-Can I leave early? I have a good reason.

-What reason?

-I don't want to be here.

Vivienne

September was quickly replaced with October and everyone in Hogwarts were preparing for the annual Samhain celebration. The costumes and masks were compulsory. It was possibly the only night in the year when there was no distinguishment between the houses, no prejudice, no judgement, simply because you had no idea who was on the other side of that mask. It was an overstatement because most of the time you could guess. And I knew awfully well that Slytherins used this time to hook up with the Gryffindors they liked. Samhain ball was the only time purebloods hooked up with halfbloods and muggle-borns, and everybody closed their eyes on the fact. It was an unspoken rule.

"You are grinning," Regulus leaned over the table and poked my forehead. "Thinking about the upcoming Samhain?"

I nodded with a smile on my face.

"You've hooked up with someone before!" Reg exclaimed. He sounded amused and somewhat envious.

"I think everyone did, except the first years...and yourself," I could not help but chuckle. Unlike his frustrating brother, Regulus was sweet, a little gullible at times but sweet.

He pouted a little and sat back down. His assignments were laid out in front of him, but Reg did not bother making notes.

"So, this Christmas we will be at your place?"

"It would appear so,"

"That means my brother is also invited," he said studying my reaction. I couldn't understand where he was going with his questions.

"Yeah, so?"

"You two will need to get along," that sneaky little weasel smirked waiting for my reaction. I wasn't about to give it to him.

"Then that's what we are going to do."

"You are awfully calm about it,"

I put away my quill and looked at him curiously. "Reg, what are getting at?"

"So, you don't know, huh."

I was intrigued,

"Know what?"

"No, no. I don't want to be the one spoiling family fun. You will find out during Christmas dinner."

That was awfully secretive and odd, but I let it slide. I had a larger issue at hand. Remus Lupin.

Since the accident in Hogsmeade we had to be more careful. I could trust Elle with my life, I knew she would never tell, but I could not vouch for anyone else. Especially representatives of my own house.

We have met almost every second night. It was odd. We were not dating. We were not sleeping together either. We were just...there. Every night started differently. Sometimes we talked; I liked listening to his calm quiet voice as he talked about the history of magic, ancient runes, and any other topic of choice. Sometimes we drank; in the light of the wand, I watched his Adam's apple move as he swallowed. We sat in silence watching the stars. We practiced spells. We kissed and that was my favourite part of the night... when Remus Lupin wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into a kiss.

The feeling of his lean body under my hands, his strong arms and rough hands made me lose my cool. I could not believe myself. I was acting like fourteen-year-old virgin, who never felt a touch of a man. I feared this physical attraction and I craved it at the same time. Sometimes I wondered how long we would be able to keep up with this secret liaison. A part of me wanted to end it, to go back to my regular life before Lupin, but every time his eyes found mine, I buried that thought.

I dropped my head on the table and closed my eyes. Exhaustion was taking over. In between classes and assignments, preparation for Samhain and Slughorn's annual party, sneaking out with Lupin, I have barely had time to rest. Books and scrolls suddenly looked inviting as I nuzzled to them.

"If you are tired, go to your room." Sev's nudged me light.

"But I still have to finish the essay for Sprout and write the breakdown of life cycle for billywigs for Kettleburn,"

Sev's dark gaze was piercing right through me. Sometimes I wondered if he knew more than he let out.

"What did you do to piss on Kettleburn's parade? As far as I know, he never gives homework." Reg ran a hand through his messy black hair.

That was true, but I had a little accident at his latest class, and he was not very happy with me. "I paralyzed a billywig. Completely accidentally. Which is probably why he gave me the assignment to do and not sent me for a detention with Filch."

"What a dope!" Regulus laughed holding onto his stomach.

"Really now? Rictumsempra." I pointed my wand and Reg fell on the couch laughing from the tickling sensation all over his body.

"Vivienne Lestrange,"

I turned around to see the Head Boy standing behind me. I could not remember his name, so I just smiled and waited for him to speak. "You have a visitor in the Slytherin visiting room. Headmaster Dumbledore already approve the visitation."

The sleepiness was gone immediate. My body felt rigid. Hogwarts only allowed the family members to visit the students. Mother and father were away from the country, Rodolphus was visiting the Blacks along with Bellatrix, leaving only one person who would be free and willing to come all the way here. Rabastan.

As I made my way to the visiting room, I tried to imagine every scenario of how this meeting would go. I couldn't. Rabastan was unpredictable. The door opened and closed, and my eyes found his tall dark figure looking out of the window.

"What are you doing here?"

"Is that a way to greet your favourite brother?" he smirked walking towards me. I felt paralyzed on the spot when his cold fingers traced my cheek. "Vivienne, my little girl," he whispered into my hair. It was nauseating. "I have missed you,"

"Why are you here, Rabastan?"

"Call me Ra, like you used to when you are little," his cold cheek pressed to mine. The musky scent of his cologne rubbed off on me.

"I am not little anymore," I managed to blur out. Rab's hands outlined my back before he wrapped them around me and forced me into a hug.

"You will always be my little girl,"

The food I ate rose to my throat, threatening to escape any moment. I pushed him away and stood back.

"Why are you here?" I repeated trying not to grit my teeth too much.

"You are so unwelcoming," he threw his arms in the air theatrically and spun around. "But I shall grant you the answer."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. He took a pearl-coloured envelope and threw it at me. It was a wedding invitation. "I believe you already know about this," he said carelessly. "Elle and I are getting married." His voice was passionless and cold.

"Why are you doing this?" I clenched the invitation. "Why Elle?"

"Maybe I fell madly in love with her. Ever crossed your mind?"

I chuckled ironically. "You don't love anyone, Rab,"

He took a step closer making me step back. "There you are wrong, sister. I have always loved you."

My knees felt weak for all the wrong reasons. "Why Elle?" I repeated, but deep inside I knew the answer. I needed to hear it from him.

He sat down on one of the couches. I wanted to wipe the arrogant smirk off his face.

"Because you love her. She is your best friend. You would do anything for her wellbeing, wouldn't you sister?"

I could not force myself to answer. He already knew it. I wanted to leave. I did not want to be in the same vicinity as him.

"Oh, I've brought you a present." It was then I noticed an object covered with a black cloth. Rabastan got up and pulled off the cloth.

"Cornish pixie." I whispered. "Those are not permitted."

"Then feel free to finish it off." He shrugged. "It almost stepped to the other side anyway."

"What?"

I ran to the cage and took a closer look at the blue creature. Both legs were twisted at an unnatural angle, one wing was broken and the poor creature crumpled in pain. It looked as if...as if...

"What did you do to it?"

Rabastan laughed. "The little bugger got noisy on the way here, I had to discipline it. A bit of Cruciatus never killed anyone."

I grabbed the cage and held it close to my chest. I glared at the monster in front of me with hatred.

"Now don't give me that look, Vivienne," Rabastan appeared in front of me, his cold fingers grabbed onto my face. "I might think you are teasing me," he leaned closer, I could feel his breath on my face. "I want you to remember this trash," he nodded at the pixie, "next time you decide to disobey me." His grip on my face tightened. I slapped his hand away.

"You will not dare touch me,"

"Oh, baby girl, I would never harm you," His deep voice penetrated through my every pore. "I cannot say the same about Elle." The sickening grin on his mad face showed his true colours. How could Elle not see it?

"If you lay a finger on her, Rabastan, I swear, I will..."

"What? You will what?"

"I will kill you."

He threw his head back and laughed. "I look forward to it, baby girl." He said and left.

Viv rushed outside with the pixie in her arms. Her minimal knowledge of healing spells did not help the slightest. The wind blew right through her, but she ignored it. The girl continued running thinking frantically if she should take the pixie to Kettleburn. He would certainly ask questions.

"Vivienne." The wind carried her name. "Vivienne Lestrange."

She turned around to see Lupin running towards her with a worried look on his way. "What are you doing out here?"

"Enjoying the light breeze," she snapped back, looking around. The courtyard was empty.

"The light breeze that blows the face off the skull?" he returned sarcastically. Be it another situation, Viv would have been amused by his wit, but not that time. "What's that?"

"Cornish pixie. It's...it needs help."

"Why don't you take it to Kettleburn?"

Viv violently shook her head. Lupin looked at her pale fingers clenching the cage. "Okay, let's go," he gently grabbed her elbow and dragged her alone.

"Where are you dragging me?" Viv tried to pull back.

"To someone who can help and..." Lupin gave her a meaningful look. "and not ask any questions."