Their last breakfast at Nott Manor should have felt like freedom.
Her trunk was packed.
Everything she needed was upstairs.
In a matter of hours, she and Theo would be back at Hogwarts.
Back behind the castle wards.
Back with Fred, George, Lucy and Stella.
Back somewhere she could breathe.
She had almost allowed herself to relax.
Then her father folded his newspaper.
"We will proceed with the Lestrange arrangement once you have finished Hogwarts."
Calli's fork stopped halfway to her mouth.
For once, even Theo looked interested.
"The ceremony will be held here."
Cantankerus buttered another piece of toast as though discussing renovations to the Manor rather than his daughter's future.
Calli slowly lowered her fork.
Her left hand disappeared beneath the table.
It was shaking again.
She closed it into a fist.
Without warning, her father's words from only two nights ago resurfaced.
She understood her responsibilities.
She gave this family two strong children.
Nothing more.
Not wife.
Not companion.
Not the woman he'd supposedly chosen to spend his life with.
Simply a means to continue the Nott bloodline.
Apparently Callidora's purpose would be no different.
She stared silently at the untouched food on her plate.
Corvus's face drifted into her mind.
His hand enclosing hers.
His lips brushing across her knuckles.
You'll make a wonderful Lady Lestrange.
Perhaps before the wedding...
The way he'd stepped closer.
The way he'd tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear as though he already had the right.
The certainty in his mind that she already belonged to him.
Calli fought the urge to scrub the back of her hand against her robes.
Theo's eyes settled on her.
She could feel him watching.
Then, with the faintest trace of amusement, he spoke.
"Callidora Lestrange does have a nice ring to it, doesn't it, Father?"
Calli's nails dug painfully into her palm beneath the table.
Cantankerus looked towards his son.
"Callidora Nott-Lestrange."
His correction came immediately.
"Our name is superior."
Theo inclined his head.
"Of course."
Even while discussing the marriage, Cantankerus refused to let the Nott name come second.
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...
