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The morning sun shone over Platform 9¾, illuminating the bustling scene unfolding beneath its arches. The platform is in pure chaos. Families hurried to and fro, their voices mingling with the clang of luggage carts and the shrill whistle of departing trains. At the center of the chaos stood the scarlet steam engine of the Hogwarts Express. Porters scurried about, loading trunks and crates onto the train with practiced efficiency, their faces flushed with exertion as they worked tirelessly to ensure that every piece of luggage found its rightful place.For as long as she could remember, Vivian had dreamed of this moment—the moment she would finally board the Hogwarts Express and begin her journey into the world of magic. This would be her chance to show her worth, to excel as a remarkable witch, and to see everything fall into place.However, as she and her mother moved through the crowd, she could hear the whispers and see people casting pointed looks in their direction. Viviane felt the heavy burden of judgment upon her, serving as a harsh reminder of the damaged reputation that her family had due to recent events."Isn't that the Zhangs?" She heard someone whisper, their tone laden with speculation.“I heard their son joined the league of you-know-who.”“Wouldn’t surprise me, considering who they supported in that war—”The words pierced through her like daggers, extinguishing the flicker of excitement that had burned within her chest. She glanced at her mother, seeking reassurance, but found only an icy glare in return.Her mother stood at her side, her gaze distant and inscrutable. The strain of their relationship lingered between them, an unspoken barrier that Viviane longed to breach."Remember, Viviane," her mother's voice was cool and clipped, "you are a Zhang. Do not tarnish our name further. Your behavior must be impeccable."Viviane nodded, her throat tight with the weight of unspoken expectations. She had spent years trying to gain her mother’s approval, only to be met with disappointment and indifference. That was before Jacob’s disappearance. Now that only she and her mother remained from their family of three, she had hoped for a reprieve from their distance, but instead found herself drowning in her suffocating scrutiny.Just as Viviane prepared to board the train, her mother called out to her, her voice cutting through the clamor of the station. Heart pounding, Viviane turned to face her, hope flickering in her chest."Viviane," her mother's tone was sharp, her words laced with expectation, "Don't forget to owl me your marks at the end of term. We will go over them together during the Christmas holidays."Viviane's heart sank as she registered the familiar coolness in her mother's eyes. With a heavy heart, she tried to stand tall, masking her disappointment with a practiced facade of composure. "I understand, Mother," she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. "I will do my best to make you proud."Viviane turned away, boarding the train without a backward glance. For years, she had lived in the shadow of her brother's accomplishments. With her brother gone, he left behind an even greater shadow that’s almost impossible to surpass. For how could you even begin to compete with someone who’s already gone?As she passed by a group of Hufflepuff students exchanging chocolate frogs, she caught snippets of their conversation. "Isn't that the Zhang girl? Her brother was quite the troublemaker, wasn't he?" Viviane quickened her pace, cheeks burning with a mix of shame and frustration.She eventually stepped into an empty compartment on the Hogwarts Express, her footsteps echoing in the quiet space. She settled into a plush seat by the window and with a heavy sigh, glanced out the window, watching wistfully as parents waved tearful goodbyes to their children on the platform.A pang of disappointment pierced her heart as she realized her own mother was nowhere in sight. No waving hand, no encouraging smile—just an empty space within a crowded platform.The train let out a final whistle, the shrill sound echoing through the station as it began to gather speed. Viviane watched as the platform receded into the distance, the familiar sights and sounds of home fading away with each passing moment.Within moments, a couple of students passed by her compartment, their hushed whispers and furtive glances betraying their recognition of Viviane. Viviane tensed, bracing herself for their reaction. As she expected, their eyes widened in shock before they hurriedly scurried away, their footsteps echoing down the corridor.Disappointed, Viviane leaned on the window, the glass cool under her touch as she watched the scenery transform into the lush English countryside. The rolling hills, dotted with grazing sheep and quaint cottages, seemed to stretch endlessly into the horizon.A sudden commotion from the opposite compartment caught her attention. The students there were eagerly exchanging stories of their summer adventures and sharing the excitement of the new school year ahead. Viviane longed for that kind of companionship, hoping that Hogwarts would be where she would find reprieve from the distance and the loneliness at last. Rowan seemed like a good option. Rowan was one of the few people who didn't care about her family's reputation, who saw her for who she truly was. If only they talked about actually meeting on the train before they went their separate ways.Just as she was lost in her troubled thoughts, the door suddenly slid open, revealing a young boy around her age with tousled red hair and a slightly frustrated expression. He grumbled something to himself, clearly annoyed."Left behind again," he muttered under his breath.Viviane looked up, surprised by the sudden appearance of the boy. "Are you alright?" she asked.The boy turned to her, his expression softening as he realized he wasn't alone. "Yeah, just my brother ditching me to be with his friends," he explained, a hint of resignation. "Mind if I join you?"Viviane blinked in surprise, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected intrusion. It didn’t seem like he recognized her… yet. But as she glanced up at his warm expression, she found herself nodding eagerly."Of course, please, come in," she replied, gesturing to the seat opposite her."Charlie Weasley," he introduced himself with a friendly grin as he entered the compartment and settled himself across Viviane."I'm Viviane," she introduced herself, offering a small smile. "Viviane Zhang."The boy's eyes widened slightly at her full name, and Viviane tensed, bracing herself for the inevitable reaction."Viviane Zhang?" his eyes light up in recognition. "As in, Zhang from the Daily Prophet article?"Viviane's heart sank at the mention of the rumors, her nerves creeping up once more. She hesitated for a moment before nodding reluctantly. "Yes, he's my brother," she admitted, steeling herself for the inevitable judgment.The boy's expression softened, curiosity replacing the initial surprise. "I see," he said slowly, as if unsure how to ask politely. "I hope you don't mind me asking, but... what's it like having a brother like that?"Viviane's breath caught in her throat, expecting condemnation or fear. But to her surprise, the boy's question was genuine, his curiosity piqued rather than repelled."It's... complicated," Viviane replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty.The memory of that fateful night lingered in Viviane's mind. She could still recall the dimly lit hallway, the faint flicker of candlelight casting eerie shadows on the walls as she watched her brother, Jacob, pacing restlessly in his room.His usually composed demeanor had been replaced by a frantic urgency, his movements erratic and frenzied as he tore through his belongings in search of something—something elusive and intangible.Viviane stood frozen in the doorway, her heart pounding in her chest as she watched her brother. "Jacob," she called out tentatively, her voice barely a whisper in the suffocating silence of the night. "What are you doing?"Jacob paused mid-motion, his hands trembling as he turned to face her. His eyes, once bright with determination, now seemed hollow and empty. But despite the turmoil raging within him, there was a flicker of resolve in his gaze."I have to find it, Pip," he said, his voice hoarse with emotion. "I have to find the truth."Viviane's heart clenched at the desperation in her brother's words."What truth?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.Jacob met her gaze, his expression pained yet resolute. "I can't explain it, Pip, but I know there's something... something hidden, something that's been kept from us." he replied, his voice trembling with emotion.Viviane's mind raced with questions, her thoughts spiraling into a whirlwind of confusion and doubt. What could her brother possibly be searching for? And why did it fill her with such a sense of foreboding?But before she could voice her concerns, Jacob spoke again, his voice low and urgent. "I'll find it, Pip," he said, his eyes blazing with determination. "I'll uncover the truth, no matter what it takes. And when I do, everything will be clear."With those final words hanging in the air like a solemn vow, Jacob turned away, his footsteps echoing down the hallway as he disappeared into the darkness. And as Viviane stood alone in the silence of the night, her heart heavy with worry and uncertainty, she couldn't shake the feeling that her brother's quest for truth would lead them down a path from which there would be no return.The sound of Charlie's voice broke through the haze, jolting her back to the present moment."Viviane! Are you okay?" Charlie's voice was filled with genuine concern, his eyes searching hers for any sign of distress.Viviane shook herself out of her reverie, forcing a small smile to her lips as she met Charlie's gaze. "Yes, I'm fine," she replied, her voice soft but steady. "Just remembering him. He wasn’t all bad, despite what people said."The boy nodded thoughtfully, his gaze distant as he pondered her words. "I wonder what he must've seen in those vaults," he mused aloud, breaking the tense silence."I don’t know, but they're supposed to be dangerous," she said quietly. Jacob never really spoke much about his search for them. He kept it all to himself, locking himself in his room for days on end. Whatever he was doing there, he wanted to keep it hidden.As Charlie pondered in silence, his brow furrowed in deep thought, Viviane couldn't help but observe the way his mind seemed to be racing with possibilities.After a moment of contemplation, Charlie's eyes lit up with excitement as he raised a hypothesis. "You know," he began, his voice tinged with anticipation, "What if the cursed vaults contained something ancient and powerful? Something like dragons."Viviane's eyes widened in surprise at the suggestion. Dragons are dangerous creatures indeed, but despite the inherent risks, there was a flicker of excitement in Charlie's voice, a genuine enthusiasm that was infectious."You really think so?" Viviane asked, her voice filled with awe and wonder.Charlie nodded eagerly, his eyes shining with excitement. "Imagine the possibilities,"Viviane listened to Charlie's hypothesis with a mixture of fascination and skepticism. The idea of dragons lurking within the cursed vaults was certainly thrilling, but she couldn't shake the practical concerns that nagged at the back of her mind."But dragons? Wouldn't that be too... obvious?" Viviane countered, her voice laced with doubt. "And besides, dragons are massive creatures. If there were dragons inside the vaults, wouldn't someone have noticed? The whole thing wouldn't be shrouded in mystery."Charlie's enthusiasm seemed to waver at Viviane's pragmatic response. He paused, considering her words carefully, before nodding slowly in reluctant agreement. "I suppose you have a point," he conceded, the excitement in his voice dimming slightly.Viviane felt a pang of guilt at deflating Charlie's enthusiasm. She hadn't meant to dampen his spirits; she simply couldn't ignore the logical inconsistencies in his theory."Sorry," she said softly, afraid she’d chase away a potential friend. "I didn't mean to burst your bubble. It's just... I think there's something more to the mystery than just dragons."As Viviane offered her apology, Charlie's disappointment seemed to dissipate, replaced by a newfound optimism. He flashed her a reassuring smile, his eyes alight with excitement once more."No worries," he said cheerfully, his voice buoyant with hope. "Maybe we won't find dragons in the cursed vaults, but who knows? There are so many other magical creatures out there waiting to be discovered. Hogwarts is bound to be teeming with them!"Viviane couldn't help but be swept up in Charlie's enthusiasm. As he began to paint a vivid picture of the magical creatures that awaited them at Hogwarts, her worries about the cursed vaults faded into the background. She found herself eagerly joining in the conversation, her imagination running wild with the possibilities."Imagine seeing a Hippogriff up close," Viviane exclaimed, her voice tinged with excitement. "Or maybe even a Phoenix!"Charlie nodded enthusiastically, his eyes shining with anticipation. "Exactly! And who knows, maybe we'll stumble upon a hidden nest of Acromantulas or a colony of Nifflers. But I’m still holding up hope. With all the magical creatures that inhabit the grounds of Hogwarts, maybe we'll get lucky and catch a glimpse of an actual dragon someday."Lost in their conversation, Viviane and Charlie didn't even realize the time as the train chugged steadily towards Hogwarts. They continued to chat animatedly, their conversation flowing effortlessly from one topic to the next. They shared their hopes and dreams for the coming school year, speculating about which house they would be sorted into and what adventures awaited them."I'm definitely going to be in Gryffindor," Charlie declared confidently, his eyes shining with determination. "Everyone in my family gets sorted there."Viviane couldn't help but nod in agreement, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You do seem like a Gryffindor," she admitted, her voice tinged with admiration. "It's fitting for someone as adventurous as you."“How about you? Where do you think you’re going to be sorted?”"I'm not so sure about myself," she admitted with a shrug. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see."All of her family were in Slytherin.As their conversation unfolded, Viviane discovered two important things about Charlie: his deep love for dragons and his passion for Quidditch. His eyes lit up with excitement as he spoke about his favorite magical creatures, and he couldn't stop gushing about the thrill of flying on a broomstick."I've been practicing flying since I was old enough to hold a broom," Charlie confessed, a grin spreading across his face. "I can't wait to try out for the Gryffindor Quidditch team!"Viviane found herself drawn to his infectious energy, feeling a sense of excitement building within her as they neared their destination.Eventually, the train pulled into Hogsmeade Station, Viviane and Charlie gathered their belongings and prepared to disembark. Charlie bid her farewell with a friendly smile, leaving her to look for his brother as they higher year students take another route to the castle.Left to her own devices, Viviane watched as Charlie disappeared into the throng of students, his red hair standing out amidst the sea of people. But instead of feeling alone, Viviane felt a sense of anticipation building within her as she finally caught sight of Rowan's familiar figure, her iconic scarf wrapped snugly around her neck. With a smile, Viviane made her way through the throng of students until she reached her friend."Hey, Rowan!" Viviane called out, a grin spreading across her face. "I love the scarf. It suits you."Rowan beamed at the compliment, adjusting the scarf with a pleased expression. "Thanks, Viviane," she replied warmly. "I always feel like it adds a touch of academic flair."Viviane chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Definitely. It's very you."Together, Viviane and Rowan made their way through the bustling crowd, the excitement of the new school year palpable in the air. As they walked side by side, Viviane couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over her. If there were more people like Charlie and Rowan, then perhaps Hogwarts wouldn't be so daunting after all.
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As it turned out, Viviane got sorted into Slytherin like the rest of her family.During her initial months at Hogwarts, Viviane's primary focus was keeping on top of her studies, unraveling the mystery shrouding the locked corridor, and finding companionship in her friend Rowan. Despite occasional friendly nods from Charlie, their interactions remained minimal due to their differing houses and social circles.One day, the Potions classroom was abuzz with activity as students filed in for their lesson. Viviane slid into her usual spot beside Rowan, her trusted partner for Potions class. However, today was different. Rowan was absent, confined to the infirmary with a nasty case of stomach bugs after indulging in one too many jelly slugs for dessert the night before.Viviane was concerned but knew she was in good hands with Madame Pomfrey. As she settled into her seat, she couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy about facing Potions class alone for the first time and looked around for other people to partner with. Viviane’s reputation as the mad Jacob’s sister drove other people away from her out of fear, especially her fellow Slytherins, who were afraid she’d get them in trouble by mere association.Viviane spotted a Gryffindor who sat alone, evidently without a partner as well. She noticed his reluctance to acknowledge her, his eyes darting away whenever she glanced in his direction. It seemed that Hogwarts hadn't provided the sense of belonging she had hoped for. Instead, she felt just as isolated amidst the sea of students as she did within the empty halls of her family's mansion.Just as Viviane was mentally preparing herself for the class ahead, the familiar sound of Merula Snyde's taunting voice cut through the air. "Looks like Zhang's flying solo today," Merula jeered, her voice dripping with malice. "No one wants to partner up with someone as crazy as her brother, huh?"Viviane's eyes narrowed at the jab, her jaw tightening with indignation. She refused to let Merula's words get to her, but she’s already quite annoyed at her situation so her mouth ran off faster than she could stop herself. "Maybe they're just afraid to refuse to partner up with someone whose parents are known Death Eaters."Merula's face contorted with anger at Viviane's retort, her cheeks flushing red with fury. Before she could respond, however, Professor Snape's icy voice silenced the room. "Enough chatter," he snapped, his black eyes flashing with annoyance as he took his place in front of the classroom to begin the lesson.His sleeves billowed with a flourish as he took out his wand. Behind him, the chalk started writing the formula for today’s potion. The grating sound of chalk scratching the board was broken when the door creaked open, and Charlie Weasley stumbled into the classroom, followed closely by another disheveled Gryffindor. Leaves were stuck in Charlie's fiery hair, and dirt smeared his cheeks, the glow of the dungeon lights made his freckles even more pronounced.Snape's black eyes narrowed as he took in the scene before him, his lips twisting into a disdainful sneer. "Fashionably late, Mr. Weasley," he remarked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "And bringing dirt into my classroom, too. Ten points from Gryffindor for your reckless behavior."Charlie's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but he held his head high. "Sorry, Professor," he said, trying to sound contrite but failing miserably. "We got a bit carried away exploring."Professor Snape's stern gaze fixed upon Charlie, his expression a mix of irritation and impatience. "Exploring, Mr. Weasley?" he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Well, I trust you'll be able to find a seat without getting lost this time. Though I fear your sense of direction may prove to be as lacking as your sense of punctuality."Charlie's cheeks further reddened at the rebuke, but he offered a sheepish smile nonetheless. "Of course, Professor. Sorry again," he said earnestly,Snape's scowl deepened as he turned his attention back to the rest of the class. "Now, onto today's lesson," he announced, his tone clipped. "We will be brewing a silencing potion. I trust you are all capable of following instructions, though some of you may need a reminder of the importance of punctuality and proper behavior."As Snape continued his instructions, Charlie and the other Gryffindor scoured the classroom for empty seats. From the corner of her eye, Viviane watched as the other Gryffindor swiftly made a beeline towards the lone student sitting by themselves. Viviane saw them clap each other at the back as if avoiding being partners with her was a great achievement.Viviane couldn't help but roll her eyes at their transparent attempt to distance themselves from her. However, her irritation quickly dissipated when she noticed Charlie heading in her direction. He approached her with an ease, seemingly unfazed by the tension in the room."Is this seat taken?" Charlie asked, gesturing to the empty spot beside Viviane."It isn’t," Viviane replied curtly, her annoyance evident in her tone. But before she could stop herself, she softened her stance, realizing her frustration wasn't directed at Charlie.Charlie's smile faltered slightly, but he maintained his composure. "Oh, sorry," he said apologetically. "Rowan usually sits here."Viviane felt a pang of guilt at her abrupt response. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap," she apologized, her tone sincere. "And yeah, Rowan's out sick today."Charlie nodded understandingly. "No worries. Do you mind if we partner up, then?" he asked, his expression hopeful.Viviane hesitated for a moment, surprised by Charlie's straightforward request. Despite her initial reservations, she found herself nodding in agreement. "Sure, why not?" she replied, offering him a small smile.Charlie's face lit up with gratitude as he settled into the seat beside Viviane. As they began gathering their potion ingredients, Charlie couldn't help but make a remark about their partnership. "I must say, I feel quite lucky to be partnered with you," he said with a smile. "You always produce the best potions in class."Viviane felt a flush of pride at Charlie's compliment, but she shook her head modestly. "I'm not better than Penny,"Charlie chuckled. "No one's better than Penny," he agreed. "But at least even Snape doesn't look at your potions like he's spotting a troll in the dungeon."Viviane laughed at Charlie's observation, finding his humor refreshing. "Fair point," she conceded. "Let's just hope our luck holds out for today's potion."As they begin, she could feel the stares of the other Gryffindors burning into her, their eyes filled with curiosity and skepticism at the unusual pairing of a Gryffindor and Slytherin working together so seamlessly. To their credit, they don’t bother saying anything, content on focusing on the task at hand.Merula was the exception."Blood traitors and mad people working together? How quaint," she sneered, casting a mocking glance at Viviane and Charlie.Viviane felt a surge of anger rising within her, but she clenched her jaw, refusing to give Merula the satisfaction of a reaction. She knew she couldn’t count on Snape either, as he favored Merula for some unknown reason.Charlie didn’t even acknowledge Merula, and he did it so naturally that she couldn’t help but admire him. Out of consideration for her partner, Viviane decided to just focus at hand, which meant she could observe how Charlie worked at his task.Viviane found out that Charlie is surprisingly gentle with his hands. He handled the delicate ingredients with ease. It was a stark contrast to the brute force she had witnessed him exert as a Beater whenever he played Quidditch matches with the other first years in their free period.Viviane, however, meticulously followed Snape's instructions to the letter, measuring each ingredient with painstaking accuracy. Rowan was the same as her, which was why they worked so well together. But she couldn't help but marvel at Charlie's more intuitive approach. He seemed to have a knack for knowing just the right amount of each ingredient to add, his instincts guiding him as he worked.To Viviane's surprise, their different methods seemed to complement each other perfectly. While she was focused on precision and adherence to the book, Charlie brought a sense of creativity and intuition to their potion-making process. It was a strange combination, but somehow, it was working.While waiting for their cauldron to boil, Charlie leaned in towards Viviane with a mischievous glint in his eyes, attempting to lighten the mood. "You know," he whispered, his voice barely above a whisper, "the Silencing potion might actually be pretty interesting to use."Viviane blinked, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected comment. "Interesting?" she echoed, raising an eyebrow inquisitively. "How so?"Charlie's grin widened, a playful twinkle dancing in his eyes. "Well, think about it," he replied, his voice barely containing his excitement. "Imagine being able to silence someone with just a drop of a potion. The possibilities are endless."Viviane couldn't help but chuckle at Charlie's enthusiasm for the Silencing potion. "I have to admit," she remarked with a wry smile, "I expected your interest in potions to have something to do with dragons."Charlie's eyes lit up at the mention of dragons, his mind already racing with possibilities. "Dragons, huh?" he mused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Actually, a silencing potion could be quite handy when dealing with dragons. Imagine being able to quiet their roars or muzzle them during training sessions."Viviane raised an eyebrow, impressed by Charlie's creative thinking. "That's actually a brilliant idea," she admitted, a hint of admiration in her voice. "I never thought about it that way."Charlie's expression softened as he admitted, "Actually, the silencing potion might be more for my brothers than anything else." He paused, a nostalgic smile playing on his lips. "As soon as they learned their alphabets, they never stopped talking. Fred and George are the worst offenders, always causing chaos wherever they go. At least Percy is quiet most of the time."Viviane couldn't help but smile at Charlie's description of his brothers, trying and failing to imagine the lively household they must have grown up in. Growing up with her older brother, Jason, had been different. Although they shared a home, there was always a sense of distance between them. Jason was much older than her, and their relationship was strained by a one-way competition that Viviane often felt powerless to overcome."Yeah, I can imagine," Viviane replied with a small smile, masking the twinge of jealousy that flickered within her. She couldn't help but contrast his upbringing with her own experiences. What must it feel like, to grow up in such a bright and close-knit environment.Perhaps this was the reason why her partner for the day had such openness and easygoing nature about him. Like Charlie knows about her family situation, everyone knows about his. They said that the Weasley’s lived in a cramped home stacked on top of each other. Charlie could probably see his parents every day. They probably eat dinner together, spend holidays together.The last time her family had dinner together was Christmas before Jacob was expelled.She must’ve been watching him very intently, because he raises an eyebrow at her quizzically. He was handling a bowl of crushed Cinnabar with all the gentleness one might use when cradling a baby dragon. Catching her eye, Charlie flashed her a dazzling smile, the warmth of it reaching even the dimly lit dungeon.However, the whimsical moment was broken by the sight of a lone leaf still stuck in Charlie's unruly hair. Viviane couldn't suppress a giggle at the absurdity of it all, which startled Charlie before he joined in her laughter.Their laughter caught the attention of Professor Snape, who swept over to their table with a scowl etched deeply onto his face."What on earth is this commotion?" he hissed, his voice dripping with disdain. "Have you forgotten that this is a potions class, not a playground?"Viviane felt a pang of guilt as Snape's icy gaze bore down on them. She exchanged a sheepish glance with Charlie, both of them realizing the gravity of their mistake."Ten points from Gryffindor for disrupting my class," he declared, each word laced with venom.Viviane didn’t miss the fact that he didn’t deduct points from Slytherin.However, as Snape inspected their potion, no doubt in an attempt to look for a reason to deduct more points, a begrudging look of acceptance crossed his features. In his typical fashion, he grumbled under his breath before grudgingly admitting, "Acceptable." He even awarded Slytherin house points for their potion's quality.Apologizing profusely, Viviane and Charlie watched as Snape turned to leave, his robes billowing behind him. Once he was out of earshot, they couldn't help but burst into laughter once more, the tension of the moment dissipating into the air.Viviane nudged Charlie playfully, pointing out the stray leaf still clinging to his hair. Chuckling, Charlie attempted to swat it away, only for it to stubbornly cling to him.Eventually, Charlie gave up with a huff and leaned in closer to Viviane, his voice barely above a whisper. "You know, it's not fair that Slytherin got house points while only Gryffindor got deducted," he murmured.Viviane nodded in agreement "Yeah, it's obvious favoritism,"Charlie couldn't help but chuckle softly, despite the unfairness of the situation. "It's kind of funny, though, isn't it?" he remarked, a wry smile playing on his lips.Viviane raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Funny? How so?"Charlie shrugged, his expression sheepish. "Well, I guess it's just ironic," he admitted. "I mean, Snape always makes fun of my potions skills, but maybe I'm not completely useless after all. After all, he gave points for a potion I helped to make."Viviane couldn't help but smile at Charlie's optimism, despite the circumstances. "I don't think you're useless, Charlie," she replied sincerely. "And your potions haven't all exploded, have they?"Charlie grinned, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. "Well, not all of them," he admitted, his tone lighthearted. "But enough to make me wonder if I'm secretly a disaster waiting to happen."Viviane laughed softly, finding Charlie's self-deprecating humor endearing. "I'm sure you're not," she reassured him, her gaze meeting him with genuine warmth.Soon the class came to an end, and students began to gather their belongings and file out of the classroom. Merula, ever the instigator, couldn't resist making another snide remark as she passed by Viviane and Charlie. Viviane braced herself for the insult, but before she could respond, Charlie stepped in."It's a good thing I partnered up with you," he blurted out, fidgeting with the strap of his bag. But as soon as the words left his mouth, his eyes widened in realization of what he had just said. "I-I mean, not that I'm glad Rowan got sick or anything," he stammered, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I just meant... you know what I mean."Viviane couldn't help but chuckle at Charlie's awkward attempt to backtrack, finding his flustered demeanor endearing. "Yeah, I know what you mean," she replied with a smile, offering him a reassuring nod.With a nervous laugh, Charlie hastily gathered his things and hurried out of the classroom, eager to escape the awkwardness of the moment. He caught up with his friends in the hallway, with some of them sending incredulous stares directed her way. It seemed that in their eyes, it was nothing short of a miracle for Charlie Weasley to emerge from his ordeal with his limbs still intact.As Viviane watched Charlie and his friends walk away, she couldn't help but notice the striking contrast between his fiery red hair and the dimly lit dungeon surroundings. Despite the gloomy atmosphere, Charlie seemed to emit a radiant energy that was impossible to ignore. His infectious laughter echoed down the corridor as he chatted animatedly about something.A small smile tugged at the corners of Viviane's lips, her gaze lingering on the leaves that stubbornly clung to his tousled hair. It was a strangely endearing sight, the juxtaposition of the vibrant green leaves against his fiery locks.For a brief moment, Viviane allowed herself to imagine what it would be like to have friends like Charlie, to laugh and joke without the weight of expectations and reputation hanging over her. But as the reality of her situation settled back in, she pushed aside those thoughts and walked towards the direction of the hospital wing, no doubt Rowan would need the notes from the potions class she missed.