Hermione could not lay out a concrete plan, but when Grindelwald heard her say that, most of the suspicion in his eyes faded.
He had expected Hermione to promise him the world, dangling some grand vision to fool him. But she had made no reckless promises, which suggested she was not simply saying whatever it took to make him stop.
If she had spouted nonsense about a glorious tomorrow, he would only have thought the girl a hypocrite. But Hermione openly admitted the risks, which showed that she had truly thought this through and genuinely intended to do it.
That was worth more than any extravagant assurance.
"You two seem to be getting along rather well."
Dumbledore, who had been standing off to the side like part of the scenery, suddenly spoke. "Have you forgotten I'm still here?"
Dumbledore sighed and looked at Hermione helplessly. "Plotting right in front of me to overthrow the order the Wizarding World has built over centuries... Hermione, even if your intentions are good, this will still throw the entire Wizarding World into turmoil."
Hermione shot him a sidelong glance. "Fine, then shall I leave?"
"You can't attack Grindelwald anyway, with the blood pact in place." Looking utterly unbothered, Hermione waved a hand. "Worst case, I'll spend two months waiting at Nicolas Flamel's place, then walk away when the time comes. We'll see who stops him from forcing wizards and Muggles into a war then."
"Two options. Take your pick."
Dumbledore was left speechless.
Of course he understood how serious this was.
If they did not stop Grindelwald, war was inevitable. But following Hermione's approach would also unleash a cataclysm that might overturn the entire Wizarding World.
Dumbledore felt numb.
Only after a long silence did he say quietly, "The resistance will be immense."
"Gellert