As Poppy scanned the small group that was gathering in the drawing room, she failed to spot her friend’s familiar facade. She could hear Ms. Twiglett’s screech even from the next room and she flinched, feeling a growing sense of pity and empathy for the poor man that had bothered to try and aid her. What a horrible woman, the brunette thought ungraciously to herself. It took much for Poppy to grow to dislike anyone, but Ms. Corazina Twiglett had certainly managed it between her rude behavior at Hogwarts and then harassing all, not one, but all, of Poppy’s dearly beloved male cousins and friends. (If she held extra rancor at the idea of the woman even speaking to Mr. Lestrange, well, that was her own business.) Deciding to intrude upon Atticus and Anthony’s conversation instead, Poppy had just determined to make a move when an unfamiliar voice surprised her in its address. It was enticing and low, unlike anything she’d quite heard before. Turning to find an equally handsome visage to accompany it, Poppy felt her cheeks warm a touch as a surprised little ‘oh’ escaped her. She turned to face the gentleman and recognized him as the poor sod that had dared to help that ungrateful— Smoothing her dress and trying to keep her thoughts genteel, Poppy offered him a demure little smile. “Thank you,” she replied. “No, I was quite safe from the whole spectacle. I was coming down the staircase when it happened.”
Appraising the gentleman, Poppy wondered if she ought to offer further commentary. On the one hand she wanted to apologize to him for his terrible experience, but on the other she really had no reason to. It wasn’t like she was the one who’d made a spectacle and then yowled at him. Still, it felt rude not to address it. “I’m sorry you experienced that,” she offered quietly. As her eye caught then on the small stain that had blossomed forth on the gentleman’s attire, she decided it was as good a talking point as any. “Your tie seems to have made out worse for wear. I’m sure we could find a way to get it out, if you’d like?”
© Fox