We sit by the fire, and I peer at Draco questioningly. I’ve had time to cool off - which didn’t help very much - and I wonder why he’s even worried for me. Finally, I get the courage to ask.

Draco looks up at me, surprised. “Why wouldn’t I be? I mean ... we’ve been ... friends ... since we were kids. I couldn’t let you go under ... not now ... and especially not because of a girl.”

“But she’s not just a girl,” I sigh. “She’s ... I don’t know ... she’s the first one to see me - for me.”

“But she doesn’t see you like you think she does,” Draco points out, and I cringe. “She doesn’t know the real you ... she doesn’t know that you’re a Death Eater. Goyle ... you’re good at what you do, and you’ve been training for this all of your life. Don’t give it up now - look at my parents. They had relationships before, but then they found each other ... you’ll find someone else, too.”

....

I avoid Janie completely the next day. I think she notices it, but she doesn’t really ask any questions until I don’t talk to her for three days. On my way to Herbology, someone pushes me up against the wall. I don’t even have to look to know that it’s her.

“What’s your problem? You’re ignoring me in school, and now you won’t even answer my owls!”

“I - I’ve been ... er ... busy,” I finish lamely.

Janie blinks at me, not even fazed by my lie. “Did I do something wrong, or something?”

“No!” I say, surprised she could even make that assumption. “I just ...”

She sighs. “You just what?”

I look at her. “I think we need to take a break. I’ve got a lot going on and ... well ... I just can‘t handle it all anymore.”

Her eyes grow wide. “What do you possibly have going on that’s now ‘too much to handle?’ I mean - all you do is classes, and you don’t even have Quidditch practices this month!”

I know she won’t let this go easy. “I have to go,” I say, not wanting to lie anymore. “I’m sorry ... but we’re over.”