While she was mildly relieved to know she wouldn't have to spend the night waiting on pins and needles for his arrival, Melody was mostly disappointed to hear they'd have even less time together before he left for school. It was going to be such a dramatic change next week that Melody selfishly wished he'd just abandon the London townhouse altogether in favor of being with them more. Nora certainly would miss having him around everyday again, even if she couldn't say as much. And she had already become reliant on Ben's presence around the cottage. She didn't have to answer every cry and could easily rest whenever he mentioned her having some time for herself. To lose that so abruptly was more daunting than she cared to acknowledge at present.

She waited a minute for him to continue speaking, her paranoia already spewing the worst scenarios imaginable for him to come out with. When the silence continued, Melody frowned and finally ate one of the peas she'd been toying with. Her question had obviously thrown him off and so she felt obligated to forcibly push the conversation forward, however awkward it now felt. "Are you excited to be teaching? Will you be refereeing the games as well?" She knew the answers to both questions already, knew he was likely overjoyed at the prospect of both being seen as responsible enough to be around young children and to have quidditch so thoroughly incorporated into his life again. Still, she forked another pea and looked up at him expectantly.

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