Hello my lovelies, VanillaDreamFran is back! I previously uploaded this HP story but lost it a little and couldn't find any inspiration to continue it. But then it hit me (BOOM!) so now I've decided to continue with it. Don't worry to all who are waiting for another chapter of A Ballet of Ice, the next chapter will be uploaded by the end of this week :)

Without further ado, please enjoy DoF!

Disclaimer: I haven't been able to find the rights to Harry Potter or the Princess and the Pauper (which I got my initial inspiration from) on Ebay yet, so they don't belong to me (yet!).

Chapter 1 – One Fine Morning

One late summer's day, just as the seasons were shifting from glorious summer to crisp autumn, a child was born in the back room of a London bookshop. On the 19th September, Jean Granger gave birth to a baby girl. Her husband, Philip Granger, had been quick enough to run for the midwife when he saw his wife collapse from pain in their bookshop's inventory. The baby had a good set of lungs, which she proved by crying as loudly as possible when she first opened her mouth. The Grangers loved their daughter from the moment Jean had announced that she was with child; they had been waiting nine long months to meet their child.

Though the small family worried about caring for the baby girl, they knew that they would be fine in the end. Even if the Grangers were lowly Muggles in society, their bookshop managed to provide them with enough income to support their newly extended family. Muggle and middle class families from all over London came to buy books, magical and otherwise, from the Grangers bookshop. With their respectable reputation they would be able to make sure that their daughter grew up to be a lady of intelligence, wit and manners.

"What shall we name our child?" Philip asked his tired wife as she cradled the baby to her breast.

"Something that's nice, unusual even. How about Hermione? Would you like that child, Hermione?" Jean asked as she stroked her daughter's tuft of brown hair.

The small baby opened her eyes and blinked at her mother's face before turning to stare at her father with fascination. She gurgled and wrapped her tiny hand around one of her mother's fingers, smiling slightly. Philip chuckled at his daughter.

"I think that's a yes Jean. Hermione it is, Hermione Jean Granger."

A few months later on the 17th February, on a day when the snow and ice of winter was still clinging onto the city of London, the cried of a baby could hear coming from the birthing room of Hampton Court Palace. The Queen had given birth to a daughter; a princess. King Xenophilius had been overjoyed when the news arrived of his heir's arrival. He and his wife, Selene, had been the ruling monarchs of the realm for less than a year and they were able to secure their families dynasty with an heir. Xenophilius couldn't care less that his child was a girl; he would be damned if the Council told him, yet again, that a girl was not suited to rule the country when he and his Queen were dead and buried in Westminster.

When the child first opened her eyes the King had gasped. His daughter's eyes were like the snow that was still swirling around the streets of England.

"She's a true winter child, one with nature too with those silver grey eyes of hers." Selene said as she rocked her daughter in her arms. Xenophilius smiled down at his wife and child.

"She's a lunar child as well."

The night the princess had been born the moon had shone high in the sky, full and bright.

"Luna, that'll be our daughter's name, Princess Luna." Selene smiled at her baby as she tried to grab onto the ends of her hair.

Years passed by and the two girls lived their own happy lives, filled with ups and downs along the line. King Xenophilius passed away, leaving the widow Queen Selene to rule over England. The country managed to stay on friendly terms with France and kept their distance from the Spanish Empire. No-one wanted a repeat of the war from The Virgin Queen's reign. Princess Luna grew up with the tales of magical creatures passed onto her by her father, while her mother taught her how to use her magic. Luna was known at court as the English royal that always looked as though she was daydreaming about the weird and wonderful. Those at Hampton Court Palace knew her to be a kind soul. She would take a walk in the gardens everyday to talk with the head gardener, Remus Lupin, and his family and after would visit the stables to check on her mare, Estella, and talk to the stable hand Sirius. The palace staff loved their princess. Whenever any of them saw a flash of dirty blonde waves or eyes the colour of rain clouds they knew she was on another adventure. Usually, of recent years, this involved her dragging her tutor around the palace and the grounds to hunt for rare magical creatures. The staff would chuckle and laugh about it to each other and to the tutor; they all knew that he had affections for the princess and she him, but neither were brave enough to say anything.

Hermione Granger had been through her own tough life too. As a low class Muggle she was teased by the middle class people; those who possessed magic and Squibs alike. As a child her hair had looked like a constant bird nest with it being so bushy, while she had also been teased for being mousy. She was looked down upon by boys and taunted by girls who couldn't understand her love of books and knowledge over her looks. Hermione was most certainly not one for aesthetics and vanity. As she grew older she seemed to blossom. Her hair became more tamed and fell in bronzed brunette waves over her shoulders. Her eyes were hardly ever seen as they were usually hidden behind the latest book that captured her interest, though they were known by few to be the colour of melted chocolate, or so it had been said by her friends and parents. At a young age it had been discovered that Hermione was one of an extremely rare kind of muggle – she possessed magic. People of low class birth and standing who were found to possess magic (recorded as Muggleborns in census' and official tax records and reports) were as rare in England. Very few who possessed magic had children with the low classes of society, it was almost unheard of. Muggleborns were also seen as outcasts in society. Hermione had always been friendless growing up because of this and other reasons, but she had faith that one day someone who accept her for all she was.

However, the lives of these two young women up until 1642 did not matter at the present time. England's revenue was startlingly low and there was no way to bring in more money for the Crown. The only solution had been to agree to marry Princess Luna to the Duke of Wiltshire, the richest man in the realm. The xenophobia the English people had ingrained in them had made the choice of husband for Luna an easy one – no foreigners meant that the people would be happy. But not all were happy with the arrangement.

"Hermione, have you heard the news?"

Hermione looked up from the book she was reading. It was one that her father had recently acquired from a man who'd travelled from the New World. It was the tale that told the story of Thomas Rolfe and his ancestors, the Powhatan tribe of Virginia.

"What news Ginny?" Hermione asked as she placed her finger in between the books pages to save the page she was currently reading.

"The princess is getting married! A royal messenger just left Hogwarts to extend an invitation to Albus. Wouldn't it be amazing to see a royal wedding, we'll have to watch the procession when the day comes."

Hermione only shook her head at her friend. Ginny was one of the few friends that she had and they had almost nothing in common apart from their magic and sense of justice. While Ginny wasn't the typical 17th century girl after living her whole life surrounded by boys, she did like to know the activities of the royal family.

Hermione had slowly become friends with the Weasley daughter after the owner of Hogwarts Manor, Albus Dumbledore, had walked into her parents' bookshop one day two years ago when Hermione was seventeen. He was a regular customer who brought great business to the humble shop situated on Diagon Alley. Only this time, Albus had brought along the whole of the Weasley family with him. Arthur had been overjoyed to finally visit the muggle shop that his employer spoke fondly of. Molly was happy that Albus was treating her family for their long service at Hogwarts. At the time the only Weasley children left at Hogwarts were Ron and Ginny, as Fred and George had recently acquired their own shop at the top of Diagon Alley. It had been successful enough to attract high class business due to their famed fireworks.

Ginny had been employed by the Grangers after they mentioned they were in need to another worker. Though their daughter helped out, she was much more interested in the reading the books herself then selling them. Ron had been flushed for the whole time he was in the bookshop, causing Ginny to tease him to no end. It was quite obvious to all that he had taken a liking to Hermione.

Hermione sighed as she remembered her first encounter with Ginny and her family.

"So funny to watch." She mumbled as she opened up her book again.

"What did you say?" Ginny asked as she stopped talking about the royal wedding and started to find homes for various new books.

"Nothing, just thinking about your family."

"Oh, you mean you're thinking about Ron." Ginny smirked.

"No Ginny. I was remembering the first time we met." Hermione chuckled at her friend and at the memory.

Ginny laughed with her, she too remembering her brother's red face and his stuttering as he tried to say hello to Hermione.

"Oh, by the way, Ron's bringing Harry with him today. He wants to find a new book for the princess' lessons."

"Is it Thursday already?" Hermione groaned as she closed her book again, giving up on it for the day.

Ginny laughed at her friend. It was common knowledge at Hogwarts and on Diagon Alley that Ron would call at the bookshop every Thursday at two o'clock. Hermione dreaded Thursday as it meant that she would have to yet again ward off her friend's advances and tell him, time and again, that she didn't view him as her future husband.

The day went by as usual for the young women in the bookshop. They served customers and made sure the inventory was in correct order all the while talking as friends do about anything and everything. When two o'clock came around the plain wooden door of the shop opened to reveal two young men. One with striking red hair and blue eye with a wide grin on his face, the other with jet black hair and eyes that looked like emeralds. Hermione rolled her eyes as the red head made his way over to her.

"Good day Hermione."

"Good day Ron. How are things up at Hogwarts?" Hermione inquired.

"Same as always, though Mum's in a frenzy about the Princess' wedding announcement." Ron replied.

"Isn't everyone, it's all people seem to be able to talk about today. I find it quite boring though."

"Of course you would Hermione." Ginny called over from behind the inventory room. She poked her around the door frame and smiled when she saw the two men.

"Hello Ron, Harry, how are my brothers today. No problems at Hampton Court Harry?"

Hermione turned to Harry as she heard him sigh. She sent him a sympathetic look and walked over to him, setting the tower of books she'd been carrying on the front counter.

"Oh Harry." She said as she pulled the man into a hug.

Harry stiffened for a moment, still not used to friendly female affections after eleven years of Molly Weasley's mothering, before he relaxed in her arms. Hermione felt Harry wrap his arms around her waist. Though they both knew that it was highly improper for a young man and women to hug in public, or show much affection at all, they still did so. No one was in the bookshop and the low classes and most middle classes wouldn't have thought anything scandalous of them either. It was clear to Hermione that the man with brilliant green eyes was upset about the princess' engagement to another.

"Hey, what do you two think you're doing." an angry voice said from behind Hermione.

The young woman let go of Harry at turned to see a red faced Ron staring at them.

"I'm giving our friend some comfort Ron. Harry is clearly not happy about Princess Luna's engagement."

"And?! What about me and my feelings. You can hug Harry and not me?"

Hermione bristled with magic, her hair lifting slightly as if it was floating in water, and sparks were evident in her brown eyes.

"Goodness Ron, you really do have the emotional range of a teaspoon. And I've only ever seen them at the markets!"

Ginny was glaring at her brother too when she punched his arm, not even bothering to draw out her wand from her dress pocket.

"You imbecile Ron! Now you're made her mad."

Ron turned to snarl at his little sister for hitting him when he heard a crackling that could only be associated with magic. Ron slowly turned his gaze back to Hermione and whimpered slightly. Harry just looked on in amazement. Even though he'd been around magic for the past eleven years it never ceased to amaze him, especially when it came to Hermione's magic. As a Muggleborn, she wasn't supposed to have strong magic, let along magic at all, but she was proving right now that she was probably as magically able as Harry, maybe even Albus.

The next minute, the door of the bookshop had been blown of its hinges and thrust into the alley. A thumping sound was heard and a shriek as the door landed in the alley and unfortunately on top of someone. As Hermione's magic subsided she gasped at the damage she'd done. A cry hit her ears and she ran out the doorway, closely followed by her friends. Underneath the bookshop laid a person, a young woman to be more specific.

"Oh no, that's Lavender! Ron, come help me now, we need to get the door off her legs." Hermione instructed.

The Granger girl couldn't believe that she'd done that to her neighbour. Lavender Brown had lived next door to her as long as they both had lived. She was the only person to stop teasing her, even becoming her friend. Though she was a typical 17th century woman, she was fun to talk to or the visit the markets with.

"Lavender, are you okay? I'm so sorry, I'm so very sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you." Hermione rambled as she and Ron managed to levitate the broken door off of her legs. Lavender's pale pink dress was ripped at the hem but she looked rather fine for someone who'd had a door crash into her.

"Hermione, what happened? I was coming to the shop when the door hit me."

"I…um…I got a little angry at my friend here. I'm really am truly sorry Lavender." Hermione further apologised as Ron helped Lavender to her feet. It didn't work as such since she stumbled and fell into Ron.

"Whoa there Lavender." Ginny said as she came to Hermione's side.

"Thank you, sir." Lavender mumbled as she looked up at Ron, a blush gracing her cheeks. Harry chuckled as Ron's face also coloured.

"I have a feeling that Ron shan't be bothering you so much in the future Hermione." Harry whispered to his friend as he continued to chuckle at Ron. Hermione and Ginny joined him.

Once Lavender, with the help of Ron, had made it back to her home, Ginny and Hermione decided to lock up the shop for the day.

"Are you sure you don't want any help with the door Hermione? I'm sure Mum won't mind me being a little late getting back home."

"No thank you Ginny, I'll be fine. And in any case, you have to get back to Hogwarts to tell your mother all about Ron and Lavender." Hermione chuckled as she turned back to examine to damaged door and door frame.

"Fine, I'll see you tomorrow morning Hermione." Ginny called over her shoulder as she walked up Diagon Alley to Fred and George's shop. She'd be able to floo home from her brothers' home at the back of their shop. Hermione smiled as she watched her friend walk off before she plucked her wand from her dress pocket, trying to determine how to best fix the damage she'd created. Her family may be of low standing but that didn't mean that they couldn't afford decent clothing. Hermione seemed to live in the dress she wore. It was a simple teal dress that was made from fabric that had been accidently mixed with both natural green and blue dyes. The lacing was simple and showed off her curves without the need for the bum rolls and rib crushing corsets that nobles deemed fashionable for some bizarre reason.

At last Hermione lifted her wand and flicked her wrist, repairing the door with a simply Reparo. If she had had any Strengthening solution on hand Hermione would have poured a few drops on the wood as an extra defensive measure. Satisfied with her work, Hermione was about to shrink the small table outside the shop that held books that were discounted when a carriage passed her. As a result, dirty water splashed her and turned her beloved teal dress the colour of watered down coffee.

"Hey, watch where you're going!" she shouted at the carriage.

The large wooden travelling box slowed to a halt and the door opened. To Hermione's surprise, a young man with ash blonde hair that almost looked silver in the evening light stepped out of the carriage. Hermione gasped when the man approached her, glaring at her.

"So my carriage did run into something." The man said as he looked over Hermione.

"Pity it didn't do more damage."

Hermione's jaw dropped as the young man smirked at her. She clenched her hand around her wand in her dress pocket, glowering at the man in front of her.

"How can you be so arrogant? It was you and your carriage that splashed me and disturbed me from my work." She stated, her eyes brimming with irritation.

"I do not care about you or your work, woman. I only stepped of my carriage to see whether I caused a lady trouble, though I'd say that you're no lady."

The young man looked Hermione over as he said this, before snapping his fingers as though reaching a consultion and smirking.

"You must be a muggle."

Now Hermione was mad. Not only had he insulted her class but he had stood smirking at her without any apology for causing her some grievance.

"This man is going to have hell to pay if he says one more thing."

"Of course you're a muggle, what with those clothes. Even the middle classes can dress properly."

Hermione placed a hand on her hip and pulled her wand for her pocket, hiding it from the man's view.

"He won't know what hit him."

"I'm ever so sorry for displeasing you with my choice of attire, but I make do with what I have."

The man looked her over a second time, his smirk still present, while his gaze focused on Hermione's hips and chest. Her wet and dirty dress clung to her curves and flaunted them unintentionally.

"Well, at least you are okay to look at."

That was the last straw for Hermione. She drew her wand from behind her back and pointed it at the man's chest. The ten and three quarter inch vine wood wand glowed red at the tip as Hermione's hair bristled for the second time that day. She glared at the blonde haired man before raising her wand and flicking her wrist.

"Expelliamus!" she shouted, sending the man flying back. He landed in a puddle next to his carriage.

"You…You…You wench! How dare you use magic against me! You middle class wench!"

Hermione smirked at the blonde, exactly as he had smirked at her.

"Oh my, you are mistaken, sir. I am a muggle, or more correctly, a Muggleborn."

The man stared at Hermione before he stood up, his cheeks flushed.

"My Lord, we must be one our way." Someone called from inside the carriage making the blonde snarl at the voice. He turned his gaze back to Hermione, and to her great surprise he walked up to her, smirking all the way, and grabbed her wand hand by the wrist. Hermione tried to free her hand but the man's grip was like iron. He pulled her close to him so that his mouth was next to her ear.

"Just be glad that you are pretty, Muggleborn." He growled before releasing his hold on her wrist.

Hermione watched as he stepped back into his carriage and set off again. Hermione's blood was still boiling and the adrenaline she felt from using her magic still coursed throughout her body.

"My name's Hermione, not Muggleborn!" she shouted after the carriage just as it turned out of Diagon Alley. She could just about make out the man's smirk before the he and his carriage disappeared out of sight.

The man in the carriage smirked as he heard the woman who had used magic against him shout after him.

"Hermione. An usual name for a low muggle. But it has a nice ring to it I suppose."

"Are you okay?"

The blonde man looked at the man sitting across from him. He had a dark complexion, cropped black hair and hazel eyes that attracted many women's attention over the years.

"I'm fine." He replied, his smirk disappearing from his face.

The man across from him chuckled as the smirk faded from his companion's face.

"Please enlighten me as to what is so amusing." The blonde said, crossing his arms over his broad chest.

"I just can't believe that the Duke of Wiltshire was beaten by a woman. A Muggleborn woman no less."

The blonde glowered at the other man before a small indiscernible grin flittered across his face. The blonde man had never in all his life had someone argue against him, but for a woman of such low standing to do such a thing? Well, it was refreshing to him.

"My Lord, we shall be arriving at Hampton Court shortly." the carriage driver called down to the two men.

"At last you get to officially meet your bride-to-be."

The blonde gave his companion a look before turning to look out of the carriage window.

"Don't remind me."

So that's it for chapter 1 my dears. I hope you enjoyed reading it as I did writing it :)

To clear up a few things:

Harry and Hermione's hug - during the 17th century (and late into the early 1920's) men and women weren't allowed to show any form of public affection for each other unless they were: married, engaged, betrothed or family members. Even if you were childhood friends or close friends as adults it was deemed improper to even give them a simple hug. That's why Ron reacted so fiercely (that and he fancied Hermione until he saw Lavender).

The royals - if any of you lovelies have read my one-shot The Gates of Hogwarts then you will already know the ins and outs about how and why Xenophilius and his family rule over England. If you haven't read my one-shot I advise that you do, just to help with some of the background for Luna, Harry and the Weasleys.

And I think that's about it for now. I thank you all for daring to click on this story and please drop me a review (I do so love getting them, they're little present for me!)

Til the next chapter, Frances xx :)