This was the day, the royal affair, only two of them knew anything real about the royal family, the rest just didn't know, but Neville understood he was apart of the structure somewhere.
'Right, wands and small fire arms everyone. Dragon hide with cooling charms, I think its going to be a hot day, and loose muggle clothing on top.' Ron reiterated what Neville had said a few days ago.
The others all went back to their rooms from the meeting room and set to work on their outfits. Once they were ready they all met back in the main room.
'Well lets get going, don't want to keep them waiting, Doddy was telling me they will be expecting us around 10, which is' Harry said looking at his watch 'now, and the party starts at 11, so we get one hour with them, so behave.' A rye smile appeared on his face.
The six flamed away and left the lair bright and cool.
The group of saviours arrived in the same dinning room Harry and Neville had eaten before, Luna didn't bat an eyelid while the others gasped at the grandeur of it.
'You made it!' a young and smiling Prince William greeted them.
'Hello, your majesty' Neville greeted.
'please don't, call me Will, as it is, todays one of those days where its lots of old business types and no young people, so you're saving our bacon here really.' William confided.
Ron spoke up at this, 'ah well if you need teaching, we can teach the killing buinsess, really messes with your head, or the finance business which if you look towards Harry and Neville would be sure to share their secrets with you.' Hermione smacked Ron around the head.
'Jesus you don't know when to keep your mouth shu…' her brain caught up. 'oh please your highness forgive me…' she stammered out.
Harry laughed, 'its hero worship again but this time it's you Hermione who's got it and its worse that what Ron had. It's funny.'
'god harry, your such an arse hole…oh god I done it again.' Hermione clasped her hand over her mouth.
'don't worry dear, its not that bad, I've heard a lot worse from your mouth.' Ron said.
'i'm surrounded by male egotistical, testestorone filled nurf herders.' Hermione screemed.
The main door opened to reveal the Queen and Prince Charles wife.
'I quite agree dear, my male advisors always want me to jump one way. I take my time and think my actions through. Far more sensible when in my postion. Experience teaches you that.'
Hermione stood agast with being in the presence of the Queen, she was also halfway though a curtsey, the action was automatic.
'Oh dear don't worry, when bring up this family its no different from any other in the colourful language that gets thrown around, we just have to give the image we don't do such things. I mean imagine, I catch Philip looking at the sun page three girl. I get upset at him looking at all these young girls..a fight is not going to be pretty is it.'
'erm no I don't believe so mame.' Hermione answered.
'good, so in this hour relax. But afterwards be proper please.' Charles asked the young crowd.
'dad we know, relax. Anyway, all were going to do is shake hands with all these people, talk for five mins, get moved on then after all of that chill on the side, with my girlfriend.'
'yes well you know my view on her' the Queen intoned, she turned to her guests. 'sorry dears you shouldn't have to hear this family dirty laundery.'
Neville replied, 'its your house, we are your guests, and were happy to be here.'
'that's a very good attitude, lots of people would have got involved because they feel they know better.' Prince Charles replied.
The conversation took a turn for the better, as the younger princes asked about their education, and what it was like. This resulted in the gang telling them of the shenanigans that happened in each year. In return Hermione asked them about their experiences at their school, a lot less talk of magic and more of pranks the laughter was good for everyone.
The time came when the royal family went outside and started meeting their guests.
Hermione asked the question, 'I wonder if they are like this with everyone in private?'
A butler clearing away the crockery answered her, 'no, this is the first time we have seen her relax in such a way for some time. The last time was during the height of the IRA attacks, she was meeting and talking with some of the special forces back then, she also met some people like yourself, the weirdest one was an elderly chap, huge long white beard and seemed fascinated with the sweets.'
'Dumbledore.' Harry spoke ever so quietly, but the butler heard him.
'that's the fellow. Though what with the recent attacks, he hasn't been seen since the eighties.'
'hes dead.'
'oh, I am sorry to hear that. Good day ladies, gents.' The butler walked with poise out of the room.
Hermione said, 'well that was interesting.'
'um yes.' Luna spoke.
Neville waved his hand for quiet. 'I think we should go outside now and meet these people. Harry whats the plan?'
'I think if we play the 'rich heirs' card rather than pass off we know anything. That way we don't have to speak much and we get to listen to their ideas, cos they will be wanting funding.' Harry replied.
'ok.' Said Neville.
'what about us?' ron asked.
'well..' harry was saying.
'never mind, already come up with something.' Ron quickly stopped harry.
The group walked outside into a sunny but chilled day brought on by the gentle breeze. The group broke off by pairs and enjoyed their time meeting famous or clever people. They eventually met the princes again in a quiet area.
'Ron, what were you doing earlier?' Luna asked.
'oh putting up traps and warning signals around the perimeter.' He answered.
Hermione gently laughed, 'I feel like calling him "loose hand weasley".'
'hermione we don't want to know why, we can all imagine thankyou very much.' Ginny said screwing her face up in disgust.
As it was the party went without a hitch. Harry informed the princes when they were alone that if they ever needed safety, get to one of the palaces. That or think of Hedwig realy badley, or dobby.
((Ahh you all thought something was gonna happen. Well life aint like that. Normaly boring as hell filled with short moments of pure terror. Great aint it ))
