Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize. All things associated with HP belong to J.K.R. and the plotline of the Swan Princess also does not belong to me.

A/N: -sniffle- Aw, no reviewers, but I was pleased to see that I made it onto four author alert lists and one favorites! Thank you to those special five, you know who you are!And, I'd like to mention that earlier today I was most irritated to find that my copy of the Swan Princess was lost/sold/given away. So, if the details aren't right, don't kill me! I also happen to be up at 1am watching Ever After with the starting of a cold, so be gentle in reviewing!

Chapter Two: Greetings and Goodbyes

The evening's festivities seemed to be on the brink of never-ending. The little ones were letting out yawns, but the elder royals seemed reluctant to separate them during their first meeting. Prince Harry was seated on a cushion next to the bassinet where Hermione lay, letting out a snore or two, in addition to some rather impressive amounts of spittle.

"Does she do anything? I mean other than spit and snore."

"Harry! That was extremely rude to say about the little Princess! Apologize...It seems you're too tired to stay up this late and you behavior offends. Your mother will escort you home early, young man." King James of Gryffindor gave his son a tap toward his wife, and formed his usually upturned mouth into a stern frown.

Lily nodded, and turned towards the exits after sending last well-wishes and promises to meet the next summer at the castle in Ravenclaw. The September evening was moving quickly into the next morning, and those few from far away lands were beginning to also separate, and head towards the line of carriages outside.

Even the birds in the treetops were tucking under their shiny wings for a goodnight's sleep. A cool wind rustled the trees sharply, reminding the people of the oncoming winter weather. The blue sky somehow seemed to have gone from a clear night into a blackened abyss in a matter of minutes.

Just as King David rose to announce it was well past the bed time of the resting child, the doors of the castle were thrust open in a powerful way by the winds. They had picked up, almost as if controlled by some outside force.

Four new 'guests' entered the room, and judging by the horrified looks on the faces of the party-goers, they hadn't an invitation to show the guards at the gate. One was a woman, high aristocratic cheekbones and sleek black hair: Bellatrix Lestrange. Two of the men wore matching smug looks on their pale faces, Lucius Malfoy with his platinum hair and silver-tipped wand, the other a balding betrayer called Peter Pettigrew. He had once upon a time been a member of the Gryffindor courts, and a very good friend of the King and Queen, until he gave away the secret location they'd been hiding at to the third man.

He stood there, looming over the chaos he'd created with merely an appearance, enjoying the screams and scattering. He had a snake-like form, red eyes the color of dried blood, and nearly no nose.

"Well, well, well, Ravenclawssss ssssure know how to throw a party." The man huskily hissed out, "Pity our invitations were...lossst in the post. I do sssay, I had to sssend my birthday greetingsss to the little...Princess."

"You have no place and now power here, Voldemort!" Queen Helen spoke the words fiercely, emphasizing on the aged man's name which caused loud gasps throughout the room.

He rounded on her, growling menacingly. "How dare you ssspeak in such a tone to me! You will bow at my feet, or perisssssh!" The man was warning her, sending out flowing waves of power, each blast weighing more on the shoulders of the blond woman.

The crowned King could do nothing. His sword was clashing with that of Pettigrew, as the palace guards held off Lestrange in attempt to move Princess Hermione to safer grounds at the same time.

As each of the realm's royals dealt with the interlopers in his or her own way, the king of Gryffindor would not stand on the sidelines and watch them be slaughtered. James instead, opposed red magic against Lucius' green.

Queen Helen's body could not take much more of the pressure the thick veil of magic was putting on her shoulders and heart. Her breaths were quick, and her knees buckled, but she showed no signs of giving in to his wishes. Stubbornness was apparently a deadly characteristic to hold within. Helen's heart could beat no more, and she slipped to the floor.

"Foolisssh wench...If you had only done what I wissshed, you could have been at my ssside....Ah, well. On to more important thingsss."

James did something then that was his downfall. He became distracted, as he was close to where the woman had just died. His magic faltered and green overtook his red magic. For a brief moment, he saw a sparkling of silver that was Lucius' wand, and then slipped to darkness.

A knight from behind Lucius' gloating form had whipped out a badge of courage and a dagger to boot, swiftly sinking it in to the blond man's stomach. He cried out, and backed off against the wall.

By this time, two of the four un-welcomed guests had been eliminated, including Pettigrew. Bellatrix was nursing a large wound on her side, and Voldemort was dueling forcefully with King David.

His blinding blue magic cascaded across the room, enclosing the man in a bubble of light. Thrusting outwards, he paused only for a quick breath and a last set of words to the screeching snake of a man.

"You, Voldemort, are forever banned from the Four Empires, and shall never see the light of day if you ever return." And with that said, he pushed out his arms, sending the man's form ramming out the door and past the countryside.

"M-master!" Bellatrix went scrambling out after, running at top speed.

The winded king took in all the damage, the sobbing guests and overturned tables, the birds flailing and squawking angrily, and the two bodies lying on the stony floor. One belonging to his beloved wife and one to his friend. He was a widower now. At least the guards had managed to save his last link: Hermione. She was safe, and so were Queen Lily and Prince Harry. David was determined to make it up to them. He would keep the deal, and join the kingdoms together, through the young ones.

Molly Weasley picked up the squirming infant. The poor little dear would have no memories of her mother, and forever be branded with the mark of sadness for loosing her on her first birthday.

Hermione gurgled happily as Molly, the appointed palace nanny, changed the babe's dirtied nappy. She would just have to play the mother hen, and treat the youngling as one of her own. She herself had two children about the Princess' age, and if it suited the King, they could surly be friends!

She smiled happily at the idea, already rocking the child to sleep. Princess Hermione had a great future ahead of her, and many wondrous adventures to live through.

A/N: You know what would make me feel better during my cold? Feedback. Please send in reviews, and let me know what you think, if I should continue, etc.

Thanks!