Aurora hadn't been her usual self, lately. In fact, she had been a self that very few people had seen before, all of whom were now dead. In fact, she had been frightening some of her students lately, which was very different.
Still the sight of Barty, far from her usual reaction of making her melt, made her eyes flash, and the sharp intake of breath helped along slightly by the rough brocade of her corset, with it's sharp steel boning that pricked her now and then. "Mr. Minister." She said coolly, turning in her chair, her long, slit skirt running up the length of her leg as she crossed her feet. "How nice of you to come see me. To what occasion do I owe the honour?"
The words were sharp, sharper than she had ever used with Barty, but these past few months had been incredibly trying, and were made even moreso from his lack of attention. the necklace had felt like a bribe, like a carrot dangling on a string in front of her, when he didn't even deliver it personally.