“I meant what I told you before,' he said softly. 'I want to take care of you. When we get back to Caer-Isel, the horrible professors and the horrible students... I never want you to have to weather it all alone again.'

Effy's throat tightened. 'They're cruel. They'll be cruel to you, too.'

'It doesn't matter. I'm not afraid to care about you, Effy.”