogwarts over the Christmas holidays. The boy had been quite content on staying, truth be told, until Mimosa had extended an invitation to the Palace to him. Usually, Nikolai would have said no on the basis he didn't wish to spend time with Mimosa and her Jacques. The thought of pissing off his dad, though, had won out. The invite had been accepted.

Which had lead to Nikolai Kessler packing a bag for the Palace -- or at least trying, what did you take to wear at a Palace anyway? -- and heading down to the gate with Mimosa. Hand in hand, the two had been together the whole way, only breaking off when Mimosa had caught sight of her Jacques, and gone running on ahead to be lifted by the Frenchman in the usual twirl that had become signature swooning for others.

Waiting back a little, Nikolai waited for his queue to follow them both. One last look up at the castle had fastened his resolve, though. He wasn't going to turn back when he could give a big middle finger to his dad this Christmas.

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Subject: Re: Joyeux Noël (Mimosa & The Clements) Sun Jan 31, 2021 1:58 pm

Things had somehow changed after the Quidditch match, and not just because Mimosa was now sure her best friend wasn't coming back. The morning after she had woken up to a group of fifth year boys surrounding her and hand't thought much of it.. Everyone was always looking at her anyway, she was the most beautiful girl in the whole school so it was a given. Wen Charles had gaped at her and asked the boys, Mimosa had nodded before curling up against Squid Boy again, leading to a fresh wave of resonator she had not noticed.

But it wasn't just the boys. Or at least not boys of the Charles and Ji Hyun Variety. Karan had caught up to her later that day as she was leaving class sandwiched between Catherine and Constance and quite uncharacteristically told them to bugger off as he fell into step beside her. The older Slytherin had asked if she was okay and if she had gotten hurt, to which Mimosa had shook her head. She knew how to play Quidditch, of course she wasn't hurt. Karan was just being silly.

The girls were also a problem, insisting she give details of what had happened. Mimosa had repeated for the dozenth time by the end of that day that she had fallen asleep but everyone was sure there was more to it. In the end, she had simply given up, not in any mood to deal with people's stupidity.

She had tried to find Gaspard in the library, always able to count on a quiet environment when he was around but he seemed to have disappeared to.

Why were all her friends leaving one by one?

***

Time took a mercurial quality for the teenage witch after that incident. Through their strictly planned scheduled designed to see them through exams, Mimosa was experiencing a combination of having no time and having too much time to think all at once. Overtly, the witch remained busy, going to classes, attending practice, even vising Hogsmeade with her friends. Innately though, the witch felt lost. There were few people she could draw herself to for real peace and comfort within the confines of the castle and in the absence of Mercy, Gaspard and even Dominique to a certain extent, her only available option because Squid Boy.

At the beginning fo December, Christmas chatter took over the halls of Hogwarts. The promised snow had yet to arrive in the first week of the month but that didn't affect the Christmas spirit running rampant around the castle. One day, Ji Hyun and Karan had come running into the common room swearing that the Fat Friar had drank so much ale, he was ghost puking, immediately ensuring everyone jumped off their eats and ran to look.

Ghost puke was gross, Mimosa decided as the boys ooh-ed and girls eww-ed at the spectral spittle trailing from the poor ghosts mouth.

Half an hour later, the group was back in their dungeon common rooms, Charles and Ji Hyun taking center stage among a semi circle of students sprawled on the rugs or armchairs, imitating the Friar with valiant attempts at throwing up. Most of the crowd was watching amused, with Constance and Catherine giggling away. Mimosa was sat on the plush rug by the fireplace, an arm casually resting on Squid Boy's knee while he sat in an armchair just beside her.

Her grey eyes flicked up to his and caught his own unamused unimpressed look at the spectacle before her face blossomed into a smile, earning one from him in return.

Perhaps he wasn't so bad after all.

***

Mimosa hadn't found out Squid Boy wasn't going home to Squid Mom and Squid Dad until a few days before the school break. When Nerisei and Karan had gathered all the prefects to inform them who would be staying and therefore which prefect would look after the stranglers, Squid Boy had raised his hand to indicate he would do it since he would be at school.

The thought somehow hand't sat well with the young witch. Everybody should have a home, to go to for Christmas. Perhaps his Squid family lived underwater and that was why he couldn't go back?

Then, a brilliant idea had occurred to the brunette, gelding her to invite him to the bestest home of all - hers at Versailles. Squid Boy had agreed without too much preamble and the appreciative peck on her cheek had soon turned into soemthing far more distracting.

A few days later, they two Slytherins were walking down the to the gate, hand in hand, Mimosa informing her tall companion about something extremely important like the new hat trends in Paris when the outline of a car appeared from amidst the lightly falling snow that had finally arrived. Letting go of his hand at once, the witch ran to her Jacques, leaping into his arms at the last minute in their usual greeting.

Flushed pink from the cold and exertion, and full of joy at seeing the Clement heir again, Mimosa didn't notice at first that her Jacques hand't brought the limo. Instead one of his sports cars awaited for when her gaze finally adjusted to the scene.

"Are we taking that?" she asked breathlessly, only for the Frenchman to shake his head before handing her a pair of silver keys.

"You're taking that," he corrects her, making the girl squeal and hug him tight. Finally, when Mimosa let him go, the man moved to greet Squid Boy who was either looking peaky from the chill or the fact that Mimosa would be driving them to the nearest hanger twenty minutes away where the Clement private jet waited to fly them to Versailles Palace.

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Joyeux Noël (Mimosa & The Clements) Rsz_mi10

Joyeux Noël (Mimosa & The Clements) Rsz_ja12

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Subject: Re: Joyeux Noël (Mimosa & The Clements) Sun Jan 31, 2021 2:50 pm

It was normal, being forgotten by Mimosa the moment her Jacques was in view. It was normal for her to simply drop everything she was doing, or saying, to head directly for the Frenchman without a care for anyone else around her. It was normal. Which was exactly why it was not a surprise when the witch let go of his hand and threw herself in to the arms of the man waiting at the gates.

Nikolai had not intruded through the greeting the other two shared, his eyes instead moving past the duo to the car that waited behind them. Having grown up in a magical home, Nikolai could safely say he never truly appreciated Muggle methods of transport. Living in London meant cars were one of the least viable methods of transport if you were traversing through the city, too, so his family had never owned one. But, you didn't have to be big on cars to understand that the vehicle that stood behind the Clement heir would be two things. One, very powerful, and two, incredibly expensive. Even if you weren't aware of the McLaren badge on the bonnet of the vehicle, the shine of the paintwork, and the clearly modified vehicle told you that it was one that really was something special.

Eyes slightly bigger than normal, Nikolai had barely heard the conversation going on just a few feet ahead of him.

"You're taking that,"

Nikolai's eyes shot from the vehicle to the older male at the admittance he would be letting Mimosa take the vehicle. The colour slowly drained from the boy's cold cheeks at the prospect of Mimosa driving the vehicle. They were too young to drive, that much Nikolai kne-

But it dawned on him as Mimosa let her Jacques go that rules like that did not apply to people like them.

"Hi Nikolai," Jacques greeted as Mimosa skipped off towards the car. The Frenchman offered his hand, and Nikolai took it. The firm shake from the old man was enough to rattle through the lanky boy's frame. "You'll be fine, even if Mimosa pulled the steering wheel a full 180 at speed, the car has all the safety specs to stop it from flipping, or anything stupid."

Nikolai nodded, not feeling much better despite the Frenchman's efforts to comfort him. Nikolai was simply urged forwards, and took up his seat in the back (stooped because apparently sports cars were not made for the taller people of the world), with his and Mimosa's bag.

The drive to the hanger was, quite literally, a blur. There had been the few moments in which Jacques had leaned in to the car from beside Mimosa to show her what she needed to press to make the car go forward, where the brake was. The witch grew slightly impatient as Jacques explained she only needed to gently move the wheel as the steering was very responsive, before she asked if they could get going.

Nikolai had checked the safety belt around him twice as Jacques moved around to the passenger seat. A third when the Frenchman pressed the button to bring the machine to life. The roar of the engine reverberated through Nikolai's chest, and by the time Mimosa had pulled out on to the main road from Hogsmeade, his heart was hammering in his chest louder than he'd known it to before. Mimosa's choice of speed had been fast. Too fast.

The hanger had emerged as a welcome break.

As Mimosa had spoken excitedly about how well she had driven, Nikolai had been welcome to get out of the cramped space that masqueraded as the back seat of the vehicle, and breathe in the 'fresh' air of the air field. The question of whether he'd enjoyed it had been returned with an equally weak smile as well as words to the effect of having enjoyed himself.

Mimosa, though, had already pointed out how she preferred the other car her Jacques had back at the castle -- dropping a name he'd never heard of before as the three of them moved towards the private jet waiting for them. The three had boarded the plane, Mimosa talking almost exclusively to her Jacques about school and whatever subject she saw fit. Nikolai sat by, listening and replying to the questions posed by the Clement heir intermittently about his own school work. Mimosa had preferred the subject remain on her, though, and the limelight was taken from him almost as quickly as it had been given.

Not that he minded.

The talk away from him allowed the boy to take in everything going on around him. The private jet was not like a normal plane. The seats were not uniformly facing the front. The whole thing was made up almost entirely too perfectly. Within the headrests a crest was embroidered in to the seat -- the boy could only assume it was some kind of symbol of the Clements. The jet boasted a colour scheme of black and white, the white being favoured more than the black in most instances. Staff moved to check their comfort and collect things that were asked for.

Nikolai's eyes had turned out the window as they took off, watching the landscape pass by quite quickly. Putting miles between him and his family with each passing moment. The uncertainty of his actions slowly began to ebb away from him as he relaxed back in to his seat.

It was no more than twenty minutes in to the flight, a polite interruption from the captain through the speaker system sounded, asking them to look out through the windows on the left hand side of the plane. Nikolai had looked out once more, trying to find what the source of commotion was, the plane had dropped slightly lower in the last ten minutes, but it was-

"Look down towards the ocean," Jacques had helpfully pointed out, and Nikolai had done as he was told.

"Dolphins!" The excitement has escaped Mimosa's lips in the next moment, Nikolai's eyes had found the source a moment later.

Dolphins, though, were not native to this area.

Straining his eyes slightly, Nikolai could make out a number of small groups of animals moving in the water below. For show, one of the animals jumped from the water before diving back below. A small smile touched the boys lips, his eyes lighting up with true appreciation as he gently shook his head and looked towards the witch. "Not dolphins, they're porpoises." Nikolai corrected gently. "They're similar to dolphins, but their dorsal fins are triangular, rather than hooked."

As always, Mimosa wasn't listening to him, commenting on how cool dolphins were and how she'd swam with them one time -- or something, Nikolai had switched off as he watched the small groups moving around the water with muted awe.

Muted awe that was reigned back as he caught the French heir smiling in his direction. "I thought you might appreciate them." Jacques had stated, content in the knowledge he's done well.

Nikolai had turned his attention back to the window in the next moment, realising just how easy it was for families like the Clements to get what they wanted in this world. And quietly, the boy found himself wondering just how he'd fallen pray to such a cheap trick.

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Subject: Re: Joyeux Noël (Mimosa & The Clements) Sun Jan 31, 2021 3:58 pm

The flight to the palace consisted mostly of Mimosa catching up the young French heir to everything that had been going on because of course it was important for him to know every single mundane detail of her life at Hogwarts. the only interruption had been the surprise her Jacques had planned for her, flying over the pretty dolphins. But that was only for a few minutes and the plane had to once again rise above the view. No that Mimosa minded of course, because it allowed the conversation to focus on something more more interesting.

Herself.

The journey to Versailles wasn't long, andit went by even quicker with the conversation as it was. they landed not at the airport but a private hanger closer tot eh palace where a much mroe traditional ride awaited them. Instead of a car, the trio boarded a ceremonial carriage that would go through the cities, street and roads lind with people waving at Lady mimosa and Heir lement returning home for the holidays.

"I though we'd show Nikolai a real welcoem," Jacques suggested with a grin, making her look up confused.

"Who?"

Perhaps he meant one of the horses, she decided when no answer came. Could one of the eight horses tied to their vehicle be Nikolai, Mimosa would Bremen to thank it later. As their carriage passed the city streets, cheers and confetti greeted them everywhere. It felt good to be home, the witch reflected as she waved intermittently from her window.

The crowd thinned as they neared the palace, petering out completely as they approached the gates. Once the security checks were cleared, they moved into the premise and one of the main driveways towards the Family's personal residence.

Mimosa had to actively remind herself not to run as she clung on to her Jacques's arm, the three making their way to the grand entrance hall where Grandmere and Grandpere awaited. Being so near them had made the witch realize anew how terribly she had missed them over the last few months. It didn't take long for them to be announced and for Mimosa to walk bristly towards the lord and Lady of the House, hugging them jointly because Grandmere and Grandpere always did everything together.

Just like she and her Jacques did.

"Welcome to Versailles Palace, young man," Grandpere finally greeted Squid Boy who looked a combination of lost and stunned. Too late, the male Slytherin tried to bow, looking awkward enough to induce a giggle from Mimosa and for Grandmere to smile kindly, insisting there was no need for formalities.

Following it up with making sure everyone changed for dinner.

Mimosa merged in her in a long sleek and slim fitted white gown, the only hint of black on it being her long ribbon sleeves. To her joy, she was now allowed to wear tiny heels and as a result, she never gave up an opportunity to add to her height the few centimetres this afforded her. Squid Boy also didn't do too badly, having found a pair of coat tails that he didn't wear quite as nicely as the other men on the table but wore them nonetheless.

Dinner was mostly Mimosa repeating the same stories from the plane, albeit this time for her grandparents benefits. Jacques too had a bit to tell regarding his own training but there wasn't much he could say and no one asked for in dept details. Finally, the conversation turned to Squid Boy who rather hesitantly described Slytherin's victory and a little bit about his paper before dessert was called.

Mimosa noted how polite everyone was in not pointing out that half the creatures Squid Boy talked about didn't exist.

After dinner, Mimosa went straight to her Jacques' room, sure that Squid Boy would amuse himself. It wasn't like there wasn't much to do at the palace. Grandmere had helpfully pointed out how well stocked the library was on aquatic creatures and Grandpere had invited him to the game room should he get bored. All this meant that Mimosa could talk, and talk, and talk, and talk to her Jacques until she fell asleep in his bed, a habit as old as she could remember and one she wasn't about to break anytime soon.

***

Mimosa woke up in her own bed on Christmas Eve, the beautiful chimes in her room trilling Christmas tunes softly. Ignoring the servants sent to dress her, the child pulled out some casual athletic wear and ran through the palace, knowing she was expected at her Jacques' personal gym. How could he work out without her, after all?

The thought of Squid Boy didn't even occur to her until the witch and her Jacques were having breakfast after, when the Frenchmen mentioned maybe they should invite her friend too. Mimosa wasn't too fussed however, Squid Boy was probably sleeping in.

They had to get changed for lunch, which was where she met Squid Boy again but the two had little chance to speak as they did traditional things like build a giant gingerbread Palace and took the horses out for a race. Mimosa won of course because she was the best rider at the palace.

At dinner, she was asked if she wanted to start opening her presents, making Squid Boy raise his eyes questioningly. Jacques politely explained that if she wanted to get through them all, she would have to start tonight. And those would just be form the extended family and close friends. Before the other Slytherin could answer, the Lady Clement warmly added that Nikolai's own presents would be sent up to his suite directly for him to pen whenever he pleased.

Mimosa was too tired and not up to opening random presents however. The only important ones would be from her family and those would be presented to her first thing in the morning. So instead she and Jacques retired to her room where he read her an assortment of material until she fell asleep, cuddling into him to make sure he didn't leave.

Tomorrow would be the annual Christmas Ball. Tomorrow, Jacques would be kept busy and away from her while she would be expected to greet guests coming to the palace from all over the world.

Tomorrow was for other people.

Tonight, she had her grandpere and grandmere. She had her Jacques.

And somewhere out in the palace, she had Squid Boy.

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Subject: Re: Joyeux Noël (Mimosa & The Clements) Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:49 pm

The arrival at the Palace had come with the same kind of mystification as the first time Nikolai had entered the grounds. There was no way a single family could ever reside in such a ginormous home, and yet, the Clements did. The first time Nikolai had been, for Mimosa's birthday a couple of years ago, he'd been awestruck by the building, and this time was not really much different. The surprise wasn't there as it had been the first time, but the something as impressive as the Palace of Versailles did not lose it's appeal the second time of attending it.

Entering the Palace, Nikolai had found himself lagging behind Mimosa and her Jacques as he took everything in once more. Eyes moving around the vast hall and the stairs heading up and away from them to the many rooms upstairs. He'd been almost a little too engrossed in the rest of the Palace to realise they'd come face to face with Mimosa's grandparents. The Lord Clement had greeted him politely, but caught Nikolai off guard, making the teen clumsily bow in a rather awkward fashion. Mimosa's giggles had left the boy's cheeks burning a fierce red, and the smile upon the Lady Clement's lips did little to free him from the embarrassment flushing through his body. A mumbled apology did little to deflect the awkward situation, either.

Still, no one commented, and instead they were guided towards the idea of dinner. Nikolai had done as he was told, heading up to the room he'd been provided (chaperoned by one of the members of staff) and changing. The soft tut that had escaped the staff members lips as Nikolai moved towards his bag for a change of clothes had him stop in his tracks. Instead, directed by the staff member, Nikolai had changed in to an overly formal suit that had tails on them. Never having seen a suit like that, the boy had felt more than a little bit stupid as he looked over his reflection that evening. The lanky frame of the teen did not look well suited in the attire, but he would find himself at least fitting in when he went down for dinner.

A dinner that was more a banquet than a dinner if you asked the boy.

The four Clements were more than comfortable throughout the coursed dinner. Almost as if this was a normal thing to sit through. Nikolai had not known why they needed such a fancy dinner for just... dinner, but had heartily eaten through each course supplied without question. Mimosa had dominated conversation as normal, relaying the same stories as she had in the plane to her Jacques. Everyone had sat through it quietly, and the presence of Nikolai's went mostly unnoticed. Jacques' updates were vaguely interesting -- and a welcome change to Mimosa's voice -- but were cut short by the bits he couldn't discuss with them. Not an uncommon stipulation, Nikolai knew. His dad had that sometimes when talking about school stuff, but Jacques' conversation would have at least been more interesting than where the board wanted to spend money or something equally trivial of the schools.

When the Lady Clement had asked of his term at school, Nikolai had looked back at her without a comment to begin with. The eyes around the table had turned to him one by one for an answer. It had been an effort to put his knife and fork down quietly, and then Nikolai had carefully moved in to brief explanation of how he'd taken on the role of Quidditch Captain that year, and what he'd done and planned to do with the team. He might have imagined it, but he was almost sure the Lady Clement looked vaguely relieved to hear of Mimosa's change of position on the team... and maybe a slight hint of pride there too. It was gone before Nikolai could make sense of the look, though, and he'd moved on to talk about his extra-curricular work on his magizoology paper that had been taking place that year. After a few minutes of explanation, though, Nikolai had grown a little conscious that he was taking up time that he probably shouldn't be, so he cut off on his explanation and returned to his food.

Mimosa took that as her cue to continue the conversation, mercifully saving him from the judging eyes of her grandparents.

What Nikolai had not expected, though, was for Mimosa to disappear after dinner with her Jacques and leave him behind.

Without a second thought.

The boy had stood awkwardly for a moment, trying to work out if he should follow, or whether to leave the two. His hesitation had been enough for him to lose sight of the duo, and wandering around the Palace aimlessly didn't seem polite. The Lady Clement had made him jump when she softly suggested he might like to use the Palace's library -- how she moved so quietly he did not know. The Lord Clement had offered the games room if he preferred. Nikolai had thanked them -- despite not knowing where either of those rooms might be. Not wanting to stand around awkwardly, Nikolai had set off in one direction in the hope of finding something to do.

Only to be intercepted by a member of staff two turns later who offered to show him to the library.

Nikolai had remained within the library until late that evening. The Lady Clement had been right in her promise that the library had a multitude of books on aquatic creatures, many of which the boy had never seen in his life.

***

The hopes of spending time with Mimosa the next day had been squashed almost instantly. Nikolai had woken up a little later than usual, and almost as soon as his feet had touched the floor as he climbed out of bed, someone had come in through the door to 'aid him'. Nikolai had looked as confused as the man who had come in to find him in only his boxers. The insistence he didn't need help getting ready had been given, and the question of where Mimosa was had been answered with the answer Nikolai had expected.

Breakfast had been a lone affair, Nikolai not wanting to trouble Mimosa if she had things she wanted to do with her Jacques. Instead, the boy had returned to the books he'd found the evening before, lapping up the knowledge he could get from the books.

Lunch had been in the company of Mimosa and Jacques, before they'd done some of the 'usual' things of the Palace. Making a gingerbread house that large (aided by Jacques' magic) was not something Nikolai would call normal. Nor was riding your horses through your estate in the snow that had settled over night, but the boy had gone along with it.

All to be abandoned as soon as dinner had finished.

Nikolai had been on his way to the library again when he'd caught sight of something... odd.

The shadows had moved quickly, almost as if nothing had moved at all. But with a curiosity that always had to be satiated when piqued, Nikolai had moved down the hallway to investigate. What he'd found... was more odd than the boy could have imagined.

"You?" Nikolai had questioned.

Lilac Capulet had looked back at him with a mixture worry, jealousy and... annoyance.

"What are you doing here?"

The disgruntled French that came back at him was not anything Nikolai could understand. The look of confusion when Lilac translated (helpfully) that she lived here didn't do much to improve the younger witch's mood. It took a while, but eventually, Nikolai managed to get an explanation as to why Lilac was at the Palace of Versailles. He knew the witch was French, her strong accent had never been easy to hide, but he'd never known she lived here. The story she told was quite... interesting, but the boy couldn't help but feel there was more than a little bit of fiction within each sentence that he was told.

Still, the two of them had kept one another company that night -- including sneaking back through the halls much after a respectable bed time. Lilac did not move up the stairs, though, instead moving towards the back of the house...

Further confusing the story of why the witch was here.

Sleep had come quite soundly that night, though. Nikolai had never been less excited for Christmas than he had that night. The small bundle of presents that sat in his room for him to open could wait until the morning. Whatever his parents had gotten for him, it would not include the one thing he'd asked for.

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Subject: Re: Joyeux Noël (Mimosa & The Clements) Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:31 pm

Christmas morning always began early at the palace, ensuring the first family had some time for a private breakfast before they were occupied with the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Ball that was to follow. Mimosa was awaken gently a the crack of dawn by a member of staff only to be brought to her grandparents personal withdrawing room where a sleepy Jacques had also just arrived. The dining areas and banquet halls would not be available until the palace pend to guests, meaning the family would have a much less formal breakfast here.

Nestled between her grandparents, Mimosa struggled to keep her eyes open through breakfast but had no trouble when a small selection of her presents arrived. Among their many presents were her Jacques brilliant selection, a multi jeweled bracelet for Grandmere and a matching, smaller one for Mimosa. the brunette knew a similar one would be posted to Elenore too, wherever the former Hufflepuff was.

"And here are some from your teachers," her Jacques explained as he pointed a smaller pile in the corner.

"Why are they with the family stuff," Mimosa asked quizzically, reaching for one wrapped in bright green and silver nonetheless. The card indicated it was from Miss Azalea. The box in the wrapping contained a set of beautiful hairpins shimmering with all kinds of charms including a sparking golden snitch.

After presents, it was time to get changed. The young witch hugged everyone close before being lead to her dressing room where the next few hours were spent making her worthy of the balcony ritual the Clements had observed ever since the palace was built hundreds of years ago. Just like very year, the first family would gather at the balcony after catholic mass was over, and wave tot eh crowds gathered below to pay tribute to what the Clements meant to France.

It would also be the first time since she had returned that she would see Great Grandmere Lynnette.

When Elenore had been at the palace, she and Great Grandmere came down together to walk with the family to the east balcony. In the absence of the mile Clement though, that task had befallen her Jacques. It was now his duty to get dressed and then escort his grandmother down the stairs and into the hall where the rest of the family waited.

It was also where she saw Squid Boy for the first time that day. He too had managed to clean up alright.

"Bonjour arrière grand-mère," Mimosa curtsied low in the presence of the dowager Clement before turning to her fellow Slytherin and indicating he should bow. Thankfully, Squid Boy managed a better one this time then he had on Thursday. "C'est mon ami,
Garçon de Calmar, de Poudlard "

"Calamar?" Grandmere raised an eyebrow at the boy, addressing Mimosa and not him.

"Ses parentes voulaient un calamar," Mimosa explained hurriedly to avoid any embarrassing mishap.

"Bonjour Maman," Grandpere swooped in, saving her and Squid Boy from scrutiny as he bent to kiss his mother perfunctorily on the cheek.

From there, Squid Boy was lead towards the main area where guests would be arriving soon while the Clements headed to the balcony. For the next half an hour, they would perform their solemn duty to the people pf France, assuring the nation that they have always been, and always will be, guided by the values and principals of House Clement.

The unchallenged, immovable leaders of the free world.

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Subject: Re: Joyeux Noël (Mimosa & The Clements) Sun Jan 31, 2021 6:12 pm

Christmas Day away from his family was... weird. Nikolai had woken up on his own, in an unfamiliar room. The light was just starting to creep in to the room. The boy had remained where he was for a while, wondering what the day would bring, and returning to thoughts of what his mum and dad would be doing. Try as he might, the rebellious streak seemed like a distant idea now that he was on his own.

With a heavy heart, the boy had gotten out of bed and moved towards the pile of presents that were his. Food came with the weird reminder that the staff just seemed to know when you were awake. Nikolai had opened a few of his presents by that point. A couple of new jumpers to get him through the winter months. A couple of books his mum and Helen had thought he might like to peruse in and around his studies. The final present had been a new set of Quidditch gloves that he didn't necessarily need, but were useful all the same. A simple Christmas, that hadn't really helped to ease the thought of something being missing.

Breakfast had taken the boys attention after that, though. Tucking in ravenously to the toast on the tray, the boy had neglected the eggs that had been on offer as he pulled an envelope towards him. The swirly handwriting on the front of the envelope was not one he recognised at all, only furthering his curiosity as he took another large bite from the toast in his hand before putting it back on the plate. Two short moments elapsed as the boy tore through the envelope to retrieve the card inside.

Nikolai,

We found you'd not already signed up for the Junior Magizoologist trip that is coming up, and didn't wish for you to miss out on a wonderful experience. We hope you enjoy yourself, and that it helps you in your work with the group.

All our best,

Louis, Vanessa, Jacques, Elenore & Mimosa

The handwriting did not present itself to be linked to one of the names easily. It wasn't Mimosa's handwriting, but that was the only person he could rule out from the list of names within the card. The familiar nature in which it had been signed only made it feel more false, though, and the boy could only feel once again as if he were a charity case of the Clements. Within, though, he found a copy of the letter sent to the Junior Magizoologist Society inside. Jacques' signature lay at the bottom of the page in the same handwriting as the card, finally filling in the last detail the boy would need.

Nikolai had closed the card then, returning to his toast with a little more frustration than was needed.

Morning had soon passed, though, and Nikolai had been instructed to suit up once more. After a quick shower, the boy had pulled on the suit that had been laid out for him, and checked his reflection in the mirror. Looking back at him was a boy that didn't look anything like the one who attended Hogwarts, and his eyes averted from the reflection that was a false representation of himself.

Once he'd caught up with the main family, he'd thanked them for their gift out of politeness before finding himself alone -- if only for a moment -- with Mimosa for the first time in a few days. It had only been for a few moments, though, which had not given him time to ask her how Jacques had known about the Magizoologist trip he wasn't attending. Instead, they were shoved forth towards an older member of the family. Who spoke only in French.

Leaving Nikolai completely unable to speak.

But thankfully managing to bow politely to the older woman, and greet her in very poorly accented French -- and without a doubt much too informally.

They were saved from further talking as Mimosa's grandfather swept in to speak to the woman, leaving the two to be able to spe-

Or, as was more the case, to be separated.

Nikolai was shown through the halls towards other guests that were congregating outside. Mimosa was whisked off in the other direction by her Jacques as if this were completely normal and breaking people apart were the done thing.

The grounds were much cooler, though, and Nikolai had left the coat that had been laid out for him upstairs without realising it was required. The crowds were gathered, all looking up towards the balcony on the side of the Palace expectantly. Nikolai had heard about this from Mimosa, and seen pictures, but for some reason... he'd thought that he would be with her this year. Why would he be asked to stand outside when he was staying with her? It didn't make sense to the seventeen year old as he waited with everyone else.

Trying not to shiver.

It was perhaps five minutes later -- but what felt like more than half an hour as the cold seeped in to his bones -- that the doors on the balcony opened. The noise of the crowd grew as Nikolai's teeth chattered, despite his best efforts. The cheering grew from outside the gates, all in French, and not really decipherable other than a non-uniform noise of assent for the first family of France.

"Didn't think I'd see you here." The voice over his right shoulder made Nikolai turn slightly in surprise. Jaime Zeverai? Didn't he have a home to be at over the Christmas break? The smile on the other boy's lips showed Nikolai's own confusion was something to find amusing. "My family weren't going to miss the Clement Christmas Ball, it's one of the highlights of the social calendar each year. Especially..."

Jaime's eyes moved from Nikolai up to the balcony. Mimosa and Jacques had moved closer to the edge of the balcony than the other Clements had, which had earned a louder appreciation from the crowds. The duo waved gracefully down at the crowds below them in the next few moments, Jacques ever so gently steering the younger witch to look out at different parts of the crowds in what was more than likely a choreographed manner to ensure any and every news outlet got the pictures they would want.

"Seeing as I am going to be up there with Mimosa next year." Jaime finished, the smile upon his lips much too cocky in that moment. Nikolai's jaw set in that moment, his eyes upon Mimosa and Jacques as they waved once more.

"Oh, come on," Jaime continued as Jacques half crouched down, and pointed out towards the centre of Paris in the distance in time for the first of the fireworks to go off. The red lighting of the firework illuminated Mimosa's features against the night, making her look more stunning than she had right to be in that moment. "You didn't think this would last that long for you both, did you?"

Nikolai didn't answer.

Jaime let out a soft laugh. "Tu es un putain de crétin."

The boy left before Nikolai could say anything, moving back to what must have been his family based on the similarities the boy could see in the four of them who stood together.

Nikolai Kessler turned away from the balcony at that point, and back in to the Palace. Not to the Ball, though, instead seeking out the quietest corner of the library so that he did not have to pretend to fit in to this world in which he found himself.

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» A Study in Mimosa, Part Two (Mimosa & Open)
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» I Won't Be Looking Back! (The Clements)