Prologue:
"You're asking a lot of me Headmaster…"
A soft laugh reached her ears from across the room. "You would be surprised Miss. Granger how many times I have heard that statement as of late."
Brown, determined eyes raised to meet the tired blue ones that were presently asking the world of her. She was emotionally exhausted from the last five years of her life at Hogwarts but as Hermione Granger stared into the eyes of her Headmaster…she realized she didn't understand the true definition of exhaustion. After that night in the Ministry sleep seemed like a childish, fleeting idea. Hermione often wondered if she was the only one having pseudo-insomnia. It was clear that thoughts were also haunting Dumbledore as he looked away with a weary sigh.
Hermione moved to the bed and sat down as quietly as she could. The bed failed her and squeaked loudly, exposing the poor quality. She didn't know where to avert her gaze while waiting for Dumbledore to fill the pregnant silence surrounding them. Hermione could only hope such silence would give birth to reason and answers.
"Miss. Granger...Your role in this is essential to saving a soul. The soul gives you reason to live, to love, to become a better person. Without a soul you are simply –"
"The shell of the person you used to be."
Hermione looked up at the Headmaster with a furrowed brow. "Sir, I understand but some souls are not worth saving. You're asking me to lie to my best friend, to deceive the people around me, and help someone I have never had a civil conversation with. You're asking…too much. There are more pressing matters than –"
"But you're mistaken. It saddens me to think that the state of the wizarding world has already corrupted your heart and positivity. But alas…that is the way of war."
"No one mentioned war sir." She didn't know why she said it but regretted it immediately. It sounded naïve and weak coming from her mouth. She didn't know how she was going to live with knowing all of the information he had just laid out onto her but Hermione was more worried about other things. War kept her awake at night and hearing an actual person affirm her fear scared the shit out of her. Hermione opened her mouth to recover but Dumbledore raised a hand to stop her.
"You are so young…You should not have to prepare for an inevitable war but you will. And you can. While my request may not appear to be the most pressing matter, as you so accurately put it, it is nevertheless imperative in helping to save a young man's soul. Amongst the chaos and trepidation of the future…is it still vital to pay attention to singular people."
Hermione trusted the man standing in front of her without a doubt in her mind. But she felt deep inside of her that he was not telling her the whole story. "What is going to happen if I don't agree to your…mission? If all you've told me is true, Professor Snape is doing all he can to keep him safe."
Dumbledore clasped his hands in front of him and shrugged slowly. "Your life will go on but his will end. If I know anything about you Miss. Granger you will not let that happen."
Hermione's lips parted as she stared at him like he had slapped her. Brushing her wild hair of her face she crossed the space of the room towards the closed window. Her eyes drifted across the swampy, grassland outside of the Burrow. At a moment like this she wished she was at home with the window wide open, the wind blowing in her face. She felt suffocated thinking of the ultimatum Dumbledore nonchalantly presented to her.
"Why me?" she nearly shouted. "There has to be other people you can task this with…I'm not capable of this. You're asking the wrong person."
"But Miss. Granger…you are the most capable. You are the one who must do this."
"What is happening? I need to know what's coming…" Hermione turned towards Dumbledore, her voice pleading for some kind of light in all of this darkness. "I won't say a word…I swear. Ron and I didn't say a word last year to Harry about the Order, like we promised."
"I cannot Miss. Granger. I am foolish to request this but you must trust that I would not be asking this of you if it was not pertinent. Blind faith is difficult but I ask that you muster the patience."
Hermione wanted to scream but she kept composed as she stared at the older man. She felt miles away from him, secrets creating obstacles between them. This was her role at the moment in this war and she needed to accept that. Hermione continued to stay close to Harry with the understanding that she would have to lean into discomfort with dangerous or uncomfortable situations. That thought was an understatement to what was happening now. It would eat her alive.
"I'll do it. I can't let him die…even if it is Draco Malfoy."
"I have the utmost faith in you Miss. Granger. You really are the brightest –"
"Witch of my age. Being bright isn't going to save my life or his, Headmaster. I'll need more than that now." Hermione met his eyes and nodded as if to assure him that she was going to go through with what he asked.
Dumbledore examined her face in hopes of seeing the big toothed, short girl that walked through the front doors of Hogwarts five years ago. That girl was dead and gone now. The wizard stepped forward and pulled his wand from his cloak. "I will see you in just a few days' time at Hogwarts. I will never be able to thank you for your efforts. You will start your Occlumency and Legimency training with Professor Snape immediately…Is there anything else you wish to ask?"
Hermione chewed at her bottom lip and looked away from Dumbledore's gaze before determinedly catching her eyes. "I only ask that you stay around for Harry…he doesn't have many people left in his life. Promise me you will try everything in your power to watch over him."
"I will try all that I can." Hermione blinked and Dumbledore was gone. He had disapparted from the room and left her with a world of questions and doubts.
"What am I going to do?"
