In a distant memory, six-year-old little Lynn was curled up in the same posture, crying on the floor, while her parents stood on either side, repeatedly striking her with wooden sticks.
"It's all because of you. Because you aren't a genius, not a good student, we still have to be cramped in this apartment."
"Living in an apartment like this, do you know how much face we lose?"
"Ugh... it hurts, Daddy, Mommy, please stop hitting me, I'll study harder... waaaah."
Young Lynn was in unstoppable pain, with obvious dark circles under her eyes.
She didn't understand. She didn't understand why, even though she studied until one or two in the morning and her grades were in the top third, they still weren't the 'good grades' that could satisfy her parents.
She also didn't understand why her parents called it 'cramped' when they clearly lived in an apartment nearly two hundred square meters in size.
The past pain seemed to travel through time and space to Lynn's body, and the past accusations shifted from her parents' mouths into Lynn's mind.
It was all because of herself... all because of herself. Thinking of those words, Lynn couldn't help but grit her teeth fiercely.
Because she bit down so hard, traces of blood seeped from her gums.
Her right hand trembled as she reached out to grasp the wand on the nightstand. Lynn slowly turned the tip of the wand and pointed it at her own chest.
Curling her body, Lynn's voice was calm yet trembling, "Cruciatus Curse."
Every inch of bone was being ground down, every bit of flesh was being melted, her heart was being pierced, and her brain was being torn apart.
The feeling of the Cruciatus Curse this time was even stronger than the one Lord Voldemort had inflicted upon Lynn before.
This spell, which used hatred as its source of power, ultimately exerted a much more powerful force when Lynn directed it at herself than when used by others.
"Crucio."
Without waiting for the pain to fade, Lynn cast the spell again. Her throat was already hoarse beyond recognition, but her mind was unexpectedly clear; the pain failed to affect its ability to remain lucid.
It was as if it knew its master needed it to stay clear right now.
"Crucio."
Hermione had told her not to punish herself anymore, saying that everyone would worry about her, and she would worry even more.
"Crucio."
But Hermione was now Petrified, and it was because of her.
"Crucio."
So punishing herself... was very right, wasn't it?
After finishing the fifth incantation, Lynn's wand slipped from her hand and fell onto the bed. Her curled body shook violently, even causing the bed to rattle.
However, she still didn't let out a single cry of pain, and the expression on her face didn't change at all.
She only whispered "It hurts..." as she used her twitching, numb right hand to pick up the wand.
Picking up the wand, Lynn struggled to move her body and stepped onto the floor barefoot. A burst of sharp pain, mixed with a soft sensation like stepping on cotton, came from her feet.
She couldn't help but stagger a step before stabilizing herself. It wasn't that the punishment just now was enough.
Rather, she understood that if she wanted to ensure the success of what came next, she could only endure this much.
Walking out from the curtain with bare, trembling feet, Lynn's gaze fixed on another hospital bed obscured by a curtain.
Hermione... Lynn withdrew her gaze, lowered her head in guilt, and walked step by step toward the Hospital Wing entrance with great effort.
The night breeze blew into the Hospital Wing, and the curtains around Hermione's bed were gently lifted.
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