"Wait, no. Hang on," he shifted, turning his entire upper body to face hers, dropping her hands in favor of framing her face. She felt the heat of his palms along her jaw, felt his fingers pressing in near her temples and he looked deep into her eyes, those grey depths seeming to contain worlds. "Let me make one thing very clear right now, Hermione." His eyes were flicking back and forth between her own, his face deadly serious, voice firm. "Do not lie to me. From here on out, don't lie. Not to me. Don't fucking do it. I mean it." He squeezed her face gently between his large hands in emphasis, and all she could do was nod. Bringing one shaking hand up to wrap around his wrist, she infused as much strength, as much promise, as she could in her next words.