Ticking Timebomb
Now Emma Fredericks was not some notable student. She was a 3rd year Slytherin muggleborn going to magic school. A background character in the world but it wasn't something she minded. In fact she rather enjoyed the anonymity. It gave her the privilege of watching the main characters of life influence the world.
In her life the main characters were her fellow 3rd year Slytherins, Ekko and Powder.
A little known fact outside of Slytherin is that Ekko and Powder are quite popular in their house. A mix of charisma, overflowing confidence, and untamable chaos had Slytherins looking their way when they came by.
She remembers them practicing the intensified Incendio spell in Charms one day. They were tasked with setting a strew dummy on fire. Ekko stepped up and the moment the figure caught fire he yelled.
"I'M TOO HOT!"
To which Powder and everyone who caught on screamed. "HOT DAMN! CALL THE POLICE AND THE FIREMAN!"
Luckily Professor Heimerdinger was in a good mood that day and simply waved it off after a chuckle.
---
A similar thing happened in the middle of the hallway. She was just passing by when she heard a familiar tune.
"I see a little silhouetto of a man-"
Being an avid Queen fan, Emma ran to the sound to find a bunch of students surrounding Powder and Ekko as they all sang the iconic song like some cult ritual.
"-Scaramouch, Scaramouch, will you do the Fandango!"
Then everyone raised their wands to the air and with complete disregard for the rules of the school they yelled-
"Thunderbolts and lightning, very, very frightening me!"
All while shooting little lightning bolts into the air. That caught the attention of a passing Professor. What is Ekko's first response?
He takes a deep breath and bellows- "SCATTER!"
---
They had quite a way with words and actions and by that she meant the duo were often more… subtle with their approach to minor cases of harassment. (Major cases were dealt with by the Jinx.)
She heard of a Hufflepuff boy being hit on by a Griffindor girl but apparently the Hufflepuff was gay and in the closet. Suddenly, from fucking nowhere, Powder bumped into the girl and while the girl was angry and confused she played the part of a concerned student and somehow tied the girls shoe laces together, unfastened the clip on her skirt, and nicked her watch.
By the time the girl came to her senses Ekko had successfully snuck the girl away and Powder had vanished. Later the Hufflepuff would ask why they did that and they would say they were just passing by, saw that he was uncomfortable so they did something about it… also that they have a very sensitive gaydar. (Across the school Vi, Caitlyn, Jayce, Mel and Viktor feel like they're being talked about.)
---
That was not the only thing Emma got to witness. No no. See, while the whole school had eyes on the local soap opera that is Vi and Caitlyn's relationship status, the Firelights and Slytherin had their own betting pool about the relationship of the young leaders. They were vibing at the same wavelength 24/7.
The Slytherin house didn't know if they were together, if they liked each other, if they were just friends, if they saw each other as siblings.
---
Emma was in the Room of Requirement with the gang and a few of the other Firelight members. She herself was no magic prodigy but what she did have was too many theories on possible ways to enchant muggle items. That gave her a pass into the Firelights after Ekko and Powder had scouted her. She watched her two leaders working in tandem.
They were at the main lab table working on something she didn't understand but the way they moved was like a dance. They could have mental conversations at a glance and pass tools and parts without a word of request. They often spoke in singular words when discussing theories between themselves but always used full sentences for their talks with Jayce and Viktor. It was mesmerizing really.
Not to mention the constant support they give each other.
Like Vi and Caitlyn the two were practically inseparable. Where there was one you'd find the other. Powder was affectionate as hell. She'd hug him at random times, lean against him, hold his hand, even lay on his lap. Ekko was slightly more aloof but he never pushed her away and even took initiative to make contact. Whenever anyone asked how they were so close they always replied with "We grew up together. It's just how we are."
But in the end the most endearing trait they had was the pure hearted connection they had as geniuses.
It was a historical day when the two built the thing that all muggles have dreamed of for years. A device built with multiple enchanted parts to bypass the sentience rule and the technology disrupting spell.
The cheering and the applause of the Firelights when the hoverboard took to the air in the chamber was deafening. After Powders turn on it she leapt at Ekko in pure joy and the boy held her close as they spun around.
They'd done it. A new era was approaching.
So Emma bet on them being friends. At least for now.