Disclaimer: I own neither Merlin nor Harry Potter.

A/N: Hi guys! So you might notice I'm actually writing this in continuous sequence now. That's because I posted it in another site from the very beginning and I'd like to keep it that way. So if you want to read it in order, just pm me so I can send you the link. Thank you for reading and please don't forget to leave a review! They inspire me :D Enjoy!

Snippet Ten

Title: When The Brightest Witch Meets Legends

Arthur would deny it if asked, because princes do not gawk. But try as he did, it was difficult to hide his amusement as he watches their guest practically inhale her third serving of lamb stew, having abandoned all inhibitions.

She devours it in spoonful so quickly that if he didn't know any better, he'd think she's been starved for weeks instead of having spent days asleep. Gaius did say she's in dire need of nutrition, and what better way to provide it than a healthy and hearty meal, courtesy of the kitchen staff?

Still, her behaviour was astonishing, if not peculiar to say the least. To think that she could be this comfortable around them after listening to them warn her about his king father's rules concerning magic and the punishment given to those found guilty of possessing it.

Either the days he and Merlin spent brainstorming on how best to deliver the news paid off, or she really just doesn't care. Considering what he'd already seen her do, he wouldn't be too surprised if she already has a way to escape should the need arise. But would it hurt her to be even just a tad bit fearful? What sane person isn't afraid of death? Arthur couldn't decide whether to add this to the list of positive or negative things he notes about her.

So far, she's proven herself powerful, extremely so. She also apparently cares about people's lives considering she'd saved his after having only known him for a short time. And if his heart skips a beat every single time she meets his eyes, he'll just add it at the bottom of the list. It would hardly matter anyway if she turns out to be out for their heads.

"Thank you," he heard her say to his manservant who refilled her bowl for the fifth time now.

She was also polite, and never fails to express her appreciation even to the littlest of things done for her, he mentally notes, adding another item on his list.

Taking his seat across him, Merlin, of course, was ignorant to his prince's musings, albeit also alert and watching her. Arthur wonders how it feels like to feel her magic like his best friend does. Merlin did say it was extraordinary, but somehow, Arthur thinks it only makes sense because so far, nothing about her is ordinary.

Fortunately, they didn't have to wait too long. She just finished inhaling her sixth bowl when he saw her lean back at last, shoulders slumping as she sighed contentedly.

Arthur unknowingly holds his breath again when she turns to them, doe eyes eying them expectantly.

"Is that all I need to know then? You have nothing more to add?" she asks kindly, blinking all too innocently for someone who was just informed of a threat to her life.

For her part, Hermione would be lying to say she isn't thoroughly enjoying seeing their dumbfounded expressions. Who else could say she's gone back in time and made the the once and future king as well as the greatest sorcerer to ever walk the earth speechless? It would add another record in her stories to tell her future grandchildren.

Seconds passed and hearing no response, she decided to cut her story short and precise.

"My turn then," she announces, giving herself a moment to sigh and prepare herself for whatever consequences she'll face with her admission. "My name's Hermione Granger, and I'm a witch from the future."

This time though, she had no qualms laughing at their gaping faces, earning an indignant cry from the prince who was quick to assume she was teasing.

"HEY!"

"What? You just told me I'm in a kingdom ruled by a king who kills people for having magic, and that Merlin here is a warlock who's destined to aid you, Prince Arthur, in the coming of a better age, and I believe you. But then I tell you, I'm a witch from the future and now you're looking at me like I'm crazy? Really, that's where you draw the line?"

"Prove it then," the prince demands, crossing his arms in a display meant to regain control of their conversation, she presumes.

Hermione just smirked from the bed, cool as ever and not rising to the obvious challenge. "I could, but I'd rather not have you fainting," she tells him, before adding in thought, "Not yet anyway."

When she rose from the bed to grab a plate of fruit from the table, she rolled her eyes at their befuddlement. "What? I've been sleeping for days that I'm so hungry I could eat a hippogriff!"

"What's a hippogriff?" Merlin asked, feeling thoroughly out of his depth here.

Arthur snorts and glares at the warlock. "Really? That's what you ask?"

To her, he observes, "You seem too calm for a girl who claims to be from the future."

This time, it's Hermione who snorts, before kicking off her slippers and jumping to sit back on the canopy bed. "It's not my first rodeo. I've had my fair share of time travelling before."

The prince didn't bother to hide his bewilderment to ask, "Is that common in the future?"

She giggled. "Nah. Just for the really studious ones who couldn't have enough classes. I wouldn't advise it though. It can be messy."

"How did you end up in Essetir?" Merlin asks, not believing a single thing she said but wanting to see how far she's willing to go to keep her story. They have no way of making her spill the truth if she really wants to lie, no way legal and without resorting to torture or magic.

He needed to know more before he decides if it's worth it to get magic involved.

A shrug was her response. "Beats me if I know. One moment, I was in a library, escaping my friend's boring party, and next thing I know, voila! I'm being woken by a prince to fight a group of mummies."

"If what you're saying is true, then how are you so calm about all this?"

The question was straight to the point and valid. And if she were in their place, it'll also be at the forefront of her mind.

But she wasn't in their shoes. She was in hers, and in hers, this really is among the least of worrying situations she could ever find herself in.

Later, when she's convinced herself this isn't a hoax or a dream, then she could consider telling them. But that would have to wait, so for now, she says, "There are worse places to be, and besides, you guys seem nice." Popping a grape to her mouth, she states the obvious too, "Look, you're even feeding me."

Arthur scoffs. "Are you even a real princess?"

She tilts her head this time, and both men look annoyed, finally getting the sense that she's having the time of her life messing with their heads.

She wouldn't tell them that the reason she's too comfortable is because they've already returned her things to her and all it would take is a quick apparition to find herself back in the forest in case they ever decide she's an enemy.

Instead of answering, she says, "What do you think?"

To her surprise, they started bantering like children.

"Well, Arthur's no prince either. He's a prat, but the crown and a cape are enough to make everyone believe he's a prince," Merlin tells her in an all too serious tone that earns him a smack on the back of the head from the royal.

"You idiot!" Arthur reacted. "Stop that, or she might just believe you!"

"What? I'm just saying. Even if she isn't, it'll be easy to make everyone believe she's a royal. It's the talk of the town after all," Merlin points out. "If she's telling the truth then she doesn't have a place to go. The only way Uther will let her stay is if she's someone important."

Hermione's eyes softened at his remark. Deciding to intervene before the prince decides to hit him albeit playfully again, she says, "Where I come from, we don't have prince and princesses, but we do have a minister and a whole council of lords and ladies. We call it the Wizengamot, and I do have a seat on it so if that's what counts for Uther then we at least don't have to lie about that part."

"You're a lady?"

She shrugs, mind drifting to the time she'd been told that Sirius Black made her his heiress before his death. It's one of the reasons she and Draco were forced to interact before they became close.

"By inheritance, yes, I am. A lord made me his heiress."

"Why?" Arthur asks, more curious than anything.

Hermione's smile was sad and reminiscent. "Because I saved his life."

Gaius barely stepped into the throne room when the king all but leaped off his throne and in quick strides, greeted him with an excitable inquiry.

"How is the princess Gaius?"

It was only fortunate that the old physician has had enough practice to act like he always does and answer in a clinical fashion, not minding the monarch's queerness.

"She is well, your grace. But I advise to give her time to recuperate before having her face yourself and the council. She did experience a traumatic event after all, and it would do her well to rest and regain her sense of safety. At least until she feels comfortable enough to face a crowd, I would advise giving her some time alone."

"Of course," Uther agrees, waving a hand as if it was out of the question in the first place. "Has Arthur visited her?"

At thus, Gaius's eyes widened in realization. "He did, your grace. The prince was there when the princess woke."

"And? Do tell," Uther encouraged, "What happened? What did they converse about?"

"The princess was out of herself, scared to find herself in an unfamiliar place. But the prince was quick to assure her that she's safe here."

Uther looks pleased, very, very pleased indeed if the gigantic grin tearing his face was anything to go by.

"Would you say that Arthur cares for her?"

Gaius brows' were rising higher and highter the longer their conversation continues. "In what way, your grace?"

"I meant as a woman, Gaius. Is my son showing interest in her as a woman?"

Gaius frowned, narrowing his eyes in thought. "Do you mean to know if he's attracted to her, your grace?"

"Yes, yes that!" the monarch exclaimed impatiently. "So, is he?"

"I wouldn't know how far as attraction goes, your grace, but I do think he finds her beautiful. It was a sight to have witnessed, seeing the prince look enchanted."

By the huge grin on Uther's face, it was as if Gaius had given him the sun.

"Good, that's very good."

Barely restraining a smile, the old physician asks, "Is that all, your grace?"

"Yes, that is all. You may go now Gaius," Uther dismisses him with a wave before quickly adding in a voice still all too pleased, "And thank you for taking good care of our guest. Make sure she's treated well and that she wants for nothing Gaius."

"Of course, your grace. I will relay the same to the servants who tend to her."

The magic pulses from the earth. It was soft and barely humming but it was there.

Kilgarrah looks up to the clear blue sky and smiles in thought.

'Ah, it is beginning at last.'