𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑:
A grand 11th birthday celebration
(July 22, 1971)

THE HAWTHORNE MANOR was preparing to host a grand ball celebration that promised enchantment and opulence.

It's Viviane's 11th birthday, after all. Her father has been occupied the whole week. Her mama, too, is busy ensuring that everything according to her father's plan will be well executed. Every pureblood—minus the blood traitors are invited to celebrate Viviane Blair Hawthorne's most important birthday.

It is the day she receives her Hogwarts letter, and she thanks Merlin.

Inside the Manor, a bustling symphony of activity echoed through its grand halls and vast chambers. A team of diligent house elves moved with purpose and precision and were obliging with their assigned tasks. The scent of fragrant flowers permeated the air, intertwining with the faint aroma of polished wood and fresh linens.

In the center of the ballroom, a magnificent crystal chandelier cascading brilliance refracted light into a myriad of prismatic hues, casting an ethereal glow that would illuminate the night's celebrations. Each crystal was carefully polished, shimmering as if to reflect the forthcoming merriment.

Elegant draperies adorned the expansive windows, billowing softly in the breeze. The dance floor is a vast expanse of polished marble. Delicate floral arrangements, composed of blossoming roses, cascading orchids, and aromatic lilies, were carefully positioned, creating bursts of color and fragrance that breathed life into the room.

The Manor's tables were adorned with fine china, sparkling glassware, and gleaming silverware, each setting meticulously arranged with the utmost care.

Meanwhile, upstairs. Viviane was being pampered from head to toe by her witch stylists and dressmakers. Her room is filled with gowns of luxurious fabrics meticulously fitted and adorned with intricate lace, shimmering sequins, and delicate embroidery.

And Viviane was already tired of all of it.

Still, she couldn't let her foul expression show and ruin everything, not when everything that happens today will be published in the daily prophet tomorrow.

Viviane already knows the headline.

HAWTHORNE HEIRESS LUXURIOUSLY CELEBRATES HER 11TH BIRTHDAY AND RECEIVES HER HOGWARTS LETTER.

Viviane stayed quiet as the witch stylists styled her hair in a perfect bun, placing jeweled hairpieces in her hair. And she began assisting her with wearing the jewelry set that her grandparents had given her earlier, from her Father's side.

Lola Maria, Lolo Robert, and the rest of her Titos, Tita, and pinsans weren't invited to celebrate the most precious day of a witch's or wizard's life.

Elijah and Cassiopeia Hawthorne had given her a jewelry set of black diamonds. To match her black ballerina outfit. The bodice, adorned with sheer fabrics and delicate lace, embraced her toned form with elegance and precision.

Swirling patterns of delicate embroidery danced across the fabric. A mesmerizing tutu, constructed with layers of frothy tulle, floated delicately around her waist. Each layer, meticulously hand-sewn, added volume and dimension.

Adorning her slender arms were long, sheer sleeves with tiny crystals. After her ballerina mistress examined her physique, she's finally allowed to wear pointe shoes now that she's eleven.

Of course, she practiced dancing with the shoes a week before her birthday for preparation. She's comfortable with dancing with it now. Her ballet mistress only instructed her not to wear it often while dancing as it could be damaging.

Christine enters her room, dressed in a dark blue gown with crystal detailing that compliments her complexion, her brown hair styled in soft curls, soft makeup, pearl jewelry, and the Hawthorne crest in her necklace.

Christine dismissed the witch stylists and dressmakers from the room, leaving the mother and daughter in the room. Christine walked elegantly towards her daughter, and finally, Viviane's facade slipped. She frowned.

"You mustn't be sad on your birthday, anak," Christine tells Viviane softly.

"They're not here," Viviane responds. Christine looks at her daughter sadly and knows exacly who Viviane is referring to.

"They have a gift and a letter for you. I'll give it to you as soon as the celebration is over. Promise." Christine assures her as she walks behind Viviane's back, replacing the black diamond necklace with the Hawthorne crest necklace.

Viviane's hand went up to the crest, thumb brushing as she looked at herself in the mirror. Christine whispers softly, "Happy 11th birthday, my darling girl." hugging Viviane from behind.

Viviane smiles genuinely. As her hands went up to her mother's arms. "Thank you, mama."

"Come, everybody is waiting for you to perform." Christine sighs heavily as she sees Viviane's frown. "Your father wants to brag about you."

"He always does," Viviane murmurs bitterly, looking away. The large doors of Viviane's bedroom suddenly opened halfway. With her cousin, Sirius Black, taking a peek, head poking out.

"Sirius!" Viviane exclaims, facing him with a giggle escaping her light pink painted lips as Sirius enters the room, shutting the door behind him, "What are you doing here?"

"Daniel asked me to escort you, and I happily agreed to escort the birthday girl." Sirius grins as he offers his arm. He's dressed neatly in a dress robe with white gloves with his chin up confidently, standing straight as he awaits his cousin.

Viviane looks at her mother. Christine smiles in response as she encourages her to go with Sirius. "Thank you, Sirius."

"No problem, Christie." Sirius responds as Viviane takes his arms, and Christine watches their figure exit the room.

Sirius guided her towards the ballroom. Pureblooded wizards and witches crowded the room.

Viviane heard her father announce. "Let me present my daughter, Viviane Blair Hawthorne, the birthday girl, to perform her piece." Daniel signals his hand to the back of the crowd, and slowly the guest turns around, seeing Sirius and Viviane, and slowly the crowd parted into two, like a parted sea.

Viviane and Sirius walked toward the center of the room. Viviane let go of Sirius's arms, and Sirius gave her a polite bow of his head, whispering, "Good luck, cousin."

Viviane smiles as she turns her back, walking into the center of the stage. Positioning herself stood poised, a vision of elegance and grace. The lights dimmed, the spotlight directed at her figure, and the crowd went silent.

With a gentle inhale, she embraced the music that filled the air, and as the first delicate notes caressed her ears, she took her first step. Her body unfolded, a blossoming flower, as she extended one slender leg with precision and purpose. Her movements flowed seamlessly, guided by the rhythm and emotion of the music.

Like swaying branches, her arms painted the air with intricate patterns, a symphony of fluidity and control. They arched and reached, gracefully framing the space around her, mirroring the delicate expressions that played across her face.

Her feet, clad in satin pointe shoes, whispered across the floor as she executed a series of pirouettes. Each turn was a testament to her strength and impeccable technique, her body spinning effortlessly, defying gravity. Her eyes sparkled with determination and passion as she spun, her focus unwavering.

Moments of stillness punctuated her dance, a pause that held the audience captive, allowing her movements to linger in the air. And then, she would explode into motion once more, her body a flurry of leaps and bounds.

If Sirius didn't know his cousin was dancing at the center stage, the way Viviane danced—she could be mistaken as a Veela. So entrancing and captivating the way she danced, hypnotizing in a sense.

It didn't go unnoticed for him how the old wizards gazed at his cousin hungrily—he grimaced in disgust, glaring in their direction.

Viviane's body found its last pose as the final note resonated through the ballroom. Applause erupted, a thunderous acknowledgment of her talent and dedication. Viviane, breathless and exhilarated, gracefully bowed, expressing her gratitude.

Viviane felt her Father's presence at her side, and she stilled when he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

Viviane looked up, seeing her Father smiling at the guest. "My daughter, everyone! I'm so very proud." They cheered again with gentle applause.

Viviane almost scoffed, yet she only forced a smile on her face. Christine joins them and whispers in her husband's ear that Viviane needs to change before blowing out her birthday candles. Daniel only nods as Christine guides her daughter back to her room.

"You did splendidly, anak!" Christine exclaims happily. Viviane just gives her a tired smile. While Christine helped her change into a simple green silk gown with sheer sleeves detailing flowers. Loosening her tight bun and placing a silver tiara with emerald jewels.

Quickly walking back towards the ballroom and seeing the four-tier cake, the first layer covered with candles, Viviane walks towards the cake, facing the crowd that is now seated in their assigned seats. Beside her stood her mother and father.

"Let us all wish for my daughter. A very Happy Birthday!" Daniel beckons and the guests exclaim,

"Happy Birthday, Viviane!"

Viviane smiled widely as she curtly bowed, blowing a kiss. Daniel guided his daughter in blowing out the candles as soon as the last candle was blown out.

A sudden whoosh in the air changed, and an owl circled around the room, perching itself on Daniel's shoulder with an envelope in its beak.

Daniel looks at the crowd expectantly. With multiple murmurs erupting from the guests. "I wonder what the letter may be?" Daniel laughed out loud, the crowd joining him.

He opens the letter and hands it over to Viviane, "Darling, would you please do the honor?"

"Yes, Father," Viviane responded sweetly. She unfolds the letter and reads it out loud.

"Dear Miss Viviane Blair Hawthorne. We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all the necessary books and equipment. The term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July. Yours sincerely, Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress."

And all Viviane could feel was excitement...and relief. After the long wait, her Hogwarts letter finally arrives, relieving her of her misery of endless ballet sessions, endless tutor sessions, and potions with her father.

Daniel bellowed a laugh. "My daughter has received her Hogwarts letter!" Prideness in his tone, followed by, "Of course, we all know where she will be sorted to."

Slytherin.

Of course, the only house she is destined to be in. "Please, everyone, enjoy the feast that we have prepared for all of you tonight!" Daniel announces with the wave of his wand. The delicious food and beverages appeared before them, and they began to enjoy their meal.

Daniel faces his daughter and wife and guides them toward their table. Of course, it was all for show. The table consisted of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black members. and her two Hawthorne grandparents.

Luckily she is seated beside Sirius and her cousin Narcissa who's only five years her senior, in her fifth year in Hogwarts, sorted to Slytherin. Thank Merlin, she'll be preoccupied with Sirius so that she cannot make small talk with her relatives—especially Walburga, Druella, and Bellatrix, that girl.

Viviane couldn't describe how terrifyingly crazy that cousin of hers is, she's going to be in her last year of Hogwarts this coming school year, and rumors of wedding arrangements with Rudolphus Lestrange are at their peak.

They're perfect for each other. They certainly hit the jackpot of being pureblood devotees—Viviane pretends that they're not related or that they'll soon create a product of incest.

Pureblood arranged marriage is a disgusting ordeal. Viviane just wants to disregard that the sacred 28 pureblood families are all related, that it's a constant cycle of inbreds—she'll turn a blind eye to it, what she never sees, she'll never have to deal with.

While Andromeda, Viviane's second favorite cousin, is in her sixth year at Hogwarts. Andromeda was the one that introduced her to muggle music and muggle literature—Viviane doesn't really know why Dromeda knows muggle music and literature, but she didn't dare to ask.

Sirius, Andromeda, Narcissa, Regulus, and Alphard are the only tolerable members of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black—Viviane can actually have a good conversation with them.

Alphard Black is what Viviane actually considers a father figure. He didn't treat her like she was the black sheep of the family. He treated her like an actual child, unlike Walburga and Cassiopeia, who regarded her as a failure and a mistake the moment she was born.

Viviane is glad that Sirius has Alphard's protection at 12 Grimmauld Place, where the Black family resides—her father told her that Sirius's rebellious stage is showing—it was partly Viviane's fault because she had explained to Sirius how prejudiced their family is with everything but purebloods.

Half of it was Dromeda because she introduced Sirius to Muggle-related things—the leeches they should hate and loathe. Sirius is a fanatic of the Beatles and David Bowie—who is secretly a wizard, but Walburga and Orion can't really know that, can they?

Narcissa greeted her with a soft smile, placing a peck on Viviane's chubby cheeks, "Happiest Birthday, Viv." Narcissa is pretty, with her blonde hair and blue eyes and the same perfect Black family bone structure. She was always so poised and elegant, unlike her elder sister Bellatrix.

Viviane is glad she built a bond with Narcissa and Andromeda, but that's because when she invites the three Black sisters for sleepovers at the Hawthorne Manor, Narcissa, and Andromeda are the only ones to agree to go. Bellatrix deems it to be childish.

"Thank you, Cissa," Viviane responds with a smile, then Narcissa proceeds to eat her food.

Sirius grabs her attention by poking her shoulder, whispering, "Their eyes were bloody preying on you when you were dancing. You're only 11 years old, Merlin's sake."

"You know the likes of them, Sirius." Already knowing who Sirius is pertaining to. Of course, Viviane knows that many wizarding families wanted to marry-in the Hawthorne family.

Viviane almost grimaced at the thought of old wizards coming by their Manor to send their intentions. She's glad that her mother banished them from entering their grounds.

"That I do. I'm sorry." Sirius frowns, still tone low.

"Sorry for what?" Viviane's brows furrowed in confusion. "For you living this kind of life," Sirius responds.

"And why are you the one apologizing for it? It's not your fault." Viviane looks at Sirius as Sirius leans in further to Viviane's side. "I know."

"Besides, we live the same." Viviane counters, and it's Sirius's turn to give her a confused expression.

"My parents don't display me in front of predators. Merlin, Viv." Sirius huffs as he squares his shoulder, looking around the ballroom. Viviane whispered softly in his ear.

"We live the same because you get physically abused by Walburga. I'm emotionally abused by my Father. Merlin forbid that the perfect Hawthorne Heiress has scars on her perfect skin."

"I hate that we're intellectually mature for this conversation while kids our own age are playing wizarding chess." Sirius frowns as he finally takes a bite of his food, giving Viviane an impressed nod. Viviane rolls her eyes at him playfully.

"They don't have a family like us, Sirius."

"And how unlucky we are for that."

"That we are."

Author's Note:
—Please read the new reminders I put in the "Reminders" chapter! It's important!

—Also, I created a Discord server specifically for my readers so all of you can keep up with my updates, announcements, posts, etc.! Or if you just want to chat with anyone. There are a lot of channels for book recs, fanfic recs, and more! If you want to join the discord link is in my message board!

—If you need translation with the Filipino words, here's the words I know I added:

• Anak or 'nak - child (with a much more endearing term than just 'child' and also gender neutral, we don't have a Filipino word for daughter and son. We need to be more specific if we need to address the child as a girl or a boy.)
• Lola - Grandmother
• Lolo - Grandfather
• Tita - Aunt
• Tito - Uncle
• Pinsans - Cousins (plural)

I'll be adding that in each chapter's end notes when I transfer the chapters to Wattpad.