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 something about the weekend trips to Hogsmeade and Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop. "It's very famous, believe me. You will love it. Actually, you should invite me, since I am a girl, but this time I will be merciful and take you. Next time you must be a true gentleman and invite me," 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 compliment. Her gaze lingered on Eira a fraction too long, as if trying to measure what kind of place this Slytherin girl held in his life.
If the girl meant to be hostile, it did not land that way. There was something 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 met 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 name Miss?" she asked.
The girl looked surprised. "You do not know me?"
"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 embarrassment there, yes, but also a fragility—a worry that someone 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 shame 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 come to the Great Hall."
Cho hesitated, then offered Eira a guarded look and hurried away, calling back over her shoulder, "Hurry up and come back! Lunch time 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 seemed very close. I hear you spend a great deal of time together in recent weeks in the library."
Isaac's brows drew together. "And what of it? Do you go around stalking me? Miss White, I never thought you'd be that kind of person."
Eira's voice went cold and steady. "Do not make me out to be some 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 comes to someone I care about, Isaac. Do you understand
Isaac blinked, then gave a small, uneasy smile that somehow made him seem younger than his years. His hands twitched slightly at his sides as he spoke. "Eira, you have to believe me. Hermione and I are just friends. We enjoy the same books, the same theories, and sometimes we exchange notes. We spend a lot of time 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 moment before meeting 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 me?" 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 mean it. Nothing will happen, I swear on Merlin'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 embarrassment, she added, "You may go."
Isaac exhaled and shook his head, half in amusement, 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 something 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.