Part XXV
Weasley's Wisdom
(i) The characters and world of Harry Potter are the property of J.K. Rowling. I make no money from this.
(ii) Thank you to all the readers who have stayed with me through the writing of this tale. Your patience has been truly amazing and your continuing reviews are so appreciated. I promise I will finish this story. It will not be abandoned.
Hermione and Harry had just finished narrating what they'd learned to Ron in the Room of Requirement. Hermione was still trying to believe that the Headmaster would have asked her to offer being Snape's assistant if he had truly known what danger she was in. She really believed in the goodness of Dumbledore, but she couldn't deny the logic of the argument that Padma had made. She'd already promised the boys that she would talk to Parvati later tonight in her dorm-room.
Ron, for once, listened to the narrative without blowing a fuse or commenting on anything. Now he sat while Harry ranted about Padma already planting seeds of doubt about the validity and honesty of Dumbledore.
"Shut it, mate," said Ron, with a sigh.
Harry turned around furiously, but stopped his rant abruptly when he saw the expression on Ron's face. The red-head looked thoughtful, pensive.
Hermione glanced from one boy to another. It was obvious they'd had some kind of conversation that she was not party to.
"Percy's been saying that Dumbledore keeps his cards very close to his chest," said Ron, his voice soft, thinking.
Harry made a scoffing noise, but Hermione shushed him.
"Go on, Ron," she said encouragingly.
Ron ran his hand through his hair. "We all called him names, and there was the usual fight," he grimaced, "but if what you both say is true, and Padma does seem to make sense, then the old man really isn't telling us everything."
"Well, we know that," said Hermione in agreement. "I mean, we've known that from the start, we're only told parts of the puzzle."
Hermione glanced worriedly at Harry. He was standing with his hands balled into fists, glaring at them both.
"I mean, Harry, they made us hide things from you in our second-year while you were stuck at the Dursleys, and then they did it again with the whole Sirius thing in third-year, too." Hermione felt a shiver run through her. "Perhaps, like when he sent us to face Professor Lupin, Professor Dumbledore felt me being taken to the Death Eaters was an acceptable outcome."
Harry flinched. But Hermione could see she and Ron had at least made some head-way into his anger.
Hermione smiled at Harry. She knew she'd not been lied to by the Ravenclaw. Her voice was sombre as she said, "And we all know what Professor Dumbledore sees as acceptable, I mean, if I was working for Professor Snape, then, possibly, he assumes that I'd be willing to take the same risks that Professor Snape takes. Maybe," Hermione's voice shook with terror, "even undergo some of the same pain."
Harry swore and kicked the wall. But he was quiet. He, too, was thinking.
Hermione continued, "Wouldn't my pain be worth it if we learned something? Wouldn't me being mind-raped be worth it if it would further whatever plan Professor Dumbledore had?"
"No, it bloody wouldn't," said Ron, heatedly.
"You say that, because you're my friend," said Hermione quietly.
"I'm no one to Professor Dumbledore, just a child soldier."
As she said those words, Hermione for the first time realised the ruthlessness of the man she'd trusted from the first. He was willing to use children, something no muggle would accept as rational, reasonable or right if it got him what he wanted. He'd done it with her, he'd done it with Harry. He'd done it with Ginny too, she thought suddenly. All acceptable losses in the war against Voldemort.
A/N: Love it or hate it, please let me know what you think.