Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING BUT THE PLOT!!
~Well I hope you like this chapter…it is the continuation of chapter 6, but it was too long so I split it...lol…way too detailed! Sorry for those who like longer chapters... I will start to make them longer if you wish. Thank you all....
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Chapter Seven: A WEEK?!?!
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When the sun had reached its peak in the afternoon sky, news of Hogwarts and its intruders was buzzing throughout the streets of the Four Kingdoms. Hermione had spent the whole morning in her father's study, trying to figure out how someone could have broken into Hogwarts! Hogwarts was the safest place in the world for a wizard, how could this be?
"Was anybody hurt?" asked the Queen.
"No Charlotte," said the King. "Thankfully, no. The students are a little shaken up, but nothing serious." Hermione sat in the study listening. She wasn't in the mood to speak. What did this mean? Were the rumors true then?
Just then, a large Eagle owl flew into the room. King Richard knew exactly to whom it belonged, getting quite acquainted with the animal and its owner. Hermione stared at the bird in awe. It was beautiful.
"Father, who is that from?" she asked. Her father removed the scroll from the owl and beckoned for one of the servants to feed it as well. The use of house-elves was banned in Ravenclaw due to Hermione's persistence, for she had moved to make a law that the use of house-elves without pay be forbidden. At the time, she was 16, now two years later, the law was in effect and all house-elves that remained in Ravenclaw were paid a salary. This meant not many house-elves remained in Ravenclaw, because many house-elves saw pay as an insult. Hermione never really understood why the house-elves enjoyed servitude, but could never argue with them, for she always lost.
"It's from King James," said the King. "He wants to set up a meeting with King Amos and me next week." King Richard looked to his wife and daughter. "It concerns more security issues."
"Father, may I go with you?" asked Hermione. Her father shook his head.
"No, dear," he said. "I would prefer you stay here, in the palace, where it is safe. If anything happened to you, I'd never forgive myself." Hermione understood, though wasn't too happy at his answer.
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That evening, Hermione watched as her father prepared to leave. He would be leaving later on that night, so he could arrive in Gryffindor by early morning.
"Good luck, father." Hermione told him.
"Thank you, dear." He kissed her softly on the forehead before turning to his wife. "I love you," he said. "Both of you."
"We love you too." Queen Charlotte replied. "Be careful." He kissed her hand and smiled.
"Don't worry about me," said the King. He turned and entered his carriage. As the carriage began to pull away, the King waved good-bye. Hermione didn't know why, but something inside her just didn't seem right.
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The moon shone alone in the sky as the King's carriage pulled through Ravenclaw's countryside. It was early in the morning, a few hours passed midnight perhaps, and not a single sound was heard other than the sound of the carriage wheels. The King was worried slightly at what news he was to hear from King James. His letter seemed quite urgent, and he called on both himself and King Amos. It must be serious! Thought the King. What could it be?
They were nearing the Gryffindor border now. He had ordered the carriage driver and his guards to take a secluded route to Gryffindor, a route closest to the palace of the King. The sun still hadn't risen yet, though the sky was gradually getting lighter near the horizon. Dawn was approaching. King Richard had just begun to doze off a little when suddenly a flash of white light shot past the carriage window. The King heard a sickening thud and a cry erupt from where the driver had been. King Richard went to stick his head out of the window to see what was happening, but thought against it. He could hear the strange cackle of a woman as the attackers fought with the King's guards.
The King reached for his wand immediately and was about to emerge from the carriage, when one of his men told him to remain inside.
"We have placed a protective charm around the carriage, with the help of the Princess. Please Sire, do not emerge!" yelled the guard.
"I will not stay here and hide while you loose your lives!" yelled the King. Another flash of purple light flashed before the door, and when the King went to open the door, it wouldn't budge. "What did you do?"
"It's for your own safety, Sire," the other said. King Richard tried unlocking the door with various spells he knew, but nothing worked. The King pulled back the curtains to the carriage as a blast of light shot his way.
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"Father!" yelled Hermione as she awoke with a start. She was sweating and her breath ragged. What a horrible dream! Hermione thought. She tried to calm her breathing but to no avail. Standing up, Hermione walked over towards the water basin in her room and splashed her face with cool water. Why can't I shake this feeling? Hermione thought.
Hermione wandered within the castle, allowing her feet to take her where they pleased. Soon she found her self standing before the double doors of her father's study. Pushing them open, she found her mother surrounded by a dozen guards and Aurors. By the look on her face, her mother was distraught.
"Mother?" asked Hermione, getting worried. The same feeling that hadn't left her since her dream seemed to intensify. "What happened?" No body answered. Hermione looked into the faces of the others in the study, suddenly knowing what happened. Her face went pale and her heart began to race, silent tears falling down her face. "Where is he? Where is my father?"
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Hermione had been frantic when she learned of the attack on her father. All she cared to know was where her father was at the moment. It seemed that, when the carriage was attacked, a group of nearby Aurors assisted in capturing the attackers. Three Death Eaters they were, a woman and two men, but the only name she knew of was a Bellatrix Lestrange, her husband and another man were also with her. Hermione was relieved to know that her father was alive and safe, now being cared for at the Gryffindor palace. It appeared that the charm she and the guards placed upon the carriage worked, although the King was hurt, it was nothing serious.
"Please mother, please let me go and see him!" begged the Princess. Hermione had been begging her mother to grant her passage to Gryffindor to see her father for hours now. Queen Charlotte refused to allow her daughter go, after what happened to her husband, the Queen was quite uneasy concerning any travel. It was after much begging and pleading and smooth talking that finally changed the Queen's mind.
"Alright, Hermione, you and I shall set out tomorrow at first light to Gryffindor." That night the Queen sent a letter to both King James and to the Head of the Auror Department, Rufus Scrimgeor. A safe passage was made for the royals to travel, heavily guarded and protected.
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When Hermione and her mother made it to Gryffindor, they immediately were lead to where King Richard lay.
"Oh, Richard!" cried Queen Charlotte when she saw her husband. She ran to his side immediately. Thankfully his were not serious, though he was hit rather hard in the chest by a curse when trying to escape the scene.
"I am alright dear," he told his wife. "Really, I am fine." Hermione sat beside her father, not willing to leave his side for a moment.
"What happened to the attackers?" Hermione asked.
"They are being sent to Azkaban as we speak," came a voice from the doorway. It was King James. "I sincerely apologize for all of this, Your Highnesses, we are seeing to the King with utmost care and concern," said the King. "But there are some important issues we must discuss, if that is no problem with you, I'd like to discuss them as soon as possible."
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King Richard was wheeled into James' study just shortly after. Queen Lily was also present, along with Lady Sapphire, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Rufus Scrimgeor, and King Amos of Hufflepuff along with his son Cedric. Harry seemed to be missing.
"It seems young Harry hasn't arrived yet," commented King Richard. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Ah, no," said King James. "Harry and a few Aurors are off in southern Gryffindor. Harry is appearing on my behalf, seeing as I was unable to make it." Hermione knew that her father was hoping to introduce the two of them together. She felt the heat rise in her cheeks, and she refused to grant either of them eye contact.
Later on that evening, when the meeting was coming to a close, King Amos stood.
"Your Majesties, if I may, I will take my leave now," he told them. "It is late, and a long road awaits my son and me. I wish you all a good and safe night." With that, King Amos beckoned his men to leave.
"And please, say hello to Prince Harry for me," added Prince Cedric, and they were gone. King James sighed and sat within his large chair once more.
"What a long day," he murmured, rubbing his temples. There was still more he had to discuss, though privately with King Richard.
"Richard, I suppose now is as good as ever to discuss the wedding." King James said. Richard nodded in agreement.
"Yes I believe it is."
"Well, I was thinking, with all that is going on, perhaps a sooner wedding would be better? Instead of waiting a fortnight, possibly a week would be best." James stated. James could tell the King was in agreement, though looking over at the Princess, he knew that wasn't the case. She seemed shocked at the news.
'A WEEK?' she thought. 'They want me to get married in a WEEK!!' She was furious. 'They are all insane!' She wanted to scream out and object. She wanted to yell at the Kings at the top of her voice. She wanted to throw something all of a sudden, but before she could have done anything, she heard her father.
"Yes, I believe that would be the best thing to do." The King seemed somber, but Hermione could tell he had made up his mind. Hermione looked to the two Queens in the room. Queen Charlotte seemed totally shocked, while Queen Lily was fuming!
"And what about Harry? Or Hermione? James, aren't you going to discuss this with them? After all they are the ones who are your pawns in this ridiculous game!" screeched the Queen. Hermione felt a huge surge of admiration for the Queen at the moment. Finally, someone else who felt the same as she.
James looked over at Hermione. He knew she was angry, for she was sending the same daggers as Harry would be sending had he been present. He thought of what he should say, suddenly he felt ashamed at what he was doing, but before he could say anything, Hermione spoke.
"It's alright, Your Majesties." Hermione said. "You do what you must, I shall just be outside, in the garden I think. Please, carry on with out me." And with that, Hermione excused herself from the study.
She needed to get out of that room, she needed to breath! As she walked around in the beautiful gardens, all that was running through her head was the fact that she might be married in a week.
"How can they expect me to get married in a week? A fortnight was hard enough on me, but a week!" cried Hermione.
"A week, huh?"
Hermione spun around at the sound of the voice. Behind Hermione, sitting on a bench beside a beautiful waterfall fountain was a little redheaded girl.
"Ginny?" called Hermione. She walked over to the girl and was pleased to see that it was indeed Ginny. Hermione knew the girl very well, not only had they gone to school together, but she also visited the school quite often with her father, Mr. Weasley. "Oh my gosh, how are you Ginny?"
"Great. You?" Ginny smiled at the Princess. Hermione sat herself beside Ginny on the bench.
"Just great Ginny!" she said, sarcasm dripping with every word she spoke. "Oh, by the way, I have been meaning to give you an invitation to my wedding next week. I am looking so forward to this!"
Ginny giggled at Hermione's antics.
"But you know Hermione, Harry really isn't that bad." Ginny told her. "He's really sweet. And he'd never hurt anybody. He's a sweetheart, really." Hermione scoffed.
"Oh really?" Hermione retorted. "So, I suppose all those pranks he and his friends pulled all over Hogwarts were just sweet gifts gone bad, huh?" Ginny giggled again.
"You can't really blame all that on Harry, you must remember, my twin brothers were influencing him. Around them, even a saint wouldn't refuse their gags." Hermione smiled. "But really, what is this about a week? Did they really up the wedding to nest week?"
Hermione let out a sigh, she didn't want to have to remember anything about that stupid contract. By the look on Hermione's face, Ginny knew the answer to her question.
"Oh my God! No way!" exclaimed Ginny. "Oh, Harry is gonna kill them!"
"Harry's gonna kill them? I'm about ready to hex my father into next September for all I care." Hermione cried.
"So, what happened?" asked Ginny. Ginny listened quietly as Hermione told her everything. "Well if there's one thing you can count on, it's that Aunt Lily sure is ripping into them right now, brutally!" Hermione laughed.
"I must say I do admire her!" Hermione said.
"Who doesn't! She's awesome! But Hermione," started Ginny. "Are you gonna still go through with this? The wedding I mean?"
Hermione knew the answer though she didn't want to say it. She nodded to Ginny and looked away towards the waterfall. She didn't want to, but she knew it was her duty, and she'd never back out from it.
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Ok this was page 12 of chapter 6! I will post chapter 8 soon......
Sorry guys! Hope you liked it……it was kinda dull…
Silver_Magick131