A/N: And so it goes!
Marguerite, Jacqueline and Elizabeth were in Hogsmeade on a shopping trip to buy an outfit for Professor Dumbledore's costume ball. The whole female population of England were buzzing with excitement, all desperate to steal Harry's heart.
Marguerite tossed back a royal blue dress robe.
'What was wrong with that one?' asked Elizabeth.
'It's blue.' Said Marguerite, rifling through other racks.
'Harry's favourite colour is blue.' Said Elizabeth, picking it up and looking at it.
'And at least fifty other girls would be wearing the exact same colour.' Said Marguerite witheringly, snatching the dress from her mother's arms and throwing it back on the counter.
'It's too tight!' called Jacqueline plaintively from the dressing-room.
'Tighten your corset, then!' snapped Elizabeth.
'I can't breathe as it is!' she replied.
'When you can't breathe, you can't eat.' Said Elizabeth, folding her arms.
Marguerite stamped her foot impatiently. 'Mother, focus please!'
'Well darling, I could help if I knew what you were looking for.' Said Elizabeth.
'Something fit for a queen,' said Marguerite, pouting.
Elizabeth's eyes gleamed. 'I know just what you're looking for.' She said mysteriously. 'But speak of this to no one.'
Later, when they were at the manor, they went to the attic and Elizabeth pulled out a dress from a dusty chest. It was a magnificent gown, white and embroidered with dozens of pearls and beads, Marguerite gasped when she saw it.
'Oh, it's perfect!' she said, examining it.
Jacqueline pulled out a pair of dainty shoes, which looked as if they were made of glass. 'Look at these shoes! But mother,' she said hesitantly, 'Where did you get these from?'
'They're Hermione's mother's, which she left for her wedding.'
'Daniella's?' spat Marguerite. 'Well, well, I have the perfect name for Cinder-soot then, don't I? Cinderella, inheriting this beautiful dress for her wedding - marrying who? The chimney sweep!' she said sarcastically, stamping her foot.
'Mother, if the dress is belongs to her, perhaps she'll want to wear it to the ball?' asked Jacqueline timidly.
Two pairs of eyes stared at her incredulously. 'Since when does a Ministry Ball involve commoners and half-bloods?' said Elizabeth.
'Well - never.' Jacqueline admitted. 'But she is out step-sister, and the invitation was addressed to all the ladies of the house.'
'Honestly, who's side are you on?' demanded Marguerite.
Just then the door swung open and Hermione entered, carrying an decrepit footstool. She stopped short when she saw them. 'What are you doing?' she asked suspiciously.
'Airing out your dress for the ball, dear.' Said Elizabeth smoothly.
'Her dress?' said Jacqueline in confusion. 'But I thought you said -'
'I suppose for a half-blood it will have to do. I mean, look at it! It's practically an antique.' Added Marguerite, catching on.
'You're allowing me to got to the ball?' asked Hermione, furrowing her brow.
'Of course.'
'Why, I don't know what to say.'
'Say? It hurts me, Hermione, to think that you don't feel like a part of this family.' Said Elizabeth, placing her hand on her chest dramatically. 'I thought we could all go as one happy family, provided you do your chores and mind your manners until then.'
Jacqueline looked at her mother and sister in disgust at all the schemes and lies they were telling. Shaking her head in disbelief, she left abruptly, slamming the door behind her.
'What's the matter with her?' asked Hermione, bewildered.
'She didn't want you to come.' Lied Marguerite quickly.
Elizabeth and Marguerite left the room too, leaving Hermione by herself in the attic, wondering whether or not she had been finally accepted.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Harry and Dumbledore were sitting side by side near a lake by Hermione's manor. Harry was talking animatedly, while Dumbledore strapped several funny wooden things onto his own feet.
'Do you think that everyone has a perfect match or soul mate?' asked Harry.
'As a matter of fact, yes I do.' Said Dumbledore, looking up from his calculations.
'Well, then how can you be sure you'll find them? And if you do find them, are they really the one for you or do you only think they are and what happens id the person you're supposed to be with never appears - or she does, but you never notice?'
'You must learn to pay attention.' Said Dumbledore simply.
Harry brushed his hair back and looked thoughtful. 'Yes, but what if God puts two people on earth and they are lucky enough to find each other, but one gets hit by lightening, then what? It that it, or if you meet someone new and marry all over again, is that the lady your supposed to be with or was it the first? And if that's so, were they both the one for you and you just happened to meet the first one first - or was it the second one that was meant to be first? And is everything just chance or were some things meant to be?' he rambled on, lost in his own confusion. He put his head in his heads, and groaned.
'You can't leave everything to fate, my boy. Just remember that. She has a lot to do too, and sometimes you must help her.' said Dumbledore, as he fastened the last strap.
'What's this experiment?' asked Harry with interest.
'Would you like to see if they work?' he asked, grinning.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
It was a beautiful day. Hermione had finished her chores, and was by the lake. It was calm and peaceful, and she was in a secluded area away from the main part of it. The sun was hot against her skin and the light bounced upon the water's lazy ripples. She took off her shoes and placed her feet in the cool, clear water. Hermione smiled slightly, and looked around to see if anyone was there. Knowing she wasn't needed until lunch she carefully lay back on the lake, her chestnut curls fanning out around her head as she floating with the current down the lake. Dreamily, she sighed. Enjoying the rays of the sun on her face and the cool water against her body, she closed her eyes. After some time, she heard some splashing, and an anxious voice, she opened her eyes to see twinkling blue eyes looking straight back at her. She gasped, a man walking on water? She thought, until she saw him wobbling precariously on queer wooden contraptions attached to his feet. Toppling, he fell in the water, with a loud splash.
'Professor Dumbledore! Professor, are you all right?' she heard a male voice call. It was Harry Potter.
Dumbledore surfaced, expelling a fine stream of water from his mouth as he did so. Helping himself and Hermione to the bank, he laughed merrily at his failed experiment. 'I should have left walking on water to the Son of God, but fortunately I tripped over an angel.' He said warmly, smiling at her.
Harry recognized her instantly, as she was afraid. 'Daniella!' he said. Hermione groaned slightly. Ever since rescuing Tinkle, she had a fascination with him. He also thought she was a courtier named Danielle, her mother's name!
'Your highness!' she said (A/N: the Minister of Magic's family are addressed as royalty) 'Er, careful. It is - slippery there.'
'Here.' He said, draping his fine cloak around her shoulders. They both froze when his hands came into contact with her, and separated quickly, both a little nervous.
'Thank you,' said Hermione, glad of the warmth of the garment.
'Where are all your servants?' he asked.
'I - I - well, I - I decided to give them a day off,' said Hermione awkwardly. Please God, forgive me for all these lies, she prayed silently.
'A day off? From what, life?' asked Harry.
'Don't you ever get sick of people waiting on you all the time?' asked Hermione.
'Yes, but they're servants. It's their job.' Said Harry.
Hermione eye's flashed. 'Well I wish I could dismiss mine as easily as you do yours.' She retorted, as she turned away.
'You're angry with me.' Said Harry, sounding highly amused.
'No.'
'Admit it!'
'Well, yes, I am.' Said Hermione with her back to him, raising her eyebrows awaiting his reaction.
'Why?'
'Well you seem not to care about your inferiors at all.'
'I can't believe you. You quite fascinating, you know that, don't you?' Said Harry walking around to face her again.
'Me?'
Harry nodded, smiling, his lopsided grin giving Hermione fluttery feelings in the pit of her stomach that she had never felt before. 'You believe in a utopian society, but you live the life of a courtier. Isn't that a contradiction?'
'And you own all the land there is, but don't take any pride in it. Isn't that a contradiction?' shot back Hermione quickly.
Harry grinned again, shaking his head. 'Before I was arrogant and now I have no pride, however do I manage that?'
Hermione rolled her eyes, and smiled. 'But,' she added, enjoying the conversation, 'You have everything you want but the world still holds no joy and you still make fun of those you can see it for all it's possibilities.' She said, with a flash of insight.
Harry went quiet. 'How do you do it?' he asked finally.
'Do what?'
'Nobody has ever made me feel -' he stopped abruptly, he looked into her golden eyes for a moment. Hermione was mesmerized by his startling green eyes, and he leant in slightly, she held her breath, closing her eyes -
'Hermione!' called a voice, breaking the spell.
Hermione started. 'Oh! I'm so sorry, I've lost track of time. I must go.'
'But it's such a beautiful day!' protesting Dumbledore, who had been tinkering with his inventions. He held up a kite. 'The wind is perfect!'
'I'm sorry.' Said Hermione. 'But I must go.'
'I'm playing Quidditch tomorrow at the castle. Will you come?' called Harry after her.
'I must go.' Said Hermione, hitching her skirt and running away swiftly.
'Why does she keep doing that?' asked Harry to Dumbledore.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
'Where are the candlesticks? We can barely see what we're eating!' Demanded Elizabeth.
'They're missing, my lady.' Said Molly hesitantly.
'So is the painting upstairs.' Said Marguerite. 'Well, it seems that we have a thief in our midst.'
'So this is how I am treated after all my kindness? My late husbands possessions stolen? I shall simply have to take the cost of each missing item out of all of the servants' pay.' Said Elizabeth.
Both Molly and the scullery maid both bowed their heads. 'Yes, ma'am.' They said, before exiting.
Hermione shook her head in dismay, as she brought in the main dishes.
'Perhaps I should send you to America.' Said Elizabeth cruelly.
'Didn't you hear? Harry went to the Minister and asked him to release all those men.' Spoke up Jacqueline.
'He did?' asked Hermione, impressed. He really had listened to her.
'Uh-huh. Now by Ministry decree, anyone who sails must be compensated.' She continued.
'Compensated? What is the world coming to, I wonder.' Said Elizabeth haughtily.
'Well I want to know who this courtier everyone keeps talking about. Their must have been ten Ministry people talking about how pretty she is and how Harry has fallen for her!' said Marguerite in disgust.
'Well, we shall have to find her and bury her.' said Elizabeth morosely, starting to eat.
Hermione left the dining room quickly, amazed that perhaps the famous Harry could actually like her! But a guilty feeling overtook her. He didn't know her as Hermione the servant. He knew her as Daniella, the courtier with Hermione's personality and ideals. Now, groaning softly, she wondered what on earth she was doing. She had only pretended to be a courtier to save Tinkle, not deceive the prince. Now things were certainly getting complicated . . .
She had fallen in love with Harry Potter.
A/N: How do you like? Review, please!
Marguerite, Jacqueline and Elizabeth were in Hogsmeade on a shopping trip to buy an outfit for Professor Dumbledore's costume ball. The whole female population of England were buzzing with excitement, all desperate to steal Harry's heart.
Marguerite tossed back a royal blue dress robe.
'What was wrong with that one?' asked Elizabeth.
'It's blue.' Said Marguerite, rifling through other racks.
'Harry's favourite colour is blue.' Said Elizabeth, picking it up and looking at it.
'And at least fifty other girls would be wearing the exact same colour.' Said Marguerite witheringly, snatching the dress from her mother's arms and throwing it back on the counter.
'It's too tight!' called Jacqueline plaintively from the dressing-room.
'Tighten your corset, then!' snapped Elizabeth.
'I can't breathe as it is!' she replied.
'When you can't breathe, you can't eat.' Said Elizabeth, folding her arms.
Marguerite stamped her foot impatiently. 'Mother, focus please!'
'Well darling, I could help if I knew what you were looking for.' Said Elizabeth.
'Something fit for a queen,' said Marguerite, pouting.
Elizabeth's eyes gleamed. 'I know just what you're looking for.' She said mysteriously. 'But speak of this to no one.'
Later, when they were at the manor, they went to the attic and Elizabeth pulled out a dress from a dusty chest. It was a magnificent gown, white and embroidered with dozens of pearls and beads, Marguerite gasped when she saw it.
'Oh, it's perfect!' she said, examining it.
Jacqueline pulled out a pair of dainty shoes, which looked as if they were made of glass. 'Look at these shoes! But mother,' she said hesitantly, 'Where did you get these from?'
'They're Hermione's mother's, which she left for her wedding.'
'Daniella's?' spat Marguerite. 'Well, well, I have the perfect name for Cinder-soot then, don't I? Cinderella, inheriting this beautiful dress for her wedding - marrying who? The chimney sweep!' she said sarcastically, stamping her foot.
'Mother, if the dress is belongs to her, perhaps she'll want to wear it to the ball?' asked Jacqueline timidly.
Two pairs of eyes stared at her incredulously. 'Since when does a Ministry Ball involve commoners and half-bloods?' said Elizabeth.
'Well - never.' Jacqueline admitted. 'But she is out step-sister, and the invitation was addressed to all the ladies of the house.'
'Honestly, who's side are you on?' demanded Marguerite.
Just then the door swung open and Hermione entered, carrying an decrepit footstool. She stopped short when she saw them. 'What are you doing?' she asked suspiciously.
'Airing out your dress for the ball, dear.' Said Elizabeth smoothly.
'Her dress?' said Jacqueline in confusion. 'But I thought you said -'
'I suppose for a half-blood it will have to do. I mean, look at it! It's practically an antique.' Added Marguerite, catching on.
'You're allowing me to got to the ball?' asked Hermione, furrowing her brow.
'Of course.'
'Why, I don't know what to say.'
'Say? It hurts me, Hermione, to think that you don't feel like a part of this family.' Said Elizabeth, placing her hand on her chest dramatically. 'I thought we could all go as one happy family, provided you do your chores and mind your manners until then.'
Jacqueline looked at her mother and sister in disgust at all the schemes and lies they were telling. Shaking her head in disbelief, she left abruptly, slamming the door behind her.
'What's the matter with her?' asked Hermione, bewildered.
'She didn't want you to come.' Lied Marguerite quickly.
Elizabeth and Marguerite left the room too, leaving Hermione by herself in the attic, wondering whether or not she had been finally accepted.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Harry and Dumbledore were sitting side by side near a lake by Hermione's manor. Harry was talking animatedly, while Dumbledore strapped several funny wooden things onto his own feet.
'Do you think that everyone has a perfect match or soul mate?' asked Harry.
'As a matter of fact, yes I do.' Said Dumbledore, looking up from his calculations.
'Well, then how can you be sure you'll find them? And if you do find them, are they really the one for you or do you only think they are and what happens id the person you're supposed to be with never appears - or she does, but you never notice?'
'You must learn to pay attention.' Said Dumbledore simply.
Harry brushed his hair back and looked thoughtful. 'Yes, but what if God puts two people on earth and they are lucky enough to find each other, but one gets hit by lightening, then what? It that it, or if you meet someone new and marry all over again, is that the lady your supposed to be with or was it the first? And if that's so, were they both the one for you and you just happened to meet the first one first - or was it the second one that was meant to be first? And is everything just chance or were some things meant to be?' he rambled on, lost in his own confusion. He put his head in his heads, and groaned.
'You can't leave everything to fate, my boy. Just remember that. She has a lot to do too, and sometimes you must help her.' said Dumbledore, as he fastened the last strap.
'What's this experiment?' asked Harry with interest.
'Would you like to see if they work?' he asked, grinning.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
It was a beautiful day. Hermione had finished her chores, and was by the lake. It was calm and peaceful, and she was in a secluded area away from the main part of it. The sun was hot against her skin and the light bounced upon the water's lazy ripples. She took off her shoes and placed her feet in the cool, clear water. Hermione smiled slightly, and looked around to see if anyone was there. Knowing she wasn't needed until lunch she carefully lay back on the lake, her chestnut curls fanning out around her head as she floating with the current down the lake. Dreamily, she sighed. Enjoying the rays of the sun on her face and the cool water against her body, she closed her eyes. After some time, she heard some splashing, and an anxious voice, she opened her eyes to see twinkling blue eyes looking straight back at her. She gasped, a man walking on water? She thought, until she saw him wobbling precariously on queer wooden contraptions attached to his feet. Toppling, he fell in the water, with a loud splash.
'Professor Dumbledore! Professor, are you all right?' she heard a male voice call. It was Harry Potter.
Dumbledore surfaced, expelling a fine stream of water from his mouth as he did so. Helping himself and Hermione to the bank, he laughed merrily at his failed experiment. 'I should have left walking on water to the Son of God, but fortunately I tripped over an angel.' He said warmly, smiling at her.
Harry recognized her instantly, as she was afraid. 'Daniella!' he said. Hermione groaned slightly. Ever since rescuing Tinkle, she had a fascination with him. He also thought she was a courtier named Danielle, her mother's name!
'Your highness!' she said (A/N: the Minister of Magic's family are addressed as royalty) 'Er, careful. It is - slippery there.'
'Here.' He said, draping his fine cloak around her shoulders. They both froze when his hands came into contact with her, and separated quickly, both a little nervous.
'Thank you,' said Hermione, glad of the warmth of the garment.
'Where are all your servants?' he asked.
'I - I - well, I - I decided to give them a day off,' said Hermione awkwardly. Please God, forgive me for all these lies, she prayed silently.
'A day off? From what, life?' asked Harry.
'Don't you ever get sick of people waiting on you all the time?' asked Hermione.
'Yes, but they're servants. It's their job.' Said Harry.
Hermione eye's flashed. 'Well I wish I could dismiss mine as easily as you do yours.' She retorted, as she turned away.
'You're angry with me.' Said Harry, sounding highly amused.
'No.'
'Admit it!'
'Well, yes, I am.' Said Hermione with her back to him, raising her eyebrows awaiting his reaction.
'Why?'
'Well you seem not to care about your inferiors at all.'
'I can't believe you. You quite fascinating, you know that, don't you?' Said Harry walking around to face her again.
'Me?'
Harry nodded, smiling, his lopsided grin giving Hermione fluttery feelings in the pit of her stomach that she had never felt before. 'You believe in a utopian society, but you live the life of a courtier. Isn't that a contradiction?'
'And you own all the land there is, but don't take any pride in it. Isn't that a contradiction?' shot back Hermione quickly.
Harry grinned again, shaking his head. 'Before I was arrogant and now I have no pride, however do I manage that?'
Hermione rolled her eyes, and smiled. 'But,' she added, enjoying the conversation, 'You have everything you want but the world still holds no joy and you still make fun of those you can see it for all it's possibilities.' She said, with a flash of insight.
Harry went quiet. 'How do you do it?' he asked finally.
'Do what?'
'Nobody has ever made me feel -' he stopped abruptly, he looked into her golden eyes for a moment. Hermione was mesmerized by his startling green eyes, and he leant in slightly, she held her breath, closing her eyes -
'Hermione!' called a voice, breaking the spell.
Hermione started. 'Oh! I'm so sorry, I've lost track of time. I must go.'
'But it's such a beautiful day!' protesting Dumbledore, who had been tinkering with his inventions. He held up a kite. 'The wind is perfect!'
'I'm sorry.' Said Hermione. 'But I must go.'
'I'm playing Quidditch tomorrow at the castle. Will you come?' called Harry after her.
'I must go.' Said Hermione, hitching her skirt and running away swiftly.
'Why does she keep doing that?' asked Harry to Dumbledore.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
'Where are the candlesticks? We can barely see what we're eating!' Demanded Elizabeth.
'They're missing, my lady.' Said Molly hesitantly.
'So is the painting upstairs.' Said Marguerite. 'Well, it seems that we have a thief in our midst.'
'So this is how I am treated after all my kindness? My late husbands possessions stolen? I shall simply have to take the cost of each missing item out of all of the servants' pay.' Said Elizabeth.
Both Molly and the scullery maid both bowed their heads. 'Yes, ma'am.' They said, before exiting.
Hermione shook her head in dismay, as she brought in the main dishes.
'Perhaps I should send you to America.' Said Elizabeth cruelly.
'Didn't you hear? Harry went to the Minister and asked him to release all those men.' Spoke up Jacqueline.
'He did?' asked Hermione, impressed. He really had listened to her.
'Uh-huh. Now by Ministry decree, anyone who sails must be compensated.' She continued.
'Compensated? What is the world coming to, I wonder.' Said Elizabeth haughtily.
'Well I want to know who this courtier everyone keeps talking about. Their must have been ten Ministry people talking about how pretty she is and how Harry has fallen for her!' said Marguerite in disgust.
'Well, we shall have to find her and bury her.' said Elizabeth morosely, starting to eat.
Hermione left the dining room quickly, amazed that perhaps the famous Harry could actually like her! But a guilty feeling overtook her. He didn't know her as Hermione the servant. He knew her as Daniella, the courtier with Hermione's personality and ideals. Now, groaning softly, she wondered what on earth she was doing. She had only pretended to be a courtier to save Tinkle, not deceive the prince. Now things were certainly getting complicated . . .
She had fallen in love with Harry Potter.
A/N: How do you like? Review, please!
