The New Governor (Caira)

[delphine]

Delphine, a woman of wealth and power, the sole heiress to the most magnificent house of Eraclea. Some of her peers back in France might have said that taking a position as a School Governor might seem beneath her. Of course, her father, Maximilien Eraclea IV, was a Governor of Beauxbatons, but Delphine had always been more snobbish, nobler than he was. However, when she was asked, she took it almost instantly. Though the reasons were plenty, she liked the fact that the gravity of her name had guaranteed her a position. The true reason for her accepting however was because of her son. Yes, Narcisse was new here, and she had to make sure that nothing unpleasant came to fall upon him. He was not incapable, but a devoted mother often looked out for their son anyway.

The carriage was only slightly bumpy as it travelled the trail, drawn, as she could see, by the ugly thestrals. Why is it that Hogwarts had to have such crude creatures draw carriages? They obviously did not take into account that there were some who had seen death, and had no wish to look upon such ugly creatures. Though she more or less ignored the creature as best she could, those vibrant eyes of silver-grey looking ahead. And there, rising like a mighty bastion in the valley, was the gothic-looking castle, Hogwarts. It was not completely crude, though it lacked the luscious beauty of Beauxbatons Palace. It had its air of dark, medieval nobility about it, and all in all she was sure even her Narcisse could appreciate its architecture.

The sparkling lake also caught her eye, but only for a moment. Such things were plentiful where she came from, so she was by no means star-struck. Though she wondered what the staff would be like, there had been a time when she heard that the best of the best taught at Hogwarts. People such as the legendary Albus Dumbledore, but she had always felt such people were overrated. The French wizards were by no means weak; and her family represented that in full proportion. She would be a shining example of that, as a governor of the school. Though she came to make a contribution to the school, the main reason she came was to have a discussion with Headmistress LaPointe, and even meet an old professor…Phyllis Rutheford.

Oh yes, Phyllis, she was new to the school; or so Delphine had heard. That woman seemed to have distaste for Delphine, and it was not something that the Eraclean heiress enjoyed. She had at one point, even tried to “convert” her to a better outlook, with the aid of Delphine’s own mother, Eléonore. Luckily, her father had put a very quick stop to that, for he had always enjoyed his daughter, and knew that her outlook would make her able to forge a new destiny for the house of Eraclea, and make it even greater than it already was. Though she did not allow these thoughts to fill her head too thoroughly, she would make it quite clear to her former professor exactly what would happen while she had her tenure at this school.

Even as the thought took its exit from her mind, the carriage came to a steady stop. Delphine looked over to her most devout House-elf, Posca, who, unlike other house-elves, did not wear ugly rags, but upon his birth, had been given rags of a fine silver cloth. It would be unseemly for such an ugly creature to follow her around; therefore her father had thought of that as a rectification. And on cue, Posca hopped form his seat and conjured some steps for his mistress, bowing as she rose.

With that, Delphine rose from her seat, just as her House-elf bowed, and she walked down the steps primly, properly as all noble ladies should. Her long, smooth hair shimmered in the sun-light; it was a nice, silken pale gold, something that had gotten her admired by many people in her day. Her hair was put up in a nice hair-piece, though some strands of her long hair were allowed to flow freely. Since it was her first time to come to Hogwarts, she had opted to wear robes woven of the finest royal purple velvet she could find, lined with an intricate silver-thread. Her cloak was of the same material, though on the back of it was the Eraclea Crest.

As she walked, there was a sudden coolness upon her neck, as scales raked across it softly. Though she did not start, for she knew what it was. Delphine rarely went anywhere without her dear snake, Gisèle, and this was no exception. The scales of Gisèle glimmered as well, for they were a pure and snowy white, with eyes of the most shockingly electric blue. Coming out of the folds of pale gold to peer at her mistress. Delphine shared the look, as Gisèle slithered down to wrap upon her arm. It was a slightly long snake, and its weight was not too encumbering, but Delphine was a strong person.

Delphine’s walk was one of perfect noble grace, something that so few could have achieved. It was as if a queen had stepped into her castle. And that is exactly what she did, she glided into the main foyer, and then she gracefully came to a stop. She was new to the place, and so she would not head directly up to the Headmistress’ office. For one it would be rude to expect her to, and for two, she hadn’t the slightest clue where it was. And just as she came to a stop, so did Posca, just behind her, while Gisèle made herself comfortable upon her arm, slithering up the sleeve to find a perfect little hiding place.

Those silver eyes now looked ahead, waiting to be greeted as she should be. For not only was she the newest school governor, but she was also an Eraclea. On top of that, she was not only a simple Eraclea, but the greatest one that had been seen in a hundred years: Delphine.

[Caira LaPointe]

Caira was up in her office, indulging herself in a nice spot of tea. She graciously picked up her fine china teacup and brought it to her lips slowly, blowing delicately against the steam rising from the brim. Closing her deliciously honey brown eyes, she drew a small, but bountiful sip from her cup and allowed the taste of black tea and honey to dazzle her taste buds. A small smile of satisfaction began to present itself on her soft features as she always enjoyed a good cup of tea. After several more sips, her cup was about halfway full, and she set it gently on the china saucer to match, and set them both on the small table next to the large, cozy armchair she had been lounging in.

A quick glance at a rather large and elegant time piece that hung on the wall right above the mantle to her fireplace revealed that the time was getting late and she would soon have to meet with a one, Delphine Eraclea, mother to children and students Narcisse and Nina Eraclea. Coming from French lineage herself, she wondered if this woman would carry the traditional French Aristocratic demeanor that one does when a name such as Eraclea had such influence in the community. However, she surmised that this would definitely be the case and prepared herself just as a precaution.

Standing up, she straightened out her deep, emerald green robes. The material was a combination of silk and satin, with velvet trimmings. Each material was a different shade and luster, giving her apparel a rather soft, textured look. She pulled two priceless family heirlooms out of her hair; two silver combs with an elegant ivy design prominent throughout, and she shook her long, silken, black hair out behind her, allowing it to flow generously around her neck and shoulders, trailing down her upper back.

After making sure her appearance was perfect, she exited her office and made her way down to the foyer. On her way, she kept an eye out for anything that looked out of place. Lately students were popping up everywhere where they weren't supposed to be, Hufflepuff prefects were quarreling with Slytherin prefects, younger students breaking curfew, many issues needed to be addressed, but now was not the time.

As she peaked at the top of the stairs in the foyer, her eyes fell on a rather elegant, aristocratic-looking woman, standing majestically in the middle of the foyer, looking like some work of art. Even her house elf, whom trailed closely behind her, seemed to be of noble grace.

As Caira stood there at the top of the stair case, she called out to her newest Hogwarts School Governor.

"Delphine Eraclea, I presume." Her voice floated mellifluously down the staircase before her and echoed softly off of the stone walls of the room. She allowed herself to float elegantly, yet purposefully down the stairs she was atop, and as she stepped onto the ground floor, the echo stopped. Smiling warmly, flashing her the brightest set of honey brown eyes with a ring of green in each.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, Madame Eraclea." She said graciously as she drew out her right arm as if she was presenting the school to her, accompanied by a slight bow of her head, eyes never leaving Delphine's image. "I am Caira LaPointe, Headmistress to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, may I say what a pleasure it is to make your acquaintance." She finished her introduction with yet another warm, and welcoming smile.

[delphine]

Delphine had been looking at the architecture and portraits around her, getting a feel of what Hogwarts might be like. Having never made the trip before, she was mildly impressed, of course, it could not compare to Beauxbatons. Though she did not move from her place, no, the aristocratic heiress had merely stood there in that same proper stance as she had since her arrival. Even her house-elf, Posca, had made himself perfectly still; he was always quick to mimic his mistress when he didn’t know what to do. Though just as she was looking at a few quarreling old witches in a portrait nearby; she heard the footsteps of the mistress.

Only then did Delphine turn; her deep purple robes and cloak flowing with her masterfully, as they were woven to do; the most perfect of fits. Those silver orbs taking in the look of this woman, who walked with a dignified air, not too much different from herself. The emerald green, Delphine thought, when masterfully with her hair and eyes; the woman had style at the very least. And though she was not surprised, it was nice to see that there could be some beautiful people in the role of Headmaster or Headmistress of Hogwarts. From what she had read in history books, it had usually been warded by graying men or graying women.

Her pale-gold hair shimmered as she turned and made a few steps forward, if only to courteously cut down on the amount of walking the Headmistress had to do. It was a very subtle courtesy, but one that anyone who was aware of the proper mannerisms would recognize. Posca mimicked her steps, as she expected him to; his footsteps not making even the slightest sound. And as Caira presented the school with her ornate flourish, Delphine made sure to look mildly interested and impressed, she did not overdo it of course; she never over did anything, it would cut down on the sincerity, despite how gothic the place seemed compared to her own Alma Mater.

“I share in your pleasure, Headmistress LaPointe,” she said in her own well laid out tones, “It is my first time to Hogwarts, and I must say that it has exceeded my expectations.” There she let her own smile flash, those pearly teeth sparkling in the light; just an added effect of the various cleaners she applied to her teeth daily. Delphine looked around herself leisurely, making sure she took in the surroundings.


“I’m very glad that you would have me.”

[Caira LaPointe]

“It is my first time to Hogwarts, and I must say that it has exceeded my expectations.”

Caira turned her head slightly as she let an amused smile play across her face, accompanied by a short, elegant laugh.

"Has it now?" She emmitted yet another laugh. "Upon my first time in Hogwarts, I found it rather ghastly compared to the Palace of Beauxbatons. However, attaining a magical education here can be quite warming after you get acquainted with the castle, as I am sure you will with ease." She said in a rather explanatory voice. "Although, the ghosts that roam the corridors can be a touch irritating at times..." She said with a slight cringe. Caira had never really taken a liking to the ghosts, as they could be a headache to deal with while attempting to handle important matters.

“I’m very glad that you would have me.”

"Oh, the pleasure is all mine, Madame Eraclea. I am eager to be working with you, as our new appointed School Governor." She said with a hearty smile to accompany her tone of voice.

"Now, let us get down to business. I understand that you wished to speak with me? Let us continue on within the comfortable confines of my office, shall we?" Caira beckoned to Delphine as she began to gracefully ascend the staircase she had just descended a moment ago. She would lead Delphine all the way up to the sixth floor, only stopping momentarily for the shifting staircases until they rearranged themselves in Caira's favor, then progress on, making idle chat along the way.

Approaching the large, stone gargoyle that guarded the Headmistress's quarters, Caira majestically waved both of her hands in front of it, intoning the password: "Firewhisky". After the stone gargoyle began to rotate, giving way for the women, Caira looked over her shoulder with another smile.

"Ever tried it? It has got a bit of a kick to it." She said as she shrugged her right shoulder, the shoulder she had glanced over, with a small, short giggle, and then strode forth into her office.

It was lavishly adorned with draperies of sapphire blue, cozy armchairs of a deep, mossy green, anything that was made of wood was a dark, rich mahogany, which accented the color scheme well. A fire was already blazing in the intricate fireplace, the mantle adorned with moving photographs of Caira, awards, and trophies of the like.

Caira sat down in one of the arm chairs directly across from the other one, a small round table between the two, offering a silver platter of assorted goodies, and a silver tea pot. Reaching down to retrieve the platter, she held it over to Delphine.

"Care for a Butter-Rum Wafer? They are absolutely magnificent with tea. Shall I pour you a cup?" She offered with an accommodating smile, flashing her own set of pearly white teeth.

[delphine]

Delphine followed her as they began the ascent to her office; the castle was of the gothic architecture, she had noticed before. Though it was all the more prevalent once inside. Through the corner of her eyes she could see a pale figure rising, the ghosts that she had spoken of, unsightly abominations. Thanks to the lobbying of her father with the Ministry, the Ghosts had all been expelled; to where no one really knew, but there were no longer any ghosts that roamed Beauxbatons. Delphine did not care for ghosts, though she had no fear of them, they were simply people who had been too afraid of death and had used whatever mysterious means to lead a deathly mock of life.

The newest governess looked around, it had its allure, she decided to herself. Though she was rather glad she did not have to live in such a place, she required finer architecture, not that it was horrid, just not her taste. For a brief moment she wondered what her precious son thought of it, his letters had been ever-proper with no real complaint; her brave little boy. Before she knew it however, they had reached the stone gargoyle, and the Headmistress had abruptly spoken. Delphine was smart enough to figure out it was a password even before the thing started to move upward.

“No,” she said in reply to the question about firewhisky, “It never much met my fancy.”

As they walked up to her office, Delphine was lightly impressed; of course ever Headmaster had, had their style. Caira obviously had a love for luxury, and the witch could not blame her. The decoration was superb, and seemed to fit well with the environment. The fire, she noted as rumbling; it looked comfortable. Delphine wondered what the students thought of the office if they were ever made to come in. Sitting down lightly, as was offered, she positioned herself comfortably and yet professionally at the same time.

Gisèle moved, twisting herself beneath the robe, slithering out to entangle herself around the wrist. The snow white snake’s electrical blue eyes landed on the headmistress, surveying her. Gisèle was an impeccable judge of character, but then again many of the magical animals and even non-magical animals were. Of course, she would communicate with her snake later, and it didn’t cross her mind that the Headmistress might dislike the rare and exotic serpent. Delphine however, absently raised her arm so the snake would drop down her collar, wrap herself loosely around her mistress’ neck, and then rise on the right side, gazing unblinkingly at Caira with her serpentine gaze.

Posca too, entered with them, standing at the arm of the chair, not looking anyone in the eye. Delphine had taught him better than that; he was lower than wizards, especially the purest of them, like the Eraclea. Though even still, his mistress was not cruel; Delphine even had given him those nice silver-rags. She knew that he loved to serve, but simply knew his place in the world; as he should.

“Yes, tea would be lovely,” she began, “Thank you, Headmistress LaPointe.”

After thanking the headmistress, Delphine turned to Posca and gave him a nod. The house-elf knew what that meant. People of Delphine’s magnitude hardly went anywhere without bestowing gifts upon their hosts. Of course, Delphine would have given the gift herself, but her family found that, when dealing with money, it was improper for her to even say anything of it. So she had given Posca leave to do so. And the house-elf stepped forward and snapped his fingers. There was a faint –pop!– and manifesting from thin air were several bags of gold galleons.

“Mistress Eraclea,” he began in his squeaky yet noble voice, “Has made a contribution to Hogwarts School, madame.” Then the elf snapped his fingers again, and within Delphine’s hand manifested a beautifully ornate broach. It was crafted of shimmering gold and electric topaz jewels. The Eraclea woman had heard that Caira had been in Hufflepuff, and though she found that house to be the most distasteful, Caira seemed to be one of the few with true talent.

Delphine extended her hand, “And this,” the woman said herself in that haughtily regal tone, “Is for you Headmistress.”