“You’re seventeen. You’re supposed to be dealing with school and hormones and dim-witted parents. You’re supposed to be finding out who you are as a person.”“But I already know who I am,” Valkyrie said. “I’m a world-breaker.”

“You’re crying.”“I’m not.”“Right,” he said mildly. “I suppose you got rained on.”

“Sometimes the best way to find out what you’re supposed to do is by doing the thing you’re not supposed to do.”

“What do we do now?”“Well, we escape. I’m not sure how yet, but—”“No,” said Valkyrie. “What do we do now? We’re partners. You’re my best friend. I love you. You were my… I looked up to you. What am I supposed to do now?”He turned away. “You need to find yourself a new hero.”

“How am I supposed to forget you?” Helen asked, laughing weakly at such a silly suggestion. “You’re too big a part of me. I’d have to forget who I am to forget you.”

“You are the Chosen One?”“Of course I am,” said Harry calmly.“But then . . . my dear boy . . . you’re asking a great deal . . .you’re asking me, in fact, to aid you in your attempt to destroy —”“You don’t want to get rid of the wizard who killed Lily Evans?”“Harry, Harry, of course I do, but —”“You’re scared he’ll find out you helped me?”Slughorn said nothing; he looked terrified.“Be brave like my mother, Professor. . . .”