For a moment Poppy wondered if she’d overstepped in being so open about Atticus’ faults with Ms. Malfoy. She hadn’t meant to cast him in a negative light, but the poor lady might as well know the truth before she got in too deep! Luckily they seemed to recover and Poppy let out a small, relieved breath. She nodded as Ms. Malfoy said she’d be delighted to meet them, both Atticus and Merlin. At her next statement however, Poppy’s mouth dropped open into a little ’oh’ of surprise.

“Of course I do!” She replied, almost too eagerly, too quickly. Blushing, the brunette looked down at the table and attempted to school her features. “That is,” she tried again, looking back up. “I do very much approve of you, Ms. Malfoy,” she said delicately. “Atticus would be silly to look past all your virtues and…” she hesitated a moment, glancing again at the napkin in her lap. “Well, I do hope we can be friends, after all this.” Poppy offered the blonde a warm, genuine little smile and picked up her teacup.

“On the chance he turns out to be an idiot, my cousin, at least we will have gained something,” she teased gently. And, unfortunately, the chances were high to that end; higher than Poppy cared to admit. She knew her cousin better than anyone but she was not blind to his… idiosyncrasies.

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