Chapter 135
The dark, damp dungeon was filled with an air of despair. The grey-black floor was cracked, and all kinds of crawling creatures slithered across it with faint rustling sounds. Lupin and Sirius were locked in the same cell.
Their faces were pale, their eyes empty, and neither of them spoke. Heavy enchanted shackles bound their hands and feet, preventing any chance of escape.
Hermione couldn't understand why she was seeing this. Her last memory was fainting in the office after being humiliated.
A man with white hair unlocked the cell and limped inside. He glanced at them and said coldly, "The trial results are in. Unfortunately, two people will be leaving this world today. Don't worry—it won't hurt. I'm very skilled with the Killing Curse."
No, they're innocent!
Hermione tried to shout, but her throat wouldn't work. The scene unfolded like a film—she could only watch.
No! she screamed silently. For the first time, she hated her own helplessness.
A flash of green light.
Both men collapsed, lifeless, onto the floor.
She had killed them.
"Miss Granger? Miss Granger? Are you all right? Did you have a nightmare?"
A familiar voice reached her—distant, yet close.
Hermione opened her eyes and saw Professor McGonagall beside her, her lined face filled with concern.
It was a dream.
Relief washed through her as she realized the execution had been nothing but a nightmare. Only then did she notice her surroundings.
A linen sheet covered her. Above was a white ceiling. The scent of herbs and clean medicine hung in the air.
The hospital wing.
To her right, Madam Pomfrey was selecting potions from a small trolley.
"Professor McGonagall…" Hermione tried to sit up, but McGonagall gently pressed her back down. Her usually stern expression was softened with worry.
"Hermione, what you need now is rest. Everything is over. Don't think about it anymore."
"Everything… is over?" Hermione repeated faintly. Then she shook her head urgently.
"No, Professor, listen to me. It's not what you think."
"Poor child." McGonagall's eyes grew moist as she looked at Hermione's pale face. "Perhaps what you need now is your friends. I'll ask Harry and Ron to come in. But remember—no talking for too long."
She stood up from the stool, then paused.
"Oh, and I'll be confiscating your Time-Turner for the time being. You're not in a condition to use it. It places too much strain on your mind. Your only task now is to rest."
Only then did Hermione realize the golden chain around her neck was gone.
He even thought of that… she thought bitterly.
There was no point telling anyone the truth. No one would believe a third-year student. Even if Dumbledore believed her, what could he do? Hermione still remembered his helplessness when dealing with the Ministry—even he had been forced to compromise over the Dementors.
Poor child… McGonagall thought as she wiped her eyes and left.
But this year is different.
A faint smile appeared on her face as she walked away.
"Hermione! Are you all right?"
Harry and Ron rushed to her bedside the moment they were let in.
"Harry… I'm sorry. Please listen to me." Hermione's voice trembled. She didn't even dare to tell the truth. What if they hated her? Her recklessness might have doomed Sirius and Lupin.
"It's not your fault," Harry said quietly. "There was nothing you could have done."
"No—you don't understand what happened." Hermione shook her head desperately, her curly hair swaying.
"You were saved by that git," Ron said. "I mean, it's bad enough he got all the glory—but he saved me too."
Hermione froze.
"What?" she asked blankly.
"It's not exactly pleasant being saved by him," Ron went on casually. "But you saved him last year, didn't you? So I guess you're even now."
Hermione stared at them, completely confused.
Then Harry spoke again, his voice tight with anger.
"I never thought a traitor would dare come back and let everyone treat him like a hero. And I even let him become my guardian! I was such an idiot!"
He slammed his fist onto the bed so hard the frame shook.
"You two—quiet! This is a hospital wing, not a Quidditch pitch," Madam Pomfrey called from across the room.
"Sorry," Harry said quickly.
"I'm fine," Hermione said softly, sitting up again. She looked straight at Harry.
"What happened? What did you mean just now?"
"Oh, Merlin, Hermione—did you lose your memory again?" Ron stared.
"No," she said quickly, forcing a weak smile. "I just want to know what happened after I fainted."
Harry hesitated, then pulled a stack of newspapers from the bedside table and handed them to her.
The bold headline filled her vision. Beneath it was a large photograph of Draco Malfoy, smiling confidently.
"Draco Malfoy — the rising star of the wizarding world, the outstanding heir of the Malfoy family."
Below it:
Special report by Rita Skeeter of the Daily Prophet — revealing the side of his life no one has ever seen.