Hermione could feel her heartbeat in her hands, a sharp throbbing that distracted from the pain in her thoughts. Her fists flew methodically at the punching bag in front of her. She rotated through the same two combinations, alternating in frequency and strength. Beads of sweat rolled down her back and her riotous curls were escaping the plait. The sharp sting of unshed tears burned her bloodshot eyes, but she kept at the exercise, her arms shaking.