So...I found this chapter today that has been finalized and waiting for months. Sorry I'm only posting it now. Enjoy!
*I own nothing but a romantic heart and a mind full of fantasies*
Princess Hermione Granger was furious. Absolutely livid. How could her father do this to her?
The princess had always considered herself as a strong, independent woman; she valued intelligence and kindness over wealth and power. She had made such values known to her father, and yet here she was being sent off to the highest bidder. Sure, her headstrong attitude and sharp tongue had turned many suitors away, but surely it shouldn't have come to this. She'd always thought she'd at least have a say in who she was courted by but it seemed even that was being taken away from her. The way she saw it, if a man couldn't handle her then it was good riddance.
"Must you frown so harshly Hermione?" Minerva McGonagall, close family friend and strict chaperone, said to her "soon you'll be a wrinkled old woman like me. Hardly a suitable match for a prince if I do say so myself"
"Oh well then I must frown harder! If I knew frowning was all it took to stop this hideous event from occurring, I would have started ages ago" She snapped back.
"Hermione, you know your father only has the best intentions when it comes to you. You've turned away so many eligible suitors in our kingdom that we didn't have a choice but to look elsewhere! You must control that temper my dear, you could have permanently damaged your last suitor. Poor boy."
"Poor boy!" Hermione said, sparks shooting from her eyes and magic flaring up so much it crackled along her skin "He tried to proposition me out of wedlock and when I said no he tried to force me! I wanted to kill him, but preventing him from continuing his bloodline seemed like the next best thing. Too bad he recovered"
"Hermione I'm sure you're exaggerating. The Nott family is very well respected and I'm sure prince Theodore would do no such thing. You've made it so difficult for your father to find you a match; it certainly was a miracle the Malfoy family sent you this invitation"
"Difficult for...now listen here Minerva. I have always been told that my husband will be of my choosing and I hold high expectations for my suitors. If they don't meet my criteria, it's their fault. Not mine. For father to go and accept the invitation without even mentioning it to me...I'll feel like an idiot, standing in a herd of women just waiting for his fat royal highness to sweep into the room and choose me out of this..this..HAREM of women!"
Even though Hermione had never met Prince Draconis, she would do anything to get out of going to the ball later tonight. The rumors told her he was a right git. Pompous, arrogant, a sleazy charmer: basically everything she's ever detested. Women probably fell at his feet, but not her. She'd never accept such a man. Not in a million years.
Looking out the window, she saw that they were already inside the kingdoms borders. Turning to Minerva she said "I would like you to stop the carriage. I will walk the rest of the way back to the castle. I can see a clear path and need no assistance finding my way."
"Princess, you know I can't let you go without a chaperone. We're almost there if you could just-"
" Stop. The. Carriage. Minerva" Hermione said between clenched teeth. "I will follow orders for the rest for the night if you give me this time of peaceful silence on my own. If you do not, I will make your life living hell"
Minerva saw the storm brewing in her young charges eyes. She would let her have her way, just this once. She knew the alternative would be much more unpleasant.
"Very well" Minerva said with her head held high and her voice sharp. "You have 2 hours before you must be back. I will make excuses to the king. If you are not back before sundown I will make sure your father hears of it young lady. Send up green sparks at the gate and they'll let you in. I'll make sure the guards await your arrival. Try not to get too messy.
"Yes Minerva" Hermione said with a beaming smile. Finally, some time to herself before this madness began. The carriage hadn't even completely stopped before she was out the door, heading towards welcoming forest and sunshine without a backwards glance at her chaperone.
Hermione was in her own little world. She had taken off her shoes the moment she'd stumbled across this large, open meadow, opting to feel the cool grass against her feet as she walked. The meadow seemed to stretch for miles in all directions, though she knew that wasn't the case. She knew she was close to the castle, but in this moment she felt completely at peace. Small wildflowers of different colors were scattered among the grass. The sun shone brightly within the meadow and glistened on the surface of a lake, a short distance away.
When she reached the lake, she knelt down, dipping her hand below the surface. She loved how the cool water felt against her skin. As she drank the crisp, clean water Hermione became lost in thought. She imagined bathing in the cool lake, swimming within its depths. Slowly her thoughts morphed until she wasn't alone in the lake. A deep masculine voice chuckled as a warm body swam up behind her, wrapping thick, muscular arms around her waist and holding her close.
Hermione was so lost in thought she didn't hear the horses hooves coming towards her. Didn't hear the rider's voice shouting halt. She wasn't even bothered at all...until said horse slammed into her side, sending her tumbling into the cool water she'd been day dreaming of.
Sputtering and trying to get her water-soaked curls out of her eyes, Hermione jumped up. The angry tirade started before she even got a glimpse of the person responsible.
"You absolute idiot! Who in their right mind would let their horse run into someone like that? Have you no control whatsoever? My grandmother could control a horse better than your sorry a-" her words cut off when she saw the person looking down at her. He was more beautiful than any man she'd ever laid eyes on. Lush windswept, blond hair, swirling silver eyes, and soft pink lips drew her in and left her slightly dazed. For once she was completely speechless. The cocky smirk slowly forming on his lips was what eventually brought her out of her daze.
"Oh don't stop now sweetheart. I was just beginning to enjoy myself" He said, smirk still in place but for once it lacked the icy, sarcastic edge he normally had. She was...unusual.
Hermione marched up to him, not bothered by the height difference between herself and the rider nor the fact that she looked ridiculous standing there sopping wet and seething.
"I'm glad you can pay attention now. Would have been a little more convenient if you payed attention a few minutes earlier. I would have assumed nobility of this kingdom would have been taught how to control a horse, but I guess that was a bit too much to ask for" Hermione said, glaring up at the man. Only nobility had the wealth to buy or learn to ride horses in these harsh times, but honestly, didn't the man know any better?
"Forgive me sweetheart, Shadow seemed hell bent on meeting you. I was trying to stop him from a mile away."
"Of course. Pompous idiot like you would blame the horse before accepting you have no control. You should be ashamed to even call yourself nobility! Back in my kingdom you would be seen as lower than a peasant until you learned how to ride properly. And to think, such a beautiful horse was entrusted to your care..." Hermione said before reaching out to his horse. The horse seemed immediately drawn to her, leaning into her touch and whining happily at her. She smiled and continued to stroke the horse completely ignoring the man. He didn't like it, not one bit.
"Your kingdom? Where are you from? You know I'm very well known around here. Might do you well to try and get in my good graces rather than my horse's" He said with a raised eyebrow and smug look on his face.
"I respect your horse more than I respect you at the moment, so I'm afraid I cannot comply. I'm...I'm a part of the group that's here for the Malfoy Ball. The Grangers. Speaking of, I must be heading off or I'll be terribly late. Good day!" She said as she kissed the horse's nose and ran off without a backwards glance. Draconis let her get away but watched her trek back to the castle with calculating eyes. He'd look out for this girl again. As rude as she might be, he thought she was breathtaking and found her fire and sharp tongue to be a welcome change from the women he was used to. He had no idea who she was, but she'd be his by the end of the night. He was sure of it.
Thank you to everyone who has been following this story from the very beginning. I honestly forgot that I needed to upload this chapter. Please don't hate me too much. Whether you liked it or hated it, please review! I hope you love a fiery Hermione as much as I do!
~Dreaming