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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The Quadriwizard Tournament?
By the Halloween feast that evening, Fred and George were, thankfully, back to their normal, clean-shaven selves.
That didn't stop Calli.
"Oh, don't worry." She was saying sweetly as they walked toward the Great Hall. "I thought the beards really suited you. Very distinguished. Very ancient."
Fred scoffed.
"You're just jealous you couldn't grow one."
George nodded solemnly.
"Tragic, really."
Calli snorted.
"I told you it wouldn't work."
"And yet," Fred said, pushing open the doors, "we remain pioneers of magical experimentation."
"Martyrs." George corrected.
"Idiots." Calli shot back.
They split at the entrance, heading toward their respective house tables.
Calli slid into her seat between Lucy and Stella just as the Hall filled with the usual pre-feast buzz.
Almost immediately, Lucy launched into a story about something entirely unrelated.
Then Stella countered with something else.
Then Lucy again.
Calli caught on quickly.
They were doing it on purpose.
Keeping the conversation moving fast so Grozdan wouldn't have an opening.
Sure enough, across from them, Grozdan Petkov sat listening, polite smile in place, waiting for a gap that never came.
Calli kept her expression neutral, though a small part of her appreciated the effort.
Unfortunately, Lucy made a fatal mistake.
"So anyway Quidditch-"
Grozdan lit up instantly.
"You like Quidditch?" He asked, leaning forward slightly.
Lucy froze for half a second.
"You like Quidditch?" She asked hoping for a no.
"Yes." He continued smoothly. "I am a Chaser for Durmstrang."
"Well..." Lucy said, recovering quickly. "That's too bad, we don't-"
"I'm a Chaser too." Graham Montague cut in loudly from further down the table.
Calli closed her eyes briefly.
"And Calli's our Beater." Montague added, as if he'd just offered groundbreaking information.
