SABAISM | H. POTTER

SIX. | GREATEST FEAR

"Five points from Gryffindor for an acceptable potion! Why didn't you just lie, Gem? You should have said Neville did it all by himself! Instead, you chose to have another bloody meltdown," Ron exclaimed, his voice rising in frustration. The girl in question, comfortably perched on Harry Potter's back, shot him a frosty glare.

"Ronald," she snapped, her eyes flashing a dangerous gold, "I believe I'm entitled to a nervous breakdown or two, given the circumstances. Honestly, am I supposed to let others treat me so poorly? I think not. And with my temperament, something outrageous should have been expected as retaliation. So technically, these 'breakdowns' aren't entirely my fault. Everyone keeps pushing me when I'm already on edge. Don't they, Hermione?...'Mione?" Their bushy-haired friend remained unusually silent, which was disconcerting.

"That's just fantastic," Gemini muttered, twisting around on Harry's back to find Hermione missing. "Now we've lost Hermione!" Harry's hero complex kicked in; he soothingly rubbed her tightened grip while scanning for their absent friend. He adored Gemini, every part of her, but her recent emotional turmoil frightened him. He just wanted to keep her safe, hoping they'd find Hermione before Gemini lost control again.

Suddenly, a familiar tuft of bushy hair caught his eye. "There she is! Look down there!" Harry exclaimed, sagging in relief. Gemini nearly toppled off as she turned quickly. Sure enough, Hermione stood at the bottom of the staircase, slightly out of breath, one hand clutching her bag while the other tucked something into her robes.

"How did you do that?" Ron asked, puzzled.

"What?" Hermione replied, finally joining them at the top of the stairs. Gemini shot her a disbelieving look; how could she not know what they were talking about?

"Oh, come off it, Hermione! You're too clever to act clueless," Gemini pressed. "This annoying crybaby has a point. One minute you were right behind us, and the next, you're back at the bottom of the stairs." For a brief moment, Hermione paled, clearly annoyed that her friend had caught on.

"Well," she stammered, trying to appear nonchalant, "I had to go back for something, you see. Oh no—" Thankfully, fate intervened as a seam split on Hermione's overstuffed satchel, spilling a mountain of books onto the floor. Gemini's previous suspicions faded as she took in the sight. "Merlin," Ron exclaimed, bewildered, "Why are you carrying all of these?"

"For goodness' sake, Ronald! You know how many subjects I'm taking," Hermione huffed, shoving the books into his arms. "Couldn't you hold these for me?" Gemini had to admit that was a power move.

"But you don't have any of these subjects today! It's only Defense Against the Dark Arts this afternoon," Ron protested, flipping through the covers.

"Oh, yes. Anyway, I hope there's something good for lunch; I'm starving. Care to join us, Gem?" Hermione asked, her tone shifting.

Gemini scrambled off Harry's back, a genuine smile lighting up her face. Harry sulked at the loss of her closeness. Hooking Hermione's elbow with her own, Gemini cheerfully winked at Harry over her shoulder. "Don't mind if I do, Love! I'm ravenous. And boys, lay off 'Mione, will you? Feel free to catch up when your conspiracies fail to align!"

As they walked away, Ron turned to Harry, "Do you get the feeling Hermione's hiding something?"

Harry, still caught up in the aftermath of Gemini's wink, replied, "I have no idea, mate. Girls are puzzling. And add a heap of intelligence to that, and it makes them even more complicated. By the way, did you see Gemini wink? Was it aimed more at you or me?"

Ron groaned, "Merlin's beard! I don't know why I bother trying to have a conversation with you when she's around. You're a lost cause!"

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