Disappointment was an understatement. He already found himself missing the warmth and comfort that her hand provided. All of a sudden he felt his face go white and his skin get chilly. It's okay, his mind tried telling him, she said she fancies you. James tried to put on a brave face, plastering a fake smile on his lips as he took a breath which he desperately hoped wouldn't be shaky.
"Yeah... I s'pose... I understand." He really did try to be sensible about it. After all, he'd been chasing her for years; he could wait another few weeks or months, couldn't he? The situation couldn't possibly be that bad, but as his heart hammered in his ears, all he could see was the memory of breakfast one morning that past week.
"Is it because you're already pining for someone? Aside from me?" It was asked quietly, uncertainly, Narcissa Black's words echoing all too loudly in his head.