Draco's words, "I don't need sympathy," were like a bucket of ice water, precisely poured onto the complex and subtle emotional flames that had just ignited in the Great Hall due to being "abandoned by the family."
The murmurs that had been rising and falling instantly subsided by more than half.
The sympathy and sighs on many people's faces gradually faded.
Instead, there was a hint of thoughtfulness, or perhaps a touch of embarrassment at having one's thoughts read.
These resounding words made them suddenly realize that their earlier overflowing sympathy might have been nothing more than wishful thinking and self-indulgence.
Only Lavender and Parvati remained immersed in the tragic epic they had woven for themselves.
"He's just putting on a brave face! He doesn't want us to see his inner vulnerability!"
Parvati's tone grew increasingly emotional. "How proud! How strong! Even without the support of their family, they still held fast to their dignity! That is true courage!"
Hermione listened to the two men's ramblings, her brow furrowing almost imperceptibly, before her eyes suddenly cleared as if a thick fog had been lifted.
"I see."
Hermione nodded slightly, her tone returning to its usual calm and sharp.
She met Draco's gaze and asked, "Given that family support wasn't the source of your 'confidence,' what was it that gave you the confidence to 'return' when you initially made the decision to 'agree to leave Hogwarts '?"
This question, like a precise scalpel, dissected the layers of appearance and struck at the root of all Draco's behavior.
Draco didn't answer directly. He simply raised his eyes and looked at Hermione's tense face. "Aren't you alone too?"
A single sentence, spoken lightly, yet like a pebble, once again stirred ripples on the calm surface of the Great Hall.
Many people looked puzzled, their brows furrowed, muttering under their breath, "What does he mean? Is he giving an irrelevant answer?"
Some people frowned, their faces full of disapproval, thinking that Draco was playing some kind of word trick again, trying to Confundus Charm.
Only the Weasley Twins' eyes gleamed with interest.
"Wow--" Fred whistled.
George stroked his chin, a sharp glint in his eyes. "Attack where they must defend... This is a move that strikes at the heart of the matter."
"That's good," Fred grinned, his gaze shifting between Draco and Hermione.
"Not only did they refuse to answer the question, they also threw the difficult problem back at the other party. This little viper is not only sharp-tongued and venomous, but also has incredibly sharp eyes."
George nodded, then shook his head, sighing with a wry smile, "This guy seems to be a born troublemaker; wherever he goes, there's no peace."
Lavender, standing nearby, was already deeply moved by the scene. "He wasn't just answering a question... he was asking her! He was looking into the depths of her soul!"
"He saw her loneliness!" Parvati's eyes gleamed with infatuation.
"My God! Two equally lonely souls, in full view of everyone, completed a silent collision... This is so profound! So romantic!"
These two almost frantic whispers, like two thunderclaps, pierced Hermione's ears.
Upon hearing these words, Hermione's body trembled uncontrollably.
Her mind went blank for a second.
Countless thoughts churned wildly in Hermione's mind.
"Seeing loneliness"?
"A clash of souls"?
Merlin's biggest briefs ever!
What utter nonsense are they spouting?!
Is this some kind of melodramatic misunderstanding plot from a third-rate romance novel?!
Extreme shame and anger erupted in her chest like a volcano, making her cheeks instantly turn as red as if they were about to bleed.
She turned her head abruptly, the movement so large that it stirred up a few strands of her brown curly hair, which drew a messy arc in the air.
His eyes were blazing with fury that seemed to consume everything, as he glared menacingly at Lavender and Parvati.
Lavender and Parvati, upon meeting Hermione's tangible gaze, fell silent instantly, like chicks being choked.
The two men's faces turned deathly pale instantly. They shrank back in terror, their bodies trembling slightly, not daring to even breathe.
Hermione gritted her teeth, her anger barely concealed, and called out, " Brown Patil."
Hermione uttered two names in a cold voice, even omitting the word "Miss" and addressing her by her last name.
"If your minds are filled only with mindless fantasies and absurd romantic fantasies—"
"Then shut up right now, or leave immediately! Don't pollute the air and interfere with other people's thinking with your stupid noise!"
Her voice suddenly rose in pitch, echoing in the silent Great Hall.
Hermione's near-outburst of rage was like a thunderclap, plunging the entire Great Hall into a deathly silence once more.
But this time the silence was no longer one of surprise and curiosity, but rather one of being stunned by her fierce anger; even breathing became a cautious, deathly stillness.
Lavender and Parvati trembled with fear, their heads bowed low, not daring to make a sound, even their fingers trembling slightly.
The other Gryffindor students also looked surprised and stared blankly at Hermione.
Clearly, they hadn't expected her to get so angry, and to use such harsh and unforgiving language.
Even Draco raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
He was clearly taken aback by Hermione's sudden outburst.
Hermione took a few deep breaths, trying to suppress the surging anger in her heart, before slowly turning around to look at Draco again.
"None of your business, Mr. Malfoy."
Her tone instantly returned to its previous calm.
"But please answer my question, Mr. Malfoy." Her gaze was sharp as she fixed Draco on the subject. "Don't try to change the subject or resort to personal attacks."
Draco looked at her flushed cheeks and listened to her slightly rapid breathing, a very faint smile curving his lips.
"I'm not making a personal attack. I just think you're amazing, and I want to be like you, graduating from Hogwarts without needing anyone's support and becoming an excellent wizard."
Hermione was stunned.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something in rebuttal, but it seemed as if she was stuck, unable to utter a word.
A hint of confusion flashed in his eyes at that moment.
A blush returned to her cheeks.
But this blush was a complex color, a mixture of embarrassment, absurdity, and intense vigilance.