"Hermione?"
Hermione, who had been tightly shutting her eyes, suddenly opened them and saw Vincent's face, as anxious as she had expected.
"So early? Did something happen?"
She opened her mouth, wanting to say, "Nothing," wanting to say, "I just suddenly wanted to hear your voice," wanting to say any lie that could cover it up, but she could not get the words out.
"I..." Her voice was a little hoarse. "I just did something I promised you I wouldn't do."
Vincent let out a breath of relief and waited quietly.
Hermione did not dare meet his eyes. She knew there was no blame in those azure eyes, and that only made her feel guiltier.
"During the day, I saw Draco Malfoy in Hogsmeade."
Her voice was soft, like that of a child who had done something wrong. "He came out of the alley that sold alcohol, carrying a long object wrapped in silk. I guessed it was sherry, Professor Trelawney's favorite sherry."
She paused and cautiously glanced at Vincent in the projected screen. His gaze was gentle.
"Tonight, I checked the new Marauder's Map and saw him go to Professor Snape's office. Then... then I followed him."
She raised her head, hoping to see reproach in his eyes. Yet all she saw were those same gentle eyes, and her eyes instantly reddened.
"He got Veritaserum from Professor Snape." Hermione leaned against the door, slowly slid down, and curled up on the floor.
Her voice grew softer, as if every word took tremendous courage. "I thought he would go back to his dormitory to sleep. I was going to turn around and leave. I really was. But just then, he came out again."
She hugged her knees tightly, and her voice began to tremble. "He tampered with that bottle of