Here is another chapter for you guys! I have two more lined up and writing every day. I found some new inspiration to start writing again and I finally figured out how I'm going to get from point A to B in my story!

Please review if you liked the chaper or if you have some advice for me!

Chapter 20

It was in the middle of the night when Hermione and Draco were awoken from their slumber by a maid.
"My lord, it's the king, come quickly" she ushered. Draco jumped out of his bed and threw on a coat. Hermione did the same. She grabbed black dressing robes and threw them over her white nightgown. Draco grabbed her hand and they ran after the maid. They reached the king's bedchambers and the doctor and queen were waiting for them.
"What's going on?" Draco asked, gasping for air. The doctor shook his head.
"I'm sorry, this is the moment we've been preparing for." Draco squeezed Hermione's hand. The queen started sobbing and threw herself in Draco's arms.
"He's been asking for the both of you" the doctor resumed. Draco untangled himself from his mother and lead Hermione into the room. The king was laying in bed, looking frail and weak.
"Ah, my son, you're here" he started. He was interrupted by coughing. Draco rushed to the king's bedside.
"I'm here, just like you asked." he softly whispered. The king grabbed Draco's hand.
"I know I've been hard on you, but it's just because I want you to be ready for this" he explained. Draco nodded.
"I am, you've prepared me well" he whispered. The king reached his hand out to Hermione and she stepped closer.
"You are so beautiful" he whispered while grabbing a lock of her hair.
"He will need you, I know you'll be a great queen" Hermione blushed.
"I promise that I'll support him." She answered.
"You will be queen of two countries now and both need your love and attention. Please, don't let us down" the king whispered. He turned his attention to Draco.
"I'm so happy to have seen you grow into the man you've become. I'm proud of you, son. You'll make a great father and a good king." Draco bit his lip and nodded.
"Thank you" he breathed. The king smiled at his son for a second before his eyes closed. His face relaxed and one final breath escaped his lips. It was over. Hermione looked at Draco. His eyes were fixed on the lifeless body of the ruler that was his father in this universe. She walked over to him and pulled him into her arms.
"I'm sorry" she whispered. Draco wrapped his arms around her body and pressed his face into her hair. Outside, the queen was wailing. Hermione heard someone yell. "
The king is dead, long live the King!"

The next couple of days were a blur for Draco. There were meetings, there was a funeral and they had a coronation. Hermione was by his side for every part. She knew how this felt. He was losing someone he never really knew, but still. In some ways he lost a father.
"How are you doing?" she asked him when they were laying in bed.
"I'm not sure, overwhelmed?" he looked at her.
"I know" she answered.
"Thank you for standing by me through all of this" he brushed his hand against her cheek.
"Where else would I be?" she answered.
"Who would've thought that the Gryffindor princess and the Slytherin prince would eventually turn into a king and queen" he laughed. Hermione smiled.
"Well, no one at home, that's for sure."
"Do you miss it?" he asked.
"Miss what?"
"Home". Hermione bit her lip.
"Sometimes" she answered honestly.
"Me too, sometimes" he pulled her into his arms and kissed her softly.
"But I wouldn't trade you for anything in the world." Hermione smiled and placed her head on his chest. They were both happy in eachother's arms. They knew little about the axe that was looming over their heads.

The next morning, Hermione woke up by herself. The place where Draco was supposed to be was cold, indicating he had been gone for a while. She put on a yellow dress, with lace on her midriff showing some skin. The fabric was satin and flowed to the ground in beautiful golden waves. She let her hair hang loose, with a golden crown on her head. She decided to head off to the library, where she could do some more reading and researching. A little while ago she found a part of the library dedicated to witchcraft and magic. Granted, a lot of it was complete malarkey, but some of it might help them get their magic back. She quickly made her way through the cold castle corridors, regretting bringing no coat. Luckily, the library would be warm, and she could ask one of the servants to bring her a coat later. She felt relief when the big wooden doors of the library came closer and carefully pushed one open. The heat engulfed her immediately. There was no one inside, which only made her happier. She sat down in an hidden alcove with a big leatherbound book on magic spells and started reading. The fire was cracking happily. Hermione looked at the window, it was snowing outside. People were saying it would be a harsh winter. The entire kingdom was already coated by a white fluffy blanket.
Hermione had been reading for a couple of hours when she heard someone enter. She didn't pay them any mind, seeing as she liked to be left alone herself and people tended to fuss over her. There appeared to be a man and a woman in the room. They were talking in quiet voices and something peaked Hermione's interest.
"I don't feel well" she heard Draco's voice as clear as day. Draco was here? Hermione got up from her seat and walked over to the voices. They were sitting in front of the fire, their backs towards her. Hermione peaked from behind the bookcase, seeing the blonde hair that no doubt belonged to Lola. As she stepped from behind the bookcase, she saw Lola plant her lips firm on Draco's. Hermione's mouth fell open and she waited for him to do something, push her off, slap her even. But he didn't do anything. He just sat there, and it even looked like he enjoyed it. Hermione felt tears sting her eyes. She ran off, slamming the door behind her. She didn't wait to see if someone came after her, or if someone called for her, she just ran. Her feet carried her outside of the castle, to the stables, where she collapsed in Rogue's stable. She just started crying in the hay, her hands over her face. She felt Rogue's nose pressed against her cheek, but she didn't even care.
"Your grace?" she heard a voice and looked up. James was standing in the doorway. "Your grace, what's happened?" he asked, kneeling next to her. Hermione couldn't talk, she just gasped a couple of words.
"Draco ….. Lola ….. kiss." James looked at her.
"You saw?" he asked. Hermione frowned.
"What?" she asked.
"It's been going on for a while" he explained.
"The king has everyone under orders to keep it from you" he continued.
"He…. what?" she asked again.
"I'm so sorry, Hermione" he whispered. Hermione's head was spinning. How could he do such a thing? She had seen them together, sure. But he promised there was nothing going on.
"What can I do to help?" he asked.
"Do you have a place where I could stay?" she asked. James nodded.
"My chateau is a couple of miles away" he answered.
"Take me there."
It took her only minutes to saddle Rogue and climb on top. James saddled seawind and joined her in the courtyard, he threw his coat over her and Hermione drew the hood up. Suddenly, Hermione heard someone call her name and she looked back. Draco was running towards her, screaming her name. Hermione dug her heels in Rogue's sides and the horse galloped down the road, James followed. Draco ran after them until he realized it was futile. He sank to his knees in the white snow, sobbing.