POV Gabrielle Delacour
— Daddy, will Sora be at the reception? — Gabrielle tried to hold back, but being two weeks apart was unexpectedly hard on her.
— I showed you the letter, why do you ask? — Pierre Delacour, the handsome and elegant man, the head of the clan, moved at a leisurely pace, proudly leading the family through the evening alleys to the white palace.
— But there was nothing special there.... — the girl stretched out with a hint of resentment.
— Gabby, — the mother of the family joined the conversation. — Lucy confirmed that Sora will be here tonight. — The woman smiled mischievously as she watched the smile on the little girl's face.
— Why didn't he come to us? — Again, a shadow of resentment slipped across the girl's face.
— Lucy said that the events of that night had had a profound effect on the boy, that he had changed in some subtle way.... — The woman said a little thoughtfully, glancing around, looking for someone interesting on the neighboring paths.
All the way to the palace, almost to the castle, the family walked in silence, each thinking about his own. Inside, many people and "folk" had already gathered. Traditionally, Savigny invited to her great receptions and balls not only the high nobility and influential people, but also talented young men and women of lesser birth, as well as completely anonymous, but something managed to interest the nobility.
Various "authorized" reporters also had free access and were lucky enough to spend the entire evening among the "cream of the crop", trying to catch a glimpse of something exclusive.
The adult part of the Delacour family went to "work", leaving the younger older sister in charge. In principle, both girls could come with suitors, but Fleur's problem did not allow it, so attending events of this level without a beau, the girl either had to stick with her parents or "protect" Gabrielle. Especially since Junior can get into trouble at such open receptions just because of her age. The Delacour family doesn't need any fuss right now, so a scandal is unnecessary.
— Do you see him? — Her sister's voice interrupted her thoughts.
— Who are you talking about? — Of course, Fleur realized who it was, but she did not allow herself to pay as much attention to the guy as Gabby did.
— You know who I'm talking about. — Gabby had learned to read her sister a long time ago. — So?
— No, I don't see it. — The girl could hardly contain her voice. — And how do you find him in such a crowd? Let's go for a walk, if you feel so attracted to him, — the last words sounded sarcastic, condescending. — Maybe we'll meet by chance.
— Well, let's go.
Both sisters realized they couldn't scream to get the guy's attention. They could use the Patronus, but Gabby didn't have the ability to summon her protector yet, and Fleur just didn't want to. Gabby sighed sadly and looked at her sister's haughty face. Why go to all the trouble of making things worse for herself?
She wanted to see Sora, Gabrielle had seen her sister even talking quietly to the spider when she thought she was alone in the library. But not to take the initiative herself — she wouldn't do that, she'd rather make herself unapproachable than even give a hint. How difficult it was with her sometimes...
For the next two hours, the sisters managed to walk around, talk to Gabrielle's friends, meet the snide Dunois twins accompanied by Laura, with a doomed look as if asking the world "why?", say hello to a lot of people. But Sora was never seen. The parents were seen a few times, obviously taking care of their children.
The girls didn't deny that they enjoyed being looked after by their parents. We had to spend twenty minutes with the Professor of Magical Defense and Dueling, the man wondering if he could be involved in the education of a wizard who had made a name for himself throughout Europe as a defender of the innocent, who had saved more than one life and cut off no less. The professor also lamented that Beauxbatons had not yet received an application for training from Mr. Hoshino, but the man had not given up hope.
As they descended from the second floor, the sisters noticed some excitement in the main hall, and a few minutes later, they saw the one who had attracted everyone's interest. Today, Sora looked completely different from what the sisters were accustomed to, his image was filled with confidence, proud strength, aristocratic coolness and aloofness.
At Gabrielle's initiative, the sisters had familiarized themselves with a few books on Japanese culture, so they knew that the coal-black robe was called a kimono and the dark purple cape a haori.