Watching the house elf leave, Charlotte held back when he set the tray on the bed and began to dig in, noting the mechanical gestures with which he did so. There was no pleasure, there was no desire to stay longer than absolutely necessary, and if nothing else Charlotte took that disturbingly to heart. She had not expected to see him, but now that he was here, now that she felt they were connecting, it was horrible to be treated in such a manner.

"Stop it," she breathed, repeating it with more force when she moved forward and yanked the plate from his hand, not caring if the food fell onto her comforter. It wasn't like she much favored it anyway.

"If it's just like old times," she said, her fingers hesitating before they touched the side of his face, her thumb lifting his chin just so, "Why won't you look me in the eye?"