New Chapter

It had started out as a good morning, she was sure of it. She had gotten up on the right side of the bed, figuratively. Had a wonderful breakfast in the hotel with her family, her favorite actually of scrambled eggs and bacon, cooked exactly as she preferred them, so thinking back she wasn't sure exactly when it had turned to be so, well, complicated.

Then his face came to mind. Oh yes, she knew exactly where it had gone wrong. It had gone wrong the moment she got back to her room from breakfast and a large white snowy owl was sitting upon her desk. Looking as though it had every right to be there, as though she had not locked her window the night before. She knew it wasn't a messenger owl immediately, as they were usually brown and often of unknown decent, as she got closer she saw the collar on the animal; a silk tie around its neck with a small gold pendant, obviously warning people not to steal her or otherwise deal with owner. No, not a messenger owl at all, but one who's lines could probably to traced as far but as champion muggle dogs she had heard about. The owl's ancestors must have served the same family. The owl's eyes seemed to gleam with pride at its toplofty station, and Kate thought it must be fate. Owl and master were so much alike. In front of the owl was of course a letter, and for a moment Kate debated walking out of the room and pretending she never saw it. It would be so easy and so uncomplicated to do so, however she did not think the owl was going to take the hint and just fly off with the letter in tow, back to its master. That would simply be too easy, and Kate didn't think she had that sort of luck. She never did before and there was no chance it was going to start today.

One week ago she had left him standing in the middle of the street, how was it that he still wanted to communicate with her? Wasn't leaving someone standing there and basically wishing them a nice life kind of code for never intending to see the person again? She certainly thought so, and she was almost positive the rest of the world would agree with her. But she had had a feeling from the beginning that this man did not do anything normal, again that would be just to simple.

The bird seemed to read her thoughts squawking at her rather elegantly, if it was possible to describe and owl squawking as elegant. It seemed to suit her though Kate thought with an unconscious shrug. She took a few minutes drawing out the opening of the envelope before drawing out the letter, and she read the very uncomplicated and well…. simple sentence quickly.

Doing anything Friday evening? -H

Kate looked up in confusion reading the short missive over and over again. Trying to figure out what she was missing. "H"? Like they knew each other, worse like they were intimate. Kate had dated one man for seven months and still wrote out "Kathryn" with every letter, and this man basically assumed…. well she wasn't sure what he was assuming. He was assuming that he knew her that's what! She should be outraged she told herself. And Friday night, when it was already Wednesday, did he think she had no life? She could chalk it up to him being just an arrogant royal who just figured everyone would clear their schedule for them, but somehow that just didn't fit the mold, she thought. Something just didn't exactly fit there. Rather then try to figure it out though she decided he might just be one of those people that had no reason, although he didn't seem like that type either.

After pondering she went to her own stationary on the neat little desk next to the window, which overlooked Venice, and with great enjoyment penned her own very short, very simple, letter. She could have thought of an excuse that would have been obviously an excuse, a more elegant way of saying, "Sorry I have to baby-sit my six sisters," or "I have to wash my hair Friday night" but finally stuck with the truth and named the function she and her family were attending. That ought to show him she thought handing the letter to the white owl that had quieted down while it waited for the reply. She watched as it swooped out of the window to return to its master.

For some reasons though it still bothered her. Why she thought, because that had been way to easy. She wished she was wrong about this, but she had a suspicion that she had just played right into his hand. Shaking off the thought she wandered to the shower to get ready for an action filled, adventurous day... touring the largest butter beer factory with her family.

VVVVMMMMMVVVVVMMMMM

Harry watched Hedwig fly in through his window as he sat at his massive desk. She had responded quicker then he thought she would, looking at his watch noting the time. Harry figured she would take at least a day to respond just in principle, and he had given her a week to settle into the idea of him. He knew people generally took there time getting used to mentally who he was, and after absorbing it, they finally acted normal around him. And although she definitely did not seem like the type to require and adjustment period, hell he thought it was stupid, but he still gave her the time.

With her, he had given her a week to…. well he wasn't sure why but he figured a week was enough time to have her start thinking that he had let the idea of them drop. Of course he was assuming she thought of him at all, but dismissed that entirely with out hesitation. No one consciously did not think of him, the idea was just wrong. He certainly was not someone that people generally forgot. Though in his mind there was the thought that if anyone were going to purposely not think about him it would be Kate.

Hedwig waited for him on her perch while he got up and walked over and relieved her of the letter. He took no time opening it and grinned as he read the short sentence.

Already attending Summerset Ball- Kathryn Renee Elizabeth Benington

He actually laughed aloud when he read her name to the room. She had even done the little spell to stamp it, like muggles had when they needed too many letters signed and just had a stamp to put the name at the end. That was good he thought, he had not even considered that. He thought the gauntlet had already been thrown but if it had not this definitely would have started it all over again. She had temper. And grinning he thought that temper was a fabulous thing. She certainly would never back down from him, never let him win an argument. Instinctively, he just knew they would fit together like a lock and key would.

What she didn't realize thought that the point of this little exercise was just to find out where her family had plans on Friday. He knew very well that there was no way she was going to say that she was wide open and would love to see him. This was exactly what he had hoped for, he thought walking over to his desk and calling in his secretary.

With in seconds an older matronly woman, short and somewhat on the plump side walked in.

"Yes Sir?"

"Mrs. Wilson, did I by chance get an invitation to the yearly Somerset Ball?" he asked directly.

"Yes of course Sir. That is one of the few I did not respond too yet, but-"

"Send them a confirmation that I will be attending, and you might as well send the rest of my lot letters as well with the plans for that evening. No doubt they'll want to attend for show." He trailed of in the end. He knew his friends would find out he was going anyway, and it was not unusual for him to pick one of these affairs to attend a couple nights a week. It was why his secretary did not give a negative reply to all, only the ones that there was no chance he would ever think of attending. Hostess' had gotten used to the fact that the closer to the date of the party and still no reply from him, the actually better chance they had of him making an appearance. Knowing the young King's quirks was actually something that the more experienced and important hosts prided themselves on, that and the fact that having him attend was never made to be a big deal. New hostess found out very quickly that if the King showed up at your event and you made it into a moment, then you would never see him again. And not because he would actually refuse your invitations, but because his secretary simply would never let him attend another. Your name would never be listed again as a possible place for the young King to spend his evening.

Suffice to say it was not often that anyone made the mistake anymore of drawing attention to Harry. They simply let him enjoy himself and do what he pleased. However they did know that if he replied with an affirmative then they might as well count in another couple, as Harry usually at least brought one of his friends in tow. His own personal way of making sure that he never had too horrible of a time. That would privately insult some, while others would not care at all. Neither of which mattered much to the man sitting behind the massive desk.

So Somerset Ball, eh?" Blaise asked at lunch on Thursday afternoon.

"Yes, haven't seen them in a while, so I figured why not?" Harry replied not even looked up from his salad which seemed to Blaise was taking an in ordinarily large amount of concentration to eat at the moment. He merely sat back in his chair and grinned,

"So, do you know what time she plans on being there?" To which Harry finally looked up, grinned, and replied,

"Mate, I haven't the foggiest notion what you are talking of."

"'Course" was the only reply from Blaise in a smug tone. "But we'll of course want to be there later on in the evening I gather, to uh, give anyone time to uh settle in and possibly think we won't show up, correct?"

Harry finally looked up from his salad and grinned a grin cunning that had spoken volumes even as a child.

"Absolutely mate."

Blaise only gave a mutter "well this ought to be interesting." And turned his attention to his own lunch.

She was bored, more then bored, but took pride in the fact that it did not show on her face at all. She knew because she kept looking at the huge walled mirrors to make sure a perfect smile was in place. Rachel had caught her a couple times and started making fish faces at the mirror in order to alleviate her own boredom.

Kate knew she couldn't complain about her surroundings. The ballroom was covered in gold. Fabulous moving murals painted by the greatest artist in the world lined the ceilings. Chandeliers hung from the fifty-foot ceilings. Yes, the mansion and especially the ballroom were spectacular.

It was odd but most other girls at the Somerset Ball were dancing almost every dance. It was one of the rare occasions when there seemed to be more males then females. However, only a few guys had asked them to dance. She knew it wasn't cockiness thinking back to all the balls she had been to when her partners had lined up to dance with her. Ballroom etiquette stated that men and women on a young age had to dance, so people always went first to the partners they preferred and moved down to the ones it was just a duty to dance with to make sure you were dancing all the dances. But tonight it was the opposite and an uneasy feeling loomed in the air. Men certainly looked at Rachael and herself but not many came forward. She had that feeling that she was missing something that somehow a lot of people in the room knew something that she did not. That was never a good feeling.

Rachael and she automatically stuck together because of this. They mingled and talked for the first half of the ball and then went to dinner. It was after midnight by the time the second half began. Usually these were slower dances, and although magic tradition was extremely conservative one, couples danced rather closely the second half.

Kate decided that this evening was obviously just and off one when by the third dance of the second half she still had not been asked to dance. Rachael had danced once and seemed slightly agitated now. Thought Kate glanced at her parents and saw that they had barely noticed the on goings. They fortunately had many acquaintances at the ball and had been consumed by lively conversation.

It wasn't until she noticed the people around her looking behind her and trying to look disinterested that Kate got a tinkling feeling on the back of he neck. Her back still facing the grand staircase, she realized what was going on and finally turned around and straight into black dress robes. At her eye level she saw and insignia on the lapel, and what she could only describe and slow motioned, looked up into a face that was smiling an arrogant little grin.

Lord, she thought, the man had no right to look that good. This was just not good. In that moment she tried to put her finger on what it was about him. She hated arrogant men, which he certainly was, and come to think of it she had always dated more of the fair-haired type, or definitely preferred it. And here she was breathless and unable to speak to a man that was definitely the opposite of everything she had ever been attracted too. But like it or not she liked him. Way too much than what was considered good for her.

She looked up into his eyes frowning, for one of the first times not quite certain what to think.

But the man solved that problem, and in a stage whisper, leaned in close to her, his hands clasped behind his back and looking as smug as ever, "So, I have heard through the grape vine that you are having trouble this evening procuring dance partners?"

Kate's face was quickly replaced with confusion, then understanding, and then anger.

"You smug son of a –!" she started sharply, only to be cut off by his hand, and a gentle male finger rubbing over her lips in slow movements.

His gaze went from her eyes down to where his fingers rested, and stopped their movement. She was gorgeous in her well-deserved temper he thought. He knew she would be upset by his highhandedness, such was to be expected, but seeing the fire in her eyes almost made it worth it. Seeing her at all tonight made it all worth it. She was gorgeous in a shimmering cobalt dress. Walking down the stairs to meet her she had taken his breath away, which seemed like a weakness to him but he decided that he would analyze his emotions later. All that filled his vision was her.

A slight cough from over his shoulder brought Harry out of his thoughts, and into the realization that he was causing somewhat of a scene. "Well," he started, "as I can't do what I would really love to do," and as confusion came into Kate's face Harry allowed his gaze to drop down once more to her mouth, and watched not only comprehension but a delightful blush fill her face. "So, I am going to dance with you. Tomorrow you can yell at my arrogance, but tonight I am just going to enjoy dancing."

Kate was still a little dazed and nodded her approval; she noticed that as she and Harry came on the dance floor most people tried to look away, although a select group of young men just grinned towards Harry. Giving him knowing smiles that told her exactly why she had not been asked to dance. She through a glance back to Rachael where she saw a handsome man asking for her hand. A man that she had not seen earlier and deduced he had come in with the man leading her to the floor. Finally forced to turn her attention away she looked up at Harry slightly frowning.

Harry shook his head wondering if it was necessarily a good thing that so early on in their relationship he could read her so well. It seemed as thought every emotion went through her faces and he already knew what they were. With Kate in his arms he smiled gently and nodded towards Rachael and the unknown man.

"His name is Adrian, Lord Adrian Pucey. And he won't cause her harm. I guarantee she'll enjoy having him partner her, as I am told by much of the ladies that he is an excellent dancer, unparalleled in fact accept by me."

The last line, as he intended cause her attention to finally dissolve from her sister and smile at Harry. He knew at that moment that even though he may have the world's attention when he talked but he had never felt like he did in this moment, with her attention on him, and his only on her.

Compared to the first two thirds of the dance the last third flew by. Harry and Kate danced every last dance together, causing quite a stir amongst the crowd, but neither of the two noticed. Kate glanced around every once in a while for Rachael, and each time found her securely in the arms of the man Harry called Adrian. Even once at the end of a dance she had seen he Adrian fetch her sister a drink and with one look towards waiting gentlemen, make sure that no one was going to intrude while he was away. It was highhanded, but instead of being upset or alarmed Kate found herself pleased. Rachael would be all right with the man just as Harry had told her. She was starting to think there might be something good about a little bit of a white knight personality in a man, though she knew she would never admit it aloud.

As the last song ended Kate realized that she had spent the last two hours in utter calmness. Some dances she and Harry had talked, while others they spent in comfortable silence. It was nice. Harry was not one of those people who needed conversation every minute, which was very much in attunes to Kate's personality. In fact too much time in the company of people tended to make her a little claustrophobic.

When the music ended and their final dance turn complete Harry led her off the floor, her hand firmly attached in the crook of his arm. Without a word he led her straight back to her parents side, and arrived there almost simultaneously with Rachael on the arm of a smiling Lord Pucey. Both courteously said their goodbyes, and as Harry leaned in for a formal kiss on the cheek, which her did not seem very formal at all, he murmured that he would call upon her tomorrow, and requested that she have lunch with him. This time Kate did not see the need to put him off with a polite dismissal, and to the shock of her parents she thanked him and said yes. Harry wasn't sure if that "yes" would last long. Though maybe she had figured out that he was likely to have his way no matter what she said. It was just the way things were.

Moving away Harry decided she would see him tomorrow for lunch and dinner, and if truth be known most the days for the rest of his life. Telling her that was going to be the surest way to run her off though, that he knew. His Kate was just not someone that was impressed with titles or money, and he have to readjust his thinking in ways to impress females. But as she walked away with her parents, glancing back it him, he couldn't help thinking that learning everything with Kate was going to be the best time in his life.

Harry apparated back to the castle expecting to finally get some rest after a rather long night. It was tedious that balls did not end until three or four in the morning. Of course they were usually attended by people that either did not work, work for their own company, or worked for amusement and had no trouble being fired or being talked about for missing days of work.

For Harry though, it was not to be. Walking up the main staircase Stuart, the family butler, appeared quietly.

"Master Harry, the minister of defense is in your office." Stuart was the only one who had ever called him "master Harry," as he once told Harry that there was only so much ego Harry should have. That and the king's title was not something to bestow upon a gentlemen that you had known long enough to change his diapers. Harry of course closed the discussion then and there, and truth be known couldn't have cared less what Stuart called.

Looking down at his watch he checked the hour again to make sure that it was correct. What ever the minister of defense wanted it had better of been important to be coming at four am. If it wasn't then he was finding a way to boot the fellow out. With a heavy sigh Harry turned to a mirror on the staircase, check his appearance, and made his way to the office Stuart had put the minister in.

Walking to the door, Harry opened it and saw his Minister standing near the window fidgeting. However what happened next was the last thing Harry had expected, nor could it have been any worse timed.

"Sire," the minister whispered once he noticed Harry in the room, "it's time."

Harry must have looked confused for the Minister added in the most serious voice possible.

"It is time sire. We found Voldemort. It is time to end this."