Chapter 3

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All day Ron tried to remain and think seriously, but he was just thinking too much; he really had a lot on his mind. Such as his mother, his father, becoming heir ruler of Helicon and Hogwarts but, most surprisingly of all…Hermione, King Arthur noticed this as well, as Ron would stroll around the castle and its grounds; he would notice he was in a trance. So he decided to take it into his own hands once again.

'Ronald!' he called out to him. Ron looked straight at him from talking to one of his guards. 'Come.'

Ron started to walk towards him a bit hesitantly, but Arthur didn't notice.

'Yes, Father?'

'Ronald, my dear son, you haven't been acting like yourself recently…tell your old father what's bothering you,' Arthur solemnly said. Ron didn't exactly know how to answer that question in an understandable way, numerous things were bothering him, and his father would just say deal with it on your own.

'It's nothing that I can't handle, Father,' he managed to say. 'I-I want to be able to handle my troubles myself…just how you want me to.' Arthur observed his son for a few moments, before proudly smiling and nodding his head.

'Spoken from a true prince, very well my son,' he said. Ron bowed his head, turning to take his leave before, Arthur started up again, 'Oh, and one other thing, son.' He turned back around to see what else his father wanted. 'Have you taken care of that maid servant you said was giving you trouble earlier?' Ron's face started to burn, he cleared his throat and quickly nodded,

'Yes, Father, I have indeed.'

'And what have you done?' he asked.

'Well, I doubled her work average for tonight, and the guards are taking care of her in their own way,' he lied. Ron hated lying to his Father, the King, but sometimes he felt like it was the right thing to do to earn his independence. He was scared when he thought his father wasn't going to buy his lie, but when he heard him laugh, he sighed in relief under his breath.

'Good for you son, and you should send her to me afterwards some time, I shall have my own fun with her,' Arthur said, taking a sip of his wine from the gauntlet. Ron didn't really find that funny at all; he merely just smiled and then walked away. Not having anything to do, he just walked down the corridors, with his hands clutched behind his back. He stopped and smiled when he saw Harrius coming towards him, he waved.

'Hey, mate,' Harrius greeted, 'you alright?'

'I don't know, Harrius, besides from having a lot on my mind, I just lied to my Father,' said Ron, a bit nervously. Harrius folded his arms looking curious and concerned,

'Lied? Lied, about what?' But before Ron could answer back, his and Harrius's attention were changed to something else, they heard distance yelling, cheering, and laughing. Ron laughed and looked at Harrius confused,

'Wonder what's happening?' The two hurried over to the commotion at the end of the corridor. When they got to the end, they saw a bunch of men and guards in an in crowd; they all were cheering and yelling at what ever was going on in the middle. Ron and Harrius pushed their way in, the two were surprised, especially Ron, to see that one of his guards was messing with Hermione; he was pushing her around just for kicks. He was also shoving her into the other men surrounding her. Hermione had tears flowing down her eyes; she even was bleeding at the side of her neck. Ron saw that his guards was also holding a gauntlet in one hand, and when he drank from it, it poured down his mouth onto his armor. He could hardly keep his balance, as he laughed and held on roughly to Hermione.

'Great catch this one, isn't she, men?' he asked, loudly. Ron couldn't hold onto his anger anymore and yelled out,

'HOLD IT!' Everyone stopped in silent and looked really frightened when they saw Ron and Harrius. The two made their way into the middle of the in crowd. 'What the bloody hell is going on here!' No one answered all that could heard was Hermione's heavy breathing and light sobbing. Ron trudged up to his guard that still had Hermione in his grasp. 'Let go of her, now! Julian, you drunken bastard!' He released Hermione from his hold, she was too weak, she was about to fall over, but Harrius moved and quickly caught her in his arms. Ron looked at her, the back at Julian. 'What the hell were you thinking?'

'Prince Ronald, this peasant g-girl thought it was wise to rudely to avoid our contact,' Julian said, barely speaking clearly, 's-she 'evn gave me a slap.'

'I didn't mean t-to,' Hermione suddenly said, as Harrius held her, 'I-I didn't want to get hurt, P-Prince Ronald.' Ron didn't know why she even said that, Ron thought she had every right to do what she did.

'I would have given a right slash with my sword across that face of yours, never mind a slap,' Ron said, he then grabbed his color, 'how dares you? How dare one of my guards selfishly attack an innocent girl! And look at you, you drunk you can't even speak to your Prince in a proper manner!'

'But, Prince—

'I don't want to hear it, Julian! I'm taking away your sword for this,' Ron yanked the sword from Julian's sword holder. 'Next time I catch you in the act again, I'll kill you with your own sword! Now get out of my sight, you make me sick.' Julian quickly ran down the corridor in the opposite direction. 'And the rest of you, CLEAR OFF!' Ron said waving his hand furiously. All the other men made their way out of the castle, and some back to the towers. Ron dropped the sword and made his way over to Hermione and Harrius.

'She's hurt slightly, Ronald,' Harrius told him. He had taken off his little red scarf from around his neck and started to wipe the blood off of Hermione's neck, while Ron stooped down to their level on the ground.

'Are you alright, Hermione?' he asked.

"Hermione? So this is the girl he was talking about", Harrius thought.

Hermione nodded but then looked at him and Harrius curiously.

'Why did you do that? All castle guards have the right to do what ever they please against anyone except for you two, or King Arthur,' she said. Ron gave a long sigh,

'Yeah, well, not any of mine.'

'Or mine,' Harrius added, winking at Ron.

'T-Thank you, I give you my blessings,' Hermione weakly said.

'It's ok, Hermione, we don't need your blessings,' Ron said to her, 'I couldn't let my own guard or those others hurt you like that…can you stand?' Hermione nodded, Harrius helped from behind while Ron took hold of her hands from the front.

'Come, I'll take you to my common room, Hermione,' Harrius said, 'you'll be treated there.' Hermione nodded slowly swaying her head, because of the stinging that was coming from her neck. Ron followed close behind, wanting to help too.

Harrius had his own common room, since his Father was Lord he was gifted to have his own common room, where he could sleep, relax, be served and also have Ron's company. One of his guards bowed his head, before opening the door for him, Ron and Hermione. Ron and Harrius helped Hermione inside, on either side of her.

'Ron, hold on to her for a moment, mate,' he said, before walking off towards his servants. Ron lifted Hermione up in his arms, while she wrapped her arms around his neck, and then he carried her over to the King Sized four-postured bed. He gently laid her on it. Harrius walked back over to them,

'Your scars will be treated, Hermione,' he said to her, 'and if you need anything, my servants will see that you have what ever you request, right?' Hermione couldn't help but smile at the two handsome men that were helping someone like her get better.

'Thank you, L-Lord Harrius.' Ron snorted and looked at Harrius.

'Erm...just Harrius will do,' he said, chuckling back at Ron, 'It will be a while before I become Lord after my Father anyways.' Hermione chuckled under her breath too, and then nodded her head.

'Ok, Harrius,' she amended. Ron couldn't help but smile at Hermione and the kindness she showed him and Harrius, he shifted closer to her on the bed. Before he could say anything the servants came to the aid of Hermione. While they fixed her up and gave her water, Ron and Harrius stood back.

'Now I can see why you fancy her, Ronald,' Harrius whispered with his arms folded, looking over at Hermione. Ron's head snapped to face him; he looked at him as if he had gone mad.

'Fancy her? I never said that…did I? N-No I didn't,' Ron said to him in a hurry. Harrius chuckled shaking his head,

'Then why are you blushing and trying so hard to avoid looking at me?' Ron looked over at the servants treating Hermione; the way she smiled as they treated her with care. He couldn't help but love that smile. But then he shook out it.

'No, Harrius I don't fancy her,' he said, but Harrius still didn't believe him, 'b-besides even if I did, w-we could never be together…it's against Helicon law.' Harrius wish he could have fought against that, but Ron did have a point; it was against Helicon law for someone from the Royal service to get together with a peasant or servant. He thought he saw a tinge look of disappointment on Ron's face, as they made their way back over to Hermione. 'How're you feeling, H-Hermione?'

'Much better, Prince Ronald,' she said, shyly, 'Thank you, again.'

'Um…you're welcome to stay here for the night…that is, if-if you want to,' Ron said to her, Hermione smiled at him, 'I'm sure Harrius wouldn't mind, would you mate?' Harrius slyly smiled and him, "Even as Prince he's so obvious."

'No, of course not, you're welcome to stay here for the night,' he said, '…Well, I have some errands to run, and I'm going to have to take off now,' Ron nodded, slapping his shoulder, Harrius turned to look at Hermione once more, 'Take care, Hermione.' Hermione nodded and smiled as he walked off. She sighed and looked at Ron,

'I'd never imagined that the Prince of Helicon and the Lord's son would show me hospitality like this,' she said, giggling. Ron smiled at her, and just shrugged his shoulders. 'Thanks again, for helping me, Prince Ronald.' He took her hand in his,

'Don't worry, Hermione…and I-I apologize for the other day--

'No, no don't worry about that, I've forgiven you,' Hermione honestly said. Ron sighed, and looked down at her hand that he was still holding, and stroked it with his thumb.

'But…striking you was going over the line, I couldn't forgive myself for that.'

'Learn to, Prince Ronald,' she said, 'I'm really tired, do you mind if I get some sleep?'

'Of course not, sorry,' he said, Hermione smiled, she leaned in and pecked him on the cheek.

'Thank you, goodnight.' Ron blushed, he smiled,

'Goodnight…Hermione.' Ron walked out of Harrius's common room with a alight smile on his face. Ron just thought he was making something out of nothing…but little did he know.

A/N- R/R as much as you can, please! – Danielle (dandin)