Ethan raised an eyebrow at her words, still keeping his arms around her. He really wished she wasn't so hard on herself all the time and could see the great person she really was. Shaking his head slightly, he said, "I happen to know firsthand how lucky he really is.. You aren't something to put up with. You're someone I want to be with." He lightly kissed her forehead before settling back in his seat again. Didn't she know everyone had their little issues and that no one was perfect? Their relationship may have had its ups and downs but it was what had shown them how much they could be there for each other and how strong their bond really was. It was how he knew they would last being separated from each other.

He nodded a bit, his mind wandering to the earlier boat ride. "Yeah, Daichi's an alright bloke.." He had gotten the idea that some people questioned his prefectship, especially with the ice cream issue, but Ethan always liked the guy. He was nice and Ethan liked nice. His eyes drifted back to Minerva, hearing her question. "Hmm..? Oh.. yeah, it was.. I know first years come in that way and I guess it was supposed to be symbolic or something.." But it sort of had a diminished effect on him since he didn't originally come in that way, he supposed. "I'm sure that was difficult for you," he said, squeezing her hand. "But you're strong.. and you made it through that," he added with a small smile. She was a very strong girl to go through as much as she had over the years, he knew that. He also knew she would get through the issues she still had lingering.

He allowed the faint smile to stay on his lips as she talked about her carriage ride. The three sixth year girls.. well, seventh year now, he supposed.. were all in the same boat so to speak. It would be nice for them to have each other. He was about to say something along those lines when she mentioned Forrest and the ice cream. He knew the first year Hufflepuff.. very inquisitive boy. She gave him the ice cream? Initially surprised, he chose not to say anything not wanting her to feel worse than she already did. "Don't be so hard on yourself, Min.. it was part of the affliction, I think. You wouldn't have intentionally put anyone in danger." He really didn't want to talk anymore about it though, remembering their fighting, and did not want to relive any of that part of it.

Green eyes followed Minerva's gaze as she looked towards her owl. "I know she will.. and Elise will miss her friends too, I think.." He looked back at his cat again, knowing how much the Siamese had gotten used to Min's two pets.. before looking at her again. "Oh of course they can stay.. I might even put Liesel to work," he added with a wink and grin. Of course his parent had their own owl, but before she got out of Mungo's maybe he could adopt Liesel as his own, temporarily. He thought over the types she suggested and shrugged a little. "I hadn't thought too much about that aspect, I guess.. Maybe we should just go and one will speak to us in a sense." That was how he came to have Elise anyway.. He nodded again at her words. "Maybe we should take Liesel with us to make sure they can get along.."

Ethan smiled as he leaned against her a little, relaxing in the seat. He had a little time before he really had to go and he couldn't think of a better place to spend it right now. "Me either, to be honest," he said quietly. It was really hitting him that this would be his last train ride.. the last time he would be here with her.. and he really wanted to make the most of it.