Flushed and out of breath from the element of danger as much as the physical exercise, Belle nodded in response. She stepped closer behind Harry, resisting the urge to hold on to the back of his shirt for comfort. She berated herself for her cowardice, for her fear of being separated.

Wordlessly, she followed the wizard, her wide eyed gaze flicking back to the house and then the strand of hair. What if they were being watched? What if that horrible Hades knew they were there and this was a trap? Her heart was pounding so loudly she could feel it in her fingertips.