There was some saying, wasn't there? Something about never wanting to meet your heroes, because they'd inevitably disappoint you.

She'd thrown both their ledgers open and put all of their darkest demons on display. He should have hated her for that.

He smiles quietly and wishes her luck, because even though she calls him a pompous git every time he sends her to detention, seven years ago, she was still the one who didn't laugh at him when he got lost on the way to the Great Hall.

Redemption was a fickle and elusive thing. But if magic could exist, maybe anything was possible.