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"Hermione!" yelled Queen Gwen. "Where have you been?! Oh dear, you're ankle!! Why are you wearing those clothes?" Queen Gwen had overwhelmed Hermione with questions. She had been so worried when she found that the princess was not in her chamber.

"Mother! Don't panic! I'm fine. I was just-" Hermione didn't want her mother to know that she had been out riding. She didn't want the privilege taken away from her. "I was out walking and I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. And…..I stumbled on some rocks. My ankle doesn't hurt so much."

"Guard! Help the princess up to her chamber! She needs to change out of those clothes before we dine. Hermione, why are you in those clothes if you were just going for a walk?" asked the queen.

"Well, I wanted to be comfortable. I didn't want to get my other clothes dirty in case I stepped in some mud or something," she said the first excuse that came to her mind.

"Dear, next time tell us when you're going for a walk. We almost sent the guards to go look for you. I can't believe you tried walking back with your ankle in that condition!"

"I know mother. I'll be more careful next time." Hermione had actually carefully gotten off her horse near the stables. She had one of her servants take Lia back. Hermione only had to walk a couple steps and she figured she wouldn't manage to do anymore damage to her ankle. Thankfully her mother hadn't gone mad when Hermione saw her. However, she wasn't looking forward to dining with those stuck up, snotty princes. She would rather have been with Harry at that very moment.

"By the way," yelled the queen. "There's someone here to see you!"

Could it be? No. I just saw Harry 15 minutes ago. Could he have followed me? Hermione's thoughts were suddenly broken by a young man's voice.

"Hermione!"

"Ron!" It was Prince Ronald Weasley. If it wasn't Harry, she was glad it was Ron. "It seems weeks since you've been here!"

"Yes. Well, things have been going on at the castle. I've been very busy, but I'm here now!"

"I'm glad you are." Hermione suddenly realized that she was still in the arms of one of the Royal Guards. Ron seemed to notice this too.

"Let me help you out there. I can take the princess back to her chamber," said Ron to the guard.

"Yes, majesty." The guard handed Hermione over to Ron and he began to continue to carry her to her chamber.

"So, what kind of things have been keeping you busy?" asked Hermione.

"Oh, Fred and George for one thing. They've been parading about the castle trying to make everyone laugh and playing jokes on the servants. They figure we should have laughter in the castle to get everyone's minds off of the upcoming war."

"That's thoughtful of them. I wish we could have some laughter around here. No one seems to smile anymore, and I'm worried about Father. He's in no condition to fight in this war."

"I know how you feel, Hermione."

"And how are Bill and Charlie?"

"They're fine. They're still out gathering soldiers for your father's army. We haven't heard from them in a few days though. That usually means they're on their way home."

"Have they mentioned anything about how many people they've gathered?"

"Last week, they wrote that they had already gathered about 100."

"Wonderful! We can use all the help we can get," said Hermione. They finally arrived at Hermione's chamber. Hermione opened the door for them and Ron brought her in and put her on her bed. "Please say you're dining with us this evening," she said to Ron.

"Of course I am. Why?"

"Because I won't be able to stand it if I have to talk to those stuck up princes again."

"Oh them," he laughed. "Yeah, I met them when I arrived earlier. They seemed a bit-"

"Arrogant?" Hermione interrupted.

"Yes exactly," said Ron. "Well, don't worry. I'll be there."

"Good," said Hermione.

"Well, dinner is in 20 minutes. I'll come and get you because I know you'll have a hard time walking down to dinner with your ankle in that condition," he said.

"Thank you, Ron." He bowed to her before he left and she shook her head. She had told him it wasn't necessary for him to bow to her if they were alone and that he only needed to do it in public.

*****

Hermione had been ready within 15 minutes. Her servant, Vanessa, had been helping her fix her hair. Vanessa was one of the servants Hermione trusted with her life. She had been friends with her for 6 years.

"I don't know, Vanessa. What if I never see him again?" Hermione had told Vanessa all about her meeting with Harry.

"You will. You just need to have faith," she said in an Irish accent. There was a knock on the door and Vanessa went to answer it. Ron was standing in the doorway and Vanessa curtsied. "Hello majesty," she said to Ron.

"Oh, come off it Vanessa!" he said with a laugh. "There's no one around. You don't have to do that." Vanessa blushed and stood up properly.

"Even so your majesty," she said. "I am but a humble servant." She looked at Ron's perplexed expression and laughed. Hermione had laughed as well. Vanessa had curtsied once more and exited Hermione's chamber.

"You ready?" asked Ron.

"I suppose," she said with an apathetic tone in her voice. Ron helped her stand up from the bed and they began to walk slowly to the dining hall. Hermione didn't seem to pay attention to where she was going. She kept thinking of Harry. She should've told him who she really was. He didn't seem like the type of person who would be interested in her title. To her, he seemed like an honest and sincere person.

"There you are Hermione," said King Colin. He stood up along with the other princes and King Lesley. Ron helped Hermione to her spot at the table and he took his place beside her.

"My dear, what happened to you?" whispered Prince Mordred to Hermione. She was seated between Ron and Mordred. She wanted to ask Ron if he wanted to trade seats with her.

"Nothing. I will be fine," she said. She then engaged herself in a conversation with Ron. The Queen was giving her disapproving looks from across the table because she was ignoring Mordred. Thankfully, Prince Vortigen was sitting between the King and Queen and she did not have to worry about talking to him. Her thoughts were broken by one of the guards entering the dining room.

"Your majesty, Prince Harry Potter of the kingdom Galatyn to see you," said the guard. Hermione was in the middle of telling Ron her story of her meeting with Harry. She had looked up when the guard walked in.

"Oh!" said King Colin. "Show him in!" Prince Harry walked into the dining room and bowed. When he looked around at the table, he saw Hermione. Her eyes met his and they looked at each other in surprise. After staring at each other with their mouths open for several seconds, the King finally broke the silence.

"Prince Harry, this is certainly a surprise. What brings you to my kingdom?"

"Majesty, I have come to offer my services in your army," said Harry trying not to look at Hermione.

"How wonderful!" said the king. "We could use an experienced commander. Allow me to introduce the queen." Harry walked towards where the queen was sitting.

"Lovely to meet you, your majesty," Harry said as he kissed her hand.

"And this is my daughter, Princess Hermione." Harry then walked over to where Hermione was sitting and he kissed her hand, but this time he did it slowly.

"A pleasure to meet you Princess Hermione," he said looking at her beautiful cinnamon colored eyes.

"Yes," she said as they locked gazes. "Enchanted." She was under the spell of his gorgeous green eyes. PRINCE HARRY POTTER? I never even saw his scar!

How could I not have known this was Princess Hermione Granger? thought Harry.