The First Summer Gathering
The Nott manor was quieter than usual that evening.
Not peaceful.
Prepared.
Candles floated through the entrance hall, casting soft green light across the marble floor. Long tables had been arranged in the drawing room, filled with crystal glasses and silver trays of food.
Calli stood near the staircase railing, watching silently as guests arrived.
Expensive robes and polished manners hiding sharp opinions.
Old family crests.
Soft conversations filled with careful politeness.
These were the people her father called friends.
At the far side of the room, Lucrecia Winterbourne stood beside her parents, clearly looking just as unimpressed with the gathering as Callidora Nott felt.
Lucy caught Calli's eye across the room and mouthed dramatically.
Kill me.
Calli barely suppressed a smile.
Lucy's parents were speaking politely with Cantankerus Nott, though Lucy herself had retreated toward the edge of the room.
Across the room, Theo Nott was speaking comfortably with Draco Malfoy.
Beside them stood two larger boys, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle.
Draco was smirking about something.
Theo actually looked relaxed.
"-Potter's face was priceless," Draco was saying.
Theo chuckled.
Crabbe and Goyle laughed loudly.
Calli rolled her eyes slightly.
They looked like they were having the time of their lives.
Lucky them.
Calli rolled her eyes and drifted toward Lucy.
"You survived the introductions." Lucy muttered as Calli reached her.
"Barely."
Lucy leaned closer.
"Your father has been bragging about you all evening."
Calli sighed.
"He told me I'd be doing a demonstration."
Lucy groaned.
"Please tell me it's not another three hour lecture about bloodlines."
"No." Calli said quietly.
"Dueling."
Lucy brightened instantly.
"Oh good. That I'd actually watch."
Their conversation stopped as another guest entered the room.
Tall.
Black robes.
Expression unreadable.
Severus Snape stepped quietly into the room.
Calli straightened instinctively.
Lucy followed her gaze.
"Oh brilliant." Lucy muttered. "Slimy git."
Calli elbowed her.
Snape approached the adults quietly and exchanged a few brief words with Cantankerus.
YOU ARE READING
Callidora ☆ Fred Weasley
FanfictionCallidora Nott has always known exactly what is expected of her. As the daughter of one of Britain's oldest pure-blood families, her future has already been carefully planned; alliances, power, and a life shaped by tradition she never chose. At home...
