@greengrcss
It was a requirement that Althea spend some time with Miriam frequently enough to consider each other friends. The development of a something passing as friendship with the younger girl was a bonus. She did enjoy her company, a fellow political child to understand her motives. That didn’t change the fact that they had to keeps things relatively superficial. There was a risk that getting to know one another too well would mean finding out things they didn’t like about the other and that would spoil the relationship. Staying on good terms was key to grooming an alliance between the Greengrass and Zabini family. Althea would not be the one to ruin it. Perhaps one day they would reach a place where they could move into a more real friendship, but today was not that day. Today was saccharine smiles and generic greetings. The seat beside her was offered to Miriam. “I hope you had lovely summer, and are settling back into school well. Tell me what is new with you.”