A True Princess

A True Princess

Part 1

To be a princess you need a few certain things: beauty, brains, guts and - most of all - you need a prince. My mother told me everybody was beautiful - I'm not sure I believe her, but if it's true that's one thing off my list. I'm top of my year in every subject - I think that just about covers the brain department. Guts... what is more gutsy than going against the rules you live by and risking everything, even your life, for your best friend? So all I need is a prince...

I thought I'd met my prince. He was handsome, dashing, brave, and as good as royalty. For years I believed that we were destined for each other, that no one could be more perfect. It turns out destiny had a different idea in mind.

The Seventh Year Ball started me hoping, no, praying, that he would ask me. I mean, it's seriously unlike me to do something like that, but now the exams and the war were over I felt I needed to have a little fun. So I began to try and get him to notice me. I made him laugh, I encouraged him, I helped him any way I could, but he didn't ask me. He didn't see me there, even though I was there all the time. I know now that we only see what our eyes want us to see, and if we opened them a little wider, we'd all see the truth. I couldn't see that his heart lay with someone else.

That was why I went to the Ball alone. Nobody else asked me. Everyone was paired up except for me. Well, if being a good friend hadn't made him notice me, I'd make sure that my outfit certainly would. I wrote to my mother explaining my dilemma, and she obliged with sending me my birthday present early. I had asked her if I could have some money to buy a set of robes, but what I got back was much better than money. So much better.

Thin white cotton with a veil of shimmering white voile hanging loosely over the top, secured with cascading ribboned plaits, and with tiny roses embroidered over the long floaty sleeves. My mother made me my own set of beautiful dress robes - completely unique and with a small note saying 'For my beautiful princess, may you sparkle and shine like the precious diamond you are.' Now he would have to notice me - I was going to look the part of a princess.

I spent the entire day preparing myself. My hair was still sopping wet when a rather plump brown owl threw itself at the dormitory window. Retrieving the letter from it, I slit it open and began to read:

'Miss Granger,

As Head Girl and Boy you and Mr Weasley must prepare a speech to deliver to your fellow students this evening. Kindly meet me in the Entrance Hall in five minutes time to go through the final arrangements for the Ball.

Prof. M. McGonagall'

True to form, I immediately shoved some shoes on and headed to the Common Room to find Ron, while my brain automatically began working on a strong opening to my speech. Ron was sitting playing chess by the window - with Harry.

The moment he looked up at me my heart flipped right over and started doing a little tap-dance. 'Quit it,' I told it firmly, but my heart didn't seem to be as obedient as the rest of me usually was. It just kept right on dancing. Harry was still looking at me. At the time, I didn't notice that Ron was too.

"Ron," I began. "We've got to meet Professor McGonagall in the Entrance Hall in five minutes time, she wants to go through with the final arrangements. Oh, and she's getting us to read a speech tonight, and we've got to write it."

"Ok," Ron said, turning back to the game. "I'll meet you there in five."

As I walked out, I knew he would forget; Ron's just like that. And, sure enough, half an hour later I was storming back up to Gryffindor Tower to have it out with him.

"Ronald Weasley!" I yelled, making all the lower years jump in shock as I entered the Common Room. "You are the Head Boy of this school, yet you can't even do me the decency of turning up for a meeting!" Ron was looking stunned, and was clearly wondering whether he should interrupt her tirade. "You didn't even have to do anything, all you had to do was stand there, but you can't even manage that! I have had it up to here with you, Ron Weasley, so don't come crawling to me for help with your speech!"

And then I left, leaving a shocked Common Room behind me. I strode up to the dormitory, only to discover Lavender and Parvati waiting for me, having heard my shouting even from the top of the tower. I saw them sitting there with mouths open wide, but before they could even draw breath, I had turned on my heel and flounced out again. The Common Room stared at me as I made my way huffily out of the portrait hole. I would find myself some peace and quiet somewhere.

Of course, my favourite place in the castle: the library. Silence here is encouraged, practically enforced by Madam Pince. Nobody would bother me here.

"Hermione?" Spoke too soon. I turned my head sharply, all ready to curse whoever it was who dared interrupt me into high heavens, but then I saw it was Harry. I couldn't get mad at Harry.

"Oh, it's you," I said, lamely. "You can sit down if you want."

"Thanks," he said, taking my offer and looking highly relieved that I wasn't about to eat him alive. "I guessed you'd come here. You OK?"

"Er, well, yeah, I guess," I replied, shrugging. "It's just... why doesn't he put any effort into things?"

"That's a bit harsh, Hermione," Harry said, frowning slightly. "You know he puts effort into lots of things."

"Well, yes, but I mean, important things."

"He does lots of important things!" Harry said, surprised and seemingly somewhat indignant. "Things that are important to him! Things that matter to him! You're being very hard on him, and I don't understand why." I sighed. Harry would never understand.

"I'm just frustrated, is all," I muttered finally.

"Well, talk to him about it, don't have a go at him for it," Harry said wisely. "Don't forget how much he did for all of us, especially you, during the war." And then he left, leaving me feeling absolutely rotten and miserable.

I didn't know Harry was going with Ginny to the Ball. I thought he was just going with some random girl he'd had his eye on. The only thing I knew or cared about was that he wasn't going with me. I could hardly believe I was thinking these things; they seemed so shallow yet I couldn't help it.

I felt like a princess when I entered the Great Hall that night. Ron and I entered behind all the teachers, arm in arm as Head Girl and Boy, even though we'd made it clear to everyone that we weren't going together. We separated at the Top Table, and took our seats at the small round table prepared just for us at the front of the hall. I still hadn't apologised for my outburst.

"Welcome to our celebratory feast!" Dumbledore called happily. "I would, of course, ramble on, but I shall leave that honour to our Head Boy and Girl! Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Ronald Weasley, and Miss Hermione Granger!" Rapturous applause from the Hall. Ron and I stood up, and I felt distinctly sick. I had written a speech, but it wasn't very good, and we were supposed to have done it together.

Very luckily for me, Ron handed me a small piece of parchment with a speech written out on it, with sections clearly marked for me and him.

"Welcome to the Seventh Year Ball," Ron announced, in tones much more confident than I'd heard him use in a long time. "It has been a long journey to get here, and we all know how difficult it has been along the way. The celebrations tonight are a mark of respect and admiration from us to all of you, for your efforts through difficult times." He glanced at me, and nodded. Taking his lead, I began to read in a clear voice.

"Sometimes we've been mad with each other. Sometimes we've had arguments, and sometimes we haven't spoken to each other for months. But there have always been good times. Times when a smile from you has cheered me up and made my day. Times when we've laughed together, and shared moments of friendship. These are the moments I'll always carry with me, and I want to thank you for being my friend along the way." I paused. There was something wrong with this speech. I glanced at Ron, who looked rather flushed. He hastily reached across and turned the piece of parchment over. I scanned the first few lines and began to read again.

"Despite all the difficult times, everybody has pulled together in a magnificent effort to restore peace and justice to the world. Together we formed a bond so strong nothing could break it. Good luck with everything you do in the future, and always carry with you the memories gained and lessons learned at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." I finished, scanning the room to see if anyone had noticed the mistake in the speeches. Nobody seemed to have noticed, however, and they were merely applauding politely as Ron and I took to our seats again.

"Nice speech," I said to Ron, as the food appeared on our plates and everybody began to chatter around the room. I was being sincere, but Ron clearly thought I was being sarcastic.

"Couldn't you at least be civil with me, Hermione?" he said, frowning. "I'm sorry; I got my speeches mixed up." I nodded silently, not wanting to provoke his temper now.

"I'm sorry for what I said earlier," I said, slowly. "I was wrong, and I apologise."

"It doesn't matter," he muttered churlishly. I sighed. He was determined to be difficult. I glanced around the hall, and saw Harry with one arm round Ginny's shoulders. A small stab of jealousy flared in my heart, but it wasn't as strong as it would usually have been. I decided to make another attempt at conversation.

"You look nice this evening, Ron," I told him, twirling spaghetti round the end of my fork. He grunted.

"Thanks," he mumbled. "So do you." I smiled at him in thanks, but he seemed much more interested in his dinner. I sighed once again, propping my head on my hand. Suddenly I didn't fancy my food so much. It was then that the idea occurred to me. I don't know why, or how, I just know it came.

I twirled my fork around a piece of spaghetti, took aim and fired. It hit Ron on his forehead. I couldn't help but suppress a giggle; he looked highly shocked at my behaviour. For a moment I thought he was angry, but within moments he had a piece of tomato on his fork and had propelled it towards me, hitting me on my right shoulder. I felt tomato juice dripping down my arm, and vaguely registered that my new dress robes would be ruined, but, strangely, I didn't care. I just threw some more spaghetti at him.

Pretty soon, both of us were laughing and throwing food at each other. We hadn't even noticed that everyone else in the hall had stopped eating to stare at us. The first time we ventured out of our little world was when we heard a stern coughing. I paused, in mid spaghetti fling, to see Professor McGonagall glaring at us. I was highly conscious of the fact that I had a lettuce leaf on my head.

"Judging by Mr Weasley's and Miss Granger's after dinner entertainment," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling, "we are all ready for the Ball to begin." He swept the tables to the edges of the hall, leaving a wide dance floor. "If they would honour us with the first dance," he added, gesturing to the open floor. I gulped, removing the lettuce leaf slowly from my head. Ron, meanwhile, was holding out his hand, and he was smiling. Finally, he had forgiven me. I took his hand and we ventured to the middle of the floor. I put one hand on his shoulder, and took his with my other hand, while he put his arm round my back. From nowhere the music started.

What if I told you it was all meant to be?

Would you believe me? Would you agree?

It's almost that feeling, we've met before.

So tell me that you don't think I'm crazy,

When I tell you, love has come here and now.

From somewhere out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Harry sitting with Ginny, watching us dancing with a huge grin on his face. I smiled to myself, and that was when the realisation hit me. He was happy with Ginny, and that made me happy. He deserved to have the girl he wanted, and I could see that now. But that wasn't the only thing making me happy right now.

A moment like this,

Some people wait a lifetime,

For a moment like this.

Some people search forever,

For that one special kiss.

Oh, I can't believe it's happening to me,

Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this.

We spun round and round on the floor, the music filling my ears, while Ron's beaming face filled my eyes. I found it hard to believe: my feelings for Harry had been so real, how could they change in a split second? And for Ron, of all people? Ron Weasley, whom I had earlier ordered not to speak to me again? It just didn't make any logical sense.

Everything changes but beauty remains,

Something so tender, I can't explain.

Well, I may be dreaming, but till I awake,

Can't we make this dream last forever?

And I'll cherish all the love we share.

Something was just right with Ron. I fitted right there in his arms. I didn't notice other couples coming onto the dance floor; as far as I was concerned, there was only Ron and I in the world.

A moment like this,

Some people wait a lifetime,

For a moment like this.

Some people search forever,

For that one special kiss.

Oh, I can't believe it's happening to me,

Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this.

"I never said thank you," I whispered to him. He looked puzzled.

"Thank you for what?" he asked, curious.

"Thank you for saving my life," I replied quietly. "If it wasn't for you, I probably wouldn't be here today, so thank you." The lights were quite dim but I could see him turning red.

"Well, I had a speech to say to you but, er, you already read it," he muttered, his ears brightening. I couldn't help but giggle.

Could this be the greatest love of all?

I wanna know that you will catch me when I fall.

So let me tell you this:

Some people wait a lifetime

For a moment like this.

"Maybe we should go and clean ourselves up after this?" I suggested. He did still have tomato sauce on his nose. I wiped it off for him.

"You still look beautiful to me," he replied, grinning and removing a piece of pasta from my hair. I smiled back.

"Still, I think maybe we should go somewhere to talk," I continued. I watched carefully for his reaction, but his face remained impassive.

A moment like this,

Some people wait a lifetime,

For a moment like this.

Some people search forever,

For that one special kiss.

Oh, I can't believe it's happening to me,

Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this.

The music filled my ears, until suddenly it wasn't there anymore, and there was a brief pause before a livelier song came on.

"You want that talk?" Ron asked. I nodded, and he led me out of the hall to the fairy lit grounds outside. There wasn't anyone else outside yet, they were still enjoying the dancing. We sat down on a small stone bench, and I fixed my eyes on the sun lowering beyond the horizon.

"Let's get this over with," Ron said quietly. "You love Harry, right?" I stared at him.

"Well, yes, but not in that way, at least, not anymore," I said, trying hard to explain, even though I could hardly understand it myself.

"You're not?" he asked, looking hopeful. "Well, in that case, let me just say, I think you really do look beautiful tonight. In fact, you look like a true princess." I stared at him some more, and he stared right back. "Well say something!" he said, finally. But I couldn't say anything. Nothing could put my feelings at that moment into words. So instead, I did the most impulsive thing I have ever done in my life. I kissed Ron Weasley.

For my first kiss, it wasn't bad. He seemed quite taken aback, but obliged willingly. We had a fair bit of practise throughout the rest of the night, as well as the odd spot of dancing. And finally, as we said goodnight on the dance floor, the final strains of music dying away and me kissing Ron Weasley, I finally had my beauty, my brains, my guts, but above all my prince. That night, I was a true princess.