A "Dark" Secret Closed

"Exactly what I meant, I had a feeling you'd get it."Luckily for Alyss, Viviana thought that she actually did understand, and was happy that despite not being able to articulate her speech, she was at least able to get that big of a point across.

Viviana wasn't necessarily suspicious of Alyss' curiosity in "stick magic", staring at her while she fumbled over her words, Viviana almost found it funny, but the more she realized it was serious, the more she began to have a bad feeling. Putting her hands on her hips, Viviana wondered if Alyss realized she was acting more suspicious by trying not to act suspicious.

"So you want to learn the future, with sticks?" She didn't know how that would work, which is odd considering she was pure-blood. "I mean... I guess that's cool." Viviana passed the book to Alyss with a shrug, she personally didn't think that the girl was a dangerous individual. The need to tell the future was, admittedly, pretty cool, maybe it's just for fun. "As long as you don't hurt anyone." Viviana smiled a little, not being able to contain her laughter now, the sight of her very worked up friend... (was friend an appropriate word?) Stuttering to explain herself.

"I doubt you have bad intentions." Of course though it did not register, the little Hufflepuff's laugh was open-mouthed. It was instinctual move, her actions being so funny Viviana couldn't help it. Though Viviana's gape looked fairly average, she possessed noticeable gaps where her top canines would root. It was brief, yet it would not be hard to see if Alyss didn't break eye contact.

September 27th, 2024	Library
“English”	“Gaelic”

Alyss nodded as Viviana happily agreed with the question Alyss had asked, seemingly not aware it had been an actual question, not a clarity point. Alyss let out an uncomfortable chuckle, a small smile glued on her face, clearly fake as she tried to listen to the other girl.

When Viviana put her hands on her hips, Alyss was worried. Usually that meant something serious, right? What if Viviana was angry that she hadn’t told her until now, even if they had only been talking for a few minutes? Alyss felt her face starting to slowly heat up. She wasn’t quite sure if she was blushing or if that was just the embarrassment that made her think so.

Upon her question, Alyss gave a small shrug. “I- I mean yeah, basically..” She trailed off, not really knowing where she was going to take that sentence. When Viviana pitched opinion that it was “cool” Alyss’s eyes, which were slowly trailing to the ground away from her face flicked right back up. “You do? Really?” Alyss couldn’t believe it. For goodness sake, even she thought it sounded weird. So the snake was in a state of slight disbelief, mouth falling slightly open in shock.

”I- I won’t!” Alyss said loudly, nodding enthusiastically. “Hurt anyone, I mean. I won’t hurt anyone.” She stuttered, just happy the other girl wasn’t really judging her at all. She took back the book with a smile, eyes shining because of how kind Viviana had been.

That was, until she started laughing. Alyss didn’t know what to think. Was she laughing at Alyss, like in a “this is suck a silly situation” or in a “I’m just being mean” kinda way? Alyss wasn’t completely sure, so she just kinda gave one of her awkward chuckles, avoiding looking at Viviana’s face once again.

That was, until she caught a glimpse of some tooth gaps. Alyss didn’t want to be rude and ask the other girl if she was still waiting on her adult teeth, but Alyss had lost her final tooth until the new molars a whole two months ago. “Are you still waiting on your teeth to grow in? They take forever, don’t they?” She said optimistically, trying to draw the attention away from the laughing.

“I’m still waiting for this one to grow in all the way too!” Alyss said while showing off one of her molars that was only halfway grown in, taking its sweet time to get all the way into place.

September 27th, 2024	Library
“English”	“Gaelic”

Alyss shot Viviana a small smile and nod as she acknowledged her discomfort with the laughs. “It’s okay, I know you didn’t mean anything mean by it.” Alyss responded, shrugging her shoulders and brushing it off.

Alyss was enjoying talking with Viviana, though she also felt as though she ruined it a few times and things were getting a little awkward. Although she couldn’t really tell if that was her fault for not being the best at understanding social cues, or if it was just their general chemistry not completely clicking.

Alyss noticed Viviana’s reaction to her tooth comment, and she worried. What if she didn’t like my tooth joke? the girl was of course overreacting, but this time she wasn’t doing so out loud, but rather in her head. Which was arguably worse.

“Yes” Alyss answered Viviana’s first question immediately. “I would love to be your friend!” Alyss stated enthusiastically before realizing the tension in the room as Viviana continued. She began nodding before realizing that the Badger might want a vocal reply. “I- Yes, of course. I can keep any secret.” Alyss’ eyes were shining with curiosity and relief.

“I mean it. I wanna be your friend and if that requires keeping a secret I can do that.” Alyss replied, not wanting to admit that she absolutely would just say yes for the secret on most days, but she really did like Viviana. Although her curiosity is what led her in the beginning of their conversation, now if was the fact that the other girl had been kind and willing to listen. And now Alyss needed to reciprocate.

September 27th, 2024	Library
“English”	“Gaelic”

Alyss, of course, had absolutely no clue on what the secret could be. Maybe the other girl had a pet she wasn’t allowed to have on school grounds? Maybe she had a crush on someone? Maybe she already knows how to use magic? Maybe she’s a renowned witch and is just visiting hogwarts in disguise.

These were all silly and outlandish ideas the young girl and her wild imagination had come up with, of course getting even more ridiculous as she continued her thoughts. When Viviana started speaking, Alyss snapped back to attention, trying not to give away her inattentive nature.

She gave Viviana a small nod of encouragement as she began, clearly a little nervous. When it was revealed, Alyss was honestly a bit disappointed. Of course the was the whole surprise of her knew friend being part vampire, but Alyss knew that hogwarts accepted other races, including werewolves. How could Viviana be scary by comparison?

After all, Alyss had never met a werewolf, so that made them more scary because her mind can go a little wild. With a Dhampir? I mean, Viviana didn’t seem very scary to Alyss. The badger was obviously kind and hardworking as shown by her house, and she hadn’t judged Alyss, so why would Alyss judge her? Though she was hoping for the renowned witch one. This secret was a little less exciting.

It was then that Alyss realized she hadn’t really given much of a reaction, and Viviana was clearly waiting for one. “Oh, okay. Cool! Is that why you could read in the dark?” Alyss questioned, adding it in as her mind raced through if that was an adequate enough response to something Viviana was clearly worried about.

When her companion asked her to keep it a secret, Alyss’ eyes widened. “Of course! I won’t tell a single soul.” She vowed, tracing a finger over her chest to mark “crossing” her heart. Alyss did this very seriously, with a solemn expression on her face to make sure Viviana knew she was being completely serious and there was no joking.

“Do you wanna hug?” Alyss asked as she noticed Viviana noticeably a little panicky, and so Alyss offered the little comfort she could. Even if it was only a hug. She held her arms open, inviting the other girl into her embrace. “You don’t need to prove it, I believe you.” She said soothingly, trying to make sure her message was clear: Viviana’s secret was safe with her.

September 27th, 2024	Library
“English”	“Gaelic”

Alyss beamed when Viviana answered her question, happy that she had been correct that there was something odd about it. Now, she did more or less understand why she hadn’t told her in the beginning, but that didn’t stop the girl from being happy she was right.

When Viviana mentioned it being boring, Alyss almost nodded in agreement with her. Almost. Instead, as Alyss began nodding her head, she tilted it, as if it was merely an acknowledgement of what she said, rather than agreement. “No, of course not! You’re not boring!” Alyss exclaimed. Although she definitely felt the secret was a little lackluster, she wasn’t going to say anything. Her lips were sealed.

“So long as you don’t suck my blood, you’re good!” She said jokingly, not even realizing that if this was a sensitive topic, maybe her new friend wouldn’t want to joke about it? Alyss would never realize something that was so nuanced and.. only required basic common sense.

Noticing her blush, Alyss gave a shy grin. Maybe she had done something right, and Viviana liked it! Clearly she could make sure to hold up her end, because if she didn’t that could be disastrous and ruin any semblance of trust Viviana held for her.

Alyss felt delighted when Viviana stepped into her hug, and made sure to give her a slight squeeze. It wasn’t truly a hug if all you did was wrap your arms around the other person! Alyss did feel a little puzzled by Vivi’s lack of a squeeze, but she could move past it.

“Of course! I’m sure you’ll be my bestest friend, and I’ll be yours!” She remarked as she released her from their embrace, arms falling back to her side.

Viviana chuckled and looked into Alyss' eyes, "Suck your blood? Got it." and she showed her fangs quickly retracting while nobody was looking, before long she put them away and laughed it off.

"Only kidding of course, don't want to eat my friend." Viviana smiled toothlessly, hoping her joke also was not in bad taste (get it?) and she looked out the window briefly to see that the horizon shone a little brighter, a beautiful sight despite its danger, she was luckily not in way of the beam.

"Your bestest? Is that a word?" She had never heard that when studying English, but slang seemed to change frequently, so maybe she was out of touch."Sorry if that is a stupid question, this is not really my first language."

"Er... tomorrow is a busy day for you too right?" Viviana had a lot to do later tomorrow, but she began to feel as though a tether was tying her to Alyss, she didn't know when she'd see her next. "Perhaps we can still hang out sometimes? If you want?" Viviana ended her sentence as though she were untroubled. She was raised to think begging was beneath her, and though Alyss was her friend, she couldn't be too vulnerable around her. Swiping a lock of hair back, as to free her face of waves, she looked to Alyss for an answer, although it was very clear which one she wanted.

September 27th, 2024	Library
“English”	“Gaelic”

Alyss grinned at Viviana’s reply, before feeling her eyes widen with almost.. Awe? Once she saw Viviana’s fangs. They were so cool. And, she supposed, they did prove her secret to be true. Now Alyss was certain that this wasn’t some ploy for attention or misunderstanding. Not that she was worried about that in the first place, she had been pretty sure Viviana wasn’t the kind of person who would lie to people like that.

When reassured that Alyss wouldn’t, in fact, be eaten, she nodded as if she had been gravely worried about that possibility. “Ah, yes. Mhm. I was very concerned.” She said with a straight face. Unfortunately, Alyss was a pretty good liar, but not when it came to clear fibs like this one! She burst out into giggles at her own joke.

At Viviana’s question and explanation, Alyss paused. She too, spoke another language, though she kind of grew up with them in tandem, using Gaelic and English interchangeably. But now that she was at Hogwarts, there were very few people that spoke Gaelic, so now she had to act very incredibly English. The truth? Alyss didn’t think it was a word. She had made it up on the spot, but it very well could’ve been in the dictionary.

“Uhm.. I don’t think it’s an actual word. But it is now!” She declared, grin bloomed from her face. Given that neither of the two seemed to know any better, it seemed like this was the best course of action.

Alyss was still contemplating the legitimacy of “bestest” when Vivi brought up the busyness of tomorrow. Alyss thought for a moment. She did have homework due tomorrow. Homework she hadn’t done. “You’re not wrong..” Alyss grumbled. “I do have homework.” She explained, a downcast look on her face.

When Viviana suggested hanging out, Alyss’ head snapped up with excitement written all over it. “Of course! Yeah! I’d love to hang out!” She said, brimming with newfound joy. She was so happy to have met someone who didn’t judge her, and was nice through and through. “You’re the best!”