Malou took a sip of her tea, focusing on the warmth and comfort it brought to her. Her mother had always loved tea time. She had delighted in teaching Malou how to drink and serve tea, what to say and what to do. Not that Malou had been particularly good at the conversation part of it. Pulling herself out of the riptide of thoughts she murmured, "Thank you."

At his words Malou looked up, the words were full of understanding. "Indeed." She agreed. The last time she had seen her parents had been Christmas of her seventh year. She had never expected it would be the last time. She could easily remember the smell of gingerbread, her mother's voice singing as Malou played carols on the piano, her father laughing over his whiskey and cigars. The smells and sounds enveloped her like her mother's hugs once had. To her that last break had been what home was. The very essence of it. She had known she wouldn't be home for a long time yet, especially if she pursued the internship at St. Mungo's, but it had felt like home would always be there waiting with open arms for her. It had been the biggest lie of her life.

She returned his smile and might have retorted if it hadn't been for two little words... next time. He wanted to see her again? Malou's heart started to beat faster and again a blush bloomed on her cheeks. There was no chance of a future together, but Malou selfishly was happy he wanted to see her again. That meant it wasn't just duty that had brought him here which was something she did not wish to unpack at the moment. Instead she looked at him with a gentle smile, "And I shall return the favor." He hadn't told her, but she had seen it in her face, she knew enough to know the pain he had suffered as well.