Callidora ☆ Fred Weasley

[chapter 63]

Portable Swamp, Open with Caution

Callidora had stopped expecting anything good from her time at Nott Manor years ago.

The house felt colder every summer she returned.

Her father, Cantankerus Nott, seemed to grow harsher with time, more distant, more severe. Conversations were rarely conversations at all. Mostly they were instructions.

Her brother, Theodore Nott, followed him everywhere now. Watching. Listening. Learning.

Sometimes, when Theo repeated one of their father's phrases word for word, Calli felt a quiet chill crawl down her spine.

She tried not to think about it too much.

There were other things to think about.

Like the Quidditch World Cup.

The final would take place on August 18.

And somehow she had to ask her father if she could go.

The idea of bringing it up made her stomach twist.

At least he had been pleased with one thing.

Her Ordinary Wizarding Levels results.

Every subject marked Outstanding.

He had nodded once when the owl delivered the results.

"Acceptable." He had said. "Don't wait for a congratulations. This was expected from you."

It was the closest thing to praise she had received in years.

She knew she would receive letters from her friends soon, about their own results. 

Lucy's letter had come first; three pages of chaotic excitement written in slanted ink that looked like she had been pacing while writing.

I KNEW IT, the letter had begun triumphantly.

Lucy had indeed received one Outstanding.

In Divination.

She had underlined the word three times.

Clearly my natural brilliance has finally been recognized, she had written proudly.

Stella's letter had arrived the following morning, much neater and considerably calmer.

She had done nearly perfectly as well, mostly Outstandings and a couple of Exceeds Expectations.

At the bottom of Lucy's envelope, however, there had been an additional small piece of parchment, scrawled in different handwriting.

Actually, two different handwritings fighting for space.

Fred and George had written to Lucy so she could pass the news along.

Apparently they had assumed Calli would be curious.

They were absolutely correct.

The twins had both received Exceeds Expectations in Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Fred, however, had earned an Outstanding in Charms.

Lucy had added a commentary underneath.

Personally I believe this is only because he spent half the year glued to your side during study sessions.

Calli had rolled her eyes when she read that.

But she hadn't stopped smiling.

She could picture him perfectly.