She hated that he couldn't, or wouldn't take her along with him, and she hated that she couldn't bring herself to mention it and risk rejection. It was something she knew she would come to regret as the weeks and months without him went by.

Keeping her arms around him, not yet willing to even so much as try to hold onto him a little less tightly, Lily hid her face against his shoulder, considering what it was she had to look forward to without him. Even if she went home, she knew she wasn't going to be able to shake this sadness off easily. The loss of him was going to stay with her for a long time.

"Eleven," Lily lifted her head, resting it against his and she closed her eyes and tried to fight off the tears once more.