It was the weekend, and Hogwarts buzzed with excitement. Rumors of the Yule Ball floated through the castle, filling the halls with whispers and laughter. Students flitted between corridors and common rooms, some nervously preparing to invite their ideal partners, others gossiping about what they might wear. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation and youthful energy.
Amidst all this, Eira was unusually indifferent. She made her way calmly through the castle corridors toward Professor McGonagall's office. When she reached the familiar door, she knocked lightly.
"Come in," came the crisp voice from inside.
Eira pushed the door open and entered. Professor McGonagall was bent over a stack of homework, quill in hand. She looked up as Eira approached.
"What is it, Miss White?" the professor asked in her usual formal tone.
Eira bowed slightly. "Professor, I wanted to inform you that I have a family matter that requires my presence. I need to leave the castle for a short time."
McGonagall raised an eyebrow. "Is it an emergency?"
Eira shook her head gently. "No, nothing like that. It's just… family matters that require me there."
The professor studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. And when do you plan to return? Today and tomorrow are the weekend, but you must be present for your classes."
"I will return tomorrow, Professor," Eira replied.
"Very well," McGonagall said, returning to her papers. "You may go."
"Thank you, Professor," Eira said politely, turning toward the door.
McGonagall looked up again. "How will you travel? Hogwarts' fireplaces are restricted."
Eira smiled. "I will go to Hogsmeade Village and use a fireplace there."
"You may use mine," McGonagall said, "but you must pass through the Leaky Cauldron. From there, you may travel wherever you wish."
"Thank you again, Professor," Eira said, stepping into the fireplace. She threw in the Floo powder and called, Leaky Cauldron. Green flames enveloped her, and in an instant, she vanished.
Back at her office, McGonagall muttered a few incantations, conjuring two Patronuses shaped like cats. One she sent toward Dumbledore. "Albus," she said in a voice only the Patronus could carry, "Miss White came to me and asked for leave. I have granted it."
She turned to the second Patronus. "Severus, Miss White has taken leave from me and returned home. I thought you should know, given… your complicated relationship with her. I doubt she has informed you of her intentions."
Both Patronuses vanished toward their respective destinations — one to the Headmaster's office, the other to the dungeons.
⸻
In the Leaky Cauldron, the green flames flared, and Eira emerged gracefully. The entire pub went silent; every eye turned toward her. She ignored them all, moving toward Tom, the innkeeper.
"Welcome again, Lady White," he said, bowing. "What can I do for you?"
"I wish to use your fireplace," Eira replied, "and I came to pay for it."
Tom shook his head. "There's no need, my lady."
Eira, insisting, handed him a Galleon. It was more than necessary, but she didn't ask for change, and Tom didn't comment. Most wealthy pure-bloods tended to pay in full Galleons, rarely carrying the lesser coins, so it was not unusual for him to receive more than required. Tom reached into a small pouch at his side and withdrew a pinch of Floo Powder, carefully placing it into a tiny container.
In places like this, whether in Hogsmeade, the Leaky Cauldron, or anywhere with a fireplace available for public use, it was customary to pay a fee before using the fireplace network. Once the payment was made, the owner provided the Floo Powder, allowing the traveler to safely speak their destination and pass through the flames.
Eira took the small container from Tom, murmuring the words, "White Manor," as she tossed the powder into the green flames. The fire roared briefly around her, enveloping her completely. Moments later, she stepped out into the familiar hall of the White Manor, the warmth and quiet of home welcoming her.
Two house-elves bowed as she entered. "Welcome back, my lady," they said in unison.
"Thank you," Eira replied. "Where are Emma and Aunt Isabella?"
"They are in the office, my lady," one elf said.
Eira nodded and walked toward the office. As she reached the door, she paused. It was her office, and she could have entered freely, but both her aunt and Emma were inside, and they were a couple. She had no desire to walk in on a naughty, intimate moment between them. 'Better not,' she thought, feeling a small twinge of awkwardness. 'I'll just knock and wait.'
With that, she lifted her hand and rapped gently on the door.
"Come in," came Isabella's voice after couple of minutes.
Pushing the door open, Eira froze for a heartbeat. Her aunt and Emma were inside, their clothes hastily adjusted as if they had been interrupted mid-embrace. Faint traces of lipstick marked their necks and lips, and the warm scent of perfume and lingering closeness hung in the air. Just as she had suspected, the sight confirmed it, and she felt a mix of surprise and relief. She silently thanked her past self for thinking to knock before barging in, grateful she had avoided intruding on such an intimate moment.
"I hope I didn't interrupt anything sweet," Eira said teasingly.
Emma jumped up, blushing furiously. "Oh, my lady! How did you—no, I mean, welcome!"
Isabella laughed at Emma's flustered expression. Turning to Eira, she enveloped her in a warm hug. "It's been too long, Eira!"
Eira hugged her back tightly. "Yes, Aunt. How have you been?"
"Very well," Isabella said, smiling. "Come, sit."
Eira lowered herself into a chair as Isabella settled back. "How did you come now? Winter holidays are still ten days away."
Eira explained, "I won't be able to return to the manor for winter because of an event at Hogwarts. Besides, I wanted to speak with Elisha White's portrait and collect the Phoenix materials."
"Ah, that explains it," Isabella nodded. "But what event are you attending?"
Emma interjected. "Didn't I tell you? It's the Yule Ball on Christmas Eve."
Isabella shook her head. "I don't remember."
Emma rolled her eyes. "Of course not. You were drunk when we toured Australia."
"Oh, that's right," Isabella laughed. "Such a wonderful time. Maybe we should plan a warm trip for Christmas — Egypt or the Maldives?"
Emma shook her head. "No, we can't. Have you forgotten that my lady gave us a task?"
The two women bickered like an affectionate, teasing couple, almost entirely forgetting Eira's presence. She watched with a smile, enjoying the warmth of her family around her.