Caught after curfew by Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini, Hermione’s private St Mungo’s interviews are dragged into the light with one brutal number: an eighty percent risk she could lose her magic if she chooses surgery. She refuses to be shamed, then walks straight to Draco for warmth, wit, and a quiet confession that she has liked this more than she ever expected. Before the day is out, Harry and Ron arrive in gray trainee robes, a tense reunion becomes an unexpected show of unity at the Slytherin table, and a casual mention of robbing Gringotts leaves half the hall staring while Draco decides this is exactly why she is terrifying in the best way.