After observing the dragons at the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest, Eira bid farewell to Emma, who was returning to the Manor, having completed her task of supervising the dragons' arrival in Scotland at Hogwarts. Once their parting words were exchanged, Eira made her way back to the castle.
The morning light filtered softly through the frosted windows of the Great Hall, pale and muted against the cold November air. Winter was beginning to sink its teeth into Scotland, and although snow had not yet fallen, a damp chill lingered in every breath. Eira settled at the Slytherin table and enjoyed a hearty breakfast, the warmth and lively chatter of the students in the hall offering a gentle start to the day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Slytherin common room was nearly deserted when she entered. Most of the house was already buzzing with excitement for Hogsmeade, voices echoing faintly off the stone walls as students rushed out with scarves, hats, and pockets jangling with Galleons. Eira took her time. She crossed to her dormitory, exchanged her robes for a dark wool dress, a fitted winter coat, and gloves lined with soft fur. The weather demanded layers, and she didn't want to be shivering while Fleur inevitably tried to parade her around the village.
By the time she stepped outside, clusters of students were already hurrying up the path to Hogsmeade. Some walked in groups, others in pairs, their laughter carried on the cold air. Eira tucked her scarf tighter around her neck and turned not toward the gates but to the edge of the grounds, where the sleek blue-and-silver Beauxbatons carriage rested near the forest.
Fleur was waiting.
Bundled in a pale blue winter coat with a fur collar, she looked every inch like she had been cut out of a fashion magazine, her silvery-blonde hair gleaming even in the dim sun. She spotted Eira at once and her lips curved into that teasing, knowing smile.
"Enfin," Fleur breathed, stepping forward. She caught Eira's gloved hand and pressed it firmly against her chest, over her heart. "Let us go on a date today, mon amour. It has been far too long since I had you all to myself."
Eira laughed softly, a flush creeping into her cheeks at Fleur's unabashed declaration. "A date, is it? I thought it was just a visit to the village."
"Non," Fleur said, her voice a low, sultry whisper. "It is a date. And today, I will not share you with anyone. Not with Gabrielle, not with your English friends, not even with your books." She gave Eira's hand a squeeze, her eyes glinting. "Only me."
With that, she linked their arms and began to lead her toward the main gates, heels clicking smartly against the path.
Students streamed past them in every direction. Viktor Krum strode ahead with his broad, slightly slouching gait, the kind that somehow made him look both relaxed and impossibly commanding at once. Igor Karkaroff lingered behind him, hovering a little too close for comfort, his sharp eyes following every step Krum took.
Behind them, a cluster of girls whispered and giggled, craning their necks to catch glimpses of the Bulgarian Seeker.
"Did you see his jawline?" one whispered, elbowing her friend with a sly smile. "Absolutely perfect. I could cut diamonds with that chin."
"Oh, and those eyes!" another squealed, pressing her hands to her cheeks. "Like molten chocolate. I swear, I could get lost in them forever."
A third tilted her head, voice airy and teasing. "Do you think he notices us? Maybe if we call his name he'll turn. Viktor! Viktor! Over here!"
The girls tittered, leaning closer together as they waved subtly, giggles bubbling into almost musical laughter. One of them blew a playful kiss, and another muttered under her breath, "I'd die for that hair. The way it falls perfectly… every single strand."
Fleur, of course, sniffed at the sight with barely concealed distaste, crossing her arms. "Honestly," she murmured, her French accent curling over the words, "all this fuss over a boy who thinks he owns the world because he can catch a Quaffle." She rolled her eyes but could not completely hide a hint of amusement.
"Pitiful," she muttered in French, shaking her head. "Throwing themselves at a boy who cannot even walk straight."
Eira chuckled, amused at Fleur's disdain. "You are awfully harsh."
"I am honest," Fleur corrected with a toss of her hair. "And besides, why would I bother with someone like him when I already have you?" She leaned closer, brushing her lips against Eira's cheek before Eira could react.
They entered Hogsmeade together, the cobbled streets already alive with students and townsfolk. Smoke curled from chimneys, mingling with the scent of roasted chestnuts and fresh bread from the bakery. The shops were decorated modestly, but the warm glow spilling from their windows made the village feel welcoming despite the cold.
Fleur immediately tugged Eira toward the first boutique they passed, a cramped little shop filled with cloaks, scarves, and hats stacked nearly to the ceiling. She ran her hand over a dark woolen cape and wrinkled her nose.
"Mon Dieu," she murmured in French. "This is dreadful. Look at the stitching, Eira. And the fabric—too coarse. Why would anyone buy this?"
"Because it keeps you warm," Eira replied with a faint smirk.
"In France, we are warm and elegant," Fleur retorted. "Here, it is like wrapping yourself in a potato sack." She sniffed again and let the cloak fall.
Eira laughed quietly and tugged her along before the shopkeeper could overhear. "Come on, let's get out of here. It seems nothing in this place meets your… shall I say, rather exacting beauty standards."
They visited Honeydukes next, where the shelves glittered with rows of sweets in every imaginable color and flavor. Fleur lingered by the display of enchanted sugar quills, her eyes dancing as the tips glowed faintly when touched. But Eira's attention was on the chocolate frogs and delicate boxes of sugared violets.
She chose a small bundle of Gabrielle's favorites, carefully tucking them into a paper bag. Fleur raised a brow.
"For Gabrielle?" she asked, lips pursed.
Eira nodded. "She wanted to come today, didn't she?"
"Yes," Fleur admitted reluctantly, "but I told her no. This day is ours. I did not want her trailing after us."
"Still," Eira said softly, "she will be happy to have a treat."
Fleur sighed with mock exasperation, though her smile betrayed her. She leaned more comfortably into Eira's shoulder as they strolled along, their arms brushing in a rhythm that had become second nature. "Oh, you have already started acting like a good sister-in-law. You spoil her almost as much as I do. At this rate, she will think we exist only to keep her happy."
Eira chuckled, slipping her arm around Fleur's waist in a smooth motion that made Fleur's heart flutter. "Maybe we do. But if I'm guilty of spoiling her, then you're far guiltier. I only follow your example."
Fleur tilted her head, her silvery hair catching the light, and gave her a sly, almost daring smile. "So you admit it—you copy me. Careful, mon amour, if you keep doing everything I do, you may end up hopelessly in love with me."
Eira's lips curved slowly, her green eyes softening. "That warning may have come a little too late."
Fleur let out a delighted laugh, musical and unrestrained, before brushing her nose against Eira's cheek in a feather-light nuzzle. "Then I suppose you pass the sister-in-law program after all."
"Oh? So there was a program?" Eira teased, her tone rich with amusement.
"Of course," Fleur replied airily, lifting her chin. "It is a very strict program. Requirements include spoiling my sister, spoiling me, and above all…" She paused dramatically, her voice dropping to a whisper against Eira's ear. "…never letting me forget how much you adore me."
Eira's laugh was softer this time, touched with tenderness. She squeezed Fleur's waist gently. "Then I'll make sure to overachieve."
Fleur giggled, giving her a playful shove though she didn't move an inch away. "Overachiever. You will make the rest of us look lazy."
"You never seemed to mind when it comes to me," Eira murmured, brushing her thumb over Fleur's hand.
Fleur gave a content little sigh, her teasing softening into something warmer. "Non, I never mind when it is you." She leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to the corner of Eira's mouth, quick enough to be cheeky, but lingering enough to make Eira's heart stumble.