I'm convinced that if Nathaniel was more assertive, he'd be the most Slytherin of Slytherins. Not evil, but manipulative, gaining from others' protection, that kind of thing. It's not a bad thing. For someone as submissive as Nathaniel is, it's the best he can hope for to survive.

Ever read the Ringworld books by Larry Niven? They feature a race of beings called the Puppeteers. They don't fight, and are very passive -- but also very smart and manipulative. They're the de facto rulers of the galaxy, a status they achieved by playing off the other beings against each other.

I'm not sure Asher was sparing Anita's feelings so much as he was avoiding a confrontation. The "What do you mean, you were going to shot me??" confrontation.

Or the quiet "Oh" from Anita's lips as a layer of ice settles around her heart, followed immediately by a silent exit from the room.