Ioan waved a hand in dismissal of any thoughts of the previous year. He'd managed to keep them at bay for about a week, and that was good. Acknowledging the step forward when she agreed to being friends, he smiled quickly, but his face turned serious again. He didn't look away from her this time.
"I don't want to discourage you from doing it, because there's no end to the experiences you'll have if you do, but giving up your family is worlds different than spending seven months in Azkaban," he said. "It hurt me physically, and I still have nightmares. I was afraid to come back here, and I won't ever forget it. But losing my family, even by my own choice, would leave worse scars than that. Especially if I went it alone."
He didn't know why he was telling her anything about that time. It was weak, but he didn't think she would fault him for it. And it was to make a point, so he said it in good faith.
"I don't know how close you are with your family, and I suppose that would affect the amount of damage done, but still. They're your parents, and there will always be some connection, however faint and far away. If it's something you're determined to do, make sure you have someone. Someone who knows what you're sacrificing and who's strong enough to carry you when it gets to be too much."
If she eventually chose him to be that someone, that was fine as well. It was a long time coming, or so it sounded, and who knows what might happen in the interim?
"Anthony has been that someone for me," he went on, his eyes traveling toward the castle briefly, where his friend was most likely still in class. "He knows when I've reached that point - that point where I can't hear the music anymore. Somehow, he brings me back."