Chapter 67 - Holiday Cheer
There was no sun to flow through the windows in the hospital wing, but Ginny woke up with a start. Hermione was sitting, waiting for her, on a nearby chair. She had a large book in hand and Ginny knew it was the new Defence Against the Dark Arts text. She looked up and smiled at Ginny. ‘Feeling better?’
Ginny shook her head. ‘A little…’ The attack from the night before blazed through her mind and she shut her eyes tightly.
Hermione got up instinctively. ‘Ginny! Are you okay?’
She nodded and sat up, breathing quickly. ‘Hermione, there are ghosts in Hogwarts.’
Hermione raised her eyebrows, amused. ‘Yes, I know…I passed Nearly Headless Nick on the way here.’
‘No,’ Ginny countered, sitting up further. ‘New ghosts.’
Hermione shook her head. ‘Ginny, I’m sure I would have heard if that were the case. Besides, the Baron keeps all the ghosts under control.’
‘Not this one,’ Ginny said quietly. ‘She was here…’
She shuddered, the look on Bellatrix’s eyes vivid in her memory; lifeless and cold. Hermione sat down on the bed with her and patted her arm. ‘You’re just upset about what happened.’
‘No, I’m not!’ Ginny stated. ‘She was here…she threatened to…I don’t know…she scared me out of my mind…she was out of her mind.’
‘Who? Who is this new ghost?’ Hermione asked, still not believing Ginny.
‘Bellatrix Lestrange,’ Ginny said in a whisper.
‘What?’ Hermione said surprised. ‘You can’t be serious. I mean, Bellatrix? Your mother killed her.’
‘She remembers,’ Ginny continued. ‘And I think she meant to kill me…’
Hermione wrapped an arm around Ginny’s shoulders. ‘Ginny, she can’t kill you, she’s a ghost.’
Ginny shook her head, but took comfort in Hermione’s embrace. ‘You should have seen her…’
Ginny was lost for words and Hermione sat quietly, waiting for her to say more. Neither of them turned as approaching footsteps announced they were no longer alone.
Someone stopped at the foot of Ginny’s bed. ‘Well, you should just get your own room here, shouldn’t you?’
Ginny looked up, too tired to argue. Hermione glared, not wanting to let anyone insult them. ‘Shut up, Malfoy.’
He shrugged. ‘Fine, then you won’t get what you want.’
Hermione pulled away from Ginny. ‘We won fairly. You owe us.’
‘Just remember,’ he sneered. ‘I didn’t say you didn’t already know.’
Hermione glared at him. ‘You are such a foul prat.’
‘Such language, and from our Head Girl!’ Draco continued to grin at them.
Ginny sat up. ‘She isn’t your Head Girl.’
Draco rolled his eyes. Ginny laughed. ‘Although, you might want to get a room yourself. You’re here rather often as well, and you look worse for the wear; what happened to you?’
Draco’s jaw was bruised and swollen. He glared. ‘Nothing. And I can come and go as I please. I don’t need anyone’s permission.’
Hermione crossed her arms. ‘I am sure Professor McGonagall would have something else to say about that.’
Draco rolled his eyes. ‘So when are you going to ask me your foolish questions.’
Hermione turned to Ginny, a triumphant smile. ‘What are you doing here?’
He gave them both a garish smile. ‘Visiting you, of course.’
Hermione glared. Draco chuckled. ‘Because you wanted the truth. I’m here to see Professor Slughorn.’
Hermione shook her head. ‘Stop lying.’
‘I’m not lying!’ Draco countered. ‘I am here to see him. He’s helping me with something.’
‘What?’ Hermione asked, not believing a word he was saying.
He furrowed his brow and made no response. Hermione crossed the room and poked him in the chest. ‘You owe us the truth. I got really sick because of you.’
Ginny laughed softly, but waited to hear more. Draco kept his gaze on Hermione and said very reluctantly, ‘I want to graduate.’
Hermione looked utterly stunned. Draco sneered. ‘The supposedly ‘brilliant’ Hermione Granger is at a loss for words? I’m shocked.’
Ginny sat up. ‘Why didn’t you just come back to school?’
Draco gave her a short, cold laugh. ‘Yeah, right, like I’d ever be welcomed back here on a regular basis. Even now people avoid me.’
Hermione seemed to come to her senses and said, ‘That’s your own fault. You’re a horrible person.’
‘I am not!’ Draco retorted, looking furious. ‘I have carried you on two separate occasions here, that ought to count for something.’
Ginny shot Hermione an amused look. ‘Are you counting?’
‘I have to,’ Draco replied. ‘No one will believe me otherwise.’
Hermione sighed. ‘That’s it. You’re here to study?’
Draco crossed his arms and answered tersely, ‘I’m taking my NEWTs in a month or so, I need to be sure I’m ready. I wasn’t that great at some subjects and Professor Slughorn offered to tutor me.’
Hermione nodded, still not entirely convinced. ‘Draco, that doesn’t really explain why you’re causing such trouble.’
He smirked. ‘I wouldn’t be very much like myself if I didn’t.’
Ginny laughed. ‘That has to be true enough.’
Draco raised his eyebrows. ‘That it? That all you’re going to interrogate me about.’
Hermione shook her head. ‘Why were you near Professor Flitwick’s office when it’s no where near Professor Slughorn’s office?’
Draco sighed and stood up more straight, the bruise across his jaw showing more clearly. ‘I wanted to know what you two were up to. I saw you fly out of McGonagall’s office.’
‘You didn’t see anyone else when you saw us?’ Hermione continued her questioning.
Draco shook his head. ‘I saw you two at the third floor, but I never got any closer. I didn’t want you to see me.’
‘Why?’ Ginny asked suddenly.
Draco touched his jaw gingerly. ‘I’m not really sure. Without Potter and Weasley around, I figured you’d need someone to…’
Hermione looked as if her eyes were about to fall out of her head. ‘What? Like we needed someone to look after us? And that would be you? Draco Malfoy? The man who made my life miserable for six straight years and hates me because I’m a Mudblood! Oh no, Malfoy, you’re going to have to do much better than that!’
Ginny was shocked at Hermione’s outburst and Draco’s face reflected that same expression. His eyes strayed to the floor. ‘I don’t hate you…’ He looked up slowly and cringed. ‘And don’t…don’t use that word…i-it’s…wrong.’
Hermione shot Ginny a bewildered look and said, ‘No, Malfoy. The truth. I want the truth from you.’
‘I’m telling you the truth!’ he replied heatedly. ‘Why is it so hard for you to believe that I actually want to be on the right side for once?’
‘Because it isn’t in your nature,’ Hermione replied smugly.
‘You don’t know anything about my nature, Granger!’ Draco yelled back at her.
At this point, the discussion was becoming far too heated for Madame Pomfrey not to notice. She bustled around the corner looking enraged. ‘All of you, including you, Ms. Weasley, out! I will not have this in my hospital. Mr. Malfoy, Ms. Granger, I would have expected better from both of you.’
Ginny slowly sat up, realising she was still wearing her school uniform from the previous day. She pulled the blankets off and Hermione grabbed her bag. Draco, much to Ginny’s surprise, reached an arm out to her and helped her to her feet. ‘Nice legs, Weasley.’
She felt her face flush and she replied, ‘You’re disgusting.’
Draco chuckled as Hermione kept pace with them. Ginny pushed him away, walking easily, though slowly. He grinned. ‘Maybe I shouldn’t get too close; I don’t want my face bashed in again.’
Ginny looked at him with a confused expression. ‘Who hit you?’
Draco glared. ‘Who do you think? And just so you know, I’m not ‘supposed’ to go anywhere near either of you, especially Granger.’
Hermione looked startled. ‘Ron hit you?’
‘No,’ Draco smirked.
Ginny glared. ‘You are vile. If you have nothing else to tell us…’
Hermione talked over Ginny, ‘Harry hit you?’
She sounded totally incredulous. Draco nodded, glaring. ‘He did. He doesn’t want me talking…what did he say…’talking to either of you or about either of you’ to him.’
Draco smirked and it took all of Ginny’s self control not to hex him right then and there. ‘You’re a liar. Harry wouldn’t hit anyone.’
‘He was a tad drunk at the time,’ Draco offered.
Ginny wasn’t sure how much of this to believe, but Hermione didn’t look to be believing any of it. ‘You are the same horrible person you were in school. You’ve been lying to us this whole time, haven’t you?’
Draco glared and said very sternly. ‘I am not lying. If you don’t believe me, go ahead, use what I heard that new professor taught you about Legilimency and find out.’
Draco stood with his arms open, but Ginny shook her head. ‘No, that isn’t what good people do.’
Draco smirked. ‘Come on, Granger. Like you haven’t always wanted to know what’s inside my head.’
Hermione looked at Ginny, but the latter shook her head again. ‘No, Hermione, no. This is wrong.’
Hermione nodded, but replied, ‘This is the only way we’ll know.’
Ginny shook her head. ‘I do not like this idea at all.’
Ginny watched nervously as Hermione led them into a nearby empty classroom. It was still early and most students were not around. Hermione set Ginny’s bag down and Draco stood in front of her. Ginny cringed as Hermione pulled her wand out and pointed it at Draco. She gave him a stern look and said clearly, ‘Legilimens.’
Draco sneered, his mind closed to Hermione’s. Ginny cringed, Hermione looked utterly determined. She glared hard at Draco and waved her wand at the door, setting a silencing charm up. She then set her gaze on Draco again and called loudly, ‘Legilimens!’
This time the effect was immediate. Draco grabbed his head and Ginny wondered if this was how she had looked the previous day. She jumped up and grabbed Draco’s arm to steady him, but he grabbed her shoulders and rested much of his weight on her, as if he couldn’t stand. Ginny looked desperately at Hermione, but her friend’s eyes were both seeing and unseeing. Draco wrenched himself upright and shook his head, pushing Hermione’s spell out.
He growled, ‘That was too far, Granger.’
Hermione fell back a few paces once the link had been severed between them and she wobbled on her feet for a few moments before nodding at Ginny. ‘He’s telling the truth, about Harry…and us…’
She gave him a sad look and he crossed the distance between them in two easy strides. ‘Don’t you dare!’ His face was inches from hers and he continued, ‘That was private…you had no right.’
She looked ashamed and said quickly, ‘I didn’t…I’m sorry…I won’t…’
‘Not a word,’ Draco spat. ‘I never want to hear about any of this again. Do not tell anyone, I want your word.’
Hermione nodded. ‘I would never…I’m sorry, Draco.’
Ginny eyed them, confused. She looked at Hermione, but the latter shook her head. ‘I can’t.’
Draco was still uneasy on his feet and Hermione reached an arm out to him. He looked as if he were contemplating taking it, but turned away, leaning on a nearby desk. Ginny looked between the two of them. Draco looked embarrassed and disgusted. Hermione looked confused.
Ginny leaned back against another desk and said, ‘Well…at least we know Harry still cares…about one of us…’
She looked pointedly at Hermione and Hermione shrugged. ‘Ginny, don’t listen to Draco. He’s just upset he let Harry hit him at all.’
Draco sat up. ‘Don’t talk about me like I’m not here.’
Ginny arched an eyebrow curiously. ‘Is it ‘Draco’ now, and not ‘Malfoy’?’
Hermione flushed and Draco crossed his arms. ‘Look, if you’re through with me, then I’ll be on my way.’
Ginny shook her head. ‘There has to be more that he’s hiding.’
‘There isn’t,’ Hermione said quickly.
Draco glared at her. ‘Your word. I have your word on this. Show me as much honour as you would your other friends.’
Ginny narrowed her eyes. ‘Are we all friends now?’
None of this was adding up and she wondered if Hermione would tell her. The look on her friend’s face showed her resolve. ‘My word, Draco…Malfoy…I won’t ever repeat what I saw.’
Draco stood up, walking towards her, his stance menacing. ‘You saw nothing.’
She nodded, almost fearful. Ginny crossed the room to stand near them. ‘That’s it. You threaten her and you think that’s okay?’
Draco turned, his eyes blazing. ‘That’s it. I answered your stupid questions and we’re done.’
Draco turned to leave and the door flew open. Ginny cringed as Gaunt glared at all three of them. ‘It’s Saturday. None of you should be in this classroom.’ He turned his gaze to Hermione. ‘Or did you want to get a head-start on some more detention?’
Hermione shook her head. ‘No, sir.’
Draco glared past Gaunt and started to walk forward. Gaunt stood in his way. ‘Malfoy, is it?’
Draco nodded curtly. Gaunt looked between the three of them. ‘I can only imagine what the three of you have to talk about….Malfoy, what are you even doing here? Daddy wouldn’t like it, you know?’
Draco bristled, but made no reply. Gaunt took a step closer, being slightly taller than Draco. ‘Something wrong with your voice, Malfoy?’
‘No,’ Draco answered tersely. ‘I was just leaving.’
Gaunt looked at Ginny. ‘Seems you’re fully recovered. Whenever you want to try again, do let me know. Or perhaps we can practice on Ms. Granger here.’
Hermione took a step closer to Ginny. ‘If you warn us what you’re doing, then perhaps I might have a chance of defending myself.
Gaunt pulled his wand out in one swift motion and pointed it at Hermione. ‘Why don’t we find out?’
Draco reacted faster than any of them, calling out, ‘Expelliarmus!’
Gaunt’s wand went flying and Draco was holding him at wandpoint. ‘What kind of professor are you?’
‘The kind that’s going to have you expelled if you don’t lower your wand,’ Gaunt stated sternly.
Draco glanced behind him, but neither Ginny nor Hermione moved during this interaction. He slowly lowered his wand. ‘Get out of our…my way.’
Draco was clearly angry with himself for the mistake and Gaunt punched Draco hard in the stomach. Draco kept his wand in hand, but fell hard to one knee. Hermione pushed past Ginny, putting an arm around Draco’s shoulders. He leaned back against her slightly.
Gaunt walked around them and picked his wand up off of the floor. ‘I’ll be so happy to have both of you in detention after the Christmas holidays. Don’t be late. Ms. Weasley, perhaps you should hedge your bets and join them.’
He turned and walked out of the classroom. Ginny ran her hand across her face; this was hardly what she’d expected when she’d gotten up that morning. Hermione was rubbing Draco’s back and saying something. They were whispering quietly and Ginny took a step forward. Hermione turned suddenly, hearing her. Draco leaned forward, heavily, and Hermione shifted her arms from across Draco’s shoulders to place one hand on his shoulder so he wouldn’t fall forward. Her shoulder was bracing him upright, his weight on her. She was physically stopping him from falling over and this surprised Ginny for some reason. He leaned his face close to hers and whispered something in her ear, their faces practically touching, before standing up slowly, pulling her with him.
Ginny watched, her face aghast at the scene unfolding before her. Draco gave Ginny a strange look and without another word, walked out of the classroom. He looked upset, but Ginny couldn’t be certain. Draco would never let anything other than arrogance show on his face. Hermione stood there watching him for a moment before Ginny shook her arm, bringing her back to reality. ‘What was that all about?’
Hermione shook her head, her face flushed. ‘Nothing. It was nothing.’
‘Like hell it was!’ Ginny countered. ‘Come on, Hermione! You were practically kissing Draco Malfoy! Bloody hell, you called him ‘Draco’! What is wrong with you?’
Hermione looked towards the door. ‘Ginny…I can’t. I gave him my word that I wouldn’t say anything.’
Ginny shouldered her bag and ran after Hermione. ‘Oh no you don’t! You can’t just do something like that and then not tell me any more.’
Hermione nodded, turning to glare at her. ‘I gave him my word, Ginny. I can’t go back on that.’
Ginny balked as she saw Draco standing some ways away from them, being reamed out by Professor McGonagall. His eyes sought them both out and Hermione turned, seeing Ginny’s expression. She gave him a small smile and he nodded at her, turning his attention back to the Headmistress. Ginny sighed; frustrated that she would get nothing out of Hermione. They walked back to the Gryffindor common room. No one paid them much notice with the Christmas holidays fast approaching.
Ginny headed to the washroom to take a nice, long bath and didn’t emerge from her room until sometime later. She sought Hermione out for lunch and found her holed up in her room. Crookshanks seemed happy to see Ginny, but sat resolutely in Hermione’s lap.
Ginny sat at the edge of Hermione’s bed. ‘Are you okay?’
Hermione nodded. ‘Fine. How are you feeling?’
Ginny smiled. ‘Better. Glad not to be in that hospital wing anymore.’
Hermione nodded. ‘You have been spending a lot of time there…did you really see Bellatrix?’
Ginny nodded, and said slowly, ‘Yes, but Hermione…I…I just want to be clear about something…and I promise, I won’t ever bring it up again…’
Hermione groaned. ‘Ginny…I can’t tell you what I saw.’
‘That isn’t what I want to know,’ Ginny said slowly. ‘It’s just…This is the second time Malfoy’s been…well, really decent to you. Is there something going on? Do you…this is mad…do you have feelings for him?’
Hermione burst out laughing. ‘Ginny Weasley! You are mad! Me? Have feelings for that ferret?’
Hermione continued to laugh and Ginny sat back on her bed. ‘Hermione, don’t be foolish. I saw you. I saw you two together. You ran to his side.’
‘So did you!’ Hermione countered.
‘That was a little different,’ Ginny replied. ‘You had just hit him with that curse, he was writhing in pain…you ran to him because Gaunt punched him. Well, it was almost like you wanted to help him.’
Hermione furrowed her brow. ‘We’re never going to talk about this again, right? And you will keep your mouth shut about what I tell you?’
Ginny nodded. ‘Of course.’
Hermione started slowly, ‘We…he…’ She looked down at her hands and said, ‘He isn’t in as great shape as he once was.’
Ginny narrowed her eyes and Hermione added hastily, ‘I don’t mean physically. I mean…family-wise. Things aren’t great for Draco right now. But he’s, surprisingly, doing the right thing.’
Ginny looked expectantly at Hermione, but she shook her head. ‘That’s all I’m saying.’
‘Because of that, you’ve gone all soft on Malfoy?’ Ginny asked.
Hermione sat up. ‘Ginny, we all have each other…he doesn’t really have any friends…I feel…sorry for him.’
Ginny crossed her arms. ‘He’s a horrible person. He deserves what he gets.’
Hermione looked at Ginny disapprovingly. ‘Ginny, of all the people here, I would think you’d be more compassionate.’
Ginny lowered her eyes. ‘I’m sorry…you’re right…it is sad…even if he does deserve it.’
Hermione rolled her eyes. Ginny added, ‘How can you be so compassionate? He was horrible to you! He called you a Mudblood all the time…insulted you whenever he could!’
Hermione nodded. ‘All that and more…but what does it matter? I mean…yeah, I don’t like him, despite what you might think, but I don’t want him to suffer…that much…’
Ginny laughed. ‘I knew it! You hate him as much as we all do.’
‘I don’t hate him, Ginny,’ Hermione said briskly. ‘I just don’t think highly of him.’
Ginny sighed. ‘Fine…so that’s it? You’re not the one with a secret romance with Malfoy?’
Hermione laughed. ‘No, I’m good with my current boyfriend, thank you.’
Ginny made a face and motioned to the door. ‘Can we go to lunch then?’
Hermione nodded and Crookshanks bounced off of her lap towards Ginny, purring pleasantly. Ginny stroked him once before turning and following Hermione out the door. They headed to lunch, Ginny trying her best to get more information out of Hermione, but with no luck.
The days towards the holidays flew by and Ginny was thankful once all her exams were over. Hermione seemed disappointed that there hadn’t been harder questions, but Ginny was thankful it was over. She dreaded attending Defence Against the Dark Arts that week and was surprised to hear that the class would not meet again until after the break.
Ginny hadn’t had time to go holiday shopping, and her parents didn’t afford her much of an allowance to buy things. Much to her surprise, she received a note from George saying that all her holiday gifts had been taken care of. She wrote him back, thanking him, but never received a response.
Hermione and Ginny packed up for the Christmas holidays and Ginny found her energy had returned, but her ankle was still sore from the accident. Hermione had planned on Apparating back home, but upon seeing Ginny’s state, decided they should both ride the train back to King’s Cross.
Most of the seventh years, since they were licensed to Apparate, did not ride the train and both Ginny and Hermione found it strangely empty. Hermione took it upon herself to tend to the younger students, while Ginny kept herself in the car they had found. Luna had not joined them, instead Apparating to some vacation spot with her father. Ginny was afraid to ask what creatures they might be hunting.
Hermione and Ginny continued to talk about what they’d discovered from Draco, which did nothing to alleviate their worries. Hermione said quietly, ‘We’re really no closer than we were before.’
Ginny rolled her eyes. ‘Except now we know Harry has a vicious temper. I still can’t believe he hit Draco.’
‘So did Gaunt,’ Hermione added.
‘Does that just make him a target?’ Ginny asked, laughing.
‘Not by you,’ a voice came from the door.
Ginny cringed, she knew who it was. Hermione sighed. ‘What are you doing here? I don’t think we need looking after on the train.’
Draco smirked. ‘I didn’t feel like Apparating; thought I’d take the free ride.’
Hermione looked him over. ‘Aren’t you going to get that looked at?’
Ginny turned. The bruise on Draco’s face hadn’t dissipated much. It almost looked like he’d been hit again. He turned his face away from them so they couldn’t see the bruise. ‘I’m fine.’
‘Bloody hell, Malfoy, shouldn’t you get that treated or something?’ Ginny asked.
Hermione got up and Draco recoiled. She tilted her head. ‘Would you just stand still?’
He cringed and she pointed her wand at him. The bruise slowly went away and Draco touched his jaw lightly. ‘Thanks…’
She smiled at him. ‘Don’t mention it.’
He turned and said, ‘I’ll…yeah…have a good Christmas.’
Hermione peaked out of the doorway, watching him walk away and Ginny eyed her friend warily. ‘Hermione, I know I promised I wouldn’t say anything, but…’
Hermione glared at Ginny. ‘Enough, Ginny. I am not ‘falling’ for Draco Malfoy. So get that out of your head.’
Ginny put her hands up helplessly. ‘Fine. I just thought it bore repeating.’
Hermione sat down across from her and read a book for the rest of the train ride. She started to help Ginny unload her things when an all too familiar voice called out to them, ‘Let me help you with those.’
Ginny turned to see her brothers, Ron and George, in the doorway. Hermione turned and smiled at Ron, who crossed the distance between them, kissing her fully. Ginny rolled her eyes and George laughed. ‘You’re lucky we’re not going with them.’
Ginny laughed and tried to move around Hermione and Ron. Hermione was gently pushing Ron away and he reluctantly let her. He reached up for their things and tried to repress the grin spreading across his face. George smiled at Ginny. ‘No hug for your weird brother?’
Ginny sighed. ‘I guess I have to…even if you don’t send me owls telling me you’re conspiring to get me back with Harry.’
George grinned, unabashed. ‘I have a bet on it.’
She smiled at him. ‘Thank you again for getting my Christmas gifts, George. You didn’t have to do that, you know.’
‘You’re my little sister. I did it because I care about you,’ George replied
She hugged George. He rubbed her back once and said, ‘Come on, the rumour is you aren’t up for Apparating. I got us a car for the day.’
‘You know how to drive?’ Hermione asked, dumbstruck.
George laughed. ‘Not exactly. But I can bewitch it.’
Ginny smiled and got out of the way as Ron and George pulled all their bags down. She started to shoulder her bag, but George shook his head. ‘I’ll move them to the cart outside.’
He waved his wand and the bags began to move of their own accord. Crookshanks loudly protested this action, as he was still in his carrier. Ron grumbled, ‘The cat has to come?’
Hermione slapped him playfully. ‘Ron, I’m not going to leave him at Hogwarts!’
Ginny followed George out onto the platform and watched as he stacked the bags onto the cart. Ron lifted Hermione off of the train from the stairs and Ginny turned away, looking irritated. She was surprised to see Draco was still around, though no one was there to greet him. He glared at the spectacle for a moment before stalking out of the train station. Ron and Hermione waved good-bye to George and Ginny and Apparated back to the Burrow.
Ginny sighed and turned to George. ‘Just you and me, huh?’
He nodded and grinned. ‘So, what’s Harry done to make you so cross?’
‘You really want to know?’ Ginny asked.
George shook his head. ‘He’s told me, so I know, what I don’t know is why you’re torturing yourself and him. He’s mad about you, you have to know that.’
Ginny rolled her eyes. ‘Sure he is.’
George continued to push the cart out of the train station and said, ‘Ginny, I may not know a lot about love or anything, but you two, you’re made for each other. I wish you’d just let him have it and then tell him he has to make it up to you.’
Ginny laughed. ‘Is it that easy?’
‘Yes,’ he replied, smiling. ‘Staying together is the hard part, not getting back together.’
Ginny didn’t know what to say to this. She watched as George loaded the car and he motioned for her to get in. She was thankful he didn’t say much on the way home. This gave her the opportunity to happily watch the familiar scenery pass by. George was right, in a lot of ways. She should just have it out with Harry and be done with it. Being apart had been far more than she could bear. Even if they weren’t fine together yet, they would be.