"I certainly am not reneging," she says stiffly. She resists the impulse to ask about precisely what forfeiting one’s immortal soul entails; there are more important topics that need to be discussed right now. "I’d just like some clarification on why, precisely, our deal exists. Obviously, I realise this is something I should have asked you prior to actually making the deal – " this admission is squeezed out from between gritted teeth – "but, well, I suppose I was rather blinded by the thought of getting my hands on all those answers." Hermione hates admitting her mistakes, but this particular bit of honesty is a calculated one. She watches its effect on Draco from beneath her dark brown lashes. Perhaps he’ll respond with similar candidness.