"Slow down," Lysander said under his breath as he followed behind Kit in the woods. It was currently summer vacation, as the year had come to an end for everyone in Hogwarts—and Kit had the idea of inviting the Scamander on one of her apprentice expeditions to finding a new set of woods to prepare for a new batch of wands for the next couple of years.

"The wood is not waiting for us, Scamander" Kit turned to him with one large branch in her hand," We have to harvest them at the right moment and if we miss this certain batch—We have to wait until next year to gather it"

"What?! Next year?? Just for being a bit off on the time?!" Lysander gawked as she turned to him again and deadpanned at him.

She stared at him for a while then waved her hand," The wood is cultivated to a period that only allows the proper garnering. If we are careless, the wand made out of the wood would end up broken over a simple spell. It can also lead to the user being harmed from the core overpowering the wood itself and it's even possible for death"

"That's—" He nodded taking in the information," So, have you ever made that mistake? I mean...well getting the wood when it was not meant to be harvested"

Kit stopped in her tracks and for a few second her eyes downcast. It was naturally to make these mistakes, but Kit hated it," Yeah, a couple of times actually...It was when"

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, Kitty" Lysander whispered placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I just...I can't be brave without him, Lysander" Kit's voice cracked as she still refused to look at him," I...I'm not even sure I am still fit to do the job without him"

"Hey" The male spoke up raising his voice to push away her negativity," Stop that, Kit, you know you love this, don't look down at all your hard work. It's not about being brave, it's about being strong for yourself, not for anyone, just you alone"

Kit closed her eyes as she inhaled deeply," Alone—is not something I'm used to"

"It's not something anyone can be used to, Kit" Lysander responded as he gently made her face him," Trust me when I say this. You may feel alone right now, but one day you'll find someone who'll never make that feeling exist"

"That someone was Cato" Kit strained and Lysander shook his head

"Cato—is your brother, your other half. He is not the one that takes that loneliness away. He's the one that cheers you on from behind as you find that person"

"Who is cheering me on now?" Kit blurted out as her eyes started to fill up with tears," Who will be the one to support me?"

"You act as if you don't have anyone in the world Kit" Lysander chuckled placing a hand on her cheek," I've always been cheering you on, you know, just as long as you allow me to do so"

Kit didn't respond, because she was not sure if she was fully ready to just say 'yes' or 'climb over my wall'.

"I'll wait on the outside" Lysander suddenly said, almost as if he heard her thoughts, which had her stare at him in shock.

"How—"

"Listen, if I explained it, we'll be standing here for hours and we don't have that right now—We have harvesting to do" He winked as he slyly passed her, however, when she was out of sight from his face—He was completely flustered from his own words.

From behind him, Kit was mirroring the same exact face.