Surveillance cameras?
You've got to be kidding me!
The level 1 Disillusionment Charm had its flaws, sure, but you're telling me street cameras identified me?
Seeing that Black Widow still refused to tell the truth, Hermione was starting to get angry.
Hermione sneered.
"You think those little toys of yours can see through my spells?"
Sensing the girl's displeasure, Natasha hurried to explain. "Not footage from when you committed the attacks... punished evil and upheld justice that night. It was from before that, when you were working in the shop."
"Based on Elvin's testimony and the traces at the scene, we concluded that someone with special abilities was involved. So we pulled footage from the street camera facing the shop, hoping to find some clues, and happened to spot you working there."
"You know, at least on paper, employing children is illegal. Yet not only were you working in the shop, you were out in plain sight in broad daylight, and nobody thought anything was wrong."
"We even specifically asked Elvin about it. He knew about the law, and he knew you were a child, but he didn't see anything wrong with employing you. It was as if something had interfered with his perception."
Understanding dawned on Hermione. "So you assumed I must have some kind of special ability, and since both inexplicable incidents happened in the shop, they had to be connected."
Natasha said:
"Exactly. So we used facial recognition software to search our database for your identity, but found nothing-until your face turned up in Hell's Kitchen a few days ago. Unfortunately, by the time we sent someone to talk to you, you'd already left. Then you showed up again today."
"As for your name," Natasha added, "you wrote 'Hermione Granger' in the hotel's guest register. Lovely handwriting."
Hermione: ...
So that was it.
A miscalculation.
I'd been so sleepy I could barely keep my eyes open, and written my real name without thinking.
Next time, I'll write 'Hannah Abbott.'
"As long as it wasn't a flaw in my magic. If anyone found out a Muggle had seen through my spell, the people from the other three houses would never let me hear the end of it."
Hermione patted her chest lightly, seemingly relieved, and offered her praise. "Hmph. Not bad for a mere Muggle."
Being praised by a child-even one who was a witch-left Natasha with mixed feelings.
"All right, I've answered your questions. Now it's time to erase your memories."
Hermione raised her wand again, dropping that bombshell.
No, wait!
We were getting along so well just now! I thought we'd become friends! Why are you still going to erase my memories?
Natasha screamed inwardly.
Why are kids these days so difficult?
Do you really have to stick to your original goal this firmly?
So you answered my questions just so I could die knowing the truth?
Well, fucking thank you, sweetheart!
Fuck!
Even a battle-hardened agent like Natasha nearly lost her composure at that moment, feeling the urge to swear aloud.
Now that she believed witches existed, she didn't doubt for a second that Hermione could erase people's memories.
Taking a deep breath, Natasha said solemnly:
"Hermione, I know you're a good girl. That's why you took it upon yourself to get rid of those bad people, and I'm very glad you did."
"But you need to understand that you're not alone. We ordinary people are working hard to keep the world peaceful too. Our Strategic... S.H.I.E.L.D. specializes in helping good people fight bad people. We're on the side of justice too."
Oh, fuck right off... Hermione nearly cracked.
That moment was the ultimate test of her acting skills.
"Since we're working toward the same goal, we're partners fighting side by side. Isn't erasing your partners' memories going a little too far?"
"On the other hand, if you leave our memories intact, we'll be able to work with you better and help you become a little hero of justice. Helping us means helping yourself, right?"
Natasha coaxed her patiently, dredging up every child-soothing line she had ever learned.
"But the Ministry of Magic forbids revealing the wizarding world's existence to Muggles... If anyone finds out, they'll send people to erase your memories anyway, and whoever comes won't be as easygoing as I am... And Dumbledore will yell at me too..."
Hermione seemed tempted, conflict flickering across her face.
"Don't worry. Our Strategic... S.H.I.E.L.D. is very good at keeping secrets. Even if someone does find out, we'll never say you told us. Besides, if neither of us says anything, who could possibly know?"
Are you sure about that?
I'd still like to hear what Hydra has to say about this... Hermione snarked inwardly.
Seeing that Hermione was almost "persuaded," Natasha struck while the iron was hot, delivering one final push.
"This will be a secret between the two of us, a symbol of our partnership in justice. How does that sound?"
You'd better not tell anyone. I know where your school is, and I know which class you're in... Hermione almost blurted out instinctively.
No, Black Widow, don't!
"A shared secret..." Hermione bit her lip, seemingly making up her mind. "All right, but we have to pinky swear that we'll never betray each other!"
A pinky swear... Natasha laughed inwardly. She really is just a child, witch or not. She actually believes this is a way to keep secrets.
After interacting with and analyzing Hermione, Natasha believed she had seen right through her.
Though she possessed wondrous magic as a witch, her age spoke for itself. At heart, she was still just a child who liked showing off and being praised, with all the childishness one would expect, a slightly quirky temper, and a certain penchant for grandiose fantasies and dreams.
Unlike ordinary children, she actually had the ability to make those ideas a reality.
She had simply watched a little too much television-or perhaps wizarding culture differed from that of ordinary people-leaving her worldview subtly askew and her behavior on certain matters unlike what one would expect of a child.
Killing without the slightest qualm, for instance.
"All right, let's pinky swear!"
Natasha held out her little finger and hooked it around Hermione's.
"Pinky swear, lock it tight! No changing it for a hundred years!"
Got her! Natasha reached out and stroked Hermione's hair.
Only then did she have the leisure to take a closer look at Hermione.
Slightly curly brown hair, an adorable face, and innocent, clear eyes. In a few years, she would certainly grow into a lovely young beauty.
Unable to resist, Natasha reached out and pinched her cheek.
Hermione put up with it. Fuck it. Since you're Black Widow, I'll let you pinch.
Under the table, her right hand, resting on her knee, moved slightly.
Inside her sleeve, the tip of her wand flashed for the briefest instant.
Natasha was enjoying pinching her cheek and noticed nothing.
"I'll step outside and make a call to report this to our director. He'll be delighted to hear about it." Reluctantly letting go, Natasha stood and headed outside. "I'll be right back. Wait here for me, Hermione."
Hermione nodded.
Just then, a sudden remark from her put Natasha on edge all over again.
"Oh, by the way, I cast a spell when we pinky swore. Anyone who breaks the promise will die without even a place to be buried!"
Hermione delivered those terrifying words with a cheerful grin.
Natasha froze.
"Just kidding! I trust you, Natasha." Hermione flashed a little devil's smile, her eyes curving into crescents.
Natasha looked back and smiled without saying anything, then quietly walked out the door and let out a long, inward sigh of relief.
Talking to this little girl was more exhausting than fighting terrorists.
Outside the café, Natasha pressed a finger to her earpiece and said quietly:
"Director, you heard all that. What do we do next?"
Before you continue