Chapter Text
Breathe in. Breathe out. Repeat.
“…didn’t have an ideal experience last year…Ministry decided…basic wand-work review for NEWTs…”
Breathe in. Breathe out. Repea—
Flitwick’s voice faded.
Hermione used to love school. It was her safe place. Now, she walked the corridors like a ghost, flinching at each sound, unable to pay attention in class. And she was always cold. So bloody cold no matter what she did.
Flitwick stopped in front of her desk.
“Ms. Granger?”
“I’m sorry, professor, I don’t—”
“We’re just doing some basic exercises to get used to being back here. Begin with Wingardium Leviosa. I seem to remember you had an excellent grasp on that one, even as a first year.” Smiling kindly, Flitwick patted her hand and moved on to the next student.
She could do this. Hermione gripped her wand. Swish. Flick. Whisper the spell.
Her feather didn’t move.
Breathe in. Brea—
She couldn’t do it. Her hand trembled so violently, she couldn’t even cast a first-year spell.
Her vision blurred, the sounds in the room becoming muffled, when a pale hand closed around her trembling fingers. Grey eyes met hers, Malfoy’s gaze unexpectedly understanding.
“You’ve got this, Granger. Swish, flick.” His hand was warm on Hermione’s skin, calming her, anchoring her in the present.
She swallowed and tried again, his hand still holding hers. He held her gaze as her feather slowly rose off her desk. Surprised, she smiled at Malfoy.
Warmth spread through her when he tentatively smiled back.
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