That evening, the boys beat Mia to the theatre and they waited for her there. Harry was the one nervous this time.
"There is no need to be nervous, she is the real deal."
"I know."
"No she really is the princess, I was the boy,"
"So Mia has found her family and you…."
"Will walk out forever, servants don't marry princesses."
"You have to tell her."
"Tell me what?"
Both were stunned by her entrance, "How beautiful you look." Ron offered her his arm and she took it. When they entered, a gentlemen took her coat and she walked up the stars while Ron tipped the man. When he looked up she was gob smacked, this was the second time she had done this, and she was absolutely stunning.
"Are you coming vulture boy?" Ron ran to her and continued to escort her to their balcony.
They sat down and he handed her a pair of spectacles and pointed to where the empress was sitting. "I hope she remembers me."
They went thought the play and meanwhile, Mia wrung the pamphlet until it was in tiny pieces in her lap. Ron took note of her actions and grabbed her hand. He brought it to her lips and said, "Relax, she is going to love you."
When the show hit intermission, he looked over at Mia and said, "It's time,"
The followed the corridor to the entrance to where Minerva was sitting with Ginny. Ron told Mia to wait while he announced her. The door didn't shut all the way when he went in and so Mia decided that it wouldn't hurt to over hear what was going on.
When Ron entered, Ginny noticed him and smiled, Ron said very convincingly, "Please inform her majesty that I have found her granddaughter Hermione."
Ginny almost giggled but quickly regained her composure and said, "I am sorry young man but she will see no one."
"Tell that young man that I have seen enough Hermione's to last me a lifetime."
Ginny sighed, "You had better go."
"Please your majesty,"
"I have heard of you, Ron Weasley, you have been holding auditions so to find a Hermione, all for the reward."
Mia gasped when she heard this. "Get out and leave me be."
"This really is her!"
"Guards, remove him!"
"Wait if you will just look at her you wills see." the guards removed him and threw him at Mia's feet.
"Ron, you lied to me, all for the money?"
"No, well that is how it started yes,"
"So you never cared."
"Look everything is different now, you really are Hermione. You spoke of the hidden door and…"
"I don't care what I said, you lied for money, Not only did I believe you, I actually… Never mind." She grunted and started to walk away.
"Mia wait," she turned and slapped him and walked away.
That night Ron waited for Minerva to exit the theatre and when she was in her car he beat the driver to the driver door and quickly sped off. "Ilia slow down."
"I'm not Ilia," Ron said turning around.
"You, stop this car, stop it NOW!"
"Not until you agree to talk to her."
He drove until he was outside their hotel and he stopped and went like a gentlemen to the door of her majesty. "Simply talk to her." He told her the room number and he let her think about it. "Look at this, I know that you are hurt but don't you tin that it is possible that she is just as lost and hurt as you?" He handed her the box he had always carried around and she said, "You won't stop until you get your way will you?"
"I am just about as stubborn as you are."
All the while, Mia was up packing her bags. There was a sudden knock at the door, "Go away Ron!"
There was a mutter of a word outside her door and it opened and the person walked in, "Are you hard of hearing now too? I said…" she gasped when she saw who was in her room. "I am so sorry I thought you were."
"I know who you thought I was. Now who are you?"
"I was hoping you could tell me."
"Young lady I am very old and tired of being conned."
"I don't want to trick you; I just want to know where I come from, if I belong to a family, your family."
"So you are not here for the money?"
"You are a good actress, best yet. But I am tired."
Minerva walked toward the door but was halted when Mia said, "Peppermint?"
"Yes, I use the oil for my hands."
"Yes I spilt a bottle on your carpet and it never came up, so when you went away I used to lie on that carpet and missed you when you went away."
Minerva was stunned, she sat on the vanity chair and patted the open place next to her, and Mia took it. "What is that?" Minerva asked pointing toward the chain around Mia's neck.
"This? I don't really know, I have had it ever since I can remember."
"May I see it for a second?"
Mia took the chain off and handed it to her. "This was a secret that my Hermione and I shared." She reached for the music box in her bag and pulled it out. Mia graciously took the box and the chain and put the 'key' in it's slot turning it until it played. She sang along to the song and Minerva joined her. When the song ended, Minerva was crying, "Oh Hermione, my Hermione." the two hugged and never realized the Ron was watching them from the street below.
~*~
