She was nearly frantic as she raced upwards, around and around, her legs and lungs straining. She pounded up the circular stairs, not bothering to cast a silencing charm or to disillusion herself. She went round and round for what felt like ages before a slight woman, dressed in leathers similar to her own, nearly sent her toppling backwards. Hermione paused for only a moment before ripping a dagger free for her back, shoving it into the woman's chest. The woman, the girl, Hermione realized with a faint feeling of horror, gave her one long look out of bewildered brown eyes, before dropping. The shock, the terror on her face, was going to haunt Hermione for ages, she knew. "I'm... so sorry," she whispered, letting the blade go as the girl crumpled. Blocking it out, blocking it all out, she continued her climb, coming face to face with the the thick wooden door she'd only ever encountered once before.