"Ludicrously brave," Dean replied with a smile, letting his eyes close for a moment. "I like that. It think it was mostly ludicrous though." Feeling Seamus's hand in his imparted a sort of strength. It may have all been psychological strength but he needed it and he took it gratefully.
"I wish I had too," Dean responded with a low and intense fury in his voice. "I tried...I tried to protect your mum, Seamus," Dean whispered. "I'm sorry. I don't even know if the witch would have tried so hard to come after us if not for me." He let out a shaky breath. "It was when I looked into Ron's memory and saw her, what she did to Penelope. I drew a sketch and Ron was going to circulate it."
Dean fell silent but only for a moment. "Then I saw her, in Diagon. She was looking at your mum at first, and then she saw me, and I recognised her and tried to get your mum away. Soon as the witch saw I knew her face...she came after us."
Dean pulled his gaze away from Seamus's. "I should have tried harder in the alley and none of this-"