Callidora 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...
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Licorice Wands
The scarlet Hogwarts Express rattled steadily south toward London.
The compartment door was half open to let the warm summer air drift in.
On the small fold down table, a deck of Exploding Snap cards snapped and sparked between Lucy Winterbourne and George Weasley.
"Ha!" Lucy declared triumphantly.
She slapped down a card.
The pile exploded with a small pop of sparks.
George jerked his hands back.
"That one was suspiciously timed."
Lucy leaned back smugly.
"Skill."
Across from them, Stella Addington sat with one leg crossed over the other, calmly reading a book as if the occasional popping cards weren't happening at all.
On the seat beside her, Callidora Nott watched the game with quiet amusement.
Their Ordinary Wizarding Levels results wouldn't arrive until mid-July by owl post.
Which meant, naturally, that everyone had spent the last hour speculating wildly.
Lucy had been the most dramatic about it.
"If I fail everything," She had announced earlier, "I'm moving to France and starting a mysterious new life."
"You'll be back in three days." George had replied.
Lucy ignored him now as another Exploding Snap card popped loudly.
"Well," She said, pointing a finger at Calli, "she's getting all Outstandings."
Calli groaned.
"Lucy."
"It's obvious." Lucy continued, waving a hand. "You're annoyingly good at everything."
Stella looked up from her book.
"I would estimate mostly Outstandings." She said calmly.
Calli buried her face in her hands.
"Please stop discussing my hypothetical academic dominance."
Lucy turned dramatically toward Stella.
"You, on the other hand, are getting a terrifying mix of Outstandings and Exceeds Expectations."
Stella shrugged slightly.
"That seems statistically likely."
Lucy placed a hand over her chest.
"I, meanwhile, am proud to predict my one guaranteed Outstanding."
