I can see that. The words cut deep, even as they left her mouth in the same even voice she'd greeted him with. There was no anger, no tears, no outward anguish like Sisse had shown. What there was, however, was a matter-of-factness that even Cameron could not dispute against, and he found himself simply staring at her with wide brown eyes and his brow slightly creased. He could feel the tension rising, and it dawned upon him that Alice was a person that he would have to explain things to. She and Sloane were dorm-mates and friends, but out of the two of them Alice was closer to him.

"Yes," he said quietly yet firmly. There was no guilt, not wavering in his voice that suggested that he should feel bad—because he didn't. "Though I must admit I don't agree with her reasoning." Sisse's anger still struck him as irrational to this day, because it was not his fault that she was unable to accept that feelings between two people didn't require a third party's consent.

"Please don't tell anyone. I couldn't bear it if she was expelled," he added, lowering his voice. He would have it easier as a boy. He knew that. It was girls who bore the brunt of scandal, and with her spot on the quidditch team and more outspoken nature a scandal like this would likely get her labeled a hussy rather than an infatuated schoolgirl. Sure, he might lose his position as Gryffindor captain, but the chance of him being outright expelled was much lesser.

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