Despite the rapid succession of spells coming from the battling groups, time seemed to slow as Hermione watched a stray curse glance off a picture frame and head straight toward Draco. She swung her wand in his direction, casting a  Protego  just as he whirled around, his eyes finding hers in the split second before the two spells collided with a violent explosion. The two of them were blasted apart; Hermione was pressed into the column but Draco hit the floor, his head rebounding with a sickening crack before he went sliding off in the direction of the ongoing conflict. 