Hazel laughed, a little nervous, but mostly amused.
"Monopolizing? Really, Ernie. What else would I be doing? And don't say homework."
Her knitting she left limp in her lap, for really, there wasn't anything else she wanted to be doing just then. Suppressing a considerable desire to sigh, Hazel cast her eyes about the common room in hopes of finding something she could bring up that wouldn't be going on about how much she liked talking to Ernie. That would surely make him think she was crazy, and admitting that she thought she'd like to snog him just as well could not be a good idea.
Of course, as soon as her eyes left the safe warmth of the table she shared with Ernie, she saw the huddled groups of younger years, looking scared and sorry and hassled. Hazel's expression darkened, and it just wasn't fair. She couldn't feel good for more than a moment, not when they felt like that.
Looking back at Ernie, she asked quietly, "Do you think there is anything we can do for them? Can the Head Boy get hot tea and biscuits form the kitchens?"