AIANES (Theodore Nott) H.P AU

Chapter Fifteen

"Daphne, stop playing with your food and eat." Olympia sips on her coffee, sending the girl a pointed look while motioning to the plate that's yet to be touched.

The blonde's answer, however, is nothing more than a petulant huff and frown. She scrapes her fork against the plate, creating a shrill sound that makes several people around her wince. And still, despite the narrowed glares, she sets her fork down and pushes her breakfast away.

"What did Mum and Dad want?" Daphne asks her sister, who reads through a newly delivered letter.

The youngest Greengrass doesn't look away from the parchment in her hold. "The usual. Asking about school and whatnot."

Astoria smiles at whatever her parents wrote to her. No one seems to notice of course, seeing as everyone is too busy with their own correspondence, but Daphne does. Her blue eyes glaring at the letter in her sister's hands.

There's a beat of silence before she speaks again.

"Did they ask about me?" The question is quick and much defensive, but the blonde's voice is hopeful.

It also earns everyone's attention.

Astoria looks up and stares at her sister, only now realizing she hasn't received a letter of her own. "Oh, they..." She mumbles, skimming through the ink while hoping to find even the smallest mention of Daphne.

There's none.

And when Daphne realizes it, she stands from her place in a hasty manner, blue eyes hurting. Her movements are so abrupt that several goblets threaten to fall when her body briefly collides with the table. "We better go. Herbology is next."

Olympia watches the blonde disappear. She furrows her brows at the whole scene, head turning to stare at Astoria, who looks just as puzzled.

It's odd to see Daphne, who's known for her kind nature and bright smile, in such a defensive and foul mood. Especially since her not receiving letters from her parents is not uncommon. Even if she's the oldest and their sole heir, the Greengrass marriage's attention has always belonged to Astoria.

Still does.

But the blonde heiress has never shown any outward reaction to it, not when they were children and definitely not now.

Olympia knows that her friend tries her best to be understanding, after all, it's her own sister that's sick, and she was fortunate enough not to inherit the blood curse. She's the lucky one. Or so they say. Still, despite it all, the last Sarantos can't help but wonder just how much can Daphne keep to herself before she overflows and begins to spill.

Looking around the table, Olympia decides to study the rest of her friends and their reactions, each so different from the other.

Draco rolls his eyes every couple of seconds, and the brunette can assume it's Lucius who's written to him. Blaise, on the contrary, smiles at his mother's penmanship, nodding in thought at whatever she's written to him. There's also Theodore, who glares and crumbles the parchment edges.

The Sarantos witch is sitting on his right and all it takes it's a turn of her head to catch sight of whatever it's written. And maybe she shouldn't pry on the boy's family affairs, but she can't really help herself. Before she knows it, she's already halfway through the letter.

Theodore,

The manor will be empty for the holidays. The elves have been made aware of my absence, you'll have to stay on your own. If you prefer, you may remain at Hogwarts and return during Easter break (Or Summer, whichever fits the best).