"And I never intended to hold it against you," Albus adds matter-of-factly, paying no particular attention to Scorpius" dismay. "Not at all, in fact I was inspired by your recklessness at the time. How much effort it would have taken me to convince you of that binding ring beforehand! How many hours, days, perhaps years would it have cost me - additional years of my life - to free myself from this Curse if I had honestly sought your consent to do so?"