𝄞𝄞𝄞

“I’m of the mind that the reliance on talent alone breeds complacency.”

His words hit her like a tsunami, one that threatened to pull her out into the deep sea and drown her.

No, wait. It had actually been real water that struck her and sent her flying arse over tit and it was spraying uncontrollably in every direction from Daphne Greengrass’ wand.

Hermione felt herself soaring backwards. She braced her body for impact with the cold, stone floor out of instinct, however, the sensation of smacking against stone never came. Instead, she found herself caught by a sopping tangle of limbs—limbs that were much longer and sturdier than her own. A body had broken her fall and she was positive she knew exactly whose body it had been. The Universe seemed keen on humiliating her today.

The memory of Parvati fervently whispering in her ear that morning at breakfast came rushing back:

“Listen, Hermione, boys don’t just go round giving their handkerchiefs out to anyone, especially those from Sacred Twenty-Eight Pure-blood families!”

“Oh, come off it, Parvati. Theodore Nott does not fancy me. I told you, I was an absolute mess that morning. He was just being kind.”

“Is that so? Then why is he staring at you right now?”

“He’s not—”

“Alright there, Granger?” a baritone voice full of mirth asked from behind her and she was abruptly returned to the present. Hermione instantly blushed for what had to be the thousandth time that day. Her body refused to move, probably due to the shock of being thrown around the classroom like a ragdoll. Finally gaining control of her neck muscles, she turned her still disorientated gaze to the man that she had knocked into. His face was stained a faint pink and he did not meet her eyes with his own. It seemed that he had been just as flustered by Greengrass’ Aguamenti as she had. Hermione noticed water was heavily dripping from Nott’s curls into his face in an exceedingly handsome way.

As much as she wanted to, she—unfortunately—did not have time to study him further as his hands were, at present, taking her waist and carefully removing her from atop his thighs. Hermione sucked in a sharp breath as he threw her a small, sheepish smile; his gentle touch and shy gesture caused a shiver to run down her spine.

“Wha—” she began, confused, but her question was cut short by the sound of a wand clattering against stone.

Nott’s expression changed; the embarrassment vanished from his face, and was replaced with a serious look of concern directed at Harry and Greengrass’ workstation.

“Daph,” he whispered as he started to crawl over to a body sprawled across the stone, not far from where they had landed. Harry, also appearing as if he had been drowned in a lake, was kneeling next to Greengrass, panic in his eyes.

“Greengrass!” Harry yelled, as he touched his hand lightly to the girl’s cheek. The students previously seated at the desks in the front of the classroom started to crowd around them, essays lain forgotten. Parvati’s hand was covering her mouth in dread with Lavender and Ron at her side, their eyes wide in shock. Even Malfoy stood in the back of the swarm with a look of pure horror.

“Make way!” Professor Flitwick shouted as he pushed through the throng of teenagers. On the floor, red was oozing out from under light blonde hair and Hermione blanched.

“I think she’s been knocked out,” Hermione said in a shaky voice as she moved up next to Nott, also on her knees. Nott reached out for Greengrass’ hand, his own trembling; he looked as if he were going to be sick.

Flitwick rushed to Greengrass’ side and cast a hasty diagnostic spell. Golds, greens and blues swirled around various parts of her body and converged at the crown of her head. Immediately following the results, he cast a charm to stop the bleeding. The professor levitated the Slytherin girl and addressed Harry.

“I’m taking her to the Hospital Wing. Potter, you will come with me so you can explain exactly what happened. Class is dismissed!” he declared gravely. Harry nodded and, as he and Flitwick stepped towards the door, someone cast a non-verbal drying spell, removing all of the water from the students and classroom. Nott’s soft curls returned to normal, something Hermione envied greatly as her hair puffed up to twice its size, pulling out of its plait. She’d have to stop off at the loo before Potions to fix it, she decided. Parvati and Padma broke away from Lavender and Ron and rushed towards her.