I'm Sorry, Miss Granger...

Hermione allows herself a small smile, knowing that without his wand, Ero is at her mercy. This is as the wizards say: check and mate.

“You are here for the next hour,” she begins, her voice steady and firm.

“It is important that you tell me what you did, why you did it, and what you think your punishment should be.”

Ero tries to interject, “You’re right, Hermione—”

Hermione cuts him off.

“Miss Granger, Ero. I’ve just added another thirty minutes to your detention. The next time, we’ll go for a full hour.”

He winces at her words.

“Sorry, Miss Granger.”

Hermione smiles warmly.

“That’s okay, my naughty boy. The more obedient you are, the better this will go for you. You’ve been extremely naughty, and it’s crucial that you own up to every last thing you did to land yourself here.”

She grabs his hand and gives it a squeeze.

“Then, and only then, can we truly start the road back to forgiveness through punishment and humiliation. Are you ready, Ero? Are you ready to admit what you did?”

Her smile remains warm, but there's an edge to it.

“Let’s try that again, shall we?”

Ero clears his throat, complying so he can get a word in edgewise.

“Miss Granger.”

Hermione nods, satisfied.

“Tonight is Quidditch,” Ero says, attempting to reason with her.

“I am the Quidditch captain. I cannot miss practice. Surely you can let me off with a warning, or we can reschedule.”

Hermione cocks her head to one side, considering him.

“Now it's two full hours, Mr. Apostasia.”

Ero’s eyes widen in shock.

“Miss Granger, please!”

In that moment, Hermione’s demeanor shifts. Her eyes flash, revealing the seasoned witch who has battled the worst dark wizards imaginable, not just the delightfully pretty and stern prefect on duty.

“I—I’m sorry, Miss Granger. P-please. I’ll confess. I took all of the knickers out of the girls’ laundry. I put a hover charm on them and sent them zooming all over the castle. I thought it was funny, and I’m kind of a legend with the boys for doing it…”

Hermione frowns at this admission.

“But it was wrong—very wrong of me to do that to you. To all of the girls. I—I’m sorry, Miss Granger.”

A giggle escapes Hermione as she boops him on the nose.

“There, that’s better,” she says, her voice laced with amusement.

“You embarrassed a lot of girls with that laundry prank, and now I have multiple trolls in the hallway asking for a peek at my pink satin knickers.”

Leaning in closer, her voice drops to a whisper.

“Horace Boggleshins caught them before I could get to him and was snogging them before I could get them back. Horace Boggleshins, Mr. Apostasia. That disgusting Slytherin ogre, with his face buried in my knickers!”

She pulls back, her eyes flashing with anger.

“You have a lot of people to answer to, Mr. Apostasia. I’m just the one who gets first crack at you. You’re in for a long night, I’m afraid, sir. Let’s get you properly situated, and then we’ll start your punishment.”

She pauses, letting her words sink in.

“Let’s try for a bit of obedience, Ero. I want your hands on your head, and you will not, I repeat, will not resist me. I’m going to undress you now, Mr. Apostasia. Clothing is something you will not be needing for a while. At least, not your clothing…”