A/N: This is a long chapter. Yay! Anyway, the featured song for this chapter is The Phantom of the Opera. Please review, fave, or follow if you want more updates to come soon. This story is just a short one so, there could just be five chapters left or even less.


Chapter Seven: Royal Duties

Harry has been staying in Karthegenia for more than a month. The wards and the magical security detail that he has installed have long been in place. Antoine and Hermione already have their protection jewelry, Hermione with the ring and Antoine has a locket. He was also able to brief all the people in the palace who know about the existence of magic on the security protocols that he has installed and what they will do if Hermione and Antoine were in danger. Harry worked closely with the security team of Kournikov as well as exchanging some correspondence with the British Auror Department for some leads on the threats faced by his family. So far, everything has been peaceful although they are not yet able to identify the enemy. Despite the unknown threats, Harry Potter has never recalled a time in his life that he was this happy. Spending time with his son made up for all the sadness and pain that he has faced in his life. It is also a great joy just to be able to see Hermione everyday after missing her for the last five years.

Hermione has been civil to Harry and he was fine with that. It was such a relief to just see her everyday and to talk to him even if their topics just revolve on three things: Antoine, Security, and her schedule. Of course, he understood. He knew how much he has hurt her in the past and since the only time she has been hostile to him was on the day he first arrived in Karthegenia, then he sees their current situation as a blessing. Hermione loved him in the past and she waited for him for many years while he ended up hurting her. So, he promised himself that he would wait for the time that she would finally forgive him. He is not expecting that she still has romantic feelings for him, but he would be happy if they regain their friendship. He acknowledged that things were so much complicated between them and let's not forget the fact that Hermione is a queen now with so much responsibility. He will support all her endeavors and would just love her from a far, for now.

The more time he spends with Antoine the more he realizes that their son may physically look like him except for the hair color, which he got from his mama, but his personality is so much like Hermione. The kid is brilliant, responsible, and utterly lovable. He got out of bed with a smile on his face as he remembered one of their conversations a few weeks ago. When Antoine told him that he would in getting him and Hermione back together, it seems that the little prince had a lot of ideas. Harry can't even believe that Antoine is just a couple of weeks short of turning five. He chuckled at the memory as his son talked about his "plans" …

"Dad! Dad! Dad! Guess what!", Antoine was bouncing up and down in excitement as Harry entered the library.

"Woah! Slow down, tiger! What's got you so fired up?", he said with a chuckle. The sight of his son bouncing up and down reminds him of a young Hermione who was so excited to learn something new.

"I told you that I'm going to help you and mama get back together right? Well, I just started it!", the boy said with a big smile and Harry laughed.

"Really? What did you do?", he said with an amused chuckle.

"Okay, so mama was tucking me to bed and before she left, I told her that you told me you loved her. And then she said, well of course you do since you were best friends. And then I asked her if all best friends have babies. And then she couldn't respond, and she just said good night", Antoine said with excitement.

"Wow! I could only imagine your mama's face when you asked her about the best friends having babies part", Harry laughed as he imagined Hermione's reaction. Their son is good!

"I know it's not much progress dad but at least she now knows how you feel", the boy shrugged.

"And I thank you for all your help son. Really!", he smiled at the boy and ruffled his hair.


Harry followed through his normal routine of shadowing Hermione and Antoine, conducting some rounds to make sure everything was safe, that is until he got a call from Antoine. He quickly went to the little boy to see if something was wrong. Antoine was inside the music room where the boy usually played piano and violin but when Harry arrived, his son was standing by the window looking at something.

"Tony? Are you alright?", he approached the little boy and gazed to whatever the kid could possibly be staring at. He saw a white limousine parked outside with little flags on each side of the hood. As the door of the limo opened, a tall man dressed in a black three-piece suit with a sash attached with some medals walked out of it. Must be some state visit or something.

"Arghh! I hate that guy. He is so annoying and arrogant and -", the little boy's rant was interrupted by Harry.

"And apparently you have Hermione's temper! What did that man do to you for you to hate him so much, Tony", he asked with amusement.

"He is one of mama's many suitors. He is so persistent, and he is so confident that she is going to pick him", Tony huffed and crossed his arms. Now he understood Antoine's predicament.

"Just how many suitors does your mama have anyway?", he asked.

"Well, I think about five. But that is only those who have formally sought out a courtship with mama. There are other admirers! Of course, there are! Mama is the most beautiful woman in the world and she's a brilliant queen too and -", Tony's ramblings were immediately halted when he looked at his dad and the kid had a devious smile on his face. It was smile that reminded Harry of the many times Hermione had ideas that were positively brilliant, but scary.

"Dad, is there some sort of spell that would make me look like I was sick or something but then it will just immediately vanish?", Tony asked.

"Of course! But why would you want to know?"

"Well, you can cast that spell on me and I'll act out and cry so that mama's focus will be on me and that Duke will be forced to leave", Tony said wiggling his eyebrows up and down. Harry laughed at his son's antics. The kid has Hermione's brilliance and the Marauder genepool. I can't imagine what sort of trouble this kid is going to cause when he goes to Hogwarts!

"Okay, let's do it but let's give the bloke around ten to twenty minutes. I want to observe him first before we come rushing in", he explained.

"But why? We can just have him leave now?", Tony asked with genuine curiosity and confusion.

"Oh son! I just wanted to see what my competition is like", he winked.


Harry and Antoine were hiding behind a statue of Karthegenia's first monarch from the second floor and observing what's happening to Hermione and the duke who were by the grand staircase. Harry had to admit that the duke was tall and good-looking, but he just emitted an air that was a combination of Draco Malfoy and Cormac McLaggen. Harry casted a sonorous towards the foyer so they could hear whatever it was that Hermione and the duke were talking about. Harry tried his best to control his laughter as he listened to Hermione maintain her composure while deflecting the advances of the pompous duke. Seeing that she has suffered enough, Harry told Antoine that it was show time.

"You ready for me to cast a spell?", he asked just to be sure.

"Never mind that, dad. I think I can handle it. Just follow my lead in three, two, one…", Tony then started crying and clutching his belly as if he were in pain.

"Mama! Mama!", Antoine called from the second floor as he slowly walked, and all Harry could do was follow. Merlin! This boy could totally whip the marauders to shreds! Antoine really put on a very convincing act, he even gestured to Harry that he be lifted so he just complied. It was his son's show after all. Harry carried a crying Antoine who wrapped his legs across his waist and his arms around his neck.

"Please do excuse me, Lord Maxwell", he heard Hermione call out as soon as Harry and Antoine reached the last step of the stairs.

"Mama! Mama! My tummy aches!", Antoine was crying as he looked at Hermione and his arms were around Harry. Harry tried his very hardest to act like he was concerned for the welfare of their son when all he wanted to do was laugh. Sirius, Remus, and dad would love little Antoine! He's a marauder in the making.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, sweetheart. Shush!", Hermione rubbed soothing circles on Antoine's back and whispered comforting words to the little boy. Amplifying his act, Antoine removed his hands around Harry's neck and transferred to Hermione's. Harry slowly helped Antoine to get settled in Hermione's arms as she continued to comfort the crying child. Since Antoine was facing Harry, he saw the little boy wiggle his eyebrows at him and he coughed to hide a chuckle. Antoine really knows his game!

"Lord Maxwell I am so sorry, but I would have to cut your visit short. You are free to stay of course but I must attend to my son right now. As you can see, he is in distress. Please do understand", Hermione addressed her suitor. The duke stood up and offered a bow.

"I fully understand your majesty. It is such a warm sight to see a beautiful woman such as yourself care for your child. It is only one of those admirable qualities that I love about you. But I must go since you must take care of the little prince. Arrivederci, Queen Antonietta!", the duke left the foyer with one last look at Harry. It was a look that showed curiosity, confusion, and loathing. It seems the duke knows that he was competition as well. When they heard the duke's limo start, Harry immediately noticed that Antoine has dropped his act and all he could do was shake his head in amusement.

"You may put me down now mama. I know I'm rather heavy now", Antoine chuckled, and Hermione looked at the boy with confusion but carefully placed him down.

"Are you alright, Tony? You had mama worried there!", Hermione knelt down and lovingly caressed the boy's face.

"I'm not really sick mama. I'm sorry. I just wanted him to go away. I don't like him. He's so annoying and boastful", Antoine admitted, and he looked at the marble tiled floor avoiding his mama's eyes while lightly shuffling his feet.

"You mean to tell me that you were just acting all along?", Hermione asked incredulously.

"Yes, mama. I'm sorry", Antoine looked at Hermione with a cute little pout and puppy dog eyes. Harry couldn't help it any longer, he laughed.

"Harry Potter, did you know about this?", Hermione asked in that annoyed voice she does whenever he or Ron did something foolish.

"Well, maybe a little, your majesty", he said with a smirk and Hermione rolled her eyes. She gracefully got up from where she knelt and playfully ruffled their son's hair.

"Antoine Leontes Harold Marcus Kournikov, whatever am I going to do with you?", Hermione said with exasperation.

"Give me some ice cream?", the boy smiled at his mother who ended up chuckling.

"You're lucky I love you Tony", Hermione said as she held out her hand to the little boy which he immediately took.

"Where are we going mama?"

"Well, we could spend some time in the library or we can play music and have some ice cream", Hermione offered as she looked at the child.

"Really?", the boy was clearly very excited now.

"Consider this a thank you for driving Lord Maxwell. You know, Tony, for a kid who's barely five, you are already saving damsels in distress", Hermione chuckled.

"Can daddy come too?"

"Tony, even if your father doesn't want to come with us, he is forced to follow us around", Hermione smiled at Harry.

"Actually, I would love to follow you around anywhere", Harry winked, and he saw that Hermione was trying her best to stop her blushing.

"Yay! Now let's go get some ice cream and then we can play music on the piano mama!"


Harry was standing by the grand piano as he watched Hermione and Antoine play a duet, Heart and Soul by Hoagy Carmichael. He loved the way Hermione dotes on Tony and it was obvious that the little boy loves his mother very much. Hermione's eyes were shining with happiness and pride as she played piano with her son. He had never scene such a beautiful sight than this tender duet between the woman he loves and their son. His heart was once again filled with regret. If only he didn't mess it up, they would have been so happy together. Harry clapped his hands after they finished their song which was received by a thank you from the duo.

"Mama! Did you notice? I made no mistakes this time!", the boy looked to his mother for validation.

"Yes, my little prince. You made no mistakes this time. I am so proud of you", Hermione kissed the boy's forehead.

"Mama! Play our favorite this time and we can sing together", Antoine suggested.

"Oh, sweetie. We just had some ice cream, I doubt I can sing that high", she chuckled.

"Come on mama, please. We haven't played piano together in over a month and well, I want to show dad what I can do", the boy pouted, and Hermione sighed.

"Oh, alright!", Hermione acquiesced.

"Daddy, you should sit beside mama. I must stand for this piece. The song is hard to sing!", Antoine left the piano bench and gestured for Harry to take his place. Harry just obeyed his son's request since he was still amazed at their piano duet.

"Are you ready, Tony?", Hermione asked and when the boy nodded, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Harry was the mesmerized, looking at her fingers glide over the piano as he heard the music fill the room and then he heard her sing for the first time since she left.

[In sleep he sang to me
In dreams he came
That voice which calls to me
And speaks my name
And do I dream again
For now I find
The phantom of the opera is
There inside my mind]

He could now remember why Hermione's singing used to calm him down and make him happy. She sings like an angel. He has never heard Hermione sing this song before and he wondered why she never sang this. This song compliments her voice perfectly and he could see that she has mastered this piano piece from the heart. And then he heard their little boy sing…

[Sing once again with me
A strange duet
My power over you
Grows stronger yet
And though you turn from me
To glance behind
The phantom of the opera is
There inside your mind.]

Wow! Antoine can really sing! Thank Merlin he inherited so much of Hermione's talents, he thought as he listened on. This time around, mother and son were singing together.

[Those who have seen your face
Draw back in fear I am the mask you wear
It's me they hear
Our spirit and my voice
In one combined
The phantom of the opera is
There inside my mind]

[In all your fantasies,
You always knew
That man and mystery
Were both in you
And in this labyrinth
Where night is blind
The phantom of the opera is
There inside my mind]

[Beware
The phantom of the opera
Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah
Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah
Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah-A-a-a-h]

This time he knew that he was just sitting there, gaping like a fish. Hermione now has her eyes closed as she sang the very high notes in the end of the song. Could I ever be even more in love with you, Hermione? Is that even possible? Hearing Hermione sing this song, especially the last part with the very high notes made him question if the woman sitting beside him was even real? She's like an angel from up above. She was perfect. And how did I ever miss that before?

He didn't even notice the song ended as he just sat there looking at her, his emerald green eyes looking at her chocolate brown ones. He was mesmerized.

"Dad? Did you like our performance?", Antoine asked with excitement.

"Harry? Are you alright", Hermione asked since he just remained sitting their with his mouth hanging open.

"Harry?"

"Oh, Merlin, how I love you", Harry whispered his thoughts out loud. He was brought back to reality when he heard giggling.

"Dad? Who's Merlin? And why do you love him?", Antoine giggled again.

Harry looked at Hermione who was avoiding his eyes and her cheeks were flushed. Bloody hell! Did I just tell her out loud that I love her? He cleared his throat to steady himself as he tried to form an answer, but none came.

" Tony, I need some water after that performance. My throat needs the nourishment. Anyway, let's go to the library, love. Let's catch up on our reading", Hermione left the piano bench and ushered Antoine out the music room. Harry just quietly followed the mother and child.


When they entered the library, Antoine immediately ran to his favorite couch and Hermione followed with a chuckle. He immediately sat beside his pile of books, grabbed the one at the top and he continued where he left off. Hermione sat beside Antoine on the couch and the little boy leaned his head on his mother's shoulder. Harry just sat on the one-seater couch and observed the interactions between mother and child.

"Mama? Mr. Roshka told me that the duke who visited is just one of five men who entered a courtship with you. What does that mean? And as crown prince, will I enter a courtship some day as well? Though I do hope they are with girls. I just don't see myself being with boys", the little boy ended his series of questions with a look of disgust at the thought of entering a courtship with a boy. Harry sat there listening and he ended up chuckling.

"Well, yes Lord Maxwell is one of those five who entered a courtship with me. It just means that they are interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with me and the courtship is there to check if we can work as a couple. Yes, as a crown prince you will be entering a courtship as well but with girls. And that will still be a long long time away, so you better just focus on having me as the only girl in your life right now", Hermione hugged the little boy and kissed the side of his head.

"So how is your courtship now mama?"

"Why do you want to know?", Hermione playfully asked.

"Well, maybe daddy can enter in a courtship with you as well!", Antoine said with excitement.

"Tony! You don't know what you're talking about. I'm so sorry about this, Harry!", Hermione glanced at Harry who just sat there and nodded.

"What are the steps to enter a courtship with you mama? Please tell me, I really want to know", Antoine begged, and Hermione sighed.

"Alright. Well first any man who is of noble descent if he is not next in line to succeed a crown is very much able to take part in a courtship with me. After that, he will make some occasional visits here and we talk to see if we are compatible. When I find a suitor that I like, then I will ask him to marry me. As queen, it is my duty to ask for the man's hand because I will be his head of house once we marry. After that, I marry this man and he will be the Royal Consort", Hermione explained.

"Thank you for explaining mama! I think I understand now", Antoine smiled and looked at his mother.

Harry sat there and listened to the conversation lost in his thoughts. Since I am the Lord Potter, I am technically qualified to enter a courtship with Hermione. But the question is, how can I do that if I am here as her bodyguard? And will she even accept me? The things he learned about courtship stayed in his mind all day and kept him up at night.


Today is another time where a "People's Visit" is going to be held since the event only happens once a month. Harry was sitting with Antoine in the library when he froze. He felt a pull from Hermione's protection jewel. She was in danger!

"Antoine! I need you to come with me to Potter Manor, my house. You will be very safe there since that place is protected by magic. Do not panic son but we must get there fast. After that, I'll have to rescue your mother. She is in danger! But before I do that, I must get you safe first!", before Antoine could react, Harry activated his portkey and they vanished. Please be okay, Hermione! I can't lose you. Antoine needs you, and Karthegenia will be lost without you…