Face pressed against the dirty, linoleum floor, Hermione closed her ears to the second chorus of laughter and took a deep breath, fighting the rising heat in her veins. She might be able to stand up to Pansy and her gang now. Hermione had been working out each night, practicing her punches in the mirror. She’d learn faster with an instructor, but there was no one left Hermione could talk to, let alone confide in. She’d had to study self-defense techniques from YouTube videos and library books.