Disclaimer: I'm not J.K. Rowling and never will be.
A/N: New chapter! Enjoy!
Chapter 4: Royal Breaking News
As what Hermione had planned yesterday, she woke up early to take a nice, long bath in her new, private bathroom. Immediately, she experimented with all the faucets until she chose the one that has the aroma of vanilla and another faucet with the aroma of almond. The brunette always loved the smell of vanilla and almond. She then dipped inside the warm water and sighed. She let the warm water soothe her body for an hour before getting out of the bathtub.
She wore her new and clean robes and fixed her hair.
Hermione looked at her watch. It was already 30 minutes before the start of classes. She immediately walked towards the Great Hall.
Once she was there, she expected the Hall to be quiet because of their laziness on the first day of classes. But to her shock, it was unnaturally noisy.
Curious, Hermione immediately went to the Gryffindor table and sat down beside her friends.
"What's the commotion all about?" she asked. "Everyone's surprisingly noisy."
"There's news about the Royal couple," Ron said. Apparently, his mood yesterday had greatly changed.
"About King Troy and Queen Helen?" Hermione asked. "They have news about them already?"
"Well, that's life, 'Mione. Famous people always are in the news," Harry said, talking about experience.
"Let me guess," Hermione said, disdain on her face. "Is it made by that Rita Skeeter woman?"
"You guessed right, Miss Head Girl," Ginny said, giving Hermione the new edition of the Daily Prophet. "Read it and you would understand what everyone's talking about."
Hermione looked at her friends curiously before reading the news article.
Wanted: Lost Royal Daughter
King Troy Gardner and his lovely wife Queen Helen are the new leaders of the Wizarding World. And I, Rita Skeeter, had discovered something new. The King and Queen have a lost daughter but unfortunately, I do not know her name. I have gained knowledge that the royal couple had lost their child when she was just 2 years old and at present time, she's about 16-17 years old already. But where really is the royal Princess? Only Merlin could tell. Queen Helen had confessed… (Continued on p.15)
"There is a lost Princess?" Hermione asked, feeling shocked.
"Yes, 'Mione and there is a rumor spreading that the lost Princess is studying here in Hogwarts," Ginny said. "And because of Skeeter's article, the Princess is already on her 6th or 7th year."
"Now, who could be the lost daughter?" Ron mused loudly. "Maybe the one who would be found is very lucky."
"No, more of like misfortunate," Hermione said. "You know, the Queen and King left her."
"No, 'Mione, don't judge the royal couple," Harry said. "There might be a very good reason why the Princess was separated from her parents."
In the teachers' table, Professor Dumbledore knew that his students wouldn't fall into silence if they haven't received a good explanation. So, he stood up and raised a hand to signal silence. "Now, my dear students, you have gained knowledge about the lost Princess and I think it is just right if I confessed some things I know about this issue."
Everyone looked at the old Headmaster with interest in their eyes.
"I have been acquainted with the royal couple ever since they were students her in Hogwarts and before they became leaders of the Wizarding World. I had known their daughter ever since she was born here in this world. I also knew that she was missing ever since. Now, if you have questions, feel free to ask," Professor Dumbledore said. Dean Thomas raised his hand and the old wizard addressed him.
"Professor, is it true that she studies here?" Dean asked.
"I believe you have heard of this rumor too," the wise man said gravely. Hermione thought that if Dumbledore wasn't that decent and wise, he might curse Rita Skeeter. "Yes, Mr. Thomas, there's a possibility that the Princess is currently studying here. There's a little possibility she is studying in Beauxbaton, in Durmstrang, and in Salem Academy. But we shouldn't jump to conclusions."
Another student from Ravenclaw raised his hand and again, Professor Dumbledore addressed him.
"What was the reason why the Princess was missing?" he asked.
"A maid betrayed the royal couple," Professor Dumbledore said. "She ran away together with the Princess. It was now unknown to where she brought the Princess. Now, I'll entertain one more question before I let you all go for your first period."
Surprisingly, Neville raised his hand. Professor Dumbledore addressed him.
"Sir, I'm just curious if you already suspect a person to whom you think is the lost Princess," the Gryffindor asked.
Now that question interest everyone. Hermione too was interested to know the answer of the Headmaster. Professor Dumbledore was shocked at first, the brunette could notice. But she then was surprised when the blue eyes of the old man rested on her. Hermione was shocked. The Headmaster then averted his gaze.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Longbottom, but that is a private matter," Professor Dumbledore said. Numerous groans were heard from the crowd. "Now, please go to your first periods."
Everybody stood up and left the Great Hall until only Professor Dumbeldore and Professor McGonagall are left alone.
"Do you really think it's her, Albus?" Professor McGonagall asked, still shocked at what he had told her.
Professor Dumbledore looked serious. "I'm quite sure, Minerva. But like I said awhile ago, we shouldn't jump to conclusions. That is why would you call her parents and set an appointment with them? We really need to have answers to our questions, Professor McGonagall."
Professor McGonagall nodded her head in agreement.
"Meanwhile, I'll send a mail to Mrs. Gardner, or rather, Queen Helen to see me as soon as possible," Professor Dumbledore said. "She needs to know about this."
"I really think you should, Albus," Professor McGonagall said. "That poor woman is suffering for the loss of her daughter for 17 years already."
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