"Surveillance?"
You're bluffing!
Not even thermal imaging could see through the Disillusionment Charm at lv2. How could surveillance cameras capture it?
Hermione was growing irritated with Black Widow's continued evasiveness.
She sneered.
"Do you think your little gadgets can see through my spells?"
Sensing the girl's displeasure, Natasha quickly explained, "It's not about that night when you were fighting evil. It was captured while you were working in the store."
"Based on Edwin's testimony and the onsite evidence, we suspected someone with special abilities was involved. We reviewed the store's street surveillance for clues and accidentally discovered you working there."
"You know, child labor is clearly illegal, yet you were openly working, and no one seemed to find it odd."
"We even questioned Edwin about it. He knew the law and that you were a child, yet hiring you seemed perfectly normal to him, as if his perception had been altered."
Hermione suddenly understood: "So you think I have special abilities, and since two odd occurrences happened in the store, they must be connected."
Natasha continued, "Exactly. We used facial recognition software to search for you in the database but found nothing. Until a few days ago, your face popped up in Hell's Kitchen. But by the time we sent someone, you'd left, and now you're here again."
So that's it.
"It's not that my magic malfunctioned. If people found out I was seen through a Muggle's eyes, I'd be laughed at by students from the other three houses."
Hermione patted her chest, relieved, and praised, "Hmph, impressive for Muggles."
Being praised by a child—even a wizard—left Natasha with mixed feelings.
"Alright, I've answered your questions, so it's time to erase your memories."
Hermione raised her wand again, her words startling.
Wait, no!
The conversation was going so well, I thought we were getting along. Why erase my memories now?
Natasha shouted internally.
Why are kids so hard to handle these days?
Did you forget your intentions that quickly?
Did you answer my questions just to enlighten me?
Some sister you are, thanks!
Even a seasoned agent like Natasha felt a bit cornered, fighting the urge to curse.
Now that she believed in wizards, she had no doubt Hermione could erase memories.
Taking a deep breath, Natasha said earnestly:
"Hermione, I know you're a good kid for taking the initiative against evil. I'm glad."
"But remember, we ordinary people also strive to maintain world peace. Our organization, S.H.I.E.L.D., helps good people defeat bad ones. We're partners in justice."
You can dial it down a bit... Hermione almost burst into laughter.
Her acting skills were being tested to the limit.
"Since we're allies with shared goals, erasing your partner's memory seems excessive, doesn't it?"
"If we keep our memories, we can better assist you as a little hero of justice. Helping us helps you, right?"
Natasha coaxed, recalling every trick she'd used to persuade children.
"But the Ministry of Magic forbids revealing the wizarding world to Muggles... If found out, they'd erase your memories too. And I'd get scolded by Dumbledore."
Hermione appeared conflicted, and a flicker of hesitation crossed her face.
"Don't worry, our organization, S.H.I.E.L.D., is excellent at keeping secrets. Even if discovered, it won't be traced back to you. Besides, if you don't tell and I don't tell, who'll know?"
Are you sure? I'd like to hear what Hydra has to say about that... Hermione thought sarcastically.
Seeing Hermione almost "convinced," Natasha seized the moment to add, "Let's keep this as a shared secret between us, a symbol of our partnership in justice."
"A shared secret." Hermione bit her lip, as if making a decision. "Alright, but we need to pinky promise not to betray each other!"
Pinky promise... Natasha smirked inwardly. Even a wizard believes in such a simple promise.
After analyzing Hermione, Natasha felt she understood her.
Though a wizard, Hermione was fundamentally a child—eager to show off, seeking praise, with a playful spirit and big dreams.
Unlike ordinary kids, she had the means to realize those dreams.
She just watched too much TV, or wizard culture differed from the norm, making her worldview slightly skewed.
Such as feeling no burden in killing.
"Alright, pinky promise!"
Natasha extended her little finger, linking it with Hermione's.
"Pinky promise, a hundred years, no changes!"
Done! Natasha reached out and ruffled Hermione's hair.
Only then did she take a moment to observe Hermione closely.
Slightly curly brown hair, a cute face, and clear eyes. She'd grow into a beautiful lady in a few years.
She couldn't resist and pinched Hermione's cheek.
Hermione endured it, thinking, just because you're Black Widow, I'll let it slide.
"I'll step out to call our director. He'll be thrilled," Natasha said, reluctantly letting go, "I'll be right back, Hermione. Wait for me."
Hermione nodded.
Her sudden words made Natasha's heart skip.
"By the way, I cast a spell during the pinky promise. If you break it, you'll meet a terrible fate!"
Hermione grinned, delivering the chilling words with a sweet smile.
Natasha froze.
"Kidding! I trust you, Sister Natasha," Hermione giggled, her eyes twinkling like crescents.
Natasha returned the smile, said nothing, and left, feeling a weight lift.
Talking to this kid is more exhausting than fighting terrorists.
...
Outside the café, Natasha pressed her earpiece and whispered:
"Director, you heard everything. What's the next step?"