I own nothing of either Harry Potter or the movie Ever After and receive no money for the writing of this fictional tale around the two. I also do not own the copyright to the songs listed.
Music is my muse:
Song for this story: Put Your Arms Around Me; Texas
Lyric for this chapter: Would you open yourself? Are you reckless or not?
You can find the song on my youtube as well as the trailers for the movie itself. My youtube is: Crystal Jean Red
Tell Me A Fable
Chapter 3
A Man or a Wizard?
Hermione walked with Maurice who had a pronounced limp that she wished she could try to heal. However, she was sure it was well beyond her abilities to fix such an old injury, and the man was ancient as well as just a player in her dream. She found it odd that he had kept his name from the movie, although she had not known her great-grandfather very well so perhaps that was why. He did look much like the picture she had seen of him in her Gan Gans' house, however, and she had recognised him instantly in the cart. And when she had slipped and called him, 'Pop', he hadn't looked as if that was out of place. She supposed it made sense, in the movie it had felt like the servants were very much family to her character.
She was quiet as they walked, trying to go over everything she could think of that might get her out of this daydream early. Not paying attention to where she was going she was shocked when she practically ran down a man in deep maroon robes, wizarding robes! She looked up and almost fainted.
"Professor Dumbledore!"
The old wizard was standing in front of her complete with his twinkling blue eyes and half-moon glasses. He tilted his head looking her over with a smile.
"Am I?"
Hermione flushed realising he probably had another role to play, and she cast around for who he could be, but he chuckled and waved his hand caused Maurice to sit on a tree stump with a faraway look in his eyes.
"You can do magic," she said stupidly. "Of course you can, you are Albus Dumbledore!" she mumbled shaking her head at herself.
A laugh and she looked up to see Albus Dumbledore conjuring soft chairs that looked very much like the ones that used to sit in his office and gesturing for her to sit.
"Interestingly enough, I am called Albus Dumbledore here. However, I have two memories in my head. One I feel is my own and the other that seems rather scripted. I know, however, that you are Hermione Granger, a very talented witch, so perhaps you could enlighten me on why I am here?"
Hermione narrowed her eyes and chewed on her lip as dread overwhelmed her. "Do you think I am dead? Harry saw you when he was dead, during the battle. You died, you see, and you came to him when he died. Although he wasn't really dead, the Horcrux was. You were right about that by the way. Although you could have told him sooner if you ask me." She paused to glare at the man and then pressed on. "I had thought I was in a dream of sorts that the twins created-" she trailed off looking at him with confusion and a bit of fear. She hadn't thought that she could be dead until he appeared knowing who she was.
"I do not think you are dead, Hermione," Albus said kindly. "A dream you say? How very intriguing. I find myself here now because I have been asked to court. Those are the memories I have that are not mine."
Hermione let out a long sigh of relief and relaxed. "In the film, this is a Muggle film we are in, Leonardo da Vinci was asked to court by the King."
She proceeded to tell him all she knew about the potion the Weasley twins had used and the movie Ever After.
Albus nodded thoughtfully when she finished. "Ah, yes, that makes sense. I can paint now you see, and I assure you I could not do so, wizard or not, in my own life."
Hermione couldn't help the giggle that escaped at this and then frowned. "But why can't the rest of the people remember who they are? Harry is my best friend but mentioned nothing outside of the lines he should say."
Albus shrugged. "It is your dream, child. I would think you have your reasons for some remembering and others not."
Hermione considered this her brow puckered before she gave a slow nod. "I suppose that makes the most sense. I cast Bellatrix Lestrange as my stepmother. She tortured and almost killed me in the war—" she trailed off rubbing at her arm where her scar usually was.
Dumbledore let out a sad huff of breath. "It would appear you have some things to work out with her then," he said in his measured calm tone. "Now, Draco Malfoy is the Prince, would you care to elaborate on that for me?"
Hermione put her hands on her cheeks which she knew had gone pink with embarrassment. "Must I?"
Her old headmaster laughed before he shrugged. "I am not sure, but I think I can remember you for a reason, and as you have said I am not alive, who will I spill your secrets to? Even if I did remember them outside of your head?
Hermione sighed still flushed but nodded. "I suppose that makes good sense. I must have you here for a reason, although I can't imagine why I would go to you for relationship advice," she paused and then said. "Not meaning any offence, sir."
He waved his hand clearly not taking offence at her remark and twinkled at her. "Think nothing of it, and I do think you can simply call me Albus. We are not in school."
Hermione nodded. "No, I graduated with all outstanding in my N.E.W.T's."
More twinkling from the old headmaster. "That does not surprise me at all. Now, why do you think you required this Muggle film to work out your problems?"
Hermione sat back looking to the blue sky as she pondered that. Why indeed? It was a very good question. "I identify with Danielle, the character I am playing. She was out of place in her world, mistreated, lost her parents, loved books, brave—" she flushed. "I do not mean to brag, but I do consider myself brave, there was a reason I was in Gryffindor!"
Albus smiled and nodded. "I would agree, but let us look outside of obvious things, what happens to this Danielle that you most identify with?"
Hermione closed her eyes as pain washed over her and whispered brokenly. "She falls for a Prince, a man above her station in life. She is just a commoner you see."
Albus lost a bit of his twinkle as he sat forward looking at her. "Why would you feel any man, wizard or muggle, was below you, Hermione?"
Hermiones' hands twisted in her skirts. "He is a pureblood, from a very old family," she spoke quickly trying to get it out as fast as possible. "And he is betrothed, to another pureblood. We became close, friends, but I fell in love."
"And he does not return your affections?" Albus asked curiously.
Hermione shrugged rather miserably. "I do not know; he has never implied one way or the other. It honestly wouldn't matter if he did. He would never choose me over the contract his father secured for him."
Albus studied her for a moment and then sighed. "The Prince here however does."
Hermione wiped at a tear that had slipped out. "Yes, but this is a movie, a dream, not reality."
Albus sighed heavily and stood up. "I suppose we shall have to see how this plays out. I fear you are correct that we must play our parts." He paused and then said in his kind fatherly way. "Draco Malfoy, I would assume was cast for a reason?"
Hermione knew her face had to be tomato red. "Yes, I fell in love with Draco."
There was a long pause, and then he shook his head. "Draco Malfoy is a very determined wizard, Hermione. I think you do not give him enough credit. And Malfoy's are very good at getting what they want; if he has decided he wants you, I am not sure anything or anyone could stand in his way." He gave her a long look, "including his father."
Hermione frowned at this, feeling a bit of hope before it was dashed as reality crashed around her. "He has never given me any indication that he wished for more than a friendship from me?"
This idea didn't seem to impress Dumbledore because he steepled his hands and looked at her. "Might I view your memories of your time with him over the last year? I think it might help me with understanding why you feel so strongly about this issue."
Hermione considered him for a long moment before she nodded. "I suppose that is acceptable."
She felt the wizard enter her head and sort through the last year of her life, when he had finished she gave him a melancholy smile. "Do you see what I mean? He has only ever been my friend."
Dumbledore gave her a long look before he sighed. "I see a beautiful friendship, yes, but I fear you fail to see many things. But, alas, it is not for me to divulge. I will see you soon. Good luck, Hermione."
Hermione stood up as well and impulsively rushed forward to hug the older wizard she had missed so dearly. "Thank you, Professor Dumbledore."
He patted her on the back. "Albus, dear, just Albus is fine."
Hermione stepped back. "Albus," she said shyly as the chairs disappeared and he popped away leaving her to return Maurice to his cognitive state.
Author Note:
This was the first time I ever forced my muse to write a story. I am deeply intrigued on what you think of the story moving forward. I ended up writing it just a few days before the deadline. I suddenly woke up with the entire story in my head (Yes I know, cliche) but I had gone for weeks with no idea how to mix these two worlds and then bam, the dream idea. If you have the time for feedback, I would adore hearing it. This was a complete leap of faith on my part.
