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
Author's Note: Wow - thanks everyone for the great reviews!!! This chapter is almost all Hermione… enjoy!
Chapter 5
Hermione's POV
Hermione stared at the door, which just had been closed by the man who still had her heart. What had he meant "it's different with you"? Was Harry actually starting to see her than more than a friend?
Was that what she really wanted?
Her heart leapt at the merest hint of Harry's interest, but her mind tried to calm it down. What happened to finding herself? What happened to getting to know the woman she was meant to be? What happened to becoming her own person?
Sighing, she walked back to the living room and put on some music. It had been such an incredible night, one she would have never predicted. All she thought she was doing was getting a bite to eat and then having another date with A Historical Account of the Ancient Culdees of Iona.
When she first saw Harry at The Old Castle Tavern, her heart stopped beating. She was afraid and hoped he hadn't seen her. She didn't want to put him in any risk during his job.
And then to find out he was guarding the Prince! She immediately assumed that she wouldn't be able to join him, which disappointed her and then she got mad at herself and Harry too - she wanted to be free of this wanting to be with him all the time, free of being disappointed when clearly she was no longer someone Harry trusted or considered a priority.
If you weren't a priority, then why did he come back tonight? said a voice inside her head that sounded very similar to Ginny's.
She sighed again and walked over to the window and looked at her reflection. She laughed at the thought that she must be the first person to ever kiss Prince William goodnight whose thoughts were not consumed by him, but by another man.
But since she did kiss the most eligible bachelor in Great Britain tonight, where did that work in to all of this?
She'd be lying if she said she wasn't elated at the opportunity to meet someone who was so well known to her parents and her muggle family. And from what she had known of Prince William before, she was rather impressed with his commitment to helping others.
She had to admit that he was very charming. Of course it was all so interesting to meet his friends. She couldn't ignore the thrill of being, however briefly, in the inner circle of a world that most only read about in muggle magazines. There was no doubt Hermione was extremely flattered that he was interested. She was tickled pink in fact.
But her excitement waned when she considered how weird it was to be escorted home by the Prince, when your best friend and the man who a month ago she wanted so much to love her back was right behind her?
Very, extremely weird. Even if Harry had never really done anything that indicated he wanted more than friendship, they had this bond, this history that really meant something. You don't grow up together, fighting evil side by side, surviving false friends, death of those close to you, misunderstandings, OWLs, NEWTs, adults who abuse their power, paparazzi and reporters who'd rather gossip than tell the truth, friends who are jealous and misunderstand you, and the rather high expectations of those who do believe in you without having a very deep bond.
She would have sworn 3 years ago that that bond would never be broken. If she only had tonight to base it on, she would swear it again, but could she be sure?
Should she even try to be sure?
Or did Harry just finally start to see who she was when someone else started paying attention? Like Ron when she had dated Victor briefly during year 4.
And if it was like Ron, then she knew how temporary that interest was, and how shallow it had turned out to be. Only when there was competition did Ron ever think he needed to do anything. Now, if Harry was reacting in that way 7 years later, that is not what she wanted.
What did she want?
The Bangles sang in her head… "if she knew what she wants, he'd be giving it to her…"
Maybe that was the problem. She was being indecisive and not clear on what she wanted.
She sighed again - that had been the whole point of coming here to Scotland. Allegedly away from Harry. So that she could find out what she wanted, without distraction.
And yet, as always, distractions kept popping up.
Like those beautiful emerald eyes….
Enough! She was going to bed.
* * * * * * * * * * *
In an office on the second level of the ministry, a eerily familiar voice was speaking.
"Hem, hem… are you sure that the Prince does not suspect a thing?" her toad like eyes narrowed.
"Quite sure Ms. Umbridge, quite sure. Our man has a CV that has checked out completely with the muggles. Wonderful things, memory charms are you know? Makes folks say exactly what needs to be said at the right time." Pansy Parkinson's pug nose smirked in satisfaction as she finished this statement.
"Very good. Very good." Umbridge smiled. "And what of my employee on leave. Any news of her?"
"We know that she is in the area, in St. Andrews. She spends most of her time in the reference sections studying old Culdees texts and translating runes."
"Hmmm…we need to monitor closely which libraries she's at. Too close to the wrong section and it could all go wrong. Maybe its' time for a little "harmless" legislation about the use of muggle books. Perhaps I can get Arthur to sponsor it for me in the name of muggle relations." Umbridge smiled.
"Whatever you think is best." Pansy simply smiled.
"You'd better believe it." Umbridge lost her smile immediately. "Thank you Ms. Parkinson, you've been most helpful."
Pansy nodded and walked out of the office.
* * * * * * *
Hermione awoke the next morning to the phone ringing.
"Hullo?" she said sleepily.
"Well, it's no wonder I woke you, given that you were out very late last night celebrating a certain person's birthday." Her mom's voice was quite happy. "Have some news to share with your mum?"
"How did you know I was out late last night?" Hermione stated.
"Because, today's column in The Sun has a picture of you with Fergus Boyd and Prince William at the pub last night. They want to know who is the new woman in the Prince's inner circle. Imagine my delight to see you there!"
Hermione's heart fell. She wasn't completely surprised, but she had thought that they were well guarded. Obviously in this day of cell phone cameras, she couldn't even be protected for one night.
"So, how did you meet him?"
Hermione paused. There is no way she could possibly let her mum know about Harry's involvement and possibly blow his cover, but if the pictures showed her, they would soon show Harry as well.
"It's kind of complicated mum."
"Well I'm looking forward to hearing all the details. My phone has been ringing off the hook with family who recognized you."
Oh Lord. If they were calling her mum, it was only a matter of time before they identified her to the press. This was not good.
"Mum, please try to keep this quiet. William has no idea that I'm a witch, and so far I've been able to speak in very general terms about school and such."
"It's WILLIAM is it? You're going to see him again?"
"He invited me to his Polo match on Saturday."
Her mother shrieked. "This is WONDERFUL news!"
"Mum, it's only a polo match. There will be lots of other people there too."
"Wow, my daughter, dating the Prince."
"You know Mum, I never took you for being someone who would go gushy over all this. You know how hard it is for Harry to deal with the Wizarding press. This is going to make all that seem like dealing with a school newspaper."
"Hermione. I only want to have you happy. And to see you pictured with two fine young men, including a young man who was raised by parents who took their position of power and wealth and use it to raise awareness of important issues - it makes me happy to see you with someone like that."
Hemione rolled her eyes. "I think it's a little early to say I'm "with" someone."
"Did he walk you home?"
"Yes mum."
"Did he kiss you good night?"
Hermione sighed, "Yes mum."
"Then with it is. And believe me, I'm clear he's not just someone."
Hermione talked a little more to her mum, then said her good byes. As she got ready, she thought it might be good to use a few of those memory spells where muggle reporters suddenly remember something else when they come near her.