Didn't want it?
That wasn't up to him.
He might even end up begging me for this gift.
Dumbledore watched her, knew she had come up with another wicked idea, and shook his head helplessly.
After Snape left, only Dumbledore and Hermione remained in the office.
The teasing look vanished from Hermione's face. She dropped her languid pose and leaned forward.
"Tell me. What's going on?"
Dumbledore paused as he lifted his teacup, his gaze flickering.
"What do you mean?"
Hermione gave a cold laugh and pointed at the box on the desk.
"Stop playing dumb, Albus."
"Snape might not see through you, but did you think I wouldn't?"
She stared straight into Dumbledore's eyes, her presence oppressive.
"The Dark Magic curse was a protective measure for the Horcrux. If the Horcrux was destroyed, the curse could only have been broken first."
Hermione tapped the air several times, and runes resembling those around the ring appeared.
"Even I would have to put some effort into breaking this seal. You wouldn't take the remains this seriously just because they used to be a Horcrux."
Dumbledore's smile stiffened.
He fell silent for a while, then slowly removed his glasses and gently wiped them.
Hermione did not rush him. She simply leaned back in her seat and waited patiently.
The office grew quiet.
After a long silence, Dumbledore spoke again.
"You're always so perceptive, Hermione."
He sighed, his gaze settling on the box.
"It's because of the stone set in it."
Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"The Resurrection Stone?"
Dumbledore looked up, his eyes full of surprise.
He had not expected Hermione to know about that, too.
But on second thought, whenever the girl had been at Hogwarts over the past few years, she had spent most of her time in the Library