In the dark and damp dungeon, an aura of despair permeated the air. Cracks webbed across the gray-black floor, and various insects scurried across the ceiling, creating rustling sounds. Lupin and Sirius were confined to the same cell, their faces pale, their eyes hollow, and they remained silent. Special chains were fastened to their hands and feet to prevent their escape.
Hermione was perplexed as to why she could see them both now. Her last memory was of fainting in the office, after being humiliated by someone.
A white-haired man unlocked the cell door and hobbled inside. He glanced at them and said, "The verdict is in. Sadly, two of you will be leaving this beautiful world today. Don't worry, you won't suffer. I'm quite skilled with the Killing Curse."
"No, they're innocent!" Hermione tried to shout, but her throat seemed blocked. The scene before her was like watching a movie; she was powerless to affect anything she saw.
"No!" Hermione screamed silently in her heart, for the first time hating herself.
A flash of green light, and the two of them fell forever in the prison.
She had caused Lupin and Sirius's deaths.
"Miss Granger? Miss Granger? Are you alright? Did you have a nightmare?" A familiar voice came from beside her, seeming both distant and near.
Hermione opened her eyes and saw Professor McGonagall watching over her, her wrinkled face filled with concern.
"It was just a dream." Hermione realized the scene had been a hallucination. She breathed a long sigh of relief, her heart finally settling. Only then did she take the time to observe her surroundings.
She was covered with a linen blanket, and above her was a pristine white ceiling. Everything was so familiar. She sniffed the air and detected a complex aroma of herbs and a faint floral scent. This was the school's infirmary. To her right, Madam Pomfrey was carefully selecting various potions from a small cart.
"Professor McGonagall." Hermione tried to sit up and speak, but Professor McGonagall pressed her back down. Her usually stern face was now filled with concern. "Hermione, all you need is rest. It's all over now. Don't think about it anymore."
"It's all over?" Hermione repeated softly, then shook her head urgently, using all her strength to say, "No, Professor McGonagall, listen to me. It's not what you saw."
"Poor child." Professor McGonagall's eyes reddened as she looked at the pale Hermione with affection. "Perhaps you need the comfort of friends. I'll call Ron and Harry in to keep you company. Remember, don't talk for too long."
Professor McGonagall stood up from the low stool beside the bed and then stared at Hermione, adding, "Oh, and I'll have to confiscate your Time-Turner for now. In your condition, you certainly can't use that device anymore. It's too taxing on your mind. Your only task now is to rest well."
As Professor McGonagall finished speaking, Hermione realized with a jolt that the golden chain around her neck was gone.
That person had even thought of methods she hadn't considered. A deep sense of powerlessness arose in her heart.
Now it was useless to tell anyone the truth. They wouldn't believe a third-year student. Professor Dumbledore might believe her, but what good would that do? He couldn't easily resolve anything either. Hermione remembered Dumbledore's helplessness when facing the Ministry of Magic. Even though he strongly opposed the Dementors' presence, he still had to compromise.
"Alas, poor child, just like last year." Professor McGonagall turned her back to Hermione, wiping away tears as she walked towards the door. "Though this year, she's lost some height." Thinking of this, the corners of Professor McGonagall's mouth curved into a smile, her face suddenly showing many wrinkles because of it.
"Hermione, are you alright?" Ron and Harry rushed in after seeing Professor McGonagall leave, anxiously reaching Hermione's bedside to ask.
"Harry, I'm sorry, listen to me." Hermione was extremely remorseful. She didn't even dare tell Harry the truth. She was afraid that after telling him the truth, they could no longer be friends. Her impulsiveness and recklessness had harmed Sirius and Lupin, and might even cause them to die with a bad reputation.
"We won't mind. It was unavoidable," Harry said comfortingly.
"No, you don't know what really happened." Hermione shook her head repeatedly, her brown curly hair swaying, her voice full of despair.
"She was just saved by that annoying kid. Let him show off. I was saved by him too, wasn't I?" That was Ron's voice.
"What?" Hermione's expression faltered for a moment, staring blankly at Ron.
"Being saved by that guy isn't something to be happy about, but you saved him last year, didn't you? So now you're even," Ron said casually.
Harry and Ron's words completely confused Hermione.
What Harry said next completely stunned Hermione.
"I can't believe a traitor could have the nerve to return before us, swaggering around and accepting everyone's admiration. I even let him be my guardian! How foolish!" Harry clenched his right fist and slammed it hard on the bed in front of him, causing the entire bed to shake.
"You two over there, be quiet. This isn't your Quidditch pitch," Madam Pomfrey's voice came from nearby.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to." Harry quickly apologized, looking at the shaking bed.
"It's alright." Hermione shook her head gently and sat up in bed, staring straight at Harry and asking, "What exactly happened? What did you mean just now?"
"Good heavens, Hermione, have you lost your memory again?" Ron opened his mouth wide, looking incredulous.
"No, no." Hermione stammered, forcing a smile, trying hard to squeeze out a smile. "I just want to know what happened after I fainted."
"Uh..." Harry hesitated for a moment, then pulled a stack of newspapers from the bedside table behind him and handed them to Hermione.
Large black headlines on the front page of the newspaper immediately caught Hermione's eye, along with a promotional photo of Malfoy smiling brightly below.
"The Future Star of the Wizarding World, the Outstanding Heir of the Malfoy Family—Draco Malfoy. The following text is reported by Rita Skeeter, a special correspondent for the Daily Prophet, presenting you with an unknown side of his
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