Winter Realizations

Summary:

(AU) Lord Harry Potter had everything: the looks, the wealth and the fame. The only problem? He could not seem to find any woman that sees him, not as a celebrity but as a man. Until Lady Hermione Granger comes…

Disclaimer: I don't own HP and it's characters. They all belong to JK Rowling.

Chapter One – A Chance Encounter

December 1860

It was a cold night; the coldest night the town has ever seen. Winds rustling, wolves howling and church bells tolling could be heard in the distance. Townsfolk peer out their windows seeing a handsome carriage pass by heading to Minister Cornelius Fudge's Annual Christmas Ball.

"Ah. Lord Potter has arrived." The smiling face of Cornelius Fudge greeted the young Lord Potter as he stepped out of his carriage. Lord Potter grimaced as he recalled what his father had said.

"Stay away from Fudge, Harry. He's a greedy little bugger that just wants to attract more attention. After all, with a man like you attending his Annual Christmas Ball, he would've surely invited a lot of important people. He would not have wasted this opportunity to flaunt a famous potential 'ally'. Remember son, you are a Potter descended from Godric Gryffindor himself. Everyone wants to have a piece of you."

"Minister Fudge, a pleasant evening." Lord Potter bowed his head to the balding man.

"A wonderful evening to you, Lord Potter. I trust your journey here has not exhausted you?"

"No minister. Everything is fine."

"Well then, shall we go inside?" Fudge indicated to the door in front of them.

Lord Potter nodded and waited for his host to lead the way.

Upon entering the room, Lord Potter noticed a small crowd gathering around the grand staircase directly opposite the entrance. Baron Weasley was apparently waiting for him near the doorway and approached the young lord. "Lord Potter, you came!"

"Of course I did. And please Ronald, you need not be so formal around me in public."

"Oh. Sorry about that. Just got carried away, I guess. Anyway, you see that crowd gathering over there?" Ronald indicated the small gathering at the base of the staircase. "Mum says that the Lady Granger of the House of Ravenclaw has arrived. And that Minister Fudge is throwing this Ball both as a welcoming party and as a celebration for having been successful at making you two attend this Ball."

Harry did hear about Lady Granger's arrival. It was rumoured that she inherited Lady Ravenclaw's powers and intelligence and he was looking forward to meeting her. After hearing of her acceptance to attend the Minister's Ball, he immediately sent his own acceptance, deciding it was best to attend in hopes of getting acquainted with her. While thinking this, he bumped into someone. Harry apologized profusely at the young woman not once looking at her, ashamed at his own behaviour. He knew that a young man should not just walk around unaware of his surroundings. Oh how his father would frown at this!

The woman called his attention and Harry looked up in surprise. "My lord, such a scowl upon you face. Have I displeased you?"

Hearing the comment from the woman, he said, "No my lady, I am not at all displeased at you. I was merely thinking of something dreadful that it was quite hard to keep a scowl from showing upon my face."

The woman smiled, "And here I thought I had done something wrong."

Harry laughed, "No, it wasn't you my lady. It was only my thoughts betraying their emotions."

The woman smiled again, "Well, I shall leave you to your thoughts then. Our short encounter must have taken quite a lot of your time and I do not wish to keep you from enjoying this ball. It was pleasant meeting you my lord. I hope you have a good time." She bowed to him and started to walk away when Harry called out, "Wait!"

The woman turned around eyeing him curiously. "Is anything the matter, my lord?"

Harry grinned and bowed low to her. "I am Lord Harry Potter of the Noble House of Gryffindor and I wish to make your acquaintance tonight, my lady."

The woman curtsied and responded, "And I, my lord, am Lady Hermione Granger of the Noble House of Ravenclaw."

A/N: Hi guys! Thanks for reading this fic! Hope to see again in the next chapter!

Phoenix-ash58

P.S. Reviews are appreciated though flames are not. Thanks!