Desperately, he searched her face for some kind of understanding, any sign that she knew he had signed her death sentence. Or at least a prison sentence. Nothing showed in her features, she looked practically serene as he gripped her hands. The only sign she felt anything was a slight tremble in her fingertips. He gripped her hands tighter. He needed her to know he would try to keep her safe. Safe from the Dark Lord and his followers, from his family, and from himself. 