Hermione seemed to realise everyone was waiting for someone to begin.
"Er..."
Her cheeks turned faintly pink.
"Well, er... hi."
Nobody answered.
Hermione somehow went even pinker.
Fred leaned towards Calli.
"Strong opening." He whispered.
Calli elbowed him gently without taking her eyes off Hermione.
Hermione cleared her throat.
"Well... thank you for coming."
Another uncomfortable silence.
Calli could practically see Harry wishing the floor would swallow him.
Hermione continued, explaining that everyone knew why they were there. Umbridge wasn't teaching them practical Defence, and with everything happening outside Hogwarts, they needed to know how to protect themselves. The Ministry might insist there was nothing to worry about, but there were people in the room who knew differently.
That shifted the atmosphere.
The amusement disappeared.
Calli felt Fred's knee press lightly against hers beneath the table.
Hermione looked towards Harry.
"Because Lord Voldemort is back."
The reaction was immediate and entirely predictable.
A Ravenclaw girl gave a frightened little shriek. Someone near the back yelped. Several people visibly shuddered, and Calli watched more than one student glance instinctively towards the grimy windows as though Voldemort himself might appear outside simply because Hermione had spoken his name.
Fred didn't move beside her.
Neither did George.
Calli took another sip of her Butterbeer.
At least Hermione had said it.
No euphemisms.
No pretending.
"Well, that's the plan, anyway." Hermione continued, raising her voice slightly over the nervous whispers that had broken out. "If you want to join us, we need to decide how we're going to-"
"Where's the proof You-Know-Who's back?"
The whispers stopped.
Calli turned towards the speaker.
One of the Hufflepuff Quidditch players she'd noticed entering ahead of them was sitting with his arms folded, his expression far more confrontational than curious.
Zacharias Smith.
Calli recognised him now.
Hermione frowned.
"Well, Dumbledore believes it-"
"You mean Dumbledore believes him."
Smith nodded towards Harry.
Calli felt Fred shift beside her.
Ron was quicker.
"Who are you?" He demanded rather rudely.
The Hufflepuff looked affronted.
"Zacharias Smith."
"Right." Ron muttered.
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...
