Amora adjusted the silver chain at her throat as the corridor emptied, fingers brushing the small, unassuming watch hidden beneath her robes. The second hand ticked once.

Then the world folded.

She reappeared three steps back, just outside the Charms classroom, perfectly on time — again. Seven classes in one day had become routine. Exhausting, yes, but manageable with precision and discipline.

What she hadn’t planned for was Theodore Nott.

He stood a few feet away, leaning against the stone wall, dark hair falling into his eyes, posture relaxed in the way only someone who noticed everything could afford to be. His gaze flicked from her face… to the watch chain, still faintly visible.

“Interesting trick,” he said quietly.

Amora stiffened. “You didn’t see anything.”

A faint smirk touched his lips. “You stepped out of existence. Then back in. I’m not blind.”

She considered lying — Ravenclaws usually did better with truth sharpened into half-truths. “You’re also not supposed to be lingering outside Charms.”

“And yet here we are,” Theodore replied calmly. “You’re taking Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, Advanced Potions, and two electives that overlap. Statistically impossible without help.”

She sighed. “You always this nosy?”

“Only when something defies logic,” he said. “Which bothers me.”

Amora studied him — really looked. He wasn’t accusatory. He wasn’t threatening. Just curious. Dangerous in a quieter way.

“It’s a time-travel device,” she said at last. “Temporary. Regulated. And none of your business.”

Theodore’s eyes darkened with interest. “Time is a fragile thing to meddle with.”

“Coming from a Slytherin, that’s rich.”

He chuckled softly. “Coming from a Ravenclaw breaking every rule imaginable, I’d say we’re even.”