The afternoon air was crisp but soft, a subtle herald of the coming autumn. The gardens of Beauxbâtons were a peaceful refuge from the hustle of school life, filled with vibrant blooms, ancient trees, and winding paths.
Eira and Marin strolled side by side, their footsteps quiet on the garden paths. The day's alchemy class had just ended, and the air buzzed faintly with the lingering scent of powders and potions. Marin, always lively and mischievous, broke the comfortable silence with a grin that stretched from ear to ear.
"You won't believe what happened today," Marin said, his voice carrying the unmistakable tone of bragging. "I finally broke up with that girl, you know? She's been bothering me forever with all those ridiculous demands. Honestly, I'm done."
Eira glanced sideways at him, noting the usual playful spark in his eyes. But something in her heart shifted. She had known Marin since her arrival at France, and though they had shared many lighthearted moments, today she felt a growing seriousness inside her. This wasn't the moment for jokes.
"Marin," she said quietly, her voice steady but firm. "Can I talk to you seriously for a moment?"
Marin raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by the sudden change in her tone. "Sure, what's up?"
They slowed their pace, walking beneath an arched trellis heavy with ivy and crimson leaves. Eira took a deep breath and looked at him with a softness that belied the strength behind her words.
Eira took a deep breath, searching for the right words. "This thing… with girls. How you brag about breaking up, like it's a game, it's not good. It's not just about you. You're hurting people—girls who trust you, who believe in you. You're playing with their hearts, and it's not right."
Marin's grin faltered, and he looked down at the cobblestones. "I don't mean to hurt anyone. It's just…It's not like I'm serious about anyone."
"Maybe you don't think so," Eira replied gently but with growing intensity, "but you are. You're playing with people's feelings, their hearts. You're destroying trust. It's easy to think it's fun, but it's not. It's painful for them."
Marin looked away, kicking a loose stone on the path. "I don't want to be tied down. I'm too young for all that."
"That's exactly the problem," Eira said, stopping to face him squarely. "You're only thirteen. You don't know what relationships really mean yet. What you're doing now can become a dangerous habit."
She paused, watching his face carefully before continuing. "If you keep doing this—breaking hearts, changing girls every week—you'll end up hurting more people than you realize. You'll damage more than just feelings—you'll damage families."
Marin looked away, a little embarrassed. "Who are you to give me advice, anyway?" His voice was quieter, almost defensive.
Eira smiled faintly, the softness returning to her gaze. "I understand why you might say that. But I've seen enough in my life to know where this path can lead. It will lead to disaster for families and loved ones."
Marin's confident facade flickered, his voice quieter now. "Disaster? Isn't that a bit too much? I mean, I'm just a kid. How can something like this ruin everything?"
Eira's eyes darkened with the weight of her own memories. "Because relationships aren't just about you and the person you're with. They're about trust, loyalty, honor. The people you play with aren't just random strangers—they're from families. And in the wizarding world, especially among pure-blood families, family honor is everything."
She looked around, her gaze distant for a moment. "I was at your family's bookstore during the holidays, Marin."
Marin's eyebrows lifted. "My mother's bookstore?"
"Yes." Eira's eyes darkened with a touch of concern. "Your mother was very sad and worried. She told me she's scared about what you're doing. She's afraid it will hurt you… and her."
Marin's face went pale. "She said that to you?"
Eira nodded. "She did. She said that you're flirting with girls without thinking about the consequences. She said every wizard here carries a wand—a weapon. And when people get jealous or angry, they don't hesitate to use it."
Marin swallowed hard, the weight of her words settling on him like a heavy cloak.
"The wizarding world isn't like the Muggle world," Eira explained. "Here, feelings and honor are fragile. If you hurt the wrong person, or the wrong family, the consequences can be devastating."
She stepped closer, her voice lowering. "Imagine this: You flirt with the girlfriend of a powerful pure-blood boy. He finds out, gets angry. He's jealous, and he's got the magic to back it up. What if he takes that anger out on your mother? What if he curses your family's bookstore, destroys it? What if he hurts your mother?"
Marin's eyes widened, his carefree bravado cracking.
"It's not just a game, Marin," Eira said softly but firmly. "Your actions don't just affect you. They ripple through everyone around you, especially the people who love you the most."
She took a deep breath, her voice becoming more personal. "Your mother is the only family you have right now. You're the only one who can protect her from harm."
Marin looked down, his hands clenched at his sides.
Eira reached out, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Do you want to see her get hurt because of your careless actions? Because you didn't think before you acted?"
Marin shook his head slowly, swallowing hard. "No… no, of course not."
Eira smiled faintly. "Good. Because I know you're better than this."
She stepped back and continued, "I say this because I care about you. And because I've seen what happens when people don't respect relationships."
Her voice cracked slightly as she shared a piece of her heart. "My own family was torn apart by the same kind of things—lies, infidelity, broken trust. Almost all of my relatives are gone now because of it. I'm the last of the White family."
Marin looked at her with wide, earnest eyes.
"It's hard," she whispered. "Being alone. Knowing that everything I have left is fragile. And it all traces back to people playing with hearts and honor."
Marin was silent, absorbing the weight of her words.
"So please," Eira said, her voice firm but kind, "if you want to find something real, something lasting, don't rush. Spend time. See if you truly connect with someone."
She smiled, a little teasing now. "And if you don't, it's okay to walk away. But don't do it every week, don't play with feelings like it's a game."
Marin nodded slowly, shame mixing with understanding.
Eira's eyes twinkled with warmth. "I thought you were just a kid figuring things out, but lately… it's been more than that. It's starting to feel disrespectful. To girls. To yourself."
Marin opened his mouth to protest, but Eira raised a hand gently.
"I'm not trying to scold you," she said softly. "If you don't want to hear this, just say so. I won't argue."
She smiled warmly. "But I say this because I want better for you. So you don't get hurt, and you don't hurt others."
Marin swallowed hard. "Thanks, Miss White. I… I didn't think about it that way."
She laughed softly. "Call me Eira, please."
He smiled faintly. "Okay, Eira."
They resumed their walk, the garden glowing golden in the late afternoon light. The silence between them was comfortable now, a new understanding blooming.
"Remember when the older students beat you up for chasing their girlfriends?" Eira asked quietly.
Marin winced. "Yeah, I remember."
"That's what happens when you don't respect boundaries," she said softly. "I don't want that to be your story."
He nodded, eyes downcast.
"You're better than that, Marin. I believe in you."
His smile grew a little more genuine. "I'll try to be better."
Eira smiled back. "Good I hope you do that ."