Author's Note: I am finally back! I am done with the essays and applications! I'll try to upload as much as I can but when December comes, I might be off for a week or so because that's when my finals are happening. However, then comes the winter break! Until then, I am going to make full use of my current Thanksgiving break :) Thank you so much for reading and waiting!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own any of this except for the new story plot

ENJOY THE SHOW (or the chapter)

Oh, the scowl Ron wore on his face that moment! If anyone saw him right then—no one did because every one was so shocked at Edmund's proposal—he would have called Ron a demon-incarnate. He gritted his teeth as he watched Hermione's reaction. Of course she should say no! He thought to himself, infuriated.

Hermione with her face burned red like a tomato, failing to mask her panic, sought some logic from the Just King's eyes. His smile looked not too mean this time, as if he almost meant it, but she knew better than that. There was something he was planning to punish her for her past rudeness. Yet, she could not outright say no. Who knows what worse things will happen if she rejects the hand of the royalty? Her mind was on fire.

This sort of confusion was exactly what Edmund wanted to cause. In fact, he was not trying to cause anything to happen. He was genuinely asked for a dance partner. Things that would likely to happen during the process were certainly not on his mind. He could only guess what will happen if she accepts or rejects.

Since the moment he kneeled down with one knee in front of Hermione and asked for her hand at the ball, the rumors, good or bad, would spread. If she accepts, she will not be able to enjoy the ball at all. If she rejects, Edmund will have a proper reason to torture her further for breaking his heart (not that he would). But these were surely not on his mind when he looked up at Hermione with expectant eyes.

One more accomplishment that Edmund was not aware of was the mass jealousy from the fellow Hogwarts females. They whispered to each other how they should have known this would have happened the moment the king called Hermione to him on that bench. They had nothing to do to change what has been already done, so with steam, they just stood and waited Hermione's answer (though they were going to hate her anyway regardless her answer—NO? How dare she says no to his majesty!—YES? Are you kidding me?).

Hermione, who was slightly waiting for Ron to ask her for a partner, almost glanced at Ron's direction but asked the king without looking away from him. "May I ask…why, your majesty?"

Her bold question roused more anger from the female audience, but no one broke the silence afterwards.

Edmund nearly frowned at the unexpected inquiry, but he was not the king of negotiations for no reason. He kept his face calm and gentle as it had been. "Why, I hardly know any one here. Should I not choose someone with an impression?"

He did not say a good impression, but just an impression. Hermione knew what he meant by that. Her inside flipped, and she had goose pimples all over her. Now, the king's gentle smile did not seem so sincere. Her eyes watered in frustration, but the one thing that Hermione did not allow herself was crying about such a trifling problem, especially in front of every one. Let this be a challenge! She will gladly accept a challenge.

With a pleasant smile in reply, Hermione bowed. "Then, with much gratitude, I accept your request, your majesty."

It was Edmund's time to be a little bit surprised. He was hoping for a longer panic attack. Instead, Hermione, after that brief moment of having a determined face, accepted with a smile. He did not like it when things went against his plan.

Harry was worried.

Ron was fuming for hours in the common room, just staring at the fire with his arms crossed. Hermione was nowhere to be seen. King Edmund, after Hermione's acceptance, rose from his position and led her to somewhere. He asked the crowd to proceed what they had in plan, meaning, "Don't follow us."

Harry personally thought it was a good change for Hermione to untangle her conflict with the king, but apparently, Ron did not. He was uncharacteristically furious—which made Harry worry the most.

Ron seemed so unstable past few days and refused to talk about himself with Harry. He claimed there was no abnormality going on with him. Harry nodded to calm Ron down, but he was sure something was definitely going on.

Edmund with a sudden curiosity wanted to have a conversation with Hermione. He offered his idea and was surprised to find Hermione saying yes. "I don't have a class after this." She said.

They went to the same bench at which Edmund scared Hermione to death with few words and a wicked smile. On their way, Trumpkin joined them at the back, not interfering but just escorting.

Edmund tried to begin. "So—"

"I'm so sorry for that uncouth behavior from our first encounter, your majesty." Hermione rushed first.

Edmund stared at her worried frown for a moment and burst out laughing. She was pretending to be brave, huh?

"Oh, that's quite alright. You paid your price already." He smiled his genuine smile this time.

Hermione raised her brow cautiously. "And what would that be, your majesty?"

"You gave me plenty to laugh about. I think I frightened you too much, but that was fair." Edmund answered.

Hermione was instantly angered by his words. He toyed with me! When she was about to retort, the king opened his mouth first. "You made me angry the first time. You made me laugh the next. Quite fair, don't you think?"

As mean as it sounded, Hermione had nothing to say. Her anger subsided as relief took its place. At least, she had nothing to worry about now.

"I thought…your majesty meant to…" She did not finish the sentence in fear that she will make another rude remark, but Edmund finished her statement for her.

"Do something terrible to you? I certainly have the ability to do so, but I have my standard in torturing people. You didn't deserve anything more than I already did to you so far." He smiled.

Hermione thought it might be the king's habit of smiling reassuringly at the end of his words. It left an impression that he knew what he was talking about and also that she had nothing to worry about. Not that she needed his comfort.

Hermione quipped. "Please pardon my remark, but your majesty seems to have a very weird sense of humor, entertained by a pain of a mere witch."

Edmund burst out laughing again. "Oh, but you aren't just a mere witch! You are the brightest witch of the age! Now that's more interesting, isn't it?"

As she watched Edmund ending his burst of joy with chuckling, Hermione grunted with embarrassment and irritation. "Please, please, forget about what I had told your majesty long time ago. I was just a child!"

"Quite a terrifying child, at that. I thought you were my mother for a second…" Then Edmund stopped and frowned.

Worried, Hermione looked up at the king's face. "Are you alright, your majesty?"

Edmund shook his head. It has been a while since he remembered the guilt he so strongly tried to forget. The guilt of pushing away his mother. Now he can never go back to redeem himself.

"Your majesty?"

The light and caring voice woke him up from his ever-returning guilt. Hermione was looking up at him like a lost kitten. Edmund chuckled silently as he let out a deep sigh.

"Sorry. That just roused up an unpleasant memory. I should probably let you go. I kept you here long enough."

Despite Edmund's suggestion, Hermione could not move. She wondered if the "unpleasant memory" was about her. For a split second, a thought like what if he hasn't forgiven me yet? passed through her mind, but Hermione thought of the king better than that (now that they had a conversation, she confirmed that he wasn't a devil). So she tried her best courteous bow and turned around to walk away.

King Edmund shouted behind her, "I expect an excellence from you at the ball!", making Hermione blush a little bit all the way back to the dorm.

Author's Note: The quote for the Bonus HINT!

The quote is the very first line Edmund says to Hermione on the very last paragraph of "Before the Ball." I'm waiting for answers!