Chapter 5
Astoria Greengrass sat in the cozy corner of the Slytherin common room, her gaze fixed on Hermione Granger across the room. Hermione was hunched over a thick volume of Advanced Potion-Making, her brow furrowed in concentration as she scribbled notes into her parchment. To Astoria, Hermione embodied everything she aspired to be—beautiful, intelligent, and strong-willed.
Since her first year at Hogwarts, Astoria had looked up to Hermione Granger with a mixture of awe and admiration. Unlike many in Slytherin house, Astoria saw beyond Hermione's Muggle-born status and recognized her for her extraordinary intellect and unwavering determination. Hermione's academic achievements were legendary, her prowess in magic unmatched among their peers.
But it wasn't just Hermione's intelligence that Astoria admired. It was her resilience in the face of adversity, her ability to navigate the complexities of Slytherin house with grace and dignity. Despite the rumors and whispers that surrounded her, Hermione never wavered from her principles or compromised her integrity—a rarity in a world where ambition often eclipsed morality.
Astoria had witnessed the subtle ways Hermione had earned the respect of her Slytherin peers over the years. She had seen how Hermione had forged alliances based on mutual respect rather than fear, how she had stood her ground against those who sought to undermine her. It was a quiet strength that Astoria longed to emulate—a strength born not from power or privilege, but from a steadfast belief in doing what was right.
As Hermione looked up from her book, her eyes met Astoria's briefly, and a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. It was a fleeting moment of acknowledgement, but to Astoria, it meant the world. She felt a surge of pride in being noticed by someone she admired so deeply.
In that moment, Astoria vowed to continue following in Hermione's footsteps—to excel in her studies, to uphold her values, and to never shy away from standing up for what she believed in. Hermione Granger had shown her that true strength lay not in wielding power over others, but in using one's gifts to make a positive difference in the world.
As the evening wore on and the common room emptied, Astoria returned to her own studies with renewed determination. She knew that Hogwarts held many challenges and uncertainties, but with Hermione Granger as her silent role model, Astoria felt confident that she could face whatever lay ahead.
And as she drifted off to sleep later that night, Astoria Greengrass carried with her the quiet hope that one day, she too would leave a mark on the world—a mark inspired by the unwavering courage and brilliance of Hermione Granger.