---Two Weeks Later. June 14th, 1988 ---
Morning mist clung to the Loire Valley as Harry followed Fleur through L'Académie Lumière's garden paths. Stone cherubs peeked from behind flowering bushes, while enchanted roses hummed gentle melodies that changed with each passing breeze.
"No, no," Fleur turned sharply, making Harry pause in his steps. "You must greet the Muses properly before entering. Watch carefully."
She demonstrated an elegant bow, arms flowing through specific positions while whispering her thanks in ancient Greek. The statues flanking the entrance stirred slightly, marble eyes following her movements.
Harry copied the gesture perfectly on his first try, earning a small huff of annoyance from Fleur.
"Of course you would get it immediately," she muttered, glancing up at him. "And how are you so tall? It is not fair that you are three years younger than me."
"Good food?" Harry suggested innocently, which only made Fleur's scowl deepen.
"This way," she said, leading him through the grand entrance. "Maman asked me to show you the public galleries first, before your official tour with Madame Laurent."
The entrance hall opened into a circular chamber where painted clouds drifted across the domed ceiling. Each cloud contained a different scene - artists at work throughout history, their brushstrokes leaving trails of color in the air.
"That's Leonardo da Vinci!" Harry pointed excitedly at one cloud. "Nicolas told me about how he used to encode formulas into his paintings."
"Yes," Fleur nodded approvingly. "Though the British like to claim Merlin as the greatest wizard, Da Vinci is obviously much more intelligent and understood that magic and art are one and the same."
Madame Laurent met them at the entrance to the historical galleries. The tall witch wore robes that shifted between different artistic styles - one moment Impressionist brushstrokes, the next Medieval illuminated manuscript details.
"Ah, Monsieur Potter," she smiled warmly. "And Fleur, thank you for showing our guest around. I can take over from here."
Fleur gave another bow before departing, though not without a last glance at Harry.
"Now then," Madame Laurent gestured toward the first gallery. "Shall we begin with the Renaissance collection?"
The gallery showcased magical techniques Harry hadn't encountered even at Hogwarts. Where the castle's paintings moved within their frames, these pieces seemed to breathe magic itself. Colors shifted not just with movement but with emotion - a Madonna's robes deepening from azure to midnight as she grieved, while cherubs trailing her radiated actual golden light that warmed the skin.
Madame Laurent gestured to a Botticelli that seemed to glow with an inner light. "What appears to be simple gold leaf is actually a revolutionary technique. Botticelli discovered that by mixing unicorn hair with gold powder, he could create paint that responds to emotions. Watch."
A group of people passed by, laughing about something, and the painting's colors intensified. The Madonna's robes deepened to rich ultramarine, while the angel's wings caught fire with sunset hues.
"The magic doesn't just animate the figures," Madame Laurent explained. "It creates a dialogue between viewer and artwork. Each person sees something slightly different based on their emotional state."
Harry couldn't help but gape slightly when the colors shifted again when a more somber group approached. "So the painting never looks exactly the same twice?"
"Indeed. And the technique was lost after Botticelli's death - we've never managed to replicate it. Some say the unicorn hair had to be freely given during specific astronomical alignments..."
"Would you mind demonstrating a small sample of your work?" Madame Laurent asked as they entered the modern galleries. "We've heard many reports about your lightning art."
Harry glanced around the room where magical light displays flew through the air in the form of silver monocles. "I suppose a small demonstration wouldn't hurt..."
He raised one hand, channeling chi carefully. A spark jumped between his fingers, then grew into branching lightning that spread outward like growing vines. The electricity formed a rose, each petal guided by points of chi and extensive use of his Inner Eye to predict their paths.
"Magnifique!" Madame Laurent breathed. "And without a wand... though perhaps not surprising, given your other talents."
Before Harry could respond, familiar voices drifted from the next gallery. He found Nicolas and Perenelle deep in conversation with Madame Delacour, who brightened upon seeing him.
"Ah, Mr. Potter!" Madame Delacour swept forward. "I trust Fleur showed you our public collections?"
"Yes, Madame. Though I'm curious about the Academy itself - how does someone become a student here?"
"An excellent question," she gestured for them to follow her. "Perhaps we should discuss this over lunch in my office? The view of the valley is particularly lovely this time of day."
Harry followed behind her, and Nicolas fell into step beside Harry. "Thinking about future studies already?"
"Maybe," Harry shrugged. "Everything here is so different from what I've seen before."
"The Academy takes a unique approach," Nicolas smiled. "Though you'll have to wait quite a while before applying..."
Madame Delacour's office opened onto a balcony overlooking the Loire Valley. House elves brought platters of small sandwiches and fruit while the adults settled into comfortable chairs.
"The Academy only accepts students after twenty," Madame Delacour explained, pouring tea. "We believe artistic mastery requires both magical education and emotional maturity."
"How long do students study here?" Harry asked, accepting a cup.
"Between three and seven years," she smiled. "Each student specializes in a particular form - Enchanted Painting, Magical Music, Dynamic Dance, Living Sculpture... though some explore multiple disciplines."
Nicolas set down his teacup. "Perhaps you should explain about the Exhibition as well? Harry should understand what he's walking into."
"Ah, yes." Madame Delacour's eyes sparkled. "The Grand Exhibition draws thousands of spectators, but we only invite about fifty artists to participate. Most are established masters or Academy graduates."
"Which makes your invitation quite remarkable," Perenelle added gently. "Though you should know you'll be competing against artists who can enhance their work with advanced magic."
Harry frowned. "You mean spells that need wands and years of training?"
"Exactly," Nicolas nodded. "Being invited at your age is already an extraordinary honor. Nobody expects-"
"Mama!" Fleur burst through the door. "Oh! Pardon... I did not realize you were still meeting."
"Perfect timing," Madame Delacour waved her daughter in. "Would you show Harry the student galleries? I believe seeing current apprentice work might help him understand what to expect at the Exhibition."
Fleur brightened at the suggestion. "Yes, Maman, let's go!" she said, already reaching for Harry's hand. "You will get infinitely more from seeing things than from listening to grown-ups debate about things. Come on!"
Harry barely had time to process the shift in direction before he found himself following Fleur. They were walking at a quicker pace now, and with just a few corners, found themselves at an entirely different place.
The student galleries themselves occupied an entire wing of the Academy. Each room showcased different specialties, from enchanted tapestries that wove themselves into new scenes to musical sculptures that played different melodies depending on how light struck them.
"These are all apprentice pieces?" Harry asked, watching a painting shift through various artistic styles.
"Yes. Some students spend years perfecting a single technique." Fleur pointed to a particularly high quality piece. "See how the colors respond to the viewer's movements? That requires both artistic skill and precise charm work."
"When do you plan to apply?"
"As soon as I turn twenty," Fleur declared proudly. "Though I will focus on fire-arts, naturally. Speaking of which..." She glanced sideways at him. "Have you been practicing?"
Harry grinned. "Maybe, you probably already know the answer to that. Though I suppose we'll find out during the Exhibition, won't we?"
"Hmph." Fleur tossed her silver-blonde hair playfully. "We shall see who makes the better flames."
They ended up on an enchanted balcony as sunset approached. The sky blazed orange and pink while paintings along the walls shifted to match the changing colors.
"Will you be at the Exhibition?" Harry asked.
"Of course! Someone must make sure you do not embarrass L'Académie with poor fire control."
Harry laughed. "I thought you said I wasn't part of the Academy yet?"
"No, but you are the first child under ten ever invited to exhibit." Fleur's expression grew serious. "That means you represent more than just yourself, yes? You must do well."
"No pressure then," Harry muttered, watching the sun sink below the horizon.
oo0ooOoo0oo
Back in Madame Delacour's office, the adults watched the children depart before their conversation took a more serious turn.
"The British Ministry has expressed... concerns about Harry's participation," Madame Delacour said carefully. "They seem to think France is attempting to cultivate influence over the Boy-Who-Lived."
Nicolas snorted. "As if they haven't tried the same through every available channel."
"We must handle this delicately," Perenelle reminded them. "Harry deserves recognition for his talent without becoming a political pawn."
"Agreed." Madame Delacour nodded. "I've already informed the judges that he should be evaluated purely on artistic merit. Though..." A slight smile crossed her face. "Several other magical governments have requested seats at the Exhibition since hearing about his participation."
"Of course they have," Nicolas sighed. "And I suppose they'll all want private meetings?"
"Which we will politely decline," Madame Delacour assured him. "The Exhibition remains focused on art, not politics. Though perhaps..." She paused thoughtfully. "Perhaps this attention might benefit magical art education more broadly?"
"You're thinking of using Harry's participation to promote artistic education in other countries?" Perenelle raised an eyebrow.
"The timing seems ideal. A child prodigy demonstrating such skill in wandless magic but expressing it entirely through art... it may raise questions about how other nations approach magical art."
"Just remember he's seven," Nicolas said firmly. "Whatever plans you're forming, Harry remains a child first and an artist second."
"Of course." Madame Delacour smiled as voices drifted up from the balcony below - Harry and Fleur arguing about proper flame control. "Though watching those two, I wonder..."
oo0ooOoo0oo
The enchanted balcony offered a perfect view of the sunset. Harry leaned against the railing, watching enchanted paintings shift through sunset hues while trying to gather his thoughts.
"Something troubles you," Fleur said, not quite a question.
"I'm nervous," Harry admitted quietly. "All these amazing works we saw today... and the students here study for years before even attempting pieces like that."
Fleur considered this for a moment. "When I first saw your blue flames at Maison Capenoir, I was furious."
"What?" Harry turned to face her.
"Here was this boy, younger than me, creating flames I had never seen before." She smiled ruefully. "I practiced for weeks trying to match that color."
"Did you manage it?"
"No. But trying to match you made my normal flames stronger." Fleur shrugged. "Sometimes we improve most when attempting what seems impossible."
"But what if I'm not ready? What if-"
"Stop." Fleur held up a hand. "You are the first child ever invited to exhibit here. That means something, no? Besides..." A mischievous glint entered her eyes. "If you perform poorly, I will never let you forget it."
Harry laughed despite himself. "Thanks... I think?"
"You will do fine," Fleur said more seriously. "Just show them what made Maman invite you in ze first place."
They watched the sun sink lower, painting the sky in deepening shades of gold and purple.
"Will you really attend the Academy when you're twenty?" Harry asked.
"If they accept me." Fleur nodded. "Though by then, perhaps you will be teaching here instead of studying."
"Me? Teaching?"
"Why not? You already create things with lightning that is almost impossible to replicate." She grinned. "Though naturally, I will still make better flames than you."
"We'll see about that," Harry smiled, feeling lighter than he had all day. The sunset painted the valley below in warm colors while somewhere in the gardens, a musical fountain played a gentle evening melody.
"Thank you, Fleur."
"For what?"
"For treating me normally. Most people either expect too much or treat me like a baby."
"Well," Fleur sniffed dramatically. "Someone must keep you humble. It might as well be me."