Heir and the Isolated Trio (4)

Lavender let go of her and took a step back, her face wearing an embarrassed, even slightly guilty expression. Her fingers twisted together, and she lowered her voice so much it was as though she were afraid the walls might hear.

"Sorry..." Her voice was soft, carrying sincere yet helpless apology. "My dad wrote and told me to change dormitories."

Hermione opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but Lavender gave her no chance.

"I know you're not an accomplice," Lavender said, suddenly speaking faster, as if she were racing against time, afraid she might regret it the next second. "After all, what Muggle-born would help wipe out their own kind? Who would believe that?"

She gave a dry little laugh, but there was no amusement in it.

"But I don't have a choice... You've met my dad. If he finds out I'm still living next to you, he'll come straight to school and drag me home."

Hermione looked at Lavender, at that face which was usually always smiling, always eager for gossip and makeup, now filled with conflict and helplessness.

She wanted to say, "It's okay."

She wanted to say, "I understand."

She wanted to say, "Go on. You don't need to feel sorry for me."

But when the words reached her lips, they all became a forced smile that even she thought was fake.

"It's okay," she said, her voice far steadier than she had expected. "Go on. Once the truth comes out... I'll give you a chance to apologize to me."

That last sentence was a joke, but Lavender took it seriously. She nodded earnestly and said, "I will."

Then she picked up her travel bag, turned around, and left.

After taking two steps, she turned back, her face wearing an expression Hermione had never seen on