Chapter 2: The Reckoning
Hermione made her way up the countless stairs gingerly, trying not to strain her wound. If she was being honest, she would admit that Ron was right. It didn't matter though. Harry was her first concern right now, and that meant confronting the man behind the curtain.
"Fizzing Whizzbee" she said to the gargoyle, trying to curb the irritation in her voice. Dumbledore's passwords irked her and her inner dentist-child, but she couldn't waste time thinking about that. Once it moved aside, she stepped forward and begin the climbing the stairs. Dumbledore had set up a charm allowing him to know who was approaching his office. That was how he always knew who was coming - at least, according to Harry. It seemed plausible to assume that the old man already knew who was approaching.
She stopped outside of the imposing door and schooled her face into a neutral expression. It wouldn't do to let him know what was coming before it was time. After calming herself down, she knocked on the door.
After she heard the cheery "Come in," she slipped inside the ornate office. A quick glance revealed to her that Dumbledore hadn't attempted to fix anything after Harry's attack. She wondered idly if the wreckage was supposed to be a reminder to him, or if that's what he wanted others to believe.
A cough and a benign smile interrupted her thoughts.
"Hello Miss Granger."
She inclined her head. "Headmaster," she said, meeting his eyes. They appeared to be so kind and caring, but she wouldn't fall for it. Not anymore.
"Please, sit. How can I help you?" said Dumbledore, gesturing to the squashy armchair in front of his desk.
Hermione carefully stepped her way through all the debris on the floor. "Thank you sir. I had a few questions to ask you, about the ministry battle," she replied, trying situate herself comfortably. She made a mental note to ask Madame Pomfrey for more pain relieving potions, or brew her own.
Dumbledore smiled in his grandfatherly way. "Of course! Please ask anything. I mean to approach you and others as soon as Poppy would allow me. Lemon drop?" he said.
"No thank you," she declined, smirking on the inside. Like other Muggle children, she had been taught at an early age to never accept candy from strangers. While Dumbledore didn't fit the image exactly, the lemon drops gave her the same sense of uneasiness. He may not kidnap her, but they weren't filled with good intentions. She had visited his office in third year to go over the stipulations that came with the Time Turner, and the candy had evoked the same reaction. She had discreetly secreted away a few to test, and discovered a diluted form of the Suadibilis potion, which made the drinker more susceptible to suggestions. After that, she never accepted anything from the old man.
"I only have one question for you. How do you live with yourself?" she asked steadily, not flinching from his blue eyes.
""Excuse me?" he responded, looking mildly taken back.
Screw civility. She needed to show Dumbledore the exact consequences of his actions. " Harry trusted you. We all did. He never had a family - just those abusive idiots you left him with. But he didn't care. He honestly believed that you were helping him. You were one of the only people he truly trusted. Sirius was the only link he had to his family. And now, he's gone. Harry won't ever forgive you for that, for putting the ones he loved in danger. The entire year, you've separated yourself from him, and pushed him into thinking rashly. Do you even know what Umbridge has done to him? But he accepted it. Now? No. Its over Headmaster. He won't ever believe in you again, maybe not even anyone else," she stated, making sure her tone didn't change.
Through the past 5 years, Hermione had seen Dumbledore many times. But today, he looked far older than he ever had. The twinkle in his eyes disappeared and he dropped his gaze from hers.
"Miss Granger... I'm not proud of what I have done in the best. My actions are for the greater good and - " he stopped and sighed. "And I know you don't understand them. But please trust that everything I did was to protect him."
She stood up and stared at him in disbelief. "Then tell me. Tell me why you make Harry go through this, why you make his every summer a living hell. Tell me!"
"The information is dangerous. I will not put you in danger," explained Dumbledore, trying to regain control of the conversation.
Hermione laughed coldly. "Do you really think I'm safe right now? I'm Harry Potter's best friend, the Gryffindor mudblood know-it-all. I'm one of the biggest targets in the school. And honestly? I wouldn't trade it for anything. I've faced danger so many times for Harry and I will be at his side till the end, " she exclaimed angrily.
"I know, I know," conceded Dumbledore, "but if I explain my reasons to you, you must help me persuade Harry to return the Privet Drive for the summer."
Honestly, Hermione sometimes wondered if the old man had been Slytherin instead of a Gryffindor. It was a shame he wasn't the only time. "Of course," she replied, choosing her words carefully, "I will help make sure he returns."
Dumbledore looked at her warily, before nodding and began to explain the prophecy and the consequences surrounding it. Hermione listened quietly, without interrupting. When he finished, she gave him a tired smile.
"Thank you. I need to return to Harry now, but I won't reveal any of this to him." she assured him. At least, not yet, she thought inwardly.
"Thank you, Miss Granger," said Dumbledore, reverting back to the formality they used at the beginning of the conversation. She nodded, and walked out.
AN: I own absolutely nothing relating to Harry Potter, sadly...
Next chapter will be up in a day or two. Thank you to everyone who put this story on alert, favorites, or reviewed. Please review with comments or concerns - I'm a bit worried about the dialogue and feedback would be amazing.
