𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 - 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒗

4

Ron, all fired up, snaps back at Malfoy, "You're talking like you care, Malfoy, but we all know you don't give a damn."

Malfoys face tightened, and without saying a word, he swung his arm, landing a solid punch that sends Ron tumbling to the ground, out cold. The sudden quiet that follows is almost surreal, like a pause button had been pressed in the middle of the argument.

Malfoy stands there, looking down at Ron, his expression unreadable. I can't quite understand the situation – Malfoy, the guy who had been our longtime adversary, just knocked out Ron to defend me. It was a twist I hadn't seen coming.
Or did I?

Back then, it felt like he acted out of necessity, but this time seems different. It's like he's choosing to be on my side. Maybe people aren't as simple as I thought. Maybe they can surprise you.

But seeing Ron on the ground, knocked out, was unexpected . I never expected Malfoy to get into a physical fight. It makes me realize that even unexpected friendships can come with surprises. The clash between him and Ron leaves me feeling caught in the middle, with a mix of confusing feelings.

This might've changed things and the way I see him.

Harry stands there, wide-eyed, processing the unexpected turn of events. The corridor, once filled with tension and harsh words, now holds an uneasy stillness, and suddenly it's happening again. The tightness in my chest, the shortness of breath and the all too familiar signs of a panic attack. The whole Situation, Ron knocked out on the ground, it's all too much. I feel my walls breaking as I desperately try to hold it together.

"You think knocking out Ron makes you some kind of hero? What's your game, defending Hermione? Mind your own fucking business!" The tension in the air thickened as their argument intensified, each sentence making it worse.

Malfoy, almost yelling, responds, " Fuck off Pottah. I've watched you treat her like shit since she tried to save YOUR ASS and it's not about being a hero but about the fact that you think just because you're the chosen one you can treat her like you want to. She wasn't tortured for you and the Weasel to bully her."

As Harry is about to yell back at him I felt the panic tightening its grip, my breaths becoming shallower. Harry screams my name, "Hermione!" His voice sliced right through me, and I could sense the frustration and confusion in his tone.

Malfoy, however, seems to notice something in my expression. He suddenly shouts, "Granger?" . In that moment, it feels like everything was moving in slow motion. The world blurred, and I could feel myself losing control.

In my mind, I desperately want to respond, to assure them I was okay. But the panic takes over completely, and my vision blurs. As the shouts are echoing in my ears, my knees give in, and the world goes dark. The last thing I hear is the echo of my name before I become unconscious.