... Damn you, Umbridge, for this. If what Karla was saying was true, this was not how Warren wanted to hear it.

He choked. This time, he choked, his composure slipping for a moment as he keened forward, trying to catch his breath.

"I'm not resistance. I could never be resistance again. But you... Karla, I never stopped wishing I could go back to you." And that line alone was a risk. Was enough to get him killed, if she were to go to Umbridge with it. He let it stand. "When you yelled, I pulled away more. When you struck me, I was struck. An Imperio spell can't take that away, can't make that undo itself. And I can't just take you at your word about it until I can see more of... of you in you."

Which meant that, as things were, they just... they couldn't be.

"I'm sorry."

She had no idea just how sorry he really was.