The Legend of Chastity Lorna
Chapter Eight
By Alicia Jennings
~
After the Ministry left, Harry looked around the kitchen for something to eat. His cupboards were bare, and he chided himself. He didn't want to go out in public after this big announcement. He told Hermione of the predicament.
Hermione grinned. "We can go in disguise!" She dragged Harry into the bedroom, where she drew forth her wand. "Dietus!" she whispered to it, while pointing it at her curly blonde locks. Her hair immediately changed to a wavy dark brown. "Come here, Harry," she said, an evil grin on her face.
"Uhh..." Harry stuttered, his hands over his messy black hair protectively. "Are you sure about this, Hermione?"
"It's reversible, Harry," she said irritably, trying to move his hands. "Come on! Move your hands. The sooner you do, the sooner we have food."
Harry sighed, moving his hands and squinching his eyes shut. "Okay, okay...go ahead..." Hermione whispered the spell. Harry's black mop became a vivid red.
"I entitle this art, "Harry the Irishman," said Hermione, giggling. Harry moaned and ran to a mirror.
"Hermione! You will pay!" Harry dove for her, and they both ended up tumbling onto the bed. Neither of them spoke, they just sort of grinned uncomfortably.
Harry was the first to speak. "Interesting position, this is."
Hermione, who was under him, grinned. "Indeed, Mr. Irishman."
"You deserve to pay for that," Harry whispered in her ear.
She raised her eyebrows. "Oh, I do?"
"Yes, Ms. Granger," said Harry, his lips inches away from hers. "You've been a bad, bad girl."
Needless to say...the groceries had to wait.
~~~~~
"Now I'm ravenous," groaned Harry after their make-out session.
"Well, all the grocery stores are closed by now," said Hermione, lying in his arms. "You might have to wait 'till morning."
"No way," said Harry firmly. "I know a little all-night cafe'...we can go there. It's dark, uncrowded...and with this hair, no one should recognize me if I keep my scar covered."
Hermione stifled a giggle as she slipped out of bed to freshen up.
~~~~~
The "uncrowded" cafe', as Harry had put it, turned out to be very crowded with drunken wizards and witches. "Over here," he yelled to Hermione over the din. They seated themselves in a corner booth, away from most of the din.
A waitress immediately came. "Ahh, what a glorious, glorious day! What can I get you?"
"A couple of sodas, couple of Italian sandwiches, and a Daily Prophet," said Harry.
"Comin' right up, in the Queen's name!" The waitress hurried away.
Hermione continued staring after her. "Wow," she said, in disbelief. "I guess everyone knows."
Harry nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. Everyone knows that thou art our beloved Queen, may you live forever in the light -"
"Harry!" Hermione whispered urgently as the waitress neared again with their orders.
"Here you are! Enjoy! Of course you'll enjoy, what's not to enjoy today?!" And as quickly as she came, the waitress was gone again.
As they ate their sandwiches (Hermione was embarassed about how ravenous Harry was, she thought it was probably blatantly obvious that they'd had a little fun before coming), they looked at the Daily Prophet. The front page had a huge picture of the painting in the third floor corridor, and a huge picture of them. The headline - "QUEEN HERMIONE AND KING HARRY"
"Aren't too terribly creative, are they?" Hermione said lightly, folding up the paper and tucking it in her purse. "Wow. I guess everyone knows......and believes."
As Harry was about to reply, there was a commotion in the booth next to them.
"Blimey! It's Ron Weasley! The new King's best friend!"
"Ron! It's Ron!"
A man with red hair (just as red as Harry's) climbed up on the table, a boyish grin on his face. "To my two best friends, who are now our beloved Queen and King!"
As Hermione and Harry's mouths hung open, the crowd yelled "Hear, hear!" and drank in their honor. They still sat unnoticed.
"Oh, good grief," said Hermione. "I've got to do something." She climbed on top of her chair. "Mr. Weasley!" she yelled in a girlish voice. "Oh, please, Mr. Weasley, might you give me your autograph?"
Ron looked embarrassed, but said, "Sure...I guess......." He climbed off his chair and came to their table, where Hermione waited with a pen and the copy of the Daily Prophet. "Now, Miss, whom do I address this to?"
"Well," said Hermione, with her eyes twinkling, "I'd appreciate it if you'd address it to Hermione Granger."
There was a loud 'clunk!' as Ron's tankard hit the floor. "Shh, you big oaf!" Harry said hurriedly. Ron stared at him. Harry sighed, and moved his bangs for a moment. "Do you believe us?"
"Of course I do," said Ron hoarsely. "I just can't believe I'm seeing Hermione again. And as a queen!"
"Keep your voice down!" said Hermione urgently. "Come on. Let's all go back to Harry's apartment."
Harry left ample money on the table, and then the three snuck out the back door. Ron enveloped Hermione in a hug.
"Hermione, it's so great to see you again...where have you been?"
"I'll answer that back at the apartment," said Hermione. "It's a rather long story. Wouldn't you agree, Harry?"
Harry nodded. "Took centuries to unfold," he added. "And I still don't get some of it," he added, almost as an afterthought.
~~~~~
Back at the apartment, Harry and Hermione did the most logical thing. They sat Ron down in a chair, they took the couch, and they started from the beginning. Ron, being brought up in a wizarding household, heard tales from the time he was a baby about how Perrin and Chastity were going to come back and put an end to all the evil in the magical kingdom. So, that was one part they got to skip. But they had to tell Ron of how they met.
"Okay," said Harry. "No matter what, Ron, you're still our best friend, right?"
"Well, of course," said Ron, frowning. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"I dunno, but I was just making sure," said Harry quickly. "Okay. Well, it was a few nights ago. I was feeling pretty down and sorry for myself, so I decided to go to a pub in the alley that adjoins this one. I'd never been in it before, but...."
"Go on."
"Well, I sat down, and ordered me a scotch. I was pretty far into my second or third one when these girls came out. Needless to say, I'd wandered into a gentleman's club, and I was a man who had money on him and was drunker than all hell. You know I can't hold my liquor."
"Go on..." Ron was looking curious.
"Well, I ended up in one of the girls' bedrooms, having the time of my life. We fell asleep, and when we woke up, we were about to get right back to it when I noticed something. Something odd."
"Ah, don'tcha hate that when you're right in the middle of a good -" He stopped at the look on Hermione's face. "Er....go on, Harry."
"Well, it was a scar on the left side of her chest. A scar like mine."
Ron's mouth dropped.
"Well, I told her who I was, and her face looked about like yours. I already knew who she was by that scar. Her face had been reminding me of someone, but I was so drunk I couldn't place facts with names."
Ron still looked blank. "Oh, RON!" Hermione unbuttoned the top buttons on her robes. "Ron! Look here!" She pointed to a scar. "Put two and two together, and you will eventually get four."
"You two SLEPT TOGETHER?!" Ron screeched.
Harry and Hermione looked at each other. "Yes," they said, a bit guiltily.
"It was my fault," said Hermione.
"No, I was drunk, and -"
"No, I was trying to make money, and -"
"I was just being a hormonal guy -"
"Shut up!" said Ron finally. "So, the realization hit that you were in bed with each other..."
Harry and Hermione launched back into their tale, trying to leave out as many details as possible about their night at the bar, and filled Ron in up to the present.
"Wow," said Ron after they were done. "That's all I can say. Wow."
"We could be a really good fantasy story," said Hermione, grinning, as she went to the kitchen to make some tea.
"So, how do you feel about the baby?" asked Ron, grinning.
Harry groaned.
"Harry!" Hermione came out of the kitchen, holding an empty tea canister. "Do you have anything around here?"
"Hermione, my dear," said Harry, rising from the couch to wrap his arms around her, "I've been a bachelor the entire time you were gone. Of course I don't have anything of importance around here."
~~~~~
Morning came early for Harry and Hermione. Ron had gone home at one, and they hadn't made it to bed until two. At five a.m., an owl began tapping at their bedroom window.
"Ohhh....." Hermione groaned. "Harry? Would you get it?"
"Mrrumphgrrrdeferrgen." Harry rolled out of bed, and untied the message from the owl's leg. "It's from Fudge. We're to go to the Ministry today. They want our coronation to be tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?!?!" Hermione was most definitely awake now. "Oh, Harry. Our last day as a prince and princess. Tomorrow, we'll be king and queen."
Harry sighed, collapsing back onto the bed. "I don't quite believe all of it yet." He scanned over the letter again. "Uhhh.....whoa."
"What?" Hermione leaned over his shoulder to get a better look. "What is it?"
Harry sighed. "We're to be married tomorrow, too, at the coronation ceremony."
Hermione was quiet for a few moments, then she finally spoke. "Well. It was coming sooner or later, Harry."
"Yeah, but I wanted to propose to you. I wanted us to have things we wanted them. Not the way that the Ministry wants them." Harry sighed, tossing the letter on the bedside table. "This relationship started out all wrong, and I just wanted to find some way to make it up to you."
Hermione smiled at him gently. "Harry," she said softly, "You've made it up to me several times over by being so kind to me. And it didn't start out wrong. You couldn't help how it started, and neither could I. You freed me from the hands of Voldemort's henchmen. How much better could a beginning be?"
"Hermione, if I say something to you, do you promise not to be wierded out?"
Hermione crossed her heart. "I promise, Harry."
"I love you, Hermione. I loved you when we graduated, I was just too scared to tell you. After you went missing, I promised myself that when I found you, I'd tell you how much I loved you. And now I have."
Hermione's eyes were very moist. "I love you too, Harry. Thinking about you kept me from going crazy when Voldemort had me. Thinking about you helped me survive the brothel. Whenever I felt weak, I'd think of you, and my strength would return."
They kissed, and then they lay in bed, in each other's arms, for a while.
~~~~~
When Harry and Hermione entered the Ministry building, it was bustling with activity. Harry's hair was back to black, but Hermione had decided to keep her hair brown. "It's my natural color, anyway," she had said.
"What's with all the activity?" Harry wondered, seeing people rushing around like mad.
"Oh, I dunno, maybe it's because we're getting married and crowned tomorrow," Hermione said sarcastically. "C'mon, let's go see Fudge."
As they made their way to Fudge's office, they kept their heads down, hoping for no one to recognize them. And no one did...until they reached Fudge's receptionist.
"Names, please?" she asked. Harry and Hermione collectively groaned.
"Harry Potter and Hermione Granger," Hermione mumbled.
"What's that?" The receptionist leaned forward.
"Harry Potter," said Harry, "And Hermione Granger."
The receptionist's eyes were the size of dinner plates. "Shh-hh!" Hermione whispered urgently. "May we see the Minister?"
"Of course, Your Majesties, I mean, he would be honored," the receptionist stuttered.
Harry and Hermione looked at each other. This was so wierd.
~~~~~
"...it's just that we would like to have some input on how our wedding's going to be."
"Of course, Your Majesties. You can talk with the decorators and the fashion coordinator, they're right outside -"
"No," said Harry firmly. "We don't want our wedding to be tomorrow. We want some time - maybe a week or a couple of weeks - to plan."
"Preposterous!" Fudge sputtered. "You're to be married right after you're crowned! This is unheard of."
"It's our wedding," said Hermione, her eyes filled with sparks of anger. "And we'll have it the way we want it, when we want it. Our coronation is enough...we don't want to deal with a wedding on the same day."
As they walked out of Fudge's office, they tallied up the score. Monarchy: two. Ministry: zero.
~~~~~
The day passed all too quickly for Harry and Hermione. They wandered around Diagon Alley, knowing that this would be the last time they'd be able to visit the place unescorted. They enjoyed the Quidditch supply store, Flourish and Blotts, and finally, Florean Fortescue's ice cream place.
"Well," said Hermione, crawling into bed beside Harry, "It's our last night in your apartment."
Harry rolled over on his side to face her. "Is that a suggestion?"
"No, a mere observation," Hermione teased him.
"Can I take it as a suggestion?"
Hermione shrugged. "I guess. I'm yours to do with as you please, remember?"
"Do I ever," said Harry, leaning in to kiss her. She responded, just as passionate as he. Harry's hands shook slightly as he unbuttoned her pajama top.
"Hermione," he said, breathless, after breaking the kiss, "I want to know, right now, before we get any further. Do you want this? I don't want to force you into anything, or make you feel uncomfortable. I love you, and I'd never want to hurt you."
Hermione looked him in the eyes. Those beautiful green eyes, like two bright emeralds. "I want this, Harry. I love you, and I want this just as much as you do."
Then it was not a time for words.
~~~~~
On the day of their coronation, the alarm buzzed much too early - five o' clock. Harry hit the confounded thing with his fist so hard, it was a wonder to Hermione that it didn't break.
"Oh, are we tired, Mr. Potter?" She teased him.
"Hrrumph," Harry grumbled. "I've woken up early two days in a row. I wonder if kings have to wake up early."
"Points to ponder," said Hermione lightly. They lapsed into thoughtful silence for a few minutes.
"Penny for your thoughts," said Harry, taking her hand in his and kissing it gently.
Hermione sighed. "Are you quite sure that you want to know?" Harry nodded, and Hermione sighed again. "I was thinking about my first time, and feeling incredibly sorry for that poor man."
Harry raised his eyebrows. "Care to explain?"
Hermione laughed softly. "It was my second day at the brothel. I hadn't made enough money dancing the night before, so The Boss said I had to take someone to bed. I was terrified, of course, being a virgin, and a sheltered one at that. So, I picked up one of the kinder-looking-not-so-drunk men and took him back to my room."
"I have a feeling there's more to this story," said Harry.
"There is," said Hermione, laughing again. "I got him back there, sat him down, and told him bluntly that I was a virgin, this was my second day on the job, I was terrified, and I wanted him to teach me how to have sex."
Harry laughed out loud.
"I didn't feel too courageous at the time. He laughed a little too, and then took me over to the bed. He explained what he was going to do next at every moment, which, at times, scared me even more. He was gentle, thank God, or I don't think I could've..." She paused. "I'm sorry Harry. I shouldn't have thought of that. You're probably angry with me now."
"No, Hermione. I don't think I could ever be angry with you," he said, kissing her hand again. "But I have to ask. Why'd you think of him?"
Hermione thought how to put her words for a moment. "Because you're even more gentle than he was. And I never thought that was possible."
"My dear, sweet little Hermione." Harry ran his thumb along her jawline, cupping her chin in his hand. "I promise. I will never, ever hurt you. And I will never let another person hurt you either."
~~~~~
"Harry?" Hermione asked nervously, a few hours later.
"Yes?"
"I don't want to do this!" She was clothed in a full-skirted dress of green velvet, and was bedecked with tons of jewels, all with a history like none other. Harry too was clothed in green velvet.
"It's a little late now, love," said Harry. He took her hand. "It'll be okay. We're here, together, and hey, we dragged Ron along for the ride!"
Indeed, Ron was there with the two. "Remind me why I'm here again?" he groaned.
Hermione grinned. "Because you're the newly officiated Minister. Fudge quit this morning, and so we appointed you."
Ron looked as though he might be sick all over his red velvet robes. "What I want to know is, why did he quit?"
Harry shrugged. "Something like he was having a nervous breakdown. The whole monarchy thing was too much for him."
Ron groaned again.
Hermione went starch white. "That's the processional music," she whispered. "Oh no. I can't exactly get out of this now."
"That's destiny for you," said Harry, grinning as he took her right arm, and Ron took her left. The three best friends walked down the long path to the front of the large Great Hall at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where Albus Dumbledore stood, waiting to crown Harry and Hermione King and Queen of the wizarding community in Britain.
"We have gathered here today to witness an event in the making since the 1600's," said Dumbledore. "The first princess of Britain who was a witch, Chastity Lorna Stuart, and her husband, Perrin Michael Allen, were killed by an angry King Charles after he discovered they were of magical blood. Their deaths were not in vain, however. Catherine, Charles' wife, sacrificed her life so that the souls of her daughter and son-in-law could come back when the wizarding world needed them the most. Since they never had the throne of Great Britain, they would have the throne of the wizarding kingdom." Dumbledore paused. "You are looking at the incarnate Perrin and Chastity, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. Both are brave, intelligent, and would give everything, even their lives, to defend our world. They have appointed their best friend, Ron Weasley, also equally as brave and intelligent, to be our new Minister." Hermione looked at Ron out of the corner of her eye just in time to see him blush bright red.
"Harry and Hermione deserve these crowns," said Dumbledore. "They have suffered greatly because of their bravery. Harry, as an infant, lost his parents to Voldemort. He has defeated the Dark Lord several times since, even if it meant bodily harm toward himself. Hermione, after graduating, was taken hostage by Voldemort, who was hoping to lure Harry to him. She was tortured mercilessly, and she was imprisoned for two and a half years in the same place Voldemort lived. He came to her every day, asking her to join him. She never gave in. After her parents were killed and she was finally freed, she was imprisoned once more by a brothel owner and made to degrade herself even more. Even at times when these two young people were in pain, they never gave in to the Dark Lord...instead, they fought even harder against him."
Dumbledore let the applause from the crowd die down until he spoke again. "And Mr. Weasley is just as qualified for his job. He earned the Order of Merlin, Second Class, after his exploits on the frontlines at the Battle of Brundein. He also dueled against Voldemort, successfully thwarting an attack on Hogwarts." Ron looked satisfied with the applause after his bit, and Hermione and Harry had to stifle laughter.
Dumbledore picked up a heavy crown. "This is the crown of the House of Allen, from which Harry is descended. This was the crown that Perrin was destined for." He smiled kindly at Harry. "Step forward and kneel on one knee, and stay there until I say," he said softly. Harry did as instructed. "I crown you, Harry James Potter, King of the Wizarding Kingdom of Britain." He took a ruby-encrusted sword and touched it to his shoulders, like a king knighting someone would do. Hermione noticed something....it was the sword of Godric Gryffindor.
Dumbledore picked up a dainty tiara. "This was the crown of Princess Marianna, the last Princess of Atlantis and the first member of any type of monarchy to be of magical powers. Likewise, it is the first crown of the wizarding community." He then smiled at Hermione. "Please kneel as Harry did," he spoke, just to her. Hermione did so, and he placed the dainty teardrop tiara on her head. The stone that hung down on her forehead changed colors in the light. "I crown you, Hermione Anne-Elizabeth Granger, Queen of the Wizarding Kingdom of Britain." He too touched her shoulders with Gryffindor's sword.
"Kneel, please, Ron," said Dumbledore. "Please raise your right hand." Ron did so. "Repeat after me."
As Ron took the Minister's Oath, Harry and Hermione stole a glance at each other. Harry smiled at her, and mouthed a silent "I love you." Hermione mouthed it right back, smiling, a little nervously. Then she shifted her attention back to Ron as he said,
"I solemnly swear to try and protect the wizarding world from evil, and I swear to work with the king and queen for the greater good." With that, he glanced over at his two best friends, who smiled back at him.
"Please rise, Your Majesties, Minister." The three rose and faced the audience. "I present to you, King Harry, Queen Hermione, and Minister Ron Weasley."
The recessional music began to play, and, the boys taking Hermione's arms, the three exited.
Out in the hallway, the three were met by the Royal Auror Guard. "I just gave away my solitude in there," groaned Hermione.
"What solitude?" Harry and Ron asked at once.
Hermione brightened. "You're right." At that moment, hundreds of people came out of the Great Hall, wanting to meet the King, Queen, and Minister. Groaning, the three set to work shaking hands and giving thank-yous.
~~~~~
In the Albanian wilderness:
Voldemort pointed his wand at the man. "What did you just say?" he hissed.
"H-Harry P-Potter and H-H-Hermione G-Granger have been crowned king and queen of wizard Britain," said Peter Pettigrew, stuttering in fear. "Dumbledore says that they're Perrin Allen and Chastity Lorna incarnate."
Voldemort let his grip on the neck of Pettigrew's robes loosen. A monarchy? And with that Potter boy as king? And that Mudblood as queen?
~~~~~
At Hogwarts (they've stayed the night)
"Ouch!" said Harry, sitting straight up in bed.
Hermione rolled over. "Whassamatter?" she asked, rubbing sleep away from her eyes.
"My scar," he groaned, clutching his forehead in pain. "Voldemort."
Hermione was instantly awake. "What about him?"
"He knows that we've been crowned," said Harry, trying to get the burning sensation to go away. Hermione pressed a hand to his forehead, and yelped in pain as she drew her hand back.
"It's oven-hot!" She nursed her burned hand. "Do we need to go see Dumbledore?"
Harry nodded. "I think so." He still rubbed his forehead, careful not to actually touch his scar. He threw on a robe, and Hermione did the same. They stole out of the room quietly, as not to wake the two Royal Auror Guard members who were posted at the end of their hall. They were on their way to Dumbledore's office when they met Dumbledore himself.
"Professor?" asked Harry, a little suprised to see the old man wandering around the castle. "My scar hurt."
Dumbledore nodded. "Someone just owled me. Peter Pettigrew somehow got into the coronation ceremony. I figured he'd go tell Voldemort, so I was coming to ask you if your scar had hurt."
"It burns," said Hermione bluntly, showing him the red mark on her hand. "It burned me." She looked so comical and childlike.
Dumbledore nodded. "I'll contact the proper authorities. You'd better get back to your room before the Royal Guard discovers you're gone and has a panic attack."
The two bade Dumbledore good night.
~~~~~
A/N -
Gahhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!! This chapter has so much...STUFF happen in it! They sleep together. They love each other. They get crowned. Ron's appointed Minister. Voldemort shows up. Blegghhh....I shoulda spaced that out more. Oh well. Please, please, please review!
Peace ~*~Alicia
Chapter Eight
By Alicia Jennings
~
After the Ministry left, Harry looked around the kitchen for something to eat. His cupboards were bare, and he chided himself. He didn't want to go out in public after this big announcement. He told Hermione of the predicament.
Hermione grinned. "We can go in disguise!" She dragged Harry into the bedroom, where she drew forth her wand. "Dietus!" she whispered to it, while pointing it at her curly blonde locks. Her hair immediately changed to a wavy dark brown. "Come here, Harry," she said, an evil grin on her face.
"Uhh..." Harry stuttered, his hands over his messy black hair protectively. "Are you sure about this, Hermione?"
"It's reversible, Harry," she said irritably, trying to move his hands. "Come on! Move your hands. The sooner you do, the sooner we have food."
Harry sighed, moving his hands and squinching his eyes shut. "Okay, okay...go ahead..." Hermione whispered the spell. Harry's black mop became a vivid red.
"I entitle this art, "Harry the Irishman," said Hermione, giggling. Harry moaned and ran to a mirror.
"Hermione! You will pay!" Harry dove for her, and they both ended up tumbling onto the bed. Neither of them spoke, they just sort of grinned uncomfortably.
Harry was the first to speak. "Interesting position, this is."
Hermione, who was under him, grinned. "Indeed, Mr. Irishman."
"You deserve to pay for that," Harry whispered in her ear.
She raised her eyebrows. "Oh, I do?"
"Yes, Ms. Granger," said Harry, his lips inches away from hers. "You've been a bad, bad girl."
Needless to say...the groceries had to wait.
~~~~~
"Now I'm ravenous," groaned Harry after their make-out session.
"Well, all the grocery stores are closed by now," said Hermione, lying in his arms. "You might have to wait 'till morning."
"No way," said Harry firmly. "I know a little all-night cafe'...we can go there. It's dark, uncrowded...and with this hair, no one should recognize me if I keep my scar covered."
Hermione stifled a giggle as she slipped out of bed to freshen up.
~~~~~
The "uncrowded" cafe', as Harry had put it, turned out to be very crowded with drunken wizards and witches. "Over here," he yelled to Hermione over the din. They seated themselves in a corner booth, away from most of the din.
A waitress immediately came. "Ahh, what a glorious, glorious day! What can I get you?"
"A couple of sodas, couple of Italian sandwiches, and a Daily Prophet," said Harry.
"Comin' right up, in the Queen's name!" The waitress hurried away.
Hermione continued staring after her. "Wow," she said, in disbelief. "I guess everyone knows."
Harry nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. Everyone knows that thou art our beloved Queen, may you live forever in the light -"
"Harry!" Hermione whispered urgently as the waitress neared again with their orders.
"Here you are! Enjoy! Of course you'll enjoy, what's not to enjoy today?!" And as quickly as she came, the waitress was gone again.
As they ate their sandwiches (Hermione was embarassed about how ravenous Harry was, she thought it was probably blatantly obvious that they'd had a little fun before coming), they looked at the Daily Prophet. The front page had a huge picture of the painting in the third floor corridor, and a huge picture of them. The headline - "QUEEN HERMIONE AND KING HARRY"
"Aren't too terribly creative, are they?" Hermione said lightly, folding up the paper and tucking it in her purse. "Wow. I guess everyone knows......and believes."
As Harry was about to reply, there was a commotion in the booth next to them.
"Blimey! It's Ron Weasley! The new King's best friend!"
"Ron! It's Ron!"
A man with red hair (just as red as Harry's) climbed up on the table, a boyish grin on his face. "To my two best friends, who are now our beloved Queen and King!"
As Hermione and Harry's mouths hung open, the crowd yelled "Hear, hear!" and drank in their honor. They still sat unnoticed.
"Oh, good grief," said Hermione. "I've got to do something." She climbed on top of her chair. "Mr. Weasley!" she yelled in a girlish voice. "Oh, please, Mr. Weasley, might you give me your autograph?"
Ron looked embarrassed, but said, "Sure...I guess......." He climbed off his chair and came to their table, where Hermione waited with a pen and the copy of the Daily Prophet. "Now, Miss, whom do I address this to?"
"Well," said Hermione, with her eyes twinkling, "I'd appreciate it if you'd address it to Hermione Granger."
There was a loud 'clunk!' as Ron's tankard hit the floor. "Shh, you big oaf!" Harry said hurriedly. Ron stared at him. Harry sighed, and moved his bangs for a moment. "Do you believe us?"
"Of course I do," said Ron hoarsely. "I just can't believe I'm seeing Hermione again. And as a queen!"
"Keep your voice down!" said Hermione urgently. "Come on. Let's all go back to Harry's apartment."
Harry left ample money on the table, and then the three snuck out the back door. Ron enveloped Hermione in a hug.
"Hermione, it's so great to see you again...where have you been?"
"I'll answer that back at the apartment," said Hermione. "It's a rather long story. Wouldn't you agree, Harry?"
Harry nodded. "Took centuries to unfold," he added. "And I still don't get some of it," he added, almost as an afterthought.
~~~~~
Back at the apartment, Harry and Hermione did the most logical thing. They sat Ron down in a chair, they took the couch, and they started from the beginning. Ron, being brought up in a wizarding household, heard tales from the time he was a baby about how Perrin and Chastity were going to come back and put an end to all the evil in the magical kingdom. So, that was one part they got to skip. But they had to tell Ron of how they met.
"Okay," said Harry. "No matter what, Ron, you're still our best friend, right?"
"Well, of course," said Ron, frowning. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"I dunno, but I was just making sure," said Harry quickly. "Okay. Well, it was a few nights ago. I was feeling pretty down and sorry for myself, so I decided to go to a pub in the alley that adjoins this one. I'd never been in it before, but...."
"Go on."
"Well, I sat down, and ordered me a scotch. I was pretty far into my second or third one when these girls came out. Needless to say, I'd wandered into a gentleman's club, and I was a man who had money on him and was drunker than all hell. You know I can't hold my liquor."
"Go on..." Ron was looking curious.
"Well, I ended up in one of the girls' bedrooms, having the time of my life. We fell asleep, and when we woke up, we were about to get right back to it when I noticed something. Something odd."
"Ah, don'tcha hate that when you're right in the middle of a good -" He stopped at the look on Hermione's face. "Er....go on, Harry."
"Well, it was a scar on the left side of her chest. A scar like mine."
Ron's mouth dropped.
"Well, I told her who I was, and her face looked about like yours. I already knew who she was by that scar. Her face had been reminding me of someone, but I was so drunk I couldn't place facts with names."
Ron still looked blank. "Oh, RON!" Hermione unbuttoned the top buttons on her robes. "Ron! Look here!" She pointed to a scar. "Put two and two together, and you will eventually get four."
"You two SLEPT TOGETHER?!" Ron screeched.
Harry and Hermione looked at each other. "Yes," they said, a bit guiltily.
"It was my fault," said Hermione.
"No, I was drunk, and -"
"No, I was trying to make money, and -"
"I was just being a hormonal guy -"
"Shut up!" said Ron finally. "So, the realization hit that you were in bed with each other..."
Harry and Hermione launched back into their tale, trying to leave out as many details as possible about their night at the bar, and filled Ron in up to the present.
"Wow," said Ron after they were done. "That's all I can say. Wow."
"We could be a really good fantasy story," said Hermione, grinning, as she went to the kitchen to make some tea.
"So, how do you feel about the baby?" asked Ron, grinning.
Harry groaned.
"Harry!" Hermione came out of the kitchen, holding an empty tea canister. "Do you have anything around here?"
"Hermione, my dear," said Harry, rising from the couch to wrap his arms around her, "I've been a bachelor the entire time you were gone. Of course I don't have anything of importance around here."
~~~~~
Morning came early for Harry and Hermione. Ron had gone home at one, and they hadn't made it to bed until two. At five a.m., an owl began tapping at their bedroom window.
"Ohhh....." Hermione groaned. "Harry? Would you get it?"
"Mrrumphgrrrdeferrgen." Harry rolled out of bed, and untied the message from the owl's leg. "It's from Fudge. We're to go to the Ministry today. They want our coronation to be tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?!?!" Hermione was most definitely awake now. "Oh, Harry. Our last day as a prince and princess. Tomorrow, we'll be king and queen."
Harry sighed, collapsing back onto the bed. "I don't quite believe all of it yet." He scanned over the letter again. "Uhhh.....whoa."
"What?" Hermione leaned over his shoulder to get a better look. "What is it?"
Harry sighed. "We're to be married tomorrow, too, at the coronation ceremony."
Hermione was quiet for a few moments, then she finally spoke. "Well. It was coming sooner or later, Harry."
"Yeah, but I wanted to propose to you. I wanted us to have things we wanted them. Not the way that the Ministry wants them." Harry sighed, tossing the letter on the bedside table. "This relationship started out all wrong, and I just wanted to find some way to make it up to you."
Hermione smiled at him gently. "Harry," she said softly, "You've made it up to me several times over by being so kind to me. And it didn't start out wrong. You couldn't help how it started, and neither could I. You freed me from the hands of Voldemort's henchmen. How much better could a beginning be?"
"Hermione, if I say something to you, do you promise not to be wierded out?"
Hermione crossed her heart. "I promise, Harry."
"I love you, Hermione. I loved you when we graduated, I was just too scared to tell you. After you went missing, I promised myself that when I found you, I'd tell you how much I loved you. And now I have."
Hermione's eyes were very moist. "I love you too, Harry. Thinking about you kept me from going crazy when Voldemort had me. Thinking about you helped me survive the brothel. Whenever I felt weak, I'd think of you, and my strength would return."
They kissed, and then they lay in bed, in each other's arms, for a while.
~~~~~
When Harry and Hermione entered the Ministry building, it was bustling with activity. Harry's hair was back to black, but Hermione had decided to keep her hair brown. "It's my natural color, anyway," she had said.
"What's with all the activity?" Harry wondered, seeing people rushing around like mad.
"Oh, I dunno, maybe it's because we're getting married and crowned tomorrow," Hermione said sarcastically. "C'mon, let's go see Fudge."
As they made their way to Fudge's office, they kept their heads down, hoping for no one to recognize them. And no one did...until they reached Fudge's receptionist.
"Names, please?" she asked. Harry and Hermione collectively groaned.
"Harry Potter and Hermione Granger," Hermione mumbled.
"What's that?" The receptionist leaned forward.
"Harry Potter," said Harry, "And Hermione Granger."
The receptionist's eyes were the size of dinner plates. "Shh-hh!" Hermione whispered urgently. "May we see the Minister?"
"Of course, Your Majesties, I mean, he would be honored," the receptionist stuttered.
Harry and Hermione looked at each other. This was so wierd.
~~~~~
"...it's just that we would like to have some input on how our wedding's going to be."
"Of course, Your Majesties. You can talk with the decorators and the fashion coordinator, they're right outside -"
"No," said Harry firmly. "We don't want our wedding to be tomorrow. We want some time - maybe a week or a couple of weeks - to plan."
"Preposterous!" Fudge sputtered. "You're to be married right after you're crowned! This is unheard of."
"It's our wedding," said Hermione, her eyes filled with sparks of anger. "And we'll have it the way we want it, when we want it. Our coronation is enough...we don't want to deal with a wedding on the same day."
As they walked out of Fudge's office, they tallied up the score. Monarchy: two. Ministry: zero.
~~~~~
The day passed all too quickly for Harry and Hermione. They wandered around Diagon Alley, knowing that this would be the last time they'd be able to visit the place unescorted. They enjoyed the Quidditch supply store, Flourish and Blotts, and finally, Florean Fortescue's ice cream place.
"Well," said Hermione, crawling into bed beside Harry, "It's our last night in your apartment."
Harry rolled over on his side to face her. "Is that a suggestion?"
"No, a mere observation," Hermione teased him.
"Can I take it as a suggestion?"
Hermione shrugged. "I guess. I'm yours to do with as you please, remember?"
"Do I ever," said Harry, leaning in to kiss her. She responded, just as passionate as he. Harry's hands shook slightly as he unbuttoned her pajama top.
"Hermione," he said, breathless, after breaking the kiss, "I want to know, right now, before we get any further. Do you want this? I don't want to force you into anything, or make you feel uncomfortable. I love you, and I'd never want to hurt you."
Hermione looked him in the eyes. Those beautiful green eyes, like two bright emeralds. "I want this, Harry. I love you, and I want this just as much as you do."
Then it was not a time for words.
~~~~~
On the day of their coronation, the alarm buzzed much too early - five o' clock. Harry hit the confounded thing with his fist so hard, it was a wonder to Hermione that it didn't break.
"Oh, are we tired, Mr. Potter?" She teased him.
"Hrrumph," Harry grumbled. "I've woken up early two days in a row. I wonder if kings have to wake up early."
"Points to ponder," said Hermione lightly. They lapsed into thoughtful silence for a few minutes.
"Penny for your thoughts," said Harry, taking her hand in his and kissing it gently.
Hermione sighed. "Are you quite sure that you want to know?" Harry nodded, and Hermione sighed again. "I was thinking about my first time, and feeling incredibly sorry for that poor man."
Harry raised his eyebrows. "Care to explain?"
Hermione laughed softly. "It was my second day at the brothel. I hadn't made enough money dancing the night before, so The Boss said I had to take someone to bed. I was terrified, of course, being a virgin, and a sheltered one at that. So, I picked up one of the kinder-looking-not-so-drunk men and took him back to my room."
"I have a feeling there's more to this story," said Harry.
"There is," said Hermione, laughing again. "I got him back there, sat him down, and told him bluntly that I was a virgin, this was my second day on the job, I was terrified, and I wanted him to teach me how to have sex."
Harry laughed out loud.
"I didn't feel too courageous at the time. He laughed a little too, and then took me over to the bed. He explained what he was going to do next at every moment, which, at times, scared me even more. He was gentle, thank God, or I don't think I could've..." She paused. "I'm sorry Harry. I shouldn't have thought of that. You're probably angry with me now."
"No, Hermione. I don't think I could ever be angry with you," he said, kissing her hand again. "But I have to ask. Why'd you think of him?"
Hermione thought how to put her words for a moment. "Because you're even more gentle than he was. And I never thought that was possible."
"My dear, sweet little Hermione." Harry ran his thumb along her jawline, cupping her chin in his hand. "I promise. I will never, ever hurt you. And I will never let another person hurt you either."
~~~~~
"Harry?" Hermione asked nervously, a few hours later.
"Yes?"
"I don't want to do this!" She was clothed in a full-skirted dress of green velvet, and was bedecked with tons of jewels, all with a history like none other. Harry too was clothed in green velvet.
"It's a little late now, love," said Harry. He took her hand. "It'll be okay. We're here, together, and hey, we dragged Ron along for the ride!"
Indeed, Ron was there with the two. "Remind me why I'm here again?" he groaned.
Hermione grinned. "Because you're the newly officiated Minister. Fudge quit this morning, and so we appointed you."
Ron looked as though he might be sick all over his red velvet robes. "What I want to know is, why did he quit?"
Harry shrugged. "Something like he was having a nervous breakdown. The whole monarchy thing was too much for him."
Ron groaned again.
Hermione went starch white. "That's the processional music," she whispered. "Oh no. I can't exactly get out of this now."
"That's destiny for you," said Harry, grinning as he took her right arm, and Ron took her left. The three best friends walked down the long path to the front of the large Great Hall at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where Albus Dumbledore stood, waiting to crown Harry and Hermione King and Queen of the wizarding community in Britain.
"We have gathered here today to witness an event in the making since the 1600's," said Dumbledore. "The first princess of Britain who was a witch, Chastity Lorna Stuart, and her husband, Perrin Michael Allen, were killed by an angry King Charles after he discovered they were of magical blood. Their deaths were not in vain, however. Catherine, Charles' wife, sacrificed her life so that the souls of her daughter and son-in-law could come back when the wizarding world needed them the most. Since they never had the throne of Great Britain, they would have the throne of the wizarding kingdom." Dumbledore paused. "You are looking at the incarnate Perrin and Chastity, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. Both are brave, intelligent, and would give everything, even their lives, to defend our world. They have appointed their best friend, Ron Weasley, also equally as brave and intelligent, to be our new Minister." Hermione looked at Ron out of the corner of her eye just in time to see him blush bright red.
"Harry and Hermione deserve these crowns," said Dumbledore. "They have suffered greatly because of their bravery. Harry, as an infant, lost his parents to Voldemort. He has defeated the Dark Lord several times since, even if it meant bodily harm toward himself. Hermione, after graduating, was taken hostage by Voldemort, who was hoping to lure Harry to him. She was tortured mercilessly, and she was imprisoned for two and a half years in the same place Voldemort lived. He came to her every day, asking her to join him. She never gave in. After her parents were killed and she was finally freed, she was imprisoned once more by a brothel owner and made to degrade herself even more. Even at times when these two young people were in pain, they never gave in to the Dark Lord...instead, they fought even harder against him."
Dumbledore let the applause from the crowd die down until he spoke again. "And Mr. Weasley is just as qualified for his job. He earned the Order of Merlin, Second Class, after his exploits on the frontlines at the Battle of Brundein. He also dueled against Voldemort, successfully thwarting an attack on Hogwarts." Ron looked satisfied with the applause after his bit, and Hermione and Harry had to stifle laughter.
Dumbledore picked up a heavy crown. "This is the crown of the House of Allen, from which Harry is descended. This was the crown that Perrin was destined for." He smiled kindly at Harry. "Step forward and kneel on one knee, and stay there until I say," he said softly. Harry did as instructed. "I crown you, Harry James Potter, King of the Wizarding Kingdom of Britain." He took a ruby-encrusted sword and touched it to his shoulders, like a king knighting someone would do. Hermione noticed something....it was the sword of Godric Gryffindor.
Dumbledore picked up a dainty tiara. "This was the crown of Princess Marianna, the last Princess of Atlantis and the first member of any type of monarchy to be of magical powers. Likewise, it is the first crown of the wizarding community." He then smiled at Hermione. "Please kneel as Harry did," he spoke, just to her. Hermione did so, and he placed the dainty teardrop tiara on her head. The stone that hung down on her forehead changed colors in the light. "I crown you, Hermione Anne-Elizabeth Granger, Queen of the Wizarding Kingdom of Britain." He too touched her shoulders with Gryffindor's sword.
"Kneel, please, Ron," said Dumbledore. "Please raise your right hand." Ron did so. "Repeat after me."
As Ron took the Minister's Oath, Harry and Hermione stole a glance at each other. Harry smiled at her, and mouthed a silent "I love you." Hermione mouthed it right back, smiling, a little nervously. Then she shifted her attention back to Ron as he said,
"I solemnly swear to try and protect the wizarding world from evil, and I swear to work with the king and queen for the greater good." With that, he glanced over at his two best friends, who smiled back at him.
"Please rise, Your Majesties, Minister." The three rose and faced the audience. "I present to you, King Harry, Queen Hermione, and Minister Ron Weasley."
The recessional music began to play, and, the boys taking Hermione's arms, the three exited.
Out in the hallway, the three were met by the Royal Auror Guard. "I just gave away my solitude in there," groaned Hermione.
"What solitude?" Harry and Ron asked at once.
Hermione brightened. "You're right." At that moment, hundreds of people came out of the Great Hall, wanting to meet the King, Queen, and Minister. Groaning, the three set to work shaking hands and giving thank-yous.
~~~~~
In the Albanian wilderness:
Voldemort pointed his wand at the man. "What did you just say?" he hissed.
"H-Harry P-Potter and H-H-Hermione G-Granger have been crowned king and queen of wizard Britain," said Peter Pettigrew, stuttering in fear. "Dumbledore says that they're Perrin Allen and Chastity Lorna incarnate."
Voldemort let his grip on the neck of Pettigrew's robes loosen. A monarchy? And with that Potter boy as king? And that Mudblood as queen?
~~~~~
At Hogwarts (they've stayed the night)
"Ouch!" said Harry, sitting straight up in bed.
Hermione rolled over. "Whassamatter?" she asked, rubbing sleep away from her eyes.
"My scar," he groaned, clutching his forehead in pain. "Voldemort."
Hermione was instantly awake. "What about him?"
"He knows that we've been crowned," said Harry, trying to get the burning sensation to go away. Hermione pressed a hand to his forehead, and yelped in pain as she drew her hand back.
"It's oven-hot!" She nursed her burned hand. "Do we need to go see Dumbledore?"
Harry nodded. "I think so." He still rubbed his forehead, careful not to actually touch his scar. He threw on a robe, and Hermione did the same. They stole out of the room quietly, as not to wake the two Royal Auror Guard members who were posted at the end of their hall. They were on their way to Dumbledore's office when they met Dumbledore himself.
"Professor?" asked Harry, a little suprised to see the old man wandering around the castle. "My scar hurt."
Dumbledore nodded. "Someone just owled me. Peter Pettigrew somehow got into the coronation ceremony. I figured he'd go tell Voldemort, so I was coming to ask you if your scar had hurt."
"It burns," said Hermione bluntly, showing him the red mark on her hand. "It burned me." She looked so comical and childlike.
Dumbledore nodded. "I'll contact the proper authorities. You'd better get back to your room before the Royal Guard discovers you're gone and has a panic attack."
The two bade Dumbledore good night.
~~~~~
A/N -
Gahhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!! This chapter has so much...STUFF happen in it! They sleep together. They love each other. They get crowned. Ron's appointed Minister. Voldemort shows up. Blegghhh....I shoulda spaced that out more. Oh well. Please, please, please review!
Peace ~*~Alicia