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.
A/N: Thanks for your patience and reviews! I'm so honored and grateful for the wonderful feedback!
Spoilers: Books 1-5
Chapter 6
In a bar in Knockturn Alley, Pansy Parkinson sat across the table from a slender blond man with ice blue eyes. She blew out a stream of smoke from her cigarette as she finished updating him on all the information.
Draco smiled. "It's the ultimate double cross. Use Umbridge's lust for power to open more doors for us. When did you last speak to my cousin?"
"Last night. You won't believe who turned up at the pub he was at."
"The mudblood."
"Oh she was there too."
"Too?"
"Scar face is on the royal protection squad."
Draco spat out his drink. "WHAT? What is Potter doing near the Prince?"
"No idea. I know that Umbridge has no clue he's there. She's been trying to fly under the radar - avoids the Auror division at all costs." Pansy frowned.
"Damnnit. I told Crabbe he shouldn't have played with that student at the University. Never could trust his memory charms." Draco shook his head. "This is going to require some rework in our plan."
"What do you have in mind?" Pansy warily regarded him through slitted eyes.
"I don't know quite yet. I believe I'm going to have to consult certain family members for a little inspiration. For now, let Rhys know to stay cool. I'll get word to him in a few days."
"And Umbridge."
"Keep her focused on Granger. Luckily there's no love lost there, is there?"
Pansy simply smiled.
* * * * * * * * *
As a part of the Royal Protection Squad, Harry received a daily dossier which included any press clippings about the Prince. Therefore, the column which Mrs. Granger had saw was front and center in his folder when he reported to the office that morning.
"Well Potter, I thought you were going to keep the fan club away, not let new people in the circle." Joe sat down next to him.
"Hermione is a good friend. Believe me, she was the last person that I expected to see at the pub. You can trust her."
"You sure about that."
"100%"
Joe pulled out a computer printout "Hermione Granger, age 22, resides in London. Occupation: unknown, Education: unknown. Daughter of Dr. and Dr. Granger, Sussex." He looked at Harry, "How come her education is unknown when you said she went to school with you?"
Harry's Auror training kicked in - dodging questions with other ones…"why do you have a printout on Hermione?"
"Standard procedure - everyone in contact with the Prince is researched."
Harry remembered last night, "what about Rhys Palladin? I wasn't briefed on him, but he joined us at the tavern."
Joe shuffled through more papers - "oh yes, Palladin. New Polo player, yes? Went to school in Australia, spent his gap year in Botswana. Completely checks out. Which is more than I can say for your friend. Now, what school was it that you went to?"
Harry decided that enough was enough "Obliviate."
Joe looked at the paper dazedly. "Harry, I think this is yours." He handed the CV on Hermione to him. "Hermione Granger checks out just fine."
As he took the paper, Harry didn't know whether to be relieved or fearful how easily Joe could be charmed.
* * * * * * * *
Harry was "off-duty" for the Royal Protection Squad starting at 17:00 on Thursday night and wasn't expected back until Saturday morning before the Polo Match. As on previous "free days", Harry planned to use the time to check in with Kingsley and try to uncover more information about the dark wizarding activity in the area. Tonight, however, he was going to take advantage of the fact that his best friend was literally around the block from his flat.
As promised, Hermione had changed the wards so that Harry could apparate directly inside the flat. Good thing too, because the paparrazi had already started to congregate outside. He would have to place some memory and privacy charms around the flat later tonight to scare them off.
"Hermione?" Harry called. He knew that she wasn't expecting him, and he felt a little guilty for popping in uninvited. But, he had shown up with preparations for dinner and hoped that she wouldn't mind if she came home to dinner.
Harry looked around the tiny flat as an orange furball came and stretched against his leg "Hey Crookshanks." The cat purred.
He felt sad at the thought of Hermione staying here rather than her flat back at London. There was no bay window for her to watch the sunset over the skyline from her flat like back home. The rented furniture barely looked comfortable enough for her to curl up and read. No fireplace. Just perfunctory furniture with a small table.
"I need to get her home." Harry thought as he headed for the kitchen.
* * * * *
Hermione apparated inside her flat as well, as she had not yet placed privacy wards outside her apartment. Memory charms would work for muggles, but she had already received owls from Lavender and Ginny that morning letting her know that the column from the Sun was not unnoticed by the Daily Prophet.
Her neck hairs went straight up when she realized that someone was already there. Immediately grabbing for her wand, she called out "hello?"
"Hey! You're home!" Harry popped his head out of the kitchen. "I hope you don't mind, I thought we'd have dinner in tonight?"
Hermione let her held breath out "Harry, you scared me to death."
"Sorry," he looked perplexed. "I wanted to surprise you."
Hermione regarded her friend - now about 4 inches taller than her. His Auror training had filled him out and he had muscular arms in his tight grey t-shirt. His jeans fit him very nicely as well. His emerald eyes held a hint of worry behind his smile.
She smiled back at him. "Well, you did." She inhaled the wonderful spices coming from the kitchen. "What are you making?"
"Italian - nothing fancy - pasta, salad, garlic bread. Standard stuff."
"Standard for you maybe. I thought I was going to have cereal again" Hermione laughed. She was so happy to see him. She didn't care what war her mind was waging.
She walked into the kitchen to see the spaghetti pot boiling and the sauce simmering. "Mmmmm. Smells wonderful."
Harry smiled back at her and gave her a look that curled her toes. She blushed and looked down.
"Would you like some wine. I picked up a few bottles at the corner store. The guy said that this was some great stuff."
Hermione picked up the bottle "Frescobaldi vineyard, Pomino Rosso. Very nice Mr. Potter, I didn't know you had it in you."
"Well you know, Auror training did have some benefits"
Hermione felt her heart sink a little, but then was distracted by the tapping at the window. A beautiful snowy owl was on the back porch with a note tied to its leg. "Who could you be from?" Hermione wondered as she opened the door to meet the bird.
The bird held out its leg "Why it's from Ron!" Hermione exclaimed. "What a beautiful bird?"
Dear Hermione -
So I see from the Daily Prophet that life is exciting in St. Andrews. Do you think you'll still have time to spend with your old friend Ron in Edinburgh next Monday night? I'll be getting in Monday AM and would love to treat you to a night on the town. I know you'll be sorry to tear yourself away from the University and the Library (among other things), but hopefully you'll not mind giving a night up for your old friend Ron.
Please let me know your reply. You can use my new owl Massaquoi. Poor Errol, he just couldn't keep up with my travels.
Looking forward to seeing you soon.
Ron
"Massaquoi?" Hermione mussed. "What sort of name is that?"
"Beater for Chuddley Cannons. He made some huge plays for England in the last World Cup," stated Harry nonchalantly.
"Oh, of course." Hermione laughed as she reached in the cupboard for parchment and a quill. "Can you join us?"
"Monday night? I'm not sure yet, I'd really like to, but…"
"Right." Hermione's heart sank again. "Well I'll just let him know I'll be there then." She began to write.
* * * * * *
Harry watched as a dark shadow crossed Hermione's face when he said he wasn't sure yet. He knew that his training had kept him away so much, he had really thought his assignments wouldn't have the same impact.
"Hermione, I will try, I just haven't seen next weeks schedule. I'll know tomorrow and see if Joe will let me."
Hermione finished the note, placed it on Massaquoi's leg and sent the owl off. "Who's watching the Prince when you're not?"
"His regular guard. My duties aren't only to guard the prince. I've been doing some undercover work as well."
Hermione opened the wine and poured them both a glass. Handing Harry his, she asked tentatively, "can you tell me about any of that?"
Harry looked into her big brown eyes. He saw sadness tinged with a glimmer of hope. He knew that he shouldn't tell her, but this was his best friend. The one who was so smart. And now she was involved.
"Yes, I will tell you. But you've got to promise me not to get any ideas and go off on your own. I'm only telling you because now that you're involved, you need to know."
Hermione nodded. "Thank you. I promise that I won't let you down." Her deep brown eyes met his and Harry felt his heart soar.
* * * * *
The two enjoyed dinner as Harry started to fill Hermione in on the details of the mission. The death eater activity where muggles had disappeared. The disturbances in the older vaults of the University, unexplained and with no fingerprints. The fact that he had seen Crabbe in a back alley bar a week ago, but before he could get closer, the former Slytherin goon had disappeared.
"The problem is, we don't know what they want. We just know that because they are so near the Prince, we're worried. Plus the patterns don't make sense. Crabbe and his goons are hardly the type to be in vaults dealing with documents."
"What type of documents?" Hermione asked.
"Monk writings of some sort. Hard to find out what they're about though."
Hermione just crossed her arms and glared at him.
"What? What I'd do now?"
"Who am I?"
"Hermione Granger?"
"And what am I known for?"
Harry grinned sheepishly. "Your love of libraries?"
"Exactly, so what monk writings are we discussing. The culdees perhaps?"
"I dunno."
"Well, why don't you let me do some searching tomorrow as a part of her research and see what I can find out?"
"Really? That would be great."
"See, I can be a help."
"You are always a help. There was never any doubt about that." Harry got up to clear the table.
"You don't have to do that."
"Not a problem, I want you to relax." And with that he left Hermione at the table. She changed the CD that was playing, poured more wine for both of them and moved over to the sofa, sitting with her legs underneath her. Harry came back soon after and sat next to her.
"How's the wine?"
"Mmmm. Delicious."
"You know, I forgot to make a toast at dinner. May I make one now?" His emerald eyes sparkled.
"Sure." She tossed her hair back, lifted her glass and met his eyes.
"To the woman who has the most eligible bachelor wrapped around her finger."
Hermione blushed as their glasses clinked. "Oh I don't know."
Harry took a sip. "Trust me, I do."
Hermione set her glass down on the table. Harry reached out and brushed her hair to the side so he could see her profile.
"Hermione?"
"Hmmm."
"Come here" and with that he gave her a big hug. She rested against him and relaxed. Now this was more like it, Harry thought. This was the way it was supposed to be. Them together.
And Harry was realizing that he wanted them together more than friends. She may have been charmed by a prince a few nights ago, but now it was his turn.
He rubbed her back. "Whatcha thinking?
"I've missed this." She lifted her head and looked at him.
"I know, I've missed you. This is what I wanted back in London. You to come home, us to spend dinners together. I know that I messed up your plans here in St. Andrews, and I'm still worried about your role in my assignment, but you know what. I don't care. I want my best friend back."
Hermione sighed A best friend… she started to pull away from his hug.
"Please don't pull away."
"Harry, I'm not sure where that line is crossed."
"What line?" He was focused on her lips, so soft and kissable. He wanted to taste them so badly, he didn't care. He needed to taste them.
Hermione hesitated and that was all Harry needed. His lips met her and it was delicious. Tasting Hermione mixed with red wine. He held her tighter as the kiss deepened. Finally he was holding her, kissing her, and his heart soared as he realized that she was kissing him back.
They continued to kiss. Harry ran his hands through Hermione's hair and then down her back. Her lips were his lifeline.
Hermione began to pull away and Harry came up for air. He looked down at her, her swollen lips so red and beautiful. Her breathing was slightly labored.
"Harry. I don't know about this."
Harry looked down at her and still held her though he loosened his grip a little. "Hermione, I know this is coming out of left field, but I've been thinking about this a lot, a long time."
"Then why tonight? Why now?"
Harry started to have doubts. "Did I overstep my bounds?"
Hermione looked at those eyes and knew she couldn't lie. "No. You didn't overstep anything. I've wanted this a long time too. But I'm not sure I want it on these terms."
"What terms?"
Hermione sighed. "Do you remember the Yule Ball during our fourth year?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"You remember the row that Ron and I had about me going with Victor?"
"Yes?" Harry had no clue what this had to do with anything.
"Harry. Ron had plenty of time before Victor asked me out to be interested in me. To pursue me. To be more than a friend. He only became interested when there was competition. And when that competition went away, he didn't do anything about it, until it threatened to come back again."
Harry shrugged his shoulders "Hermione, we were 14. Dense little boys at the time. Plus, it was Ron, not me."
Hermione bit her lip unsure if she should go on.
"Go ahead, I promise not to bite your head off." Harry coaxed her to continue.
"I'm worried that because William kissed me a few nights ago, and has invited me to the Polo Match on Saturday, that all of a sudden you're now seeing me as more than your best friend."
"That's ridiculous."
"Is it? You know, I was flattered by Ron, but I now know I didn't really have feelings for him either. But at the time, it was very frustrating and sad to be taken for granted and not be as special to him when Victor wasn't around. But it was Ron and not so hard to get over.
"But you, Harry. It's always been much different with you. You have to know that our bonds run deep. We've been through so much together and I treasure that. If tonight is simply because the most eligible muggle bachelor has taken an interest and you want to claim your territory, I don't think that's what I want."
Harry lifted Hermione's chin up. "I believe I deliberately did not say the word muggle in my toast did I? Hermione, I meant me, though somewhat tongue in cheek."
Hermione took Harry's hand with both of hers. "Harry, are you sure? Why now?"
Harry paused. "Hermione, I've been starting to feel this way ever since you said you were leaving London. I think somewhere I always thought, I'll finish my training and Hermione will be with me. I admit I never overtly thought of us being more than friends until a few weeks ago. But I swear to you, it's not just because of William."
"Would you have acted this quickly if he hadn't?"
Harry looked at her. She had him there.
"I'm not sure. You made it pretty clear that you wanted space."
"Harry, you have to know how important you are to me. I am flattered, really. But I don't want you to be interested just because I start to become unattainable." She stepped away. Harry's heart dropped.
"Hermione…"
"I think we should call it a night. I'm pretty tired."
Harry nodded and got up. He put his coat on and walked with Hermione into the hallway. "Hermione, I will say good night, because I don't want you to do anything you're not sure of doing. But know this. My feelings are not because of you being unattainable. Just the opposite. You've been by my side for over 10 years now. Many of those years I've tried to be by your side, but I feel like in the past three with my training, I haven't been there as much as I should have been. I miss you and my feelings are becoming a lot stronger than platonic. I don't think they'll go away if you stop dating the Prince."
Hermione took his hand. "Harry, I hope you're right. But I need to be sure. I… you…" she sighed trying to find the right words. "You know you mean the world to me. I just…it's hard to explain."
"Okay, I'm going. But not without doing this first." and Harry took her in his arms and kissed her again. Hermione wrapped her arms around him and met him just as ferociously as if she was drinking him like the red wine. Reluctantly, Harry raised his head and let her go, a wave of coldness sweeping over him.
"Can I stop by tomorrow?"
Hermione nodded. "Thanks for dinner" she said weakly.
Harry grinned. "My pleasure." And then he disapparated.
Hermione put her head in her hands and shook it. An orange furball purred and rubbed against her leg.
"Oh Crookshanks. What happened to getting away and having a simple year?"
Crookshanks just purred.