Hermione smacked him, causing him to release his grip on her. She backed away slowly, puffing out breaths of anger. Tom didn't have to say anything. One simple toss of his head, and Rowle emerged faithfully from behind him. Hermione found herself unable to move, stuck by a spell Tom had placed on her. In one swift motion, Rowle backhanded her across the face, cracking her neck from the blow. The harsh force of his hit sent her flying a few feet where she landed, smacking the side of her head on the stone ground. The blunt impact left her feeling dizzy and lightheaded.