BAMBOOZLED

A New Year's Kiss

"Lucian...are you...are you serious?"

He nodded. "I got the owl from my mum at dinner and I had to come see you...I can't...I can't do this by myself, Vice." He sobbed. "I know so much has happened between us and it's been messy. I know it's not fair for me to ask-"

I hugged him tightly. "Just give me a second, I'll go with you, okay? Stay right here, don't go anywhere, I will be back."

He merely nodded and I shut the door. I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes before going back into the house.

George approached me. "Who was that babe?"

"Lucian. He um he really needs me so I have to go."

"You're joking right? It's Christmas, Vicelia. Our first Christmas together, and you're meeting all of my family."

"I know. And I realize how important this is, I do, but if it wasn't something more important, you know I wouldn't leave." I whispered.

"You're really ditching me and my family for your ex?" George asked incredulously.

"Georgie, his dad died."

"Shit."

"Yeah, and I knew his dad really well and Lucian is losing it and wasn't ready for this day, so I have to be there for him."

"Of course, baby, go." He kissed me. "I'll let my family know."

"Thank you, George, I'm really so sorry. I love you so much."

"I love you too, Vice."

"I-I um don't know when I'll be home." I admitted.

"It's okay, just go." One more kiss and I was out the door and Apparating to St. Mungos with Lucian's hand in mine.

--

Lucian's mother, Laura was sobbing when we arrived. "Oh Lucian!" He wrapped her in a tight hug. "And Vicelia, you came."

"Of course I did. You and Owen are like second parents to me."

"Owen just adored you." Laura burst into tears again as Lucian embraced her.

A Healer came out and I greeted them, seeing as Lucian and Laura were in shambles.

"Hi, I'm Vice." I shook his hand.

"Yes, Lucian's fiancee, I've heard so much about you."

Now was not the time to correct him and tell him the sobbing man who just lost his father was in fact not my fiance.

"So is it true? Owen is gone?"

"Unfortunately he is. But it was very peaceful for him." He assured me. "And now it's time to talk funeral arrangements."

I looked behind me at the sobbing mother and son before turning around to face him again. "I'll handle that."

--

When I was twelve I wore a lot of black. Literally every moment I wasn't wearing that god awful Hogwarts uniform, I was decked out in black. Black shoes, black dresses, black shirts. Only black.

That was because I was in mourning.

I had just found out that I was adopted. Sure I always felt different from my family and knew physically I didn't match with them, but I still didn't exactly know. I was Vicelia Richardson and for all I knew, I was the biological daughter of Cassandr and Colin Richardson.

But I wasn't

So when I found out the truth about me, I decided the person I had always thought I was had died. I was a new person. A new Vice. I think that's when I really got into all the mischief I was now known for.