the chrysalids
...s you hear Hermione's pen stop scratching, 'In fact, it looked like maybe you tried to brush your hair with one of Filch's old floor brooms!' 'Where were you?' she says by way of an answer. 'What, the library's not believable?' You sit up and watch Hermione, pink cheeked finish her letter and roll it up on her night stand. 'If you must know,' she says after a long sigh, I met Ron and we had a tutoring session in the quidditch shed.' 'A tutoring session?' you shreik with glee. 'Odd place don't you think?' 'Not for someone who's practicing apparation! He's of age in March and he just... wanted a bit of practice...' she trails up making a large fuss over making sure her bag is organized. She looks up at you, resigned to a smile. 'Don't tell anyone, okay?' she asks, hopefully, all of the snobbishness struck from her voice. 'Course not,' you reply as she climbs up to sit next to you. 'So come on, where were you really?' she asks, and you feel the blood rush to your cheeks. 'Harry and I have something to show you and Ron tomorrow night. He showed me his cloak and his map, and I met Dobby! We found this invisible gold room...' you trail off when you see a stern look replace the conspiritorial grin on Hermione's face. 'What?' you ask, taken aback. 'You found an invisible room and went inside it! You don't know what it's for! You could've messed something up!' 'What are you talking about?!' you ask, incredulous that Hermione would lecture you. 'Forget it, it's late. I'm just tired and worried. I'm sure it's really great. We should get some sleep, right?' Less than convinced you climb into your respective beds and lie in silence for awhile before you hear Lavender come back in. 'Is she okay?' Hermione asks, and you sit up. ...