That really wasn't ivy. Even if Gabe hadn't been keeping an extremely sharp eye out for the stuff in the past couple of days (after springing a couple of older students taking seasonal advantage and having absolutely no desire for... well, this to happen) he had once, actually, force-fed mistletoe to his besotted best friend. And fuck Hogwarts and its sense of humour. Or timing. Or something. Fuck it, anyway. Of all the times he could've been stuck under a ridiculous tradition with a babbling William, this was not the time, and definitely not the cause of nervousness he would have chosen.
"Yeah," Gabe said slowly, and leant down to pick up the book that had tumbled out of his lap at some point. He waved it towards the door as he added, "I should go and..." And not be here. Where he frantically wasn't wanted. Gesturing with the book in something halfway between a wave and a salute, Gabe headed for the door without another word.