The Unseen Inheritance

Chapter 9: Shadows and Schemes

The morning dawned cool and misty, the light filtering through the trees surrounding the cottage. Harry sat at the kitchen table, his hands wrapped around a steaming cup of tea. Hermione, already dressed and alert, flipped through her notebook, muttering under her breath.

"What are you working on?" Harry asked, his voice still thick with sleep.

"Priorities," Hermione replied, not looking up. "If we're going to survive the year at Hogwarts, we need to be prepared for every eventuality."

Harry leaned back in his chair. "You mean like Dumbledore keeping tabs on us, or Snape being caught between him and Voldemort?"

"Exactly." Hermione glanced up, her eyes sharp. "Greknor's findings show just how far Dumbledore's influence reaches. We can't afford to underestimate him."

"And Snape?" Harry asked. "How do we handle him?"

Hermione sighed, closing her notebook. "We tread carefully. He's too smart not to realize we're working against Dumbledore, even if we haven't told him outright. But until he's ready to trust us fully, we can't risk giving him too much information."

Harry nodded. "And if he doesn't trust us?"

Hermione's expression darkened. "Then we'll have to find another way to protect him. He's a key piece in all of this, Harry. Losing him would be catastrophic."

Before Harry could respond, an owl tapped insistently at the window. Hermione stood to retrieve the letter, breaking the seal with practiced efficiency. As she read, her face grew pale.

"What is it?" Harry asked, his voice tense.

Hermione handed him the letter. "It's from Greknor. He's found something else."

Harry scanned the letter quickly. Greknor's precise handwriting detailed a series of concealed contracts tied to Dumbledore—contracts that linked him to several high-ranking Ministry officials and international magical authorities. The implications were staggering.

"He's been planning this for years," Harry muttered, his hands tightening on the parchment. "This isn't just about the war. Dumbledore's trying to consolidate power on a global scale."

"It gets worse," Hermione said, pointing to a section near the bottom of the letter. "These contracts include provisions for Hogwarts. He's been quietly placing the school under his control, bypassing the Board of Governors entirely."

Harry's stomach churned. "What does that mean for us?"

"It means," Hermione said grimly, "we're walking into a trap. Dumbledore will have complete authority at Hogwarts. If he suspects us of working against him, he can make our lives miserable—or worse."

Harry pushed back from the table, pacing the room. "We need to find a way to counter this. If he's using Hogwarts as part of his plan, we need to turn it against him."

Hermione nodded, her mind already racing. "We'll need allies. Teachers, students… anyone who might resist his control. But we have to be careful. If we move too quickly, we'll tip our hand."

"And Snape?" Harry asked. "If Dumbledore's already spreading rumors about him, he's going to need us sooner rather than later."

Hermione's expression softened. "We'll keep helping him, Harry. Even if he doesn't realize it. But we can't make it obvious. Dumbledore's too good at spotting cracks in his plans."

The conversation was interrupted by another knock at the window. This time, it was a Ministry owl, its golden badge gleaming in the morning light. Harry and Hermione exchanged uneasy glances before Harry opened the window and took the letter.

The parchment bore the Ministry seal and was addressed to both of them. As they read, their unease deepened.

"They want us to appear for a review of our magical guardianship," Harry said, his voice tight. "Dumbledore's behind this. He's trying to reassert control over me."

Hermione's jaw tightened. "We'll handle it. Greknor can provide documentation proving your independence. And if we need to, we'll bring in legal counsel from Gringotts. Dumbledore won't get away with this."

Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. "One more thing to add to the list."

Hermione opened her notebook again, scribbling furiously. "All right. Here's what we have so far: compile Greknor's findings, secure allies at Hogwarts, prepare for this Ministry review, and…" She hesitated. "Figure out what to do about Ron and Ginny."

Harry's expression hardened. "They made their choices, Hermione. If they want to make amends, they'll have to prove it."

Hermione nodded reluctantly. "Agreed. But we can't ignore them completely. If Dumbledore's using them, we need to know how."

The room fell silent as they absorbed the weight of their tasks. The road ahead was fraught with danger, but they were determined to see it through. For the first time, they felt not just like rebels, but like strategists—poised to take the fight to Dumbledore on their own terms.

As they sat in contemplative silence, the sharp tap of an owl at the window startled them. Hermione jumped to her feet and opened the window, allowing the owl to swoop in and drop a sealed letter on the table. The Ministry owl's earlier visit still fresh in their minds, Harry and Hermione exchanged wary glances before Hermione broke the seal.

"It's from Arthur Weasley," she said, her tone a mix of surprise and relief. "He's offering to testify on your behalf at the Ministry review, Harry. Says he knows Dumbledore's been overstepping his bounds and wants to support you."

Harry's eyes widened. "Arthur… I didn't think he'd pick a side. Especially not against Dumbledore."

Hermione smiled faintly. "He's always been fair, Harry. And if he's offering to help, it's because he knows it's the right thing to do."

Harry nodded, his chest tightening with a mix of gratitude and apprehension. "It's a relief, but it also means Dumbledore's losing more control than we realized. If he finds out about this…"

"Then Mr. Weasley will need protection," Hermione finished, already jotting down notes. "We'll let Greknor know. He can help us ensure Arthur's safety."

Hermione grabbed a clean sheet of parchment and dipped her quill. "We should send Greknor a letter back. He needs to know what documents we'll require for the review—proof of your financial independence, your ownership of properties, and anything else that reinforces your autonomy."

Harry nodded. "And let's ask if Gringotts can provide a representative to attend the review. Someone who can back us up if the Ministry tries to twist things."

"Good idea," Hermione said as she began writing. "We should also mention Arthur Weasley's offer. If Dumbledore catches wind of it, Arthur might become a target. Greknor might have suggestions on how to protect him."

Harry stood, pacing as he spoke. "I hate involving other people, but Arthur's already stepped up. We owe it to him to make sure he's safe."

"We'll make that clear in the letter," Hermione said, her quill scratching rapidly. "Anything else?"

Harry thought for a moment before shaking his head. "Just tell Greknor we're counting on him. He's been solid so far."

Hermione finished the letter with a flourish, folded it neatly, and sealed it with wax. She tied it to the leg of their waiting owl, which hooted softly before taking off into the misty morning sky.

Harry leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. "It's not just the Ministry review, Hermione. It's Hogwarts, too. What if we can't go back? With Dumbledore running everything, it might not even be safe."

Hermione's hand froze mid-note. "I… I hadn't wanted to think about that. But you're right. If Dumbledore's consolidating power at Hogwarts, it could be more of a trap than a sanctuary."

"We need to consider other options," Harry said, his tone firm. "What if we don't go back? What if we stay here and focus on the bigger picture?"

Hermione's eyes searched his face. "We'd lose access to Hogwarts' resources, the library… and we'd risk isolating ourselves."

"But we'd also be free from Dumbledore's watch," Harry countered. "We can't fight this war if we're constantly looking over our shoulders."

Hermione sighed, her mind clearly racing. "We don't have to decide right now. Let's see how the review goes and what else Greknor uncovers. Then we'll make a plan."

Harry nodded, though the weight of uncertainty still lingered. "One step at a time."

As the fire crackled softly in the hearth, Hermione added Arthur's letter to her growing pile of notes. The shadows of their plans loomed large, but so did the promise of uncovering the truth. For the first time, they felt not just like rebels, but like strategists—poised to take the fight to Dumbledore on their own terms.

As the morning light grew stronger, Harry and Hermione prepared to face the challenges ahead, their resolve steeled by the knowledge that they were no longer pawns in someone else's game. They were forging their own path, and nothing would stand in their way.