I shouldn't have to suffer through this all alone! Hermione was delighted.
You thought you could cross me and just walk away?
This was the ultimate Polyjuice Potion she had developed with the Reality Stone after a year of on-and-off research. From now on, Draco would just have to behave herself and live as a little girl!
Draco wanted to cry, but no tears came.
She had never imagined that a single Boggart could make Hermione hold such a petty grudge for an entire year.
Hermione patted Draco on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Trust me. With this face and this body, your relationship with Harry will improve by leaps and bounds. You'll get along better than ever."
Draco: "..."
The next day.
Hermione ran into Harry again in the castle courtyard.
"Hermione! Look!" Harry waved excitedly at her, tugging at a rather shy little girl with long platinum-blond hair who was hiding behind him.
Hermione took a closer look and nearly burst out laughing.
The little girl wore visibly ill-fitting Slytherin robes. Her small face was fair and delicate, her large eyes watery, and she timidly clutched the hem of Harry's clothes.
"Let me introduce you," Harry said enthusiastically. "This is Draco Malfoy, Malfoy's sister! It turns out the Malfoy family has a younger daughter in her third year in Slytherin. Somehow, none of us ever noticed!"
Hermione: "..."
Unbelievable.
At the sight of Hermione, Draco shuddered violently and let out a tiny whimper. She shrank almost entirely behind Harry, leaving only a pair of eyes brimming with tears and fear peeking out, gazing pitifully at Hermione like a frightened little rabbit.
Harry hurriedly patted her back to comfort her.
"Don't be afraid, Draco. Hermione might look fierce sometimes, but she's a good person. She won't hurt you."