AfterdinnerDraoheadedfortheInfirmary.Bisewasstillthere,andwouldspendthenight;he’dbrokenBise’sjawandnose,andgivenhimaonussion.
Theroomwassilentasheentered.Biselookedupfromhisbedandgavehimasadsmileashesatdownonthehairtohim.
“I’m…sorry.Ishouldn’thave—”
“Gottenarriedawaylikethat?”Bisefinished.“Don’tbe.Youhavenothingtoapologizefor.”
“Ididn’tgetarriedaway.Iwantedtohurtyou.”
“Ofourseyoudid.Youhaveeversinethen.”Bisedidn’thavetorifywhen“then”was,theywereboththinkingabouttheiattheManner.“AndIan’tbmeyouforit.IfIhadn’tgotteninyourway,yourfathermightstillbealive.”
“Butyoudidn’tkillmyfather.Andit’snotyourfaultthathe’sdead.”
“Maybe.We’llneverknowwillwe?”
Draoshrugged,hiseyesstaringatthefloor.
“Iknowit’stootetosaythis.ButI’mreallysorry,Drao.IfIouldfixit—”
“Don’tsayitBise.Idon’twanttohearit.Iknowyou’resorry.Iknowyouonlydidthatbeauseyouhadtoappearloyal.Youdidwarnmenottoletmyselfbeseen.ButIwas.Undertheirumstanes…notknowingwhatwouldhappen…youdidtherightthing.”
“I’mnotonhissideDrao.”Bisewhispered.“ButIwastooweaktostandbythatattheinitiation.”Heleanedbakagainstthepillows.“Idon’tthinkI’veeverseenmyparentsmoreproud…orhatedmyselfmoreatanyothermomentinmylife.”
Draonodded.Thetwoweresilentforamoment.
“Doyou—Imean…I,er,gotyourinvitation.”Bisestumbledthroughhiswords.“Doyoureallywantmeatyourwedding?”
Draonoddedslowly.
“AndPotter’sokaywiththis?”
“Doyouwanthimdead?”
“No.”
“Thenhewon’thaveaproblemwithit.You’renotagoodenoughDeathEater.”
Bisesmilewryly.“I’mahorribleDeathEater.”