The following morning for Hermione was spent with Queen Minerva. The two Queens took a stroll around the palace gardens as they gossiped about what had been happening in Gryffindor since Hermione had left. Hermione was very relieved that the conversation never strayed onto the topic of her married life. By the time the two women separated at lunch time, Hermione's love life hadn't been mentioned once.
After having lunch in her chambers with Ginny, Hermione headed to the courtyard to meet up with Draco. She had spoken to him briefly that morning and he had informed her that the knights of Gryffindor were making him and Sir Theodore most welcome. Hermione doubted Sir Ron would be making the blond feel welcome but the Slytherin knight refused to be drawn on the subject of how he was being treated by his rival knight.
"Are you ready for the tour?" Hermione asked as she approached Draco in the courtyard.
"Yes." Draco nodded. "Come on Your Majesty, show me the sights of Gryffindor."
Hermione smiled at Draco before she began the tour of her home kingdom. Throughout the tour Hermione made sure to keep a safe distance away from Draco, they were surrounded by people and she didn't want to start any rumours. Anyone watching them would undoubtedly notice the natural friendliness that existed between them but Hermione wasn't worried about anyone picking up on that, after all when she lived in Gryffindor her best friends were five knights and her handmaiden.
As Hermione showed Draco around the castle and the nearby market and town, she noticed Sir Ron kept popping up. Throughout the afternoon they had run into several of the knights but they encountered Sir Ron more than once. Hermione also noticed that every time they ran into the redheaded knight he would glare unhappily at Draco.
"I think he's stalking us." Draco whispered to Hermione after they encountered Sir Ron for the third time in an hour.
"Really? I hadn't noticed." Hermione joked.
"Has he always been like this?" Draco asked.
"No." Hermione shook her head. "But when I was living here, he was always around so he didn't have to follow around after me."
"How long as he been in love with you?" Draco asked.
Hermione shrugged her shoulders and sighed. "I don't know." She admitted. "But I was aware of it for a few years before I left."
"Have you ever told him he doesn't stand a chance with you?"
"Not exactly. I never brought it up because I didn't want to hurt his feelings, but I've never encouraged him."
Draco came to a standstill and turned to face Hermione, who had also stopped when he had. Checking no-one was close enough to overhear them he shot her a cheeky grin before asking his next question.
"So you never seduced him during a long ride?"
Hermione blushed slightly but she chuckled softly as she shook her head. "No, I've only ever done that once and I don't plan on doing it again."
"You don't need to do it again." Draco replied. "I'm yours until you're sick of me."
"I won't get sick of you." Hermione smiled sadly at Draco before she resumed walking.
Hermione already knew the end of their relationship wouldn't come about because she was sick of the blond knight, she knew that wouldn't ever happen as with each passing day she was becoming more attached to Draco. The only thing she did know was the end of their relationship would break her heart, she just hoped that in the end it wouldn't end in tragedy.
Hermione and Draco finished their tour with a trip to the stables to check on their horses. Once they were finished they headed back into the castle and went up to Hermione's chambers, where they were told by Ginny that dinner would be held in an hour and they were both expected to attend.
Draco questioned if there was some sort of event taking place but Hermione told him that it was likely one of King Albus' dinners for his top knights. She then explained that a few times a month the King and Queen dined with their top knights. Draco was quite surprised by the idea, the only time the knights dined with the King in Slytherin was when there was a large social event, other than that the idea of dining with King Severus was laughable.
After getting the news he was expected to attend dinner with the King and Queen, Draco left Hermione to go and get ready. Once the knight had gone Hermione picked out a dress as she and Ginny began the routine of getting her ready for dinner.
"What did you do this afternoon?" Hermione asked her maid. Because she'd being going out with Draco, Hermione had given Ginny the afternoon off.
"I spoke to Harry." Ginny sighed. "I had to tell him that we're definitely over. You would think the fact I live in another kingdom now would be more than enough for him to get the hint, wouldn't you?"
"He didn't still think you were together, did he?" Hermione questioned in surprise.
"Apparently so." Ginny muttered. "But I set him straight."
"What did you say?" Hermione asked. She was hoping that Ginny hadn't revealed to the knight exactly many of Slytherins knights she had bedded since leaving him.
"Just that it was impossible to maintain a relationship when we live in separate kingdoms." Ginny explained. "He actually took it pretty well."
As Ginny continued to lace up her dress Hermione couldn't help but wonder if Sir Harry had taken the news well because he was expecting it or because Ginny had given him a final goodbye to remember. Knowing all about her maid's promiscuous behaviour, Hermione was voting for the second option.
"All done." Ginny announced as she finished with Hermione's dress. "You look lovely, Hermione."
"Thank you." Hermione smiled at her friend, before checking out her reflection in the mirror. She was wearing a deep purple silk dress that fitted her snugly and highlighted her curves, while her hair was hanging in loose ringlets down her back.
After dismissing Ginny for the rest of the night, Hermione made her way out of her chambers. Like the previous night Draco was waiting for her and the couple walked to the dining hall together. Unlike the previous night however Draco accompanied Hermione into the room, where they would be eating with her parents.
King Albus and Queen Minerva were already present, as were Sir Seamus and Sir Dean. After greeting the King and Queen, Hermione and Draco took their seats while they waited for the others to arrive. As usual Hermione sat to the left of King Albus and she ushered Draco into the seat next to hers, when she had lived in Gryffindor that had been the seat Sir Ron occupied at these sort of meals.
After the other four knights arrived, Sir Ron looking less than impressed to find Sir Draco sitting in his usual seat, dinner was served. For the first part of the meal King Albus set about quizzing the two knights from the rival kingdom, eager to know more about the place his daughter was living. After a while however the conversation turned to the upcoming tournament, which was to be held in Slytherin in a few months.
The tournament the largest of its kind and was open to every kingdom in the land. While there were dozens of tournaments held throughout the kingdoms every year this particular tournament was only held every five years. Last time the tournament had been held in Ravenclaw and none of the knights sitting around the table had been experienced enough to enter.
"How do you rate your chances at the tournament, Sir Draco?" King Albus asked the young knight.
"I don't like to boast, but I am the champion for jousting and sword fighting in Slytherin." Draco replied. "Not to mention I've won a few other tournaments in my time."
Hermione inwardly chuckled at Draco's comments, right now he definitely reminded her of the real Draco. The real Draco certainly wasn't opposed to singing his own praises and despite claiming he didn't like to boast, Sir Draco didn't seem to have a problem doing a bit of bragging about his skills.
"Sir Harry is our champion, I'm sure he can give you a run for your money." The King smiled. "Isn't that right, Sir Harry?"
"I'll certainly do my best, Sire." Sir Harry answered.
"I'll look forward to it. It would be nice to have some decent competition for a change." Draco said, grinning competitively at Sir Theodore, who merely rolled his eyes at his friend and his competitive nature.
"How many men are Slytherin entering in the tournament" King Albus asked Draco. There was a limit of six men per kingdom so competition for a place was fierce.
"I'm not sure. But I think it will just be four." Draco replied. "We only let the best enter tournaments."
"Why only four?" Queen Minerva questioned. "I was under the impression that Slytherin had five top knights, like us. Surely all five of you should be good enough to enter the tournament."
"We are, but Sir Vincent is no longer able to fight after his accident." Draco said, before briefly explaining about his fellow knight's loss of foot.
"These bandits are getting out of control." King Albus muttered. "Only last month they destroyed one of our outlying villages."
As King Albus continued to bemoan the recent incidents with the bandits, talk of the upcoming tournament was forgotten. For the rest of the meal the King and the knights compared experiences with the bandits while the two Queen's chatted quietly together.
Once dinner was finished the group went their separate ways. Sir Harry accompanied King Albus and Queen Minerva as they left the room first, followed by Hermione and Draco and the rest of the knights. While the group of knights headed off to their quarters Draco walked Hermione to her chambers. Promising to come back later on, when people were asleep, Draco left Hermione and returned to his room.
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Hermione moaned quietly as Draco rocked against her. The couple were currently sprawled in Hermione's large bed as they made love. Draco had returned to Hermione's chambers a little over an hour after he had dropped her off and they had immediately tumbled into bed.
Looking up into Draco's stormy grey eyes, Hermione felt a wave of love wash through her. As Draco continued to gently make love to her, lavishing her body with attention from his hands and mouth, Hermione thought about the feelings the blond knight produced in her. Right from the beginning they shared a connection and their friendship had developed quickly. Hermione had also always felt safe with her protector, especially times like these when his body was pressed against hers and he was bringing her pleasure.
The more Hermione thought about it the more she realised she had fallen in love with Draco. She'd known right from the beginning of their relationship that the potential for love was there and it seemed as though it had finally happened. Hermione knew the few weeks when she was so worried about Draco's safety while he was dealing with the bandits was the turning point in their relationship, but until now she hadn't allowed herself to analyse her feelings.
Reaching up and brushing Draco's blond hair out of his eyes Hermione was hit with the urge to tell the blond knight how she felt about him. Realistically she knew their romance was doomed to end in heartbreak, but she had to tell him how she felt.
"Draco, I love you." Hermione whispered, hoping she wasn't going to frighten the knight away.
Draco froze and stared down at the woman underneath him. "Do you mean that?" He asked.
"Yes." Hermione nodded. "I've fallen in love with you."
Hermione was beginning to worry that her declaration had ruined everything when Draco's face suddenly broke out into a large smile. Still smiling widely he ducked his head and caught Hermione's lips in a passionate kiss.
"I love you, too." He declared as their lips parted. "I have done for a while, I was just too afraid to tell you."
Hermione smiled at the knight as she reached up and pulled his head back down and re-connected their lips. While they were kissing they resumed their previous activities as they carried on making love in the candlelight.