Hello my lovelies, I'm back (finally). I can't believe it's been almost 6 months since I last posted anything on , but here I am now. Let's just say that life in general caught up with me and it's been a crazy few months. I won't make any promises but I may write and update some more over Christmas. We shall see I guess.

Anyway, disclaimer time: I own nothing, literally nothing. All I have is a bag of popcorn and my laptop to watch HP on (I'm such a poor student).


Chapter 4 – Trick of the Light

"Arthur, have you heard about Rogers' decision to start up this new tournament?"

"You don't mean the one with all those perilous tasks, do you?"

"Perilous? Then you can count me and Fred in anytime Amos."

Hermione's eyebrows furrowed as she frowned at George's flippant remark. How could he get so excited about something obviously dangerous and made for sport? She jumped slightly when she felt something, or rather someone, touch her arm.

"Don't frown Hermione, it looks a lot less pretty than your smile."

Hermione smiled as she turned to face the person. She'd recognise him anywhere with his chiselled looks, ruffled brown hair and stormy eyes.

"And why must you always tease me Cedric? I'm not a child anymore."

Cedric Diggory could only chuckle as she pouted at him. This fine young man had entered Hermione's life completely by chance. His family was known for being prodigious throughout England. The earned their wealth from the cotton trade and from the recovering textiles industry in Kent over recent years. Cedric, on a trip with his father, Amos, to Diagon Alley had saved Hermione from some boys bullying her about her magic. Though a pureblood family, the Diggorys were kind to all with and without magic, including Muggles and Muggleborns. Since that incident Cedric had often made trips to the Grangers bookshop, even more so once he started to attend the University of Cambridge. It had been thirteen years since their meeting and Hermione was happy that she had found a wizard friend. After all, she did not meet Harry and the Weasleys until they stepped into her bookshop two years ago.

"Hermione, even you have to admit that this tournament sounds amazing."

Hermione turned from Cedric to Ron, a frown marring her features again.

"Ron, the tasks in this tournament sound outrageous; facing a dragon, swimming with mermaids and trying to navigate through a deadly maze with who knows what within doesn't sound like fun to me."

Ron rolled his eyes at his friend. Only she could find the life threatening danger such a turn off.


Across the hall, Draco, Blaise and Theo watched on as the Weasleys, Diggorys and Potter laughed at Hermione's pouting and frowning. To Draco's annoyance, he had to admit that the Muggleborn did look quite desirable when she pouted.

"Though you like her better when she's angry"

He quickly shook those thoughts from his head; he wouldn't allow his mind to stray when he was due to become King.

"But a King can always have a mistress."

No, these were dangerous thoughts indeed.

"Draco, are you alright? Your hand is shaking." Theo asked as he placed a hand on the blonde's shoulder.

True to Theo's word, Draco's hand was shaking so much that he almost spilt his drink. Blaise smirked at his friend and chuckled behind his hand. An idea struck him as he observed his friend and the woman that bested him. Slowly, with purpose, he passed his companions and walked right up to Hermione and her party. He looked over his shoulder to see Draco confused eyes and a playful look in Theo's eyes. As he closed the distance between himself and Hermione, he tapped her arm and turned on the great Zabini family charm once she turned to face him.


"Miss Granger, I do believe we meet again."

Hermione looked up at the man who tapped her arm. His dark skin and hazel eyes did seem to a ring a bell, but where had she met him? The man laughed at her confusion.

"That laugh, but…but…"

Her eyes widened as she finally recognised him. He was the man from the carriage with the arrogant blonde. She had caught a glance at him and heard him laugh as the carriage disappeared from the alley.

"You! I…I…I peg you pardon sir, how is your friend? I'm sorry for my behaviour the other day, I do believe my temper got the best of me, but he had no right to treat me in such a way."

The man laughed at her words.

"Oh no, don't be sorry, it was rather amusing to see Draco being bested by a woman, and a Muggleborn one no less."

As Blaise's appearance and subsequent conversation had caught the attention of Cedric and the rest of the group, it wasn't surprising that Harry burst out laughing, followed by Cedric. Blaise could only chuckle at the two noblemen's reaction. In all seriousness, to witness the Lord of Wiltshire and future King of England being outmatched and outwitted so easily by a Muggleborn woman had been something he'd never imagined, let alone thought he'd see. Many at court would have confidently wagered that Draco Malfoy was one of the most talented and smartest wizards at court.

"Hermione, did you really? Did you really outmatch the future king?"

"Harry, what are you talking about?" Hermione asked while the Royal Tutor recovered from his laughter, subtly wiping tears from his eyes.

"I believe some introductions are to be made." Blaise said with a smirk and a sparkle of amusement in his eyes.

"Miss Granger, I am Blaise Zabini, Earl of Dorset. My friend whom you raged against is Draco Malfoy, Duke of Wiltshire and the betrothed of our fair princess."

Hermione probably could have caught flies after the earl's revelation. She looked from Blaise to Harry, jaw dropped and wide eyed, as if waiting for one of them to tell her this was a joke of sorts. To her horror, Ron could only nudge her slightly and say "What a way to make a first impression, Hermione."

"I… I… oh I am such a fool. But I didn't know any of this!" Hermione moaned as she turned to Ginny for comfort.

Blaise smiled, a genuine smile, and took Hermione's hand, placing a light kiss on her knuckles.

"Do not fret, Miss Granger. It will have done some good for Draco to be outmatched this once." The earl said with a wink, earning a small smile from Hermione.


Draco watched from across the ballroom as his oldest friend got close to lustrous chit that dared to stand against him. His knuckles were almost white as his grip on his goblet tightened. If the thing hadn't been had of pewter he may have very well snapped the stem.

"What the hell is he playing at?"

Theo watched his friend fuming as Blaise and Hermione continued to talk. He observed the pair as Hermione smiled when Blaise winked at her and chuckled to himself.

"Blaise sure has a way with the women doesn't he Draco."

A slight snapping sound could be heard; now Draco had broken the stem of his cup with a little extra help of fury fuelled magic. The duke placed the remains of his cup on a nearby table and stalked over towards his friend and the beautiful Muggleborn he so despised.

"Despise her or want her?"

"Damn it" Draco cursed under his breath.

As he approached the Weasley's and their group, he gave himself time to compose himself. After all, it wouldn't do to see the future King of England raging at a high ranking noble and a guest of a prominent and well connected middle class family.

Placing his hand on Blaise's shoulder, Draco caught the earl's attention and that of the small group of people surrounding him.

"Blaise, I see you've taken it upon yourself to acquaint yourself with the Muggleborn that insulted me this past week."

Hermione's eyes widened before frowning at the nobleman.

"I do believe it was you who insulted me, my lord. I do believe you wish you carriage had done more harm then simply ruin my dress that day."

Draco smirked and shook his head at her statement. When his gaze returned to Hermione all he could see were several frown and glares from her company, especially so from the men and Molly Weasley (whom made a noise of disgust at the young duke).

Clearing his throat, Draco bowed and grabbed hold of Hermione's hand, placing a light kiss on her knuckles.

"My apologises Miss Granger. If had known you to be in such high esteem with our English gentry, I would not have wished to cause you the grievance I have."

A small grin alighted on the blonde's face, turning on the Malfoy suave charm. Hermione blinked and stared down at Draco. She smiled and slipped her hand out of his grasp, ignoring the lose of his warmth and the tiny tingling feeling his lips felt behind.

"With all due respect, my lord, I regret to say I can't accept your kind words. They are not sincere and mean to please and flatter me based on my friendships with these whom stand before you."

Ginny gasped and pulled on Hermione's arm, trying to pull from the danger that was evident in Draco's eyes. Blaise's eyes widen in shock before settling on looking rather amused about the whole situation. Hermione and Draco glared at each other and if looks could indeed kill, they would both have found themselves six feet under with only the small gathering around them to testify to their cause of untimely death.

"Oh Harry, I've been looking for you for ages now."

The moment was broken as the Princess of England glided towards the group. Luna looked the perfect image of some ethereal creature. Clothed in a silver satin gown encrusted with pearls and diamonds and her crown upon her head, she could easily pass for a fey creature that she believed in so assuredly.

"Princess," Harry bowed to Luna, followed by the rest of the men gathered around him while the women curtsied. "May I present to you the Weasleys, the Diggorys and of course Miss Hermione Granger to you."

"It's wonderful to see you again Hermione." Luna said, clasping the brunette's hands in her own as though they were old friends.

"Are you quite alright Hermione? Have the nargles gotten into your head?"

Hermione, realising she was still frowning, shook her head at smiled brightly at the princess.

"No, Your Highness, just perplexed by some of the evenings chatter. I'm not used to the ways of court after all. May I also give my greatest thanks to you and Her Majesty for allowing me to attend your ball; I'm ever so grateful to you both."

"Nonsense, why wouldn't you attend? And don't call me "Your Highness". You'll start to sound like Harry."

Hermione and Luna giggled as Harry blushed and ducked his head at the princess's joking.

"Hermione, may I borrow you for a moment? I only mean to steal you away for a short while."

Hermione looked back to Harry, Cedric and Blaise, and then to Draco. She sent him a scowl and smiled at the others.

"Of course you may, Your High-… Luna."

"Brilliant! Let's go."

And with that, Luna linked her arm through Hermione's and walked her across vast the ballroom towards a set of glass doors leading into the palace gardens.


Draco scowled at the back of Hermione's head as she and his betrothed walked away.

"That annoying wench! How dare she reject my apology and publically humiliate me at my own engagement ball!"

As he continued to watch Hermione walk across the ballroom, he could only just catch the sound of her laughing at something the princess had said. He could see her eyes shining with joy under the vast candlelit chandeliers overhead, and the way she seemed to glide through the crowds of people. Even the way her soft smile looked almost illuminated by the moonlight streaming in through the glass garden doors, it all looked enticing to Draco.

He turned around and stalked off towards the stairs that that lead to the balcony running the back portion of the ballroom. He desperately needed some fresh air.

"It's all a trick of the light, that's all it is."


There we have it, the end of chapter 4 of Dreams of Freedom. I've got no historical aspect to clear up in this one so that's all the housekeeping sorted out.

Thanks for reading and sorry it took me so long to get this up on here.

R+R please xxx

See you next time (whenever that may be)

Frances xx :)