othroughitagainandagain,everyday,forthreemonths.”

harryfeelssikjustthinkingaboutit.

lettingoutasoftsigh,narissasitsdownononehairandwavesahandforharrytositontheother.

hedoes,arossfromdrao,who’sawake,breathing,buthisgazeisdistantyetagain.hiswhiteblondhairswayswiththewind,andhishandsarepedontopofeahotheronhisp.helooksalmost…gentle.

narissafollowshisgaze.“iapologizefortheothernight,mr.potter.”

“harry,”harryutsin.misterpotteristooformal,tooremioftheiroldretionship,espeiallyinthishouse.“andno.youdon’thavetoapologizeforthat.”

narissalooksathiminsurprise,andit’slearthatshedidnotexpetthat.butasmileslowlyappearsonherfae,andit’swistful.“thankyou,harry.”

thistime,sheshiftsinherseatsothatherbodyisfainghimompletely,asifsheisgivinghimherfuttention.hergazeturnsserious.“ian’tsayiuandwhyyoufeelresponsibilityovermyson.rather,i’matuallyworriedaboutyou.”

harrysitsupstraight,startledatwhatshe’sinsinuating.thedefeneisimmediatelyonhislips.“idon’t…idon’tmeananyharm,”hesays,hurt.

“no,youmisuandme,”narissarushestoassurehim.sheshakesherhead.“voldemort—”andtheunflinhingwaythatnarissasayshisnamehasharrywjustwheredidthiswomanhideallthise.“—isgone,andsoishisreignofterror,allbeauseofyou.you’reahero,harry.youanhaveeverythingyouwantanditwillbegiventoyou.youanhoosetolivehoweveryouwant.erningyourselfoverdraois,iuand,a…”here,herlipspresstightlyagainsteahother,andthereisanexpressionofpainthatflittersarossherfae.“ahindrothat,perhaps?”