If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above.
You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed.
To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
Beauxbatons Academy of MagicLocated in the Pyrenees mountains is a prestigious wizarding school renowned for its elegance: Beauxbatons Academy of Magic.
A favourite room of Ancient Studies and Magique History students, the Artefact Chambre serves as part museum and part study space. Housed inside the medium-sized room are many artefacts of lost civilisations, including those of Atlantis, Easter Island, and the Maya. The originals are kept behind glass with security charms, but there are many replicas that students are permitted to touch and study.
At the opposite end of the exhibit display are the study tables next to the bookshelves filled with information on ancient cultures and civilisations. There are also several sets of runic stones for divining use or study. A practice excavation set is also set up near the tables for learning the proper technique used in unearthing artefacts and fossils.
Bathes in Maple Syrup | Dancing Lobster | Moy Pomidor | Seneca's Beard | That Is So Fetch!
The Artefact Chambre was quieter than most corners of Beauxbâtons, which was precisely why Étienne liked it.
The space occupied a secluded wing of the château, far enough from the bustling common rooms and sunlit courtyards that many students frequented. Rows of displays stretched beneath vaulted ceilings painted with constellations, each featuring some curious relic from wizarding history: ancient compasses that pointed toward lost memories; rings, amulets, mirrors, and objects whose purposes had long since been forgotten.
But the truly interesting artefacts were not out on display. They were kept behind glass.
From his seat at a nearby table, the seventh-year Papillonlisse took notes on parchment while covertly observing the protected collection. Every few minutes, his gaze drifted toward the barriers surrounding the originals. Not because he intended to steal anything—that would be ridiculous. He merely wished to get closer.
The glass cases incorporated at least four separate layers of enchantment. He had identified an alarm charm, an anti-summoning ward, a proximity deterrent, and what appeared to be a preservation field designed to protect the artefacts from environmental damage. There were probably others hidden beneath the more obvious spells.
A smile slowly appeared. The challenge, after all, was half the appeal.
Étienne returned his eyes to the parchment before him. For the moment, the artefacts remained beyond reach, tucked away behind glass and layers of enchantment like pupa sealed within a chrysalis.
~ Mrs. Steve Harrington ~ Claimed by Bits ❤️ ~ Queen of Typos ❄ Magical Mosh Pit ❄
SPOILER!!: Étienne! <3
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zoe
The Artefact Chambre was quieter than most corners of Beauxbâtons, which was precisely why Étienne liked it.
The space occupied a secluded wing of the château, far enough from the bustling common rooms and sunlit courtyards that many students frequented. Rows of displays stretched beneath vaulted ceilings painted with constellations, each featuring some curious relic from wizarding history: ancient compasses that pointed toward lost memories; rings, amulets, mirrors, and objects whose purposes had long since been forgotten.
But the truly interesting artefacts were not out on display. They were kept behind glass.
From his seat at a nearby table, the seventh-year Papillonlisse took notes on parchment while covertly observing the protected collection. Every few minutes, his gaze drifted toward the barriers surrounding the originals. Not because he intended to steal anything—that would be ridiculous. He merely wished to get closer.
The glass cases incorporated at least four separate layers of enchantment. He had identified an alarm charm, an anti-summoning ward, a proximity deterrent, and what appeared to be a preservation field designed to protect the artefacts from environmental damage. There were probably others hidden beneath the more obvious spells.
A smile slowly appeared. The challenge, after all, was half the appeal.
Étienne returned his eyes to the parchment before him. For the moment, the artefacts remained beyond reach, tucked away behind glass and layers of enchantment like pupa sealed within a chrysalis.
For the moment.
Johnny was going through a rather strange phase.
Strange because he hadn’t expected to be feeling all this emo during his seventh and final year at Beauxbations. Was this how the rest of the triplet set, his sisters Ariadne and Tiffany, were feeling about Hogwarts? Jon made sure to ask them the next time he wrote. “Which should be today,’’ came his mutter, as he gave himself a verbal reminder.
But… woops.
Jonathan bit his tongue as his words, despite the quiet manner in which they were spoken, echoed around the Chamber. “Sorry,’’ he added, taking advantage of the fact that his apology should be heard clearly by anyone in the room. Was anyone in the room? Hopefully they hadn’t been disturbed by his presence.
The Papillonlisse student ventured further into the Chamber, another deep melancholy settling over his chest. And also a bit of panic because in a few months, he’d be graduating and he was yet to fully decide what he wanted to do. Ugh. It was amazing just how quickly and unexpectedly all the thoughts and feelings could hit at once.
He rounded a corner and immediately spotted a familiar face. “Oh. Hey, Étienne.” His Housemate seemed engrossed in his own observations. “Not disturbing, am I?”
Bathes in Maple Syrup | Dancing Lobster | Moy Pomidor | Seneca's Beard | That Is So Fetch!
Étienne looked up from his parchment at the familiar voice, his quill pausing midway through a hastily scribbled note regarding containment wards.
For a brief moment, he considered claiming that he had not been studying the artefacts behind the glass at all. Unfortunately, his gaze had been fixed rather obviously on the protected collection for the better part of twenty minutes.
"That depends," he replied, leaning back slightly in his chair. "Are you here to report me for excessive staring at the artefacts?" A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "If so, I'd like it noted that I've touched absolutely nothing."
Yet.
His eyes flicked toward the display cases again before returning to his housemate. The artefacts sat motionless beneath layers of enchantment and polished glass, frustratingly inaccessible.
Étienne set down his quill. Only then did he properly register Jonathan's expression. The other seventh-year looked distracted, weighed down by something heavier than academic curiosity. It was a familiar look these days. As graduation crept closer, an odd sort of gloom seemed to have settled over much of their year group, lingering like storm clouds nobody quite knew how to disperse.
"You look as though someone informed you that the school year has been extended by another month." A pause. "Or worse. Career planning."
His expression grew knowingly sympathetic as he gestured toward the empty chair beside him.
"Sit. You can either tell me what's troubling you or help me determine how many enchantments are protecting that display case."
~ Mrs. Steve Harrington ~ Claimed by Bits ❤️ ~ Queen of Typos ❄ Magical Mosh Pit ❄
SPOILER!!: Étienne! <3
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zoe
Étienne looked up from his parchment at the familiar voice, his quill pausing midway through a hastily scribbled note regarding containment wards.
For a brief moment, he considered claiming that he had not been studying the artefacts behind the glass at all. Unfortunately, his gaze had been fixed rather obviously on the protected collection for the better part of twenty minutes.
"That depends," he replied, leaning back slightly in his chair. "Are you here to report me for excessive staring at the artefacts?" A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "If so, I'd like it noted that I've touched absolutely nothing."
Yet.
His eyes flicked toward the display cases again before returning to his housemate. The artefacts sat motionless beneath layers of enchantment and polished glass, frustratingly inaccessible.
Étienne set down his quill. Only then did he properly register Jonathan's expression. The other seventh-year looked distracted, weighed down by something heavier than academic curiosity. It was a familiar look these days. As graduation crept closer, an odd sort of gloom seemed to have settled over much of their year group, lingering like storm clouds nobody quite knew how to disperse.
"You look as though someone informed you that the school year has been extended by another month." A pause. "Or worse. Career planning."
His expression grew knowingly sympathetic as he gestured toward the empty chair beside him.
"Sit. You can either tell me what's troubling you or help me determine how many enchantments are protecting that display case."
Excessive staring at the artefacts?
Jon blinked, his brain momentarily coming to a halt as he processed the words. “Oh!’’ It eventually clicked, thankfully not taking too much time to do so. Being wrapped up in worry about being a bother, it had not at all occurred to him that he may not have actually been one. His face broke into a relaxed grin. “That depends. Were you staring at them, trying to figure out the best way to swipe them as memorabilia of your time at Beauxbatons?” Jon knew this wasn’t the case; he was just being silly as he eyed the parchment.
When Étienne took another look at the display, Johnny’s eyes followed. “Any particular reason you’re seemingly extra fascinated by this particular display?” He himself had not spent that much time in the Chambre, choosing to browse the place often but never really lingering. Feeling Étienne’s gaze on him, he looked back at his friend.
At the words, Johnny winced. “It’s showing that bad, huh?” A resigned sigh slipped past his lips. “Probably the latter,” he admitted. He had no intention of elaborating, of being a burden on Étienne but the sympathetic look and the next words that were firmly said had him reconsidering. After some resistance, he gave in. “Fine, you win.” Chuckling, Jon dropped in the chair beside the other boy.
“Thanks for… you know.” He gestured at them both. “This.” It was only right to show his gratitude first, yes? “I have no idea what I want to do after we graduate.” Wow. It felt good to say that out loud, like a weight was lifted from his chest.
Bathes in Maple Syrup | Dancing Lobster | Moy Pomidor | Seneca's Beard | That Is So Fetch!
"The great question. Were I attempting to steal them, I would hardly sit directly in front of the display and document my observations," he said louder than needed, his gaze flicking toward the parchment covered in notes and diagrams, in case an adult was eavesdropping nearby. "That would be remarkably poor criminal planning."
"The originals." Étienne's answer came without hesitation, causing his smile to widen slightly at the question. "The replicas are useful for study, but they're missing the interesting parts. The wear patterns. Residual enchantments. The tiny inconsistencies left behind by centuries of handling. History is far more fascinating when you can observe the actual object rather than a copy of it." Unfortunately, the château seemed determined to prevent precisely that.
When Jonathan winced, Étienne felt a small measure of satisfaction. Not because his assessment had been correct, but because the reaction confirmed he had identified the problem.
"Quite that bad. You've been wandering around looking like the protagonist of a tragic French novel." His tone was dry, but the image amused him enough to earn a brief smile. "All you need now is a rainstorm and a doomed romance."
As Jonathan finally accepted the invitation and sat down, Étienne inclined his head in acknowledgment. The gratitude, however, caught him slightly off guard.
"For this?" he asked. "Jonathan, I offered you a chair, not an oasis. And you don't need to thank me for existing in your general vicinity." Despite the teasing, there was warmth beneath it.
Then came the real confession. The thing haunting nearly every seventh-year corridor conversation these days.
"If it helps, I don't think having no idea is nearly as uncommon as people pretend." The adults all seemed convinced that certainty arrived automatically with age. Étienne had yet to see evidence supporting the theory.
"What do you actually enjoy?" he asked. "Not what you're good at. Not what your family expects. Not what sounds impressive when professors ask. What do you find yourself wanting to do when nobody is telling you what you should be doing? That's usually a better place to start than trying to select a career for the next forty years."
~ Mrs. Steve Harrington ~ Claimed by Bits ❤️ ~ Queen of Typos ❄ Magical Mosh Pit ❄
SPOILER!!: Étienne! <3
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zoe
"The great question. Were I attempting to steal them, I would hardly sit directly in front of the display and document my observations," he said louder than needed, his gaze flicking toward the parchment covered in notes and diagrams, in case an adult was eavesdropping nearby. "That would be remarkably poor criminal planning."
"The originals." Étienne's answer came without hesitation, causing his smile to widen slightly at the question. "The replicas are useful for study, but they're missing the interesting parts. The wear patterns. Residual enchantments. The tiny inconsistencies left behind by centuries of handling. History is far more fascinating when you can observe the actual object rather than a copy of it." Unfortunately, the château seemed determined to prevent precisely that.
When Jonathan winced, Étienne felt a small measure of satisfaction. Not because his assessment had been correct, but because the reaction confirmed he had identified the problem.
"Quite that bad. You've been wandering around looking like the protagonist of a tragic French novel." His tone was dry, but the image amused him enough to earn a brief smile. "All you need now is a rainstorm and a doomed romance."
As Jonathan finally accepted the invitation and sat down, Étienne inclined his head in acknowledgment. The gratitude, however, caught him slightly off guard.
"For this?" he asked. "Jonathan, I offered you a chair, not an oasis. And you don't need to thank me for existing in your general vicinity." Despite the teasing, there was warmth beneath it.
Then came the real confession. The thing haunting nearly every seventh-year corridor conversation these days.
"If it helps, I don't think having no idea is nearly as uncommon as people pretend." The adults all seemed convinced that certainty arrived automatically with age. Étienne had yet to see evidence supporting the theory.
"What do you actually enjoy?" he asked. "Not what you're good at. Not what your family expects. Not what sounds impressive when professors ask. What do you find yourself wanting to do when nobody is telling you what you should be doing? That's usually a better place to start than trying to select a career for the next forty years."
Jon bit back the sizable laughter that threatened to escape his lips. He thought he recognised why Étienne had raised his voice, so he shot a casual glance around. Uh huh, there was at least one adult somewhere around, there had to be. Or at least, other students their age and who were perhaps a little more mature that the thought of ‘stealing’ had not crossed their mind? “Very poor,’’ Jon agreed, his own voice rising by half an octave. See what a good friend he was to back the other guy up?
He then devoted his time to studying the artefacts intently; the words directed at him being absorbed intently. “Oh wow. That’s interesting.” Jonathan frowned slightly, tilting his head as he looked on more intently. Now that Étienne had mentioned it, it was easy to notice that indeed some pieces were missing. “You must have really spent a great deal of time looking at these to notice the missing bits. I bet some of them aren’t that easy to spot. Which of these are you most interested in?” A hand gestured at the display. Was it nautical instruments? Astronomical ones?
Finally, the laugh he had suppressed earlier managed to escape. Thankfully, it wasn’t as loud as was anticipated. “And now I’m imagining myself as a brokenhearted French prince for some reason.’’ Not that brokenhearted part had been that off from Étienne’s playful words. Though, one wouldn’t suspect anything as such due to the manner in which Jon carried himself. AKA he didn’t wear his heart on his sleeve anymore.
He rolled his eyes. “Yes, but you were kind enough to invite me to join you. Which meant I interrupted your scheming.” Johnny winked. Though his words were light to match Étienne’s warm ones, he was genuinely pleased that his friend was willing to lend an ear. And perhaps Jon would be able to learn more about these artefacts, if Étienne chose to enlighten him.
Those next words, simple but said with such confidence… they released some of the tension that the young man had been feeling. It was enough to make him sit up a bit straighter in the comfortable seat. “You really think so? I mean, everyone always seem to have it together, have it all figured out… does anyone even realise the sort of pressure on us to have a decision before we graduate?” The question posed to him was pondered upon. As he did this, Jon suddenly realised - by twisting and turning slightly - that the chair was a spinny one. Without hesitation, he did a three-sixty degree turn. The action further made him feel more relieved. “Ballet!” Another full turn. “Wheee! This is fun! I also enjoy Quidditch and arts. I wouldn't count quidditch that much, however. My dad is really into that.”
Bathes in Maple Syrup | Dancing Lobster | Moy Pomidor | Seneca's Beard | That Is So Fetch!
Étienne caught Jonathan's glance around the room and had to fight the urge to laugh. "Exactly," he said, lowering his voice once the performance had served its purpose. "Any hypothetical theft discussion should remain entirely hypothetical."
As for the artefacts in the display cases, Étienne's attention returned to them briefly.
"A great deal of time, yes," he admitted without embarrassment. "Although some are easier than others. As for which interests me most..." He considered the question carefully. "The objects nobody fully understands anymore. The artefacts with incomplete records. Missing instructions. Contradictory theories. Anyone can read a textbook explanation; I prefer mysteries."
A faint smile appeared.
"Jonathan, you already attend a château, possess excellent hair, and spend your afternoons wandering dramatically through the corridors contemplating your future." A beat passed. "The title of 'brokenhearted French prince' seems largely ceremonial at this point."
His expression then turned thoughtfully serious. "Interrupted my scheming? An interesting assumption." The warmth behind the dry remark softened the teasing. "I admit it's a slow-moving criminal enterprise, but, if I wanted uninterrupted solitude, I wouldn't have offered you the seat."
The concern in Jonathan's voice earned a more sympathetic look.
"Of course I think so. People our age are surrounded by selective reporting. Nobody walks around announcing they have absolutely no idea what they're doing." A small shrug followed. "What they don't announce are the moments spent staring at a wall wondering whether they're chasing a mirage. It's easy to—"
The sudden rotation of the chair caused Étienne to stop mid-thought. His eyes followed Jonathan's first complete turn. Then the second. For several seconds, he simply stared.
"I believe we've identified at least one career path: professional chair-spinner." The deadpan delivery lasted approximately two seconds before amusement crept into his expression.
~ Mrs. Steve Harrington ~ Claimed by Bits ❤️ ~ Queen of Typos ❄ Magical Mosh Pit ❄
SPOILER!!: Étienne! <3
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zoe
Étienne caught Jonathan's glance around the room and had to fight the urge to laugh. "Exactly," he said, lowering his voice once the performance had served its purpose. "Any hypothetical theft discussion should remain entirely hypothetical."
As for the artefacts in the display cases, Étienne's attention returned to them briefly.
"A great deal of time, yes," he admitted without embarrassment. "Although some are easier than others. As for which interests me most..." He considered the question carefully. "The objects nobody fully understands anymore. The artefacts with incomplete records. Missing instructions. Contradictory theories. Anyone can read a textbook explanation; I prefer mysteries."
A faint smile appeared.
"Jonathan, you already attend a château, possess excellent hair, and spend your afternoons wandering dramatically through the corridors contemplating your future." A beat passed. "The title of 'brokenhearted French prince' seems largely ceremonial at this point."
His expression then turned thoughtfully serious. "Interrupted my scheming? An interesting assumption." The warmth behind the dry remark softened the teasing. "I admit it's a slow-moving criminal enterprise, but, if I wanted uninterrupted solitude, I wouldn't have offered you the seat."
The concern in Jonathan's voice earned a more sympathetic look.
"Of course I think so. People our age are surrounded by selective reporting. Nobody walks around announcing they have absolutely no idea what they're doing." A small shrug followed. "What they don't announce are the moments spent staring at a wall wondering whether they're chasing a mirage. It's easy to—"
The sudden rotation of the chair caused Étienne to stop mid-thought. His eyes followed Jonathan's first complete turn. Then the second. For several seconds, he simply stared.
"I believe we've identified at least one career path: professional chair-spinner." The deadpan delivery lasted approximately two seconds before amusement crept into his expression.
Jon shot Étienne a knowing wink. Hypothetical theft discussion shall indeed remain hypothetical. With that bit of the conversation put to rest, it meant that he could focus fully on their chat - and the artefacts as well. Both of which were found to be highly interesting, by the way. There wasn’t even any need for his friend to be embarrassed for admitting the amount of time spent on those artefacts. Jon loved to hear all about what interested others. This was why he clung to all of Étienne’s words.
“Mysteries and learning about the objects first hand is a lot better and far more exciting than reading about them,’’ he agreed. “Is that what your career path’s going to be? Unravelling such mysteries?” If so, Jon couldn’t see how Étienne would ever be bored.
Now he chuckled upon hearing the next words. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were flirting with me.” He had become more attuned to flirting since Léo had been doing some degree of it with him. Then the guy pulled a goofy face. “Can’t help it, I’m going through a crisis.” His merry laughter buoyed the weight that he felt in his chest. “Fine, fine, you’ve made your point,’’ came the additional words, gratitude woven into them. Now there would be no doubt about Étienne wanting his company.
“Exactly.” See, the other guy understood, and this made Jon breathe a sigh of relief. This talk would go much easier with someone who was open minded. Jonathan’s head bobbed all along to those words being said, even if the bobbing might not show much since there was spinning involved on the chair. “Is that what you do? Stare at the wall? It’s easy to what?” He was a bit puzzled about why Étienne ceased his words. It was the next words that made him understood, and they sent a soft burst of laughter tumbling from his lips. “Oh! Now this makes plenty of sense. So long as I don’t make myself go cross-eyed and dizzy.” Which was exactly what he did, crossing his eyes by looking down at his nose. “Like this.”
Bathes in Maple Syrup | Dancing Lobster | Moy Pomidor | Seneca's Beard | That Is So Fetch!
He considered the question for a moment, his gaze drifting back toward the protected display cases.
"Perhaps." The answer came thoughtfully rather than confidently. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Every mystery solved seems only to reveal three more waiting behind it. I'd much rather spend my life chasing unanswered questions than pretending they've all been resolved. I don't imagine I'd ever tire of it." That endless chain of discovery appealed to him far more than any neat conclusion ever could.
One eyebrow then rose.
"I assure you, if I were flirting with you, it would be considerably less subtle than complimenting your dramatic tendencies. Besides," he continued, "you're in the middle of an existential crisis. It would be terribly unsporting to exploit such favourable conditions."
His expression remained perfectly composed for approximately three seconds before the corner of his mouth betrayed him. The dry remark softened into something warmer.
"And I'm glad you interrupted, Jonathan. Artefacts are patient. They'll still be sitting behind that glass tomorrow."
Étienne watched Jonathan obediently cross his eyes with the solemn concentration of someone attempting highly advanced magical theory.
"...Remarkable." He folded his hands together as though conducting a formal evaluation. "I fear you've overqualified yourself. Adding voluntary dizziness demonstrates initiative."
He allowed the deadpan expression to linger just long enough before a quiet laugh escaped him.
"I was going to say it's easy to mistake confidence for certainty," he continued once the amusement settled. "People our age often assume everyone else has reached the zenith of adulthood already—that they've discovered their calling and mapped out the next twenty years." He gave a small shrug. "In reality, most people are improvising far more than they'd ever admit. Some simply happen to look convincing while doing it."
His eyes flicked toward Jonathan's still-spinning chair.
"You, at least, have the courtesy to make the spinning visible."
.jpg)
Artefact Chambre 
x8 
x8
