[ the good thing about being a people pleaser to your bones is that you get very good at reading people and making intuitive leaps. hermione comes at ness with her hand held out, not like she wants to take something from her but with expectation of reciprocation. this is their first meeting, she's introducing herself—the outstretched hand is a greeting ritual of some kind. does ness hold out the same hand, or the opposite?

coin toss odds she gets this right, she shifts her bundle of books and notes to one arm and holds out her hand in a mirror of hermione's greeting.

(it's the wrong hand, but she tried.) ]

Hello, Hermione, [ warmly, smiling right back. ] You needn't be formal with me, either. If Ennaris is a mouthful, Ness is alright.