"I can't. Hermione, you know I can't. My family – Parvati – everything -"
"Padma, slow down. You can't tell me you don't feel this, too."
"Of course I feel this. But I can't. You don't understand, Hermione. Indian parents -"
"My parents wouldn't be happy either. Their good little girl, involved with another girl? Their good little girl… But we can keep this between us. We can."
"Can we?"
"I think so."
"I'm scared, Hermione."
"I am too."
"We can't let it get too far. We can't – we can't go all the way."
"No. We won't let it get that far. But maybe just – maybe just -"
"Just what, Hermione?"
"I don't know. I don't know what to think, how to feel. And I don't – I don't even know if I can admit this to myself."
"Admit what?"
"Padma… Padma don't make me say it."
"Hermione -"
"Padma, I can't say it. I just can't."
"Well I can."
"Please, Padma. Don't. Just – not yet."
"Then when?"
"I don't know. You were the one to say 'no' in the first place."
"I know, but -"
"But?"
"I… I don't know Hermione."
"Well I don't either."
Hermione reached for Padma's hand. They sat side by side on the bed in Padma's room. It was lunch hour, and they were alone. But even though they were alone, they both felt that someone, somewhere, might overhear.
Padma's skin touched Hermione's.
It was too powerful. It sent shivers down Hermione's spine. She'd meant to hold Padma's hand. But she couldn't. She'd meant to squeeze it, try to reassure her. But there was nothing to reassure. They were not safe. It was not okay.
Hermione inhaled, pulled herself away Padma quickly, her hand slipping across Padma's silk skin, and slipped out the door.
This could never happen.