Hermione’s plan against Dumbledore comes to fruition and she walks away with a prize.

Year five in a nutshell...while the characters aren’t mine and belong to JK—I decided to make year five into a single edit for the sake of time and length of this story. So, that being said, I hope you all enjoy!

School had started and Lucius Malfoy had managed to get Minister Fudge to place a Ministry official at Hogwarts, to monitor the Headmaster.

Delores Umbridge was a foul woman, with a penchant for pink. She interrupted the Headmaster at the Start of Term Welcome Back Feast, and it was easy to see that Dumbledore was unhappy with her presence. She made things extremely difficult for the Headmaster, questioning his authority and interviewing all the Professor’s for competency.

Her political powers were formidable, and Dumbledore was having a hard time keeping the witch out of his business.

Hermione’s entire plan thankfully, went off without a hitch.

She had contacted Skeeter, and as she’d discussed with her Father, Skeeter had several articles written on the abuses of power within the Wizengamot.

When the article came out about Sirius Black being imprisoned without a trial by his peers, which had been a clear violation of the rule of law? There was immediate backlash within the Pureblood community, especially when it was speculated by Skeeter, that Black had never been properly disinherited and therefore was still Head of the Black family.

Hermione had made sure to be in the library that afternoon when the Prophet had come out, and was conveniently perusing through some Magical Law books, when Harry Potter came walking in, appearing quite confused and angry.

Hermione had heard Harry asking Madam Pince for any books on old Wizarding Law, and the matron had directed Harry over to where she was sitting. When Harry noticed what she was reading and all the notes she had, he quietly asked if she had read the paper that morning and if she might help him locate the books he was looking for.

Smiling shyly, Hermione directed Harry to some books she thought might be helpful, and was unsurprised when he sat down at her table and quietly started to read on his own.

Every so often he’d look up at Hermione with interest, but he mostly kept to himself.

This was the start of a fairly regular routine, where Harry would find Hermione in the library looking through all kinds of research. When he’d asked her about it one day, she just shrugged and said that she was hoping to maybe to go into Magical Law, and thought it might help studying up on the subject. Harry just nodded and went back to his research, but he started asking Hermione questions, which she was only too happy to answer.

Over the month of October, the two students became a regular fixture within the library, much to the annoyance of Ron Weasley; and even Draco was a bit put out that Hermione was spending so much time with Potter.

She’d summarily admonished Draco, telling him firmly that this was part of her plan and he’d promised his unconditional support. The blonde wizard had pouted, but Hermione had made sure to try and spend some time with her jealous wizard.

This eventually seemed to appease him, and even though they’d only snogged occasionally, Draco stayed faithful and kept his promise to be supportive.

Just before Halloween, Hermione slyly shared the information with Harry that she had shared with her Father and his Death Eaters over the summer. Harry was excited and grateful to Hermione, and couldn’t wait to write his godfather about the possibility of getting a trial and acquittal. Kreacher had confirmed with Narcissa that the Order were holding secret meetings at Grimmauld Place, and the fact that Dumbledore had let Sirius rot in Azkaban for twelve years wasn’t sitting well with many in the Order.

As the days passed and stories were being written cataloguing Dumbledore’s secret relationship with Gellert Grindelwald, (as well as publishing excerpts from their correspondence from years ago), murmurs were beginning to spread about Dumbledore’s previous activities.

But it wasn’t until the article was published about the death of Ariana Dumbledore, that things really took a turn for the worse.

Hermione had managed to make some small inroads into her ‘gaslighting’ of Dumbledore.

During several instances she had used her specter to unnerve the Headmaster. One notable occurrence happened in front of the Ministry Toad, who began to question Dumbledore’s sanity.

By Christmas, public opinion had started to shift dramatically against Dumbledore and when Peter Pettigrew was captured and brought to the Ministry, Sirius was finally able to get a trial, and was subsequently released on the very technicality that Hermione had assumed he would be.

Needless to say, Harry was thrilled! He thanked Hermione profusely for her kindness, apologizing for his poor treatment of her, and promising her that he would tell Sirius all about her help. Hermione was gracious and told Harry she’d been only too happy to offer her assistance, but that she didn’t expect anything in return.

Rita Skeeter had speculated in her article right before the holidays, that Dumbledore had known all along that Pettigrew had been the Potter’s secret keeper—and public outcry had been massive! Harry had told Hermione that he was hoping this wasn’t true, but he didn’t know what to believe anymore where Dumbledore was concerned.

As luck would have it, Peter Pettigrew managed to escape from Azkaban right before his trial.

Hermione had spent the holidays at Malfoy Manor with her Father, who’d praised her success in getting Sirius Black released, as well as planting the seeds of doubt where Dumbledore was concerned. Hermione took his praise in stride, telling him that Skeeter was set to write another article once she returned to school about the miscarriage of justice where the other Purebloods in Azkaban were concerned.

As she predicted, once word got out about Rodolphus Lestrange being imprisoned without a proper trial, it put all other Death Eater convictions into question.

By Easter, the Lestrange brother’s, Antonin Dolohov and Bellatrix Lestrange were all released and freed.

The uproar was massive, and all the blame was placed squarely on Albus Dumbledore, much to the horror of the Order of the Phoenix.

Molly Weasley was enraged, as those who had killed her brother’s were set free on various technicalities.

Sirius felt bad, of course, but refused to take the blame for something he simply wasn’t responsible for.

The press hounded Dumbledore, and between seeing ghosts of Ariana, dealing with his previous personal life being exposed, and dealing with the Ministry hag following his every move?

Dumbledore was slowly reaching the breaking point.

The day after O.W.L.S. were completed, Hermione found herself walking along the corridor near the Headmaster’s office. She was standing with Potter and Neville Longbottom, when Dumbledore came barreling out of his office. She discreetly cast the spell, which caused the apparition of Ariana to appear. Incensed and half mad, Dumbledore screamed at the three students shouting, which one was responsible for ‘it’—which made Neville and Harry confused.

Hermione however, smirked knowingly, causing the Headmaster to become enraged and before she could defend herself? Albus Dumbledore cursed her with an unforgivable. The ‘crucio’ was extremely painful, causing her to scream in terror, pleading with the Headmaster to stop, while sobbing uncontrollably.

Harry started screaming too, while Neville ran to find help.

She had no idea how long she’d been under the torture curse, but she threw out her strongest wandless spell and miraculously disarmed the Headmaster, his wand flying into her hand and suddenly, the pain stopped.

Then she was being lifted by a strong set of arms before she lost consciousness completely.

Two days later, Hermione woke in the infirmary, where she was surrounded by a few of her classmates. Harry was sitting on her right, while Draco and Daphne were sitting on her left side. Lucius Malfoy was talking quietly with Sirius Black and Madam Pomfrey was fussing over her, running diagnostic scans and shoving several potions down her throat.

“What happened?” Hermione whispered weakly, causing all eyes to look at her with sympathy and concern.

“Merlin, Granger! We didn’t know if you were ever going to wake up. How do you feel?” Draco asked quietly, but Hermione could tell by the look in his eyes he was very upset with her. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days and he was quietly stroking her hand as if to reassure himself she was truly alive and alright.

“I feel fine, just a bit sore and tired. What happened, Malfoy?”

Draco sighed, glancing warily over at Potter, who grimaced in return.

“You were cursed by Dumbledore with an unforgivable. The man has completely lost his mind. Neville found Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape. I guess your magic tried to protect you and you disarmed the Headmaster, and he’s in Azkaban awaiting trial for using an unforgivable and attacking a Muggle-born student. The press is in a frenzy, and Father thinks he could get the kiss.”

“Oh, dear.” Hermione’s eyes filled with crocodile tears, a convincing performance if the subtle look Draco was sending her way was any indication. “I had no idea. I disarmed him? What happened to his wand?”

Lucius walked over and pulled the Headmaster’s wand from his robes. “I was given this to hold until Dumbledore’s trial, which will start in a few days.”

Nodding, Hermione yawned. “Would you all mind if I talked with Lord Malfoy alone for a moment.”

Noting the looks of surprise on everyone’s faces, Hermione couldn’t help but sigh. “He’s on the school board and I have some personal questions I’d like to ask, if that’s alright?”

Nodding in understanding, everyone made to leave the room, but Draco glanced back for a moment and nodded in parting towards his Father.

Once everyone was gone, Lucius set up silencing charms and gave Hermione a quizzical look.

“I’m glad you are awake and feeling better, Hermione. Your Father will be relieved to hear of your recovery. He was quite incensed, and almost blew his cover to come see you. I’m sure he wants to see Dumbledore dead.”

“I would like that as well, but I didn’t want to speak of Dumbledore directly.” Hermione began. “I need a favor, and I’m going to require a wizard’s oath, Lucius.”

Raising an eyebrow at the young witch, he considered her momentarily before he complied. Once the oath was completed, Hermione held her hand out for Dumbledore’s wand. Lucius placed it into her outstretched hand and gave her a questioning look. Hermione grabbed her wand off the table next to her and silently cast her modified ‘gemino’ charm, which caused Dumbledore’s wand to duplicate.

Handing Lucius the copy, Hermione placed the real wand under her pillow for safe-keeping.

“Do I want to know why you’ve just copied Dumbledore’s wand?” Lucius inquired with interest.

Hermione smiled at this. “The wand that Dumbledore possessed, which is now mine, is the fabled Elder Wand, Lucius.”

Lucius Malfoy’s eyes widened comically and he sputtered most unrefined. “Are you sure?”

“Oh yes. He won it from Grindelwald in 1945. Grindelwald stole it from Gregorovitch the Wandmaker. Now it’s mine.” Hermione smirked, and watched Lucius’ eyes widen in appreciation.

“That was why you’d wanted Dumbledore to attack you?”

Hermione hummed in confirmation. “You will keep this between us. I don’t want anyone to know that I have the wand. The wand chooses the Wizard, and if I’m correct—it’s allegiance now belongs to me.”

Lucius chuckled. “You never cease to amaze me, Hermione. Your secret is safe with me.”

“Thank you, Lucius. Can you please let everyone know I’m going to go back to sleep.”

Lucius nodded and went to tell his son and friends that Hermione was going to take a rest and to give her some much needed privacy.

He had to give the little witch all the credit she was due! Her plan had gone off without a hitch, and she’d even walked away with the ultimate prize and not for the first time—Lucius pondered on how lucky they were that Hermione was on their side.