Draco’s words surprised Harry; regardless of whether or not it had taken any force, Draco had decided it was best for him to stay, and Harry had listened.<br/>“I just can’t stay any longer,” he repeated without any added infliction. Nothing else felt appropriate to say, though the words he swallowed left his throat in knots. The warning in Draco’s voice felt harsh, blind to the fact that Harry had put his life on pause for four month out of blind trust to Draco’s capabilities and process. It had gotten to a point where they simply didn’t make progress quickly enough.<br/>And still, all Harry said was a simple, monotone, “Sorry.”<br/>Just as Harry understood his own sacrifice, he understood the tremendous effort Draco had put into helping him. Draco had been working close to around the clock for the entirety of Harry’s stay, and it filled Harry with a strange sense of regret, having so hoped that Draco had been able to figure it out by now.<br/>He placed the spoon back onto the table in an attempt to qualm his fidgeting, forcing a change in their tone. “I hope that leaves you enough time to rework your wards.”