It occurs to her to worry that Hermione could have been angry with her—but perhaps the excitement that she's not is cushioning the habitual anxiety somewhat, because Ness dismisses the thought as soon as it forms. She asked, Hermione answered, Ness didn't and now won't do the thing that would have made her angry, that's all that matters.

"I'm so glad you feel that way," she says, "and I promise—"

She cuts herself off, getting up from her bed to come sit on the edge of Hermione's, looking earnestly into her eyes.

"I promise I won't use it on you without your permission outside of extenuating circumstances. You have my word."

Ness smiles, in what she hopes is a way that says she's trustworthy without trying so hard it comes right back around to suspicious—and then blinks.

"Impressed?"