"I will write", he promised as they continued along the path. On the High Street ahead, shapes of passers-by could be seen — Arven rather wished they'd said their goodbyes back in the woodland so they wouldn't have to feign something Proper in the eyeline of Hogsmeade residents.

"And you will see me again, if you wish it so", Arven came to a gradual halt, and turned to face her. He would have given her the choice of another covert meeting or a more formal call, but he would give her time and space to think on it first. After all, Dove might come to regret today's escapades in the cold light of normalcy.