Lachlan suspected they'd be everywhere together when they returned: the Ministry, the tabloids, the gossip mills, everywhere. Her auror status and the fact that he'd technically committed manslaughter just days ago wouldn't help the rumors, and he was sure someone would bring up the fact that they were previously involved in another case. Merlin, he'd never expected this much drama when he appeared at the British National Team tryouts. Maybe it would be easier to drop dead... but that would mean leaving her alone, sad and cold and with less hope than ever. They had to try.

"Very," he grunted as he found his footing. If he managed to make it out of here, he imagined his muscles would be permanently frozen by the cold. He couldn't remember what it felt like to not be in pain. "But we've got to go or we'll grow weaker in here. We need to search for land, and then food if we can't find better shelter."

---