Chapter 21: The Shadow of Jealousy

As the journey through the parallel realm continued, Hermione found herself growing closer to one of their fellow champions, a brave and charismatic warrior named Alexander. With each passing day, their bond deepened, fueled by shared experiences and mutual admiration.

Though Hermione's heart remained true to Harry, she couldn't deny the growing attraction she felt towards Alexander. His strength and courage filled her with a sense of awe, and his unwavering loyalty to their cause stirred something deep within her soul.

But amidst the blossoming connection between Hermione and Alexander, Harry watched from a distance, his heart heavy with jealousy and insecurity. Though he knew that Hermione's feelings for him were true, he couldn't help but feel threatened by the growing closeness between her and their fellow champion.

One day, as Harry witnessed Hermione and Alexander sharing a private moment together, his jealousy boiled over, and he confronted Hermione in a fit of anger and frustration. Accusations flew between them, harsh words spoken in the heat of the moment as their emotions spilled over into a heated argument.

Feeling hurt and betrayed, Harry stormed off into the wilderness, his heart heavy with the weight of his own insecurities. In that moment of anger and frustration, he vowed to never interfere in Hermione's life again, convinced that he was only holding her back from the happiness she deserved.

Left alone with her thoughts, Hermione felt a pang of guilt and remorse wash over her, realizing the pain she had caused Harry with her actions. But as she tried to reach out to him, she found herself met with silence, her words falling on deaf ears as Harry retreated further into the shadows.

Meanwhile, Alexander seized the opportunity to draw closer to Hermione, his affections growing bolder with each passing day. Sensing her vulnerability and longing for companionship, he showered her with attention and affection, his charm and charisma winning her over in ways she never thought possible.

As Hermione found herself drawn into Alexander's orbit, she couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt and confusion gnawing at her soul. Though her heart still belonged to Harry, she couldn't deny the growing attraction she felt towards their fellow champion, a conflict that threatened to tear her apart from within.

And as the days turned into weeks and the weeks turned into months, Hermione found herself standing at a crossroads, torn between the love she had always known and the allure of something new and exciting. But deep down, she knew that no matter what path she chose, the consequences would be far-reaching, shaping the fate of her heart and the world around her in ways she could never have imagined.