"Maybe they're just too - reckless for their own good," Arthur said. That this sentence could be used to describe him was not lost on him; he had ruined his life, more than once, because he had made an ill-advised decision for the hell of it. He had lost a fortune, gone to prison, and gotten punched in the face. More than once.

He had also captained the British national team and jumped ship to the Hogsmeade Howlers. If he hadn't done the latter, they never would have become friends, and he wouldn't be here - might even have drifted into the casino by now. Certainly he would have drifted there after Azkaban if he hadn't had the real responsibility of running a Quidditch team.

"It's easy to lose yourself if you stop paying attention, I think," he said, "Or even if you just think it's worth it."

He wanted to kiss her. Damnit, he wanted to kiss her.

He leaned forward ever so slightly and kissed her.