Disclaimer: You know the drill.

Author's note: Sigh. Well, I'm sure you're all very upset about who Gwen's fiancée has turned out to be, and you will be reading desperately, searching for the part where Gwen says it's a joke, or the scene where Harry wakes up and sees it's all been a horrible dream. Well, let me just tell you now that there is no part like that. It was all real (in a fictional kind of way) and I suppose I'll just quit my jabbering and let you get on with it.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Gwen's Past

"No," Harry said breathlessly. He wouldn't believe it. It-it wasn't supposed to happen like this.

"Harry, listen, please," Gwen pleaded, taking his hand in both of hers, "There's an exception-a loop hole. My parents insisted to write itfor a reason. The contract says that I have final say. On my birthday, December 24th, it says I must hold a ball to announce my decision to marry him or not. Mother and Father would never have made me marry anyone I didn't want to. So they added that rule- to protect me. Harry, on that day, I can tell the world that I won't marry Draco, and that I'll love you forevermore. On that day, I can proclaim from the hilltops that I do not belong to Draco any longer, and that I am only yours. And on that day-" she stroked his cheek, and brushed her fingertips against his lips, "-I can finally kiss you, like I've wanted to for so long."

Harry grabbed her hand and kissed it. He practically floated at her words. This was more than he could have hoped for. "Can't-Can't you kiss me now?" Harry asked weakly. They were, after all, sharing a bed. Things could progress from there if he did things right…

But she only gave him a sad smile, and shook her head. "No, I can't. Should anybody find out, I could lose my crown and be banished from my country in disgrace. And even if no one else knew, the guilt of it all would drive me mad."

"I understand," He replied with a small smile. The ball was only twelve days away. He could wait. Oh, yeah, the ball… "Gwen, there's something I've wanted to ask you for a while, now…"Harry looked her straight in the eye and gathered his courage, "Would you like to go to the ball with me?" Her eyes sparkled, and she grinned, "I'd love to go with you, Harry! Oh, you don't know what this means to me! I mean, I've been dreaming about this sort of thing for ages and now…"

"And now it's true…"Harry finished for her, "I know. I've-er- given it a bit of thought too."

She smiled, "Lie down."

"Huh?"

She kept smiling, "Just do it,"

He lay back slowly, never taking his eyes off hers. When he was lying down all the way on his back, she crawled up next to him and stretched out beside him. She lay down on her side, and pulled his arm around her, while placing a smooth hand on his bare chest, and resting her head on his shoulder. He was amazed at how well she fit in his arms. She looked up at him with a slight blush and apologized, "It's just- I've wanted to do this for a while, now.."

"No. It's…..It's fine…really…"

"You know, ever since the first time I saw you, I've felt like we were alike…like we shared something the others didn't.."

Harry couldn't imagine what she was talking about. "Like what?"

She looked at him very solemnly, but Harry got the distinct impression that she wasn't really seeing him at all. "Voldemort killed the people most dear to us…"

Harry gasped. "He-He murdured your parents?"

She nodded:

"Two days before I arrived here at Hogwarts at the Beginning of Term feast, I had to tell my entire kingdom that their beloved leaders were dead, and that I was to be the next to ascend the throne.

I'll never forget the day they died. It- it was such a nightmare. My parents and I were in the throne room, discussing how I would decline the Malfoy's offer of marriage. I never liked him. He was always such a prick. All of a sudden, the doors burst open, and Voldemort, and some small man he called 'Wormtail' came in. My parents reached for their wands, but it was too late, and he overpowered them. He demanded that we give up the country-that we make him king. My parents refused. That's when he noticed me. He said, he would leave it up to me. 'After all,' Voldemort said, 'a good leader must learn to make wise choices.'

He used the Cruciatus Curse on my father first, each time asking me if I would surrender, andeach time I was forced to refuse, for the sake of my country. When my father died, he turned his wand to my mother. It was awful- knowing what would happen. Knowing that it was my answer- my stubborn "No"- that was slowly killing them. But there was nothing I could have done. I knew my duty, and even though I loved my parents dearly, the safety of myempire came first. I was the Princess of Aliyone before I was my parent's child. Sometimes, when I least expect it, I'll hear my mother's screams. When he would lift the curse, she would gasp for breath and say 'Don't give up, my daghter. You have to be strong. I love you- don't give in.' "

When both of my parents lay lifeless on the floor, and Voldemort was about to use the curse on me, my grandfather appeared. He was a beacon of light, a ray of hope. I knew everything would be fine. I knew he would save me, and save my parents, and that in the future I would tell stories of it to my grandchildren. When Grandfather Dumbledore appeared, Voldemort and his assistant ran out, and escaped into the night.

I remember holding my grandfather tightly, and telling him to make it all better. I told him to wake Mother and Father up- that it was time for supper. But he said…he said he couldn't make it better. He said they would never wake up.

I was so…angry…I've never felt more angry. I felt like my very skin would tear with the complete agony I was feeling inside. After the anger passed, I felt like a ghost- a mere shell of a person. I drifted to and fro, doing mindless tasks the way I had been taught, and not really thinking about anything. I merely existed. Every time I heard someone laugh- I looked around, thinking for a moment it was my mother. But it wasn't her. Every time I turned a corner, I expected my father to be there, to scoop me up in a big bear hug like he used to. But he was never there.

Then hatred crept in. I hated Voldemort, and all of his supporters. I hated my palace, and I hated my country, so full of memories I didn't want to remember. I even hated grandfather. He was so calm. Even though his only daughter-the queen of a great nation- had been slaughtered by one of his most hated enemies- he was smooth and collected. When he told me that I was to come here- to learn magic here at Hogwarts, with all of the other pupils- I hated this castle, even though I had grown up in its walls. I hated this country and all of the stupid people in it, who didn't know my customs or traditions.

But then I saw you. I had heard of you, naturally, of your story. I even saw pictures of you and your friends. Grandfather told me all about you three, about your adventures, about all the mischief you caused. But…when I saw you, and you said your name so clearly, I suddenly appreciated the fact that there was someone else here who knew what I was going through."

((WOW- she talked a lot, I know, and for those of you who were rather bored by all the talk, here's a little something for your entertainment: There once was a small little puppy named Scruffy. Then one day, his owner Maggie got high and put him through the paper shredder. Scruffy died a long, slowly painful death. So remember- Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires! Back to the show))

The princess had narrated this entire story in the same monotonous voice, as if she had taken Veritiserum. She sighed, shook her head, and said, "I'm sorry, Harry. I'm sure you didn't want to hear my whole life's story." Harry just shook his head and held her closer, trying to swallow down the unexpected lump in his throat. She's in so much pain right now. Am I that oblivious? How could I not have seen it? That's right- because she's always smiling. She's so cheery during the day- I would have never imagined the sorrow she's experienced in her life. She's always smiling and laughing- but her heart is so fragile. It's as if it will break if I touch it. One day, I hope I can wipe away all of that pain from her heart, like she did for me.

I promise, I'll never hurt you, Gwen.

Never.

"It's okay. I'm glad you told me," He said finally, planting a kiss on her forehead, "I would've hated to know that you were suffering all by yourself…" They stayed like that, clutching each other close like they'd never let go. "What ever happened to your uncle?" Harry asked softly, his breath stirring a few wisps of her hair.

"Do you remember that second day of school, when I told you there was 'troubling news' from my country? It was the same night you decorated my room," she reminded. Harry nodded. I'll never forget that. It was hard to believe how long ago it actually had been; it seemed like yesterday. Gwen continued, "The news from Aliyone was that my aunt and uncle had tried to launch a rebellion against the government and take over the country. I…"-she swallowed hard-"I had to have them executed for high treason and conspiracy against the crown."

Harry could only nod. He hated his relatives with a furious passion, but he didn't think he could ever order them killed. But what was it Gwen had said- she was the princess of Aliyone before she was their niece. It was her duty, as princess, no matter how much it pained her. It must have hurt her so much. Though Harry was fairly certain that-if the positions were switched- he could kill the person who had sold him to Malfoy without too much remorse, he was sure it must have hurt Gwen deeply. She was too kind to be the type to hold a grudge. It must have been so hard for her- having to give another order- another answer- that she knew would kill two more members of her family.

"What do you want for your birthday?" he asked, holding her closer to him. She gave a little sideways smile and looked straight into his emerald-green eyes, "A kiss from you."

And they fell asleep, nestled comfortably in each other's arms.

My Two Cents: Well, I hope you liked it. Now you know why Gwen came to Hogwarts. But wasn't it sad? I wanted it to be a bit emotional. Also, I wanted to show a different side of Gwen.

Now, everything fits together: Dumbledore told Gwen about the golden trio- that's how she knew about them that morning at breakfast. Also, it explains why Gwen looked different when Harry kissed her hand- it was that bond she felt between them. Also, if you put it together, the reason she slapped Neville ws because of all the hatred she felt for the stupid people who didn't know her customs. Rest assured, though, Gwen has apologized, and now she and Neville are friends.

Now, you may be thinking, Well, she told us everything already. There are no surprises left. But you're wrong! There's still the ball, Gwen's secret gift, and…well…I'll leave you to wonder. Thanks SOOO much to Wency, QueMontgomery'sBiggestFan, Misty Eyed Pixie, Crystal Nadine, and all of my other reviewers. But please- add to the list of my wonderful reviewers and go review NOW!