"Surly, insufferable, irritating, annoying, but also charming and chivalrous. I'll be sure to add those all to my résumé. Sounds like the ideal literary hero," he snickered. Everything she'd said could be interpreted as a compliment from Edric's perspective; he'd been called unfriendly and even and disconcerting in his youth, and he was later reprimanded in his early auror years for being uncooperative. He was used to insults, and had learned to take them with a grain of salt, especially since his self-esteem had grown with age.

Hearing of her preferences was something new, and it was definitely a conversation he'd never expected them to have—if ever—on the floor of the hospital waiting room. He unknowingly began to compare himself to her description of an "undesirable" gentleman, noting that he was by no means stuffy and boring.

And then, she dared try to get up while he was still completely unable to do so. In his trademark fashion, Edric caught hold of her wrist and tugged on it, signaling he had no desire for her to leave her spot.

"No, you're not leaving me here," he protested.

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