Hermione looked in the mirror and saw a monster.
The monster stared back for what seemed like the longest time. It had a beautiful nightmare of face. Waxy and gaunt with high cheekbones and dark, lidded eyes. Long, dark hair spilled down the monster's black.
She carefully pulled heavy silk robes onto the skeletal, almost fragile body. Despite being so thin, she was taller and far more intimidating than little Hermione Granger had ever been.
She would have to hold herself differently. She would have to be just as intimidating. She straightened her shoulders and lifted up her chin but Hermione Granger looked back.
No. That wouldn't do.
"Does it hurt?" the monster purred.
The werewolf flinched at the monster's words and tried to look away. The monster lifted up its chin to with the point of a silver blade. A bead of crimson rolled down it's neck.
"Does the dog want more?" the monster mocked. "Or does the dog want me to finish it?"
It looked frightened. Almost like a person.
The monster knew better. It was nothing. Less than nothing. It was the filth under her nails. The air stank of it... sweat, blood and sick only worse. Standing too close made the monster feel contaminated but the hatred was too strong to leave it alone.
Disgusting.
The monster dragged the werewolf forward by the front of its robes like yanking a dog by its leash. It was truly repulsive how it scrambled forward and avoided her gaze at all costs.
As if not looking at the monster would make it disappear.
When she opened eyes, Greyback was gone and the monster was staring back at her in the mirror. The silver knife was in her hand. Dark stains still marred the beautiful silver blade.
Elf blood. Not werewolf blood.
Ron knocked gently on the bathroom door, asking if she was ready. His voice called her back. She remembered who she was. Hermione Granger. Mublood. The monster disappeared again.
Hermione wondered what it would feel like to be pureblood and powerful. Just for a little while.
It wasn't just the potion that left a bitter taste in her mouth.