Author's note: Hello, dear readers! Sorry for my delayed absence. As many others, I have been obsessed with Hogwarts Legacy. Before I even finished the game, this story took hold of me and wouldn't let me go until I began writing. My MC in this story is Vivienne Marston, my character from my third playthrough. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this story as much as I did writing it. See you later! Also, nothing belongs to me, all characters belong to Warner Bros!
It was the end of the term. Exams were over, the House Cup had been awarded, (Slytherin won, thank you very much,) and everyone was looking forward to a nice, long vacation. Well, almost everyone.
Vivienne Marston, the mysterious girl who showed up at the school via a violent dragon attack as a fifth year, who battled a troll at Hogsmeade village, who was rumored to have taken on poachers, Ashwinders, and even Ranrok himself, wasn't too keen on the upcoming holidays.
"So much has happened" … Vivienne thought to herself, as she walked down the cobbled path to Hogsmeade Station. "Could life ever return to normal? Or have I blurred the lines too heavily?" Her heart gave a pang as she remembered her mentor, the kind Professor Fig. He didn't deserve his fate, yet he gave his life for her, for all the students at Hogwarts. Vivienne took a deep, steadying breath, and looked to her two best friends in the world beside her: Ominis Gaunt and Sebastian Sallow.
Ominis was the same as ever; quiet, but hearing and taking all information in. Some would say he merely daydreams, but those who knew him of course knew better. He was extremely observant, and had a knack for discerning just how you felt, merely by the tone in your voice. It was honestly a bit scary sometimes, how he could seemingly "see" into your soul. The Gaunt boy stood as proud as ever, his silver hair carefully slicked back, his bottle green jumper and white shirt neatly pressed. He wore beige slacks, sharply creased, and his usual brown leather shoes. His parents were sending a carriage for him at the station, so he needn't ride the train. Vivienne glanced at him, noticing his strong profile. His angular jaw, straight nose, and lips that were often curled into a secretive smile. No one could say that he wasn't handsome, far from it. However, it was the other boy beside Vivienne, who truly set her heart aflutter:
Sebastian Sallow. The first person she met in the Slytherin common room, then later dueled in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Talented, cocky, charming, and infuriating, Sebastian had her interest the moment he had chirped at her, "Time for a proper Hogwarts welcome." That interest later turned to curiosity, as she learned of his twin sister's fate. Curiosity turned into a spark of feeling when he lied for her in the library. From then on, Vivienne knew she was to lose her heart to this boy.
For all their adventures, fights, and obstacles, Vivienne couldn't believe how fast and hard she had fallen for him. His quick wit, sarcastic comments, his devilish nature…all wrapped in a boy with curly brown hair, green eyes and dimples. Vivienne peeked at him through her lashes. He was wearing a white shirt, no tie, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His shirt went untucked, gliding over narrow hips to black trousers, tucked into dark brown riding boots. His hair, always unruly, bounced slightly as he walked, that confident gait he usually displayed was somewhat diminished, but was there nonetheless.
The freckles that adorned his face were also down his arms, making Vivienne wonder where else he might have them. She also noticed the faint scars, souvenirs of their many battles together. Her heart gave another painful pang, as she knew it was her fault he was marked so. Yet, he seemed to wear them proudly, claiming they made him look "mysterious and dangerous." Vivienne remembered laughing at that.
Now, however, there seemed little to laugh about. Ever since Ranrok was defeated, and the ancient magic safe in the repository, Sebastian had been distant with her, cold even. He didn't talk much to anyone really, but to her he hardly said a word. Vivienne wondered if she had said something or had done something wrong. But then again, he also must have a lot on his mind.
Although Anne wouldn't turn her brother in for what he did, she also refused to see or even speak to him. Any owls he sent her were sent right back, unopened. It was only through a letter to Ominis that they learned Anne had admitted herself to St. Mungo's, in the long-term ward. Of course, Sebastian had made the trip to London one day to see her, but was turned away. He got even more silent and brooding after that.
Vivienne was at a loss. She so desperately wanted to bring that mischievous, sweet smirk back to his face, to see the glimmer of excitement in his eyes. But she simply didn't know what to do, especially with herself being so gloomy. She couldn't explain it, but as they got closer to the station, the pit of anxiety in her stomach only grew. She didn't want to leave. She didn't want to leave her best friends, the only friends she really had, behind. She didn't want to leave Hogwarts, which had become a far better home than the one she left behind. Even after all she had faced, all the dangerous beats, wizards and goblins alike… she was scared. Scared of what, she was uncertain. But scared regardless. It crept up her back, sending her hair on end and chills to run down her spine. It settled in her lungs, in her stomach, causing her breath to freeze and the urge to eat was practically non-existent. She felt light-headed, dizzy, and she found herself twisting her hands together relentlessly, just for something to do.
She couldn't for the life of her figure out what had her so on edge, and it frustrated her to no end. The feeling only got worse when they began the trek to the station, and Vivienne wanted nothing more than to run back to the castle and beg Professor Weasley to let her stay.
However, they eventually reached the platform. Students were milling about, hugging friends, loading luggage, and rushing two and fro. The three of them stood in the hubbub, like three stones in a pond, while the rushing water of the other students flowed around them. It was awkward, it was almost painful as they stood there, each left in their own thoughts. Finally, mercifully, Ominis spoke first.
"Well, I for one will not be able to stand being at my parents house for more than a few weeks. Shall we make plans to meet up somewhere?" Vivienne's head shot up. Sebastian also looked surprised, but he then chuckled.
"Assuming I can clean up the house in Feldcroft, I suppose you can take refuge there. Of course, if it isn't too much of a hovel for the great Ominis Gaunt?" He said, a small smile upturning his lips. He was going to return to Feldcroft, to try to salvage anything from his uncle's home. Ominis narrowed his eyes, but his smile betrayed his tone:
"Even a blind man can see that you can't keep house to save your life, Sallow. As someone who has shared a dormitory with you for the past several years, I'd be surprised if I didn't trip inside the moment I set foot there."
Sebastian crossed his arms in a pout. "Not my fault your wand cannot warn you about shoes on the floor, Ominis." Vivienne giggled, which caused both boys to turn in her direction. Blushing slightly, she fished in her pocket and pulled out two pieces of parchment. Identical, except one was carefully written in braille. She handed one each to the boys, who took it, looking quite bemused.
"My address. Promise me you'll write, won't you?" She could have kicked herself for the desperate plea she heard in her voice, but neither of her friends commented on it. Ominis carefully folded the parchment and tucked it into his breast pocket.
"Of course. I'll send an owl the moment I return home. Hopefully it will be awaiting your arrival by the time you reach yours's." Vivienne beamed at him, and Ominis smiled as well. Sebastian merely tucked the parchment into his own pocket and nodded. Vivienne felt the smile slide off her face and her face reddened. She looked down, chewing her bottom lip. Why was he behaving like this? She thought. Had everything they had been through…been for nothing? Did he feel nothing for her at all, even friendship? Or was he merely using her, as a means to an end?
As Vivienne pondered these thoughts, Ominis glared over her head at Sebastian, who for once looked quite ashamed. He opened his mouth to say something, but before he could there was a shrill whistle.
"AAAAALLLLLLL ABOARD!" The conductor roared. Students began piling themselves up at the doors, filing onto the train. Vivienne had jumped at the whistle, and with a slightly strangled gasp, was looking frantically at her two friends. Ominis, correctly reading the situation, opened his arms and Vivienne flew into them, hugging him tightly.
"I-I-I'm just going to mi-miss you b-b-both, so m-much." She gasped out. Ominis embraced her just as tightly, though he knew he wasn't the one she wanted to be embracing. "It'll be alright, Viv. We'll see each other soon enough. Right Sebastian?" His tone went from soothing to accusing in a heartbeat, and the freckled boy nodded quickly, plastering a fake smile that neither could see.
A second whistle sounded, and Vivienne squeaked, releasing Ominis. She looked at Sebastian, who himself looked quite lost as to what to do. After clearing his throat, he walked over to her, and placed both of his large hands on her shoulders. He didn't look into her eyes, rather at her collar then off to the side he said "Well, I'll see you soon then. Take care of yourself Viv."
Vivienne felt as though all the air had been punched from her lungs. That was it? This was her goodbye? She felt her bottom lip tremble and she bit it hard, blinking furiously to keep the tears at bay. "No, don't you dare cry. Don't you dare cry in front of him." She thought. With a small hiccup, she turned to leave.
But some unknown force stopped her in her tracks, and before she could stop herself, she turned around and flung her arms around Sebastian's shoulders, burying her face in his neck. He smelled of cinnamon, coffee, and sunlight, and she inhaled deeply, wanting to commit him to memory. Why was she reacting this way? She would of course see him again…wouldn't she?
Sebastian was utterly bewildered when she suddenly turned and flung herself at him. His heart stuttered as he took in her soft weight, but he couldn't bring himself to hold her. Shakily, he let his hands rest on her hips, letting his fingers ever so slightly tighten around her flesh. He could smell her she was so close, and Merlin's Beard she was intoxicating, smelling of lavender, chamomile, and honey. He could feel her breath on his neck, and his skin began to sing from the contact. But no, he couldn't t do this. Not now, possibly not ever. Gently, he pushed her hips away, slowly prying herself away from him. The hurt was evident in her eyes, all over her face at his rejection. As his heart howled in protest, Sebastian steeled his expression into a neutral one.
Her large grey eyes searched his feverishly, looking for any sign that he was only joking, that he would never be that cruel… but finding none, her expression crumpled. She started chewing her lip again, and it nearly drove him mad with the desire to kiss her.
Looking utterly heartbroken, she turned to leave again, but quick as a flash she darted up onto her tiptoes, placing a petal soft kiss upon his cheek.
"Farewell, Sebastian." Her voice drifted up to him, choked with unshed tears, then she was gone, disappearing into the crowd clamoring onto the train. Sebastian stood stock still, his head and heart at war with each other; one demanding he run after her, the other saying to stay where he was. In the end, his head won out and he didn't move from his spot, other than to trace his fingertips lightly over his cheek. He could still feel her there, just as could still smell the lavender in the air.
Vivienne pushed through the crowd in the corridor until she found an empty compartment. Sliding the door shut, she collapsed into the seat just as the train started to move. Looking out through the window, she could just make out the sight of her two best friends, now seemingly in a heated argument. Putting a hand over her mouth to muffle her voice, Vivienne closed the shade on the window, curled up on the plush seat and began to sob.
Author's Note: Annnd here it is! I do hope you enjoyed, please leave a comment or review, it really helps my writing. I'll see you all soon. Happy reading!