Strangely, I'm not nervous. I have been homeschooled my whole life by my guardian, Joseph Worth, the only family I have left. So I should be anxious to begin my third year at an actual school. But I am collected. Joseph was a friend of my parents. I say he is my guardian, though I know I should have a more familiar term regarding who he is to me, since he is indeed all I've got left. In spite of a few things, I know Joseph loves me as a daughter and I do see him as a father figure. He has educated me, bought me clothes, and kept a roof over my head-and a very nice one at that, may I add. I can't complain. Joseph is wealthy. Pureblood and from a wealthy lineage, just as my parents were, and as I am.
My parents died when I was 6. I still remember how I felt when I found out they were murdered. I barely understood what that even meant. And I remember how I felt when I saw them in their caskets at the funeral. Miserable. Sick to my stomach. I was crying and he took my hand. Joseph. I looked up at him, confused. He gave me a small smile, almost like a smirk. I closed my eyes and pretended my parents were the ones holding my hand. Little did I know I would be living with Joseph from then on.
Now I am in my room, already bathed and dressed in my uniform robes for Hogwarts. I am curious as to what house I will be sorted in, as I consider myself to have a strong quality from each. I look in the mirror. I have decided to leave my long straight hair loose. Sometimes I wear it up, but it gives me headaches, and I don't need that on my first day of school. I don't put on any make up. I never really do. I have never gotten used to the habit, nor do I have the patience for such a vain thing. Nevertheless, I think I look ok. I have my luggage ready for the school year. No pet. The attachment I could grow to have towards one scares me.
There is a knock on the door.
"Vivien."
"Yes?"
"Are you ready yet," he says, as more of a demand than a question.
"Yes."
"Pearl, get her things," shouts Joseph as I hear him go downstairs.
Pearl is our house elf. Our male house elf, I will add, so the name wont confuse you. Another knock on the door. This time a soft one.
"Come on in Pearl," I say softly.
He comes in without a word. He is very quiet, as always, nice but...quiet. As me and Joseph are. I could take the luggage to the door myself, but I know Joseph would not like that. 'Make use of the company you keep' he always says.
"May I take your things Miss Vivien?"
"Yes, thank you Pearl."
He smiles and takes my luggage. I look at my room one more time before going downstairs. Joseph is standing by the door. This is goodbye for a year. I feel sad for a moment, but I shrug off the feeling. It's not forever, and Hogwarts will be a good thing, I suppose.
Pearl puts my luggage by the door and I walk up to Joseph.
"Are you going to come with me to the station?"
"I can't. Sorry but I have some things to do. I'll have someone take you."
"Oh. I can walk. I know the way."
"Alright then," he smiles. He squeezes my shoulder. "Good luck."
I nod and smile and he disappears up the stairs.
"Lock the door when you're out," he calls back.
Pearl is looking at me, an unreadable expression on his face. I smile at him and turn to leave.
"Miss Vivien," I hear him say. I turn around, and he is in front of me. "You will be missed!"
He proudly holds up a necklace made of a kind of a black yarn. It is rather ugly, except for the gem. There is an amethyst crystal hanging from it. Pearl's big blue eyes have this eagerness in them; I almost laugh at the emotion, since it is something I rarely see.
"Oh-" I smile. "I will miss you too Pearl...What is that?" I say, curiously touching the crystal.
"A gift for you, made by Pearl!" he says.
"What? Really?"
"Purple is your favorite!"
"It is," I say, astonished he knew that. "Thank you."
Pearl places the necklace in my hands and I imemediatelyput it on. Joseph has always spoiled me with material things, but this gift is something touching. It seems meaningful. Suddenly, Pearl hugs me. I kneel down and hug him back.