Chapter 12

Hermione was skeptical about giving her name, not because she didn't want to, but because she was worried about the stress of speaking and the possibility of being laughed at.

These two things disarmed her, but nevertheless, it was not a do-or-die situation.

"I-I'm H-Hermione. It's nice t-to m-meet y-you," she stammered, her words coming out in a soft, uncertain murmur. Embarrassed by her speech, it was clear she was struggling with shyness and her reluctance to look at me tugged at my heart. Since she seemed unable to meet my gaze, I decided to take the initiative and approach her, introducing myself.

"Hi Hermione," I greeted her, my tone gentle and welcoming. "My name is Dante, and I truly hope we can be good friends." As I extended my hand towards her for a friendly handshake, I could sense her apprehension. I watched as her gaze flickered to my outstretched hand, her eyes widening with a mixture of curiosity and fear.

But the moment our hands made contact, a sudden and piercing shriek echoed through the air, causing my heart to race in surprise. "Hiiicc!" Hermione's scream erupted, and she instantly wrenched her hand away from mine, retreating with a swift and panicked movement. Her wide-eyed expression held a mix of shock and distress, and before I could react, she darted behind Jade, seeking refuge in her presence.

My hand, suspended mid-air, hung there awkwardly, the warmth of her touch still lingering on my skin. I exchanged a bewildered glance with Jade, unsure of what had just transpired. It was clear that my attempt at a friendly gesture had backfired horribly.

"Hey, it's okay," I called out gently, my voice a mixture of reassurance and confusion. "I didn't mean to startle you." I took a step back, hoping to alleviate any discomfort Hermione was feeling. It was evident that she was incredibly timid, and I didn't want to exacerbate her unease.

Hermione's wide eyes peeked out from behind Jade's protective stance, her petite form trembling ever so slightly. There was a vulnerability in her that I could relate to, having faced my fair share of uncertainties. I wanted to bridge the gap between us, to show her that I meant no harm.

But before I could clear the misunderstanding between Hermione and me, the growl of approaching demons reached our ears. My gaze snapped in the direction of the source, and my heart clenched at the sight of the horde of monsters we had barely escaped from, thanks to Hermione's teleportation. I turned my head toward Mavka and Jade, urgently signaling them that the creatures were dangerously close now. "The horde of demons has caught up to us," I exclaimed, the mixture of fear and urgency evident in my voice.

"We sensed their approach from a distance, but there's no need to worry. Hermione is here with us," Mavka and Jade spoke in unison, their tone calm and composed, displaying no signs of fear.

However, their words did little to reassure me. I couldn't help but wonder if Hermione, the shy and reserved girl who had been hiding behind Jade, possessed the strength to face the horde of demons that had caught up to us.

Straining my neck, I stole a glance at Hermione, who was still partially obscured by Jade. In that moment, I sensed an intense, foreboding aura emanating from her. It was a feeling of imminent danger, so overwhelming that it sent a shiver down my spine. This wasn't the Hermione I thought I knew; this was something else entirely. Instinctively, I retreated, my steps carrying me to the safety of Mavka's side. Without thinking, I blurted out my thoughts to Mavka, "What was that? The girl I spoke to just moments ago couldn't possibly exude such an ominous presence. I felt like I should run for my life after sensing that pressure from her."

"Don't be alarmed. It's just one of her multiple personalities," Mavka explained calmly, her tone reassuring.

"Multiple personalities?" I echoed, trying to wrap my head around Mavka's explanation.

"Exactly. But for now, watch closely and you'll understand why Hermione is known as the Witch of Disaster," Mavka replied cryptically.

As Mavka's words lingered, my attention was drawn back to Hermione, who had stepped out from behind Jade. My gaze locked with hers, and in an instant, I was overwhelmed by an indescribable sense of impending doom. It felt as if the weight of a thousand deaths pressed down on me, all from just meeting her gaze. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead, trickling down relentlessly. Only when she shifted her attention from me to the approaching demons did the oppressive aura ease, and I found myself gasping for air, relieved that the feeling of impending death had passed.

But even as Hermione's gaze left me, the memory of that moment clung to my consciousness. I had felt like I was staring into the abyss, and it was staring right back at me. The chilling intensity of her gaze left an imprint that I couldn't shake off. The mere experience of meeting her eyes had felt like a brush with my own mortality.

In this chaotic moment, as the horde of demons drew nearer, the enigma of Hermione deepened. "What had I just witnessed? How could someone transition from being unassuming to radiating an aura of such darkness? There was more to Hermione than met the eye," I questioned myself, trying to understand what I had just witnessed.

While I was still pondering questions in my mind, a sudden cold breeze swept past me. Looking up, I noticed that it was Hermione who had just walked by. My instincts kicked in, and I turned my head to observe her actions. She was striding purposefully towards the horde of demons, displaying an unwavering determination to confront them on her own.

As she arrived at her chosen spot, she began to chant words that sounded foreign and unfamiliar to me. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't decipher the meaning of her incantation, but there was no mistaking the fact that she was tapping into some form of magic. I found myself drawn into a state of silent observation, captivated by her audacious actions. A sense of curiosity welled up within me as I eagerly anticipated what she was on the verge of unleashing.