"I have always valued your thoughts, Char. Don't discount yourself simply because you've decided to hide yourself away in a golden cage."

She turned sharply at that remark, her gaze arresting his own as she found her heart clearly lodged in her throat. That he may have been close to the truth alluded her, instead she could only focus that he had no right whatsoever to make such an attack on her, especially not when she had been the one to ask to see him. Especially not after all that time. Especially not when she was finding it increasingly difficult to stay away from him.

"Where do you get off with that?" she asked tightly, moving towards him with every intention to put him in his place. Forgotten was her cool exterior, her attempt at nothing more that gave him insight into who she was. Nearing him with her eyes narrowed on his own, she began, "When I've invited you, when I've extended myself to see you, when I'm the one that put myself out there-"

Before she could say anything more, the doors opened for a genteel older couple. The man was dressed immaculately in the finest of robes, and his air was of successful leisure, his silver spectacles set in his breast pocket, while the lady at his side was a sight to behold. Her silvery-white hair was piled atop her head elegantly, and her shimmery robes did everything to emphasize how much care she took in her appearance, even in her own home.

"Darling Charlotte, do introduce us to your guest," said her mother, her voice drifting as she neared the two, her hand held out properly as her smile sweetened.

"We've got a bit before the Callaway's suggested on their invitation," explained her father gruffly, accepting a cup of tea with a nod when his wife held it out to him. "Not intruding, I presume?"

"Of course not," Charlotte breathed with a wavering smile, forced as it was. Her fingers wrung together before she was introducing, "Leathan Collier, I'd like you to meet my parents, Donovan and Audrey. Father, Leathan's an Auror."

"How respectable," was the reply, and a nod of approval followed it shortly. Distractedly, he continued while perusing the Daily Prophet, "How are things, my boy? Dreaful state we've found ourselves in, no?"

"Oh, politics, politics, politics," mused Charlotte's mother with a light laugh, "It's all anyone speaks of now."