A/N: I've never done a scene twice through different povs before, so please let me know what you think and what I can do to make it better. :-) I thought it was important to show what Merlin was thinking through the scene so... Yeah... anywhoo...

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor BBC's Merlin. If I did, I'd be rich. I ain't. :P

WARNING – Some Spoilers for BBC's Merlin series 2 episode 9, "The Lady of the Lake". Just so's you're aware....

The moment Merlin saw Hermione hiding behind the wall he felt his heart beat faster. Whether it was from his worry over whatever trouble she was cooking up now or how beautiful she looked he didn't know. She wore the dark velvet dress Morgana had lent her on her first night at Camelot. Its darkness emphasized her pale skin, the bronze in it highlighting her hair.

She looked like a princess.

The thought immediately sobered him up. He's a pasty, clumsy manservant from a small village with no account. She's the beautiful daughter of a Duke from a grand faraway land filled with fantastic things. The thought brought him back to earth with a painful thud. Ignoring the slow burn that started in the pit of his stomach he sneaked right behind her, knowing she was too concentrated to realise what he was doing or that he was even there.

"Erm, what are you doing?" he whispered softly, laughing inwardly at the startled look she gave him.

"Merlin! Don't do that! I almost had a heart attack!" she hissed quietly at him, face flushing gently. Whether with anger or embarrassment at being caught he wasn't sure.

"Sorry."

He wasn't, really.

"What were you doing though?"

She motioned for him to come closer. He did. Sliding behind her he slowly stuck his head over the side. Arthur and Gwen were talking softly to each other. Arthur said something that made Gwen blush. Merlin was only half aware of it. In order to see around the corner he had to lean over Hermione. She jumped slightly, and he realised how close they were. She didn't object though.

After a few seconds of watching Hermione whispered to him.

"About time, eh?"

His brain registered what she said and he felt rather dumb folded. She knew Arthur and Gwen were in love? Was it that obvious? Who else knew? Did Uther – no. If he knew he most definitely would not allow it. How had she known? Apart from himself, Morgana and Gaius he had been sure the secret was unknown... He stuttered out something, too many questions keeping him from finishing a sentence properly.

Before she really had a chance to reply however, Gaius interrupted. Right. The hat. He'd hoped the stupid thing would have just caught on fire or been pushed behind something so he'd have an excuse – er, reason – for not wearing the ghastly accessory. He embarrassedly accepted the hat, mumbling thanks he didn't really mean and feeling highly uncomfortable at his uncle's pointed look.

The moment they arrived at the dinner hall Merlin felt himself become invisible. The king began introducing Hermione to the other royal guests and he knew he had melted to insignificance. Servants were not actually meant to be seen unless their masters required something. With a quick look back at Hermione, who was smiling sweetly at the foreign prince, he made his way to his usual spot during meal times.

Merlin watched Hermione all throughout supper. She was seated between Morgana and the visiting prince who, Merlin noted, was paying her just a bit too much attention for his liking. But as far as he could tell she didn't think so. She smiled and nodded as Markl droned on and on. Well, he supposed a handsome rich prince would always be a better catch over a poor servant. Even if the prince's conversation was dry as toast.

Funny. Merlin had never seen his place in life as negative before.

Then again he'd never wanted to impress a girl before, apart from Freya. But the Druid girl was a fugitive who had been kept in a cage and starved for heaven knows how long before he'd helped her escape. He always knew where he stood with her, even after he'd found out about her curse. With Hermione on the other hand...

Sighing, Merlin moved forward, filling up Arthur's goblet again.

Then she'd asked why Markl had come to Camelot. Merlin almost dropped the pitcher he was holding when he heard the reply. Keeping his composure as best he could, he watched Hermione carefully, wondering how she actually felt about magic. They'd never touched on the subject before. Merlin avoided it, thinking it might be painful for her, and half afraid of finding out how she felt about it. If she hated and feared it (not that he would blame her after her ordeal), there was no chance whatsoever for them, was there? If there was any to begin with.

Merlin felt a twinge of hope when she approached the matter with a logical clear head, feeling a definite sense of satisfaction when Hermione chewed out the prince for treating her like some dainty brainless wallflower. He should have known better, really.

When Markl explained their reasoning for believing magic was involved in the murders in his kingdom Hermione simply stared at the prince, looking pale and dumb folded. After a pause she suddenly got up, almost overturning her chair (quite a feat, considering how heavy those things were).

"I- I'm sorry. I don't feel all that well. Excuse me," she said in a quiet strangled voice, hiked up her skirt, and ran out of the room before anyone could say a thing about it.

Merlin wasn't quite sure what to make of her reaction. Nor, apparently was anyone else, if their expressions were any indication.

"Merlin, go after her," Morgana ordered him, looking worried.

Merlin thrust the pitcher to the closest servant and ran after Hermione, who was just turning the corner. She ran incredibly fast, and he was wheezing out for breath by the time she slowed down and hid in one of the castle's many small alcoves. Merlin approached it slowly, not knowing how she would take his presence there. She'd clearly wanted to be alone. Upon getting closer he heard a choked sob coming from where she was.

She was curled up on a bench, knees pulled up to her chest, head dropped on her knees.

"Hermione? What's wrong?" was all he could think to ask.

A/N: So? How did I do? I really would like to know what you guys think I could improve, so don't be afraid to tell me what you thought was weak or could have been better if I'd done this and that... Or telling me what you like about it either. ;) Next chapter should be up soon, I'm trying to train myself to make the chapters longer so I apologise if they're taking a bit longer than usual...