Justin grimaced when Ernie demanded the promise. It was something he would like to give, but not something he knew if he could give. "I'll try," he said, for it was all he could do. "In a way, I'm glad I didn't try to get word to you. They killed dad trying to get to me. I couldn't let them catch you contacting me, thinking you were a sympathizer and killing you too."
He nodded, knowing that no matter how bad he felt, as long as he had good friends still alive, he wouldn't be able to justify completely hiding away from the world.
"Will you sit with me? During the service, I mean." He tried for a playful, manly punch to Ernie's shoulder. "I've been mooching off Dean and Seamus for a couple of days now, and I think I've worn out my welcome." The words were false - his friends would never turn him away - but Justin had ever been happy with showing emotions without quite talking about them.