Sorry for the delay, been sick and had a lot of revising that I kept doing.

Thanks to those who commented, faved and followed.

Disclaimer: As always, don't own.

Chapter 2: Insanity

"I beg your pardon?" Hermione stared at the prince before her. Surely he was joking.

"I don't wish to repeat myself peasant, but since you're hard of hearing. I said you will be my mistress," he smugly replied.

"I am no one's mistress."

"Are you denying my claim?"

"I don't love you."

Draco gave a deep laugh. "I assure you, this has nothing to do with love."

"Then why?"

"Pure fascination."

Hermione didn't understand what that meant. Had he never been in a peasant's presence before? As far as she knew peasants were the least bit interesting. They led boring lives, one where their main objective was to please their king. Something Hermione was not interested in. Though she didn't hate her kingdom, she also didn't have any love for it either.

"I have nothing to offer you," Hermione replied, hoping to deter whatever crazy idea her prince had for her. She had a home and friends to look after; they needed her more than he certainly did. Besides, he was a prince; surely he had whatever he could ever desire and more.

"I think I shall be the judge of that," he stated, mounting his horse, making her have to stare upwards to keep him in view. He looking down on her wasn't lost on her; she was quite aware who was in charge. All the same though, her frustrations were clear as day, and the deep breath she took prevented her from spewing out what she really wanted to say, no doubt something insulting.

Perhaps a different way could persuade him.

"Your highness," Hermione smiled sweetly. "I am sure there must be a lady at the castle who captures your interest. And if I'm not mistaken you are due to get married sometime soon. I doubt you would want to spoil your family's reputation by mingling with such a low life peasant such as myself."

Draco just grinned at her.

"What is your name?"

"What?"

Rolling his eyes he replied, "Your name? Or did you forget it being in my great presence."

Hermione gritted her teeth. What a pompous arse! "Hermione Granger, your Highness."

"Well Ms. Granger, I would like to have you as my mistress, or would you deny your prince?" He raised a brow, testing her.

Hermione stared at him. Not sure how to respond. To deny him would not look good, and truthfully any woman in her position would be more than happy to take him up on this offer. But she wasn't any woman, and she knew what this offer meant. It would mean giving up more than she would gain. A luxurious life it might be, she still didn't wish it. And to be with a man who would never love her and always be second at that. It was insane.

"There must be something that you want?"

"What?" Hermione gazed up at him confused.

"Is there something that you would want? In exchange for being my mistress?"

Something that she would want? He couldn't be serious. The only thing that she wanted was for him to retract his request!

"Luxurious gowns made of silk? The finest food you ever tasted? Money for your family?" Draco offered.

"You mean the price for giving up my freedom?" Hermione mumbled looking away.

Draco stared at her frowning. Is that how she saw it? Did none of those things entice her? Living as a peasant couldn't be that grand, could it?

"I didn't mean to insinuate that you would be my sla-"

"But that's exactly what I would be, wouldn't I?" Hermione interrupted, glancing at him once again. "I would be at your beck and call and do as you please."

"I suppose so." Draco nodded slowly. He was perplexed by her hesitancy. Didn't she know what an honor this was for her – her family? Most women would kill for this opportunity. She should be grateful for what he was offering her – a peasant no less! Most mistresses were of royalty themselves.

"I want protection."

Her announcement jerked him out of his thoughts. He was shocked to say the least, not because of what she asked but because she negotiating which meant she would possibly give in.

"You wish for protection?" He looked at her for a moment. "There are guards all around the castle, you will be safe."

Hermione shook her head. "Protection for the town, not me."

He stared at her dumbfounded. "For the town?"

"Yes," she gritted out, annoyed at him. "We've been having bandits come through since winter. They take our food, the little money that we have, and even hurt those that stand up to them."

"I will address the issue with my father."

Hermione scoffed. "Your father has no love for peasants."

"I assure you, once my father knows of the situation he'll-"

"He already knows. Like I said this has been happening for a while now. We had already sent a messenger to tell the King of these events and yet no action has been taken. Do we honestly mean nothing to you? Are we that disposable?" Hermione questioned; her intense brown eyes bore into his gray ones.

He stared back unwaveringly. It was no secret that his father disliked peasants. They were just a necessity, people who did the farming and cooking and whatever else his father requested of them. But did he feel the same? He grew up thinking he was better than everyone else, he was royalty, and next in line for the throne after all. But could he see himself disposing the woman before him as easily as his father could?

No, he couldn't because unlike everyone else, she had a heart. Caring about everyone but herself.

"Your Highness, me and Zabini have been looking everywhere for you. Your father won't be pleased you left the castle grounds."

Draco moved his eyes from Hermione, grateful for the interruption. He stared at the 7 men before him that rode on horses, their armor glistening in the sunlight. The leader of the group scowled at him through green eyes. None too pleased from the looks of it.

"Sorry about that Potter," Draco grinned. "But you know how my parents are, had to get away for a bit."

"Of course, your Highness," Potter mumbled, not amused in the least bit. The last thing he needed was for the king to have his head because he lost his son. The sound of shuffled grass drew his attention to the woman before his prince.

The first thing he noticed about her was her curly mane. Her doe eyes stared at him curiously. Potter never seen his prince willingly put himself in a peasants company.

A scream broke out, causing all their attention to shift. Hermione turned towards the town, already having an inkling of what was happening.

"Oh no," she whispered. "It's the bandits." She turned to Draco, pleadingly.

Draco merely glanced at her before giving his personal guard a look.

Potter nodded, understanding completely, before barking orders at his fellow knights, instructing them to head to the town.

Hermione watched them take off, grateful for their assistance. An outstretched hand appeared in her peripheral.

"Shall we?" Draco offered, and was pleased that she placed her hand in his without fuss. He easily lifted her off the ground, as if she weighed nothing, and gently placed her behind him. Once her arms wrapped around his torso, he took off on his horse, following Potter.

They reached the town in no time. Draco quickly took in his surroundings. A few pots and crates were destroyed. Along with baskets of food spilled all over the ground.

"You stupid wench, I said two baskets of apples and peaches, not no damn cucumbers." One of the bandits yelled at a woman, her 2 children stood off to the side, shaking and scared.

Before Draco could step in, Potter appeared and drew his sword on the man.

"If you value your life, I suggest you step away from the woman," Potter threatened, his blade up to the bandits neck. Even from the distance, Draco could see the man gulp nervously, slowly backing away from the woman. He smirked at the frightened man. He was only 1 of the 6 bandits that Draco could account for. His attention caught the sight of one dragging a young woman by her wrist, none too gently.

"Let me go!"

"Oi! You're a feisty one, aren't you?" The bandit grinned, flashing yellow and uneven teeth. It was repulsive really.

The movement of his horse alerted Draco to Hermione slipping off. Draco cursed quietly, having a feeling that she was about to get herself into trouble.

"Millie! Let her go you stupid git!" Hermione stood before the bandit and young woman.

"Move it wench!"

"I will not." Hermione insisted. Her eyes stared daggers into her opponents, not even flinching. The bandit not taking too kindly being told no, and by a woman no less, scowled at her. His grin long forgotten.

Before she could react, Hermione felt the sting to her cheek, her face slightly turned. She grimaced at the pain, and yet still held her position. Unwavering.

She glared at the bandit. The bandit was getting ready to strike again, but the blade to his neck stopped him. The owner of the blade held it none too gently, even nicking him a bit.

"Who do the hell do you think yo-"

The bandit stopped midsentence once he caught sight of the person who held his life in their hands. He glanced at the emblem on the man's tunic before looking into flashing gray eyes.

"Y-y-your Highness," the bandit stammered, fear reflecting in his eyes. All the bandits seemed to freeze at the announcement. Though most were already shaking from being round up by Potter's men.

Draco dug the blade a little deeper, taking satisfaction in the whimper the man let out as blood slowly seeped down his neck.

"Touch this woman again and I'll have your head," he gritted out dangerously. He glanced at Hermione to see that her cheek was already bruising, as well as a busted lip. The young woman behind her stared at him shocked. She looked no more than 16. Merlin! And to think what this scum had in store for her. Draco felt himself shake with anger and disgust.

He glanced around at the rest of the bandits who were wide-eyed and scared. Good.

"If anyone dares to threaten this town again, there deaths will be slow and painful," Draco announced loud and clear for everyone to hear, especially the bandits.

"Don't be scared men, they're outnumbered," a voice shouted out. Draco turned his head to see a man walking up from the opposite side of town. He had another 4 members with him, making them 11 bandits in total. Draco smirked, not the least bit afraid. Outnumbered they may be, but they didn't have the skill him and his subjects had, that he was sure of.

"Oi Griff, I don't want to die." The man beneath Draco's blade screeched out, the rest of the bandits nodded their head in agreement as well.

"Don't be such a coward, Clay," Griff glowered at his fellow comrade. Draco stared behind the man known as Griff and grimaced. Griff seemed to notice and mistakenly took that as Draco being scared. "See men, even our high and mighty prince is a coward. He knows when he's been bested." Griff grinned not noticing the shadow that appeared above him.

"And how would you like your death to be?" The voice boomed above Griff. Griff slowly turned around to see at least 30 men on their horses, with the king himself leading the hoard.

Griff quickly dropped to his knees bowing, though it seemed more like begging. "Your Majesty," he stumbled out. "Forgive me, I-"

"Silence." Lucius interrupted. "Did you not just threaten to kill your prince?" Lucius demanded to know.

Griff paled. "I-I-" He stuttered, not having an answer.

Lucius turned to one of the guards. "Take him away." He turned his attention to the rest of the bandits. "Would any of you like to join him?" At the shake of their heads he smirked. "Just as I thought. Out of my sight. Now!"

The bandits scrambled to their feet, anxious to get away. Draco loosened his sword on the bandit he held, he watched him take off but not before giving him a menacing glare.

"Draco," his father said. "Home, now!" His father ordered before taking off, most of the other guards taking off as well.

Draco rolled his eyes at his father's back, knowing he was in for an argument when he returned. He shot a look at Hermione as she comforted the girl she threw herself in harm's way to protect.

"Potter, Zabini," he requested, looking at the man who showed up with his father. "Leave a few men behind to patrol the area."

They both nodded at the command, already giving orders to their men.

Draco ignored the intense gaze he felt Hermione giving him. He wasn't doing it because it was the right thing to do; he was doing it because it's what she wanted, at least that's what he repeatedly told himself. But as he glanced at the girl behind Hermione who now sported a bruise on her wrist from her manhandling, and stared at the woman who now comforted her two children, he felt himself swallowing the lump in his throat.

"I accept," Hermione broke his concentration. "I'll be your mistress."

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