The air was tense and quiet. No one uttered so much as a breath. Before them was a stand-off no one dared to interrupt. Ea slunk around in a circle, while Brogan easily loped after her, both trying to read the other, both silently hammering at the other’s wall of stoicism. 

Ea watched Brogan's eyes shift as he watched her every move, contemplating his own. Sensing he was going to make a move, she gave her wand a small flick as it rested in her hand, and muttered, "Glacius tria." 

Brogan almost didn't catch it time, and the edge of his robe froze. As it was, the people sitting behind him had an icy gust of air redirected in their faces. She heard another of her housemates sing in a hushed whisper, "You're as cold as ice..." She didn't have time to hear more because Brogan smiled at her, and almost instantly she felt herself slowing down, her stomach fluttering wildly. He was playing bastard-ball and there was absolutely nothing she could do to stop him. 

She felt her head begin to swim lazily, and couldn't see that Brogan had used her lapse to his advantage. She could feel it though, like a pull in the room, the magic flowing around her opponent, painting an almost acid-washed scene before her. Her wand raised of its own accord and flicked away the spell lobbed at her, followed by an unspoken counter, her heart pounding a tribal rhythm in her ears. They exchanged vicious blows, the magic vibrating in Ea’s bones like a tuning fork, and with each exhale her own magic flowed faster, her spells slowly overpowering Brogan. 

The torrent began to wear at her as well however. Sweat beaded on her brow, and she felt her responses slowing. Ever the opportunist, Brogan jumped to capitalize on her weariness. Ea heard a housemate shout through what felt like a layer of styrofoam, “Ea, wath out!” Shocked, her lungs filled with much needed air and her gaze refocused, although it was much too late. She lifted her empty right hand, and in a reflexive manner, attempted to swat the spell away. 

And succeeded. The spell redirected off of her hand to the left, where it flew at a Slytherin and a Hufflepuff, who both looked back at the scorch mark on the wall behind them with wide eyes. They slowly turned back towards them and stared at Ea, their surprise turning into something else. Something judgemental. 

Ea felt her pulse quicken and her breathing increase. The walls of the room were slowly getting closer, closing in on her, squeezing the air out of the room. Trembling beyond her control, she turned and ran out of the class, tears streaming down her face. She furiously swiped at them as she ran to the Owlery.

Why does this always happen to me? she asked, her mind confused and terrified. So much weird stuff happens around me. To me! I just want to be normal! 

She reached the Owlery in no time, and whistled for Hiroto, who flew down immediately, and landed on her outstretched right arm, while she used her left to bring her broom down from its hiding place. Once in hand, she walked to the steps that led back down the outside of the tower, and lifted herself onto the ledge. She set Hiroto down on the wall and swung her legs around, so that they were dangling over the dangerous drop. 

Ea leaned a bit over to look straight down. The ground must be at least over a hundred meters down, she thought, her stomach tightening as it always did. Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching. looking over her shoulder, she lowered her broom over the wall, just to keep it out of sight, and tucked her wand into her shirt. She was shocked when she saw Dorian, who had been oddly absent from their Defence Against the Dark Arts class, coming around the steps. She watched him for a moment, noticed that the bunny ears were gone from his head, and waited until he saw her.

And she wasn’t let down. He got a few steps away before Hiroto hooted at him in warning, and his head snapped up. His eyes instantly went to Ea’s and while she felt intimidated, his stare didn’t have the effect that Brogan’s had. His gaze moved to the wall she was sitting on, then to her legs that were hanging precariously over the plunge of peril. His face quickly changed from suspicious to worried in the span of a second.

“Look, Hufflepuff, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. Really. Please, don’t jump.” His deep voice was pleading her for something she couldn’t give him. “Please, I don’t care if you hang around Brogan, he’s just a dumbass sometimes. Don’t let what I said earlier get to you. Come on over here and we’ll talk.” Ea saw his hand twitching to where she assumed his wand was. It was time to go.

“It’s the only way I can…” she let her voice trail off into the wind.

“Only way you can what?” he asked, confused.

“Be free.” and then she fell. She had to give it to him, he almost caught her robe, but he wasn’t fast enough. She allowed herself to freefall for a few seconds and enjoy Dorian’s scream, before whipping her broom underneath her and quickly pulling up into a spiral. She heard Dorian’s curse, and laughed, the wind carrying it and making it sound beautiful and eerie. As she ascended, she felt Hiroto’s wings beating a steady rhythm behind her and pulled out her wand. 

“Ignito candidi

“Sed consequat

“Splendeat, et afflues;

“Tantum ad tempus,” as she finished her first incantation, she saw Hiroto begin to change colors and leave trails of light and sparks with his wings. Smiling, she began her next, and much more dangerous spell.

“Vola mecum,

“Clamate cum mecum,

“Super alarum vento, libera nos,

“Simul ipsi sensus et corda nostra.” This time, as the spell was finished being cast, she felt her mind slip into Hiroto’s. The mild nausea quickly passed, and she felt her senses sharpening. She felt the pleasant burn of Hiroto's beating wings, the feel of the wind as it flowed through her hair and over his wings. 

Ea had created her spells the year before as a way to escape her last school. An exception to the first year broom rule, she frequented the Owlery at Salem. She perfected the mind meld charm when she would become depressed and had urges to let go of her broom, and she would feel Hiroto's gentle caresses on her back. It had seemed like a good idea, and after furiously studying the subject, she dove into it. 

Brushing off her old memories, Ea allowed herself to become totally immersed in her flight. Hiroto easily kept up with her maneuvers and she used his knowledge of flight to help her stunts and timing. 

As she wound down her routine, she became acutely aware that she had drawn an audience. Allowing the mind meld spell to dissipate, she began her descent, landing softly in the grass. Hiroto smoothly perched on her shoulder and began cleaning himself. The charm she had put on him had already worn off, and he was back to his white downiness. 

Ea walked quickly towards the Owlery and tried to ignore the group that was chittering and staring at her, but it was difficult. She was very aware that they were there, and she lowered her head, hiding the scarlet blush that had made its way up her neck and into her face. What she hadn't noticed was another person walking towards her, and collided with them. Him. A very tall and large him. 

Gasping, she reeled backwards, stumbling over her feet. "Sorry! I wasn't paying attention!" 

A warm laugh flowed soothingly over her, "The fault is partially mine. I wasn't paying much attention either."

Ea looked up and saw the shocking green eyes of a shockingly built boy. He must have been in his third year at least, and upon closer inspection, she noticed that his scarf was sporting bright red and gold colors. Smiling timidly, she stepped to the side to allow him to pass by unimpeded, but he stepped with her. Laughing again the boy took her elbows, since Hiroto was occupying one of her shoulders, and rotated her around his body, so that they were on the sides they were trying for to begin with. 

"There, all better," he said, a cute smirk on his lips. "What was your name again? I'm sure we've met before..." 

She smiled back, "No, I don't believe so." She turned and waved as she walked away, "Sorry, I've got to get going." And at that, she began her walk back to the Owlery. Only the boy followed. Clearly he couldn't take a hint. 

"I really don't have time to chat. I do apologize," she said in an attempt to be rid of him. 

"But you still haven't told me your name," he said as he pouted a bit, a brow going down.

"I didn't realize it meant that much to you," she replied. 

"I wouldn't have asked," he said, now frowning.

She thought back to the sorting ceremony, and how he had mirrored her words. Maybe she was being a bit hostile. "My name is Ea Dursley." 

See? Said a small part of her brain, It wasn't that hard to be nice. He was just being friendly. She mentally rolled her eyes at it.

"I'm Derek. Derek Malfoy," he said smoothly as he smiled cheekily at her, "Its a pleasure."