Hermione was still horrified by the identity of the King of Slytherin as King Albus turned and introduced Queen Minerva to King Severus. When they then turned to her, Hermione found herself smiling politely, even though all she wanted to do was end the spell and go and kill Draco for taunting her into immersing herself without checking out the story first. The main love story might have been between a queen and a knight but that didn't mean the queen wasn't also sleeping with the king, and if that was the case Hermione was going to end up severely traumatised.
"I'm sure you remember my daughter, Hermione." King Albus said to King Severus.
Hermione thought the introduction was very odd, her memories of the Princesses life showed that she had met King Severus on a few occasions. While their marriage was clearly a political one they had still spoken to one another before now.
"Of course." King Severus nodded. "I'm very pleased you're here Princess Hermione."
Before she knew what was happening Hermione found her hand being taken by King Severus and he pressed his cold lips to the back of it. The action made Hermione want to shudder, it was so wrong for her Professor to be kissing her and she could only hope kissing on the hand would be as much as she would experience.
"I'm very pleased to be here sire." Hermione responded as her hand was released.
"Severus, let me introduce my top men." King Albus interrupted, taking the other king over to meet his knights.
After the Knights of Gryffindor had been introduced to King Severus he turned to his own men and began the introductions. He started with Sir Gregory and after greeting the King the knight turned to the Queen and then Hermione. Once again Hermione found her hand being kissed by someone she would rather not have touching her. Sir Vincent was next and by this point Hermione just wanted to snatch her hand away and rid herself of the memories of first Snape then Crabbe and Goyle kissing her. The next knights were Sir Blaise and Sir Theodore and Hermione found she wasn't as repulsed when either of them smiled politely at her and kissed her hand.
"And this is my head knight, Sir Draco." King Severus announced, making the final introduction.
After the King and Queen had been introduced to Sir Draco it was Hermione's turn. The second she locked eyes with the blond knight, Hermione felt butterflies in her stomach, although she was unsure if that was her reaction or Princess Hermione's. When Sir Draco took her hand and placed a gentle kiss on it he kept his silvery grey eyes on her the entire time and Hermione could feel the spark between them. By the time she pulled away she was almost certain that Sir Draco would be the knight she would be having a torrid affair with.
"How are the wedding preparations coming on?" King Albus asked, once the introductions were over.
"Excellent, the ceremony will take place at twilight." King Severus replied. "I have some chambers set up for you all if you want to freshen up and prepare for the nights festivities."
As King Severus summoned some servants Hermione began to worry about what was going to happen later that day. A wedding ceremony would be bad enough but she really didn't want to think about a wedding night. Still lost in thought she mindlessly accompanied Ginny and Queen Minerva to the chambers some servants were ushering them to.
::::::::::::::::::::::
Hermione barely had a chance to notice the chambers they had entered before the scene faded away and another one took it place. Instead of standing in the entrance to some chambers Hermione found herself sitting in a crowded ballroom. A quick glance around indicated it was the wedding feast and a look down at her beautiful ivory gown confirmed Hermione's thought.
Wondering what had happened Hermione searched her memories and found she had spent time in the chambers getting ready before a wedding ceremony had taken place. Hermione figured that the story must have skipped forward a few hours, hence she had also skipped forward with it, only she had the memories of what she hadn't experienced. Hermione was thrilled she hadn't experienced marrying Snape, yes she remembered it but she was planning on burying that memory as deep in her head as it would go and never think about it again. Hermione reckoned the time jumps would keep happening throughout the story, after all no book described every single minute of every single day. Personally Hermione thought it was quite a good idea, while she wouldn't experience every little thing she would still remember the memories so she wouldn't be lost with what was going on.
Once Hermione figured out what was happening she took a good look at her surroundings. The large room they were in was decorated with loads of flowers and silver drapes and hangings. On the opposite side of the room to where Hermione was sitting there was a group of musicians playing music. There was a large space in the centre of the room where several couples were dancing and three long tables were set up around the room. There were also several dozen servants milling around, tending to the guests every need.
Hermione was sitting at the head table, next to King Severus. King Albus was sitting next to him and the two kings were quietly discussing their kingdoms. Queen Minerva was sitting on the other side of King Albus, watching the younger couples twirling around the floor. There were a few other people sitting at the top table, albeit slightly further from the royalty in the centre, but Hermione wasn't sure who they were. She figured they were important people in the court but at this precise moment she wasn't going to worry about finding out who they were, she was sure over time she would get to know who everyone was.
Hermione's eyes continued to wander around the room, until she spotted a group of knights sitting at the table to her right. The five Gryffindor knights were sitting with the five Slytherin knights. There were some other knights wandering about the room but it was that particular group that grabbed her attention. Apart from Sir Ron, who was sitting with a miserable look on his face, the rest looked to be getting along splendidly and having fun. Hermione figured Ron was miserable because she was married and would be living in a different kingdom, meaning his feelings for her would forever remain unrequited.
As Hermione watched the group of knights Sir Draco lifted his head and his piercing grey eyes found her soft brown ones. Hermione found she couldn't tear her eyes away from the sexy knight and the two merely stared at each other. If she'd been unsure of the origin of the attraction when they had met Hermione was now in no doubt that it was her character in the story that was attracted to Sir Draco, although her own underlining attraction to the blond was simmering under the surface adding to the torrent of feelings brewing inside her. It wasn't until Sir Blaise spoke to him that Draco tore his gaze away from the new Queen. Hermione quickly looked down at her goblet of wine, hoping no-one had witnessed the interaction between her and Draco.
Steadfastly ignoring the nearby knights Hermione turned her attention to the conversation that was happening between the two kings. Earlier they had been talking quietly but over the last minute or so their voices had raised to a normal level and Hermione was sure she had heard her own name mentioned.
"Before we leave in the morning I'd like to discuss Hermione's security." King Albus said. "I take it you're going to provide the protection I asked for."
Hermione rummaged through her memories to find an agreement was in place between the two kings regarding her safety. Even back in the safety of Gryffindor her security had always been a top priority and she had her own personal protector of a knight in Sir Ron. Hermione knew that King Albus was worried that in the rival kingdom she wouldn't be as safe as she was at home and that he had made King Severus promise to protect her to the best of his ability.
"Of course." King Severus nodded in response. "I'm putting Sir Draco in charge of the Queen's security. I promise your daughter will not leave the safety of the castle without Sir Draco at her side."
As the two kings discussed the plan and King Albus requested a meeting with the knight that would be protecting his daughter, Hermione zoned out again. With Draco constantly at her side Hermione could easily see how an affair could take place, she just wished she had read the book so she knew what to expect. So far she'd experienced one day in the story and her head hurt as she tried to work out what could happen from the little knowledge she had of the story. This whole experience would have been much more soothing if Hermione knew what was going to happen and if she was going to get a happy ending.
Hermione was brought out of her thoughts by King Albus and Queen Minerva announcing they were retiring for the night. After saying goodnight to the couple Hermione was left alone with her new husband. All Hermione felt was nervous and awkward so she figured that her character in the story was just as worried about what would happen next as she was, although at least Queen Hermione wasn't worried about having the experience of sleeping with her Professor.
"Would you like me to walk you to your chambers?" King Severus asked, rising from his chair and offering his hand to Hermione.
"Thank you." Hermione nodded as she took the proffered hand and stood up.
As soon as she was standing Hermione removed her hand from the King's grip. As the royal couple left the hall Hermione stared straight ahead, she could feel people looking at them and while her instinct was to glare at them until they stopped being so rude Queen Hermione's upbringing meant she ignored the stares aimed in her direction. Hermione figured her royal self was used to being the focus of people's attention and the stares were something that came with being royalty.
The further behind them the noise and festivities coming from the hall got, the more nervous Hermione was becoming. By the time King Severus headed up a twisting flight of stairs, walked down a long corridor and stopped outside a wooden door, Hermione's heart was pounding and her mouth was dry. She'd been hoping the wedding night would be something she wouldn't have to experience first-hand but the further they were going the more worried Hermione was becoming.
"These are your chambers." King Severus announced as he unlocked the doors and swung them open, before handing Hermione the key. "If you wish to redecorate let me know and I can arrange it."
Hermione stepped into the room and looked around in awe. The room was ten times bigger than the one she had left behind in Gryffindor and it looked ten times more luxurious. The furniture was bigger and more comfortable looking, there was a soft looking rug in front of the fire and the four poster bed was massive and covered in a silk, emerald green cover and dozens of cushions.
"It's beautiful." Hermione said, turning to her king and offering him a small smile. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." The King nodded. "A Queen needs satisfactory bedchambers. If there's anything you're missing don't hesitate to ask."
"I doubt there will be anything missing." Hermione said as she continued to look around the room.
"Before I leave, we need to discuss your duties as Queen." King Severus coughed nervously before continuing. "Obviously you're expected to attend any official functions, feasts and visits. Unless one of us is away I expect to dine together on an evening but apart from that your time is your own."
"What about my duties as a wife?" Hermione asked. She couldn't believe she had just asked such a direct question, clearly Queen Hermione was pretty forthright and didn't believe in skirting around an issue.
"There will be none." King Severus replied, looking very uncomfortable with the way the conversation had headed. "Your duties are as a Queen and only a Queen. I assure you I won't be bothering you as a husband. My chambers are over the other side of the castle and I see no reason why we need ever visit each other's living quarters, anything we have to discuss can take place in the communal areas."
Hermione nodded politely as she internally breathed a huge sigh of relief. She could sense her royal self was also relived by the news but it was nothing compared to the joy Hermione felt. She was just thrilled that she wouldn't be doing anything inappropriate with Snape, being married to him was awkward enough but at least she didn't have to worry about having memories of being intimate with him.
"I should be leaving." King Severus announced. "Good night, Hermione."
"Goodnight, sire." Hermione bid the king goodnight before he left the room, shutting the door behind him.
Relieved by what had just transpired Hermione headed towards the bedroom part of the chambers. She was assuming that Ginny wouldn't be coming to help her get ready for bed but Hermione already knew that her royal self was pretty independent and her maid had less duties than other girls in her position. After finding her nightwear Hermione began getting ready for bed, wondering what the rest of the story would bring.