As Eira drew nearer she saw the figure standing beneath the arched window, talking with an unfamiliar girl. She was small and pale, with dark hair pinned back, and Eira recognised the crest on her robe before she heard the words—Ravenclaw. The girl was saying sothing about the weekend trips to Hogsade and Madam Puddifoot’s Tea Shop. "It’s very famous, believe . You will love it. Actually, you should invite , since I am a girl, but this ti I will be rciful and take you. Next ti you must be a true gentleman and invite ," she teased.
Isaac smiled awkwardly. "Okay. I promise I will."
Eira stepped forward and inclined her head to the girl. "Good afternoon."
The girl glanced up, then at Isaac, her smile tugging at the corners but not quite reaching her eyes. "I didn’t realise you’d already made other friends... and such a well-known one, too," she said lightly, though the lilt in her voice carried more question than complint. Her gaze lingered on Eira a fraction too long, as if trying to asure what kind of place this Slytherin girl held in his life.
If the girl ant to be hostile, it did not land that way. There was sothing in her voice not of malice but of sharp protectiveness, as if Eira’s presence made her suddenly anxious. Eira smiled, patient. "If you will excuse us, I need a word with Mr. Rowen."
The girl’s cheeks coloured and she bristled slightly. "I would rather stay. I do not like being left out."
Eira t her tone with calm firmness. "I understand, but this will be brief. When we are done you will have him back."
The girl’s fingers tightened around her book. " He does not trust Slytherins," she admitted, softer now. "He is new here. I have only just started to get to know him."
That last sentence made Eira’s patience thin, but she kept the needle of her temper where it belonged. She stepped close enough for only Isaac to hear. "What is your na Miss?" she asked.
The girl looked surprised. "You do not know ?"
"I do not concern myself with everyone who crosses my path," Eira said simply.
The girl’s mouth pressed into a line. "Cho Chang. Fifth year. Ravenclaw seeker."
Eira nodded. Cho’s eyes flicked to Isaac and back again. There was embarrassnt there, yes, but also a fragility—a worry that soone else might take what she had only just begun to build.
Eira let the sharper edge drain from her voice. "Listen, Cho. I have no interest in quarrels. If you are worried about Isaac, be honest with him. If you are jealous or afraid I might steal your crush, there is no sha in admitting it that you like him, and also I will not take him from you."
Cho blinked. "I am not jealous or anything of those sorts."
"Then trust him in public. Or speak to him in private if you do not." Eira’s tone was cool but not cruel. "Either way, I have a concern about his association with a friend of mine."
Cho’s shoulders relaxed the smallest fraction. "I have no wish to cause trouble."
Isaac intervened before anything else could escalate. "Girls, please. Let us be reasonable." He put up his hands in mock surrender and then said to Cho, "Go on, Cho. I’ll talk with Miss White, and after hearing her, I’ll co to the Great Hall."
Cho hesitated, then offered Eira a guarded look and hurried away, calling back over her shoulder, "Hurry up and co back! Lunch ti will finish soon and the food will get cold."
When the two of them were alone, Isaac folded back into his easy smile. "So, Miss White. How can I help you?"
Eira said, "Let’s talk outside—there are too many students coming and going in here."
Isaac grinned, extending his hand dramatically toward the walkway. "After you, my lady."
Eira rolled her eyes but stepped forward, and he followed her closely.
They walked into the courtyard, the castle’s stone cool beneath their feet. Isaac kept his gaze fixed on the fountain while Eira watched him with an expression so chill it was almost a smile. "What is your relationship with Hermione Granger?" she asked.
Isaac’s smile faltered. "Why do you ask?"
Eira’s eyes were level. "Yesterday I saw you in the library with her. You seed very close. I hear you spend a great deal of ti together in recent weeks in the library."
Isaac’s brows drew together. "And what of it? Do you go around stalking ? Miss White, I never thought you’d be that kind of person."
Eira’s voice went cold and steady. "Do not make out to be so lowly stalker, Isaac. Hermione is a friend, and I saw you with her. She’s innocent. I don’t know what you’re scheming by getting close to her—but know this: if you ever hurt her, if I even hear that you’ve made her sad or used her in your petty politics, I promise you, I will send your lifeless body straight to your grandfather. I do not joke when it cos to soone I care about, Isaac. Do you understand
Isaac blinked, then gave a small, uneasy smile that sohow made him seem younger than his years. His hands twitched slightly at his sides as he spoke. "Eira, you have to believe . Hermione and I are just friends. We enjoy the sa books, the sa theories, and sotis we exchange notes. We spend a lot of ti in the library because we like discussing things together. There is nothing more to it, I promise. Calm down. We are nothing more than friends. I swear it."
His voice wavered slightly, betraying the tension he was trying to hide, and he avoided her gaze for a mont before eting her eyes again.
Eira’s eyes narrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Isaac, I don’t care what you think is harmless. I see what I see. One wrong move, one slip, and I will not hesitate. Do you understand ?" Her voice was low, steady, and cold enough to make even him take a small step back.
Isaac nodded quickly, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Understood, Eira. I an it. Nothing will happen, I swear on rlin’s soul."
"Good." Eira’s words were ice and warning both. She softened only a degree. "And as for the girl who followed us, do not lead her on. It is cruel to give false hopes." Then, with a tilt of her chin toward the bushes where Cho was hiding her embarrassnt, she added, "You may go."
Isaac exhaled and shook his head, half in amusent, half in relief. He crossed the grass to where Cho stood with her hands fidgeting at the hem of her cloak. She muttered that she had followed because she was afraid sothing ill would happen, and Isaac took her hand and thanked her.
Eira watched them from where they stood until a familiar voice cut across the courtyard. "Eira, since when have you started to talk to that boy?" She turned and saw Fleur a little way off, arms folded and eyes narrowed as if she had caught Eira cheating on her.
Eira found she could only smile. The matter was settled for now, but the jealousy look on Fleur’s face promised a conversation she would not be allowed to forget.
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