While Scorpius still has no idea what to do, struggling with the fact that he has to tell an unpleasant, possibly dangerous truth, Avery just blurts it out. Pointing at Scorpius (as if that were necessary), he stammers: "Al, I have to - no, we have to tell you something. Just now, in the cellar - it just happened, well, you know, we..." He swallows. "We kissed."