Love from Hate

Chapter Two:

Bread and Love Potions

Isabelle entered the Great Hall, glancing around nervously. In the fortnight since her sixteenth birthday, Alexandre seemed to be everywhere. He now took an extra course with Rowena Ravenclaw, and sat next to her everyday, though she studiously ignored him. Mealtimes were the worst, for there was no polite way to say that she didn't want to sit next to him. This supper she was determined to eat on her own.

Spotting her friend Katharine, Isabelle hurried to her side, a glad smile breaking across her face. Sitting down next to Kate, she adjusted her voluminous skirts. "Oh, Kate! ´Tis wonderful to-"

"May I sit here?" The voice was deep and masculine, and for a second, Isabelle thought it was Alexandre's. But it had the accent of a peasant. Startled, Isabelle glanced up, and met the piercing gray eyes of Thomas Potter.

Isabelle nodded mutely, still trying to figure out what he was doing here. She only knew him by sight, as he was a student of Sir Godric. She did know, however, that he and Alexandre despised each other with a passion.

Katharine leaned over to smile graciously at Thomas, her green eyes wide with interest. "Good morrow, Thomas. This is my dearest companion, Isabelle Argonian. Isabelle, this is Thomas Potter."

Thomas smiled, barely glancing at Kate. He brought Isabelle's hand to his lips, pressing a kiss just above her knuckles. "´Tis a pleasure to make thy acquaintance, fair Isabelle."

Isabelle was forced to pull her hand away, though it was horribly rude, for he held on to for far too long. "As ´tis a pleasure to make thine. Thou art a student of Sir Godric, true?"

"Sir Godric is my tutor, yes." Thomas smiled charmingly, "And thou art the fairest student of the Lady Rowena."

Isabelle blushed, looking away. He must know that she was engaged; the whole school chattered about it when they thought that Isabelle and Alexandre could not hear. And though Isabelle was pleased with the attention, she also noticed Katharine's pained expression.

From across the Hall, Alexandre watched them, his blue-green eyes pained. He knew that Isabelle knew of his enmity with Thomas, but she had ignored it. Instead of sitting with Isabelle, like he normally would, he strode over and took a seat with his companion Leonardo Medici.

"Good morrow, Alexandre. What is the trouble?" Leonardo greeted his friend, eyes wandering across the hall to where Isabelle sat. "Ah," he said knowingly, wisely keeping the smile from his face. "Thy lady seems to be testing you," he observed.

"More than test me. She seems to enjoy taking my affections and manipulating them," Alexandre retorted angrily. Leonardo said nothing to this angry outburst, for he knew he would feel the same if put in the same position.

"I think you should let her see how you feel, if you know what I mean?" Leonardo whispered conspiratorially, raising his eyebrows. He looked like he was about to say more, but the feminine voice of Bonnie Weasley stopped him.

"Ah, Master Malfoy having a wee bit o´ trouble, this fine evenin´?" came the thick Irish brogue. Alexandre looked up, and quickly stood, being the gentleman he always is.

"Ah, Mistress Weasley. Always a pleasure," he greeted her, brushing his lips against her knuckles.

"Pleasure is all mine, Alexandre," Bonnie replied, dipping him a small curtsey.

"Wouldst thou care to sit, Mistress Weasley?" Leonardo inquired, motioning to the seat across from them.

"Thank thee, kind sirs," she said flushing, sitting down in the mentioned seat. "How are ye, this fine evenin´?" she inquired, taking a dainty sip of her pumpkin juice.

"I am not feeling well. Perhaps a stroll in the gardens after supper, Bonnie?" Alexandre asked her. Bonnie nodded, her green eyes sparkling.

"´Twould be my pleasure, sir," she told him. There was a silence as the three of them began the meal, each lost in their own thoughts. They made light chit-chat, all the while Alexandre glancing at the table where Isabelle sat.

"It is true, thou art tutored by Lady Helga?" Leonardo inquired of Bonnie, looking at her with hidden interest.

"´Tis true," she confirmed. "And thee and thy companion study with Lord Salazar, do ye not?"

"You speak the truth, dear miss," Alexandre cut in, smiling at her. Bonnie smiled back, quite entranced with his charms. She had heard rumors that Alexandre was engaged to a certain Isabelle Argonian, and was envious of the young lady.

"Lady Argonian must be fortunate to have a suitor such as thyself," she said, smiling knowingly. Alexandre´s face at once became closed, his blue-green eyes unreadable. He did not bother to answer the young lady´s question, and he vaguely heard Leonardo answering for him. He gazed over at where Isabelle sat with her friend, laughing at something Thomas had said. His cheeks flushed, for she never laughed at anything he said.

He stood up quickly. "I am sorry, Leonardo, Bonnie, but I must hasten to my quarters. I am not feeling well." With that simple explanation, he hurried quickly out of the Hall, not caring if anyone saw this and thought ill of him.

Isabelle saw this, and stopped laughing abruptly, feeling oddly guilty. She shook it off, reminding herself that that was her goal. To make Alexandre...What? Hate her? But she didn't want that, really. She just wanted freedom, the freedom to choose on her own. Still, if Alexandre hating her was the only way for that to happen, then so be it.

Katharine saw Isabelle watching Alexandre's retreat, and bit back a sigh. She cared for her friend's happiness, but she often felt that Isabelle did not hold her in the same regard. Deciding to let Isabelle stew, she turned her most charming smile on Thomas. "Wouldst thou care to join me for a stroll in the gardens? I could do with the fresh air..."

"Only if the Lady Isabelle would be so kind to accompany us," Thomas replied smoothly, watching Isabelle with cool gray eyes.

Katharine bit her lip, glancing away. Suddenly Isabelle was disgusted with herself. Pressing the fingers of her right hand to her temple, in the process displaying her promise ring, she gave a small gasp. "Oh! I-I feel ill...Mayhap I should lie down."

Katharine's anger dissipated immediately, her green eyes filled with worry for her friend. "Would you like me to take you upstairs?"

"Oh, no, no...I'll be fine. You two just stay here. Go on that walk...I'm terribly sorry to retire early, but I really feel quite faint," Isabelle insisted, standing up. She smiled cordially at Thomas and sweetly at Kate, then swept off before either of them could protest.

The next morning dawned bleak and dreary, and Isabelle smiled rather grimly as she looked out of the window. It matched her mood perfectly. Silently, she donned her favorite dark green morning gown, and pinned her brown curls up by hand. It was one of the things that, oddly enough, she enjoyed about Hogwarts. The fact that since all the students were equals, no one was allowed personal servants somehow made Isabelle feel self-sufficient.

Isabelle hurried through the gloomy corridors, trying to dredge up enthusiasm for Transfiguration class to no avail. It was the one class she had with Alexandre, and sure to be torturous after last night. As she turned the corner, nearing the classroom, she heard angry male voices. Ducking back around the corner, she furrowed her brow, trying to make out who it was and what they were shouting about.

"Leave her alone!"

"Why dost thou care? ´Tis not as if she is thy property."

"Do not presume to speak in such a manner to me. Leave her be. This spat is between thou and I alone."

Isabelle happened a chance peek around the corner to see who was speaking. She nearly fainted when she saw that it was Alexandre and Thomas, both looking very red in the face. Each had his wand drawn. Alexandre´s back was to her, but she could see the murderous look in Thomas´s stormy gray eyes. She swallowed nervously; hoping neither one of them glanced in her direction. She ducked back around the corner, and now she knew of whom they were arguing.

"Me! They´re arguing over me!" she realized, hazel eyes widening. She looked around helplessly, hoping someone would come along to stop the fight before it turned physical. "´Twould be a shame for that perfect nose to be broken..." began that little voice in her head again, but she quickly silenced it.

"Thee act as if thee own her. I may do damn well what I please," came Thomas´s harsh voice.

"Thee shall not speak to me in such a fashion. Remember who thou art, and remember who I am," Alexandre´s angry voice cut in.

Just then, the doors of the Transfiguration room were swung open, much to Isabelle´s relief.

"My dear children, why dost thou fight?" came the soft voice of Lady Rowena Ravenclaw.

Both boys lowered their heads in shame. Isabelle, who was listening to the whole scene, sighed a quiet sigh of relief. The two boys exchanged venomous glares when Lady Rowena´s back was turned.

"Come in! Come in. Class will start shortly," the gentle woman called from inside the room.

The two boys entered the room. Isabelle waited for a few moments. In that lapse of time, she saw Bonnie Weasley enter the Transfiguration room. She had heard some idle gossip in the Courtyard on one occasion that said that the young Mistress Weasley fancied Alexandre. She could also recall bristling angrily at hearing such mindless gossip about her fiancée.

She had been so deep in her thoughts that she hadn´t been paying any attention to her surroundings. She let out a muffled shriek when someone tapped her on the shoulder.

"Issy! Hush! `Tis only I," came the whispered voice of Katharine. "Why are you hiding around this corner?" she inquired of her friend.

"Oh! Kate! You gave me a fright!" Isabelle said in low tones, nearly laughing with relief. She decided not to tell Kate about the real reason she had been hiding around the corner. Issy suspected that her friend fancied the young Thomas, and didn´t want to ruin a friendship over a boy. She adjusted her voluminous skirts, not looking at her friend.

"´Tis of no consequence," she said airily, waving her hand dismissively. "Let us join the others for our lesson, ere we are late." With that, she linked arms with her friend and led her into the classroom.

Once inside, the girls were greeted by a sight. Alexandre was speaking animatedly with Bonnie, who was laughing at whatever he was saying. Seeing this made Isabelle´s cheeks flush with jealousy. Even though she reminded herself time and again that she did not love her fiancée, she could not help feeling a twinge of jealousy when she saw him with other girls. Kate noticed this, yet wisely held her tongue. Instead, she led Issy over to where Thomas sat, idly twirling his wand in his hands.

Standing up, he bowed to both of them. "Lady Isabelle, Lady Katharine," he said cordially, motioning to the seats next to him. "I would be honored if thou sat with me during the lesson."

"We will," Katharine said, a bit eagerly. Isabelle made a mental note of this and pulled out her parchment, ink, and quill, along with the other supplies she´d need for the class.

Alexandre glanced at the trio sitting on the other side of the room, but decided to ignore them. After all, if Isabelle could toy with his emotions, why not do the same to her? He had considered breaking the engagement, but had quickly gotten rid of that idea. His father would be less than happy about that idea.

He continued conversing with young Bonnie Weasley. Students began to trickle in, including Leonardo and a couple of Bonnie´s friends, who cast her envious looks. As soon as Lady Rowena was satisfied with the number of students in the room, she clapped her hands to gain everyone´s attention. The room instantly fell silent. Lady Rowena looked around the room at all of them.

"My dear children, today we will be transfiguring these stones," she told them, motioning to a pile of medium sized rocks on her desk. "You will all be working with a partner. I will assign you partners, and I will inform you of what you will be doing this class."

Lady Rowena pulled out a long scroll of parchment, a list of who would be working together.

"Potter and Weasley! Medici and Smith! Argonian and Malfoy!" Isabelle groaned softly when she heard that she had been paired with Alexandre. She knew it was just her sweet tutor's way of being helpful, and the fact that it was well meaning made it twice as worse. She put her head on the desk. Kate and Thomas looked less than happy about the arrangements.

Alexandre´s eyes clouded over as Lady Rowena read the list. After his name was called, he didn´t even bother to listen to see who else had been paired. Lady Rowena called for them to meet with their partners and to get at a desk. (The desks held two people) Alexandre picked up his schoolbag and supplies and made his way over to Isabelle, sitting down in the seat next to her. He hardly acknowledged her, only politely nodded, as a gentleman should.

Lady Rowena magicked the rocks onto the students´ desks, and then began to speak. "Today you will be learning to Transfigure these rocks into bread. Be not anxious if you cannot perform this feat today. We will practice again the next time we meet. Now, wave your wand over your rock and say `Calx tu crustum,´" she instructed. Waving her wand, she said the required words. The rock turned into a loaf of white bread.

The rest of the class began to do this. Alexandre rolled his eyes, inwardly wondering why they needed to work in partners. He looked around the room at everyone else. When Leonardo caught his eye, Alexandre gave him a half-hearted smile. He chanced a glance at Isabelle. She was looking down at the desk, the expression on her face quite unreadable.

Picking up her wand with a sigh, Isabelle forced herself to look at Alexandre. She realized that he had been watching her, from the way a faint blush colored his cheeks when he turned away to pull out his own wand.

"Why don't we get started?" He suggested brusquely. He waved his wand at the stone before him. "Calx tu crustum."

Nothing happened. Alexandre drew himself up, lifting his chin in annoyance. "Calx tu crustum."
Isabelle sighed softly, and put her hand on his wand arm to stop him from trying again. "Thou art moving thy hand wrong."

Alexandre remained silent, looking down at his arm coldly. Isabelle followed his gaze, and blushing, realized her hand was still there. She pulled it away hastily.

"Now watch me do the spell." She instructed him. Flicking her wand from side to side, then swishing it down onto the stone, she said, "Calx tu crustum."

The stone slowly turned to a loaf of white bread. Isabelle picked it up eagerly, then frowned. It only looked like a piece of bread.

She repeated the spell, "Calx tu crustum." This time, it turned into a soft loaf of bread. Isabelle smiled up at Alexandre, pleased with herself.

Alexandre smiled back, startled as always by her beauty. He desperately wanted to say something clever, to make her laugh as she had done the night before, but laugh for him, at his joke. Half because she was his fiancée, and in a little less than two years they'd be married... And half because being around her made his head feel light. He turned his attention back on the spell, determined to get it right.

Isabelle looked away quickly; startled and disturbed by the way his smile made her heartbeat quicken. She bit back a laugh as she saw Thomas and Bonnie arguing. Thomas had once courted the lass, but she had scorned him, and they bickered every time they were within five feet of each other.

There was Katharine, eating a piece of her perfect bread while she watched Leonardo struggle with the spell. Looking up, Kate caught Isabelle's eyes, and winked. Isabelle smiled back, thankful that this class wasn't going as disastrously as she had thought it would.

Alexandre completed the spell successfully. His handsome face flushed with pride, he turned to Isabelle, hoping that perhaps she did not despise him. She had helped him with the spell, after all. "Thank thee for thy help. Since we have finished early, mayhap thee would care to converse with me?"

"´Twas nothing." Isabelle said shortly. Biting her lip, she hesitated.

At the front of the room, Rowena clapped her hands, blue eyes shining with pride. The students fell silent as she spoke. "You have all done splendidly. You are free to leave."

"Thank you, Lady Rowena." Isabelle thought fervently, and stood. She shoved her wand into her pocket. "I am sorry, Alexandre, but I must prepare for my next lesson. Fare thee well."

Alexandre watched silently as she walked over to Katharine. The two girls left the room, talking together animatedly. Isabelle never talked to him like that, and it hurt. He wanted so much to be happy in his future marriage. But how would that ever work if the woman he were to marry would not even speak with him for longer than absolutely necessary?

Leonardo strode over to his best friend, shaking his head. "Come now, Alex, 'tis far too sorrowful a look which fills thy face. Let us go to our commons. Mayhap I have an idea which will cure thy pains." Alexandre stood, following Leonardo silently out of the room.

Leonardo's plan was so simple; Alexandre wondered why he had not thought of it himself. "Probably because I let my emotions blind me," he admitted silently. He grinned at his friend, shaking his head in admiration. "´Tis simple, and crazy...yet it may work."

"You must admit, it is practically fool-proof." Leonardo smirked. "'Tis the perfect chance to explain your feelings, and be assured the lass will listen."

Alexandre nodded, though a hint of doubt crept into his voice when he spoke again. "And 'tis not permanent? There is nothing in it that will harm her?"

"Who is top in Potions?" Leonardo shot back with a smile. "You have my word as the son of a knight. It will last but a day. The lass will not be harmed."

"All right. And you have all the ingredients?" Alexandre asked.

"Er...Everything but the ashwinder eggs, and..." Leonardo looked slightly embarrassed. "I need a lock of thy hair."

"Hmm...Lord Salazar will give me the ashwinder eggs, no questions asked. And as for my hair, I'll give you a piece right now." Alexandre said.

"Then let us begin! You go fetch the ashwinder eggs, and I'll set up the rest of the equipment." Leonardo grinned, and headed up to his room to fetch his things.

The next morning, Alexandre and Leonardo rose early. Carefully, they poured the potion into a small jar, and Alexandre dropped a lock of his hair inside. He sealed it shut, and put the jar into his pocket.

"Leo?" Alexandre asked, stopping just outside the doors to the Great Hall. "How do I slip this in her drink without her noticing?"

Leo bit his lip in irritation. "I hadn't thought of that...I will distract her." And with that, he swept into the Great Hall, Alexandre following apprehensively.

Isabelle looked up as the doors to the Great Hall swung open, and felt her heart drop with disappointment when she saw it was just Leonardo. Then Alexandre walked in, and she fought back an indescribable sort of panic, in which her heart seemed to flip over, and her stomach drop to her knees. He looked so handsome...

Katharine, watching her friend, smirked slightly, and nudged her. "Thou look as though thou hast seen a ghost."

Isabelle shook her head, "Oh, no, no ghost... I-I was just erm, that is... Looking around..." She finished weakly, as Leonardo and Alexandre strode up to their table.

Leonardo bowed gracefully to the girls, Alexandre following suit, though his eyes remained firmly on Isabelle's. Leonardo extended his arms to the two girls. "'Twould please me greatly if I might speak with both of ye for a few moments."

The girls exchanged surprised glances, before standing and taking his arms. "But of course..." Katharine murmured, seeing that Isabelle was in a world of her own.

Leonardo led them to the other side of the room, flicking one encouraging glance at Alexandre. He turned back to the table, pulling out the potion. Then he panicked. He had been so bedazzled by Isabelle; he could not for the life of him which glass was hers. He glanced wildly around the room, and met the cold gray eyes of Thomas Potter.

Thomas glared at Alexandre, as though he knew what the other boy was trying to accomplish. Waiting until Thomas finally looked away, Alexandre quickly dumped the potion into the nearest glass, praying it was the right one. Sitting down, he glanced over at Leonardo, nodding almost imperceptibly.
Leonardo and the two girls walked back to the table. Leonardo sat down next to Alexandre, Isabelle and Katharine sat across from them.

The next moment would always stand out in Alexandre's mind as one of the most embarrassing in his life. Time seemed to slow as Katharine raised the glass containing the potion to her lips. She shuddered slightly, her slim shoulders convulsing as Alexandre watched in mute horror. Then she looked up and met his eyes, her green eyes dazed and loving.

Isabelle looked over at her friend, not quite knowing what had happened. "Kate? Kate are you alright?"

"I must go speak to my love," came the absent reply of Katharine.

"And who might that be?" Isabelle asked, not bothering to keep the amusement from her voice. She followed Kate's gaze, only to see Alexandre staring back at the two of them, his mouth slightly open. She noticed the shocked expression on his handsome face and cringed.

"Kate, prithee explain what is going on?" Isabelle's tone became more urgent.

Her words fell upon deaf ears, however. Katharine paid no attention to Isabelle as she continued to gaze at Alexandre, who was studiously avoiding her gaze. Suddenly, Kate stood and made her way over to where the two boys sat.

"Good morrow, Leonardo, Alexandre. Thou had a good sleep?" Kate inquired, gazing lovingly at Alexandre all the while.

It was Leo who answered, his dark blue eyes sparkling in amusement. "Dear lady, pray tell what is your business here?"

Then Kate did something she would never have done if not for the influence of the potion. Staring intently at Alexandre, as if trying to memorize his features, she declared, "Dear Alexandre, I love thee with all my heart. Pray tell you feel the same?" She giggled helplessly as he turned his gaze to her.

He opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by someone joining their table. He looked up to see that Isabelle had seated herself next to her friend, glaring coldly at Alexandre. Needless to say, she had heard every word.

"I think it is time for us to be going now," Isabelle cut in, cold anger evident in every word. She stood up, taking Kate by the arm, and led her out of the Hall.

After they had finally left, Leonardo turned to Alexandre, allowing himself a hearty chuckle. "The fat is in the fire now, eh, Alex?" he commented, looking highly amused.

Alexandre's cheeks were flushed a bright pink from the embarrassment of the whole situation. Instead of slipping his beloved the potion, he ended up giving it to her best friend. Putting his head on the table, he groaned. "Leo, what have I gotten myself into?" he said, feeling extremely sorry for himself. "I should never have let you talk me into this," he added, sounding a bit peeved.

Leonardo put his hand on Alexandre's shoulder. "My friend, I was not the one who placed the potion in the wrong drink," he reminded his friend.

The rest of the day was a disaster, to say the least. Katharine would not leave Alexandre alone for the rest of the day. She giggled and blushed madly whenever he was around, much to Isabelle's evident displeasure. Transfiguration was the worst, since it was the only class the three of them had together. They were reviewing the materials they had covered the day before, and were working with the same partners. Isabelle pointedly ignored him throughout the class, while Kate shot him love-filled glances throughout the entire class. This did not go unnoticed by Rowena Ravenclaw.

Defense Against the Darks Arts was almost as bad. Both Alexandre and Katharine had that particular class together, but Leonardo was not. He was forced to sit next to Katharine, and feel guilt and embarrassment with every giggle, blush, or flirtatious smile she threw his way. At the end of that class, Alexandre attempted to make a hasty exit, to no avail. Kate stopped him, and Sir Godric merely smiled politely before leaving the room. For the first time all-day they were completely alone.

"Alexandre...I know not wherefore these alien emotions have taken hold in me, but I must confess again that I love thee. If 'twere possible, I would sing to the heavens thy praises...Yet thee will not even meet my gaze." Her voice was full of anxiety, her green eyes imploring.

"Katharine, my heart belongs to another. Thee would do well to remember that." He replied tersely, heading for the door.

Kate grabbed his hand, pulling him to her. She was taller than Isabelle, almost 5'4", and so it was easy for her to reach up and kiss him. Kissing Katharine was nothing like kissing Isabelle. For one thing, he didn't want to. And he could feel the magic sparking between them as the potion surged through her veins. But he did not enjoy it. He struggled to step away, and Katharine pulled him closer.

Kate finally let go when she heard someone gasp with surprise. Whirling around to face the door, Alexandre paled. Isabelle stood in the doorway, her face pale and twisted with pain. She turned without a word, and ran.

"Wait! Isabelle!" Alexandre called chasing after her without a word to Kate. He chased Isabelle all the way to her next class, and was late to his own as a result. So he was left to wonder if he should take hope in the fact that she had looked devastated- at least she cared, even if she would not admit it to herself.

Isabelle spent the day in a jealous fog, the only clear point when she had found them. Her best friend and her fiancée, kissing. Thinking about it made her want to scream and throw things, or else break down in sobs. It twisted at her each time she glanced at either of them in passing, and though she had begun to suspect some sort of love spell, she could not think why Alexandre would want Katharine to love him. As some sort of horrible punishment for Isabelle's own behavior? Why then has he looked so tortured when he saw her standing there? Why had he bothered to run after her? And why had he let Katharine kiss him?
Questions and that one horrible memory plagued Isabelle. Her heart was in torment, but the one companion she had always trusted, had always cared for the most was the cause. She had not deigned even to speak to Katharine, locking herself in her room after the last class of the day.

After Potions, which was his last class of the day, Alexandre waved Leonardo ahead. "I-I think I shall retire early. I am not feeling well, due to the events of the day." He wasn't lying, either. His handsome face was paler than usual, causing his pink lips to stand out against the pallor of his skin.

"Very well then. I will meet you in the Commons after supper," Leonardo confirmed, turning in the opposite direction of where Alexandre was headed. He gave Leo a weak nod before making his way to the Slytherin dormitories.

On the way there, he ran into Lady Helga Hufflepuff. She motioned for him to come into the Charms classroom. Motioning for him to sit down at a chair, she stood in front of him, contemplating what to say and how she was going to say it. Alexandre looked at Helga, his face saying that he was miserable.

"Please explain thyself, Master Malfoy," was all the kind, motherly lady said. Her warm brown eyes showed an unhidden sympathy.

Alexandre sighed, drawing his courage from that sympathetic gaze. He spilled the whole story, starting with the fact that he and Isabelle were engaged and she scorned him. He told her of the love potion, and how he had slipped it in the wrong drink. When he had finished, he looked up at her, awaiting her opinion on the whole matter.

"I must say that I am in no way angered by this," she began. Alexandre sighed in relief. "But," she continued, "that does not make it right. There will be no punishment for thee to serve, for I think thou hath been punished enough already. I will, however, converse with the other three. From now on, Love Potions and anything of the like are banned from Hogwarts. You may go now," she finished, dismissing him with a wave of her hand.

Alexandre's lips were drawn up into a grin, and his heart felt lighter than it had in days. He made his way back to the Slytherin dormitories, depositing his books on his bed before entering the commons.

When Leonardo showed up, he explained everything that had taken place. The two both agreed never again to try something as foolish as a love potion.

"After all," Leonardo mused as the two were making preparations for bed, "'Tis far more trouble than 'tis worth."