Harry Potter and the Full-Blood Prince
By Ftmble 1
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Spoilers: Books 1-5
A/N: Sorry about the corrupted file issue - it was displaying so nicely on Mozilla!
And so our hero and heroine's assignment continues. Thanks for your patience, I'm posting these chapters as soon as their written and I want to make sure that the plot continues to compel! Thanks for all the great feedback - keep them coming, they continue to inspire!
Chapter 10
The next day, roses had shown up at Hermione's flat, with a simple card stating "Hope you are well. W.O.W." *
Soon after the phone rang with the Prince himself apologizing for his sudden departure without checking in with her "Occupational hazard." He explained.
Hermione bit her lip out of habit. She couldn't help but feel that William had no idea about true "occupational hazards."
He did ask however, "how come you didn't join the ladies in the clubhouse?"
Hermione didn't have an answer to that. "I… um…"
"Hermione, I need for you to be honest with me about something. Are my friends making it uncomfortable for you? Because, some of them get very righteous and jealous quickly and I don't want that to scare you off."
Hermione sighed. "William, you know that I'm really still getting to know you and you're still getting to know me. Is it okay if we just spend some time doing that? I think your friends are great, but I do admit that every time I spend time with them, it seems to be the third degree about me or my background. I'm a commoner. I didn't go to the same schools as you or your friends, and my parents are dentists. I'm not sure I'm ever going to satisfy all their questions."
"I'm sorry. They get overprotective. But I agree, let's us just do something, the two of us, no crowds. What about dinner tomorrow night?"
"I'm meeting a school friend in Edinburgh tomorrow night. My flat mate from London actually."
Hermione's omission about the other dinner companion did not go unnoticed. "Is Harry joining you?" William asked.
"He mentioned that he was going to try. Ron and he are best friends." Hermione shared.
"Oh yes, he mentioned him the other night. Okay, how's Wednesday then? Just the two of us? If you don't mind going back to Edinburgh, I know some lovely places there?"
"I'd like that very much." Hermione blushed.
* * * * * *
On Monday, Hermione found herself tickled pink as she worked directly with the research librarian at Edinburgh University's Laing Collection. She had chatted with him about the history of Mary, Queen of Scots and her broken line of murdered lovers. The librarian had confirmed that Lord Darnley had a shady past, being involved of the murder of the queen's personal secretary and then possibly murdered himself by the Queen's current love, James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell. The librarian brought out some restricted texts on the subject and she prepared to immerse herself in them. She selected a table within the stacks, far removed from the main room so that she could lose herself within her research.
Out of the corner of her eye, a blond figure appeared by her table. She looked up and her mouth dropped open.
Draco Malfoy glared at her through slitted eyes, as if daring her to say something.
Hermione regained her composure, simply sneered back at him with a forceful whisper. "What are you doing here in a muggle library?"
"I don't believe I asked for you to address me, mudblood."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "please Draco. We aren't 13 anymore. The least you could be is original."
Draco smirked, "believe me I'm very aware that I am not 13 anymore. Hogwarts was mere child's play compared to what keeps me busy these days."
"You didn't answer my question. What are you doing in Edinburgh, let alone a muggle university?"
Draco raised his eyebrows and looked at her text books. "Can't you tell me? Or has Ms. Know It All been too distracted with the Prince for her studies?"
"Malfoy, I'm surprised at you. I would figure that the muggle news would be far beyond your limited capacity for information."
"Oh, believe me Granger, I'm well aware of what has been taking place around here."
"I'll just bet you are." Hermione's stare got more firm. "What are you playing at Malfoy? Why are you here?"
"Just attending to business."
"What business would have you dealing with muggles? This is a muggle university, in a muggle neighborhood."
"Ah, I'd never thought I'd see the day that the Head Girl wasn't prepared with her homework done." Draco smirked. "You'll find out soon enough, I'm sure, but I can assure you it will be too late. For you and for Potty and the Weasel."
Hermione felt a chill go down her back, but she kept her face neutral. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Draco pulled a wizard photograph out of his pocket. It was a photograph of Hermione and William on their first night out at the pub chatting intensely. Behind Hermione was Harry, alternately gazing at Hermione and then keeping a look out overall.
Hermione knew immediately who took the picture, but she couldn't let Draco know that she was on to him and that they had figured out Rhys wasn't all he cracked up to be. "Where did you get this?"
"I have my sources. Be clear Granger. Potty and you are no match for what we have planned." Draco smirked. "I have to be off now. See you very soon."
And with that, he apparated with a pop.
Hermione checked her watch. It was only 1 in the afternoon, and she wasn't to meet Ron and Harry until 7. And she honestly didn't know how to get a hold of them before hand. She shook her head and dug into her books even more. She needed to find out what they were up to.
* * * * * * *
Meanwhile, Harry had met Ron at a pub in Wizarding Edinburgh for the lunch he promised. They had been laughing it up at stories about Quidditch, the twins and their various escapades throughout lunch. Just as they were finishing their meals, Ron turned uncharacteristically serious. "So mate, what do you make of Hermione and this Prince chap?"
Harry's mood darkened. "I dunno, I suppose it's up to Hermione isn't it."
Ron regarded Harry for a moment. "And not up to you at all?"
Harry's eyes opened widely as he gave Ron a look of surprise. "How do you know?"
"How do I know? Bloody hell Harry, I've known for years. Why do you think I never pursued her as more than a friend?"
"I thought you fancied her when we were in school."
"I thought I did too, but it was obvious that she only had eyes for you. And well, I figured you had a lot on your plate in school. I had already been through the Ginny crush thing, and that didn't work out too badly - she moved on, and you're still friends. You were always appropriate with them both, I figured you were just clueless about Hermione's feelings, just like you had been clueless about Ginny."
Harry just stared at Ron. "Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?"
"What… can't a guy be observant?" Ron took a bite of his sandwich
Harry carefully regarded him, and then it clicked. "You came up with all this on your own?"
"Well…" Ron took a sip of his pint "I never did say that did I?" he grinned wickedly. "Ginny helped."
Harry rolled his eyes, but smiled nonetheless. "I'll just bet she did." He sighed. "I don't know Ron, I finally get a clue, make my move, and Hermione keeps pushing me away, saying she needs time."
"She a strange one, our Hermione." Ron shook his head.
"She told me that she's worried I'm only interested because the Prince is interested. That isn't true! When she left London, she told me she wanted time, and I wanted to give it to her, but now he's moving in - I needed to let her know where I stand."
"And now she's feeling pushed." Ron took another drink from his pint.
"Yeah, by me. What doesn't make sense is that she'll go out with him no problem. And now…"
"What?"
Harry sighed, realizing he had said too much again. He looked around him and wasn't comfortable with the surroundings. "I can't say why, but there's going to be even more opportunity for Hermione to spend with William."
Ron gave Harry a funny look, but didn't pursue it further. They had been friends long enough and in enough danger together to understand that there were times that not all could be spoken in public.
Ron and Harry finished their lunch and then walked back over Edinburgh's W3 franchise. The pair was recognized the minute they walked into the store, and Harry was soon mobbed for autographs.
Ron broke up the crowd "Alright now, Mr. Potter was just checking out the merchandise here. Please let him be."
Harry smiled and waved as they made their way to the back room. "Sorry Ron, I should have remembered to put on the Invisibility Cloak when we left the pub. I didn't mean to cause a fuss."
"Hey, and lose all my free publicity? This is great for business!" Ron smiled. "But you can leave under your invisibility cloak if you wish via the back door."
"Sounds great. See you tonight at 7."
"Seven. I can't believe I agreed to a muggle restaurant. I'll have to be on best behaviour!"
"Somehow Ron, I think you'll manage." and with that, Harry placed his cloak over himself and exited out the back door.
He easily made his way undetected by some hardy fans who had staked out the back thinking that they could intercept him there. But then his eye was caught by a shock of blond hair walking across the alley at the street intersection.
"Malfoy?" Harry whispered. What's he doing in Scotland?
Harry quickly but quietly ran to the street, careful to make sure his cloak did not catch on any of the dustbins. As he got to the street he saw the blond haired figure enter a storefront, but he couldn't be sure which one. He continued to pursue his way down the street, peering the best he could into each storefront.
He came finally to an jeweler and saw Malfoy inside. Another customer exited and Harry took his opportunity to walk in unnoticed.
Draco and the gentleman behind the counter were engaged in a rather intense discussion.
"Are you sure that's where we can find it?" Draco was inquiring.
"Been tracking it for twenty years have I not? It's there alright, but the spell around it protects it from being touched by anyone who is not a descendent of the Queen herself."
"Bollocks! You're telling me that all the masterful wizards that have graced this earth in the past 500 years and only a muggle can break the spell?"
"There are piles of dust of all the remnants of your 'masterful' wizards appendages circling itself, aren't there?"
"Harrumph!" Draco sneered. "Blast these wizards who played with filth."
Harry felt his pulse quicken and his hand ball into a fist. It wasn't unusual to hear Draco carry on with vulgarities toward any type of being who wasn't a pure-blood wizard, but it never meant that it sat any better with Harry when he heard it.
"It is what it is. To get to it, you need himself, don't you."
"I'll get him, don't you worry. We've got it all in place."
Harry had a bad feeling about this. He couldn't stop Malfoy without the appropriate procedures, as nothing had happened, yet, but this still was obviously not good.
"Aye, I'm sure you do. Alright Mr. Malfoy, when shall we expect you next?"
"I'll let you know."
"And if I get another offer?"
"I want to know who immediately." Draco pulled out a bag and poured out a pile of Galleons. "There's 75 there as a down payment for your trouble."
The shopkeeper nodded, "much obliged Mr. Malfoy. I'll be sure to keep you informed."
"See that you do." And with that Draco gave the shopkeeper his infamous raising of the eyebrows before turning and leaving the store.
Harry rushed outside before the door could shut behind Draco. Draco noticed the change in air and Harry stopped cold. Malfoy looked around and right through Harry, but continued on his way.
Harry let him move away a small distance and then followed him a bit more. Draco made his way to a designated apparition spot and apparated just as Harry turned the corner.
I've got to contact Kingsley with this. Heck, I've got to contact Joe about this!
Harry looked for a nearby payphone and ran to make his call.
* * * * * * * *
Later that evening, Harry made it to the Italian restaurant where he was to meet Hermione and Ron just a few minutes past seven. He saw his friends at the bar and joined them there.
"We should be seated in a few minutes, they're just preparing our table" Hermione said as she greeted him with taking his hand and giving him a kiss on the cheek. She didn't release his hand right away. Her fingers were ice cold he could tell she was a bit pale.
"Are you alright?"
She nodded and said "we should talk later." with a significant glance towards Ron who was getting Harry a glass of wine from the bartender.
"Yes, we should. I have news as well."
Hermione gave him a warning glance as Ron came back with Harry's wine and handed him his glass. "Cheers. A toast to my best friends. May they find happiness ever after at last!"
Hermione choked on her wine. "What did you tell him?!?"
Harry was dumbfounded "I, er …aaah…"
Ron stepped right in. "Harry told me nothing. I simply asked a few questions and came to my own conclusions." He put his arm around Hermione. "So my dear girl. What in the world will you do when you have to explain to your bonnie Prince Willie that your best friends in the world are wizards?"
Hermione looked up at Ron, who now towered over her quite a bit. "I seriously doubt it will come to that."
"Come now Hermione, you're attractive. You have a history of being wanted by the most eligible bachelors… why would this one be different?"
Harry did not like where this was going. Luckily the Maitre D' came and escorted them to their table at that point, stopping the conversation and allowing him to gather his thoughts.
Once they were seated, he started to quiz Ron about W3 and his travels, thus turning the conversation away from him and Hermione.
* * * * * * *
At the end of the evening they bid Ron a rather sloppy farewell as they had all had a fair amount of wine and laughs.
Ron hugged Hermione tightly and slurred in her ear "Just remember Hermione. He loves you for who you are, exactly as you are."
Hermione blushed and kissed Ron on the cheek. "You are too nosy."
"Just looking out for my best friends." He then turned and gave Harry a big hug. "Look out for her, okay?"
"You know I will. Take care Ron. See you soon in London."
Ron walked down Castle Street towards his hotel in the Wizarding part of New Town. Hermione had arranged for car service to take her and Harry back to St Andrews, since she had a feeling that there would be too much wine for Portkeys or Appartioning tonight.
The muggle driver did a double take when he picked them up. "You been in the papers recently luv?"
Hermione grimaced. "Not me I'm afraid, but you're not the first to mention it."
The driver seemed to accept that and left Harry and Hermione in peace for their ride. Neither said much, though Hermione was having trouble keeping her eyes open.
"Come here" Harry put his arm around her and she snuggled up to him.
"Mmmm, nice…I'm pretty tired Harry, but we need to talk."
"I know, I need to tell you some things too. We'll talk when we get back to your flat."
"Mmmm."
Harry watched the lights flash by outside as he mindlessly played with Hermione's hair. It felt great to have her sleeping in his arms. If he could just keep her there.
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A/N: * W.O.W is really Prince William's initials: William Of Wales