Disclaimer: I don't own HP or any of these characters. That belongs to JKR, Scholastic Books, Warner Brothers, etc. This is just something to pass the time while waiting for the next book.
Chapter Two : Promises
A dazzlingly smile broke out on his face at her reply. "Excellent," Lord Potter said. "I . . . I . . . I thank you." He kissed her hand. "And now, you must forgive me. I have to leave. I have some preparations I must attend to." He bowed to her and strode off.
Hermione stood there for several minutes. What she thought had happened . . . it could not have happened. It was impossible. Finally, she deduced that he was not serious. He could not be serious. He was merely teasing her . . . or perhaps setting up a prank on someone else . . . and that was it. Still confused at why he would single her out, she went back into the room and began to search for Ginny.
"Let us go home," she said upon finding Ginny.
"Why? Did something happen?" the young witch asked. "No one could hear a thing, because—"
"Yes, I know. I taught him that charm back at Hogwarts," Hermione said. "But I am tired, and I have a headache . . . and I would very much like to get back home."
"Very well then," Ginny said. "Don't think that I shan't ask again in the morning what happened."
"At least by then, I should have a better grasp on it myself," Hermione replied.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When she awoke the next morning, she had figured it out.
It had been a joke.
It must have been Ron's idea, as she couldn't imagine why Lord Potter would want to target her. Ron, on the other hand, probably thought it would be exceedingly funny to make her think that she had managed to get engaged, as her parents wished. Of course, he could not come himself as that would tip her off, but if he sent his best friend – well, then she would not have a single suspicion. Fortunately, she had not babbled to anyone about it and had salvaged her dignity. That didn't mean she wasn't going to do something about it though.
She was going to kill Ron when she saw him again.
Then she was going to tell Ginny and Mrs. Weasley what he had done and let them have a go at him.
Hermione nodded sharply to herself, pleased that she had come up with a suitable revenge so quickly. Noticing that it was approaching noon, she quickly got up and got dressed, not wanting to miss a meal, after having not eaten much last night. Hermione had just begun her daily wrestle with her hair when a loud knocking on her door interrupted her.
"Who is it?" she called out.
"It's me," came Ginny's reply. "My father said that you are to come to his study immediately."
"What for?" she asked.
"I know not why," Ginny replied. She paused before continuing. "Though I would think you would know better than I."
Her curiosity roused, Hermione quickly twisted her hair into a bun. She was not perfectly presentable, but she decided speed was of the essence as Ginny had made it sound important. She trotted downstairs and turned into the corridor that housed Mr. Weasley's study. She knocked on the door, only entering after Mr. Weasley said, "Come in."
Hermione was shocked to see Harry Potter sitting across from Mr. Weasley.
"Hermione," Mr. Weasley began. "Lord Potter here has just told me that he asked for your hand in marriage last night . . . and that you accepted. Is this true?"
"I . . ." Hermione stammered. She had not expected to face this today. She had thought Lord Potter would already be on his way back to France to tell Ron how well the prank had went. "I thought it was just a—" she began. But then she caught sight of his eyes. He looked yearningly at her, his eyes full of desperation and hope. She knew then that it had been no joke. She knew then that he had meant it when he had asked for her hand, and that he was intending to go through with the marriage, for whatever reasons he had. She also knew that part of him expected her to rebut him, though it would almost kill him to hear her say no after her acceptance of last night.
And she would not do that to him.
She swallowed. "I thought it was just a dream," she said meekly.
Once again, that brilliant smile – that could make the sun seem dark – appeared on his face. "I am sorry. I can see why since I was not prepared." He rose from his seat and walked over to her. "Seeing as I did not have this with me last night." He gently took her left hand in his and slid on a ring.
"It is lovely," she said, not knowing what else to say.
"Not as lovely as you," he said, kissing her cheek.
"If you both wish to get married, then you have my approval," Mr. Weasley said, standing up. "As you know, Hermione's parents have authorized me to function as her guardian in the Wizarding world. Still I must write to them to let them know of the good news." He smiled kindly at the young couple in the room. "So if you will excuse me, I will leave you alone so I can write that letter." With that, he left, leaving Hermione alone with her fiancé.
"Three months is a very long time," Lord Potter said.
"It is," Hermione agreed. Half of her was still in shock that he would want to marry her, while the other half was trying to figure out why he would want to do so.
"I could get a dispensation if you like. . ."
"Yes, that would be good," Hermione replied automatically.
"So when . . .?"
"When?" Hermione repeated dumbly, before realizing he was asking when they should hold their wedding. She blushed furiously at the thought of actually getting married and all that it entailed. "I . . . suppose that a month would be a good compromise," she said, still embarrassed at her train of thought. "That would be enough time to arrange everything, I think. But oh! I must tell Mrs. Weasley so we can start!"
"A month it is then," he said. "I shall post the announcement right away." He paused, as if considering his next words. "May I see you again tonight?" he asked.
"Yes, yes, of course," Hermione replied hurriedly. "Though . . . I do not know what our plans are."
"Would you mind seeing a play? I have my own box, you see, and so we could go see A Winter's Tale tonight," he explained. "Would you like that?"
"Yes, very much," she said.
"Excellent," he said. There was another one of those pauses then, when they were both silent as if they were not sure of what they should do in such a situation. The silence was almost unbearable, when Lord Potter suddenly leaned in and kissed her.
Hermione kissed him back, her mouth eagerly opening to his questing tongue, her arms coming up around to embrace him as he reached down to hold her. She had never felt anything like this . . . so warm, so needy, and yet so loved. She did not want to kiss to end, and he was the one to pull away.
"That is enough for now," he said, smiling once more. "Otherwise, a month will seem too long." He set her down, leading her to wonder just when had he lifted her up. "I will see you tonight," he promised. Bowing, he took his leave of her.
Ginny was waiting to pounce on her once she exited the study.
"I am very vexed with you!" she exclaimed. "How could you not tell me that you got engaged last night? Am I not your best friend?"
"You are, you are," Hermione reassured her. "I was a tad confused last night, that is all."
"That does not explain why you did not tell me this morning. You could have told me about your engagement when I came to get you earlier."
"I . . . do we have to have this conversation here?" Hermione asked. "In the hallway?"
"Why not? 'Tis perfectly safe from any eavesdroppers," Ginny replied.
"It matters not. You will not get another word out of me until I am safely ensconced in my room," Hermione insisted.
"Be that way then," Ginny said. She lunged for Hermione's arm and started to drag her upstairs. "If you are going to be like that, then we will bloody well go to your room!"
"Ginny! Your language!" Hermione exclaimed.
"And here I thought I would not hear another word from you until we were in your room," Ginny remarked sardonically.
"You're just lucky."
"I would say that you are the lucky one," said Ginny. Reaching Hermione's room, she pulled open the door and shoved her friend in. "After all, you are the one who is engaged. And not to just anyone, but to Harry Potter! You never told me there was anything between you!"
"There wasn't!"
"Oh, there must have been, considering how he headed straight towards you last night." Ginny sat on Hermione's bed, eager to continue questioning her best friend. "He did not dance with anyone else, you know, and he left the ball after he had finished speaking to you on that balcony. Was that when he proposed? Or did that happen at Hogwarts?"
"How could he have proposed at Hogwarts? You were almost always there whenever he and I spoke. And if not you or your brother, then somebody else," Hermione reminded her.
"But there is that rumor . . . of a secret door connecting the rooms of the Head Boy and the Head Girl 'Tis said that is why sometimes Head Girls have married their respective Head Boys, right after they've finished with Hogwarts," Ginny replied. She choked on her laughter. "And usually, none too soon, as their first child is born only a few months after the wedding."
"Ginny!" Hermione gasped, shocked at what Ginny had implied. She decided it would be best to ignore that part of her friend's conversation, and speak to the less embarrassing portion. "There is no such passage, I tell you. Or at least, if there is one, I never learned of it," Hermione said. "And may I remind you that it has been almost two years since I attended Hogwarts?"
"I hadn't forgotten about that. I thought perhaps you two had a secret engagement, and that you wrote to him to say that it was now or never, and that was why he had come to London so abruptly."
"Ginny," Hermione said slowly, "I think you have been putting too much thought into this."
"I would say that it is the opposite, as I never imagined this would happen at all," Ginny replied. She clasped her hands together excitedly. "And here I thought you were so opposed to even the idea of marriage! Yet, here you are, only a . . . when are you getting married?"
"In a month."
"You two cannot wait, I see," Ginny said. "This is so romantic."
"You are being uncharacteristically silly right now," Hermione said harshly.
"Only you, Hermione Granger, could be completely detached by your impending nuptials," Ginny complained.
"I am not! If you must know, I am dreadfully concerned about why . . ."
"Don't start a sentence like that and not finish it! You are worried about what?"
"About why he bothered to ask me," Hermione confessed. "Especially when he could have any witch he wanted."
"Have you considered the possibility that he asked you because he wants to marry you?" Ginny suggested, lying down on Hermione's bed and propping up her chin with her hands.
"No, that possibility never crossed my mind. The only reason I can come up with is that this is a cruel joke, fashioned by your brother and any day now, I will be made to look a fool," Hermione said.
"No, it cannot be a joke," Ginny said. "First off, my brother would not do that. Not if he knows what is good for him. Besides, Harry is not that type of a person. He has always been kinder to me than some of my own brothers. He would not do that to you."
"If not that, then why?" Hermione all but wailed.
"For such a bright witch, you can be a dunce at times. I would say that he asked you because he loves you."
"Impossible," Hermione scoffed. "I barely know him. He barely knows me. We never had any time to fall in love with each other."
"If you think you need time to fall in love with a person, Hermione, you . . . well, you should rethink that," Ginny said, shaking her head sadly. "All it takes is one perfect moment for you to realize that you have found the one for you."
"It sounds as if you speak from experience," Hermione noted.
"I don't. I have not fallen in love yet . . . my fancies have always been passing. But when Mother has told me stories about how she first met my father . . . about how she knew then and there that he was the one . . . and so I know it must be true," Ginny finished, sighing whimsically. "And so I think that is what must have happened between you two, and that is why he asked you, and you said yes."
"I never said I loved him, " Hermione objected.
"Then why did you say yes?"
"Last night . . . because I was not expecting it. As for this morning . . ." She paused to consider her answer. "I do not know why. I . . . I did not want to say no and—"
"And she says she's not in love," Ginny muttered under her breath. "Perhaps you should consider why you acted more thoroughly, instead of only pondering the reasons behind his actions," she said aloud. "When will you two meet again?"
"Tonight," Hermione answered. "He has offered to take us to see A Winter's Tale, and I accepted." She paused. "I hope we did not have any other plans?" she asked timidly.
"No, we did not. Not tonight or tomorrow night," Ginny said. "If he made you forget that . . . "
"He did not make me forget that," Hermione said, with a toss of her head. "It was all the circumstances surrounding this morning's events."
"If you say so," Ginny said. "But if you ask me . . . the lady doth protest too much, I fear."
"That is from the wrong play," Hermione sniffed. "I did tell you which one we are seeing, did I not?"
"You did," Ginny said. "And enough of this. I can see that you have made up your mind to be stubborn. It will become clear to you in time. In the meantime, let's decide what you will wear this evening!" She eagerly leapt from the bed and made her way to Hermione's closet. Pulling out a gown, she said, "I think that this deep blue would suit you perfectly tonight."
Hermione sighed as she gazed at the gown her friend was holding out for her to consider. It was going to be a long day.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
That evening, not only did they attend the play by using Lord Potter's box, they used his carriage to get to the theatre as well. His carriage had arrived merely minutes before their own Muggle carriage was to be called to transport them there. There was a brief spatter of apologies, as Hermione realized that she had forgotten to discuss whose carriage would be used to take them to the theatre, but before too long, they all agreed to use Lord Potter's.
Settling deeper into the cushions, Hermione wished once again that she had been able to convince her father that it would be worth it to spring for a Wizarding carriage, as opposed to a Muggle one. Of course, wizards had no need of their own brand of carriages, as any wizard worth his wand could Apparate to his destination. However, doing so would allow no chance to show off one's wealth and status in society, and therefore, was looked down upon. More practically, one would be hard press to explain to any potential Muggle onlooker how one happened to arrive. Hence, Wizarding carriages were born, and they were far better equipped than their mundane counterparts. They were far more expensive as well. That factor, combined with the dismal pound to galleon exchange rate, had led to Hermione's father vetoing any possibility of buying a Wizarding carriage for her season. That lack was soon felt by Hermione and the Weasleys, as the Muggle carriage they had was oft too crowded for a comfortable ride.
That was not the case with Lord Potter's carriage. Though outwardly, it appeared to be only slightly larger than their own, once inside, there was plenty of room for everyone to sit down and stretch their legs. On either side of the seats, there were small panels, which when opened, revealed refreshments for the ride. In the background, one could faintly hear the sound of violins. All in all, every provision was made for a most comfortable ride. Hermione would indeed have been at ease if not for one thing.
She was sitting next to her fiancé.
This in and of itself would not have been so bad. Hermione had become accustomed to spending time with Lord Potter during her years at Hogwarts, especially during that last year, when they shared many duties. However, what she could not stand were the looks she kept receiving from the Weasleys, as if they expected to witness the two of them exchange longing looks and whispered words of love.
If Hermione had any talent at poetry, she would have composed a sonnet on the spot to her emerald-eyed love just to satisfy them. Maybe then they would stop this nonsense of staring but pretending not to. However, she had no talent for the craft, and she would not subject anyone to her attempts to rhyme. They would have to settle for Lord Potter holding her hand instead.
He held her hand all the way through the ride. Once they arrived, he let it go, only to offer his arm to escort her into the theatre. Much to Hermione's surprise, it was a Muggle theatre, rather than a Wizarding one, given the fact that Lord Potter had a private box there. Hermione was not about to complain though. She had no wish to deal with Wizarding society at the moment, as she knew she would have to field all sorts of questions bordering on rude once the news of their engagement broke. Of course, the announcement would not be printed until tomorrow's Daily Prophet, but Hermione thought that anyone with the slightest amount of brains would be able to figure out that she was engaged to him by the ring currently occupying the fourth finger of her left hand.
Lord Potter led them to his private box, and they all took their seats, with Hermione taking the central seat in front and her fiancé to her right. The curtains soon rose after their arrival, and she was entranced by the play. She assumed the play had a similar effect on her companions, as no one spoke a word while the actors were on stage.
All too soon, intermission came. Ginny herded her family out of the box, saying something about wanting to see how Muggle society interacted. Hermione had no doubt that was true for Mr. Weasley, but she wondered about the rest of them.
"Are you enjoying the play?" Lord Potter asked her quietly, after the Weasleys had left.
"Oh yes, very much so," she replied. "It is my parents' favorite play."
"Is that so?" he said. "Then I take it that you are named for it?"
"Yes. Mama did not want to burden me with an ordinary name, such as she had. Papa . . . well, he said that he did not believe that it would be right for him to argue with his pregnant wife over the name of the babe she bore," Hermione explained matter-of-factly.
"Your father must love your mother very much."
"He does," she agreed.
"My mother loved the theatre," Lord Potter said. "That was why I have this box. My father arranged for it, once he learned of her penchant for seeing plays." He paused. "And it's been kept up, in our name, even though they have long since stopped attending."
Hermione closed her eyes briefly, wondering what would be the right thing to say. "I am sorry for bringing up such unpleasant memories," she said.
"But you have not," he replied. "You did not bring up any memories, and the ones I spoke of are not unpleasant at all. It is comforting to know that my parents were truly in love with each other. And 'tis comforting to know that your home has been full of love . . . I would not wish for anyone to be an orphan, much less you."
"I would say the same, except I fear my wishes would be in vain," she said softly.
"Do not worry about me. I am used to it," he told her.
"It would be easier for me to stop breathing than to stop worrying," she said. "If I have caused you any sorrow this evening, please forgive me."
"Hermione," he said, "any sorrow that I may have felt from our conversation is far eclipsed by the joy I feel in the knowledge that you have agreed to be my wife."
Thankfully, their conversation was interrupted there by the return of the Weasleys, as Hermione was too flustered to have come up with a reply. After the lights had darkened again, he reached out to take her hand. Hermione supposed that it had become second nature to him to reach for her like that, as they had been holding hands for much of the time they spent together since last evening.
She gasped as she felt him tug at her glove, pulling it off. He intertwined his fingers with hers, and she could feel how very warm he was.
Sighing in pleasure, she smiled. This was the first time that she felt completely at ease this evening.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
There was no rest awaiting Hermione once she and her party arrived back home. Though she had been able to make her escape from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, she was cornered by Ginny, who had invaded her room for yet another time.
"I believe your room is across the hall," she greeted her best friend archly.
"Fortunate coincidence, is it not?" her friend replied. "That way I do not have to disturb too many people when I make my way back to my room after you and I have finished talking."
"Then 'tis an even more fortunate coincidence that we have already finished, is it not?" Hermione said.
"Nay, you shan't get away that easily," said Ginny. "I have eyes you know. Which work perfectly. I saw how comfortable the two of you were this evening."
"I fear I have no idea what you are speaking about," said Hermione.
"You held hands all the way through the second half," Ginny accused. "And it was not just that! You let him take off your glove!"
Hermione blushed. It had seemed so natural to hold hands with him like that at the time, but now she was beginning to regret it. "I was not about to draw attention to myself by protesting his actions loudly in the theatre," she said.
Ginny laughed at her objections. "Hermione, I doubt you would have protested if the two of you were alone. Please, do give me some credit and do not deny that you were happy to hold hands like that," she said.
If anything, Hermione blushed even harder this time. "It was not unpleasant," she admitted.
"Which properly translated means you liked it very much indeed," Ginny said. "Hermione, there is no need for you to lie to me or to yourself. Why do you not admit that you are overjoyed that you are marrying the man? You look so happy whenever you stop thinking about it."
"Whatever do you mean?" Hermione questioned.
"What I mean is that when you stop thinking about what you should do next, or what he is thinking, or why is he doing what he is doing . . . when you are with him and not thinking, you look so happy. Everyone commented on it. We were all whispering about the two of you, not that either of you ever took notice. Too happy in being together was the consensus that we reached," Ginny said.
"I did have a pleasant time this evening, and I shan't lie about that," Hermione said. "But I know where you are going with this thread of logic, and I tell you it is not true. I am not in love with him, and he is certainly not in love with me."
"I always knew love was blind, but I never knew it was this blind!" Ginny sadly shook her head. "Alas, I have tried to get you to see what is so plainly obvious to everyone else . . . but I am afraid this time you will be the last to know."
"You are being terribly annoying right now," Hermione told her.
"Undoubtedly," Ginny replied. "But there will come a day, when I will gleefully repeat this conversation, and you will be trying to hide behind your husband, embarrassed at how stupid you were."
"You have gone beyond annoying and have cross over the line to being ridiculous," Hermione retorted.
"Fine, fine. I shan't mention it again . . . for today, that is. On one condition," she said.
"And what condition is that?" Hermione asked suspiciously.
"That you tell me how he proposed to you," Ginny said. "Honestly! Any other witch would have already been gushing about what he said and how it was so romantic. Only you, Hermione Granger, could go a full day without telling a soul how you came to be engaged last night."
"How do you know that I have not told anyone?" she asked. "I could have told your father this morning when he called me into his study." Ginny made no reply to that comment, alerting Hermione's suspicions. "Don't tell me that you were—"
"Do not worry, I shan't tell you how I and all my brothers were eavesdropping in on that conversation."
"Ginny!"
"What? Bill saw Harry Potter come in, asking for Father, and then I was sent to get you. We knew something was up, and we had to know what it was. Besides, we ended the spell once Father left the two of you alone," she said.
"Something tells me that was because your mother found you eavesdropping in our conversation," Hermione replied.
"Yes, that was a factor in our deciding to stop," Ginny admitted. "But we would have any way."
Hermione merely looked at her disbelievingly.
"All right, we probably would have . . . well, we would have stopped eventually," Ginny mumbled, rubbing her hands together anxiously.
"The next time I speak with Lord Potter, I shall have to warn him how we need to use charms to ward against eavesdroppers in this house," Hermione remarked.
"You know, it is really quite charming how you still refuse to use his name. You have a bad case of denial," Ginny said.
"Is it not time for you to go back to your own room?" Hermione suggested.
"Not at all. You have not told me how he proposed yet," Ginny replied with a roguish grin.
"There is not much to tell about that," said Hermione. "I needed some fresh air, and he offered to escort me to the balcony. While we were there, he asked if I would give him my hand in marriage."
"Sometimes, I wonder what happened to your sense of romance," Ginny said, pouting.
"That is what happened," Hermione said.
"Oh, of that I have no doubt, but you could be a bit more forthcoming with the details."
"It was a lovely evening."
"That was not what I meant," Ginny retorted.
" He said it was not as lovely as I . . . no, that's not right. He said that about the ring."
"He did? Oh! I knew we should have recast that spell once Mother had left!"
"Ginny!"
"Sorry, sorry," Ginny said. "Please accept my apologies for having eavesdropped on you earlier."
"It would be easier to accept them if I knew it would not happen again," Hermione remarked.
"It would be easier not to do it again if you would agree to tell me everything that happens between you two. For example, what did you speak of this evening?" Ginny asked.
"Is there no end to your curiosity?" Hermione asked, a tinge of exasperation coloring her voice.
"If I find one, you will be the first to know," Ginny replied.
"You are impossible," Hermione informed her.
"It runs in the family," said Ginny. "Please, Hermione, tell me! I want to know!"
"Why?"
"Because . . . well, if I can't have my own romance, at least I can experience what it must be like by hearing about yours."
"Ginny . . . I am sure that one day—"
"I know, I know. One day, the same will happen to me," Ginny said, sighing. "I doubt it. If I am lucky, I will marry, but I do not expect love. Why set myself up to be disappointed? So please, Hermione, have some mercy and tell me what you two spoke of!"
Hermione nodded slowly. "It was what you might expect. He asked if I liked the play, and I told him that I did."
"That could not be the entire extent of your conversation," said Ginny.
"No," Hermione said. "I told him that it was my mother's favorite play, that I was named for it . . . and he spoke a bit about his parents . . ."
"Oh," Ginny said. "He must feel at ease with you. Ron says he hardly ever mentions his parents of his own accord."
"I suppose," Hermione said. "There wasn't much said after that."
"Hermione!" Ginny protested.
"It is true. You soon returned afterwards," Hermione said.
Ginny groaned aloud. "I will never get a word for word report out of you, will I?" she asked to the ceiling.
"No, probably not," Hermione said. "And now, it is time for bed."
"But we have not finished talking!" Ginny protested.
"Yes, we have," said Hermione. "I want to get my sleep."
"Fine, fine. I realize you need to look good for him. When will we see him again?"
"I believe he said that he will call on us tomorrow afternoon."
"Splendid. But be warned, Hermione! This time, even Mother will not be able to put an end to the eavesdropping charm that we all will use."
Author's notes: That's it for this chapter. I'd appreciate it if you could please leave me a review. ^_^ I would guess that the next chapter will be up early next week.
Also, some general notes about this story and the era it is set in. This is an AU, like I said in the description, that is set in the Regency Era (think Pride and Prejudice). That era was more formal than ours (though not as strict as the Victorian era), and hence that is why the dialogue is more formal, although it is relaxed more amongst friends. During that time in England, the ton would gather in London during spring, and this came to be known as the season. Young ladies would make their debuts then and start their searches for husbands at that period. A proper young lady would be expected to know and obey the rules of society. For example, it was not fashionable to dance more than two sets with any one gentleman, no matter how much you might like him. One could not politely refuse a dance with a gentleman of higher rank than you and then dance with another. Finally, while it was not required for a young lady to accept any proposal that came to her, society would expect her to accept the proposal of a man of much higher rank than her. In order to get married, the gentleman would post the bans and three months later, the couple could wed. However, if one was rich enough with good enough connections, one could get a dispensation to marry sooner.
Finally, thanks to everyone who reviewed the fic:
Leah6: Yes, this in an AU. I hoped the above explanation
helps. And yes, I did get your other reviews -- I was just really
sleepy last night and wasn't thinking straight. Gomen ne. And
I'm happy to know you like the other fics, though am astonished that anyone
would want to go and read them all.
Animagus-Steph: I am so with you on Mr. Darcy, as I read P&P
first. And I thought you were doing study abroad and that's why I've
not seen you around. It's great to hear from you again.
ears91: You'll get more of the reaction later in the fic.
I hope this chapter didn't disappoint.
Rose Gray: Thank you! I'm glad you like the time period
-- I know Regency books are some of my favorite to read.
bamaslamma29: The language is more formal in this fic, but it's
a good exercise in writing, I think.
sailorsuns: Yes, partner does mean Harry. Sorry for the
confusion
Potato Chippy Weezer: Thanks! I'm happy to hear you think the
plot's original.
Sarmi: And why should you be worried? ^_^
MQ: Hermione does know Harry as they did go to Hogwarts together.
They just weren't best friends. I hope the Regency explanation helps
here.
hermlovesharry: Thank you. And I quite agree with
your username. ^_~
brazilianfan: Yay! Another person who has read Regency
romances.
katebo: I didn't think it was that bad of a cliffhanger b/c
I did give her answer right away. And the conversation is more formal
because of the era. Hermione actually is the least formal with Ginny
currently.
catlyn54: Thank you for the review. I hope you like this
chapter as well.
athipsou: ^_^ I like stories from this era as well.
If you know of any other H/Hr stories set in the same time period, please
please let me know.
Rachel A. Prongs: Yes, he's more of a gentleman in this fic,
but that's cause of the era. It's good to know you liked the first
chapter.
Izabel: This is an AU, and I'm sorry if you were confused there.
He's an Earl because I made him one to keep with the genre I'm working
with. I hope the explanation I typed above helps.
SeanBiggerstaffLOVER: I'm glad to hear you think this is original.
Thanks!
Dorothy: Thanks for the review. If you see any errors
in the fic, please feel free to point them out. I don't mind.
Candy: I just bounce with happiness each time I see someone
else mentioning they've read Regency stuff. ^_^ I'm glad you
liked my take on a Regency H/Hr.
preggyuo: Ginny will find someone, but much, much later.
As in part two of this fic, which is still being written.
Cinderelly: Yes, there is a reason, but again you'll not
find out till much, much later. Though some people will probably
be able to make an educated fic. I still read Regency novels when I find
the time. Thanks for letting me know you like this fic.
Rebeca: Here's the update. The next one should be
sooner. *crosses fingers*
Thanks once again for all the reviews. ^_^ I really enjoyed reading what you thought about this one.