Millie had barely shaken her head when out walked Headmistress Greyback, with a prize clutched to her chest. A rush of heat flared in her cheeks, but she breathed it out again. The Ravenclaw seeker had shown off her skills again, and for a moment that seemed like enough. A moment enough for the Gryffindor whirlwind to follow on her heels, transporting the young witch back into the moment.

Her only chance at winning was walking out the door, clutched in Blair's hands.

Narrowed eyes took in the few courses of action she had left. The young witch had doubts that Blair might simply hand over the book if asked, and the Greybacks were far more moneyed than the Pottses to think that she could buy it. And following the pair, even with her partner to back her up, might simply lead to another confrontation. There was really only one thing left to do.

"Alright, I know I wasn't happy about it earlier," Millie started, aiming her words at Mr. Callum's wand again, "But what would you say to a little underaged duel after all?"

With a smirk, the young witch tipped her head at the departing figures of Miss Greyback and her Gryffindor whirlwind.

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Toby Seacoal James Callum Bonnie Greyback

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The following 1 user Likes Millie Potts's post:1 user Likes Millie Potts's post
   Bonnie Greyback

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That was great! Toby grinned. Anythning to get out of the bookshop. "Let's!" He at least knew enough about stealth to ensure he didn't declare until they had slipped out of bookstore. As soon as the door had closed behind them he looked at Bonnie. "What's the next clue?" He eagerly demanded.

The following 2 users Like Toby Seacoal's post:2 users Like Toby Seacoal's post
   Bonnie Greyback, Millie Potts

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The slight flush in the face of Blair's older housemate spoke loudly to the competitive nature of the younger student's competitive nature and Blair returned it with a warm but mocking smile before disappearing out of the door with Mr Seacoal.

"Well." they said to the eager boy. Showing him the pages separated by the gap. "I know a spot in Hogsmeade that quite often smells like beef trifle, remember that butcher that opened up on the other side of the alleyway from the cake shop." Blair gave a slow nod to Toby to indicate that that was their next destination. "I shall hail us a carriage, I have more than enough pin money to pay." The head start that a carriage might give them made Blair wonder whether it would be appropriate for the pair to let the others know at the very least. Perhaps not tell them, but at least allow them to find the clue and try to catch up. They pulled out a scrap of paper and wrote something down.

From one Eagle to another,

My gift to you
Blair

Blair slotted the letter into the front cover of the book and would put it down for them to find as soon as they had a carriage to whisk them away.

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Millie Potts Toby Seacoal James Callum

The following 1 user Likes Bonnie Greyback's post:1 user Likes Bonnie Greyback's post
   Millie Potts

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Bonnie is NB/GF but appears as a girl.
They/them ooc, she/they/he IC.
Anyone who knows them, knows they prefer to be called Blair

"Wait, really?" James turned to Miss Potts with wide eyes, but the moment was lost before he could so much as draw his wand. A real shame, that.

"Should we follow?" he asked.

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The following 2 users Like James Callum's post:2 users Like James Callum's post
   Bonnie Greyback, Millie Potts

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Set by MJ <3

The young witch felt haunted by those blue eyes, wishing for a moment that she could see right through them. The thought that James Callum had been in the same house as Maxwell Beck for a year now had only come home at this moment. Did Millie have such a reputation for strictly following the rules, one that Mr. Beck seemed desperate to prove at every venture, that would cause this surprise with Mr. Callum? It was true that Gryffindor boys were almost always up to no good, but perhaps setting one free to demonstrate wasn't entirely a good idea.

"Just this once," she said in a low voice, barely above a whisper. Whispering a desire that begged to get out, as frightening as the young witch found it herself, and defeat their competition. They had to get that book before the other pair whisked away with it, no matter the consequences.

In the thrill of the moment, Millie thought she should listen to her heart more often.

And in the next, Blair was gone already with her whirlwind in tow, leaving aside the chance at ever besting them. Millie's hand was to her necklace at once, replacing the book in her hands and giving Mr. Callum a curt nod. She made her way quickly through the bookstore, if they were fast, fast enough, perhaps they would see where their opponents had gone. Then they wouldn't be left behind, and all hope might not be so lost.

Her heart was racing by the time she burst outside, only hearing the departing wheels of a carriage by moments. Miss Greyback and the Gryffindor boy were nowhere to be seen. Millie cursed her heart for its wayward notions, vowing she would never again listen to its foolish advice. Back and forth she strode, pacing in front of the bookstore, until her path was obstructed by an object that she felt so offended by that the young witch nearly kicked it.

Gasping at such misplaced anger, Millie looked down to find a book in her path. And inside the cover a note to her, hastily scrawled so she could barely read it. Penmanship hardly mattered at that point, for Millie could have cried out with joy. Her face bristled with emotion, crossing with disappointment and relief, with excitement hiding not too far behind. As she showed the book, and its missing page, off to Mr. Callum, the young witch could hardly keep her voice level. "We should definitely follow."

Perhaps, all was not yet lost. And, though Millie would deny it aloud, perhaps her heart still had a few things left worth listening to.

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The following 1 user Likes Millie Potts's post:1 user Likes Millie Potts's post
   Bonnie Greyback

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