Till Death Do Us Part

06 it is all a front

Vienna sighed when the professor excused her from her final class of the day. She stood up from her seat, which was in between Theo and Blaise.

"So glad today is over," she commented as she swung her bag over her shoulder.

"Enjoying it then?" asked Blaise as they stepped outside the classroom.

"Honestly, yeah. The professors are knowledgeable and I've met many amazing people," she said.

"Yeah? Like who?" Theo asked with a smirk on his face.

Vienna rolled her eyes and laughed softly at Theo. "I'll see you both later."

She then turned on her heel and began to walk down the hall.

"Oh, come on, Dumont, give us an answer," Theo teased as she went. "Can you just not admit that you can't resist?"

She only laughed and shook her head, but as she went, someone caught up to her. Vienna did not turn her head, but she recognized the voice of Harry Potter.

"Hanging around them, really?" he asked.

"Is that a problem?"

Vienna stopped to look at Harry. He glanced down at her and pressed his glasses up onto the bridge of his nose.

"You should just know they have bad reputations," he said.

"I can be the judge of that," she replied.

"I won't say I told you so," Harry said.

Vienna rolled her eyes at him as she glanced into his eyes. She twisted a piece of her long dark hair around her finger.

"Do you not like the idea of me having other friends, Potter?" she asked.

He blushed slightly and scratched the back of his head. "No— it-it's just that their families have never had good reputations and I wouldn't want someone like you to get done wrong by them. After all, they likely stand with the Dark Side," he said quietly.

Vienna could sense good intentions from him, which made her smile, because she wanted to be on his good side. Little did he know, she is someone he should be worried about.

"Well, thanks for the warnings, but I can hold my own."

He sighed. "Yeah, yeah, of course, but don't get wrapped up in the wrong stuff is all I'm saying."

"Don't you worry..." she said just as Ron and Hermione walked up to them.

"Ah, Vienna! How was your first day?" asked Ron in a friendly tone. It was the kind of tone that made Hermione roll her eyes and feel a sting of jealousy, though she would not dare to say that aloud.

"Lovely, I really enjoy it here."

"That's great to hear. You were amazing in potions this morning. Think you could maybe help me out with the work Slughorn assigned? I'm a lost cause."

Before Vienna could open her mouth, Hermione cleared her throat. "Ronald, I can help too, you know," she bit.

Ron glanced at her and shrugged. "Really? You always say no when I ask."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at Ron, not even hiding her envy at this point because she sensed competition with Vienna. Vienna was intelligent. Almost too intelligent.

"Yes. Maybe tonight in the library?"

"Lovely, yes! Awesome! I'll see you there! Can't wait!"

She smiled softly at him and nodded. "Of course. So I'll see you all later?"

The three nodded, and Vienna gave them small waves before heading off to her dorm to get changed.

Later that night, she made her appearance at dinner. Before taking her seat at the Ravenclaw table, she made a stop at the Hufflepuff table to talk to Claire.

"Claire-bell, how's it going?" she asked.

Her little sister smiled up at her, and all the girls at the table sitting with Claire seemed to be in awe at the fact that Vienna Dumont stood before them.

"Good! Classes have been easy so far, and I've met tons of people," said Claire as she smiled at all the girls. "How have you been?"

"Also great. I've met tons of people and my classes have been great also. Anyways, I need to grab dinner and help someone out with homework. Catch up later?"

Claire smiled and nodded. "Yeah, of course. Have fun."

Vienna smiled down at her little sister before sitting down at her table, quickly eating, and then departing for the library, where Ron was already waiting for her.

He was not ever the studious type so it was clear Vienna had quite an effect on him because he was actually making an effort to understand his work.

When she reached the table, he smiled and jumped up eagerly. Just like almost everyone else, he wanted to set a good impression on her, and stand out. He took her bag and pulled out her chair before reseating himself.

"Thanks so much for coming! I didn't want to take Advanced Potions but I'm glad you can help me," he said as she began to take out her books and notes from the first day.

"Of course, so what are you not understanding?"

"All of it," he said honestly.

She laughed softly. "Alright, well, let's start out by reviewing some recipes."

"Awesome, great idea, Vienna!" he replied.

For the next hour or so, Vienna explained the step-by-step processes to making potions, and the important key notes on what to do, and what not to do.

Ron nodded as she spoke, and asked questions. He was rather engaged and was actually motivated to master making potions.

However, just as they were wrapping up the last of their work, a loud gasp came from down the aisle that they were working in.

Both of them looked up to see Theo, Blaise, and Pansy.

"Bloody hell," Ron mumbled.

"Vienna, you shouldn't hang around... him," said Theo as the three approached.

Vienna glanced at Ron, and then to the Slytherins. "Why not?" she asked.

"Because he's poor!" Pansy whispered, but it was loud enough for Ron to hear.

However, Vienna only raised an eyebrow at them. "Guys, c'mon, that stuff shouldn't matter."

"Well, it does," Pansy replied.

Vienna took no time to make her next point. Without breaking eye contact with Pansy, she said, "By your logic, my family makes your families look like they're in poverty, so by your logic also, I shouldn't hang around you. Know your ranks before you open your mouth again."

Pansy's mouth opened and closed, unsure of what to say. Both Blaise and Theo chuckled and nodded, but needless to say, the three of them were impressed by Vienna's words.

When Vienna looked back to Ron, he was nodding and wore a smirk. It is rare for people to manage to silence the Slytherins, however it is clear that Vienna has the power to do so.

"Anyways. Does that all make sense?" she asked.

"Yep, thanks so much for all the help."

She smiled at him. "Of course. Feel free to reach out to me whenever for help."

"And you too," he said with a smirk, which made her laugh and roll her eyes at him.