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: I'm sorry that it's taken so long to update this story. I like to have a chapter written ahead of the one I post, and Ch. 8 is taking much longer than expected. I'm afraid my updates will be taking longer in the next few weeks - I have travel for my dad's surgery and holidays. Thanks for all your wonderful comments and feedback. As you'll see, Hermione's not easily convinced by one night (but don't worry too much, this is Portkey!).
Chapter 7
The next day found Hermione at the library, throwing herself into her research as much as possible. She had been very restless the night before, constantly waging the inner battle of her heart reveling in the memory of Harry's kiss and then scolding herself for being so naïve and foolish.
Distracted by her own thoughts, she made the mistake of leaving her flat through her front door and being met by a sea of photographers. Even though she kept her hat down and kept stating "no comment", she was not left alone until she entered the University commons, which was a press free zone thanks to William.
How could she have been so foolish not to put memory and privacy charms up before now?
Hermione sighed, and gathered the books she had been using that morning on the Culdees. There was nothing dark about monks who lived a simple life of devotion and faith. The monks angle must have been simply a diversion on the part of the death eaters.
Returning the texts to the research desk, she asked to be directed to the restricted section that dealt with the history of the Scottish royalty, and was escorted to a small shelf of texts.
"Is this it then?" Hermione asked disappointedly.
"Yes ma'am, it's not really our specialty here. You would be better off working in Edinburgh for the best resources" the librarian explained.
Hermione lit up, "really, I'm to be there on Monday!"
The librarian smiled at Hermione's excitement, and then took the time to give Hermione a list of various libraries and museums that were recommended. Hermione thanked him, and then selected an older text titled The Plot Against Darnley and returned to her table.
"Reading up on the family history I see?"
Hermione looked up to see Prince William grinning down at her. She smiled but looked at him quizzically. "Family history?"
"Lord Darnley and Queen Mary are the parents of James I, my ancestor. Why the interest?"
Hermione gawked. "I.. uh…"
William raised an eyebrow and continued to await Hermione's explanation.
"Well, I guess you've caught me. I got completely bored by my research on the Culdees and am procrastinating working on my thesis by reading something much more interesting."
"Well, I can see how research could be quite boring, though I admit I tend to procrastinate in other ways than reading another book. Are you a registered student here?"
"No, no, I'm just using the facilities to work on my research project."
"You know, I didn't catch your profession the other night. Are you a professor?"
"Um, no, more of a paralegal type."
"A paralegal? Are you studying for the bar?"
Hermione started to feel boxed in. "No, actually I really hated my job, and felt like I needed a year away to get a better sense of what I wanted to do when I grew up."
"And where are you getting away from?"
"Well, I was working in London. Mum and Dad are dentists in Sussex." Hermione hoped that these were all generic enough answers for the Prince.
She must have looked uncomfortable enough because the Prince immediately changed his tact. "I'm so sorry, here I am asking you 20 questions and I haven't properly said hello." He took a seat next to her. "It is a wonderful surprise to see you here." He smiled and Hermione felt herself blush again.
"Well it's a wonderful surprise to see you here too. What brings you here?"
"I have an essay for geography due on Monday that I won't have time for over the weekend. I was hoping to finish it this afternoon."
"Really, how nice to know someone who plans to finish their homework ahead of their sports schedule!" Hermione replied cheekily and was immediately horrified. I just said that to the Prince?
"Yes, well, I've learned quickly that a little thing like turning a paper in late is completely blown out of proportion when your grandmother is the Queen. I've found being prepared keeps me out of the radar range, so to speak."
"Yes, Har… a good friend of mine had a similar problem." Hermione couldn't believe how easily she almost blew her cover with the handsome monarch. So much for being undercover.
William merely looked at her questioningly, but luckily didn't ask for more details. "Listen, there are a number of us getting together this evening for a Polo pre-party at a friend's house. Would you like to join us?"
"Tonight? Sure that would be lovely." Hermione grinned momentarily, but then remembered her experience in the morning. "I'm afraid that the press have already found me out though. They seem to be pretty thick on my trail."
William frowned. "I'm very sorry about that. I know that the Sun has been particularly nasty since we banned them from official photo shoots. I would understand if you don't want to come."
"No, I do, I just don't want to bring them unintentionally to your party."
"Don't worry about it, why don't I have someone from the squad pick you up tonight and we'll clear them out. The press office has worked pretty hard to have them leave my friends alone, you shouldn't have to suffer because you're new."
"Who would pick me up?" Hermione asked.
The Prince shrugged. "I'm not sure, whoever is on duty."
Hermione relaxed. She knew Harry was not on duty, so he wouldn't be around. She could enjoy herself alone, without his presence, so she could enjoy William and his friends without her heart being distracted.
"I'd love to. What time?"
"I'll have someone call for you at 9?"
"Sounds great!" Hermione beamed.
* * * * * *
"Harry. I know she's your best friend, but this was to be an undercover operation. The Daily Prophet has it all over the front page, its only a matter of time before they know you're in town as well, and then we'd may as well give it up."
Kingsley Shacklebolt's head was in the small fireplace in Harry's flat. His expression was very stern as Harry started to pace in front of him.
"It's not that unusual for me to be with Hermione is it? I could just be visiting a friend on holiday, right?"
Shacklebolt sighed. "Harry, that may work for the Daily Prophet, but do you think that the Death Eaters are going to buy that?"
"Well, come on, they were going to recognize me here if they're truly after the Prince anyway? It's not like I'm not well known in the Dark Universe!" Harry was getting exasperated. How did they think he was truly going to be undercover without being detected by wizards. Muggles were one thing, wizards a completely different story.
Harry continued as Shacklebolt said nothing, "Listen, Hermione's offered to help. From the way things look, she's going to be able to get closer to the Prince than I can, and her research skills are amazing, you know that. I think she can get us some good information that we can run with it."
Kingsley continued to frown. "Potter, I know she's Hermione. I know she's the brightest witch in a generation. But you were the one trained as an auror, and she's got to be careful out there."
"Believe me I know."
Kingsley sighed "Okay, what else."
"What about Palladin? What can you tell me?" Harry hadn't bought Joe's summary of Rhys, especially since he was able to charm him about Hermione so easily.
"We're still finding the references in question. Australia and Botswana aren't right around the corner you know."
"I'm aware, that's why I continue to be worried."
"Listen, you need to get Hermione out of the limelight as much as possible. Any chance she's not interested in our man?" Kingsley inquired.
Harry thought back to the night before. She had kissed him back quite intensely. "I'm not sure, but I'll do my best to convince her." He smiled.
"You do that. Okay Potter, lets see how you get out of this one. I'll be in touch."
And with that Kingsley Shacklebolt disappeared into the flames of Harry's fireplace with a pop.
* * * * * * *
As William promised, a Royal Protection Squad member called upon Hermione and drove her to the party. While she kept her eyes averted, she did notice that the crowd of photographers seemed to be further away and not as close to the flat.
The polo party was held at a larger mansion on the outskirts of town, the home of a cousin of one of the team members she was told.
When Hermione first entered the house, she felt completely overwhelmed. Here she was alone, where she really knew very few people and no one well.
Time for that Gryffndor bravery she thought, pasted a smile on her face and entered the main room.
As her eyes scanned the room, they caught Kate Middleton, who smiled immediately and came up to Hermione with some other women. Hermione recognized Anna Sloan, but the other women hadn't been at the pub the other night.
"Hello, Hermione! William mentioned you were coming tonight." Kate smiled at Hermione and motioned her to follow her to another smaller room. "You remember Anna from the other night. This is Sarah and Alison." She introduced the other ladies who merely nodded at Hermione.
"Hello." Hermione smiled "Thanks for saving me in there." she confessed to Kate. "This is all a bit unexpected, I'm afraid."
Kate smiled knowingly. "Yes, it can be that way when you become friends with a very famous person. Especially, when that has never been your thing."
Hermione's hairs were raised. How could she know?
Kate must have noticed Hermione's concern "Hermione, I'm not suggesting anything about you. I'm merely commenting on my own experience. It's not easy being friends with a man who the British media is anxious to marry off, regardless of whether I have any interest in him that way or not."
Hermione immediately felt a warmth and understanding with Kate that she knew she could never explain. "I appreciate that Kate. I really do."
"Hermione, we hope you don't mind us asking you over here, away from the chaps do you?" Anna was now talking and motioning to a waiter near by. He came over and took their drink order.
Hermione smiled "No, not at all, I'm very glad to spend time with you all."
"Well, we wanted to get to know you better. And that very handsome chap who was with William. I don't believe we've seen him before." Anna continued. "You went to school together?"
Hermione nodded, not quite sure where this was going.
"And where was that?" this time Sarah asked.
"Well, um, actually it's a very small school in the far northern part of Scotland. I'm afraid it's not very well known." Hermione stalled.
"You don't sound as if you're from Scotland?" Kate asked.
"I'm not. My parents live in Sussex, and I've been in London since school ended."
"How would you end up at a 'not well known' school in the northern part of Scotland all the way from Sussex?" asked Anna.
"It's a bit of a long story, I'm afraid. Nothing really that interesting." Hermione continued to stall. "What about you? What had you all choose to be at St. Andrews?"
Kate began "well, I'm studying History of Art…" but she was interrupted by Anna.
"Oh Hermione, we know about us - but we know nothing about you. We're very interested, because it's seeming very clear that William is also interested."
Hermione started to protest…"oh, I don't really know about that."
Anna wouldn't give up. "We do. And we want to make sure that not just anyone thinks they can get to William."
Hermione's cheeks burned and her fighting spirit kicked in as she started to get up. "I am not trying to 'get to" William. He invited me here and I merely accepted his invitation. Just as I'm not fussed by him being Prince, I expect that he will not be fussed about whether or not I went to the right school or have the right parents."
Kate laughed. "Point to Hermione!" Hermione confusedly looked at her. "Anna, back down. The poor girl wanders into a pub, sees an old school chap, and now within a few days finds herself being interrogated by both the press and you. Not that you would understand, but this isn't something with which most people are willing to put up."
Kate then looked up at Hermione. "Please Hermione, don't leave. I know from our conversation the other night you're too far intelligent to be another bird after Wills' fame and fortune. Please forgive these 'ladies', I'm afraid they've had too many of these already tonight." Kate handed Hermione a lemon drop martini as the waiter had arrived with their drinks.
Hermione gladly took the drink from her new ally and tried to make light of the situation. "Sorry Kate, Anna, I'm afraid you hit a nerve there. I'm a bit of an independent sort you could say."
"Yes, you could!" Kate laughed though Anna still looked uncertain. Sarah and Alison had already lost interest in the conversation, having been distracted by the din coming from the other corner of the room. Hermione's eyes followed them to a group of men - one who was particularly older than the others singing rather loudly:
'Cause the Old Black Rum's got a hold nf me
Like a dog wrapped round my leg
And the old black rums' got a hold on me
Will I live for another day
HEY! (the men joined in)
Will I live for another day
By this point the ladies had all stopped talking and started laughing. "Who is that?" Hermione sipped her martini and giggled.
"The Polo Coach, I'm afraid" Kate smirked "Mr. Hallett."
Hermione recognized that Fergus, Rhys and William were also with Mr. Hallett. William saw Hermione across the hall - smiled and waved and came over to her side of the room.
"Hello there! So glad you could join us!" William gave Hermione a big hug and then wrapped one arm around her and the other around Kate. "Kate giving you a hard time?" he raised one eye.
"Just the opposite, she's saving me from making a complete fool of myself." Hermione smiled gratefully at Kate and wondered how she really felt about Prince William. There had been so much speculation in the muggle press.
William surveyed the half empty glasses on the table with mock suspicion. "From the look of things, looks like your keeping up with us well."
"I've only had one!" both women protested at the same time.
William smiled. "Well then, you need more" and with that he beckoned the waiter over.
William didn't leave Hermione's side the rest of the party, and she felt quite warm and overwhelmed by the attention. That and those lemon drops were quite yummy.
At about midnight, William murmured into Hermione's ear "I'm afraid that I'm going to need to call it a night with the match and such. May I see you home again?"
Hermione beamed up at William. "That would be lovely."
"I'll have someone get your wrap and we'll have the driver take us. Stay right here."
Hermione wouldn't have moved anywhere at that instant, her head buzzed with attention and alcohol.
* * * * * * * * *
Harry had been walking around the St. Andrews neighborhood where William's house, Hermione's flat and his own place was. Very quietly, he could be heard saying Obliviate as he placed memory charms for the photographers to suddenly remember an urgent meeting as they came close to Hermione's. He also placed a few around William's, just in case.
Then he apparated into Hermione's flat, so he could begin work on convincing Hermione that he really did care about her, and she shouldn't be fancying William. He wasn't sure exactly how he would go about doing that, but he had to try.
The apartment was completely dark and Harry quickly realized that Hermione wasn't home yet.
"That's odd." he silently mused. "She said she'd be here."
He quickly scouted the apartment - there was no sign of a fight, forced entry any type of magic. It did seem as if Hermione had prepared to go out. And Crookshanks lazily made his way over the Harry and began to purr against his leg.
"I guess it's alright." And he headed to the kitchen to wait for Hermione to get home.
Just as he was turning on the kitchen light, he heard the door open. But before he could turn around and go out to the entryway, he was stopped cold by a male voice.
"Well, this is a nice small flat." It was William. Harry panicked. Hermione would hex him back to London if she knew he was here. He immediately fled for the back porch, where he could still hear through the opened window.
"Is it too late to have a little tea with me?" Hermione asked.
"I think I could be convinced." Harry felt extremely uncomfortable as there was a long silence before they entered the kitchen.
"Hmmm.. that's odd." Hermione stated as they entered.
"What's that."
"I could have sworn I turned off all the lights." She placed the kettle on the stove. "I guess I forgot."
"Hermione."
"Hmm…"
William reached behind her and turned off the flame. "I think I know something other than having tea that I'd rather do." And with that he pulled her into his arms and started to kiss her again.
Harry didn't dare breathe or move, lest Hermione hear him. Even if he were to apparate, she would detect the pop - she was that good. Of course right now, he bitterly thought, she was a little distracted. Okay more than a little.
How could she kiss him after last night?
Finally the two broke for air. Hermione sighed and said "I guess you'll have to go rest for the big match."
"Well… being with you has restored a great deal of my energy." William smiled, "But since the entourage awaits outside, I guess I'll very reluctantly call it a night."
Hermione and William walked out of the kitchen and with that Harry took his queue to apparate off the back porch and back to his own dark, lonely flat.