Though Draco often called Hermione an idiot, the truth was she was far more perceptive than most young witches and wizards. And it wasn't the kind of intelligence that came from just burying your head in books.
That sharp mind was now on full display as they pieced together what had happened...
Not long after they left Professor McGonagall's office, Hermione, picking up on subtle clues, quickly grasped the full picture.
"No wonder we ended up lost in that third-floor corridor... Hagrid and Professor McGonagall didn't believe a word we said... and Dumbledore just happened to be out of the school. There are way too many coincidences!"
"Was someone deliberately leading us to that corridor?"
"Maybe Hagrid did it on purpose... No—maybe they already knew Hagrid couldn't keep a secret?"
"Could the out-of-control broomstick and the attack on the unicorn be connected to that mysterious person?"
"If it wasn't Professor Snape... then who was it?"
Once the doubts started forming, everything began to seem suspicious. Caught up in her thoughts, Hermione spoke faster and louder, forgetting entirely to lower her voice—and getting more and more worked up.
"If that's the case, then maybe they're trying to make Harry do something, or face—"
"Calm down!"
Thud!
"Ow!"
That familiar sting and instinctive yelp, followed by the sight of Draco casually pulling his hand back, made Hermione's eyes flare with irritation.
This jerk is getting way too used to hitting me!
But despite the outrage, Hermione understood why he did it.
After all, this wasn't something they could afford to talk about out in the open...
...
Slytherins are clever because they don't recklessly put themselves in danger.
Slytherins are cunning because they'll use whatever means necessary to achieve their goals.
Those words might not sound noble, which is why Slytherins are so often labeled as despicable.
But now, Hermione had seen with her own eyes how Draco operated—using his wits right under Professor McGonagall's nose.
Turning limited information into leverage, solving problems while staying one step removed, and skillfully reading people… Draco's calm and confident handling of it all made Hermione acutely aware of the gap between them.
Calling it "despicable" was nothing but nonsense.
If I had seen this sooner, maybe Harry and the others wouldn't have needed to protect the Philosopher's Stone...
Draco's method wasn't scheming or reckless—it was simple, and smart.
If Draco had heard her thoughts just then, he probably would've given her another chop to the head.
Because it was obvious the whole situation had been orchestrated around Harry Potter. Even if Hermione had stopped him, something else would've happened to push Harry into protecting the Stone.
That was another truth Draco hadn't bothered to tell her. His instincts told him this whole thing was a lot more complicated. If Hermione hadn't been so hopelessly naïve, he might not have even bothered to get involved.
Ugh, why is his expression so annoying!
For some reason, just catching Draco looking at her sparked the same irritation she felt whenever he called her stupid.
Still, since he had helped her out, Hermione pushed down that strange, simmering frustration.
More importantly, there was something else she wanted to ask him...
"What do you think Harry and the others are going to face?"
Though she tried to sound casual, there was a subtle dissatisfaction in Hermione's voice. It wasn't obvious, but Draco could tell—she was directing that frustration at the professors who were clearly hiding something.
Maybe McGonagall and the others didn't mean any harm. Maybe all of this was meant to help Harry grow.
But even so, Hermione couldn't shake the discomfort in her chest. More than wanting to know what Harry was going through, what she really wanted was reassurance—from Draco.
Whether he missed her real intent or just didn't care, Draco raised an eyebrow at her question and gave a reply that made her want to bite him.
"That question..."
"Mm-hmm!?"
"What's it got to do with me?"
"..."
Hermione didn't actually bite him, but her furious pout made it clear she was in no mood to be reasoned with. Still, her puffed-up cheeks and exaggerated stomping made her look more like she was throwing a tantrum than actually angry.
The sharp little huff she let out, the loud stomp of her shoes, her round, annoyed face—it all screamed irritation. But then she snuck a quick glance his way, and Draco couldn't help but find it funny...
Just as he was starting to enjoy watching her stiff little expression squirm with emotion, a nearby conversation caught both of their attention.
Judging from the robes, the two passing students were third-years.
"Did you hear? The famous Harry Potter and his sidekicks just got taken to the infirmary."
"Huh? What'd they do this time? Get in another fight?"
"No idea, but they looked pretty banged up. He was unconscious when they carried him in."
"That bad?"
As the two wizards walked off, Draco realized the situation on Harry's end had likely reached its conclusion. Hermione, meanwhile, had already bolted off toward the infirmary, clearly wanting to check on him—and probably hear the full story straight from his mouth.
"Draco, I—ugh, forget it. I'm going to see how Harry is!"
"Go on."
Hermione gave up on whatever she was about to say. Knowing how rocky their relationship was, Draco didn't try to stop her—nor did he have any reason to.
He watched her wave a small hand as she turned a corner and disappeared from sight. His expression, once light, turned serious.
Unlike carefree Hermione, Draco was staring off into the distance, a growing sense of urgency weighing on him.
His gray eyes locked onto the direction of the Forbidden Forest.
What exactly was Dumbledore planning?
And was the Dark Lord Harry spoke of... actually real?
...
[Upto 50 chapters ahead for now]
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