takenoverbyaoughingfitthen,hatmakeshershouldersheaveandbendsherdowntothetable,wedfingersurlingaroundthetablelothtoeaseherthroughit.draoisalreadyonhisfeetwithagssofwaterwhenshewaveshimaway,staringarossthetableagain,herbeadyeyessteamingfromtheeffortofathingherbreath.“theyhadmeonthewizengamotommittee.”

draodidn’tknowwhattosay.it’snotlikeitwasmuhofafeat,sendingbeltrixtoazkaban.nooneeverdoubtedthatshewasguilty.“areyoustill?”

wrongquestion.heknowsitfromthewaysheholdsherself,herposturetightening.“no.”

“whynot?”

“igotold.gotsik.gotuseless.”hervoieraisestoreahthetablearossfromthem,aheapofredheadsallintendonignherpresene.“gotshutupinmyhousesothislotdidn’thavetodealwithme.”

itmustbeabitterlifethatsheleads.draowouldhavealmostthoughtthatthiswarwasablessingforher,ifonlyforthefatthatitdrovepeopleintoherhouse.everyone,eventhemeanones,starveforalittlebitofhumanontat.it’sthehingthatdrawsthemtogether.

“i’vehearditwasargehouse,”hesaysfairly,mostlytodrawtheattentionbakintoalmerwatersandalsobeausehefeltbadforher,justabit.

“yes.yes,itis.youusedtohaveargehouse,too.”herwandsisrestinginherfistandshefliksitupwardsoagssofhampagneliftsfromthehandsofoneofhermanynephewsandfindsitswaythere,nevermindthathernearlyfullgsswasrightinfrontofher.“andnowyouhaveaottage.”

“ilikeitbetterthere.”

“soi’vebeentold.”shetiltsherhead.“you’renotlikethem,youknow.”