Hermione shook her head, breathlessly, disoriented and surely without sufficient balance to keep herself upright on the thin railing. She trusted him the way one trusts a caged wild animal. He might not attack his handler, but it’s only a matter of time. He brought his hand to her neck at this refusal, strongly gripping her windpipe, feeling the thumping heartbeat against his fingers. Not a threat – but a warning.  