Hours later, the Hogwarts Express rattled through the darkening countryside as Hogsmeade drew closer.
Their compartment door was shut.
A Muffliato hummed around them.
And Stella Addington had apparently exhausted her lifetime supply of restraint.
"He said what?"
Calli sat opposite her with her legs tucked beneath her.
Lucy had gone completely still beside Stella.
"My father informed me over breakfast that he'll arrange the marriage after I finish Hogwarts."
Stella swore.
Calli blinked.
Lucy slowly turned towards her.
Stella swore again.
Calli's eyebrows rose.
"I don't think I've ever heard you say that word."
"Neither have I." Lucy said, sounding impressed.
"Well, I've never needed it this badly before!"
Stella threw down the book she'd been holding.
Calli leaned her head against the window.
"Apparently he finds me sufficiently decorative."
Lucy's expression soured.
"Oh, lovely."
"That's not even the worst part."
Calli hesitated.
She hadn't wanted to tell them this.
Not because she didn't trust them.
Because saying it out loud somehow made it more real.
"I looked into his mind."
Both girls immediately went quiet.
Stella spoke first.
"What did you see?"
Calli swallowed.
"Enough."
She looked back towards the window.
Her reflection stared at her.
"He and Father had already discussed it before Father introduced us."
Lucy muttered something particularly inventive beneath her breath.
"And Corvus agreed?"
"Enthusiastically."
Calli's mouth twisted.
"He liked the arrangement. The family connection. My name." She paused. "Me."
Stella understood immediately.
"He kept looking at me like..." She stopped. "Like I'd already been handed to him."
The compartment fell silent.
"He spoke about our future. As if I'd already agreed."
She laughed once.
Without humour.
Stella reached across the compartment and took one of Calli's hands.
"What happened after?"
Calli stared at their joined hands.
"He followed me onto the balcony."
Neither Lucy nor Stella interrupted.
"He told me arranged marriages were just part of growing up in families like ours."
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...
