After she had put Neville down for his first nap of the day, Hermione went to see Augusta in her reading room. Knocking on the door politely, she waited until Augusta looked up from her book and lowered her reading glasses. "May I come in, Mrs Longbottom?"

"Of course, dear," Augusta said with a small smile. She set her book down on the small round table beside her armchair and gestured at Hermione to sit on the settee across her.

Hermione sat down, crossing her ankles and placing her hands in her lap. She lowered her gaze demurely and murmured, "May I trouble you for some parchments and stationery? I would like to send a letter and I'm afraid I don't—"

"Nonsense! Why would I be troubled? Let me bring you my best parchment and quill!" Augusta began to stand up from her chair.

"Please, Mrs Longbottom, I just need some normal parchment that can't be traced back to me," Hermione explained, standing up as well.

Augusta looked at her curiously but pulled out a thick bunch of parchment papers and a standard quill from her desk drawer. "Am I allowed to inquire as to why you'd need something like that?"

Hermione ducked her head, knowing she couldn't possibly tell Augusta the real reason. But she had to tell her something. Augusta would get suspicious of her otherwise. Sighing, she said, "I can't tell you what I'm doing right now, but rest assured, your family won't suffer anymore because of my actions."

Augusta's eyes softened and she stepped closer to Hermione. Placing her hands on Hermione's shoulders, she murmured, "I apologise on Frank's behalf. My son has lost so much in so little time, and he doesn't know how to move on from his losses. I know it's not much of an excuse, but—"

"You don't have to apologise for him," Hermione said firmly, taking Augusta's hand off her shoulder and giving it a quick squeeze. "I may not understand just how much he has lost, but I too know the feeling of losing your loved ones."

Augusta nodded, lowering her gaze. "I still feel guilty for how he acts around you, even though you're the reason I still have my son safe and sound with me. He just doesn't understand—"

"Stop apologising to this literal homewrecker on my behalf," Frank's harsh voice cut through the reading room suddenly.

Hermione and Augusta whirled around and found Frank standing in the doorway. His dark eyes were narrowed with anger, and his jaw was clenched tight.

Hermione kept her voice steady as she said, "I said the same thing to your mother, except I didn't call myself a homewrecker."

Frank turned his glare on her and was about to say something—probably scathing as usual—when Hermione took the parchments and quill from Augusta and said, "Thank you, Mrs Longbottom. I'll take your leave now."

She brushed past Frank, who growled and stiffened at her proximity. She ignored his reaction and hurried to her room, locking the door behind her for good measure. Her heart was pounding and her hands were sweaty; she really didn't like confrontations like these, especially with Frank.

Forcing all thoughts of Frank and Augusta out of her mind, she sat down on the edge of her bed and placed the parchment on the bedside table. She steadied her trembling hand before casting various spells on the quill. And then, she started to write.

To the Esteemed Albus Dumbledore,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to you under circumstances that necessitate discretion and urgency. The matter I wish to discuss is of considerable importance, and it is crucial that you pay attention to it.

There are certain details about your past—details that involve your previous associations and your significant role during the First Wizarding War—that have come to light. Specifically, the evidence of your support for unsavoury characters, which undoubtedly casts a shadow over your reputation. Your prior allegiance to your lover, Gellert Grindelwald, and your actions during that tumultuous time are not lost on me.

Moreover, I am aware that it was you who suggested to the Potters that using Peter Pettigrew as the Secret Keeper would be a more effective choice than Sirius Black. Your reasoning—that Voldemort would go after Sirius and not suspect Pettigrew—played a crucial role in the events that followed. This information, coupled with other details I possess, could prove to be highly consequential.

However, I am prepared to remain silent about this matter, provided that certain conditions are met. Specifically, I require your assurance and commitment to pursue the destruction of Voldemort's Horcruxes with the utmost urgency and to ensure his final defeat, for you and I both know that he is not truly gone. This is not merely a request; it is an imperative for the greater good and for the protection of those who are still vulnerable.

Additionally, I insist upon securing Harry Potter's custody through any means necessary. His well-being and future must be assured, and it is only reasonable that he be placed under guardianship that will ensure his safety and well-being. This is a matter of both personal conviction and strategic necessity.

Please understand that my position is not one of hostility but rather one of strategic necessity and moral responsibility. The stakes are high, and the decisions we make now will echo through the future. I trust you will consider my demands carefully and act accordingly.

To respond to me, use your phoenix Fawkes. My own owl will collect your response in a secure manner. I look forward to your prompt reply and am hopeful that we can work together to navigate this perilous situation.

Yours sincerely,

A Concerned Party

With a final flourish of the quill, Hermione finished the letter and smiled.

She had made sure the quill she was using wouldn't give away her real handwriting or her location. She knew Dumbledore; she anticipated he would try to trace the letter back to her, so she had taken every precaution of not charming the parchment itself.

She would send the letter via a nondescript owl from the woods, one with no distinguishing marks that could link it to her. Additionally, she would release the owl from a secluded spot, further ensuring her anonymity. This meticulous planning would keep her safe from Dumbledore's prying eyes and ensure her demands were met.

The ball is in your court now, Professor…