They went down in a tangle of limbs and hair and snapping teeth, Briar twisting them so she landed hard on Hermione's aching ribs, stealing what little air she had in her lungs. With a pained gasp, Hermione bucked, straining until she was straddling the older woman. Blocking a right hook with her forearm, she landed a bare knuckle punch to Briar's already broken nose, blood spraying everywhere, before the woman managed to drive a fist, one that was mercifully not holding a knife, into her ribs, causing Hermione's vision to waver. She was on her back again and Briar, quick as lightening, pulled a dagger from fuck knows where and drove it down towards Hermione's chest. Left hand shooting up, Hermione grabbed the hilt, just under Briar's first, thumb and forefinger wrapped around the blade. With all her waning strength, Hermione pushed up, gritting her teeth as her fingers were sliced to the bone, staring up into those hate-filled eyes, which were now alight with victory. With a grunt, Hermione pushed up harder, sliding her right hand towards her thigh as Briar added her other hand to the hilt, putting her full weight behind the downward thrust. Fairly confident that she was about to lose her fingers, and very likely her life, Hermione took a deep breath, left hand closing into a fist.