enchantement - SOULBOUND I̲̅ || SS/HG ✔️

10. Unexpected discovery

Sitting near the window close to her bed, Hermione observed outside the wooden frame the student leave for Hogsmeade.

Her friends tried to convince her to join them, yet she had something else in mind.

Since the night Severus had shared one of his most precious childhood memories with her, the witch had difficulties finding sleep. She was confused, unable to grasp what had happened. He had acted cold and menacing towards her since she had arrived in this timeline, pushing her away from him no matter what she tried to throw his way. But something cracked that night. His words had soothed her in ways he would never comprehend.

Carefully leaning forward, placing her forehead against the cold window, she looked down at her muggle watch wrapped around he wrist, waiting for it to indicate 10:30.

Dumbledore had owled her last night, indicating her that today will be their first Horcrux research. She knew from Harry about Slughorns secret and coming from the future, she knew all too well that the headmaster was trying to find a way to distract the chosen one from what was truly happening behind curtains. Now that she was in possession of the truth, all they needed was time.

Unable to stand still, feeling the need to do something to help the war, Hermione grabbed her quill and a number of blank parchment. With a flick of the wrist, the papers were flying in the air, before meeting in the centre, creating a notebook.

Satisfied with her work, the Gryffindor started to scribble her plans, knowing all too well that in order to destroy Horcruxes, she needed to find the Basilisk fangs. Writing down phonetically the words she heard Ron speak in front of the Chamber of Secrets, she went on writing down where the other Horcruxes were.

Noticing the hour, Hermione ran towards the Headmaster's office.

"Come in Ms Granger" Dumbledore's voice rang through the walls.

He was sitting in his office, waving at the girl to sit in front of him. She noticed Marvolo Gaunt's raven ring laying on the wooden desk, incomprehensible voices coming out of it.

"It has been doing this for a few days now, I have not touched it, although I must say we don't have much time. Voldemort is becoming stronger, we need to gather the Horcruxes and destroy them before the war starts."

Reaching her chair, Hermione asked: "wouldn't he know, that we know about the Horcruxes I mean."

Looking through his moon-shaped spectacles we smiled, "indeed Ms Granger. You are the brightest witch I was ever given the fortune of receiving in Hogwarts." Reaching in his desk, he placed some lemon drops, knowing that the veritaserum in them will help him get the truth out of her.

Blaming it on her sweet tooth, Hermione ate one of the candies, before realising with utter disgust what Dumbledore had done. "I can't believe it! Is your trust capacity so low that you have to poison me in order to have the veracity come out of my mouth?"

"I guess you know. Please understand Ms Granger that, although Severus had told you about a 'plan' we both had in case something happened to me, I do not recall having such conversation with him. Yet, you did seem different, so I decided to play along, to see where this was going. The fact that you know about the Horcruxes proves to me that you do come from another timeline."

"Wait" she froze, her eyes scanning his, searching desperately for glims of a deceit, "Severus told me that since the begging of the year you created this time-turner in order to bring him back in time if you were to die."

Standing up, Dumbledore started pacing around his office, occasionally stopping to stroke his Pheonix. "Strange thing isn't it. Love?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Are you familiar with the Muggle saying, 'love is blind', Ms Granger?" He asked, sitting down on the chair beside her. "Love is one of the strongest non-magical powers I was ever given the possibility of experiencing. It consumes you, makes you a slave to your lover's desires. Blinds you to the truth, especially when they're on the verge of death."

Raising an eyebrow, Hermione started figgiting, the gears in her mind working at full-speed. "What are you trying to tell me, Professor? That Severus lied? Why would my husband, the man I married under the Anima Vinctum vow will try to deceive me, sending me into another time? His loyalty to you would be the only explanation.

She gasped as she realised she had revealed their secret. The Anima Vinctum Vow or the Soul-Bound Vow is one of the darkest yet more ancient vows, enabling two souls to connect themselves for eternity, sharing one live. Yet once he died, the vow broke, liberating her from their link. Severus had told her of the dangers that would occur if she were to tell anyone about their vow, and although all of this was in the future, she still felt like she betrayed him.

Dumbledore eyed her, understanding better as the seconds went by why she felt so drawn and enamoured to her Potion Master. "Miss Granger, Severus died in your time didn't he?"

She nodded, "He sent me away before his heart ceased. Being the thick-headed man that he was, I believe he wanted me to remember him as the mighty cave-man husband."

The remainder of the day was spent analysing the different ways the would destroy each Horcrux. They knew that the instant they would destroy them, the war would start, so they needed to think carefully and reasonably. The had to wait until the Death Eaters used the vanishing cabinet.

"The moment Malfoy lets them in, we destroy them. Nagini and Harry would be the next issue, which is why Neville will need to carry around the sword of Gryffindor at all times." Indicated Hermione, sipping from her pumpkin juice, looking at the long scribbled parchment ornating Dumbledore's desk.

Checking the time, the headmaster smiled, "everyone is still at Hogsmeade. Why don't you go to the Room of Requirements while Mr Malfoy isn't there and find Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem? My worry though is Helga Hufflepuff's Cup. It is in Bellatrix Lestrange vault, yet how would we access it?"

"We need a wearer, someone who would carry Gaunt's Ring until it uses all of its vitality. If we use Bellatrix, Voldemort would notice she is gone. Azkaban is being reconstructed right? Why don't we apparate there and give it to one of the demented prisoners? The dementors might even accelerate the process."

The idea was absurd, yet Dumbledore knew they had no other choice. He noticed she evaded his question but didn't ask further.

Dumbeldore needed to have a discussion with the Minister to obtain his accord. "You will have to oblivate him," went on Hermione, guessing what was consuming her headmaster's thought, "once he gives you access to a prison cell, you will have to obliviate him. In my time Umbridge has Salazar's locket, yet I believe that as of now, Mundungus Fletcher is in possession of it."

Everything was coming in place, they both knew it. "However, I believe it will be dangerous for you Professor to be seen in Knockturn Alley. You will need to be in disguise or....Professor Dumbledore, do you by any change have Polyjuice Potion?

The brightest witch of her age had the brightest ideas she ever had. She couldn't leave the castle without anyone noticing, but Dumbledore could. Yet the threat towards his persona would only cause his downfall if he was seen, especially in the darkest marketplace in Muggle London. Yet if Hermione went there, hidden behind a cloak, no one would care. It would be Dumbeldore's pureblood being smelled by the evil wizards, so he wouldn't be bothered. It was simply brilliant.

"I actually happen to have on in my possession yes, in case it came in handy." He smiled, standing up and directing his step towards one of the portraits. Pushing it aside, a hidden compartment revealed itself, with a small green vial waiting to be used. "I believe I will need a strand of your hair Ms Granger."