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: It's good to be back - thanks for the great reviews. Please keep them coming! This chapter is more plot, with a bit of fluff on top!
Chapter 12
Hermione slept fitfully throughout the night. When she was asleep she dreamt of walking with William. As they walked, he kept saying he wanted her to meet his grandmother, but she kept replying that she had dinner plans. She was stuck in slow motion and then Harry was there, but neither could talk to the other. She felt like concrete bound away and desperately wanting to run after Harry's retreating figure.
Then it was morning and Crookshanks was head butting her to get up. Good thing too, it was already 9:15 AM.
Oh God she surveyed herself in the mirror I look a right mess. I feel it too. She shook her head, threw her hair up in a big clip and ran to quickly shower.
Getting dressed afterwards, Hermione chose a simple trainer outfit, all black with a double white stripe down the length of the pants. Zipping up her jacket , she took notice of the Gryffndor crest on the left, thinking I need all the bravery I can get today. She gave her hair a good brushing, put it up on a ponytail and then put on black cap. She surveyed herself in the mirror.
You look either like you're in mourning or want to be in the shadows Hermione thought wryly. I guess neither is much far off from where we are right now, hmmm?
She looked at her watch - 9:55. She grabbed a breakfast bar, waved to Crookshanks and muttered her locking charm as she ran out the door and down the steps towards Harry's.
* * * * *
Harry looked at the clock - 9:59 - it was unlike Hermione to be cutting it so close. There was a can of pumpkin sitting on the kitchen counter that he kept glancing at. He knew that it would only work as a portkey for 60 seconds. Auror training had taught him that security was so important.
He silently chided himself for not prepping Hermione about these details, but she had not been one to be late before.
Of course, he had not slept well at all, finally drifting to sleep remembering how amazing it felt to hold her half naked in his arms. But then his dreams were troubled. Of a cave, and Hermione in William's arms, far away from him, oblivious to his shouts, as if there was a silencing charm surrounding him.
A sharp knock at the door roused Harry from his thoughts. He rushed to open it, grabbed Hermione and practically pushed her into the kitchen.
Breathless, Hermione sputtered out "Good morning to you too."
"We have to portkey to our meeting, and have 45 seconds left to do so."
"Oh." Hermione's stomach sank, she had been wasting time primping, and now they were late.
Harry brought her over to the can of pumpkin - "ready?"
Hermione nodded, and together they touched the pumpkin can. She felt the familiar swirl and then found herself in a white room with no windows. She recognized Kingsley, Moody and Tonks, but not too many of the others in the room.
"Wotcher Hermione!" Tonks whispered. "Have a seat!"
Hermione quickly sat down next to Tonks and squeezed her hand. Moody scowled in her direction. Hermione shivered.
"Now if we can get started." Moody growled. "First order of business. Potter --report status."
"Yes, sir." Harry stood up and delivered a summary of the past 10 days. Hermione could hardly believe so much had happened in such a short time. Harry's report was short and frank, but covered her entrance into the project, the Polo Match, and both of their Malfoy sightings the day before.
At the end of his report, Harry asked, "What items would the panel like to discuss further at this time?"
Kingsley spoke first. "Before we begin discussions, let me add a few additional comments. First, the addition of Ms. Granger to our team is definitely most unusual, and it should be noted that in no way is Ms. Granger is considered a full representative." Hermione felt her cheeks grow hot as she resisted the urge to squirm. Tonks, sensing her discomfort, patted her hand and mouthed the words "Don't Worry."
Kingsley continued. "She is to need back up at all times and is to be protected similar to the Prince. As many of you know, Ms Granger was a particular help to us during the war, and it is her previous experience in this regards that lends her well to be additional eyes and ears for us. I do emphasize, however, the importance of providing to her the same security we provide to the Prince.
"In addition, we have added Franks, Davis and Mortensen to the Royal Protection Squad. Their experience with muggle family members allows them to blend well with the rest of the team.
"Arthur Weasley spoke with the Muggle Prime Minister last night at length about the situation, including asking about this jewel and any knowledge of it. The Prime Minister was not aware of any significance of a particular gem, but did acknowledge that there are royal vaults throughout Great Britain, thus confirming the likelihood of this gem's actual existence.
"As for the involvement of Malfoy, this is not unusual, except in that he deliberately revealed himself to Hermione, and expressed knowledge of Harry's part of the Royal Protection Squad. It doesn't make sense that Draco would deliberately let on that there is a spy in the Prince's midst.
"Sounds like a trap to me," growled Moody. "something's not right about this at all."
"He never did answer my question why he was at the library." Hermione stated. "Unless he needed answers about the gem there?"
"Malfoy doesn't strike me as one to use muggle resources." Harry noted wryly.
Kingsley regarded Hermione with an unusual intensity. "You may be on to something though. When are you scheduled to be back there?"
Hermione's heart sank as she involuntarily glanced at Harry. "William wanted to take me there tomorrow night for dinner" she said quietly.
"Perhaps you can meet him there and add on a trip to the library in the morning?" Tonks offered, mistaking the reason for Hermione's nervousness.
Harry said nothing, but just watched the exchange passively. Hermione did not raise her eyes.
"Hermione," Tonks continued, "don't you worry about your status with this group, we all know who you are, what you're capable of and how you've rightly defended yourself in the past. Your research skills are exactly what we need for you to crack this case!"
Moody shook his head. "Now just wait a minute Tonks. What if that's what Draco wants. What if he wants Hermione to lead them to it. And that's why he showed up in the library.""
"But that doesn't make sense either," Harry spoke up. "Draco never mentioned the Gem, and if I hadn't seen him, we wouldn't even know about it."
Moody got up and started to pace. "I don't like this at all. Oh no offense to you Granger, I know your heart is in the right place and you've proved yourself in the past - but this in not Hogwarts and you do not have Dumbledore's protection in this case."
"Believe me," Hermione retorted, "I have known for sometime I'm without Headmaster Dumbledore's protection."
* * *
While the Auror's were meeting in their undisclosed location, the Wizengamot's Senior Consultant was enjoying a late morning breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron.
"Hem, hem Tom" she called out to the inn keeper. "More bangers if you please."
"Yes madam."
"Sorry I'm late" a flustered Pansy Parkinson came up to the table.
Umbridge callously regarded her and nodded toward the other seat at the table. "Let me warn you Ms. Parkinson, I am not to be toyed with. Leaving me waiting because you can't kick your latest conquest out of your flat early enough is not to be repeated."
Pansy blushed furiously as she sat down and denied the charge. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Come now, I always saw through your school girl crush on Mr. Malfoy. But let me offer you some advice dear girl. Don't trust a man. It will be the death of you."
Pansy refused to meet Umbridge's eyes. "I have good news, Draco has made contact with Granger."
Delores took a more keen interest. "Did he really? And what happened?"
"Well, he dropped enough hints to make her curious, probably go running back to her fr…" Pansy stopped suddenly. Umbridge didn't know that Harry was in Scotland and it was critical it stayed that way.
"To her???" Umbridge prompted.
"To her freak prince." Pansy recovered.
Umbridge seemed satisfied. "You know at first, I was worried about Ms. Granger's penchant for books and research, but actually I think in this case it will help. She'll probably go looking for information on the ancestors and lead him right to where I want them."
Pansy merely smiled.
"And the boy, Rhys. He's been in contact with the muggle press?"
"Affirmative. He's promised a hot exclusive to the Sun. What about the Daily Prophet?"
"I have Skeeter in my back pocket. She has a particular interest in this story based on some previous encounters."
Pansy frowned. "What about that new reporter? Skeeter was good in her day, but she turned on us in later years."
Umbridge patted Pansy's hand, "now, now dear, don't you worry about it. Rita and I are old friends. I have it covered."
Pansy merely nodded, but this new piece of news did not sit well with her.
Umbridge finished her juice and put the glass down forcefully. "Hermione Granger was an insufferable know it all and priss who is finally going to get was she so richly deserves: embarrassment and ruin in both her muggle and wizarding world. My," she smiled a sickly saccharine smile, "how payback is sweet."
* * *
Over the next few weeks, things got quiet on the Death Eater front for the Aurors and Hermione. Polo Coach Hallett had no recollection regarding his actions the day of the match. All muggles involved chalked it up to a rather large drinking binge.
Hermione continued her research, and began to date William about twice a week. She made her reports to Kingsley directly, and interacted with the new Royal Protection Squad auror assignees. She noticed with very mixed feelings how little she saw of Harry, but always felt that someone was watching her, though she could never catch a glimpse of whom. A few times she found herself reaching out into air, hoping to catch Harry's invisibility cloak, but she always came up with nothing, and wondered if her wishful thinking was getting the best of her.
Hermione never saw Rhys again after the match. She casually mentioned it to William after an outing with his friends, and he explained that he received a call from him on the Monday after the match, explaining a family emergency and that he wouldn't be back for the remainder of the term. William didn't think much of it, Hermione knew that the timing was more than mere coincidence.
Hermione was enjoying greatly getting to know more about William's ancestry, both through books and hearing his stories. William indulged this side of Hermione in an almost bored manner. While he thought it charming, there were times he outwardly wished she be a bit more interested in him, rather than historical figures who were mere names on paper to him. Hermione laughed at this observation, joking with him that he's probably never had to deal with such a bookworm before.
Hermione's biggest coup was the day she uncovered the legend of the Darnley Ruby. The story was buried in handwritten letters in the vaults of the Edinburgh library. It spoke of a ruby given to Queen Mary by Lord Darnley which then disappeared in 1590, at the same time as Francis Stuart, Earl of Bothwell gathered a Witches Uprising at St Andrews Auld Kirk in North Berwick. The legend spoke of dark magic associated with the gem. Hermione was sure she had found the gem that Draco had sought weeks before.
That night, as Hermione prepared for bed, she reviewed her notes again. She was sure this was the big break they were waiting for, and was very excited to report it to Kingsley tomorrow morning.
Just as she put her lilac nightie on, she noticed a slight breeze, and froze suddenly. She grabbed her wand and walked silently to the doorway.
"Harry, if that's you, please come out. You're the only one who can get in through my wards."
There was no answer.
Hermione's heart started to beat faster. "Harry, you're scaring me."
The invisibility cloak came off - "I don't mean to scare you."
"I knew it was you."
"Hermione, why do you make me break all the rules, you aren't supposed to know I'm here."
She looked at him and her heart pounded. They hadn't been alone together for weeks, not since the night they'd come home from Edinburgh together. He looked haunted, a bit gaunt, and very tired.
"Harry, I'm sorry - but you did scare me. You are the only one who is granted access with these wards, so I guessed it was you."
They just looked at each other, afraid to cross the distance between them.
"How are you?" Hermione ventured to ask.
Harry shrugged "Alright I guess. You?"
"I'm good - I have a big break in my research!"
Harry raised his eyebrows. Hermione proceeded to tell him about the gem and St. Andrews Auld Kirk and the history of 1590 with the witches uprising. As she continued, she became more and more animated.
When she finished, Harry had a sad smile on his face.
"What's wrong."
"Nothing's wrong. You seem happy. It's like old Hermione's back."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean you're in your element - researching, finding the answer to the puzzle, helping us once again conquer evil."
Hermione smiled.
"You also seem happy with William."
Hermione stopped smiling. "I'm doing my part as asked by the Aurors."
"I know you think you are, but I see you…" Hermione's mouth dropped open. "Hermione, did you think I was going to let you not be protected - of course I'm around. You are a target and I will not let you get hurt. He's good to you, he treats you well."
"I don't love him."
Harry's heart rose in his throat as his eyes flashed. "Hermione," he began to warn her…
Hermione crossed the distance between them and raised herself up next to Harry. The top of her head only came to his nose these days, so she needed to look up at him. "Harry. I don't love him, and he could never accept me for who I really am. I'm still dodging bullets every time I'm with his friends."
"Hermione…"
Hermione felt herself grow bolder as she placed her self closer to Harry. She could feel his breath on the back of her neck. Their chests were practically together and she reached to the collar of his neck to place a kiss on the small of his neck. "I could never love him, because I already love someone else."
"Hermione, we can't…"
"Can't what Harry? It's almost midnight, you came here under your invisibility cloak, and I've got every memory charm and security ward known and unknown in the wizarding world protecting this flat right now. Who's going to know?" and with that she began to trail more kisses on his neck.
Harry thought he would go mad, Hermione was wearing this beautiful purple thingy, hardly covering enough of her, satiny and and looking so soft to touch. He wanted to simply grab her and take her, it was exquisite what she was making him feel right now.
She placed another kiss. " My heart belongs to only one man. The one man I trust." She placed her arms around his neck and looked up at him. Her movement allowed him to see the cleavage below her neck line.
He swallowed hard. "Hermione, it's not that I don't want to, I…I…oh God…"
Hermione had begun to trail her hands down Harry's chest. "Harry, you're not the only one falling fast." she whispered. "I've missed you so much. Let me be truly happy, both of us."
"We will be, I promise" he allowed himself to breathe in her scent - vanilla, cinnamon, what did she do to herself that made her so irresistible?
"Now Harry, now…" Hermione boldly took his face in her hands and placed a soft kiss on his lips.
Harry couldn't help but reach forward and grab the lips to kiss again, he had missed her terribly. He wanted her so badly.
Hermione took the opportunity to deepen the kiss and cuddle close to him, Harry's arms involuntarily pulled her in and they were truly together once again.
"Mmmm" Hermione purred, "This is me truly happy. In the arms of the man I want and love."
Harry shivered, "shush, don't… Hermione… you can't"
"Harry Potter, I can too. I want to claim what is mine." She placed her hand on his chest on his heart and looked up at him, her brown eyes shiny with unshed tears. "you don't even know how long I've wanted this. How long I wished."
Harry looked at those beautiful brown eyes and felt his heart break as he eased Hermione away from him. "Hermione, I look forward to granting that wish, very soon. But you cannot place yourself or the mission in further danger. We cannot risk this."
"Harry - I told you, the wards are secure."
"Headquarters knows I'm here, I've been assigned it on a nightly basis."
"All the more reason why it shouldn't be a problem for you to stay. Please Harry, stay - keep me safe by staying here. Let me show you what truly happy feels like."
Harry drew a long breath. He knew, by all reasonable standards she was right. Headquarters wouldn't bat an eyelash if he stayed all night, as they knew that Hermione was a mate from a long time back. But he had this nagging feeling that this was not a good idea.
Plus, he wanted this on different terms, at home.
He drew her near and she thought she had won. He kissed her lightly and then deepened the kiss. They kissed like that for a very long time it seemed, and it felt so wonderful to both of them.
"Harry" Hermione whispered as she came up for air, "please stay."
He quietly regarded her, and stroked her hair. "Not tonight, but soon, I promise. I meant what I said before. I want you with me and I want you home. And I promise you a very special night."
Hermione rested her head on his chest. "I don't understand why you keep talking about being home."
"Because it's important to me that you consider it your sanctuary, a place to be safe and loved. You ventured out here away from there because I didn't pay enough attention, and here we are, with you in the midst of this operation, and me unable to show you the 10000 ways I'm attracted to you and … care about you."
"I didn't leave because of you."
Harry pushed back and regarded her. "Look me in the eye and tell me that you would have gone to Scotland if I'd been around more and paying closer attention."
Hermione couldn't meet his eyes.
"I want you home, with me. So you know that this is more than a fling. So you know that I would never deliberately hurt you. So you know, it's not about you being unattainable."
Her eyes widened, but she said nothing.
He pulled her in his arms again. "Come on, I'll tuck you in."
Hermione nodded and let Harry lead her into her bedroom. He pulled her sheets over her, and kissed her on the forehead.
"I so wish you were staying. Not, not like we would do anything, " she blushed, "but to just have you in my arms."
"I have to be on duty - for both the Aurors and RPS. That's why I haven't been around, I requested nights so I could keep watch."
"What would I do without you?"
"Let's hope we never find out okay?"
Hermione nodded. "Will you stay until I go to sleep?"
"Absolutely."
Harry sat on Hermione's bed for more than an hour, holding her hand and watching her sleep. It had been very hard for him to watch her from a distance, but it had given him some good time to reflect and see what made her happy, and what didn't. He was clearer that William and his friends ran in very different circles, and even with her muggle background, Hermione was struggling to fit in. But she seemed happiest when she was at home or getting a piece of information that he could tell helped illuminate her work.
Throughout his watch, he had been taking mental notes for when they returned to London on how she could use her talents in a place that would be appreciated, both from a work perspective and, he smiled, a personal one.
He felt his mobile vibrate and left Hermione's room to answer his link with the RPS.
"Potter here"
"Harry it's Joe. I need you to report in first thing in the AM. We've received some intelligence that is very disturbing about a real threat to the Prince."
"Really? What do you have?"
"I'm not at liberty to say Harry, but it's going to require you to do some undercover work for us. It's, well it's a tough situation, but as you know from your training, sometimes we have to do what's best for the Prince, even at a personal cost."
"Joe, what are you talking about?"
"See me first thing in the morning Harry. My office, 7:30 sharp."
Harry hung up the phone, and went back to Hermione's room. He looked down on her sleeping form and he placed a soft kiss on her cheek.
"Mmmm", she smiled in her sleep and cuddled closer to the pillow.
Harry took a last look, grabbed his invisibility cloak from the next room and apparated back to his flat.