After hearing Draco's sincere explanation, Hermione was completely stunned.
Draco can grant her one request, which she can ask or ask for a favor.
He even explicitly stated that the decision was entirely hers; she could use it now, use it later, or even not use it at all.
This is almost... flawless.
The temptation was so great that she could hardly breathe.
Time flowed slowly in the deathly silence.
"You really... think that way?"
Hermione's words were filled with uncertainty and deep doubt.
Draco shook his head and smiled.
" Miss Granger, I know that it's unrealistic, even unwise, for you to immediately believe every word I'm saying, given our family background."
"I didn't expect that just a few words would allow us to immediately... establish any deep trust."
That's neither realistic nor necessary.
"I just think that, given that we both have certain things to figure out, continuing with that previous communication style, which was full of misunderstandings and confrontation, won't help solve the problem at all. It will only waste our time and increase unnecessary friction."
"So, the 'condition' I proposed wasn't to prove anything, or to demand that you believe me immediately. It was just a... tool."
"A tool for exchanging information in a simpler way."
"You can think of it as... a very limited, clearly defined cooperation agreement."
Draco offered a more formal analogy.
"You state your needs, and within my capabilities and without violating certain bottom lines, I will fulfill my promises, that's all."
"It only involves your interest in the information I may have, and my... willingness to share that information under certain conditions."
He once again threw the choice back entirely to Hermione.
Whether or not to use this tool, and whether or not to accept this cooperation agreement, is entirely up to her.
Even if she doesn't use it, he simply won't share information; there won't be any other negative consequences.
This greatly reduced Hermione's fear of the "trap".
That certainly sounds much safer than a promise fraught with unknown risks.
Hermione was once again caught in a fierce internal struggle.
Reason is sounding the alarm again.
She forced her chaotic thoughts to gather the last vestige of clarity.
"If I were to use this condition to ask you a question, how can you guarantee that... your answer will be truthful?"
Draco was not surprised by her question.
"A very good question, Miss Granger," he said, his tone even carrying a hint of undisguised approval.
"This is indeed a key point that needs to be clarified in the 'cooperation agreement'."
"Regarding authenticity..." Draco hesitated for a moment.
"First, I must be honest with you, I cannot give you a guarantee at the level of a magical contract."
Just as you can't guarantee that the questions you ask me aren't hiding ulterior motives.
"However," he changed the subject, "I can assure you that if I choose to answer your question, my answer will be based on the information I know and believe to be true."
"I won't lie to you; it's pointless and goes against the original intention of making this 'condition'."
"That would only give me a reputation as a 'cheater,' which would do me no good."
Draco calmly analyzed the pros and cons, his words devoid of any emotion.
This pure pragmatism is far more persuasive than any grand promise.
"Of course," Draco added, "'What I know, what I believe to be true' may contain limitations, biases, or even my personal misunderstandings."
"I am not omniscient or omnipotent either."
Therefore, I prefer to view my answer as based on my honest sharing rather than absolute truth.
"You can choose to believe, or you can choose to question and verify—that's your right."
Draco is telling the truth. Even if he has read the original book and seen the movie, there's no way he can guarantee that all the details will be accurate.
"Finally," Draco said, looking at Hermione, revealing the truest considerations.
" Miss Granger, you are a clever woman, a clever witch."
"You should know very well that when it comes to significant and secretive events from fifty years ago, simple lies are easily exposed, especially when the questioner is someone like you... skilled in logical reasoning and verification."
This explanation sounded... surprisingly convincing, even more believable to Hermione than an empty vow.
Hermione's heart was once again tipped in a subtle way.
Doubts remain high, but rational analysis is beginning to suggest that, at least regarding the veracity of the information, Malfoy might... be serious?
Or rather, at least he had no reason to lie about this?
She fell silent again.
But this silence is no longer purely confrontational or bewildered.
She was weighing the options, analyzing the situation, trying to untangle this mess, and attempting to find a balance between the enormous risks and the immense temptations.
Draco calmly awaited the judgment and choice of the intelligent and logically-minded Gryffindor witch.
Hermione's silence lasted for quite some time.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity.
Hermione spoke up.
"If..."
"If I used that condition to ask you a question."
"So, what do I need to give in return?"
Hermione's question hit the nail on the head.
She knew all too well that there was no such thing as a free lunch, especially not from Malfoy.
"What price to pay?" Draco repeated.
"This is a very... crucial question, Miss Granger."
"From the agreement itself, you don't have to pay any price to get the answer."
"But, Miss Granger, neither of us are children anymore."
"We should be clear that in this kind of information exchange... some 'costs' are intangible, implicit in the questions and answers themselves."
Draco didn't shy away from the issue of consequences; instead, he steered the conversation to a more fundamental level.
This openness made Hermione's heart jump again.
"When I answer your question and tell you what I know about Moaning Myrtle's death fifty years ago, you gain more than just 'information' itself."
"What you've gained along with it is an inseparable connection with me, Draco Malfoy, in this matter."
He pointed out one point clearly.
"Knowing information that only I know means you've been drawn into the risks and responsibilities associated with that information."
"Whether you like it or not, no matter how pure your initial intentions were, once you learn certain secrets, you must bear all the consequences that knowing those secrets may bring—good, or, more likely, bad."
"Similarly," he continued.
"By answering your question, I have taken the risk of revealing this information to you."
"Some of the trouble this information might cause could be traced back to me. This can also be seen as my 'price'."
"So, Miss Granger, are you willing to bear the risks and responsibilities that come with obtaining that information?"
Draco looked directly into Hermione's eyes.
"That's entirely up to you, Miss Granger, to decide for yourself."