A/N: Hi! How are ya? I'm back.
Dedicated to HarmonyForever, my loyal reader from Singapore. With all the spread of COVID throughout the world, I hope you are doing okay. I know that the outbreak in Singapore is rather prevalent. Take care!
Xiexie, wo de pengyou. I speak very basic Mandarin (lol)
YOU'RE WORTHY OF THE POTTER NAME
By: tweety-src-clt9
Chapter Three: Threats to His Lady
Being the betrothed of the Grand Duke of Magical Britain was intimidating on some days and frustrating every single day. Ever since the official announcement of their impending nuptials in The Daily Prophet and The Times, it seemed that everyone has their own opinion about the news. Hence, the entire country both magical and mundane was made aware that Ms. Hermione Granger, the daughter of a textile merchant, was to marry Lord Harry James Potter, the Duke of Gloucester and apparent Duke of Cumberland. Of course, as she had already anticipated, there were a lot of rumors and snide remarks about their engagement.
To say that there were mixed reactions to the news was an understatement.
To the hopeless romantics, she and Harry were the perfect star-crossed lovers who grew up to be the best of friends in a time of war. She did not agree with that sentiment because she was certain that Harry was not in love with her at all. It was just coincidence that she was the only witch to have fit the requirements of the late Lord Black and that was the reason why they were getting married. The whole 'star-crossed lovers story' was the best opinion about their relationship though so she could not be bothered by that one. At least it was a positive spin amidst all the speculation.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, there were bitter and outraged young ladies and their upset mothers. Harry Potter as the Grand Duke was the most eligible bachelor in British Magical Society so the news of their engagement was heartbreaking to those who dreamt of being the next Grand Duchess. If glares could kill, she would have been dead long ago from all the angry and jealous stares from the witches who wanted to marry Harry.
She tried to ignore all the hurtful comments because she had long been used to the way the purebloods looked down their high and mighty noses at her. Despite that, in the deep recesses of her mind and heart, their words stung a little. It was like they were judging her for not being good enough. It seemed they were telling her that she was not worthy of Harry – along with being his Grand Duchess.
Hermione was truly grateful for the Longbottoms' support and for her dear friend Ginny. Even her non-magical cousins sent her icy letters when they gave their congratulations. Her female cousins always treated her with disdain because she was not like them. While they were raving beauties who had a lot of men beguiled by their charms, she was reading a book in a corner and waiting for all the dancing to end. So yes, her cousins were aghast that she was the first in the family to have secured a betrothal – and to a nobleman at that. It also did not help that Harry was such a handsome man so of course, her cousins would be bitter. They treated her engagement like a slap on their faces when it had never even been her intention at all.
She agreed to marry Harry because he was her best friend and he seemed desperate. She had no silly notion that he was harboring secret romantic feelings for her because she had to admit that Harry Potter just as himself was way out of her league. Even if he was not a titled lord, his looks and his fame alone were already miles apart from her own stature.
Despite her misgivings, she agreed to marry Harry. Maybe they could build a happy life together. At least they were friends. It was better than marrying a stranger which was the norm these days. Besides, if she were honest with herself, it would be too easy to fall in love with Harry.
Harry Potter was good-looking, charming, smart, brave, funny, and kind. He was a gentleman with a mischievous streak – a deadly combination for the fragile hearts of romantic young ladies such as herself. So yes! It would be easy to learn how to fall in love with him.
The real issue though – would Harry ever learn to love her as well?
He was a noble and honest man through and through. So, should they marry and he would never fall in love with her, she had no fears that he would ever take a lover. He was too good and loyal to do that.
If she would not be able to secure his love though, then she should learn how to be contented with just an easy platonic relationship with her husband. It was better than living her life with a stranger. At least Harry respected her and listened to her which was the most important thing. She prided herself to be an intelligent and opinionated woman so she could never tolerate a husband who would not understand her need to express her ideas. With Harry though, this would never be a problem because he always acknowledged her academic gifts and brilliance.
She was lost in her thoughts that she did not notice Ginny Weasley standing in front of her. She was in her favorite corner of the Hogwarts library – her safe haven. Instead of doing her readings though, her mind was busy processing the whirlwind of events that happened in her life recently. She just could not believe that she would be marrying soon. For a supposed plain Jane, she expected to marry later in life. So to her, the news that she would marry on the 14th of February in the coming year was just astounding.
When she heard a throat clearing, she looked up from her book about the Ancient and Noble Wizarding families and smiled at Ginny. As a fellow Gryffindor, the young Ms. Weasley was her closest female friend even if they were not of the same year.
"Hello, Gin!" she greeted with a friendly smile.
"Hi, Hermione," Ginny said. She noticed that her ginger-haired friend seemed to be bothered and unfocused.
"Please have a seat, Gin. You look unwell. Is everything alright?" she gestured for the empty bench across her own. She was worried about Ginny. Like her, the youngest Weasley had trouble fitting in. While she was a bookworm, Ginny enjoyed masculine activities such as horseback riding and sword fighting. As the only daughter of the House of Weasley, it was to be expected since she was loved by her six older brothers. The problem though was the fact that society was too judgmental of the ways that ladies were expected to act. So, since she and Ginny were considered to be oddities, they drifted towards each other and they formed a solid friendship.
"I got – you a drink, Hermione," Ginny struggled to say and her eyes looked empty.
"Oh… Thank you," she readily accepted the bottle.
"You – should drink, Hermione… I made it – for you," Ginny said breathlessly.
She noticed something odd but it seemed that her friend really made a big effort for her so she tried the drink anyway. As soon as she downed one gulp of the liquid, she felt dizzy.
"You shall not harm my mistress!" that was the last thing Hermione heard since she lost all consciousness.
Harry Potter was busy organizing the affairs of his estate as he sat behind the lord's desk at Potter Manor. As the head of two earldoms, he had a lot to take care of. His tenants depended on him and his family legacy was rooting for him to uphold their family honor. In as much as he wanted to just visit Hermione at Hogwarts every single day, it was impossible for him to do.
He had a lot of business to attend to. He had a manor to prepare for the coming of his future bride. And, he was still in discussion with Hermione's father about the managing of the Granger fortune. Since Hermione is an only child, her father wanted him to be in charge of all the fortune that she would inherit. That was something that he had to discuss with Hermione first. Of course, he was willing to help out but it was his betrothed's money. So, he would only accept her father's wishes once Hermione gave her approval.
His hand was feeling worn out from all the signing and writing he had been doing while his eyes felt droopy but he must push through with his duties and responsibilities. After that, he still had to work on his ideas for the political reforms he wanted to implement in British Magical Society. As the Grand Duke and the Queen's royal wizard, he was tasked to make sure that changes would be made to ensure that the threat of another Dark Lord could be prevented. And really, that was the bigger challenge. So, once he was done with the paperwork and the finances, it would be reading law books and drafting amendments that would be pleasing to her majesty.
"Grand Duke Potter, sir!" Winky's squeaky voice startled him and he immediately looked at the female house-elf.
"What is the matter, Winky? Is there a problem?" Somehow, he had a weird feeling in his core that told him that something bad had happened.
"Mistress Miney be poisoned, sir! Grand Duke be going to Hogwarts now! Winky tried to stop her, Winky did. But I was a minute too late. Mistress Miney already had one gulp of poison. Winky had Mistress Miney in stasis and dropped off to Madam Healer Pomfrey. I also captured Mistress's friend who gave her the poison… I'm so sorry Grand Duke Potter, sir. I's be a failure!" Winky wailed.
Harry clenched his fists in anger. He was not angry at Winky, no! The house-elf did her best to save Hermione. He was angry at whoever did this to his beloved.
"Winky, please take me to Hogwarts. Now!" Harry stood from his seat and extended a hand to the distraught house-elf. With tears in her large eyes, Winky popped him to the Hogwarts' Hospital Wing.
"Hermione! No!" he exclaimed in agony as he ran towards her bed.
"Lord Potter! Please calm down! I'm doing the best I can," Madam Pomfrey said respectfully.
"What the hell happened? Who did this?" Harry growled.
"Harry! Please! Calm down!" Auntie Min's voice pleaded.
"Auntie Min! Who did this?" his magic was pulsating in a wave of angry energy.
"Winky froze the supposed attacker – "
"Who?" Harry said with gritted teeth.
"Calm down, Harry – "
"How can I calm down at a time like this, Auntie Min?! It's Hermione's life on the line!"
"Harry – please! Don't explode in anger. Your magic is acting up again! You can end up hurting Hermione if you have another outburst," Auntie Min pleaded. Upon mentioning that his wild magical outburst could hurt Hermione, he immediately calmed down.
"I'm sorry, Auntie Min… It's just – It's Hermione! She's my best friend and I – I – I love her," the last three words made his eyes widen in surprise. He did love her! He was in love with his future wife so he would be utterly distraught if he ever lost her.
"I know, lad. I know… I already called the aurors and Madam Pomfrey already sent for back-up healers. She will be alright, lad," Auntie Min held his arm.
"Who did this Auntie Min? Please tell me," he pleaded.
"Ms. Ginevra Weasley was the person who gave Ms. Granger the poisoned drink – "
"What?! I will make her pay!" he growled.
"Calm down, Harry! It could be an impostor, an Imperius, or whatever. We cannot jump to conclusions yet. Think about Sirius who never received a trial," Auntie Min insisted. He nodded grudgingly. She had a valid point.
"Alright. Take me to Ms. Weasley and the aurors. I need to be there for the interrogation," he said while clenching his fists.
"If you cannot keep your cool, I will not allow you," Auntie Min said sternly.
"Fine… Whoever did this though, they will pay! Nobody hurts Hermione and gets away with it. They will face the wrath of the House of Potter!" he proclaimed.
"I know, lad. I know." Auntie Min sighed as she guided him to the abandoned classroom where the aurors had detained Ms. Ginevra Weasley.
Minerva McGonagall could only hope that Ms. Weasley was truly innocent in all of this. If not, then there would be hell to pay. She had always expected Harry to fall in love with Ms. Granger.
The lad defeated every single thing or person who dared to harm her. The mountain troll, the basilisk, dementors, Death Eaters, and Voldemort himself. She had always known that Harry was in love with Hermione Granger when the lad promised to end Voldemort so he could no longer harm people who were not purebloods. She could perfectly remember the way the lad's emerald green eyes briefly turned to Ms. Granger and she knew then that Voldemort never stood a chance against Harry Potter.
"Hermione! No!" Ginny Weasley wailed when she regained consciousness.
"Ms. Ginevra Molly Weasley, you are the prime suspect on the attempted murder of Ms. Hermione Granger, the betrothed of the Grand Duke of Magical Britain," one of the aurors explained sternly.
"I swear! I swear I didn't do it intentionally!" Ginny proclaimed with tears in her eyes.
When Lord Potter and the headmistress entered the abandoned classroom, Ginny froze in fear. The way the Grand Duke's emerald green eyes darkened in restrained fury made her want to cry. She was truly frightened for her life right now. This version of Harry Potter was not her brother's best friend.
This Harry Potter in front of her was the slayer of Voldemort.
"Since Hermione is my betrothed, I insist that she be tried under veritaserum. Headmistress, as the Grand Duke of Magical Britain, I demand Hogwarts be in complete lockdown. No one and I repeat – no one is allowed to leave the castle until we capture the mastermind and everyone else involved in this plot!" This was said in a cold and angry voice.
"Yes – my Lord," the headmistress unknowingly took a step back.
"Ms. Weasley open your mouth," the auror said and Ginny immediately complied. She felt three drops of potion on her tongue and she hurriedly swallowed it. This was the only way to prove her innocence. She could only hope that Harry Potter would never think that she had a single fault in this entire debacle. Hermione Granger was her closest female friend next to the new Lady Longbottom. She would never intentionally hurt Hermione.
"State your – "
"I will handle the questioning," Harry interrupted the auror.
"O – Of course, my Lord," the auror bowed respectfully and Harry stepped forward.
"State your name."
"Ginevra Molly Weasley."
"Do you hate Hermione Granger?"
"No. Hermione is my closest friend."
"Do you harbor any feeling of jealousy toward her?"
"Of course not. She is my friend."
"How did you feel about my betrothal to Hermione?"
"I was a bit sad at first because I kind of fancy you a little but I have always known that you loved Hermione. I am very happy for her."
"Why did you poison Hermione Granger?"
"I was walking along a corridor and I was attacked. I could not see anyone or anything because it was dark. I could not recognize the voice either. The person seemed to have used a dark glamor charm on their voice. I was handed the bottle last night and I was tasked to give it to Hermione to drink. I was imperiused. I tried so hard to fight it but I just cannot."
"Thank you, Ms. Weasley… Aurors, let her go." Harry nodded to the aurors who immediately unbound the youngest Weasley's restraints.
"Auntie Min, assemble all the students at the Great Hall. I have to find this culprit immediately! Aurors, bring Ms. Weasley to the hospital wing. She needs medical attention," Harry ordered.
"Of course, my Lord. Come, Ms. Weasley, let's get you to Madam Pomfrey," one of the aurors escorted the distraught witch to the hospital wing.
Minerva McGonagall hurriedly followed an enraged Harry Potter who was walking toward the Great Hall with an eerie dark energy.
"Harry, please calm down," she tried to restrain the lad's temper.
"Call the students, Auntie Min. I have to settle a score. Nobody hurts my Hermione!"
"Alright, my Lord," Minerva sighed. Like all Potter lords before him, Harry had the same protective streak towards his lady. She almost pitied whoever it was who dared to harm the future Grand Duchess of Magical Britain.
A/N: Good lord! I love sexy protective Harry. And since this is a Regency-era fic, it's so Mr. Darcy feels (fangirling over here).
Things are about to go political over here.
This is a political romance drama after all.
So, yeah...
Review, fave, and follow if you liked this one.
I've been trying to update my other stories. You have your own personal favorites (if you like reading my silly stories) and I have my own.
Be patient y'all. I'm trying my best here, sheesh!
I've posted my supposed Quantum Bang entry, God Save The Children. If fix-it fics are your kind of story, then go check it out. I've already posted around 61k words for that one.
Of all my works, this is my personal favorite. And then, My Cheating Heart is next.
Bye!
P.S. It's hard to speak and write in fancy English for this fic.