Authors Note: So I'm back! The Monumentour was awesome, I'm kind of sad that Paramore had to cancel their set because Hayley was sick, but there's always next time! Anyway, I had half of this chapter written last week, so that's why it didn't take me long to finish writing this! I hope you guys enjoy this! As always, if you can review at the end of the chapter?

It's better to feel pain, than nothing at all

The opposite of love's indifference

And I don't blame you dear for running like you did all these years

I would do the same, you'd best believe

And the highway signs say we're close but I don't read those things anymore

-The Lumineers- Stubborn Love

Chapter 4: Stubborn Love

The weeks pass quickly and soon it's been two months since Hermione has been at Gryffindor castle. She avoids being anywhere Harry would be. What he said and suggested at the welcoming feast plays in loops in her mind.

Where in the world did he get the notion that she was the type of girl where she break the social protocol. She is a queen, she cannot show her people that she would be the type of girl that everybody shamed. It's not what she was taught.

It was not what she believed in.

She heads to the library on the far side of the castle from her chambers. She walks quietly and quickly, she doesn't want to chance a run in with Harry. Although she thinks he's very handsome, probable the most handsome man she's ever seen, but that doesn't excuse his behavior.

He's a prince, he should understand what it's like. Did he not get the same education she did?

She's halfway to the library when she collides with a body, there are arms around her and her face is in the crook of somebody's torso. She instantly smells a woodsy fresh scent. She inhales deeply before remembering she doesn't know who she has bumped into. She pulls away sharply, her brown eyes meet emerald green.

She gasps audibly, "Harry," she says breathlessly.

Harry's eyes are twinkling, "Hermione, how are you?"

"I'm doing well, how are you?" She asks robotically.

"That's good to hear. I hope our staff has been treating you kindly?" He asks her, a slight smile playing on his lips.

She nods once and makes to go around him, he grabs her arm, "Wait, do you wish for some company..."

She looks indecisive, "Well, I'm going to the library..." She says in hopes of him rethinking his offer.

"That's okay, I'm sure I can find something to do!" He says cheerfully.

Hermione sighs mentally, "As you wish," she starts walking, the soft fabric of her pale green dress calming her nerves.

Harry realizes quickly that Hermione is not going to wait for him, he rushes after her. "So, do you like horses?" She cocks a brow, "I mean, do you like horseback riding? We have many horses here in our stables." He adds quickly.

"Yes, I've been taught since I was a young age to ride." She adds quietly.

He watches her for a moment, her head held high, her back straight, she looks like the epitome of what a queen should look like. But he's seen her eyes, how they show nervousness, fear, but it's the other feelings he can see. Like hope, happiness, love, the knowledge hidden beneath the facade.

She'd been avoiding him, hiding in her chambers or meeting with his mother to plan the wedding celebration. "How's the planning?"

She looks at him questionably, "Planning?"

"The wedding, of course," he says like it should be obvious.

"Oh! Right, well, I don't know. Your mother told me I shouldn't worry about it. She just asked me about a gown and color schemes...tedious really," she says with an annoyed tone to her voice.

He chuckles, "Don't all little girls dream of their wedding?"

Hermione scoffs, then wincing because scoffing is not ladylike! "Certainly not I! I was too worried whether my kingdom had enough resources or if they were protected enough. Even when I was taken to the convent I was worried for my kingdom, I studied everything about my lands. It's important to me, what kind of queen I'm going to be, what kind of queen my kingdom needs. A wedding is a trivial thing compared to the people who need to eat in order to not starve. It's why my father made the contract with your parents, Harry." She answers quietly.

"It sounds like you've thought a lot about this..." He replies lamely.

"It is, my whole life has revolved around being queen, I never really had a chance to be a child," she says sadly.

"I have an idea!" He says excitedly, she looks curiously at him. She stares at him expectantly, "I'm going to help you have fun, we're going to do all the things children do for fun! Besides, once we get married, we'll have to worry about our kingdoms and producing an heir." He grabs her hand softly, "Please, let me show you what you've missed?"

She looks at him with doubt in her eyes, "I don't know," she adds, shaking her head softly.

"Trust me," he adds softly, pleading with her to let her know that he needs to show her she can trust me. That she can learn to love him.

Her eyes soften, "Okay."

His face breaks out in a bright smile, "Brilliant! You won't regret it!" He starts to walk away from her. She looks at him in confusion.

"Where are you going?" She asks loudly.

"To plan!" He yells back.

She chuckles to herself, "What have I gotten myself into?" She asks herself aloud, she suddenly feels eyes on her. She looks around and notices nothing amiss, then she smooths her hair down and looks around in nervousness, then quickly walks away.

Albus Dumbledore comes out of the shadows, a considerate look on his face. Then he too walks away in the opposite direction from the young queen.