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She was the last of the girls in the dorm to receive courting flowers this season. But the small bouquet of Orchid, Camellia and Pink Roses that she had anonymously received, as was the tradition, had been placed in the vase in the nook beside her bed. There was no real surprise that she had been the last after all Peter had no choice but to cast her of the family after the spark rejected her.
Part of her had been relived when it happened, even if the loss of her family bonds had almost been crippling, in truth, she had known that she wasn’t a suitable Heir Presumptive. Her place in the Hale family magic had not been strong enough for her to have been able to take on the mantel of Matriarch. And that the former Lady Talia Hale had tried to force the situation had made her physically sick.
It was the best thing that could have happened to the Hale Family that Scion Hale had become Spark Guardian for his firstborn daughter. It proved that mother magic still favoured them. And that his betrothed Lady Stilinski had been successful in her petition to mother magic had proved it further.
She was happy for them, it was as it should have been if her mother had not interfered.
Even though she was nameless she was treated well at Durmstrang, having the support of Lord Black helped, of course. And the promise of the Black family protection if not the family name in the future was helping to restore her reputation.
Stepping out of the common room she was greeted by a click of heels and a bow that wasn’t quite that of a gentleman to a lady but perfectly correct for the situation and nothing that could be considered an insult as was her curtsy in return.
“Miss Laura if I could escort you to class?”
“Of course.” To refuse would have been seen as demonstratively rude and unforgivable something she could little afford. But Master Georgi Sechkov, one of Lord Vicktor Krum’s vassals, had always been unfailingly polite to her and kind in word and deed. She was more than happy to take his arm as they walked to class.
It would be best that she sent an owl to Lord Black this evening before any gossip could reach him. But a bouquet of flowers telling her that she was appreciated, admired and of a rare beauty and the arm of one of Lord Krum’s vassals were a perfect way to start the day.