𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐎:
A mother knows
(1971)

IN LIFE, there is always a balance.

In Viviane's life—her balance is her Mother, Christine Jane Hawthorne née Cruz. Christine always kept her grounded and reminded her that when there is darkness, there is light.

Her Father is the darkness, while her Mother is the light.

Christine always removed the idea of pureblood sentiments from her Father.

Always reminded her that no matter the witch or wizard's blood status—muggle-born, half-wizard, or pureblood.

They all must be treated with kindness, even if they do not deserve it. She said there is nothing wrong with being kind because the world is cruel enough—why be cruel any further?

Her Mother is her sanctuary, protector, rock, and everything. Viviane loves her Mother deeply and unconditionally. But she never understood, even at the young age of ten, how her mother loves her Father so much that Christine endures her father's iron fist, the shouting and yelling of degradation.

Viviane. Never. Understood.

She knows that she's at fault. Of course, she knows. When she is constantly reminded by her Father and her grandparents, Elijah Hawthorne, and Cassiopeia Hawthorne née Black, that she was a mistake. Viviane Blair Hawthorne was supposed to be a male heir, not a woman.

Viviane never cried.

Or else it would even get worse if she cried. Her Father might not hit her as he did with her mother. But it doesn't mean he doesn't hurt her mentally.

Because questions would arise why does the Hawthorne Heiress have bruises and silver healed scars on her supposed to be perfectly smooth tan skin?

Oh, how she loathed them. She loathed her Father and her grandparents and ancestors for putting her in a tight position.

Viviane loathed her life at such a young age too.

And her Mother apologizes to her constantly. Viviane never blamed her. They are both in the same position. Being a woman in a pureblood family is never an easy position unless they are as devoted and crazed to their pureblood beliefs, and their life will sail smoothly. Unfortunately, Viviane and Christine never shared the same beliefs, and that's why they're crashing along with the waves.

Christine Jane Hawthorne née Cruz, was a Wise House of Cruz member. Usually sorted into Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. But her mother was sorted into Slytherin, but no matter the house, Christine was raised in a loving household and family.

The Cruz family is a wealthy family from the Philippines. Viviane's great-grandparents migrated to London, England. When her grandparents received their Hogwarts letter. The Cruz is a prominent and wealthy family in the Philippines with a business in agriculture—farming and fishing with their products that are transported all around Asia.

In the Philippines, the Cruz family is one of fifteen Pureblood families.

The Cruz, Fernandez, Rivera, Santos, Aquino, Gonzales, Villar, Evangelista, Eduardo, Manalo, Salvador, Badillo, Arroyo, Del Rosario, and Reyes.

There is a wizarding school in the Philippines, hidden in the Cordillera Mountains, located in the north-central part of the island of Luzon. That practices ancestral magic and studies Philippine myths, legends, magical creatures, Voodoo, wandless magic, and more.

But of course. Dumbledore offered them an option to study at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Scottish Highlands. It was a privilege and an offer they couldn't resist.

The Cruz came from generational wealth. They were the ones that expanded agriculture in the Philippines. They own several lands for farming and fishing ports in numerous provinces.

The last time Viviane heard from her grandparents, Christine's parents, after her aunts and uncles graduated from Hogwarts, they moved back to the Philippines to focus on their business.

Sadly, after Christine and Daniel were married. Daniel forced Christine to cut ties with her parents. And with them thinking that Daniel is their daughter's perfect husband and companion.

He wasn't always like that. Christine always reminded herself.

Christine and Daniel fell in love when they were in their sixth year of Hogwarts. It was beautiful and unforgettable, but ever since Elijah Hawthorne resigned from their Potions Brewing Company and handed his position to Daniel, he finally became the sole heir of his Father.

He changed. It was never the same. He was never the same. Power and Perfection consumed him, as did any other Hawthorne man before him.

Christine misses her family every day. She wishes that her daughter grew up in the same warm and happy environment as she did. Full of laughter and smiles. An easy life. Without the pressure of being the perfect daughter and perfect heiress.

And she felt guilty. If only she had known that this was the life that she was giving to her daughter. She should have left. But knowing Daniel—he'll always find her. Christine couldn't risk Viviane being hurt in the process.

So she did her best for her daughter to have the best life. Distract and relieve her from the tutors and sessions Daniel forced on their daughter.

Christine feels useless because she couldn't save her daughter from this way of life, but she will try, and she will always try. For her daughter, always, for her daughter.

•| ⊱✿⊰ |•

VIVIANE STIRS AWAKE as she further hugs her plush pillow with a dozen other pillows that surround her, wrapped in a cocoon-like state with her ivory cream duvet blanket that adds warmth and gentle weight as she further sinks into the soft mattress—almost a cloud-like feeling.

Fluttering her eyes open, the same cream-white walls greeted her. She sighs heavily. As soon as she sat up, her short legs dangled at the edge of the bed. A soft knock on her grand white doors, intricately carved with exquisite designs of flowers.

"Come in," Viviane says with a quiet yawn as she looks behind her shoulder to see who wants to visit her so early.

"Good morning, Mistress Viviane." Weeny, the house-elf, greeted enthusiastically with a small voice as she approached her mistress in small steps. Dressed neatly in white clothing that Christine had insisted for her to wear.

Weeny is treated nicely in their household, looking clean, neat, and cheery all the time, except when Daniel is near her, the poor creature always looks as if she's going to faint in fear.

"Good morning, Weeny." Viviane greeted softly, standing up from her bed as Weeny waved her hand. Fixing Viviane's bed, the bedsheet looked as if it was newly ironed, pillows arranged from largest to smallest, duvet blanket laid neatly. "Thank you, Weeny."

Weeny dismissed her, "Mistress Viviane need not thank Weeny for serving her. Weeny will always clean Mistress Viviane's bedroom after she wakes up, and Weeny will help Mistress Viviane to prepare breakfast."

Viviane nods along with a small smile as she follows Weeny toward her bathroom after taking a bath. Her dress is already laid on her bed. A white sundress with colorful polka dots. After dressing, she sits in front of her dressing table as Weeny starts to brush her hair–using wandless magic.

"Is Father here, Weeny?" Viviane asks Weeny as her soft smile turns into a frown. Weeny hums as the brush stops in motion.

"No, Mistress Viviane, Master Daniel is not here," Weeny responds assuringly, with Viviane releasing a huge sigh of relief. It was the weekend. Meaning no sessions to attend and no tutors to see.

"Good," Viviane mutters silently. She hears a faint chuckle from Weeny as she ties a ribbon at the end of her French braids.

"Mistress is waiting for you in the dining room, Mistress Viviane."

"Thank you, Weeny. Have you eaten?" Viviane asks as she stands up from her seat. With Weeny nodding in reply, "Yes, Mistress Viviane. Mistress kindly gave me my breakfast this morning."

Viviane smiles in reply, "I'll see you in the garden later, Weeny?"

"Yes, Mistress Viviane." Weeny curtly nods as she disapparates from the room. Viviane walked out of her room, walking through the halls of the Hawthorne Manor.

It was brighter and somehow a lighter atmosphere than most Manors she had visited. Mahogany wood lines the floors and adorns the walls.

The deep, lustrous tones of the mahogany evoke a sense of warmth and sophistication. The walls were painted in a calming shade of sage, with leaves and veins painted in rich gold detailing the walls. Small ornate chandeliers with sparkling crystals adorned the ceiling.

Walking down the mahogany spiral staircase, carpeted in a dark shade of forested green with its edges lined with gold, reaching the bottom of the stairs, the steps are beautifully rounded and smooth with intricate balusters or handrails crafted from mahogany wood.

Just a few steps away from the staircase is the living room. The walls of the living room are adorned in a soothing shade of sage green, and a grand coffee table takes center stage, crafted from the same mahogany wood.

Luxurious seating arrangements dot the living room, upholstered in sumptuous fabrics that complement the color palette. Plush sofas and armchairs adorned with soft cushions and elegant throw blankets.

Richly patterned rugs featuring intricate designs lie gracefully on the floor. Delicate curtains or drapes, made from luxurious fabrics, frame the windows, allowing a soft filtered light to enter the room.

Taking a left. And opening the glass doors. The grand dining room with a magnificent dining table and an ornate chandelier hanging gracefully above the dining table, casting a warm and enchanting glow crafted from the finest crystal.

The table is already prepped with her mother's homemade meal.

A simple setup from when her Father is not present. Two plates, a set of spoons, and forks laid neatly on the table rather than the whole grandeur dining experience with fine china and crystal glassware.

It's nice to always have a simple meal with her mother.

It always made her feel like her life was normal.

Viviane takes a seat in the dining chair, also made of mahogany, meticulously carved and upholstered in sumptuous fabrics. Christine exits the kitchen with the biggest smile, wearing a white apron and muggle clothing—which she only wore when her husband was not around.

Muggle clothes are much more comfortable than robes, in her opinion.

"Good morning, anak!" Christine exclaims as she places a bowl of rice in front of Viviane.

"Good morning, mama," Viviane responds with a small giggle, dimples showing. Christine walks to Viviane's side, placing a peck on her daughter's cheek. Sitting beside her daughter rather than in her usual sitting arrangement in which they were facing each other while her Father sat at the head of the table.

"How did you sleep?" Christine asks while placing food on her daughter's plate.

"Like I took a big gulp of sleeping draught," Viviane answers with a heavy sigh. "I was so tired yesterday, mama," she says with a frown, remembering her five-hour ballet session and language session with her Latin tutor.

Christine purses her lips as Viviane begins taking a bite of her food. Sinigang na Salmon. A dish composed of salmon heads cooked in a sour broth with vegetables. Viviane's favorite Filipino dish, which goes well with white rice.

"I'm sorry Mama couldn't do anything about it, 'nak," Christine replies as she tucks a stray brown hair behind her daughter's ear.

"It's not your fault. Father just wants me to learn awfully many things." Viviane responds quietly. Christine pours her a glass of water.

You're just a child. Christine wanted to respond. Instead, she opted to divert the topic somewhere else. "Well, you get to relax with me in the garden. Get some fresh air and sun. It's unhealthy for you to be cooped up in the library or the ballet studio the whole week, 'nak."

Viviane halts from eating as she places the spoon and fork down on the plate, facing her mother with a frown. "I'm so tired, mama."

Christine nearly broke.

Seeing her ten-year-old daughter with such tiredness and exhaustion that no other child deserves to feel at such a young age.

Christine leans forward and wipes the gathering tears in her daughter's eyes with a tissue, placing both hands on her face, thumb soothing her cheek.

"I know, anak. Mama knows. I'll talk to your Father about it." Christine assures her, yet Viviane's frown only deepens. Yet, from her mother's look, they both knew what to expect. How her Father will respond to her mother.

Christine places a kiss on her forehead. Muttering, "All will be well when you receive your Hogwarts letter."

Author's Note:
—I'm still working on editing some chapters and am still in the pre-writing stage of this fic. I decided to pre-write this story until I started my first day of College. Yes, this girlie is starting college soon, maybe in the middle of August, with a Forensic Science course, so yes, I will be busy again. I'll continue to pre-write chapters for Enchanted as well, so that fic is still on hold until further notice.

But please do leave me your thoughts on this chapter!