Verity could feel the tension carefully hidden behind layers of concern and false paitence as they walked through the village. She hated how slow she moved these days herself and she didn't feel right making Theo walk at her pace either. These were the things she focused on to keep her mind off of everything else.
She was strong. She knew she was strong, even if others, many of which would be at this meeting, didn't know that- didn't believe that. She knew and Theo knew and that had to be enough. The Healer had said she was the only thing the twins had and as lonely as that sounded she needed to keep her focus on him. And being strong she'd dealt with worse than this before. Perhaps she hadn't dealt with it exceedingly well- running of to Paris and poverty wasn't exactly ideal conditions, but she'd dealt and she'd survived and this time she had Theo.
All of these things were practically a mantra to her as she made her slow pace through the streets of Hogsmeade, collecting herself as best she could which she had to admit, was impressive for even herself. Sure those who had known her the longest would probably be able to tell that something was wrong, but the depth to which she was falling apart wouldn't be apparent at all, that much she was confident of.
When they walked into the club, her focus left her husband and troubles completely and she alerted herself to her surroundings and went back to musing on what exactly Draco was up to. She knew that it had to be some sort of symptom of her pregnancy that she'd been feeling- civil at best, almost affectionate at worse toward the man.
She surveyed the room and for a quick sharp instant her careful mask cracked and the breath was knocked out of her. She saw the shocks of red that littered the room and immedeately was slammed back to thoughts of George, thoughts of Monty, and hopelessness. But she hadn't seen her ex and she consoled herself that he wouldn't be here- after all, he hated Draco, right? The small voice that whispered to her about Draco's connection to Parvati was quickly strangled for her peice of mind.
Theo's soft address of her was meant well but she had no place for such things, the girl he was catering to was locked well enough away- she hoped. "Theo," she said both firmly and warningly, "I am fine. I said I would allow you to take care of me, but I do not need a keeper. I'm amongst friends, right?" her smile and tone held a note of irony, this was a group that she could trust to both support and destroy her and they both knew it. They were Slytherins, this was life, and it was something she was taking comfort in.