Frank was thirteen. There were few phrases that shone a more glaring light onto youthful dread and grown-up devilry than 'taking responsibility for your actions'. Professor Sylvain's strange, soft voice, and disabling direct attention was already enough to make Frank second guess every decision he'd ever made in his life, but this gambit of treating him like an adult effectively flipped the table on what Frank could methodically logically navigate right now.

Frank looked at Eirene and her lifeline, which had seemed so sure and steady a moment ago, flapped away like a loose bed sheet in the wind.

He bought himself some time in answering by carefully handling the homemade tea. He made a show of considering the matter carefully, gaze moving along the cottage ceiling beams, scratching his temple thoughtfully, sipping the tea (it was good!).

"Mmm," Frank began carefully with a smile he hoped was serene and mature, "I think the Aurors have done a good job, and with everything taken into account, my education is best nurtured by letting them handle it."

He furrowed his brows and nodded in adult approval.

Eirene's face fell. She glanced down into her cup of tea. She didn't mean to rob anyone! She wasn't a robber! She knew what the professor meant, of course, and he couched his incredibly mild rebuke in a soft, thoughtful voice that held not an ounce of anger or disappointment. Please Eirene, let your peers sort out their own schoolwork, yes, even if they are Ravenclaws. No, Eirene, a group project does not mean you can do the entire project, even if you're working with Gryffindors - she'd heard some variation of this lots of times from other professors when they thought she was being a bit too helpful.

Frank finally spoke, making a decision.

Confusion flickered over her face. Eirene was all for lofty speech and displays of maturity, but only if she was in on the game. What did he mean? He would let the Aurors handle it without any input from him?

She let out a little sigh.

If only they could write it together! If Eirene did report it, she'd be reporting it alone.

Still, she hated not following through.

"I'd like to report it, professor. For the sake of the jarvey," she nodded primly.

The jarvey! Pesky, meddlesome creatures that she'd never thought much about at all before this incident, and if she were honest, after. Doing something felt better than nothing, and though she couldn't imagine that her words would have any impact outside of this safe and warm little hut, at least they were her words, and Professor Onuris had listened.