It could also be that Dumbledore has some secrets that he's afraid Hermione will uncover if she's left to her own devices. Hermione is known for her inquisitive nature. So, to keep these secrets hidden, he attempts to control her. For instance, if there are some hidden aspects of Hogwarts' history or certain faculty members that he doesn't want exposed, he might use control over Hermione to prevent her from delving too deep.
It could be that Dumbledore is afraid of what Harry might do if left to his own devices. Harry has a lot of power, and Dumbledore may worry that he could be swayed by the wrong people or ideas. So, in an attempt to keep Harry on the 'right path', he resorts to trying to control him. But this also shows a lack of faith in Harry's character and judgment.
She would probably be defiant. Hermione is a strong - willed character. She values her independence and her ability to make her own decisions. So, she would likely question Dumbledore's motives and resist his control. For example, she might start her own investigations secretly to find out why Dumbledore is acting this way.
Dumbledore might be motivated by his over - arching plan to defeat Voldemort. He could see Hermione as a sacrifice that needs to be made. Maybe he believes that by betraying her, he can gain some crucial information from the enemy that will ultimately lead to Voldemort's downfall.
In a more extreme case in the fanfiction, Dumbledore might assign Hermione to a special project that is both difficult and dangerous as a form of punishment. For example, he could send her to study a group of cursed magical creatures in the Forbidden Forest. This would be a punishment that not only tests her skills but also her courage.
Harry might initially be confused. He has always looked up to Dumbledore, so when he realizes Dumbledore is trying to control him, he could start to question everything he thought he knew about their relationship. He may become more rebellious as a result, trying to break free from Dumbledore's influence and make his own decisions.
One possible motive could be for Harry's protection. Dumbledore might have seen a threat that Harry wasn't aware of, and he asked Hermione to keep an eye on him. Hermione, being the loyal friend and also having great respect for Dumbledore, would have agreed to it.
It could be that Ron has his own insecurities. He might feel inferior to Hermione in terms of intelligence and magical abilities. By trying to control her, he hopes to feel more powerful or important. For example, if Hermione is always getting top grades and solving complex magical problems, Ron might think that by controlling her actions, he can somehow boost his own self - esteem.
If such a fanfiction exists, perhaps the motive could be a misdirected attempt at protecting the greater good. Maybe Dumbledore thought Hermione's parents were in some way a threat to the wizarding world's secrets that he was trying so hard to protect. But this is still a very far - fetched idea as Dumbledore was always about protecting life in the official story.
One possible plot could be that Dumbledore has been possessed by a dark entity. Under its influence, he kidnaps Hermione thinking she has some knowledge or power that the entity wants. Hermione then has to use her wits to try and break Dumbledore free from the possession while also trying to escape.
In a fanfiction, Dumbledore might steal out of desperation. Suppose there was a situation where a curse was about to be unleashed on Hogwarts, and the only way to stop it was by stealing a particular ingredient for an antidote from a place where it was not supposed to be taken. Dumbledore, seeing no other option, decides to steal it. His motive here is to save the school and its students, even if it means breaking the rules.