Was she actually propositioning James? Hugo's stomach gave a strange, sickening flip, as if he had been punched very hard and very suddenly. He was unable to say much more than "Well I am here" to Alex before turning and walking off in the opposite direction. Well what was he supposed to say? Somehow he didn't think that punching James was going to go down well, seeing as it was James' birthday. It was also quite likely to be an unfair match, since James had magic at his disposal and Hugo had another ten months of the Trace to endure.
He stalked to the other side of the room and poured himself a drink. Now all this had transpired (all what? a little voice in his head protested) he just wanted to go back to the castle, if he was honest, but he couldn't go anywhere until Lucy showed up. He glanced around. Who could he talk to that wouldn't rat him out?