"I think your absence was a greater distraction than your presence," he admitted, still smiling as he glanced at the group in the distance as they began walking off in the opposite direction. If they had been alone, Freddie would have crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall, trying to look charming but casual—but they were still at Hogwarts, and there were people right on the other side of the doors leading into the Great Hall, and he couldn't risk looking like he was flirting even if that's what he was doing. "I wondered whether you had left the room, or if you might be peeking through the line. It was terribly distracting, really."

But given how disastrously the class had gone, with all the vomiting and cuts and literal missing digits, Freddie should have been happy that she hadn't continued trying. How would he have handled watching her bleed from a distance? Just like he'd been able to prevent himself from grabbing her arms to steady her, there was no telling whether or not he would have tried to play the hero.

"It's a new job," he admitted, just as sheepishly as her admission. He  glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, and then looked back at her. When he spoke, his voice was quieter, his tone more secretive. "I worked in the Improper Use of Magic Office before, but it was such a bore. I would have made the switch back in January if I knew it would be more time to see your face."

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