Six years later, she was barefoot, toes curled into the damp dirt beneath her feet, sitting on a bench with Ginny during a recess period early in the fall.
When she looked up, she saw him walking past, arm around a girl in Slytherin robes. His eyes met hers, and held, his head turning as they walked past. He finally broke eye contact, and she returned to her book.
She noticed his eyes on her more after that, during meals and combined classes. She felt him watching her, but instead of making her feel uncomfortable, she felt safe. For the first time in years.