Well, that was the best that he was going to get, and Ben recognized that. Of course Aldous would wait here, between them and the one fireplace connected to the floo network, so that they couldn't run away. It was weird, seeing it all from this perspective. Ben had been the one inclined to run away from consequences for so long that Aldous knew just what to do to prevent him. It wasn't necessary now, but of course he didn't know that.

"Alright," he agreed with a nod. He looked towards the stairs and took a deep breath, steeling himself for this conversation, then headed up. He took another deep breath before he knocked softly, tentatively on the door.

"Mel?" he called, mouth only an inch or so from the wood to prevent his words from carrying downstairs. "I, ah. I need to come in."

Melody Crouch