"That wasn't what I meant," he said, when she mentioned that she was sure some people hadn't noticed. "It was difficult for those of us who cared not to notice the void you left behind."
He wrapped his arms tightly around her when she pressed up against him, content to just hold her close for now, and finding that he had missed this deeply. He froze, and listened as she mentioned having spoke to James, the tears suddenly making sense, and he stroked her hair and back gently, just holding her for now and letting her speak.
"I'm sorry," he murmured. "I can only imagine... how difficult that must have been. And so shortly after your return cannot have made it easier." He shook his head slightly. "Don't apologize. It was hardly something that you could send to him over the network. Any awkwardness caused between us was my own fault for allowing it. You owe me nothing, Lily."