Chapter 5
The Ball
Harry is … the prince?
The thought ran through Hermione's mind over and over again as she stood before the queen and her counsel. Her allotted week was finished and Hermione was rested and more than anxious to return to her duties. Lying in bed for a week with the occasional visit from Ginny was nice for a time but just ended up being tedious.
"I'm glad that you could all come" started Queen Lily, "I have news of a joyous merit. My son, Prince Harry, has returned from the crusades!"
Harry stepped through a door and the men around him bowed and expressed their joy at his return. Hermione could not help it; her heart fluttered at the sight of him. Her body began to heat up at the memory of his touch, his kiss. She gave her head a slight shake to clear her mind and only then did she realize Harry was standing in front of her.
"It is a pleasure to see you again Hermione" Harry said while lifting her hand and giving it a small kiss.
Oh, his touch
Her eyes fluttered closed for only a moment before she regained her composure, pulled her hand away, not unkindly, and bowed, "Welcome back your highness."
A look of confusion crossed Harry's face but he did not get the chance to speak of his confusion because Hermione turned to the queen and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for my week of rest but now I must continue the job I was brought here for." She bowed and left the hall and didn't stop until she was outside the great doors.
Taking a deep breath she tried to clear her mind. He's the prince. The prince! That's just my luck, to fall in love with someone I can't have.
"Hermione!" she turned to find Harry running towards her. Oh no.
"Hermione, wait. What happened back there?" Harry asked catching up with her.
"I don't know what you mean. If you'll excuse me, your highness, I have a lot of work I have to catch up on." She began to turn away but he caught her arm and turned her to face him.
"That. That's what I mean. Why do you seem so…so distant all of a sudden?" He chanced a glance into her eyes and guessed the reason, "Hermione, just because I'm a prince doesn't mean that we… we can't …" he drifted off.
She looked into his eyes, eyes that had haunted her dreams for months. If she did not do this quickly she would lose all her nerve. It was for the kingdom after all. She had to protect it at all costs.
She covered her hand with his and said, "Harry, we both have duties to the kingdom and I have to put mine ahead of my heart, despite how I might feel. I was brought here to help the kingdom of Gryffindor and that's what I'll do, and then I'll return to my home. You deserve someone who can stay and help you rule, something I can't do."
Harry seemed stunned at first but quickly recovered, "Ginny. I'll let her take the crown, she can rule. I'll lead the armies and we could be together. Please, Hermione don't throw away what we could have." He took both her hands in his but she pulled them away.
"I'm sorry" was all she could manage before she turned and ran through the courtyard. Harry stood there watching his heart run away from him faster and faster. He turned to go back inside when he could no longer see her and headed back to the counsel to take up his former duties.
Watching all this from above was Ron, Ginny, and Queen Lily.
"Oh dear", said Lily. She turned to Ginny, "Dear, perhaps you should have a talk with Hermione after she has some time to herself. And Ronald please help Harry in anyway you can." She turned back to the empty courtyard. "Young love is never easy."
In the months that followed the kingdom, for the most part, returned to a peace that they had not known for years. There were the occasional skirmishes with a death eater or two but no attack was as great as the final battle. While it did scare some that Voldemort had kept so quiet ever since his last attack failed, the rest of the people tried to return to their normal lives.
Farms were once again built and the town market was once again up and running. The only difference was that most of the homes were kept close to the castle and the market was held in the castle's large entrance courtyard instead of near the outer villages where it used to be held.
Hermione was kept busy throughout all the rebuilding. She helped as much as she could with erecting houses and plowing fields. She also kept up with her warrior training from Ron and some of the other guards; she did not believe Voldemort was being quiet because he had given up. Everyday she practiced her swordplay and archery so her skills could improve, and also, so she could avoid Harry.
Though Harry was busy as well with catching up with his affairs of state and dealing with the problems of the kingdom he still somehow was able to find Hermione and talk with her for a few minutes. He always seemed to find her and she could not figure out how. The worst part was, every time she avoided one of these conversations her heart broke a little more.
It was becoming painful to even think about Harry because all she wanted to do was kiss him again, taste him again. But she knew she never could, he was a prince, and she was in no way a princess. She wouldn't be right for the kingdom; they needed someone who is prim and proper, not a warrior that would someday leave for her own world.
Oh Harry
Hermione was headed up to her room to relax after an intense bout of sword and knife play with Ron, when Ginny found her with news that made Hermione's stomach churn.
"A ball?!" Hermione stared at her friend in disbelief.
"Yes, mother decided it was time to really celebrate our triumphs and to let the entire Kingdom know Harry has returned. I actually haven't seen her that often; she's been so busy with planning this ball that I think she might go insane and not even make it to the actual ball!" Ginny laughed. Hermione gave a slight chuckle. She fell back onto her bed as Ginny went to the window.
"So… Harry is going to be there then?" Hermione asked her friend. Avoiding him had been her one defense and now she had to give it up.
Ginny looked over at Hermione and smiled, "Of course he's going to be there. Hermione, you can't avoid him forever." Hermione looked surprise and this made Ginny laugh, "Don't act so shocked everybody can tell. You won't spend five seconds in the same room with him. Hermione, why won't you let yourself love him, he's a kind, intelligent man, even though he can act a bit foolish at times." They shared a chuckle, "He loves you, and I know you can see it. You're all he talks about and all he thinks about, and I know you love him too, so why won't you tell him?"
Hermione rose and went to the window. Looking down into the busy square she tried to collect her thoughts. "I want to Ginny, I really want to but….. I'm not staying. You know that, I don't really belong here. Make no mistake, I do love it here but this is not my home, not really. And if I loved him, I mean really loved him, then wouldn't I want to stay, stay and be with him more than I want to go home?" She turned to her friend. Ginny looked at Hermione for a second before giving her a hug which Hermione returned with much emotion.
Pulling apart Ginny gave Hermione's hand a light squeeze and asked, "Shall I tell my mother that you've taken ill and can not attend?"
Hermione looked at her friend and then to her ceiling. She knew she was going to regret this later, "No, no. I'll attend but only to make sure that the security is well done and to make sure that you, your mother, and Harry are in no danger."
Ginny smiled at her friend and gave her another hug. "I'll have a dress brought up in one moment; I think you'll love it."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "I can't wait"
What am I doing this again?
Hermione looked at herself in the mirror across from her. She did not dress up often but when she did she had to admit that she cleaned up very nicely. Her hair was laid straight down with a few curls framing her face with only the barest touch of make up adorning her face. The dress Ginny had given her was an item of beauty; a deep purple hue with gold embroidering on the trim. She filled it out well enough, letting her curves show in all the right places. She also belted on a long knife in an ornate sheath so as to keep a weapon with her at all times.
A knock came at the door. "Come in" Hermione called out and in walked Ginny. Ginny looked more like a princess than every before in her gold dress with even more gold embroidering all over. Her hair was curled completely so that it bounced as she laughed and the make up that was on her skin only accentuated the beauty Hermione already knew her friend possessed.
"You look beautiful, Ginny" Hermione smiled.
"And you look amazing Hermione. I hope the lord's wives attend with them, they'll have to restrain their husbands." This caused Hermione to give a bark of laughter.
"I don't think so Ginny, I'm pretty but in no way a beauty." Now it was Ginny's turn to laugh.
"Hermione, I don't know if you've seen yourself but you look absolutely stunning, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
"Thanks Ginny." Ginny took her friends arm and together they headed down to the grand ball room.
Ginny had to, of course, enter with the queen so Hermione took the time to check with the guards and make sure that there were no areas that were not watched. After reassuring herself she actually began to think this would not be such a bad party.
"Thank you all for coming", Queen Lily began. Standing on the podium with her daughter they looked the most regal that Hermione could ever remember seeing them as. "This celebration has been long overdue, so tonight let us not worry about our enemies, or the past, or even the future. Let us rejoice in our victories and the return to our former glory, let the ball begin!"
Applause and cheers were sounded and the orchestra began with a rather fast past song and the dance floor quickly became occupied. The merriment that was sounded throughout the hall did everybody's heart good, finally they could laugh and sing and dance without fear that someone would plunge a sword through their back.
Hermione decided to enjoy the evening and danced a few times with Ron, once with a knight named Neville, and of course one with Dumbledore. As Dumbledore spun her around the room Hermione thought
This is as good a time as any.
"Professor, I'm curious. Have my duties been fulfilled? Does the need for me no longer exist?" She looked in the wise man's eyes and he gave a slight smile.
"Are you tired of all of us already? Have you grown bored of this land?" He smiled at her shocked face and chuckled as she replied
"Oh no, no professor. I didn't mean anything like that. I love it here; this is the most amazing place I've ever been. And I adore everyone here, it's just… I was wondering if I might ever reach home."
He led her off the dance floor and toward a balcony off to the side. The cool air was a relief but the expression on Dumbledore's face made Hermione feel slightly anxious.
"Hermione, it took a lot of power to bring you here and only a few of us have recovered. You'll notice that during the final battle we were not much help. I promise you, you will be able to go home, even if I have to use every last ounce of magic I possess, if that is what you truly want."
"Of course I want to go home, wouldn't you, professor?" she asked.
"It would depend on where me home was exactly, or rather where my heart lay." He looked down at her and caught her gaze for a second before she turned away.
Guessing that she no longer wished to talk he wished her a good and happy evening and went back inside. Hermione stayed on the balcony looking over the gardens, letting the cool air tease her hair, and tried to collect her thoughts.
"You look beautiful," a soft voice said behind her, breaking her out of her thoughts. She turned to find Harry standing there and she gasped. One word came to mind as her eyes looked him up and down.
Handsome
"Thank you, you look quite fine yourself." She turned herself back towards the garden, avoiding his gaze. She heard his footsteps walking toward her but refused to turn. If she gazed into those enchanting emerald eyes she didn't know if she could walk away again.
"Hermione, please look at me." He whispered in her ear. She took a step closer to the stone railing and continued to look out into the night. Then he did something she was not expecting but welcomed greatly.
His arms encircled her waist.
She let out a small gasp as the feeling of his arms around her. Oh, she had missed his embrace. Unconsciously, she covered his arms with her own.
"Please" he whispered once more in her ear before kissing the lobe. Again a treacherous gasp was sounded and she cursed her heart, beating loud enough for the guests inside to hear. He nuzzled her cheek with his own and she savored the feel of him against her. Harry did another unexpected action and kissed her neck. This time no gasp was sounded but a slight moan was released.
Oh, his kiss!
She had missed his lips with great fervor and found that she was not able to resist. Immobilized by her passion and desire she did not turn to meet him but released an occasional small moan as his lips traveled up and down her neck. Wherever his lips were placed her skin felt as if it was on fire; she could not have enjoyed the sensation more if she tried. Hermione tilted her head so he could have more access which he took advantage of. Harry began a trail of kisses starting from her ear traveling all the way down to her shoulder. Each kiss held a little longer than the last and his arms held her tighter than before, afraid she would runaway. Hermione found herself brimming with desire and turned her head so she could meet his gaze.
"Hermione" Harry said barely above a whisper. She leaned toward his lips as his were drawn to hers. A mere breath apart, a word spoken would have them touch, and--
"I would now like to present my son, Prince Harry!" Queen Lily's voice rang out followed by the cheers of the crowd. It was these sounds that broke the spell that the two shared. Hermione withdrew her head and said quietly,
"They're calling you…..Your Highness." She withdrew from his embrace all together and stepped away.
Harry held out his hand to her, "Hermione, no, please stay." He looked crushed, but she couldn't stay, her tears were too close.
"I'm sorry" She said and ran. She composed herself as she walked through the ball room, stopping to talk to no one as she tried to make it through the doors only to be stopped by Ginny.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" Her friend asked concerned.
Shaking her head, Hermione replied, "Nothing Ginny, I'm just not feeling well, I'm going to retire for the night. Please ask your mother for my forgiveness and I shall be better tomorrow."
Before Ginny could say another word, Hermione fled from the room, not taking a second to look back. She did not stop until she reached her room where she barreled inside, fell onto her bed, and cried out the pieces of her heart.
***********Author's Note************
The shock of seeing so many reviews for one of my chapters and the little inspiration that was left over caused me to grind out this chapter. I hope it agrees with all of you. I would like to comment right now that I know there are about a thousand and one grammar mistakes but I honestly can't fix them because I didn't pay attention in elementary school. Well there's always college. Again hope you enjoyed it and I have something for all of you; 3 words that pertain to my next chapter.
Waterfall
Fantasies
Desires
Rating may go up!
I need one more review to upload Chapter 6, I'll take anything, just show me someone out there cares!
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