Hermione's Worst Day Ever

Dear Mum and Dad,

Not much has changed in the last week. Transfigurations Class still lives up to expectations, and then some. Professor McGonagall is currently teaching us the theory behind transfiguring a mouse into a snuffbox. I'm really excited to keep learning more about it. I've already read through the textbook a few times, but Professor McGonagall does a much better job of explaining it than the textbook.

Charms has also been really exciting. Professor Flitwick says we're going to begin practicing levitation charms at the end of the month. I've already practiced a few times in my room, and I think I've almost gotten the hang of it.

Potions and History have been just as bad and boring, respectively, as ever. Professor Snape eyes Rose suspciously every time we do well on an assignment. I think he thinks she's cheating for some reason. She's really good at it, though, but I think she's just good at everything.

The only piece of news I've really got actually concerns Rose. Thursday, she had some sort of panic attack in the middle of Transfigurations Class. During the lecture, Rose started shaking, and then began to scream. Professor McGonagall took her straight to the Hospital Wing. It was quite amazing, actually, the way Professor McGonagall transfigured her desk into a horse, and rode it straight to the Hospital Wing. The horse lept over the entire class in one bound!

I asked Rose about it after class, but she didn't give me a straight answer. I'm not sure she knows what happened either. As I'm writing this, she's pacing around our room like a caged animal, muttering to herself a mile a minute. She's been basically ignoring everything else for the past three days, save maybe her homework. Whatever happened, I think it really bothered her.

Other than that, things haven't been going so badly. Alex said that not too long after Hallowe'en, some of the professors hold seminars for their electives. I'm really excited for Arithmancy. It's like a sort of meta-magic, studying mathematical formulas which all of magic is based on! It uses a lot of maths, so I'm really looking forward to taking it in my third year. Alex said that sometimes professors let students test in early, but Professor Vector (Yes, that's really her name) rarely accepts students early. I think I'm going to try anyway.

I haven't had a run-in with Malfoy in almost two weeks, mostly because I've stayed out of the Dungeons. I keep seeing the Weasley Twins scheming with Rose, but so far I haven't been the target. Rose is pretty nice, in her own strange way, so I don't think she's going to do anything too bad to me. I still don't like their brother, Ronald Weasley, especially after how rude he was towards Rose. He and some of the other students have started calling her 'Crazy Crimson'. I'm starting to worry what everyone calls me behind my back.

In summary, the classes are mostly really good, and the students are mostly really bad. I'm still not sure about transferring. It's not so bad right now, but I'll keep you posted.

Lots of Love,

Hermione

P.S. Rose says 'Hi'.

At the same time, on the other side of their room, Sally-Anne was also writing her parents a letter. Unlike Hermione, Sally-Anne wrote her parents around once a month, or when something exciting happened; Hermione, however, wrote her parents once a week.

Dear Mum and Dad,

I'm starting to think that the sorting hat putting me in Gryffindor was a mistake. Everyone's really pushy, except for Rose, Harry, and Neville. Rose is a little strange and talks a lot, Neville keeps getting himself hurt, and Harry's really quiet. He seems really nice, even though he's famous. He was also the only other Gryffindor, apart from Hermione, that wasn't picking on Rose on Thursday (Neville's been at St. Mungo's since Monday). Hermione's okay, but she's a bit of a know-it-all.

Everyone thinks Rose had some sort of fit. She started screaming in the middle of Transfigurations Class, which really startled me. She didn't say much after I asked her, but she thinks she heard the castle talking to her. I know you've both always told me to give people a chance, but I'm not really sure about her. Back home, I wouldn't have believed that a building could talk, but here, I think anything could probably be possible. Since then, it seems like everyone is making fun of her for it.

One of the worst is Draco Malfoy, the bully I told you about. He seems really focused on Rose, but she always has a clever response to him. She got him to leave her alone on Friday by joking that last time she had a psycotic psychotic episode, she turned a blonde haired boy into 'giblets'. At least, I hope she was joking. I can't really tell with her.

The Hufflepuffs all seem really nice. I'm starting to think that I should have been sorted into Hufflepuff instead. They've all been looking out for one another. Alex said that Gryffindors do too, just in their own way. I'm not really sure though. Alex has been really nice, but no one else really is. And the Slytherins hate the Gryffindors for no real reason apart from it's always been that way.

I'm trying to tough it out, but it's still really scary here. It's not so bad, so long as I'm careful while picking my friends, I guess.

Love,

Sally-Anne

Dear Hermione,

That's a little concerning about Rose. Do the staff know what happened? We don't want to worry you, especially because she's your only friend, but if she's unstable, then she may not be allowed to continue at Hogwarts. The staff must have some sort of procedures for this. You said in one of your letters that there's a hospital not too far from Hogwarts, St. Mungo's. They may have to send her there, so we just want you to be prepared if your friend has to leave.

We're glad that you're having fun in Transfigurations Class. Have you considered forming a study group? The Ravenclaws sound like the "smart" house (except for you, Sweety), but if they keep to themselves as much as you say, then maybe the Gryffindors could use some help. It doesn't sound like there's much you can do about Potions, though. You said people complain about Professor Snape all the time. If you start making a list of the complaints, then maybe they can do something about it. Remember, one complaint here or there is an isolated incident; several all at once is a problem.

"That's what Carolina and Bowie are always saying," Rose said. She had made a habit of reading Hermione's mail from across the table at breakfast. Hermione knew that her friend couldn't actually read her mail from that position. No, in order to know what her parents' letter was saying, Rose would have to be able to–Hermione sighed internally–read Hermione's mind.

"Rose, I've asked you not to do that," Hermione sighed.

"Why not?" Rose asked, tilting her head the to side. "Am I bothering you?"

"Yes! What my parents say is private!"

"Ref doesn't tell me everything, just the interesting bits."

"He shouldn't be telling you any of the bits!" Hermione said, getting annoyed. "Neither you nor your imaginary friend should be reading my mail!"

Fred and George, who had taken to sitting with Hermione and, specifically, Rose, snickered.

Hermione didn't mind them laughing at something obvious. It was when the two of them began laughing for no apparent reason that worried her. Especially after whispering to one another; that was a clear sign that they were up to no good. Hermione just had to hope that she wasn't the target. When they had switched her hair for Rose's, it had freaked her out. At the time, Hermione had still been going through what she was sure was culture shock. She had still been adjusting to the fact that magic was real, people here were a little odd (or in Rose's case, very odd), and she hadn't been sleeping well. Well, she still wasn't sleeping particularly well, but she was doing better!

"You are doing a lot better!" exclaimed Rose.

"Please, stop reading my mind!" Hermione shouted.

Rose didn't say a word, but tapped her finger to her clasp twice. Hermione had begun to suspect that Rose's reflective, rose-shaped clasp was "Reflectesalon". When Hermione thought about it from Rose's perspective, or what she suspected was Rose's perspective, it made sense, actually.

Hermione suppressed a shudder. Very little Rose said made sense at all, so when something Rose said made sense to Hermione, she worried that she was starting to lose it.

"What did that do?" Hermione asked.

"It's a sort of confirmation," Rose explained. "I told Ref to stop relaying your thoughts to me. He won't actually do it unless I tap him twice. It's a contingency against me being possessed."

"Does that come up a lot?" asked Hermione.

"Not since I started using mind blank."

Hermione stared at Rose. Rose grinned back at Hermione. After almost a minute, without saying another word, Hermione went back to her parents' letter.

We're glad to hear that there might be a maths class for you. It's a little strange that wizards and witches don't all use maths. If you'd like, we'll send some of your maths books with our next letter.

Hang in there, Sweety. Don't worry about the other students; they'll come around eventually. Tell Rose we say 'hi' back, and both you girls keep up the good work. If anyone can get by in a strange world, it's you.

Love,

Mum and Dad

Hermione smiled. It was nice knowing that no matter how bad things got here, her parents were looking out for her.

"Everything alright?" asked Rose.

"Yeah," Hermione replied, still smiling. "Mum and Dad say 'Hi, and keep up the good work'."

Rose beamed.

Dear Mum and Dad,

I'm starting to become scared to go to class alone. I keep looking over my sholder shoulder, expecting Malfoy to pop up behind me. He's become so fixated on Rose, like he wants pay back, or revenge. Even when I'm not with her, I catch him watching me, glaring at me. I don't think not being around Rose would even help anymore. Malfoy comes by our table every few days, makes some comment, and walks off. He keeps calling me 'mudblood', which is a sort of racial slur for Muggle-borns. I don't know why the teachers don't do anything about him.

I've tried talking to Professor McGonagall about it, but she says there's nothing she can do unless Malfoy's caught in the act. He hasn't backed me into a corner after the first time, but I think that's because he's actually afraid of Rose. I'm worried that if she has to leave, then he'll start coming after me again.

Rose has been alright so far. She hasn't had another incident like last week, and she and Sally-Anne, the really shy girl, thought that a study group would be a good idea. I think Harry liked the idea too, but it was hard to hear him over Ronald, who made it abundantly clear that he wanted nothing to do with a study group. So it's just been us three studying in our rooms. Lavender and Parvati don't seem concerned about trasnfigurations transfigurations, so they ignore us when we study.

Lots of Love,

Hermione

Dear Mum and Dad,

I want to go home. I can't rember remember the last time I got a full night's slep sleep. Malfoy's comments keep getting worse, and he snatched your last letter away while I was reading it on the way to class. I don't know what to do.

I keep having these awful dreams about Malfoy, or Snape, or that dog on the thirdfloor. Why is it even here?! Is Dumbldore mad?! Something like this would never happen at home. All I can think about is that it's be better at home with both of you. I just want to go home. I want to run away and crawl into bed and never come back.

From Love

Hermione

Sally-Anne descended the stairs Sunday morning. She was excited about Hallowe'en that Thursday. Hallowe'en was a chance to dress up and pretend she was someone else. Something about the idea of pretending she was a knight, or a princess, or a superhero was always wonderful to her.

"Salutations, Sally-Anne!" Rose exclaimed as the dirty-blonde girl reached their common room.

"Good morning, Rose," Sally-Anne said softly. "Did you sleep alright?"

"Yup!" Rose exclaimed. "I got my full two hours!"

Sally-Anne blinked a few times.

"Don't you need more than that?"

"Nope!"

"Oh."

"So how are you doing this fine morning?" Rose asked.

"I'm alright," Sally-Anne replied, rubbing her eyes. "Still a little sleepy, I guess."

"Okay," Rose said. A thought occurred to her. "Hey, Sally-Anne, Hermione and I are exploring more of the castle today. Would you care to join us?"

"I'd love to," Sally-Anne replied, smiling a little, "if it's not too much trouble."

After breakfast, the three of them tried exploring the Dungeons again, and, as luck would have it, ran into Malfoy.

"Well, well," he sneered. "I'm surprised to see that you're still here, mudblood."

"You see us every day at meals, Draco," Rose said, "and every Friday at Potions, and every Thursday during Flight Class. Why are you surprised to see any of us? Is your brain turned off because it's Sunday?"

"And I see the two mudbloods have made a new friend," Malfoy drawled on, ignoring Rose. He sneered at Sally-Anne, who backed up a step. Malfoy chuckled.

"Why is it that every time we're in the Dungeons we run into you?" Rose asked. "Are you three the only three Slytherins in Hogwarts? If so, who are those other people I've seen wearing Slytherin crests on their robes? More minions? Followers? Are you even high enough level to have Leadership? I mean, Harry having a cohort is one thing, and Croyle and Gabbe might count as two cohorts, but I think you need the actual feat to have followers."

"And the freak," Malfoy said, glaring at Rose. "I thought they'd have kicked you out by now."

"Why? Because I make you look bad?" Rose said. She smiled. "Is that why you've been following me, Drakey?"

"I'm not–"

"Or are you just in wove?" Rose teased. "I hate to break it to you, Drakey, but my heart belongs to someone else."

Malfoy flushed as Hermione and Sally-Anne snickered. The girls had to admit, Rose was good at this.

Malfoy glared at Rose with hatred in his eyes and clenched his fists. "You–"

Rose vanished and appeared two feet in front of Malfoy, rose petals fluttering to the ground where Rose once stood. Startled, Malfoy jumped back.

"I haven't got the patience for you today, Draco," Rose said quietly. "So you insult me all you like; I assure you I've been called worse than any insult that your tiny mind can conjure. Any curse or hex you try will fade, if you can cast it. So why don't you just run along, little Slytherin?"

Malfoy glared at Rose.

Rose glared back at Malfoy through her goggles.

"Run. Along. Draco."

Malfoy snarled at Rose again, then shoved past her. Rose watched the three boys walk off, readying an action to turn the boys to stone if they so much as twitched.

"You know boys," Malfoy said loudly. "It's a shame that Hogwarts is so unaccepting of mudbloods! I've even heard that some students failed because of it!"

Rose continued to glower at them as they walked off. After the boys left, she glanced over at her friends. "You two alright?"

"Yes," Hermione said quietly.

Sally-Anne nodded. "Are you?" she asked quietly.

"Yeah," Rose said, still glaring. "At my old school, there was this student named He'la Kal'ah. He was just as bad as Draco, if not worse. He made it his personal goal in life to make my life as miserable as possible. I just don't like seeing someone do that to other people."

"I understand," Hermione said, nodding. "People have picked on me all my life, making fun of my teeth, my hair, anything they could really. My parents always said it was because I was smarter than they were."

Rose grinned, then pulled out her notebook and started flipping through it. She flipped to the first few pages of her book, and began to read from it in a British accent.

"They laugh at us because they're afraid of how smart we are; they're afraid of us, so they want us to be afraid of them. The only way to conquer it is to not be afraid."

Hermione and Sally-Anne both stared at her. Rose smiled back at them.

"Who said that?" Sally-Anne asked.

"My brother, Sk'lar." Rose put away her notebook. "He told me that not too long after we first met."

"Why did you write it down?"

"I write down a lot of the stuff my family says," Rose said. "My uncle, my brother, my sister… they say a lot of things I think are worth writing down."

"Oh," Sally-Anne said as the girls started walking again.

"What about you, Sally-Anne?" asked Hermione. "You're Muggle-born too, right?"

"Yeah. I've always been nervous around other people, so I've never had many friends."

"That's okay," Rose said, putting her arms around both girls. "We're your friends now! Quality over quantity, I always say!"

Hermione looked down at her feet.

"I…"

"Hermione, what's wrong?" Sally-Anne asked.

Hermione didn't say another word, but began to run back the way they came.

"Hermione!" Sally-Anne called after her. She started to chase after Hermione, but something caught her wrist. Sally-Anne looked behind her, and saw Rose staring back at her.

"Let her be," Rose said, slowly shaking her head. "Let's get you back to Gryffindor Tower. I'll make sure she's alright."

Hermione ran. She didn't look back, she just ran and ran until she couldn't anymore. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't hold back the tears. Her sight went blurry as she ran, but she kept going until she was well out of the Dungeons. Hermione just wanted to be alone, and she knew the perfect place to go.

She ran by students as she climbed seven flights of stairs. She ran from the bottom of the castle to the top, but the adrenaline coursing through her body made her ignorant to the pain. It wasn't until Hermione got to the Room of Requirement that she started to feel the burning in her lungs. She walked past the wall three times, tears streaming down her face.

I need a place to hide.

She coughed and spluttered, gasping for breath as she paced back and forth along the hallway.

I need a place to hide.

Rose knew where to find the Room of Requirement, but Hermione also knew that Rose could find her anywhere in the castle. If Rose was going to find her, she'd already be there. That meant that Rose was leaving Hermione alone.

I need a place to hide.

As she passed by the specific spot on the wall, the door appeared in front of her. She quickly pulled it open and ran inside, letting the door slam behind her.

The Room had become an exact replica of her room at home. Her blue sheets on the single bed. A bookshelf on one wall, although there were fewer books on it. It was just like home.

Hermione ran over to the bed and flung herself on it, sobbing into her pillow.

When Hermione had found out that she was a witch, she had been so excited. She had wanted to start using magic straight away. Hermione practiced as much as she could, but it seemed like everyone else was ahead of her. She was getting so absorbed by trying to learn everything that she had just shut out everything and everyone else. As a result, her only friends, if one could call Sally-Anne and Rose her friends, had no idea she was going to be leaving.

Go crying home to mummy and daddy, mudblood.

As if it wasn't hard enough having no close friends, she had made herself the target of one of the worst bullies at school. Malfoy was right; Hermione didn't belong at Hogwarts. All Hermione wanted to do was to go home; she just wanted to go home.

For hours, Hermione just laid there and cried. She cried and cried until her stomach hurt from sobbing so hard. She sobbed because she had been given the most wonderful gift, but she would never be able to use it. It was like some sort of Greek Tragedy.

I've even heard that some students failed because of it!

Everything was falling apart. Maybe Malfoy was right; maybe Hermione should just transfer to Beauxbatons. Sure it was in France, but she was fluent enough in French to get by.

I can't do this anymore.

Hermione realized that she could try transferring, but the problem would just end up being the same. She couldn't make friends. Sure, she was just about as timid as Sally-Anne, and as smart as Rose, but she couldn't relate to either girl.

She would never be able to make it at a school like this; she would never be able to learn to use magic.

Hermione didn't know how long she stayed in the Room of Requirement. She wanted to hide away forever, far away from everything and everyone.

"Hermione."

She sat up in her bed and faced Rose.

"How did you find me?"

"I figured out that you can find another person in the room so long as you know the type of room into which they went."

Hermione didn't care. She didn't care how clever Rose was, and certainly didn't want to listen to her showing off again. It didn't matter anymore. She'd just be another memory of Hogwarts before long.

"Go away, Rose."

"I was like you at my old school," Rose said without a trace of her usual enthusiasm. "People didn't like that I was cleverer than they were, so they hurt me. I would've left if I could've, but my parents were gone."

"But I can," Hermione said. "I've got options. I don't have to stay here, and I don't really want to anymore. I'm going to ask my parents for a transfer to Beauxbatons."

"I know," Rose said, the faintest hint of sadness on her face. "I know because that's exactly what I would've done. If I had the option, if I had family, I would've run away. But you aren't transferring yet, right?"

"No," Hermione mumbled. "I talked to Alex about it, and she said to give it a week."

"Then we're still friends until then," Rose said. "And even after you leave, I can still write to you."

"Why?" asked Hermione. "You hardly even know me."

"But you were my first friend here, Hermione. And I think you're going to need help no matter where you go, so I'm right here. I'm always here for you, Hermione."

Rose stood up, and offered her hand to Hermione.

Hermione hesitantly took the hand offered to her and allowed herself to be pulled out of bed.

"Here," Rose said, pressing a blue conch shell into Hermione's hand. "If you ever need anything, just hold it, concentrate on me, and think."

Hermione took the seashell from her friend, and nodded her understanding.

Thursday rolled around, bringing about some sort of holiday. Hallow's Eve, or something like that. Rose hadn't been paying attention, and she didn't feel like flipping through her notebook at that very moment to see what it was. Like everything else, she had written it down. In addition to that, something else had caught her attention.

"It is moving!"

BANG!

Rose slammed her head on the table, causing Sally-Anne, Hermione, and several other Gryffindors seated near them to jump.

"Rose, are you alright?" Sally-Anne asked.

"I am not in the mood for this!" Rose mumbled, her face still planted firmly in the table.

"Rose?" Sally-Anne asked again.

"I'll probably be in the Hospital Wing," Rose sighed, getting up from the table. "Don't wait up for me for Flight Class."

"It is alive!"

"I heard you the first time!" Rose shouted at the ceiling.

She walked over to the Teachers' Table, to where Professor McGonagall was sitting.

"It lives!" "–alive!" "–moving!"

"Professor McGonagall, as instructed, I am informing you that it's happening again."

Rose flinched as the noise began to grow louder. It didn't feel the same as it did last time, so that was a plus.

"Right, let's get you to the Hospital Wing before it gets any worse," Professor McGonagall said, sighing a little.

"Don't worry, Minerva," Professor Dumbledore spoke up from his position at the center of the table. "I'll take the young lady."

Despite the ringing in her ears as the sound grew louder, Rose still smiled. Her parents and Uncle Oz were the only three people who ever referred to her as a "young lady". Mostly because the only ladylike thing about her was her dress.

Professor Dumbledore arose from his seat, and the two of them walked out of the Great Hall through a side entrance.

"What are they saying now?" asked Dumbledore.

"'It lives', 'It's alive', 'It's moving'."

"Am I to assume that they are once again not elaborating on what 'It' is?"

"No," Rose replied. "Professor Dumbledore, is there somewhere I can learn the theory behind magic?"

"That's quite a broad topic, Rose. What did you have in mind?"

"It's just that this shouldn't even be happening," Rose replied, producing Serendipity. Rose winced again, and figured she should really get moving with her spell.

"Deafness!"

Rose panicked for a second when all sound cut out, but was relieved to hear Reflectesalon's voice in her head.

"What was that?" the Headmaster asked. She couldn't hear him exactly, but Reflectesalon relayed all words in real time to her through their bond.

"I just deafened myself, Sir, before it got too bad," Rose replied. "Ref, who can't understand the castle, is currently functioning as my ears."

"Ref?"

"Reflectesalon!" Rose exclaimed, grinning. "My imaginary friend!"

"Of course," Albus said thoughtfully. That wasn't the strangest thing he had ever heard. Besides which, whatever it was that the girl had done, it certainly worked. She was no longer exhibiting the symptoms of pain she had been moments ago.

"Speak with anything should require that the stones be prompted by me before responding. Which makes me wonder how it is that they're able to do this. I don't really recognize the magic of the castle, so I would like to read more about it to figure out how the two will interact."

"Then you'll probably want to look into Arithmancy," Professor Dumbledore replied. "It seeks to explain exactly that, in terms of maths."

"Hermione was saying something about that, I think," Rose said. "She sounded really excited about it. Is there a class here for that?"

"There is, but it's one of the third year electives, which means you'll have to wait until your third year. On occasion, professors will let students test in early, however."

"Okay!" Rose said. She had more questions, but conversations through Reflectesalon were difficult, so she just wrote down whatever questions she had for later.

On Hallowe'en night, Hogwarts always had a large feast. Hermione didn't think that Hallowe'en was anything to celebrate, especially with her most likely leaving in a few days, but a feast was a feast.

She and Sally-Anne were on their way to the Hospital Wing to fetch Rose. Despite the crimson-haired girl not eating, Sally-Anne thought it would be nice to have her around.

"It's better with her around," Sally-Anne was saying. "A little less… scary."

"I know what you mean," Hermione said. "I feel like no matter where we turn, Malfoy's always–"

"Always what?"

Right there behind me.

"Where's your pet, Mudblood? Has she gone mad again?"

Hermione and Sally-Anne kept walking, picking up their pace a little. At least Malfoy hadn't decided to get in front of them.

Hermione realized why Malfoy had positioned himself behind them when she felt her legs stop working. They froze up right under her, and she fell flat on her face.

Sally-Anne turned around and saw Malfoy with his wand out, pointed at the spot where Hermione had once stood. It was a leg-locker curse. Malfoy had struck Hermione in the back with a leg-locker curse.

"Much better," Malfoy sneered. "Not so tough without the Freak here to interfere, are you, mudbloods?"

Sally-Anne didn't know what to do. She wanted to run away and hide, but she couldn't just leave Hermione here. So, Sally-Anne did the only thing that popped into her mind.

"B-b-back o-o-off, M-malfoy," she stammered, stepping between Hermione and Malfoy.

"O-o-or what?" Malfoy mocked her. "What are you gonna do, mudblood?"

They laugh at us because they're afraid of how smart we are; they're afraid of us, so they want us to be afraid of them. The only way to conquer it is to not be afraid.

"N-no mat-matter what you d-do," Sally-Anne said, tears forming in her eyes. "She'll s-s-s-still be s-s-smart-ter than y-you."

That struck a nerve. Malfoy glared at her.

"Neither of you mudbloods are better than me!" he spat, pointing his wand at Sally-Anne.

She grabbed her wand from her pocket, but Malfoy was too quick.

He raised his wand to cast a spell, but then stopped. A look of horror crossed Malfoy's face.

That was when the girls smelled it. It was a foul stench, like something had died, come back to life, rolled around in guano, then died again, decomposed for a few weeks, then started walking about.

Sally-Anne covered her nose with her free hand and turned around to face the source of the odor.

It was at least ten feet tall, if not taller. It was big enough to make Hagrid, the giant of a grounds' keeper, look normal. The large creature before them was covered in rough, gray skin, like that of an elephant's or a rhinoceros'. Its limbs were like tree trunks, and in one of its gorilla fists it held a massive, wooden club. There was a vacant look on its almost Human face.

Sally-Anne didn't immediately recognize it, but Hermione did. She had read about them in Magical Beasts and Where to Find Them. It was a mountain troll.

The girls screamed when they saw it, but another sound drowned them out.

In a moment that both girls would come to treasure, Malfoy let out the most undignified shriek either girl had ever heard. Malfoy and his goons bolted off back the way they came, leaving Hermione and Sally-Anne to face the troll alone.

Sally-Anne couldn't run, for fear of leaving Hermione alone, and Hermione couldn't run because of Malfoy's curse.

Tears welled up in Hermione's eyes. This was it. They were going to die.

The troll lifted its club.