Pulling Strings - Theodore Nott

24. Court whispers

"Smile, would you?" Her mother chided her before going first through the floo network. Ophelia smiled until the green fire enveloped her and she was gone, then her face went back to her usual scowl. She was standing all alone in one of Nott Manor's many drawing rooms, looking at the hearth and waiting for her turn to travel by floo powder over to Lady Avery's house. Without giving herself time to doubt it, she got in there and said the words, before long she was standing near her mother in a completely different drawing room from the one she'd left.

Where the Nott's drawing room was dark, full of marble and heavy drapes; The Avery's was bathed in light and big windows that occupied the entirety of the walls allowing the sunlight in, making everything look welcoming, cosy. She couldn't help but notice how it sort of matched the boys in question.

Lady Avery was already standing near the hearth, her posture graceful and composed, as though she were accustomed to being observed. She wore elegant robes in a pale lavender shade and her blond hair was swept up into a neat chignon that left not a strand out of place.

"Lady Selwyn," she greeted warmly, stepping forward with a composed smile. "And this must be your daughter. Ophelia, is it?"

Ophelia dipped her head in a polite nod. "Yes, my lady."

Lady Avery's eyes skimmed over her, coolly assessing her without appearing unkind. "How lovely to finally meet you. You'll find Livia close to your age, I think. I'm sure the two of you will get along wonderfully." From behind her, a girl emerged. She couldn't have been more than fifteen, with perfectly pinned curls the color of honey and a soft, almost shy smile.

"I'm Livia," she said, her voice sounding excited, almost as if she had to make an effort to control it. "It's nice to meet you."

Ophelia offered a hand, unsure whether to shake it or not. Livia simply clasped it lightly in hers, then let go. Her grip was delicate, practiced. Everything about her screamed 'perfect'.

"You too." Ophelia replied, forcing a smile.

Lady Avery gestured toward a sunlit sitting area by the windows. "Please, sit. We've just had tea brought in; lemon scones, sandwiches, that sort of thing. I hope they're to your taste."

Her mother began thanking her and since then didn't stop talking for a second, leaving Ophelia all alone to sit next to Livia, and try to engage her in conversation. Thankfully for her, the girl was also perfect at small talk. She complimented her on her robes and went on to talk about Hogwarts, what professors were nicer than others, how the Quidditch season was going. Ophelia nodded politely when required and made comments when the conversation was drying up.

Livia poured tea with careful grace, offering Ophelia a cup with a demure smile. "Milk?"

"Yes, thank you."

Then, casually, Livia tilted her head. "You're betrothed to Theodore Nott, aren't you?"

The question was light, almost sounding like an afterthought, but Ophelia felt her fingers tighten slightly around the delicate handle of her teacup. The last thing she had imagined was that this girl would bring out Theodore to the conversation of all things. She forced her polite smile to remain in her face but she felt it stiffen.

"I am." She hoped that by giving her a short, curt answer, the girl would notice and consider the matter finished, but she was asking too much.

Livia's smile only widened. "What's he like?"

Of all things that Ophelia thought would come out of her mouth, this was never an option. What was he like? Was she supposed to tell her the truth, or lie? She could feel the slight frown above her eyes and the expectant look in the girl's face so she blurted out the first thing that popped in her mind.