From a young age, Leonora Potter had discovered that she was quite different from the rest of her family. After getting sorted into Slytherin, her relationship with the Potter's crumbled, and she was forced to find family in other places. Perhaps th...
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December 16, 1978 - Friday
The morning after the Winter Ball carried a quiet awkwardness between Leonora and Barty, the memory of their almost-kiss still lingering in both their minds. Neither quite knew what to say; the weight of what could have been hung heavily between them. So they settled for silence, each pretending not to notice how the other avoided their gaze.
They sat across from each other at breakfast, surrounded by the usual chatter of the Great Hall. Leonora pressed lightly against her temples, a dull, persistent headache throbbing behind her eyes.
Illyria had kept her up all night, endlessly pressing her for every detail of what had happened with Barty. The girl had watched Leonora with wide eyes as she told the story, hanging onto every last word.
"So did he kiss you?" She had finally asked, her eyes hopeful.
Leonora hesitated, her cheeks warming at the memory. "No, someone knocked into me as our lips were about to touch."
Illyria gasped, flopping back dramatically against her pillow. "You're joking, right? Please tell me you're joking."
Leonora tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear, her expression somewhere between amusement and frustration. "I wish I were. It all happened so quickly; I don't even know who did it."
Illyria sat up again, eyes wide. "Ugh, I can't believe that! You were this close!" She held up two fingers, nearly touching. "When will you two ever have a chance like that again?"
"We'll get another chance," Leonora said confidently. "Eventually."
Leonora lifted her spoon, dipping it into her porridge and stirring absentmindedly. Her movements were slow, weighed down by the exhaustion that clung to her bones like thick fog.
Before the silence could grow any heavier, Illyria finally showed, sliding effortlessly into the spot on her left. Leonora mentally thanked Merlin, grateful for the girl's presence.
"Good morning," Illyria greeted casually, reaching for a piece of toast and spreading butter across it with ease. Her eyes discreetly flicked between the pair, curious, but careful not to press. She had promised Leonora she wouldn't.
Leonora offered a faint smile in return. "Morning," she murmured, her voice soft.
Barty shifted in his seat, clearing his throat. "Good morning," he said quietly, drumming his fingers against the table while avoiding eye contact.
Illyria could feel the thickness in the air pressing down on her, almost suffocating her. Her gaze flicked between them once more, though now a faint smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.
