I want to thank my beta 7 Ace. Also to everyone who reviewed and alerted my story, they make me so happy

Author's Note – Some might recognize this chapter from when I first post, but it is rewritten. A all new chapter will be up soon.

Disclaimer – I do not own Harry Potter.

Love Comes in Many Forms

Chapter 2

The team of horses were tired and a mess. Every step they took would throw mud into the air, covering the driver. He, along with the footman, was soaked to the bone. The heavy rains had caused havoc to the road being taken, almost every few feet would have the carriage be shaken, causing the Grangers to be thrown about inside.

The Lord and Lady Granger were seated facing the horses. The Lady had removed her black bonnet with a laced veil, which matched her traveling suit, in order to rest her head on her husband's shoulder. He sat trying to read the documents he brought with him in the fading light.

Across from them was their only child, Hermione, who was the gift they never thought they would be blessed with.

Hermione had fallen asleep reading the book in her lap. There next to the book rest Hamlet, who occupied more than half of the cushioned seat. She had never removed her own black bonnet and it now sat twisted on her head. She was dressed in her deep purple traveling suit, which almost looked black.

Hermione awoke when the book fell from her lap during a hard turn. She reached down to retrieve it and was greeted by a whine let out by Hamlet when she moved. When she straightened, she placed the book on her right side and petted Hamlet and all was forgiven.

She turned to the window and saw that it had noticeably darkened since she had fallen asleep. Wondering what time it was, she turned to her father and asked, "Papa, what's the time?"

Lord Granger shifted slightly not wanting to wake his wife, and pulled his pocket watch from his coat. He angled it to the window and said, "It's about nine o'clock. We should be at the Inn in half an hour, sweetheart, the rain has caused us a delay."

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The carriage slowed as it pulled into the yard of the Inn. Lord Granger opened the door before the footman even reached it and jumped out and was almost run over by Hamlet, who made his way to the trees. Granger then turned and thanked the footman, who had tried to reach the door first with the umbrella. He then helped his wife exit and went to take the umbrella, but paused and turned to his daughter still inside. "Take it, Papa, I've never minded a little rain," Hermione said with a smile. "You two go ahead, no point in all of us getting soaked."

Lord Granger replied with a little laugh as he agreed with her. He then tucked her wife's hand in the crook of his arm and accepted the umbrella from the waiting footman, and they made their way to the entrance of the Inn.

The footman helped Hermione step down out of the carriage. She thanked him and followed her parents, all the while looking for Hamlet. She called for him a few times and received no answer. But, she knew he was restless, and that he would be taken care of.

She made it halfway across the deserted yard when she remembered her book, which she would need to help her fall asleep. She quickly turned on her heels and took two steps before she ran into what felt like a wall. Where did he come from, she thought, as she felt herself falling backwards.

Before she could react, she felt her shoulders being grabbed by strong arms. She was about to thank him for helping her keep what was left of her dignity, but her words were cut off by a growl from behind.

"Your animal, I presume?"

"Yes." She turned her head to look at Hamlet. "Down Hamlet. It's okay." He sat down but didn't take his eyes off of the gentleman.

Hermione tried to look at said gentleman from under her lashes, but was greeted only by a crisp, white cravat. She had to tilt her head all the way back in order to see his face. When she did, her brown eyes were met by black, and the words on the tip of her tongue were forgotten. She didn't know if she should be frightened or fascinated by those eyes. For if she looked close enough…

"If you are finished," he growled. "I would like to be on my way."

"Yes," she said as a blush started to form on her cheeks. "And I would like to thank you for keeping me from falling into the mud."

"It's what any good gentleman would have done, but try not to let it happen again because I will not be there to catch you," he said, as he released his hold of her arms.

Hermione, who forgot that he was still holding her, was annoyed by his comment. "Well I didn't ask you to catch me."

He had already started to make his way to his waiting horse, but paused when he reached Hamlet. "You were a good boy," he praised and gave him a quick scratch behind the ears, then continued walking. He saddled the waiting black stallion and sent it into a gallop.

Hermione was stunned by the way he left without a word, stumped her feet to release her frustration. She then called Hamlet, and he came willingly. She then made her way to the Inn, but at the door remembered her book. She turned and saw the footman waiting to hand it to her. She thanked him and joined her parents.