As Ernie was speaking, Hermione directed her attention on the petition before her. A wrath was bubbling up from deep within. Memorizing the parchment, her eyes took notice of her name written in all capital letters and the signatures below, each one a tiny betrayal. Ernie’s voice now became distant in her ears; it was as if he were speaking underwater. She could feel an inner madness pulsing throughout her bloodstream. Closing her eyes, Hermione focused on that feeling. Though she was without her wand, she could sense it–the white hot flicker of her magic.