Chapter Thirty-two: the French Connection
"Tom, Hermione, I would like you to meet Fabian Le Mer," Dumbledore said as a man stepped into the clock works and walked deliberately up to the three of them.
"Ah, so this is the fine young couple I have heard so much of," said Fabian, his accent almost undetectable. "I am pleased to meet you both."
"I'm sure the pleasure will be mine—once the old man explains who you are, exactly," Tom said, feigning amusement.
"I see you are right, Dumbledore," Fabian chuckled. "Affable, even in the face of uncertainty."
"Yes, a fine young man," he agreed. "He'd make an excellent politician—or an excellent spy for that matter."
"And now he hints at the heart of the matter," Fabian laughed. "A spy, young Tom Riddle, is precisely what I am. And the two of you are about to be taken into my employ. At least, insofar as it pertains to a certain Dark wizard. Long have I been tracking Gellert Grindelwald's movements. Too long, it would seem, for I fear he knows precisely who I am, and his spies have long been tracking me."
"That could be problematic," Tom agreed.
"And does the little miss have nothing to add to the conversation?" he inquired. "I had heard you are quite brilliant, Hermione Granger. Is it not so?"
Her face slightly reddened, Hermione replied, "I've yet to hear anything intelligent enough to comment on, sir. If you'll kindly explain how Tom and I play into this scenario more fully, I may be able to think of something more substantial."
The man raised one brow, clearly indicating that he'd been annoyed by her words. But Hermione didn't care. She had no intention of blindly following some man into the world of espionage, especially in some other country, without a good reason.
"Do you not wish to rid the world of the most evil wizard in it?" he wanted to know.
"If you cut off just one head on a creature that has many, you haven't killed anything," Hermione pointed out. "Only made way for yet another head to rise to take its place."
Guiltily, she spared a thought for Tom Riddle, who had taken that place quite nicely in her own timeline. They were working so closely with horcruxes, and Tom seemed to find the concept too intriguing by far. How easily might he be corrupted by these men, even knowing what fate might befall him if he did?
"Hermione, dear, do try to be polite," Tom whispered as he kissed the top of her head. "We're perfectly willing to end Grindelwald's tyranny, are we not?"
"Yes, of course," she said automatically. "But we must take care that in doing so, we nip the entire problem in the bud."
"And we will," Tom said sternly. "Forewarned is forearmed, so they say."
Hermione nodded. The two other men could tell that the two were discussing a topic they'd had several discussions on, but were excluding the rest of the company.
"Well then, you two, how did your move go? Have you set all your belongings in order?" asked Dumbledore, more to change the subject than to learn the answer.
"Yes, as well as they could be with limited time to arrange them," said Hermione as brightly as possible. Tom nodded his agreement to this pronouncement and took her hand in his.
"As to that little matter, you may wish to rethink the arrangement somewhat," Fabian announced. "I will be needing you in Paris straight away."
"What?" Hermione and Tom both gasped.
"I am sorry I was unable to discuss this with you sooner, Tom," said Dumbledore with an arched brow. "The next phase of our research will need to be done in France over the summer. I'm sure you understand. Your flat will be kept for you while we are gone, of course."
"Oh, of course," Tom said, obviously annoyed.
"Come, there is little time to lose," Dumbledore said as he held his hands out to the others. "Gridelwald is on the move, and only the destruction of all of his horcruxes can possibly stop him now."
"All of them, sir?" Hermione repeated worriedly. "How many do you think he has?"
"To date, I believe there may be five," Dumbledore explained. "I am hoping that the two of you can find out more about them while we are abroad."
"Sir, will we not be able to stop by our flat?" Tom inquired. "I have a great deal of research on horcruxes hidden there. It would prove invaluable to furthering our aims."
"Yes, of course, Tom," he agreed. "And pack at least a month's worth of clothes. I will provide you with more while you are there, of course, but it never hurts to be prepared. As I understand, ladies are especially fond of their own clothing."
"Sir, you know I have very few belongings to have grown fond of," Hermione reminded him.
"Well then, Miss Granger, perhaps we shall change that," he said with a smirk. "Wouldn't a nice shopping spree in Paris be enjoyable?"
"Trying to sweeten the pot, sir?" Hermione inquired. "It won't work, you know. I am determined to be put out by your highhanded action no matter what you say."
"That is all well and good, my dear, as long as you come along," he smirked.
"I will, but not for you."
"Then let us be off," he said with that annoying smile of his, and he Apparated them all away.