"Always so very conscientious," he said, running his fingers quietly through her hair. Especially now, when their duties seemed to have switched - she'd risen to the occasion admirably. "I hope it pleases you. I know it's a difficult change," he continued, against his better judgment, "but you've worked too hard not to enjoy it, in the end." And he knew very well that if she were unhappy, he wouldn't be enjoying himself - for any number of reasons.
"Draco will be close by," he added. He was certain that was at the root of her despondency. "And the grandchildren, of course." He was only half teasing.