Callidora ☆ Fred Weasley

[chapter 162]

Fred stole one last quick peck to Calli's cheek before jogging backwards down the corridor.

"I've got to find George before he inevitably gets us both detention."

"You mean before you both get detention."

"Technicality."

Calli smiled despite herself.

"I'll see you later."

"You'd better."

He winked, turned on his heel and disappeared around the corner, already calling for Lee somewhere further down the corridor.

Calli watched him go, still smiling.

"You've become careless."

The smile disappeared immediately.

She turned.

Theo was leaning against one of the stone pillars several yards away, arms folded neatly across his chest.

She hadn't even noticed him standing there.

"How long have you been there?"

"Long enough."

His expression remained as unreadable as ever.

Calli sighed.

"If you're about to lecture me-"

"I'm not."

"Good."

"I simply didn't think you'd be so... reckless."

Theo pushed himself away from the pillar.

"It makes no difference to me."

He really meant it.

That almost made it worse.

Calli searched his face for some sign of annoyance.

Concern.

Anything.

There was nothing.

Just the same detached calm he'd perfected over the years.

"You don't care?"

Theo shrugged once.

"What you do at school is your business."

Calli frowned.

"That's surprisingly generous."

"It isn't generosity."

He met her eyes.

"It's irrelevance."

The word landed like ice.

"You'll leave Hogwarts."

His voice remained perfectly level.

"You'll come home."

Calli's jaw tightened.

"Our father will decide what happens after that."

She stared at him.

"You really believe that?"

"I know him."

"So do I."

Theo tilted his head slightly.

"Then you know he'll always get what he wants."

Silence settled between them.

Calli hated how certain he sounded.

How resigned.

As though their futures had already been written years ago.