Callidora ☆ Fred Weasley

[chapter 96]

Valentine's

With the end of January, the morning of the second Hogsmeade visit was upon them.

The usual chaos unfolded in the Entrance Hall; students piling out, laughter, plans being shouted over one another.

Calli stood off to the side.

"I'm fine." She repeated for the fifth time.

Fred frowned at her.

"You don't want to come?"

"I've got things to do." She said lightly.

Lucy narrowed her eyes.

"Suspicious."

"It's not." Calli replied smoothly.

Stella watched her for a second longer then nodded.

"Alright."

Fred hesitated.

Then pointed at her.

"I'm bringing you back a licorice wand."

Calli smirked faintly.

"Don't eat it on the way."

"No promises."

He lingered a second longer, and let himself be dragged away with the others.

Calli watched them go.

The forest was quieter than the castle.

Familiar.

Safe, in its own way.

Calli didn't hesitate.

Magic slipped over her like second nature and moments later, a Thestral moved silently between the trees.

She trotted through the undergrowth, the cold air sharper here, until she reached them.

The herd.

They greeted her easily.

No fear.

No hesitation.

She stayed for a while, just existing, just being, before finally pulling away, retracing her steps.

By the time she returned to the edge of the Black Lake, she was human again.

Calm.

Composed.

"Your blood traitor friends got bored of you?"

The voice cut through the quiet.

Calli didn't flinch.

She turned.

Theo stood near the water's edge, hands in his pockets, gaze fixed on the Durmstrang ship.

"Nice to see you too, brother." She replied, the word deliberate.

Theo shrugged slightly.

"I thought I didn't exist in your eyes." Calli continued.

Theo didn't answer.

She turned to walk past him.

"I could've told him, you know."

She stopped.

Theo didn't look at her.

"About you and Weasley." He added.

Calli's jaw tightened faintly.

"Wow. How gracious of you."

Silence stretched between them.