I glanced down again at the address written in her neat scrawl on the scrap of parchment. Looking up yet again at the address on the house in front of me, just to be sure, I knocked, trying to decide what to say when Isla opened the door.

It was not Isla, however, but someone who looked strikingly similar to her that answered my knock on the door. "What is it?" she snarled, looking down her nose with distaste at my clothes.

I flattened my shirt with one hand, meeting her gaze and saying, "I came to see Isla. I'm assuming this is the correct address…"

"Surely not. She knows better than to interact with Muggles such as yourself. Now leave our house and do not return." Her voice was cold, thundering with finality as she made to slam the door on my face.

Catching sight of Isla coming down the hall to meet with her sister, I hastily stuck my foot in the door's path, blocking it from closing.

"Elladora, give us a moment. Please," she asked, a hint of bitterness in her voice.

"I'll tell Mother and Father."

Isla smirked in return, gesturing for me to lead her outside to talk.

"I apologize for…her. Though I suppose it would be best for us to meet somewhere else next time. I can't imagine my parents would be pleased to know I'm talking with you." She looked at me sadly, flashing a glance towards the front windows of her house, behind which Elladora could be seen watching the two of them.

"I should probably leave," I said.

"Don't worry about her. So what is it you wanted to tell me?"

"I—I'm moving. To France, for a job."

Isla looked deeply into my eyes. "So this is your goodbye?"

I couldn't respond, merely nodding.

"I want to come with you. If that's alright with you, that is."

"But your family—"

"Believe me, they have been waiting for an excuse to be rid of me for ages now, this will only simplify their job. Unless you don't want to have me…"

"It would be my pleasure, honestly, but are you really willing to throw away everything you have here for me?" I couldn't see her giving up her whole life for me, I couldn't do that to her. We met a few years ago, but seeing each other only when she was home from school and when I could meet her (as I had just found out) without her family knowing. We clearly didn't have much quality time to get to know each other yet.

"I know the risks, but I'd much prefer gaining the benefits and risking what may happen." She smiled earnestly at me, and I agreed.

"Alright. But I won't be the one to tell your family," I started.

"Nor will I. They can find out when I don't return after a while."

Shaking my head exasperatedly at her, I took her hand, leading her back to the door, where she entered to gather her necessary belongings.

"Ready?" I asked upon her return.

"Ready."

x

For the Tien Len Competition (Team Four, Clubs. Prompts: Bob Hitchens, thunder) and the Represent that Character Challenge.