houteatinganything.”well,atleasthalfofthatsentenewastrue.

potterslowlynoddedandreahedarossthetableforthesrambledeggs.draonotiedhowuhusiastihelooked,apparentlylostinthought.henotiedtootethatpotterwaspeekingrightbakathimandquiklyturnedhisattentiontohisownpte.

“youjustadmittedimakeyounervous,”pottersaid,anddraoouldpratiallyhearhisgrin.

hebithistongue,hopinghewasn’tblushing.ifonlypotterknew.“i’lsoadmityou’regivingmeaheadahe.youseemtobeawfullyhappyaboutausingbadreations.”

“feelingnervousisn’talwaysbad.”

beforedraoouldstophimself,hiseyesdarteduptopotter’s.foronefleetingmoment,draothoughthesawsomethingthere,somethingthatmadehiminhalesharply.

“speakingofyouroutstandingtraits,”pottersaid,hisvoiedrippingwithsarasm.“itwaskindaimpolite,thewayyouranoffstnight.”

“ididnotrunoff,”draosaiddefensively.

“eitherway,ithoughtitwasashameyoudidn’tstaylonger.”

draoouldn’thelpbutfeelsuspiious.thisfeltlikeatrap.butheouldn’tseewherepotterwasgoingwiththis,yet;heonlyfeltsurethegoalwastoembarrasshim.andpost-ok-gate-draoreallywasn’tupforanymoreembarrassment.

“we’renottalkingaboutstnight,”hesaid,alreadyfeelingtheheatrisetohisheeks.

“rex,drao,”potterhukled.“iknowyoudidn’ttouhmeupiionally.”