Hermione checked her reflection in the mirror to make sure her growing stomach wasn't visible in the dress she was wearing. Satisfied that she looked no different to normal Hermione grabbed her cloak and left her chambers. Today was the day Hermione was heading to Gryffindor to speak with her parents. The trip had been organised quickly and Hermione was relieved when King Severus hadn't questioned her about the reason she wanted to visit her parents.
The only downside to the trip was that with her recent bad health he had insisted she take the carriage, rather than travel on horseback. Normally Hermione wouldn't have minded as Ginny would normally accompany her on such a trip but her maid had grumbled about the trip so Hermione had given her permission to remain behind in Slytherin. At the time Hermione had been pleased she didn't have to deal with making sure Ginny didn't suspect anything untoward was happening with the visit but now she knew she was travelling by coach she wasn't looking forward to the hours of loneliness.
Arriving in the courtyard, Hermione found the King giving Sir Draco and Sir Blaise final instructions. Obviously as her protector Sir Draco was accompanying her but the King insisted that another knight join them and Sir Blaise had been selected. Moving past the King and the two knights, Hermione greeted them politely as she headed for the carriage. Now she had a plan she was eager to get going so she could speak with her parents and find out what her future held. Hermione was relieved when a few minutes after entering the carriage the King poked his head in and said goodbye before they departed.
The journey to Gryffindor was long and boring and Hermione was pleased when it was over. Because they were travelling by carriage the journey was longer anyway but on the King's instructions they stopped to rest more times than Hermione thought was necessary. Hermione had tried arguing over the stops with Draco but he had insisted they did as the King wished and stopped regularly so that Hermione didn't find the journey too arduous. Knowing that Draco himself was just as concerned about her health, Hermione stopped arguing and went along with the numerous stops.
When the carriage pulled up in the Gryffindor court yard, Hermione was slightly taken aback to find the King and Queen waiting for her. Because the trip was planned on such short notice she hadn't bothered to inform her parents of her arrival, so she wasn't expecting a welcoming committee. When she stepped from the carriage Hermione realised it was just her parents and Sir Harry waiting to greet her, so her arrival was probably spotted by the security patrols not long ago.
"Hermione, what are you doing here?" King Albus asked, greeting his daughter with a hug.
"I want to talk to you both." Hermione replied. "In private and as soon as possible."
"Of course." The King nodded, looking at his daughter with open curiosity. "Sir Harry, will you take Sir Draco and his friend and settle them into some guest accommodation and will you sort out someone to come and tend to the horses."
"Yes, My Lord." Sir Harry bowed to the King before rushing into action and approaching the two Slytherin knights.
"Come on dear, let's get inside." Queen Minerva said, taking Hermione's arm and leading her into the castle.
King Albus followed the two women and the three of them headed towards the dining hall. It wasn't until they entered the room that Hermione realised it was dinner time and she would be expected to dine with her parents.
"What is it you wish to discuss?" King Albus asked once they were seated around the table. "It must be important if you've made a special trip."
"It is, but can we wait and talk about it after dinner?" Hermione subtly gestured to the servants that were serving them as she spoke. While she was desperate to talk with her parents she had no intention of doing so when anyone could overhear and spread gossip about her.
"If you wish." Queen Minerva replied.
"Thank you." Hermione smiled at her mother, pleased she knew why she wanted to wait.
Throughout dinner Hermione caught up with what was happening in Gryffindor while she pushed her food around the plate, occasionally managing to eat a few small portions here and there. Once dinner was over and the plates were cleared away King Albus dismissed the servants for the night and left instructions that they weren't to be disturbed. When the room was empty and the doors firmly shut the King turned to his daughter, eager to know the reason for her unexpected visit.
"I take it you're willing to speak now?" He asked Hermione.
"Yes." Hermione nodded and took a few calming breaths as she prepare to confess all to her parents. "I've come to tell you something very important. I'm pregnant."
Hermione watched as her father's face lit up with joy. "That's great news." He beamed. "Why didn't Severus come with you? I would like to congratulate him in person."
Hermione bit her lip as she tried to work out the best way to break the news about the identity of the father of her child. She knew her father would be bitterly disappointed in her and she really didn't have a clue what to say. Luckily she was saved by Queen Minerva speaking up.
"King Severus isn't the father, is he?" Hermione's mother stated. "Sir Draco is."
"That's ridiculous." King Albus scoffed at his wife before turning towards a guilty looking Hermione. "Tell me it's not true, Hermione." He pleaded with his daughter, upon seeing her reaction to the Queen's statement.
"I can't." Hermione whispered. "Draco is the father."
"What on earth have you been playing at?" The King demanded angrily. "This will mean war when King Severus finds out."
"I don't think it will. I have a plan to avert that." Hermione told her father.
"What is this plan?" The King asked. "Surely you're not going to pass the child off as Severus's?"
"No, of course not." Hermione tutted at her father's idea. "That would never work as our marriage hasn't being consummated."
"What?" The King spluttered. "Why? What's wrong with him?"
"Nothing." Hermione said, deciding it wasn't wise to tell her father about the other King's kinks in the bedroom. "It's just never been an issue for us. We don't love each other, we married for convenience and to create a union between our two kingdoms, not because we were madly in love and wanted to be together."
"So because you weren't getting any action from your husband you decided to bed a knight. I thought we raised you better than that, Hermione." King Albus tutted at his daughter and shook his head in disappointment.
"It wasn't like that." Hermione protested. "I love Draco and he loves me."
"That doesn't make it right, though." The King sighed, softening slightly at the mention of love.
"I know." Hermione agreed. "But we can't change it now and to be honest I don't want to change it. I don't regret loving Draco, he's the best thing that's ever happened to me."
"So what are we going to do about it?" Queen Minerva asked. "Obviously Hermione can't stay married to King Severus."
"That's why I'm here, to discuss what happens now." Hermione explained. "I'm going back to Slytherin tomorrow and ending things with King Severus and I was hoping I could return home."
"Of course you can, dear." Queen Minerva smiled at Hermione as she reached out and squeezed her daughter's hand.
"I was also hoping you could draw me up an annulment for us to sign and a peace agreement. I want to reassure King Severus that the end of our marriage won't result in war." Hermione said.
"I can get you both drawn up tonight." King Albus told his daughter. "But why would Severus just agree to sign them. With the situation as it is he would have every right to be angry and demand recompense."
"I know, but I'm hoping if we talk he'll see this is for the best. He doesn't want to be married to me anymore than I want to be married to him."
"What about Sir Draco?" Queen Minerva inquired. "Surely if you love him, you won't want to leave him behind."
"I don't intend to, Draco's staying with me." Hermione said. "We want to be together, if you can't accept that we can go somewhere else."
"You're not going anywhere." King Albus declared, suddenly standing up. "Gryffindor is your home and you're always welcome here. I'm not going to pretend I'm happy with things because I'm not, but you're my daughter and I love you. If you and Sir Draco want to be together I'll allow it."
Hermione beamed widely and stood up to embrace her father. "Thank you."
"I'm going to go and sort the annulment and peace arrangement out." King Albus said, wriggling out of Hermione's embrace. "I'm also going to speak to Sir Draco."
Hermione began to protest at the prospect of her father grilling her lover but Queen Minerva shook her head, silencing her daughter. Hermione knew her mother was right, arguing wouldn't help matters, so she shut up and let her father leave the room. Hermione had known that her father would have wanted to talk to Draco, she just hoped he wasn't too horrid to the blond knight.
"How did you know about Draco?" Hermione asked her mother, turning her attention back to the older woman.
"I spotted it at the tournament." The Queen answered. "It was actually quite easy to spot."
"How?" Hermione asked, wondering if anyone else had caught onto them.
"The way you look at him." Queen Minerva said. "You look at him as though he's your everything. The fact you're in love with him was written all over your face."
"Do you think anyone else spotted it?" Hermione asked worriedly.
"I wouldn't have thought so." Queen Minerva reassured her daughter. "I spotted it because I'm your mother and I know you really well."
"What do you think of it?" Hermione asked.
"I admit I'm disappointed, but you're my daughter and I love you. The important thing is that you're happy and Sir Draco clearly makes you happy." The Queen shrugged.
"I didn't mean to disappoint you and father." Hermione sighed. "But I fell in love."
"You can't help falling in love." Queen Minerva said, offering Hermione a smile. "Come on, I bet you're tired after travelling all day."
"I am a bit." Hermione stifled a yawn as she stood up.
"Once you come back home, we can get you checked out and make sure both you and the baby are healthy." Queen Minerva said, linking arms with Hermione. "But for now, we'll get you to bed."
Hermione stifled another yawn as she let her mother escort her to her chambers. Once the other Queen had departed, Hermione got changed and crawled into bed, falling asleep almost immediately.
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After a restful night's sleep, Hermione got dressed and headed down to have breakfast with her parents. She didn't really feel like eating but knew there were still things to discuss before she set off back to Slytherin. Hermione wasn't exactly looking forward to returning to Slytherin and speaking to her husband but she knew the sooner it was done the sooner her and Draco could start their life together.
When Hermione entered the dining hall she was shocked to find Draco sitting at the table with her parents. As she approached the table, Draco stood up and pulled out her chair for her. As she thanked him and settled down in her seat she spotted her father nodding approvingly out of the corner of her eye. While her parents may not approve of the situation she found herself in she knew Draco would endear himself to them just by showing them how much he cared for her.
"Did you sleep well?" Queen Minerva asked her daughter.
"I did." Hermione nodded, trying not to gag at the overpowering smells of the food on the table.
"We've just been discussing your return to Slytherin." King Albus said. "I'm sending a party of knights with you to make sure everything runs smoothly. I'm also sending our carriage so you can return with all your belongings."
"Is it really necessary to send some of our knights?" Hermione queried her father's decision. "I'll have Draco with me to make sure everything runs smoothly."
"I'm just looking out for you, Hermione." The King said. "I'll feel better if some of my men are there in case you need them."
"If you insist." Hermione sighed, knowing it was pointless to argue once her father had made up his mind about something.
"I do." The King nodded. "I also insist that you two keep your relationship quiet for the time being. We can discuss things when you return but until then, I want no-one finding out about your relationship."
"What about King Severus?" Hermione questioned. "I'll have to tell him."
"I'm not talking about Severus, I'm talking about the knights and other people." King Albus said.
"We'll make sure no-one finds out." Hermione said, agreeing with her father's order. She didn't know why he was so insistent that everything remained so secretive but with everything he was doing for her she didn't want to go against his wishes.
"Good." King Albus nodded as he stood up. "I'll go and sort the men and get you the contracts you need."
The King took Draco with him as he left the room, leaving the two women to enjoy their breakfast in silence. While Hermione didn't eat anything she remained at the table and spoke at length with her mother about what would happen once she returned home. Queen Minerva acknowledged that no matter how they handled things there would be a slight scandal, but she vowed that she and the King would stick by Hermione no matter what.
After breakfast Hermione and Queen Minerva headed into the courtyard where everyone was ready to leave. Alongside the Gryffindor carriage were the five top knights, ready to accompany Hermione back to Slytherin to end her marriage. She knew from talking with her mother that the knight knew they were escorting Hermione back to Slytherin and that she would be returning with them but her mother had told her that they had no idea of why she was returning home.
After saying goodbye to her parents, Hermione settled into the Slytherin coach and the party made their way out of the courtyard, heading back towards Slytherin and a confrontation with King Severus.