𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍:
Duty to family over self
(1971)

DUTY is a word that Viviane hated.

It reminded her just as much when Walburga sent a letter to Sirius to stay at Hogwarts for the holidays because he failed his duty as the oldest son and heir to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black—Sirius was just sorted to Gryffindor. Still, Aunt Walburga is blowing it out of proportion with her dramatic exaggeration and knowledge of adding crude words in her letter to Sirius.

Viviane has a duty as well as the heiress of the Aristocratic House of Hawthorne. Her duty is to her family over herself. To fulfil her role in their traditional tracks as every ancestor of hers did. But the difference is quite obvious: she was a woman rather than a man.

A woman's duty in a pureblood family is to train to be a well-bred wife, knowledgeable but not too knowledgeable, and a proper family matriarch, to ensure that tradition is strictly followed and to make her—arrange to wed husband's life easy. To maintain their social standing in the Wizarding Society. And most importantly, to produce an heir or even a spare.

A man's duty in a pureblood family is to marry an approved, suited, and well-groomed pureblood woman; after marriage, he is to bring honour, respect, and power. Ensure that his family is more than comfortable and well provided and that rules are intact. To keep a close eye that no one in his family keeps a toe out of line and to make sure that his heir is prepared to take on his duties when he soon cannot.

To Viviane's displeasure, she has to do both. Which is a difficult task, but Viviane is surviving the moment she's born. A bit glad that her Father is not yet considering drafting a contractual arranged marriage. In proper pureblood tradition, girls in pureblood families at 17 or 18 years old are given and married off to the highest bidder. Or a binding contract between pureblood families creating a beneficial connection.

And to both duties, man or woman, when it comes to pureblood marriage. Love and romance are not part of the equation simply just to abide by their duty. But what surprises her even more, is that her Mother and Father were neither in arranged marriages. They chose each other, chose each other to marry. Viviane remembered her Mother's words, "Your father and I loved each other."

Loved, past tense.

Viviane doesn't have a choice of who to marry like her Father.

Viviane doesn't know what her Father has in store for her, which scares her. Because Viviane has tasted freedom, she doesn't know how to leave without it now that she has finally breathed it.

Viviane never had a choice since birth; everything was laid out for her, what to do, what to say, what to feel—everything.

Her Mother tried to carry Viviane's burdens, but it was hers and only hers to carry as if she was born to take the burden, duty, and responsibility of being the proper and perfect Hawthorne heiress.

Duty. She never took a likeness to the word and probably never will be able to. Because she has to live with it.

Viviane walked inside the Great Hall with Hades in her arms. Hermes was already taken care of and ensured the owl was transported home to the Manor safely.

The Great Hall isn't filled with students like usual. Hagrid and the other professors are preparing the large Christmas tree and decorating it, but Viviane's purpose is to bid her cousin goodbye.

Viviane's upset, of course, not because Sirius isn't going home for the holidays but because she'll be enduring the Christmas ball by herself. She knows it is for the best that Sirius stays at Hogwarts to avoid specific punishments in the form of a Cruciatus curse.

On the other hand, Sirius is elated to have escaped Sacred 28's pureblood Christmas ball festivities. She stopped by the Gryffindor table; their usual colour banner and other house decorations are gone for the rest of the Holiday.

But to her surprise, Remus was the only one there, alone. Viviane approached Remus on the table with a soft smile. While Remus had already felt her presence, he looked up from his book, giving her a small smile.

"Hello, Remus,"

"Viv, preparing to go home, I suppose?"

"Yeah, I'm looking for Sirius, actually."

Remus stopped himself from morphing his to a wince, but Viviane saw it. "What is he planning?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"You're not as good a liar as you think you are, Remus."

Remus sighs, tired. "He and James are preparing a prank in the Slytherin boy's dormitories."
Viviane's eyebrows furrowed, face pinched, confused. "All the Slytherin students are going home for the Holidays."

"The prank is meant as a welcoming back present after the holidays."

"I rather not know."

"I think that's best."

Viviane heavily sighs, hesitating, "Remus, I know this is too much to ask of me." Pursing her lips as she brought Hades down the floor and let him roam freely.

"What is it? "Remus asks curiously, full attention on her.

"Can you watch over Sirius? I know it doesn't seem like it, but I know my cousin better than anyone. I know how deeply affected he is, he just puts up a facade and shrugs it off like nothing, but I know how much it pains him." Viviane sat beside him, facing him with worry and concern.

Remus blinks rapidly, stuttering as he answers, "Yeah, of course. Sirius is my friend; you don't have to worry."

Viviane chuckles, "I always worry, especially when it comes to Sirius."

Because they endured so much together.

Suddenly someone was calling their names, sprinting towards them; James and Sirius were laughing as they approached them.

"Viv." Sirius greeted, kissing her cheek. Viviane rolled her eyes while James greeted her with a bright smile, "Hey, Viv! Ready to go?"

"I am. Where's Peter?" Viviane asks. She asked out of respect, not of concern; she isn't close with Peter as she did with James; the comment he made on the train about Remus's parents still irked and irritated her.

"Might be on the train already," James answers with a frown, but he shrugs it off. While Sirius took Hades into his arms when he approached him.

"Expect my gifts to arrive and be delivered by Hermes on Christmas," Viviane tells Remus and Sirius while Sirius grins, nodding as he pets Hades.

"You don't have—" Remus started, but Viviane cut him off, "I will give you a gift because it's Christmas and you are my friend. It's the season of giving, after all."

"No use fighting it, mate. She's made up her mind." Sirius tells Remus with a chuckle.

"I did." Viviane agreed, then looked at James, "And your gift will be delivered by my house elf, Weeny. Will that be alright?"

James grins, nodding, "Yeah, I like house elves. We have one, too; her name is Tilly."

Viviane then stood up from her seat and took Hades from Sirius' hold, with her cousin looking at her with a pout. "James and I best be going now. Might miss the train."

"Enjoy the Christmas Ball, Viv." Sirius teases with a knowing look and glint in his eyes, and Viviane scowls.

"You know I won't."

•| ⊱✿⊰ |•

JAMES IS GOOD COMPANY. They haven't spent time together as they are both sorted into different houses, but that didn't seem to bother James—and because Viviane gives them insights into the Slytherin common room.

But something about James Fleamont Potter eased her; Viviane couldn't think of a word to describe him, but all positive words came to mind. He spoke freely and nicely. Helping is in his nature and refreshing good spirit. James is different from the other pureblood children Viviane had met—he is the opposite of spoiled, arrogant, narcissistic—maybe a little rude.

James's optimism is refreshing. His positivity is like breathing fresh air; he emitted something that Viviane couldn't fully explain.

James animatedly told Viviane their family's Christmas tradition: lighting a small fire in their backyard, melting marshmallows, and burning their Christmas wishes written on the parchment in the fire. Then they prepare for his mum's homemade Christmas dinner.

Viviane thought having a family so tightly knit as James's was nice. His family is not anything like Viviane's. James grew up in a loving, accepting, and welcoming home. Which Viviane didn't envy at all. She's glad that James has that; she could never burden the thought of other people living her life; they wouldn't be able to carry it. The weight would only tear them down.

Then what shocked her more about James is that he invited her over for the holidays. To join them for their Christmas dinner and Viviane had never felt so accepted before; there was no hesitancy in James's tone when he said it. Only pure and genuine intention. But sadly, Viviane had to decline. James understood Viviane and Sirius weren't the only Pureblood in their little friend group.

Then he kept bugging her about what she would give him for Christmas. Viviane pursed her lips shut and refused to answer as it was a surprise, and she was sure that he'll like it when he received it.

Viviane considers James as one of her closest friends. She cannot say anything negative about him, only positive descriptions except...

That he's painfully ignorant and oblivious to the fact that Lily Evans absolutely spites him. Viviane guesses that growing up in a loving home means no other negative words can bust through his bubble of positivity.

Even though Lily threw steadfast insults like a muggle rifle that Sirius had told her—don't ask how that became their topic of conversation that he managed to block by complimenting Lily in return about her beautiful red hair that reminded him of the bright burning flame, her bright green eyes that reminded him of the forest and all of that mushy stuff that Viviane didn't really care about.

They arrived at King Cross Station after a long train journey. She bid goodbye to Peter and James on the train because they both knew Viviane's Father would not be pleased if they left the train side-by-side. Viviane has been dreading going home to the Hawthorne Manor, mostly because her Father is going to retain her lessons for the Holiday break.

Viviane greeted her Mother and Father as she and her Mama tagged alongside her Father's apparition, with Hades in her arms.

Then she's surrounded by the walls she grew up with, and a restricting feeling crept up to her chest. Viviane reminded herself that she'll be back at Hogwarts when the holiday is over.
Viviane loathes the Christmas dinners or their Traditional Sunday Dinners with the Blacks.

Though she enjoyed Uncle Alphard, Andromeda, Regulus, and Narcissa's presence, she can't say the same for her Aunt Walburga, Grandmother Cassiopeia, Grandfather Elijah, Druella, and Bellatrix, Orion and Uncle Cygnus stay stoic and silent for the rest of the family dinner. At the same time, her Mother, Christine, tries to keep up good conversation and makes sure to stir clear of any related topics about pureblood supremacy and their deep hate of muggles.

Her Father, Daniel. Viviane had noticed in the past that her Grandfather and Father never had conversations related to their personal life. It's all about the company and business. It's like a conversation between coworkers, and that's dreadful.

Viviane wondered if they ever had normal interactions like a Father talking to his son, but that is what a son is for. She remembered that her Father grew up the same way she did—while hers is a little extreme. Grandfather Elijah is a tough man, more ruthless, and more rageful than her Father.

Viviane recalled that she read a quote, "My Father is a good man. Sort of. He is good when I compare him to His own Father, and that's enough. I hope."

Maybe Viviane and her Father are more alike than she cares to admit. That she is her Father's daughter.

When dinner was over. The Black Family members went home through the floo network one by one. And, finally, it was time to open her presents. Piles and piles of beautifully wrapped gifts surrounded their enormous Christmas tree.

Then she remembered that her gifts were sent off to:

Calista, she gifted Calista a set of painting materials, a dark mahogany painting aisle, black canvases in different sizes, and watercolours that are charmed to never run out.

Myra, turns out, has been trying out new hobbies, and she took a liking to knitting, so she gifted her knitting needles, an assortment of coloured yarns, and knitting patterns.

Aurora liked jewellery, which Viviane noticed, rings specifically because, almost every week, Aurora wears a different ring. So Viviane gave her a jewellery box with five rings styled differently from silver, rose gold, and gold.

Dorcas loves listening to muggle music, and thankfully, Andromeda accepted her request of smuggling Viviane her gift to Dorcas after dinner. Two newly released muggle-recorded types of vinyl.

Althea filled her bed with stuffed toys. So Viviane bought a unicorn stuffed toy that she charmed to have heat warmers because Althea always complained about their dorm being cold and that she was freezing her arse off.

Lily, Viviane didn't have a hard time thinking of a thoughtful gift for Lily because one thing about Lily is she loves books, anything that she can consume and store in her smart brain—is an instant yes to Lily. So Viviane decided to gift her Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander, which happens to be a special edition copy, signed by Newt Scamander himself.

Prewett twins—that always greeted her in the Hallways. After going to Diagon Alley and much logic and critical thinking, she went to a joke shop. She bought harmless bombs that Viviane doesn't really know what will do, but she guesses she'll find out soon enough after the Holidays.

Sirius likes anything about Quidditch, so Viviane gave him the newest Firebolt; she customised it a bit, placing a black leather seat—for his arse to be comfortable, changing the foot holders into gold, and placing his name on the broom. Viviane knows that her cousin will be hollering in joy.

James, similarly to Sirius, is a Quidditch fanatic. So Viviane gifted her his own gold snitch, customised as well to have the Gryffindor colours decorating the Snitch.

Peter, well, she doesn't really know what to gift to Peter. So she gave him a box of chocolates.

Remus one thing Viviane observes about Remus when they have similar classes together. Is that he always manages to break his quill because he's writing so often and applies too much pressure on the quill. So, Viviane, after much research on charms, learned what spell her Father used on her own quill and used it to the quill that she'll gift to Remus—a quill that never runs out of ink and a charm that makes the quill almost unbreakable.

And an annotated hardbound copy of the Greek Mythology book she had read; Viviane bought another copy for him; she just annotated it. Lastly, stationery items that Viviane thinks he would love.

Viviane hopes Remus would like her gifts to him because Remus always asks about her opinions and thoughts. She has this odd feeling that she can't shake off, but Viviane wants this odd feeling, but she just can't describe that feeling.

And now it's Viviane's turn to open the gifts delivered to the Manor. The gifts that her friends and her Mother's side of the family sent are in her walk-in closet, hidden.

It's always the usual Christmas gifts: luxurious jewellery, witch weekly designer bags, perfumes, expensive clothes, and shoes. But one gift caught Viviane's eyes; it was an odd gift, the smallest one in the pile of gifts, wrapped beautifully in shimmering green paper and a silver bow.

Viviane checked the blank tag, which was odd—people who sent gifts to her on Christmas always wrote their names because they thought Viviane would remember them.

Christine sat beside her on the floor while her Father sat on the velvet dark green couch beside the fireplace, wearing his glasses and reading a book.

"No tag?" Christine asked confusedly while Viviane shrugged in response, ripping out the wrapping paper and opening the box containing one item shaped rather oddly. It looked like an artefact made with dark metal and interesting patterns with green, red, and orange runes at the centre. Viviane furrowed her eyebrows.

She looks at Christine, who was arranging the gifts she received, "Mama, what is this?" She asks confusedly as she angles the opened box to her Mother's line of sight. Christine, seeing the box, looked horrified with wide eyes, releasing a loud gasp and scrambling towards Viviane.

"Darling, put the box down. Carefully." Christine says she tried to be calm, but Viviane heard the alarm in her Mother's tone, so Viviane did as she spoke. As Christine pulled her away from the box, wrapping her arms around Viviane protectively, Daniel strode towards them, his stance guarded.

"What is it, Christine?" Daniel asks authoritatively with furrowed brows and a scowl. Then he looks down at the ground where the opened gift resides. He stilled, jaw tightening, eyes darkened with what Viviane could tell was fury.

"Who sent it?" He asks with a steady voice, but it is full, alarmingly calm.

"There's no name on the tag," Viviane answered softly, still confused.

Daniel's gaze hardened. Whipping out his wand and pointing it towards the gift, it floated as it now resided in a bubble. "Weeny!" With one call, their house elf apparated before him.

"Yes, Master Daniel?"

"Take this to the Ministry of Magic. And that Mr. Hawthorne requires the attention of the Head Auror and that they send curse breakers here in the Manor immediately. Tell them that I will be there shortly." Daniel ordered, and the elf curtly nodded as Weeny held out her hand.
Daniel charmed the gift with the gift floating in a bubble on Weeny's care. She apparated to do what her Master ordered of him.

Viviane knew now why her Mama and Father are alarmed. Curse breakers. Their job is to take care of dark or cursed artefacts. The gift Viviane saw was an artefact laced with something that would kill or poison her. Viviane, as anyone would feel giving her a dangerous gift, wanted to shit herself.

"Daniel," Christine calls out desperately. Daniel walked up to them and placed a hand on Christine's shoulder. Soothing her out as their eyes connected.

It was a rare sight for Viviane.

"The wards are in place. Only what I allow can enter our grounds. I'll arrive with the Aurors and Cursebreakers soon. When I arrive at the ministry, I'll floo call Alphard to stay with you both here. He was an Auror. He'll watch over you both while I sort this. Take Viviane to bed." Daniel's tone was strangely soft and comforting as he talked to Christine. Christine pursed her lips as she nodded with worried eyes.

Daniel looked at Viviane and placed a hand on the back of her neck as he kissed her forehead; he sighed heavily. Viviane can feel his worry over her.

Then it was gone.

He walked towards their floo with a cold expression and was engulfed by the green flames.

This year's Christmas was not what Viviane had expected, not at all.

Author's Note:
—I am establishing a new rule that I won't update any chapters until the previous chapter I posted isn't receiving the amount of attention/hype (comments & votes) I would have preferred, so this time I know that ya'll actually want to read my updates.

I know this story is on hold, but I still would appreciate the votes and comments/feedback for my chapters.

—Also, thank you so much for 2K followers! I updated this story because of that, so yey me!