The corridors were empty after most
of the student population had gone home for the holidays. Viviel had elected
to stay at school to study for N.E.W.T.s rather than go home to spend time
with her pushy relatives, something her over-bearing mother did not approve
of. She had received a Howler in the early hours of her first day of Christmas
break. It was a stroke of luck she was the only Slytherin staying at Hogwarts
over holiday, and only she had to endure a long tirade about the lack of importance
she placed in family ties. Unfortunately, the Howler had burned a hole in
the bed spread of Pansy Parkinson, but Viviel decided that the pug-faced
girl could deal with it by herself on her return.
She awoke on Christmas morning to a blessing: silence. There was no harsh winter wind blowing drafts under the door or snoring that rocked the tops of the canopy beds. Dressing in a daze, she found that a small pile of wrapped presents had been placed lovingly beside the foot of her bed. She noticed the usual gifts from her parents, and a small package that had handwriting similar to Madam Pomfrey's(whom Viviel had sent a new case of glass tumblers for potion distribution). But there was a box wrapped in shining silver paper, with no note attached to the outside to say whom it was from.
Curiously, she picked this up first and looked at it closely in her hands. Viviel chose not to open it immediately, in case it was containing some ill-concieved joke from one of her "thoughtful" yearmates. She unwrapped a new set of measuring cups from Madam Pomfrey, the usual winter clothing from her mother, and a set of transfiguration books from her father, who knew her better than the rest.
After placing her gifts aside, she looked at the present again. She was so intensly curious as to what was inside the box. Careful, with her wand close at hand lest something unwanted jump out at her or explode, Viviel tore the silver paper away and lifted the top of the box.
Inside, nestled on dark green velvet, was a silver charm, a wand crossed over a bone, slipped over a delicate silver chain. It was the emblem of the St. Mungo's Healers. Shocked, she lifted the necklace in her fingers to inspect. The silver shone in the candlelight of her room and tiny sparks glittered around the end of the miniscul wand.
"Wow…" she whispered, wondering vaguely who could have ever spent so much money on a gift such as that and who would have, for her. Viviel turned back to the box for answers, and found a tiny note tucked under the velvet.
Viviel,
I do so hope that you are enjoying your holidays, and I would join you in the empty dungeons, but I must be with family during Christmas.
I hope the necklace fits your taste. When I first cast my eyes upon it, it shone with the same brilliance as your mind does.
Wishing you a good holiday,
Sincerely Yours, Draco
"Draco?" she thought aloud as she stared disbelievingly at the paper in her hand. Why would he ever spend so much on her? It wasn't like they had anything in common other than the help he was lending her for potions. Unless…
But even he wouldn't be as stupid as to presume there was something going on between the two of them other than favors. Viviel had expressively told him she would not being falling into his lap like many of the other girls who spent their every waking minute staring at him from where ever they sat or stood.
Then again, she thought to herself, nothing in the letter instigated that he had the mind to do anything with me other than go over Potions notes. She was just worrying about the possible distraction he would cause from her lessons. He knew Viviel had no REAL interest in carrying on a liason with him.
"Why do I even bother?" she asked to the empty air, undoing the chain and slipping the necklace around her neck. Viviel turned to look at herself in the mirror. The emblem gleamed silver against her skin and brought out a certain sparkle in her blue eyes. "He was right… it does bring something out in me."
((Author Note: Sorry this is short compared to my last two posts. This is finals week, so I had to concentrate harder on physics and calculus than sitting down to type something out. I do have two week of winter break, though, and I should get up some good parts(hopefully atleast 7-10) before second semester starts up. Happy holidays!))
She awoke on Christmas morning to a blessing: silence. There was no harsh winter wind blowing drafts under the door or snoring that rocked the tops of the canopy beds. Dressing in a daze, she found that a small pile of wrapped presents had been placed lovingly beside the foot of her bed. She noticed the usual gifts from her parents, and a small package that had handwriting similar to Madam Pomfrey's(whom Viviel had sent a new case of glass tumblers for potion distribution). But there was a box wrapped in shining silver paper, with no note attached to the outside to say whom it was from.
Curiously, she picked this up first and looked at it closely in her hands. Viviel chose not to open it immediately, in case it was containing some ill-concieved joke from one of her "thoughtful" yearmates. She unwrapped a new set of measuring cups from Madam Pomfrey, the usual winter clothing from her mother, and a set of transfiguration books from her father, who knew her better than the rest.
After placing her gifts aside, she looked at the present again. She was so intensly curious as to what was inside the box. Careful, with her wand close at hand lest something unwanted jump out at her or explode, Viviel tore the silver paper away and lifted the top of the box.
Inside, nestled on dark green velvet, was a silver charm, a wand crossed over a bone, slipped over a delicate silver chain. It was the emblem of the St. Mungo's Healers. Shocked, she lifted the necklace in her fingers to inspect. The silver shone in the candlelight of her room and tiny sparks glittered around the end of the miniscul wand.
"Wow…" she whispered, wondering vaguely who could have ever spent so much money on a gift such as that and who would have, for her. Viviel turned back to the box for answers, and found a tiny note tucked under the velvet.
Viviel,
I do so hope that you are enjoying your holidays, and I would join you in the empty dungeons, but I must be with family during Christmas.
I hope the necklace fits your taste. When I first cast my eyes upon it, it shone with the same brilliance as your mind does.
Wishing you a good holiday,
Sincerely Yours, Draco
"Draco?" she thought aloud as she stared disbelievingly at the paper in her hand. Why would he ever spend so much on her? It wasn't like they had anything in common other than the help he was lending her for potions. Unless…
But even he wouldn't be as stupid as to presume there was something going on between the two of them other than favors. Viviel had expressively told him she would not being falling into his lap like many of the other girls who spent their every waking minute staring at him from where ever they sat or stood.
Then again, she thought to herself, nothing in the letter instigated that he had the mind to do anything with me other than go over Potions notes. She was just worrying about the possible distraction he would cause from her lessons. He knew Viviel had no REAL interest in carrying on a liason with him.
"Why do I even bother?" she asked to the empty air, undoing the chain and slipping the necklace around her neck. Viviel turned to look at herself in the mirror. The emblem gleamed silver against her skin and brought out a certain sparkle in her blue eyes. "He was right… it does bring something out in me."
((Author Note: Sorry this is short compared to my last two posts. This is finals week, so I had to concentrate harder on physics and calculus than sitting down to type something out. I do have two week of winter break, though, and I should get up some good parts(hopefully atleast 7-10) before second semester starts up. Happy holidays!))