Chapter 12
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The hot radiant sun was blazing through Ron's common room window the next morning. Wind blew through the curtains, causing a sleeping Hermione to shiver under Ron's arm. Ron moaned pulling her closer to him on the bed. He moaned he opened his eyes slowly slightly squinting from the sun. He smiled at his maiden at his side; he leaned in and kissed her cheek. Hermione too now opened her eyes; she smiled bringing the covers up more to her chin.
"Good morrow, Hermione," said Ron.
"Good morrow, Ronald," Hermione said back to him. She moved closer to Ron, but flinched when she did.
"Are you alright?" asked Ron, looking concerned.
"I'm fine. Just a little sore," she said, rubbing her inner leg.
Ron put his hand where Hermione's was, "I'm sorry, was I too rough? I should've--
"-No, Ron, it's alright," she replied, "I'm fine. It was better than-…well- the last time…"
Ron ran a hand through her hair, which was all over the place on the long red pillow the shared. "I know." They leaned in and captured each other's lips, sharing a passionate kiss. Hermione broke apart giggling, which made Ron chuckle, "What?"
"When you were a boy, did you ever imagine you're life to be with someone like me?" asked Hermione.
Ron laughed, pulling her close to him again, "When I was a boy, I was a very clueless heir. But, no, I never did. I guess I imagined it the way as my Father would always put it. Being Prince, having wealth, power, marrying a Princess, becoming King and having an heir for the Hogwarts throne. But then again, I would choose to be with you over all of that." Hermione's smile slowly faded, she turned her head away from him not saying anything. She was silent, not knowing what to say. She sat up on the bed and turned to get off. She picked up a night gown that was hanging up on the iron rack and slipped it over her head. Ron lay there on the bed, wondering what he had said to offend her; he sat up on the bed. "-Hermione-what's wrong? Have I said something?"
Hermione put her hairbrush down and looked over at him. She went to sit back on the bed beside him. "Ron…I think its great the way you think of me, I really love you for that, but-…"
Ron shook his head, he brought his hand up to her face and brushed it, "-But what?"
"Its just that-…I don't think you see the values of what you are. I mean before I came to this castle, I've heard of what a great prince you are. How you succeed over numerous of things. You were born into a line of royalty, and you act as if all those things you just told me are just hobbies. They're not hobbies, Ron; they're your life and future."
Ron looked at her amazed but at the same time confused, "W-What are you saying? Do you not want to be with m-me?"
"No! Ron, that's not what I'm saying at all," Hermione said, cupping his face in her hands, "I don't nor will I ever doubt your ways of being Prince, but I just don't want to see you lose the goodness of your life because of me."
Ron took her hand in his and kissed it, then moved closer and wrapped his arms around her waist, "Hermione, all the goodness in my life is here with you. I'm still Prince of Hogwarts; I'm still heir to the throne. To be honest…I never really had any goodness in my life until I might you, Hermione. Harrius was the only person who kept me in line. I was a really selfish youth, I wanted to be everything that my Father was or wanted from me. I did things that weren't for the good of Hogwarts, but for the good of me. I've done horrible things. But when I met you, you changed me, Hermione. You opened up a part of me that I never knew was there. I can't explain it, but it was real. All my life I thought that being Prince and future King, was only about wealth and control, but now I know that it's more than that."
Hermione and little tears trickling down her face, she grinned at Ron and his little speech. "Oh, Ron! You really are my special star." Ron smiled; he pulled her into him and kissed her again. Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed back. Ron moaned moving his hands up and down her waist. The two pulled apart, their foreheads leaning against one another. "I love you, Ron."
"I love you, too." The two leaned in again, but the door swung.
"Morrow, Rona--
The two broke apart, when they saw Harrius standing at the door way of the common room. Harrius quickly shut the door behind him, so no one would peer in.
"Harrius!" Ron muttered. Hermione was glad she had already slipped her nightgown back on, but she was still embarrassed. "Did you figure to knock?"
"Didn't think I had too," said Harrius, "sorry to interrupt, but I think you should get changed, Ronald." Ron groaned he quickly wrapped the bed sheet around his waist, before walking off into the other room. He continuously muttered under his breath, something about Harrius. Hermione giggled, while staring after him. Harrius stood there still looking a bit shocked on what he had just walked in on. "I-I'm s-so sorry, Hermione, I didn't know that you and Ron were-…"
"That's alright, Harrius," said Hermione, "just make sure Ron forgives you."
Harrius stared into the room that Ron had just made his way into, "Did you two-…? Did Ron--
Harrius got his answer when a crimson colour came upon Hermione's face; she bent her head and smiled. Harrius smiled himself and plopped himself next to Hermione on the bed. "Wow, no I definitely have no doubt about yours and Ron's dedication to each other. You have my blessings on that."
Hermione leaned in and pecked Harrius on his cheek, "Thank you, Harrius."
"Bloody hell," a voice from in front muttered, "one minute you come busting in here, now Hermione gives you a kiss for that." Ron threw his the bed sheet at Harrius. Harrius laughed and threw it back at him. Hermione playfully nudged Ron at his side with her elbow. "Anyways…what news do you have for me, Harrius?"
"Oh-yes- well you and Hermione bonding beats out my news…last night I was out riding, just to clear my mind. I had an encounter with King Lucious' messenger by the name of Edgar Von Vallen."
Ron's face fell, he clipped on the front of his robes, "That cannot be news of any good then."
"He said that King Lucious was very concerned about the way we just left that day, Ronald," said Harrius, "he also said that King Lucious and his wife are coming to Hogwarts to join us at our traditional feast."
"You didn't say yes did you, mate?" asked Ron.
Harrius threw up his arms, "I didn't know what to say. I was put on the spot. I just told him that he was to talk with you…since it was late at night he stayed in the guest common room."
Hermione turned to Ron looking a bit unsure of where things were going, "In that case I better be going then."
"Going?" Ron interjected, "Why?"
"I should be getting back to Roger and Abby," said Hermione, gathering up some of her belongings, "They're going to be taking Owen back to his Mother today."
Ron stood up helping Hermione, "Ok- well I'll walk you to their common room."
"-No, no, I really think you and Harrius should be discussing your plans for that feast you're planning to have." Ron sighed looking a bit disappointed, but he knew that Hermione was right. After what she had told him before Harrius had come, he really had to keep his focus on his duties. "I'll see you again later, Ron."
Ron went up and took both her hands his, he leaned in and whispered, "Promise?"
Hermione put her hand on his soft face, she tip-toed and kissed him, "I promise. I will see you later on." Ron hugged her, as if he was attached to him. He didn't want to let her go. He couldn't be more in love with her, especially since they had bedded the previous night. The two finally broke apart, Ron held onto her hand even when she made to go. Hermione smiled, as her hand slowly slipped out of his. One of the guards standing outside opened the door for her, and she walked out.
Harrius smiled, but then cleared his throat, "Vallen is waiting, Ronald. We should see to him now."
Ron shook out of staring at the door, and turned back to Harrius. "Y-Yes…yes let's see to him!"
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Ron and Harrius opened the door to the guest common room. They found Vallen talking with one of Ron's servers. Ron nodded his head for him to be excused; the man bowed his head and walked out the door.
Vallen cleared his throat and straightened himself up, "Good morrow, Prince Ronald-Lord Harrius. How goes your day?"
Ron nodded his head and shook his hand, "Fine, thank you, and yours?"
"Oh- fine thank you," said Vallen, now taking off his delicate head wear. The three sat down on the red couches. Another maiden came and put a basket on the table in the middle of where they were sitting, containing fresh varieties of bread. Vallen gladly leaned in and took two pieces. "Ah, yes! Type of grain products only found within the land of Hogwarts."
Ron and Harrius looked at one another. Ron cleared his throat, "Anyways, Vallen, what have you come all this way to say? Harrius has told me that your King, his wife and his daughter are coming to join us at our traditional feast."
"Oh, yes!" Vallen reached into his robes and pulled out a tied piece of parchment. The one that Harrius had remembered reading the previous night, Vallen handed it to Ron. Ron opened it and started to skim through it. "I just have to ask, will your Father be at the feast?"
Ron quickly finished reading the scroll before his head popped up, "Oh-erm-yes! He had to go away for a while on some duties, but he should be back within the next couple of days."
"Oh, excellent!" exclaimed Vallen, "That's just more splendid news to give back to my King."
"It's highly unlikely that King Lucious would have invited himself though," Harrius said curiously. "Seeing as this is not his Kingdom."
"My King and his family were invited my King Arthur himself…isn't that mention in the scroll?"
"No…it isn't," said Ron looking at the scroll once more. "Vallen…has my Father visited Romania recently?"
"Not-…that I know of…no," Vallen took another piece of bread from the basket, "King Lucious had told me one of his guards gave him the invitation one morning. No word on who sent it…but if I recall in the letter it said that we are invited for very special reasons and purposes."
Harrius and Ron looked at one another once more, looking confused. Ron tied the scroll back up in its ribbon, "I see…erm Harrius, a moment please-…" Harrius nodded and got up along side Ron. The two went over into a corner where they could not be heard. "Harrius, what do you make of that explanation?"
"I don't know what to tell you, Ronald," he said.
"One of my men told me my Father would be away on duties, now this man tells us he gave the King of Romania an invitation to come to our feast…"
"What are you getting at, Ronald?"
"He's defiantly up to something, it's a servant's job to deliver an invitation," says Ron, "why would my Father waste time and do it himself?"
Harrius groaned he massaged his face in his hands, "Things have been at question these past few days, Ronald."
Ron nodded; he walked back over to Vallen. "Well, thank you for coming along here, Vallen. I'll talk to my Father about arrangements about this feast. I will see you on the day of this feast."
Vallen bowed his head, bidding both Ron and Harrius goodbye. He stopped before reaching the door and turned back, "Oh-yes, um…may I borrow one of your horses to get back to Romania?"
"What happened to yours?" asked Ron.
"He took off while I was in the forest," said Vallen.
Ron tried not to laugh; he cleared his throat, "Oh-figures…yes my guards will show you to the stables. Just bring him back when you're here again, Vallen."
After Vallen finally took off, Ron plopped himself down on the couch, "Strange fellow, is he not, Harrius?"
"Indeed," Harrius says, "But believe it or not, he was good company to be last night."
Ron's eyebrows rose in interest, "Oh, is that right? What the two of you talk about, mate?"
Harrius' face grew red; he nervously twitched his belt buckle with his fingers, "Oh-…nothing really of great importance."
Ron good up off the couch, he went up from behind Harrius grabbed his shoulders and shook him, "Come on, Harrius! Tell your old Prince what the matter is."
Harrius laughed, playfully pushing Ron away from him, "Forget it, my Prince, it's nothing."
Ron turned him around by the shoulders, so he could be face-to-face with him, "Mate, you come in here and interrupt me and Hermione, so…at least you can do is talk with me."
For the next while Harrius had told Ron everything he had told Vallen the previous night before. About how he thought there was something missing from his life, how even though he shares loyalty in Hogwarts, he could still feel like the most normal youth on earth. Ron didn't fully understand what he meant, but started to get some curious ideas.
"Has a maiden captured your eye?" he asked.
Harrius stopped pacing and turned to look at him, "What?"
"Have you found a woman?" Ron asked again.
"No!" exclaimed Harrius, "apparently that's the problem, Ronald at least-…that's what I think the problem is."
"Don't worry, Harrius," said Ron, "When the time comes, you will have no problems finding a girl. Haven't you forgotten when we were in Romania? The last thing I remember seeing was you with that red-headed girl."
Harrius smiled to himself, remembering the short amount of time he had spent with that girl. 'Ginny Wright,' he thought. "Yes, she was very nice company, but she's in Romania. Any road, I do not know where I am going with this."
Ron chuckled standing up, he again grabbed him by the shoulders, "Harrius, stop fussing. Look at me, I found Hermione, when I wasn't even looking straight. The same could and will happen with you." Harrius smiled and nodded.
"Thanks, Ronald," Harrius walked towards the door, "…I want something to do…some work to keep my mind off things, yeah?"
Ron nodded; he followed Harrius out the door. They saw Abby, Roger, and Hermione returning in the castles from the fields; obviously back from returning Owen to his Mother. Roger shot Ron a look of annoyance. Ron just turned his head away trying to ignore the fact that he still had not trusted him. He hoped Hermione hadn't told him about the two of them going to bed together. That would just be another reason for Roger to take Hermione away from this castle. Hermione, however, looked over and winked at Ron. Ron smiled and nodded his head at her. He desperately wanted to go and follow her, but he would be way too obvious. He just followed Harrius up to the Great Hall, not looking back. The Great Hall was looking very fancy almost like an ice palace, all set for the feast. Different colors of streamers, curtains and sparkles were hanging all over. The crystal hanging from above was like a Swarovski Crystal like, very shiny. There was a large space in the middle to dance, being from a family of royalty Ron and Harrius had to learn and know how to dance. There was a long table up at the front, where all the delicate food would be put and beverages, also seats behind for King Arthur, Ron, his Lordship James, Harrius and all the other royals. There were also round tables, set around the room for knights, and guests.
Harrius folded his hands behind his back, and turned to Ron, "What is your input, Ronald?"
Ron just chuckled; he shook his head, and said "Should you be asking me that, Harrius? It's my Father that gets final say in everything." After saying that, Ron started thinking about his Father and what Vallen had told him before. Princess Lavender now paying a visit to him in his Kingdom, things couldn't be any more hectic. "When do you suppose he will be returning?"
Harrius continued to walk further into the Hall, "Never rush a King when he is doing his duties, my Prince."
Ron looked at Harrius, found it good but a little amusing on how serious Harrius was. He seriously wanted to keep his head straight on his role instead of other various things. "You're starting to scare me, mate."
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"Roger, you still haven't given Prince Ronald your trust had you not?" asked Abby.
Roger shook his head stubbornly, "No I haven't. Abby, we know what those Royals are like. He's bound to turn on our Hermione sooner or later."
Abby finished off folding the rest of her pieces of material, "Our Hermione has obviously taken a fancy to him, as he has her. He had promised to keep her safe ever since the incident. He is greatly keeping that promise, Roger."
Roger removed his hand made peasant hat and asked, "Just what is it you're suggesting, dear?"
"I'm asking you to just give him a chance," said Abby, "Hermione had told me that Prince Ronald childhood wasn't the greatest, as she can relate to. Maybe you can talk with him."
"What is it you want me to say?"
"Well, for starters you could thank him for offering his hospitality to us," replied Abby, "use your imagination, Roger, and try not to provoke him."
"I would never risk the Prince of Hogwarts pulling his guards on me," he said. Abby gave him a disproving look. Roger shook his head, "Alright! I'll do this for you and Hermione." Roger took off out the door to find Ron, with the aid of a guard.
