The Letter That Wasn't Meant
Platform Nine and Three-Quarters was bursting with noise.
Owls hooted indignantly from their cages, trunks banged against the platform stones, and clouds of steam drifted from the scarlet engine of the Hogwarts Express as students hurried toward the carriages.
Callidora Nott stepped onto the platform beside her father.
Cantankerus Nott walked next to her in silence, his long black coat sweeping the ground behind him like a shadow.
Calli kept her eyes forward.
She had learned over the summer that silence was safer.
Unfortunately, the crowd had other plans.
"Cantankerus! A pleasure to see you again."
A tall wizard with sleek silver hair approached them, bowing his head slightly in greeting.
Cantankerus's expression softened immediately.
"Ah, Lord Rosendale. Preparing your son for another successful year in Slytherin, I assume?"
"Of course." The man said proudly. "Though I suspect he has much to learn from your daughter. I hear she performed quite impressively during her first year."
Calli shifted uncomfortably.
Another pair of witches joined the conversation moments later, both dressed in elegant dark robes trimmed with emerald.
"Mr. Nott, we were just saying how refreshing it is to see a family still committed to the proper traditions."
"Yes." The other added approvingly. "The younger generation needs strong examples."
Calli felt her stomach twist.
They spoke about her as if she weren't standing there.
Cantankerus nodded slightly, clearly pleased with the attention.
"My daughter understands the importance of heritage." He said calmly.
Calli stared at the platform stones.
She wondered what they would say if they knew she spent most of her school year laughing with the Weasley family.
"Callidora." her father said sharply.
She looked up.
"You may board the train."
Calli didn't need to be told twice.
She grabbed her trunk and hurried away.
Behind her, the pure-blood parents continued praising Cantankerus Nott as though he were some sort of distinguished hero.
The further she walked, the lighter the air seemed to feel.
Near the middle of the platform she paused briefly to adjust her grip on her trunk.
A few steps away, a tall boy from her year was helping a younger student lift a heavy suitcase into the train.
"Careful." He said kindly. "It's heavier than it looks."
The younger boy laughed nervously.
"Thanks, Cedric!"
The older boy smiled and stepped aside.
For a moment his grey eyes met Calli's.
He gave her a polite nod before returning to help another student.
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...
