(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly.
https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
**********
The young wizards cheered loudly when they saw Hermione soaring into the sky, thinking she was going up to stop the fight between Harry and Malfoy.
But gradually, they realized something was wrong.
Why was Hermione screaming?
Erwin was dumbfounded.
The group of naive students actually thought Hermione knew how to fly, and they were still applauding from the ground.
But Erwin had no time for complaints.
He clamped his legs tight, bent his knees, and kicked off hard.
His entire body shot into the sky, flying toward Hermione.
He accelerated desperately and quickly closed the distance.
"Hermione! Don't move. Keep your balance."
In the sky, Erwin shouted at her.
But Hermione couldn't remain calm now.
Her hands desperately clutched the broom, terrified that she would fall if she let go.
Without warning, Hermione's broom shook violently several times, then suddenly accelerated, flying toward the distant woods.
Erwin's panicked.
He dropped his entire body forward until his upper torso was almost flat against the broom.
The Comet broomstick, already pushed to its limit, accelerated again and made creaking sounds, as if it might fall apart at any moment.
Erwin couldn't care about that.
He could clearly see that Hermione's grip was slipping.
Sure enough, within two seconds, Hermione couldn't hold on any longer.
Her hands released the broom, and she fell straight down.
Erwin sprinted with all his strength.
Finally, when Hermione was still two meters from the ground, he successfully positioned himself beneath her.
Releasing the broom with both hands, he stretched out his arms and perfectly caught Hermione before she hit the ground.
The moment his arms took her weight, the entire broom dipped dramatically, nearly touching the grass.
Afraid the broom would disintegrate completely, Erwin clenched his legs tight and leaned back, slowing their descent.
When he landed with Hermione in his arms, the entire broom split into several sections and was completely destroyed.
Hermione stared blankly at Erwin, who was still holding her protectively.
Her mouth opened wide.
Finally, the little girl burst into tears, crying so pitifully that it would break anyone's heart.
"Merlin! What is going on here?"
Professor McGonagall's disbelieving voice rang out in the distance.
Erwin looked back to find her rushing toward them, with a dejected-looking Harry trailing behind.
Further away, Professor Flitwick was also hurrying in their direction, though his short legs meant progress was slow.
"Mr. Gaunt, Miss Granger, what were you thinki-"
Before Professor McGonagall could finish her nearly furious question, she saw Hermione crying in Erwin's arms.
She stopped abruptly, momentarily at a loss for words.
"Sorry, Professor. Hermione didn't mean to. She was trying to help."
Erwin quickly explained what had just happened, deliberately emphasizing that Hermione's flight had been an accident rather than deliberate rule-breaking.
Hearing Erwin's explanation, Professor McGonagall opened and closed her mouth, uncertain how to respond.
She understood perfectly well that Erwin was defending Hermione and that he'd also saved one of her own Gryffindor students.
She owed him thanks as well.
"Mr. Gaunt, are you alright?"
At that moment, Professor Flitwick arrived, panting.
When he saw the scene before him, he looked equally overwhelmed.
He'd heard the shouting and discovered that the flying class students were unsupervised, so he'd come down to investigate.
He hadn't expected to arrive just in time to see Erwin catch Hermione on his broomstick; it had frightened him terribly.
"I'm fine, Professor. But Hermione needs some rest."
Erwin assured him he was unharmed.
"Mr. Gaunt, please escort Miss Granger to the Hospital Wing. Also, thank you for your assistance today, twenty points to Ravenclaw. Mr. Potter, come with me to my office."
Taking in Hermione's current state, no longer sobbing quite as hard, only the occasional hiccup escaping, Professor McGonagall realized the girl was too embarrassed for further public attention.
She asked Erwin to see the matter through to completion.
Erwin didn't refuse, nor did he ask Hermione's opinion on the arrangement.
****
In the Hospital Wing, looking at Hermione, who still had her head buried against his chest, Erwin spoke helplessly.
"Alright, Hermione. It's just the two of us here now. You can let me go."
Hermione showed no response whatsoever.
Erwin sighed.
"If you don't get up soon, you're going to soak my robes completely through."
The little witch finally reacted.
She raised her head, revealing a face streaked with tears and flushed pink from crying.
She looked utterly endearing.
Seeing that the little witch had lifted her head but still wasn't speaking, Erwin could only continue coaxing.
"Listen, today was just an accident. Everything's over now. With more practice in the future, you can-"
"I'm never riding a broom again."
Hermione's reaction was violent, directly cutting off Erwin's next words.
Erwin didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
He knew better than to argue with her right now, so he simply agreed with her declaration and continued offering comfort.
Finally, with Erwin's patient efforts, the young witch eventually fell asleep.
Today's events had been far too overwhelming for Hermione.
A good night's rest would help restore her spirits.