|| hermione/ fem reader ||
a slytherin like you can't possibly be entangled with a muggle-born.
Where loyalty is everything, you are given a crucial mission: lead Harry Potter to the Dark Lord, who has declared his return. As you navigate this dang...
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Content Warning: A section contains a flashback with references to child abuse. ___
It's been a few days, and exhaustion hit Y/N hard by the time combat class rolled around. Her instructor, Catolina, rambled on about magical plants and herbs meant to repel specific creatures, but Y/N's mind struggled to focus.
Being the only student made it even harder to slip into daydreams without getting caught.
"Someone's been drinking too much," Zhi purred, eyeing the dark circles under Y/N's eyes.
Y/N's body quivered from the awkward stance she was holding, muscles aching with fatigue.
When silence stretched on, Zhi continued, "Is it Miss Shepherd's herbology lecture boring you?"
Y/N winced as the double-ended stick tapped a sore spot on her back, but she quickly adjusted her posture. "You could say that," she mumbled.
"Maybe it's the other death eaters bothering you?"
"Are they talking about how bad of a prospect I am?" Y/N shot back, trying to add a bit of humor into her flat tone.
"Some are. But not everyone. You're not exactly the type to capture everyone's attention," Zhi replied, giving Y/N a quick once-over.
"Good," Y/N muttered.
"You're improving your defensive stance," Zhi said. "Let's build on yesterday's lessons with some counterattack moves."
Y/N took a deep breath, feeling determined. This was the one class where she knew she had to push herself.
As time flew by, her fists flew toward Zhi, but the instructor dodged effortlessly. "You're rushing again. Remember the pattern?" Lady Zhi's movements were fluid, showing no sign of exhaustion.
The woosh of the wind from Y/N's missed punches only added to her frustration. "I know," she croaked, sweat starting to bead at her temples, heat flooding her cheeks.
"Always think in opposites. Push and pull. Up and down. Focus." Zhi's calm voice cut through Y/N's haze. "And keep your arms up!"
"Agh!" Y/N felt the sting of Zhi's hand striking her cheek, which only made her aware of how far her hands had dropped. The heat of the impact burned, and she instinctively touched her face, embarrassment washing over her.
Suddenly, she leaned forward, her knees trembling as she fought to stay upright. A pain shot through her side, and the room spun. She struggled to regain her balance, pushing through the ache in her body.
As she sensed another blow coming, panic filled her. With instinct kicking in, she thrust her hand up just in time, avoiding the hit.
"There's no stopping during a fight," Zhi said.
"You—you said you weren't going to punch me in training!" Y/N shot back, her voice shaking. She lifted her head, still hunched over, clutching her side as if to shield herself from further blows.
