"Horace, I hope you still remember exactly where Beauxbatons is," Professor Dumbledore said, looking at Professor Slughorn.
"If you do, I'll take Harley, you take Severus, and we'll Apparate straight there."
"Of course. My memory isn't that bad yet." Professor Slughorn rolled his eyes and grabbed Professor Snape's arm.
Harley gripped Professor Dumbledore's arm, and the four of them vanished in an instant.
When they reappeared, they found themselves deep in a forest.
A long magical fence stood before them. The many alchemical runes engraved on it warned anyone who approached that underestimating them would come at a price.
A gate stood open in the section of fence directly in front of them.
Madame Maxime was standing before it, accompanied by a beautiful girl in a white dress, with bright silver hair and deep blue eyes.
At the sight of Dumbledore, Madame Maxime's eyes lit up. She strode over, extending a hand adorned with many luxurious opal rings.
Dumbledore kissed the air above her hand, his lips never touching the back of it. Though he was tall himself, he barely had to bend to kiss it.
"Welcome, dear Professor Dumbledore," Madame Maxime said in her deep voice.
"Welcome to Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. I've been looking forward to your arrival."
"Thank you very much, Madame Maxime. I hope you've been well," Dumbledore said, looking up at her.
Harley glanced at the height difference between them, the corner of her mouth curling into a smile, but she quickly suppressed it.
She then noticed that Pheobe, standing behind Madame Maxime, seemed to have noticed the adorably dramatic height difference too.
The girl held back her laughter, though it clearly took some effort.
"Harley, it's been so long." After greeting all the professors, Madame Maxime bent down and gave Harley a warm