Julien winced because nothing he was saying was helping and he couldn't do anything to make it better. Well, he could cast a Cheering Charm but there was something about doing that to Alfie right now that made him feel a bit sick to his stomach, so he refrained. He slid his arm a little more across Alfie's shoulders though, and sat closer to him so that they were in a kind of one-armed hug. "Don't think the worst Alfie, you haven't heard anything bad OR good yet..." he tried to comfort.