Grindelwald was being elusive again. He'd stayed behind with Dumbledore, presumably to discuss what had occurred. Feeling like an intruder, she had sat awkwardly with Harry and Sirius in the corner of the kitchen, nursing a butterbeer and wondering what would be the best way to excuse herself back to bed. She knew that they would hear nothing for several hours yet and it seemed rather pointless to wait up.
Gellert popped by in the early hours, just for long enough to tell them that Arthur was past the worst of it but still a long way from stable. He certainly didn't sugar coat his words, and Ginny looked like she was about to burst into tears as he left. Hermione jumped to her feet and hurried out after him, intent on scolding him. He may not feel sadness but he surely must understand what the Weasleys were going through. His insensitivity really was inexcusable.
She caught up with him on the stairs, reaching out to grab his arm. He sighed and turned to face her and she completely forgot what she had been going to say.
It was the first time they had been face to face since their argument, she realised with a start. He looked exhausted; dark circles were painted under his eyes and there was a sag to his frame that she had never seen before. Beyond that, like a sixth sense she could feel an emptiness, like something she had never realised was missing until it was.
'What's wrong?' She found herself asking and if anything he seemed to collapse in on himself more.
'I'm 113. I am far too old to be orchestrating another war.' He admitted, sounding slightly pained.
'You're not orchestrating a war, you're helping to win one.' Pointed out Hermione.
'I'm the only one on this side with any real experience. Last time wasn't going so well until Harry conveniently ended it and he had nothing to do with my war. Dumbledore is walking blind.' The dark wizard sneered. He carried on before Hermione could protest. 'You can only win if you are the one orchestrating, otherwise you are reacting. That never makes a winner.'
Hermione was unable to protest, she was fairly certain Ron had said the same in relation to chess several times.
'Is that what you're doing then? Orchestrating the war?' She asked, wondering what he was truly planning.
'Yes, now let me go to bed whilst I still can.' This time she could only release him as he slipped away up the stairs. The shutting of his door was a loud crack in the silence of the house.
He had made a good point, she decided. Perhaps it was time to do some orchestrating of her own. Grindelwald could fight Voldemort, she could fight Umbridge.
She had to wait to begin her plans until the next morning. Ron was only in a shape to talk after he had visited his father in hospital, understandably. Even so, she didn't wait long after they had returned home to pull him aside.
'I need your help, Ron.' She announced, once they were alone in that same drawing room where she had first confronted Grindelwald when he joined the order.
'What with?' He asked, seeming puzzled.
'I spoke to Gellert last night. He said something very similar to what you said once. We need to start going on the offensive, getting in control of this war.' She explained. Ron was nodding, already understanding what she was saying.
'We need to go on the offensive.' Ron finished for her and she nodded emphatically.
'The first step is to get our side of the story out.' Hermione decided.
'What about Loony? Her dad edits that wacky newspaper, right? He'd print an interview with Harry in it.'
'Brilliant Ron. I could even get Skeeter to conduct the interview.' A thrill was beginning to course through Hermione. For once they might be in control, they might be able to fight back instead of barely managing to save the day.
'We need proof.' She decided. 'How are we going to get proof?'
'We need to get him out in public – find something he cares about enough to come and get it...'
'What about whatever the order is guarding? If we could get him to think it was somewhere else where only he could get to it.'
'Brilliant Hermione. Harry says it's somewhere in the ministry. We could steal it, hide it safely at Hogwarts. With both Grindelwald and Dumbledore there there isn't anywhere safer, then let it slip where we've hidden a decoy.'
'How are we going to get into the ministry?' Hermione asked after the two had considered for a moment.
'Ask Grindelwald. He's broken into so many ministries.'
Both students jumped when someone knocked on the door, asking if they were okay. They hurriedly drew apart, not having realised how close together they were. Ron called out that they were coming and Hermione took several steadying breaths in the vain hope that it would clear some of the flush from her cheeks.
The duo joined the rest of the family for lunch and Hermione forced herself to look at both Ron and Grindelwald no more than usual. The Dark Wizard was deep in conversation with Sirius, from what she knew the two had bonded over shared detention time and less than stellar pureblood upbringings. She eavesdropped as the two seemed to compete over pre-roman ancestors and how psycho they had been.
From what she gathered, Gellert's family had a much longer heritage than even the Blacks and both families had graphic histories of violence against Muggles. She listened as Sirius recounted how one particularly batty Black lord in the 14th Century had cursed one family to bad luck if they ever broke a glass vase. Disturbingly, Gellert seemed more amused by the muggle's fate than how batty Sirius ancestor had been.
She held out until after dinner, even managing to stay for her customary book in front of the fireplace. As fire was once again stoked, she gave up, excusing herself and heading up to Gellert's room. He was waiting for her, seemingly expecting her.
'You had something to talk to me about?' He asked.
'Er, yes. Ron and I were talking about what you said yesterday. We thought it would be a good idea to draw Voldemort out into public so that at least people would be on guard and we wouldn't need to hide anymore.' She began and he nodded for her to continue. Reassured, she forged into their plan eagerly.
'We were thinking, what if we stole whatever weapon it is the order are guarding, made a big show of it, then tricked him into thinking it's hidden somewhere. We could hide the real thing in Hogwarts. It would draw him out into public.'
'The order are guarding a prophesy. It seems people have forgotten how prophesies work in the last century. They are as likely to come true as not and Voldemort has already heard the essence of this one.' The dark wizard reached behind him to a massive pile of parchment which surrounded a large black book on the desk. 'So there is no real value in protecting the prophesy, we may as well just open up the way and lure him in.'
'Can we do that?' Hermione asked eagerly. That would be far easier than what her and Ron had planned. Gellert had opened a pot of ink and was scratching notes.
'Not until the order stop guarding it.' Frustration leaked through his voice as he said this.
'And you'd have to stop the death eaters just walking in and taking it.'
'They can't, unless he can lure Harry in. Only Voldemort or Harry can remove the prophesy from its spot.'
'So how do we stop the order guarding it?' Hermione asked, feeling suddenly as though she was working against the good guys here.
'I have some contacts that may be able to instigate something.' Grindelwald purred ominously.