Sherlock: Moriarty's back.
Hermione: I know.
Sherlock: There's going to be another game.
Hermione: I know.
Sherlock: Are you on my side?
Hermione: You know better than to ask that, Sherlock. I'm impartial.
…
Sherlock: They want me at his trial.
Sherlock: He's got to be up to something.
Hermione: Are you going to go?
Sherlock: How could I not?
Hermione: Holmes… be careful.
…
John: Why aren't you here?
Hermione: I had to work.
John: Sherlock's gotten himself arrested for harassing the jury.
Hermione: Tell him he's an idiot for me. He's winning no points by doing exactly what's expected of him.
John: You know something
Hermione: I know many things.
John: You know what's going on with Sherlock and Moriarty
Hermione: If I did, I couldn't tell you.
John: Hermione! People are going to get hurt!
Hermione: What would you have me do, John?
John: You're as smart as either of them. And sane.
Hermione: Flatterer
John: You could think of something if you wanted to.
Hermione: My hands are tied. If I had a long-term solution, I would have used it by now. The best thing, in terms of collateral damage, is to let them have their little game.
John: You're as bad as they are.
…
Sherlock: If you can get to my flat and hide yourself well, I'm expecting a visitor in the next five minutes or so.
Hermione stood, disillusioned and watching from a corner as her cousin and his 'good old-fashioned villain' took their tea. If the trial was the opening act, the overture, this was the first engagement. The witch wasn't sure if her cousin truly understood the arch-criminal's posturing and power play. As brilliant as he was, people weren't truly his strong suit. He always was more the Ravenclaw than the Slytherin. It was bound to bite him on the arse in this game, she was sure.
That business about Sherlock proving that he knew what Jim was on about was fascinating. She couldn't help but feel the detective had come out behind by admitting his knowledge. On the other hand, a few lines of code to break into any computer system, anywhere? Rubbish. Hermione couldn't say she knew much about computers, but even she knew that was bloody stupid. Not even alohomora could open every lock. She certainly didn't think much of the "client list" if they did believe it. And Sherlock should know better, but he was playing along, hopefully drawing Moriarty to underestimate himself. So perhaps there was some hope for his side after all. And no matter what she could say via any communication which could be intercepted, she was on Sherlock's side. Clearly the game would be played on a deeper level than this…
Jim stalked out, leaving his threatening apple behind him. Sherlock smirked openly at it. A wave of Hermione's wand erected privacy charms. She double-checked that they were solidly in place before dropping her disillusionment.
"A most interesting opening move," she offered, taking the criminal's abandoned armchair.
"Indeed," Sherlock answered absently, most likely still running through the possible implications of his counterpart's actions.
"So you intend to follow his lead?"
"I shouldn't think I'll find out much of what he's planned if I don't. I could, of course, refuse – derail him entirely, but I don't think he'd respond well if I don't play his game. Do you?"
"Well, no," Hermione admitted. "But I do think you ought to be careful. He's much better at manipulating public opinion and the systems of bureaucracy than I think you're really aware. And he wouldn't bait a trap for you if he didn't think it could hold you."
Sherlock sighed. "I've got an end-game in mind. A final solution to his final problem, as it were. Even if it doesn't result in a total victory, it should set me well ahead. It's a bit further-reaching than I believe he's thinking at the moment."
Hermione made a non-committal noise. "Is it something along the lines of how I spent 1998 and 1999?"
Sherlock's smile was completely devoid of emotion. "It might be."
"Will you need my help?"
"I wouldn't turn it away, though I doubt I should say as much to our resident impartial observer."
"You know I'm only sitting it out because you'd never forgive me if I were to meddle. It's not as though Jim from IT even knows who I am."
"How did you get him to let us go at the pool?"
Hermione smirked. "I simply called inquiring about whether he could acquire a certain bit of information, and perhaps sabotage a few legitimate muggle-side businesses belonging to those few Death Eaters I never could get my hands on. He was curious how I got his number, enough to distract him, but he has nothing to link back to me. I'm not going to use magic anywhere near him if I can help it, because I shouldn't like for him of all people to break the Statute, but if you need my brains, I'll be there for you."
"Thanks, Granger." Sherlock's grin said that he didn't expect to need her help, but was glad she had offered.
She sighed, and prepared to leave the flat. "Think nothing of it. And Sherlock?"
"Yes, cousin dearest?"
"Don't underestimate him."
Sherlock's eyes grew cold. "I won't. Besides, what fun would it be if it were easy?"
…
John: I've just come from a meeting with your boss.
Hermione: About your new neighbors?
John: Yes. Got anything to add?
Hermione: Just that you know Mycroft has a bit of a tendency to be overprotective about his little brother. In this case, though, I think it's justified.
John: Fuck. He's back, isn't he?
Hermione: He's back. Sherlock knows. He insists it's under control.
John: Tell me everything you know.
Hermione: You know I can't do that, John.
John: Fuck you, Granger
…
Hermione: An assassination attempt?
Sherlock: Character assassination.
Hermione: Expected?
Sherlock: Not unexpected. The method? Ingenious.
Sherlock: Remind me to tell you about Hansel and Gretel when all this is over. Fascinating mind, our Jim.
Hermione: You should know, I've disposed of four tails this week.
Sherlock: Expected. As was the fact that you can take care of yourself.
Hermione: Do try to remember we're not pawns to be sacrificed.
Sherlock: Whoever said we were playing chess?