"Oh!" had popped out of her mouth before she'd fully had time to process. It had been soft and surprised. The swoop in her belly either meant she was delighted, or she'd eaten something that hadn't agreed with her. The blush that spread to her ears and the bashful smile on her lips had her thinking it was the former. "I'll miss you too," she said shyly, her gaze dropping to the inkwell that the older girl was currently struggling with.

Without thinking, she leaned closer as her small hands shot out to assist. Their fingers brushed. Effie's skin was soft and warm, and Effie May found her hands lingering rather than being helpful. She peered at the taller girl through her eyelashes, noticing just how pretty the freckles dusting Effie's nose and cheeks were. They could have been constellations in the night sky. There was even one that was just at the edge of her lip. The fourth year found herself wanting to touch it.