Hermione was taken totally by surprise as Sister Merope Morfin crossed to her in two fast strides, belying her advanced age, and clobbered Hermione with an open palm around the side of her head. She reeled back and stumbled into the door frame of the pantry as stars popped before her eyes. Dizzy and disorientated, Hermione braced herself for another whack, which duly came a second later. She bit her tongue and fought to push her magic down, from where it was fighting to rise up and defend her.