Hermione was sitting before the most enigmatic man of the wizarding world. The minister was right in at least one aspect, that no matter what, Albus Dumbledore is the wizard one must not take lightly under any circumstances. Her stupor broke as the headmaster cleared his throat.
"Ah, Miss Granger you seem to be somewhat distracted. Shall I order ginger tea? It would most certainly help you gather your thoughts", said the headmaster benignly.
Hermione got a grip on herself." Pardon me sir. My mind just wandered away ", Hermione admitted in an embarrassed tone.
"Quite understandable, I shall order tea and Chocofrog cookies. A friend of mine from Norway has just sent them over. They are simply delicious ." Dumbeldore clicked his fingers and a tea set presented itself on the table. The kettle floated up from the tray and poured out its contents in the two teacups. Two chocofrog cookies rose from the bowl and settled themselves each on the two small China plates. A teacup and small plate then levitated and neatly landed beside Hermione's hand while the other set landed near the headmaster. All the while the headmaster casually preened at Hermione. She was impressed with his effortless nonverbal and wandless magic. This man was after all the Dumbledore.
"Now if I have your attention, how is our friend Rufus faring?", Dumbledore asked with a grandfatherly smile.
"Very well sir, he seems to be keen on making a difference as a minister. He wants to make amendments for Fudge's errors. I think he is taking the threat of Voldemort's return quite seriously", Hermione spoke with newfound confidence.
"And pray what does he propose you do about the situation?"Dumbledore sipped his hot tea and gave a contented sigh.
"He wants me to spy for him", Hermione spoke firmly.
"Am I to then understand that the minister has assigned you the task of spying on me ", Dumbledore asked with a twinkle in his eyes.
"No sir, well sort of. He wants me to spy on Professor Snape thereby getting information about both you and Voldemort at once."
"Ah, a clever man he is. I always thought highly of Rufus."He spoke as he munched his favorite cookie."His heart is at the right place even though he tends to get misguided occasionally ."
Hermione took a sip of her tea as she spoke."He, on the contrary, has a somewhat skewed opinion about you, Professor. He suspects that you might be leading a war against Voldemort for selfish reasons."Hermione paused for a moment to gather her thoughts."Professor if I may ask, is it true that you and Gellert Grindelwald were friends at one point and that you defeated him for power? The moment she completed her question, Hermione realized that she had overstepped her boundaries. She decided to think twice before speaking in the future. As for now, she waited for an answer in trepidation.
The headmaster suddenly looked frail. Hermione's attention fixed on Headmaster's dark shriveled hand.
"I appreciate your straightforwardness and that you choose to hear my story rather than believe other people." There was a pause." But you may be surprised to know that most of what you might have heard about me is true ", Dumbledor spoke solemnly.
Hermione's eyes snapped up to meet the Headmaster's gaze.
"It is true that I made a number of mistakes in my youth most of which I have heartily regretted all my life. I was young. Power attracts the youth and I faltered due to lack of proper guidance." Dumbledore sighed audibly ."Nevertheless, I made it a point never to repeat those mistakes myself and to guide other youngsters to the correct path."
Hermione felt that Dumbledore was peering into her soul. She felt uncomfortable. She took a large bite of chocofrog cookie to hide her discomfort.
"Aurors have been deployed to protect my parents."Hermione said in an attempt to change the direction of the conversation."They are being trained in self-defense as well."
"I must say I am glad to hear that but I would suggest that you use your foresight. I for one can clearly envision a time when the ministry might be overtaken by the dark forces."Hermione gave him an incredulous expression. "Yes, Miss Granger that is very much possible and you must have an alternative plan for those circumstances."
Hermione swallowed a large lump in her throat.
"How do you propose to spy on Professor Snape?"Dumbledor inquired.
Hermione remained silent.
"If it suits you then I can arrange for your apprenticeship with Professor Snape."The headmaster again peered at her from behind his half-moon spectacles ." But you must do me a favor in return", he continued.
"What do I need to do?"Hermione asked in a monotone.
Dumbledore pondered for a moment ." Times are tough, I believe there is a traitor in the order. Hence I need you to remain close to Professor Snape no matter what the circumstances be", Headmaster confided in a low voice.
"You think that Professor Snape is the traitor?"Hermione's eyes gleamed as she asked.
"I have my suspicions, Miss Granger, though I won't take any names until I am absolutely sure."Dumbeldore adopted a queer tone."Yet I am sure of one thing, that Professor Snape is not the one."
Hermione wondered about the possible reasons behind the headmaster's blind trust in the professor.
"You too will be trained by the ministry I perceive."Dumbledore broke through her ruminations.
"Yes sir, they have provided me with a portkey which would transfer me directly to the ministry training hall and"Hermione unfastened her collar button and retrieved a silver object hanging around her neck by a silver chain"this time turner which will give me extra time to train without compromising with my classes somewhat similar to my third year."
Dumbledore nodded approvingly. Hermione put her chain back and buttoned up her collar.
"So I perceive that you would be fully capable by the right time".He took a furtive glance towards his damaged hand.
"What happened to your hand sir?" She had finally gathered the courage to address the elephant in the room.
"Ah, an old man's folly you can say."
Hermione clenched her fist under the table. She was barely able to contain her anger."Ailments that an old man must endure", said the headmaster placidly.
"Someone sent you a piece of cursed jewelry like the one with Katie Bell and you touched it. Please tell me that I am wrong", Hermione spoke agitatedly.
"That you are Miss, though you missed the point by a whisker I must say."
"Listen to me carefully Professor, I have information that certain students have been given the task to kill you this year ." Hermione's frustration escalated to the next level when she noticed that the headmaster was smiling.
"This is no joke and I might as well tell you that Professor Snape knows about it. Not only this there are suspicions that he may be playing an active role in seeing that the given task is executed."
Dumbledor's calm demeanor irked her extensively.
"I am touched by your concern Miss Granger but as I have said before I completely trust Severus Snape and I have firm faith that he would act in my favor. Henceforth this matter is not open for discussion ", the Headmaster spoke in an unusually stern tone.
Hermione blinked hard.
There was complete silence in the room and she could hear the ticking of the clock.
Hermione finished her cold tea in a gulp.
"Why am I supposed to stay close to Professor Snape?", she finally asked.
Dumbledore looked at her intently.
"There would come a time when Severus will have few friends and a lot of enemies. I would not be of much help to him at that point ." He removed his spectacles and rubbed his eyes."For a while, I had been searching for the right person to entrust this responsibility with. And then as the fate would have been you presented yourself. You, I believe, would be sufficiently trained by that time."
"What exactly am I supposed to do?", Hermione asked skeptically.
"You miss Granger would become his bodyguard ", Dumbledore spoke in a matter-of-factly manner.
Hermione's head was spinning. To spy on Snape was one thing to become his bodyguard was another. This was absurd. Absolutely.
"If you don't mind Sir, don't you think Professor Snape would object to this idea", she asked hesitatingly.
"Leave that to me, Miss Granger."Dumbledor took his most authoritative tone. Hermione couldn't help but stare at him in an uncomprehending manner. He then swished his wand and sent a Patronus to summon Professor Snape. It took a while for Hermione's muddled mind to register the fact that the object of their discussion would present himself in few minutes. This would be the first time she would be facing this man after being assigned to spy upon him. She felt a sudden urge to flee but she managed to calm herself down.
Within minutes the door opened with a swish and a surly looking man presented himself. This was the spy she had agreed to spy upon. Hermione felt queasy.
"Headmaster" he drawled as a form of address and then plastered a sneer on his face.
"Ah Severus, do have a seat." The man kept standing."Miss Granger here has come to discuss her career opportunities with me. " Hermione wondered if he was referring to her career as a spy.
The man gave Dumbeldor his best ' how does that concern me ' look." I suggest that you take her in as your apprentice", Dumbledore said conversationally.
Snape gave him an inscrutable look.
"I am already overburdened with responsibilities as you know."A dark look passed on his face."She could apprentice with Slughorn."
"Severus you very well know that the time is not far away when her kind would be targeted."Snape looked at her with distaste."Even you would agree that she is an exceptional witch, " Snape snorted "and her loss would be tremendous to the wizarding world. "Snape gave an amused look." She is Harry Potter's friend and she is crucial for the war effort. Please Severus do take her under your wing. She would be safe that way", the headmaster implored.
Hermione on the other hand had an irresistible urge to protest but then a blazing look from the headmaster pacified her.
"As usual I don't seem to have a choice", blurted out Snape "now if that is all, may I take leave."
Dumbledore nodded and Snape left with stealth befitting of a Spy. Somethings are yet to be learned, thought Hermione.
"Now the matter is settled. Is there anything else that you wish to discuss with me?", inquired Dumbledore.
"No sir"
"Then you may retire for the night. You have a new day to begin tomorrow"
As Hermione reached the door she heard Dumbledor's voice.
"Wait a minute Miss Granger, did the minister mention the Horcruxes by any chance."Dumbledore looked at Hermione with an unflinching gaze.
Hermione turned to answer, her gaze locked with his.
"Not at all, sir."