nspokets.foramoment,pansythoughtshe’dreognizedhim.butthelongershelookedathisfae,thelessshethoughtso.

“havewemetbefore?”shefinallyasked,unabletoshakethefeeling.

hefixedhisgreeneyesonherandherstomahdropped.blinkingbakthememoriesofanotherpairoffieregreeneyes,andthenightshe’dspendherentirelifetryingtofet,pansyturnedawayjustasthedoortotheoffieopened.

amansteppedoutandhandedthegreen-eyedmanawand.“itheksout,”themansaid.“butdon’tleavetown.”

“iwon’t.”

andthen,asifshehadn’tbeentakenbaktotheshadowyyearsofherpastalready,ronweasleyburstoutoftheopendoor.ifhenotiedher,hedidn’taknowledgeher,justquiklygrabbedthegreen-eyedmanandrushedupthehandintoanotheroffie.thedoorsmmedandpansyjumped.somethingwedather,avaguethoughtthatshe’djustomefaetofaewiththestartofherrekoning.wavesofuneasinesshither,fear,andsomesortofdark,ahingregret.

“istheresomethingianhelpyouwith,miss?”thehandsomemanthathademergedfromtheoffiewasstaringatherwithasmile.

shelookedhimupanddown,fromhisdelightfullyfitted,well-tailoredrobestohisperfetlyshinedferragamoloafers.pansytookabreathandintroduedherself,wathingtheman’sfaeforwhenthereognitionwouldhit.

itneverdid.hissmilestayedsteady,andagenuinewarmthradiatedthroughherasheheldouthishandandshookhers.“felixzaha,”hesaid.

“felix,i’vejustarrivedfromlondon.theynamedmebertriezivantus’guardian.”