The frustrated little witch tussled with Glenn for a while, and before long, Hermione's already fluffy curls became even more disheveled. Glenn had no choice but to reluctantly and voluntarily surrender, helping the pouting Hermione smooth her hair.
"How's Ginny doing lately?" A comb was useless against the tangle of Hermione's curls, so Glenn used his fingers to gently run through her chestnut locks, tidying them as he went.
Since Glenn's gender-swapping potion was still incomplete, most of the responsibility for observing Ginny's behavior fell on Hermione.
"She should show some kind of reaction—whether she's indifferent or panicked, it'll give me a lot of information," Glenn thought to himself as his hands continued their work.
"Actually, I was planning to talk about that today." Hermione lightly tapped her palm with her small fist, as if a lightbulb had just gone off above her head. "Ever since Colin Creevey was attacked by the basilisk, Ginny has been downcast, and her emotions are easily triggered."
"She's also been very distracted lately. People have to call her several times before she responds, and only when they get close does she seem to snap out of it."
"Others have noticed that something's off about Ginny too. When my friends and I tried to check on her, she didn't say anything—she just kept smiling."
"But I could tell that her smile…"
"…was forced."
A trace of worry appeared in Hermione's eyes. Her pale, delicate fingers toyed with a strand of hair that had fallen in front of her chest.
"I asked her dormmates about her in private, and they're worried about her too."
"They said Ginny hasn't been sleeping well for a while now. She often wakes up from nightmares, and even when she doesn't, she looks like she hasn't rested at all when she gets up in the morning. She's listless—no, more like dazed."
"George and Fred have been trying to cheer her up. They've even used their joke products on themselves, covering themselves in boils or sprouting feathers, just to make their little sister laugh."
"But it's not working. Ginny isn't amused at all, and while we've tried to stop those two troublemakers, they always find a way to be around her."
Hermione sighed and leaned lightly against Glenn's chest. "We know George and Fred mean well—they're probably more worried than we are—but they're just too stubborn."
"Fortunately, Percy stepped in and said something to them, and they finally stopped."
Hermione shared all the information she had gathered, along with her own thoughts.
"So, Ginny Weasley's condition has been bad for a while, but after Colin Creevey's incident, it's gotten even worse."
"Although you mentioned that Ginny sits next to Colin in Charms class, and it's natural for her to be affected by what happened to someone so close to her, I'm now more convinced—no, certain—that Ginny is connected to the Heir of Slytherin."
"Her behavior, both physically and mentally, shows that she's been going through something terrible."
Hermione seemed about to say more, but Glenn pressed a finger to her lips, signaling her to stay quiet for a moment.
"But I no longer believe she's the one intentionally controlling the basilisk to attack Muggle-borns," Glenn said calmly.
"Ginny Weasley's behavior so far is more like that of someone being coerced."
"Whatever she's involved in, it's clearly against her will, and it's something she can't control."
"She likely has no power to stop what's happening, even though she desperately wants to."
"She has no choice but to watch helplessly as these events unfold."
"Whether she's being controlled or blackmailed, what Ginny has been through recently has left her in a terrible state…"
"…to the point where her vitality might even be significantly drained."
"?! Are you saying…" Hermione tilted her head up in shock, her face just inches away from Glenn's sharp yet delicate features.
The young witch couldn't help but swallow.
Sorry, Ginny. I know this isn't the time, but…
He's just too tempting!
Glenn knew Hermione understood what he was implying. He could tell she had grasped his meaning the moment he mentioned the word "control."
In the wizarding world, there were countless ways for one individual to establish a connection with another—contracts, surveillance, parasitism, symbiosis. Some were mutually beneficial, while others favored only the stronger party.
Among these, "control" was the most terrifying.
To be precise, "complete control over a person's mind and body."
The Imperius Curse, one of the Unforgivable Curses, was the pinnacle of such controlling magic.
Like the other Unforgivable Curses, the Imperius Curse targeted the victim's soul. Those under its influence felt their minds go blank, their thoughts and sense of responsibility vanishing. They experienced an overwhelming sense of happiness and euphoria, followed by a voice commanding them to act. They would obey without question.
However, victims retained their own thoughts, watching helplessly as they were forced to commit unspeakable acts, as if they were mere bystanders in their own bodies.
Ginny Weasley's condition resembled that of someone under the Imperius Curse. However, the signs of her vitality being drained, along with her reluctance to share her experiences, set her apart from typical victims of the curse.
Glenn suspected that Ginny's situation might be more akin to Professor Quirrell's possession by Voldemort last year—though in her case, it wasn't possession but parasitism.
Perhaps the perpetrator had initially tempted Ginny with something she couldn't resist, gradually draining her vitality and spirit. Once their true intentions were revealed, they likely used something Ginny cared deeply about to threaten her into silence and submission.
That would explain why Ginny was enduring such torment alone, refusing to speak about what was happening to her.
But if this continued, there was only one possible outcome for Ginny Weasley.
Whether her vitality was completely drained or her mind broke first, the end result would be the same.
Death.
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