Isolde looked away first, turning her gaze toward the dark academy grounds beyond the glass.
"Percy," she said softly, almost to herself. "Everyone always makes their way back to Percy eventually."
Liam said nothing.
Her mouth curved faintly, but it was not a smile. "Fine. You want to know why? I am testing her."
"Testing?"
"Yes."
"That is your reason?"
"One of them."
Liam stared at her.
Isolde folded her arms loosely, her back straightening as the last of the harmless warmth left her posture. She still looked elegant, still composed, but the fragility from earlier was gone.
"Sheila Granger has potential. I will not deny that. She is intelligent, powerful, patient, and far more suited to people than her brother ever was. But potential is not leadership. Potential is a pretty little promise people place on someone before they have actually proven anything."
"She has proven enough."
"To you?" Isolde asked.
Liam's eyes narrowed.
