Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING BUT THE PLOT!!
~ Ok, here is Ch. 8........... ok please don't kill me, BUT.. the H/Hr meeting couldn'tfit in this but i swear they will in the next chapter!!! That is a promise. I already have Ch. 9 written, and I will update, if not this evening, tomorrow... not sure yet.... depends on my reviews :P
BUT I must say, the reviews have been AWESOME!!! THANK YOU READERS FOR YOUR COMMENTS!!!! You truly made my day!!!
Oh and about the way they speak... yes I know that it doesn't meet with the time period set, but think of it as anachronistic! Please, it gets too hard to monitor what/ how they say! Sorry for this, and I hope it doesn't take away from the story for you!!
Now, on with the story.....
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Chapter Eight: The Night Before…
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"But Hermione," started Ginny. "Are you gonna still go through with this? The wedding I mean?"
She nodded to Ginny and looked away.
Hermione was now biting her tongue. A week had passed since then and it was now the night before the wedding. She and her family had just arrived at Hogwarts Castle a few hours earlier; they were going to stay the night in the Castle, due to the wedding the next day. Hermione was now sitting in her elaborate room in the west wing of the Castle.
She was staring at her wedding dress that now hung elegantly upon a manikin before her. It was so beautiful; she detested it! Sighing, she through herself onto the bed behind her. She felt exhausted. She had spent the last week fighting with her parents over this wedding, she wasn't ready yet.
She and her parents had left Gryffindor the day after the meeting with the King. It seemed Harry had arrived that same night, though he and Hermione had missed each other. In a way, Hermione seemed disappointed. She wanted to meet Harry prior to the wedding. He had been off on an assignment for his father with Serenity and Mr. Weasley's son, Ron.
As Hermione lay on her bed staring up at the ceiling, a knock was heard at her door. Sitting up, she called for them to enter.
"Good evening, Your Highness," said the voice in the doorway. Hermione smiled to see the two young women standing at her door. Serenity and Ginny.
"What are you two doing here?" asked Hermione, a large smile upon her face. Serenity and Ginny walked over to where the Princess sat upon her bed.
"We just arrived from Gryffindor." Ginny told the Princess.
"Just now? All of you?" Hermione asked. The two nodded.
"Hey, Hermione," started Serenity. "What d'ya say we take a little stroll around the Castle?"
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The three girls wondered the Castle halls speaking of everything. Serenity told Hermione of the letter she had received a week ago, telling of the arrival of Li. By the looks of it, Hermione seemed to know this Li, or of him, and seemed happy for Serenity. Apparently, Li hadn't arrived yet, but was coming soon, Serenity told them.
They continued to laugh and joke as they went on, until the subject strangely reverted back to the wedding. Suddenly Hermione had nothing to say, and had no interest in speaking as well. They walked in silence for a little while, each trying to think of something interesting to steer the conversation towards when, unexpectedly, Hermione spoke.
"So, Harry, where is he?" she asked. Serenity looked over at her.
"Now?" she asked. "He should be in his room, with Ron and he twins. Why?"
"Oh, no reason," Hermione said at first. Then she added, "Well, truthfully, I was kinda hoping to see him, before the wedding that is." Serenity smiled at her. "I'd like to know who it is I'm marrying before I go ahead and marry him, ya know!"
"Well," started Serenity. "You do know it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding." Serenity smiled as Hermione huffed.
"Oh, honestly," said Hermione. "That is only on the day of the wedding, Serenity! Besides, I don't believe in such nonsense."
"Sorry, sweetie," smiled Serenity. "No can do." Hermione let out a shriek of annoyance.
"Oh come on, Serenity," replied Hermione. "Please,"
XXX
Evening had set upon Hogwarts Castle as Harry and the others settled into their rooms.
"Hey, wasn't Serenity just in here? And where did Ginny go?" asked Ron. He and the twins were in the middle of a game the twins had just invented, a game similar to Jacks, where you through a ball in the air and try to catch each galleon before the ball falls to the floor. The only twist in this game was that if the ball falls before you catch it, it'll explodes, taking all galleons with it. This game was ingeniously named Blaster Ball, and Ron had lost seven galleons already and singed the hair on his arm, and wasn't very happy.
"I don't know," said Harry in a far-away tone. His wasn't paying full attention to his best friend at the moment; his mind was focused too hard upon something else… this marriage. He wasn't ready yet!
He had given up on arguing with his father by now. One thing he knew was that his father was a stubborn as he, and wouldn't budge once he had made a decision. Harry had done everything in his power to delay the wedding, but failed miserably. When he found out that his father and King Richard had upped the wedding, Harry lost all hold of his emotions - he and his father had not been on speaking terms since.
Harry sighed as he looked out upon the glassy black lake outside his window. He felt he needed to get away. He looked back upon his friends and then averted his attention to the uniform he was to wear tomorrow. It was the traditional suit of the Prince of Gryffindor. Elaborate and detailed, it was astounding in itself; and he detested it! Running his hand through his hair, he quietly exited his room, wanting only to be alone for a while.
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"I can't believe I let you talk me into this!" exclaimed Serenity. She and the other two girls, Ginny and Hermione, were standing outside the door to Prince Harry's room.
"Yea well," started Hermione. "I really do appreciate it." Ginny giggled as Serenity rolled her eyes. "Come on, I just want to talk to him a bit. Get to know him a little."
Serenity sighed and knocked slightly upon the door. At first there was no answer, but as Serenity knocked for the second time the door opened to reveal a tall, chestnut haired man. He too had messy hair similar to Harry's, but his eyes were deep amber. His face was highly attractive but held a powerful sort of look to it - as if wisdom and mystery had swirled and become one. Although, one look at Serenity seemed to soften his features, arousing a hidden side to himself, and a soft smile spread across his face.
"Li!" exclaimed Serenity at the sight of him. Immediately she jumped into his arms. Her weight balanced upon her tip-toes due to his height. He gently wrapped his arms around her protectively as they embraced.
"Serenity," he said, his voice was smooth and deep. "Serenity, where've you been?" She pulled back slightly, a look of annoyance plastered upon her soft features.
"Where have I been? Where were you? You sent me that letter a week ago!" she told him. As he explained, Hermione looked over to Ginny.
"I take it that's Li." Hermione stated. Ginny nodded.
"Yep."
Hermione was watching Li. Apparently it seemed that as quickly as they had seen this other side to Li, it also disappeared just as fast. Serenity didn't seem to notice, perhaps used to it, but Li had lost the endearing look on his face almost as soon as she had started to question him. Hermione would have believed it not to have been there in the beginning had it not been for the look in his eyes. No matter how tough he seemed to be on the surface, Hermione could still see the look in his eyes, a look of total adoration for the one in his arms.
Hermione, for some reason unexpectedly, began to feel a little envious. Here before her eyes were two people who obviously loved each other very much, so why was she the one who was stuck in this arranged marriage? Why couldn't that be her, in the arms of someone whom she loved? Why wasn't fate as kind to her?
'What am I thinking?' she thought. 'I should be happy for her, not envying her!' Hermione suddenly felt very ashamed of herself.
"So, where's Harry?" asked Serenity. Her voice brought Hermione crashing back to reality. Hermione looked to Serenity and then to Li.
"I don't know," he said. "I was hoping you could tell me that." Serenity seemed shocked.
"You mean he isn't here? Does Ron know where he is?" she asked.
"No, I don't," came Ron's voice from behind. "Fred, George and I were just sitting here playing Blaster Ball, when all of a sudden, Harry was gone." Ron walked up to the door and paused. He looked at Hermione for a moment then to Serenity. "Serenity, what is Princess Hermione doing here?"
"I just thought it would be nice to introduce the two before the wedding." Serenity said calmly.
"Intro-" stammered Ron, "You do know what the King would do if he knew about this, right?"
"Yes, Ron," said Serenity calmly. "I know exactly what the King would do."
"Then what is she-"
"Oh Ron, shut up for a minute would ya?" exclaimed Ginny. "If you were about to get married to a girl you've never spoken to in your life tomorrow, wouldn't you chance a meeting with her?" Ginny waited for Ron to answer; when none came she gave him a knowing look. "See, I thought so."
"Listen, Serenity," came Hermione's voice. "Maybe it would be best if I just returned to my room. I've waited this long to meet Harry, another day wouldn't hurt, I guess." Hermione turned to leave when Serenity caught her arm.
"Hang on," she said. "Ginny and I will walk you back."
XXX
Harry stood upon the banks of the Hogwarts lake. He watched as its black waters splashed softly upon the shore. He thought of his father just then. He remembered how different he had been while Harry was young. He was so full of life! So full of laughter!
He remembered how his father used to sit with him upon the roof of the Gryffindor watch tower, and teach him all of the pranks he used to pull while in school. Harry even remembered the little black book that his father used to use to teach Harry. Within the book held all of the spells, their effects and the correct way to use them. Every spell worth using was in there, each ranked with little black stars at the side.
Harry smiled at the memories. He and his father were so close at one time. What was happening?
"Harry?"
Harry turned around to see a cloaked figure walking up behind him. Squinting, Harry recognized the figure to be none other than his father, the King.
"Harry, what are you doing out here?" Harry remained silent for a minute.
"I just needed to think," he told the King curtly. His father walked up beside Harry, their reflections swam in the black waters before them, and Harry was amused to see just how much he resembled James.
"I'm glad to see we are on speaking terms again." King James said. Harry just rolled his eyes and turned away.
"Harry," James began. "I understand you're mad, but I want you to know I never-"
"Father, please," interrupted Harry. "I don't really care to discuss the wedding tomorrow." King James sighed and nodded.
"Very well," replied the King. He didn't know what to say to him, their relationship seemed to have taken a different course in the past year or so, and it killed James. 'What are we doing wrong?' James turned to leave. "Good night son."
"Good night," said Harry as he turned to his father. "You're Majesty."
XXX
~ Wow, ok next chapter… I SWEAR THEY MEET!! Sorry, I was trying to get to the wedding as fast as I could!!! Well I hope you liked it, and I hope you like the next chapter!!!
~Silver_Magick131