            Hermione wished desperately that the chair she was in would just swallow her whole. Her mind reeled at her stupidity—how many times had she been in Lucius’s company, in plain view of late cafeteria-attendees or stragglers in the atrium? "I have never, nor would never, discuss the department’s work with Mr. Malfoy," she said carefully. "If I led anyone to incorrectly assume that, I am deeply sorry."