Can't run from time

After her morning walk with Hagrid, Hermione felt a little more grounded. But the sense of dread about her situation lingered like a dark cloud. Tom's words haunted her, and his recent actions left her feeling more isolated than ever. She knew she had to do something to regain some control, to somehow keep Tom from slipping further into darkness.

Her thoughts kept drifting back to Dumbledore. She decided it was time to seek his counsel again. She needed a plan—a new strategy to stop Tom.

 **Meeting with Dumbledore**

Hermione made her way to Dumbledore's office, her footsteps echoing in the silent corridor. She hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door.

"Come in," Dumbledore's calm voice called from the other side.Hermione pushed the door open and stepped inside. Dumbledore sat at his desk, looking up from a stack of parchment. His eyes, as always, glistened blue, as if he knew why she was here.

"Miss Granger," he greeted her warmly, motioning for her to sit. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Hermione sat down, wringing her hands in her lap nervously. "Professor, I need your help. Things with Tom...they've gotten worse. I've tried to change him, but nothing seems to work. He's drifting further into the dark, and I feel like I'm losing control of the situation."

Dumbledore nodded, his expression grave. "I suspected as much. Tom Riddle is not one to be easily swayed once he has set his mind on something. What do you propose we do?"

Hermione took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "I think...I think we need to try a different approach. He...he proposed to me a while back, said he wanted me to be his Dark Lady for real. But I think there's a way we could use that to our advantage. A wedding—a fake wedding with fake vows. If he believes we're truly bonded, maybe...maybe it will make him care for me again, make him hesitate to go further into the dark."

Dumbledore listened carefully, his fingers steepled in front of him. "An interesting plan, Miss Granger. Risky, but interesting. It would require precise planning and execution. And there's always the danger that Tom may see through the ruse."

"I know," Hermione admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "But I'm willing to take that risk if it means keeping him from creating more Horcruxes or hurting more people. Maybe...maybe if he believes in this bond, he'll feel something, anything, that might stop him."

Dumbledore considered her words carefully, his eyes piercing into hers. After a moment, he nodded slowly. "Very well. We shall proceed with this plan. But you must be careful, Hermione. Tom is intelligent, cunning, and not easily fooled. You must be prepared for the possibility that he will not be swayed by emotions"

Hermione nodded, understanding the situation. "I know, Professor. But I have to try. I can't just stand by and watch him destroy everything."

Over the next few days, Hermione and Dumbledore worked together to plan the fake wedding. They discussed every detail, from the setting to the vows, to ensure that everything appeared as real as possible. Dumbledore suggested using a powerful illusion spell to create a convincing atmosphere, complete with a magical binding ceremony that wouldn't actually hold any true power.

Hermione felt a mixture of nerves and determination as they finalized the preparations. This was her chance to make a difference, to stop Tom before it was too late. She only hoped that he would believe in the facade long enough for her to find a way to change his heart.

Dumbledore explained that on the day of the ceremony, the hall would be transformed into a grand wedding hall, complete with twinkling lights and a path lined with flowers. The students would be given the day off and would be part of the illusion process.

A close friend of Dumbledore would act as the priest and would be given twisted vows to read and would be aware of the illusion spell.

The plan was set. But all she had to do.. was tell Tom.