Hermione approached the secluded clearing, her mind abuzz with the significance of what was about to unfold. The moon cast its silver light over the scene, illuminating the secluded spot nestled within the dense forest. The clearing was serene, with the soft rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of nocturnal creatures punctuating the quiet. In the center of this tranquil haven, Dumbledore stood waiting, the contrast between the peaceful setting and the tension of their meeting creating a surreal backdrop.
As she rounded the corner, Hermione's breath caught in her throat. She saw Dumbledore, a slightly younger version of the man she had known, standing with a Muggle briefcase by his feet. The sight of him, looking both dignified and out of place in the moonlit clearing, stirred a wave of mixed emotions within her. The contrast between his present, youthful appearance and the older, more complex figure she remembered was jarring. Her memories of him, both reverent and fraught with disappointment, surfaced vividly. He had been a mentor, but now she harbored a deep resentment for the choices he had made—choices that had led to the ruin of so many lives, including her own.
As she neared him, Hermione couldn't help but feel a sense of irony and anger. Dumbledore's actions, particularly his suggestion to the Potters to use Peter Pettigrew as the Secret Keeper, had set in motion a series of events that led to immense suffering. She felt a cold resolve settle over her—she didn't want to be here, didn't want to be entangled with him unless absolutely necessary. This meeting was a means to an end, a transaction she would endure but not relish.
Dumbledore's gaze met hers as she approached, his eyes scanning her face with a mixture of curiosity and caution.
"May I now know your name?" he inquired, his voice tinged with a subtle curiosity that only fueled her wariness.
Hermione, wrapped in nondescript wizarding robes and a Muggle scarf, kept her voice steady as she replied, "Give me Harry's adoption papers first."
Her disguise was simple but effective; she hadn't used Polyjuice Potion or any magic that might be detected by Dumbledore. She knew him too well—he would sense any magical traces and try to trace them back to her.
Dumbledore bent down and opened the briefcase before pulling out a set of legal documents. He extended them towards her without a word.
This seemed too easy…
Hermione's senses tingled with awareness.
She threw up her Occlumency barriers and snapped, "Do not use Legilimency on me, Albus Dumbledore! If you try something like that again, all your pictures, all the evidence I have will immediately be sent to the ICW and there will be nothing you can do to reverse the damage."
Dumbledore's eyes widened and he murmured, "How did you…"
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "I'm not here to discuss anything with you. Give me the papers now."
Dumbledore's eyes, sharp and penetrating, met Hermione's with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Miss, I must protest," he began, his voice calm yet authoritative. "There are magical protections in place that you may not fully understand. The blood wards around the Dursleys' house are crucial for Harry's safety. It's imperative that he remain with them to ensure his protection."
Hermione's eyes flashed with a mixture of anger and resolve. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before responding. "I don't care about the blood wards, Albus. I've done my research, and I'm more than capable of handling any magical protections myself. The Dursleys have shown nothing but cruelty towards Harry. No amount of protection can justify leaving him in such an environment."
Dumbledore's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "But you must understand. These wards are powerful and deeply embedded. Removing them could be dangerous, and Harry—"
"I'm aware of the risks," Hermione interrupted, her voice measured but firm. "But I've made up my mind. Harry will not stay with the Dursleys. I will see to the removal of those wards personally, and I assure you, I am prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure Harry's safety and happiness."
Dumbledore's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone becoming more insistent. "You must consider the implications. The blood wards were placed there for a reason, and disrupting them could have unforeseen consequences. I urge you to reconsider your decision."
Hermione's anger simmered just beneath the surface, but she maintained her calm exterior. "I'm not here to debate the wards, Albus. I'm here to get Harry's adoption papers. You have two choices: either you give me the papers and allow me to take Harry home, or I will make sure the evidence of your past dealings with Grindelwald is sent to the International Confederation of Wizards. I have more than enough proof to expose your actions and your support for him."
Dumbledore's eyes widened, a flicker of alarm crossing his face. He leaned forward, his fingers gripping the edge of his desk. "Threatening to expose me is a dangerous path. You know I've made mistakes, but my intentions have always been for the greater good. Harry's safety is paramount, and—"
"Then you should have no problem complying with my demands," Hermione said, her voice unwavering. "I'm giving you a choice, Albus. Do what I ask, or face the consequences of your actions. The choice is yours."
Dumbledore stared at Hermione, his face a mask of contemplation. The weight of her threat hung in the air, palpable and heavy. Finally, with a sigh of resignation, he reached into his briefcase and pulled out a set of legal documents, the adoption papers Hermione had come for. Hermione silently checked them for spells, curses, hexes, and the like. When she didn't see anything, she looked up at Dumbledore, who looked a bit uncomfortable now that Hermione had foiled his plans on reading her mind.
"Very well. You have your papers. I hope you understand the gravity of your decision and the potential consequences."
Hermione took the papers, her hand steady as she accepted them. She could feel the weight of the documents in her grasp, the tangible proof of her victory. "Thank you. I'll be sure to handle everything from here. Do I have your word that you will destroy the Horcruxes and rid the world of Voldemort?"
Instead of replying, Dumbledore asked, "How can I trust that you won't go back on your word?"
Hermione extended her hand out and said, "I'm ready to make an Unspeakable Vow."
"We'll need a third person to cast the spell," Dumbledore pointed out, squinting at her hand as if it would bite him.
"There's no need for that," she said offhandedly. Pulling out her wand, she explained, "We'll do it ourselves."
"Very well." Dumbledore pulled out his own wand and stepped forward.
They clasped each other's hand, and Hermione raised her wand first. "Will you, Albus, find Tom Riddle's Horcruxes and destroy them all or die trying?"
Dumbledore's eyes widened imperceptibly, but Hermione noticed and smirked, knowing he had heard her using Voldemort's real name. He swallowed but said clearly, "I will."
A thin tongue of brilliant flame issued from the wand and wound its way around their hands like a red-hot wire. Hermione watched the flame with a detached curiosity, her mind already focused on the next part of their agreement.
"Will you"–Dumbledore waited for Hermione to tell him her name–"Hermione, destroy all evidence linking me to Gellert…Grindelwald and Peter Pettigrew?"
Hermione's lips curved into a subtle, knowing smile. "If it involves someone I love, I will.".
"It doesn't work that way," Dumbledore said with a frown.
"It depends on our intentions," Hermione explained patiently. "Instead of destroying the evidence, I swear on my magic that I will keep all evidence close to me and not let anyone else find it."
Another thin tongue of brilliant flame wound its way around their hands. Dumbledore nodded, relieved at her response.
Hermione wasn't planning on double-crossing him unless he made the first move. Her voice was cold and unyielding as she continued, "Do you swear not to look for me or Harry, ask anyone else to look for us, or in any way contact me from this day forth?"
Dumbledore looked a bit disappointed, but he nodded. "I swear. And will you swear not to use the information you have against me in any way that could lead to further harm or exposure?"
"I swear," Hermione said and watched the Unbreakable Vow take hold. She let go of Dumbledore's hand, the after-effects of the spell tingling as it crept up her arm. "It's done."
She turned around and started to walk away.
"Will you at least help me find the Horcruxes?" Dumbledore called out behind her.
"You will find the information on your table at Hogwarts. Goodbye."
With that, Hermione walked away from the clearing, her mind already shifting focus to the task ahead: finalizing Harry's adoption and securing a future where she could help make things right.