「 ;༊ .⁺₊ : ᴄᴏʟᴏᴜʀꜱ 」

　　everything is grey

young marcella pendrich called it fairy dust; the faint tinges of different hues surrounding her family. it was a steady force of circle in colour, pulsating gently like a heartbeat, then temporarily spreading wide as they casted magic. she would watch in glee at the faint flares and spikes of bright colours when an exciting news visited their family. she would approach in caution and worry should the colours turn dull, grey and washed-out blues tainting the dust.

no sooner than the words, “mummy, there’s a light around you. it’s like you’re glowing,” fell from her lips, did she learn said fairy dust were called auras. and it was not something she should normally see. at least, not as naturally as she could.

while no one told her to keep it a secret, she hid her ability. as marcella grew up, the auras around her remained a constant, silent companion. she often felt overwhelmed in crowded places, the sheer number of auras blending into a dizzying array of colours. it took a while to familiarise herself with, seeing the constant kaleidoscope and not being influenced by moods.

marcella's interactions with others grew cautious. she could tell when someone was lying, their aura flickering with deceitful shades. trust became complicated; she knew too much, saw too deeply. friends were puzzled by her uncanny intuition, her ability to comfort them before they voiced their troubles. marcella's empathy was both a gift and a burden, drawing people to her but also setting her apart.

but this was more than simply an intuition.

that was what she told her quidditch captain. the twists and turns in her stomach. an aura tainted by an utmost desire to harm her team so strong she could taste the bitterness on her tongue. yet that one step towards their victory for the quidditch cup blindsided them all.

underneath the angry dark grey skies, chaos ensued as multiple fouls were being called out. and what struck marcella as she jumped to protect her team member, bright as lightning, knocked her off her broom–a searing pain took over half of her face and the fall rendered her unconscious.

everything was grey, as she regained her consciousness. she did not need to see the faces of the people waiting for her to wake up–that terrible news awaits. marcella tried her best not to let their pity wash over her as she asked to be alone the moment it was confirmed that she lost her left eyesight. she then curled into the hospital’s sheets.

she did not need to see her own aura to witness everything turning blue.

— a newspaper clipping for cold open plot + connection ;

⟦ THEY SAY LOVE KILLS; MEN FOUND DEAD AFTER CONSUMING LOVE POTIONS ⟧

Nimbus Papers, London, May 202X

London, England—The Aurors from the Ministry of Magic have launched an investigation after six men were found dead, with initial investigations suggesting that all six were poisoned by a specific type of love potion.

The last body was discovered behind a local wizardry tavern by a passerby who noticed the man lying next to a pile of trash and alerted the authorities immediately. Upon arrival, the Aurors found the man, in his late fifties, deceased under what they described as "suspicious circumstances."

Further details regarding the victims' identities and the specific love potion involved have not yet been released as the investigation is ongoing. Forensic teams have been on-site since early morning, conducting a thorough examination of the scene and gathering evidence.

Residents in the area have expressed their shock and concern over the incident. "This is a tight-knit community, and it's terrifying to think something like this could happen here," said Mary Clearwater, a local shopkeeper.

The Aurors have appealed to the public for any information that might assist with the investigation. They are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may have noticed unusual behaviour or suspicious activities in the area recently.

"We urge anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward," said Chief Auror Arthur Blackwood. "Their input could be crucial to solving this case."

As the investigation continues, the Ministry of Magic has increased its presence in the neighbourhood to ensure the safety and reassurance of local residents. More details will be released as they become available.

•─────⋅☾ ⋅ ༓ ⋅ ☽ ollivander’s wand shop circa 2001 ☾ ⋅ ༓ ⋅ ☽⋅─────•

Vivienne can still remember that day whenever she closes her eyes; the chime of the bell, sweet and high like the song of a bird calling spring when she first stepped foot into the whimsical shop. The scent of age-old wood, musty and fragrant, like the scent of grass after rain seeped into her skin and curled into the tresses of her hair. Incandescent orbs of the chandelier overhead lit up rows and rows of boxes that were stacked on top of one another, stretching high up towards the ceiling as the young girl’s eyes gazed in wonderment.

At Ollivander’s, mountains of dormant wands sleep in wait for the arrival of their destined owners, and she was here to claim hers.

The shop owner peeked over from where he stood behind the counter. His silver hair catching the light as he adjusted his spectacle, eyes twinkling as he took one singular glance at the young child as the corner of his mouth curled upwards as if he had known her long before she came to stand right before him. “Ah, Miss Vivienne, you’ve finally arrived.”

Her soft honeyed eyes seemed to flicker a slight confidence. For a child at the mere age of eleven, her gaze held a maturity beyond her years. She did not shy from the shop owner’s eyes, nor did she falter under his smile. With measured strides in her steps, she approached, touching the polished carvings on the surface of the counter.

As if in response, a faint glow of light rippled through the air, causing the boxes of wands to tremble ever so slightly. The shop owner’s eyes seemed to shine under the chandelier lights, confirming that she, too, had felt it.

"It's rare for a wand to make its presence known before its owner. But yours, Miss Vivienne,” he continued, “it had awoken right before it had met you." His voice was low, muted like a harbinger of delightful secrets, "it has been waiting for you."

The young girl’s breath was caught in as she listened, feeling a sense of enchantment wash over her, for how could a wand have been anticipating her arrival?

He studied her gaze for a moment, his sight flicking from her face to the stacked rows of wands behind her. Then, with a meaningful smile, he stepped out from behind the counter and began to move through the rows, his steps light and certain, as he navigated through the maze with ease. Soon, he returned, cradling a box within his palms like it were a gentle being.

The box was adorned with swirling patterns that danced within the dim light as he placed it delicately on the countertop. The shop owner slid off the top to reveal the wand that nestled within—vine wood, eleven and a half inches with a dragon heartstring core.

It was slender and elegant, intricately carved details that made Vivienne’s eyes lit up, shining within was now a different aura compared to the one she carried when she first entered the shop. A surge of warmth flooded through her, a sense of rightness that she had never known before. And as she delicately grasped the wand, that familiar sense flooded through her veins like a feeling of recognition, of a long awaited reunion.

And as she turned to face the shop owner, she saw that he knew it too, his eyes sparkling with an acknowledgement that echoed her own. "Congratulations, Miss Vivienne," he said, his voice filled with delight. "I do believe you and your wand are destined for great things."