"Yes, but we've always known that," she pointed out. "I'm retracing his steps, things that he put in place before, and it's a careful journey through his life. You can see that each place meant something to him, to the wizard we knew. This Voldemort is mimicking all of that, but he hasn't experienced it. You've read your own history, can you tell me that you see yourself as that man? Of course not, because you haven't lived it. He's trying to be that powerful wizard, rushing to get the knowledge and powers he had, but he's still eighteen. He'll make mistakes. It's bound to happen. We just need to be there to catch him when he does."
Marlene kicked off her shoes as she got into bed. It was strange not to be the one initiating everything, but she moved closer without even thinking, resting against him. "You're always irritable. I don't see how that's a surprise."
She shook her head. "They were boring there too. There were a few missing shirts, but Dylan is too afraid to get close, Sirius and James only have eyes for each other. I did manage to dance with Regulus, even if I had to make the dress longer. He doesn't trust me, doesn't trust anyone, but maybe I can get him to get involved with someone other than Sirius and James. If I have to lengthen the hemline for that-" She shrugged. "It's not a big deal.
"Did you have fun at the party?" she asked, looking up at him. "It wasn't exactly perfect. Too tame for the kids and too wild for the adults, but it was the only way to balance it."