The Prince Returns

Chapter Twenty-One

Ron would have to tell Hermione. He could not put it off any longer. Lavender was beginning to whine. She was threatening stopping their late-night meetings if he did not tell Hermione. Regan was also getting irate. She kept threatening to tell Hermione and Harry. She would give Ron dirty looks when Hermione wasn't looking. Harry was beginning to get suspicious. Ginny was questioning him. Ron believed that Hermione was probably the only person in the entire school that was not the least bit suspicious of Ron. Also, all the lying and running around was beginning to get to Ron. He was not getting enough sleep and his conscience was bugging him. But, above all, he did not like doing this to Hermione. She was still his friend, and he loved her for that.

He decided to tell her the Friday before Halloween. She was very preoccupied with the first DA meeting. He figured he could talk to her after class and before the meeting. He would have a good half hour to tell her. Then she would have the DA meeting to lift her spirits again. He was feeling quite good about his plan. He went down early to breakfast that morning to tell Regan. Lately, Regan had taken to eating breakfast early before too many students arrived. Despite assurances that Regan was not a Death Eater, students still avoided her and talked about her whenever gossip was slow. Ron was surprised. Regan had been at Hogwarts for over a year. Everyone knew her. Even those that did not like her knew that she was not capable of being a Death Eater. To make matters worse, Snape could not get the image off his board. He had not caught those who had done it, either. He was more menacing than usual as result.

Ron thought that students would give Richard the same treatment they were giving Regan. Ron was wrong. The students gave Richard the same respect that they gave the other teachers. Several students spoke of him with admiration and fondness. Ron did not think that that was fair. Richard was still Braydon's father and Braydon was a Death Eater, whether he was considered a son or a brother.

When Ron entered the Great Hall that morning, Regan was the only person at the Gryffindor table. The Slytherin table was empty and there were a few people at the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables. There were a few teachers at the staff table. Ron did not think he had seen the Great Hall so empty. He joined Regan. She was surprised to see him. "Morning, Ron," she mumbled. Ron looked at her plate. She was almost finished.

"How long have you been here?" he asked. She shrugged. "You can't continue like this. Breakfast way too early. Hiding in the library or common room."

"The others will get over it eventually. I'm not worried," she said, but he didn't believe her.

"I have an announcement," he said.

"You're going to tell Hermione," she said plainly.

"How did you know?" he asked, disappointed. He had wanted more of a reaction.

"You've been saying you would for over a month, Ron. This is the only time that you could easily talk to me alone. Why else would you be up this early? So, when are you going to do it?"

"Tonight. Right after class."

"What?" she demanded, dropping her fork. She looked shocked. "After class? You are going to tell her between class and the DA meeting?"

"Yes. What's wrong with that?" This was not the reaction he had hoped for. He had expected Regan to be happy that the secret was out.

"This meeting is something she's been looking forward to for a long time. You would ruin that for her. Also, there is only, like, an hour between class and the meeting. That is not enough time to have that kind of conversation with someone completely."

"Yes it is. I've thought of everything. That gives us plenty of time to talk, cry, make up, and become good friends again. Then, she'll have the DA meeting to cheer her up. Of course, Lavender and I won't go to the meeting this time. We'll leave Hermione alone for one evening. That means that Lavender and I will have some time together. It's perfect."

"You are a moron," Regan said, finishing her breakfast.

"Do you really think it's that bad of an idea?" Ron asked, getting worried.

"Do what you want. It's your relationship. You know Hermione better than I do, but I cannot be blamed for the results."

"Deal. I've shared. It's your turn," he said, smiling. His announcement for his plans was not the only reason he had wanted to talk to Regan about.

"What?" she asked. "I'm finished with breakfast. I only have about ten more minutes to sneak off to the library before students start coming downstairs."

"I'll hurry. Harry told me and Hermione a story the other night. About you. About a certain Slytherin," Ron said, his smile widening. His worry of what lay ahead for that evening ebbed; he was enjoying himself.

"Harry told Hermione and me," Regan corrected. She rolled her eyes at Ron's persistence. "What story?" she asked, humoring Ron.

"Well, it seems that he caught a show before Saturday's game."

"Will you get to the point, Weasley? I've got to be going," she said, glancing at her watch.

"Why are you snogging Malfoy in locker rooms?" he said, leaning back in his seat, a triumphant grin on his face.

"We were not snogging," she said, rolling her eyes again. "We were not in a locker room. We were in the hallways outside the locker room. It was barely even a kiss. You should get your facts straight before you make accusations, Weasley."

"But why?" Ron demanded. He was feeling a little sick. He hadn't really believed that Harry was telling the truth until Regan admitted to it. She had kissed that.....ferret-thing.

"You're having secret sessions with Lavender Brown. You are hardly in a position to judge." She shrugged. "I was upset. He was comforting me."

"So you were caught up in the moment?" he offered.

"Have you been reading Ginny's romance novels?" she asked.

"No," Ron said sheepishly. He kept those books hidden in his trunk. No way Regan could know about them.

"Is that all? I have got to be going."

"Yeah. I guess," Ron said dejectedly. He had expected to really get a rise out of Regan. Instead, she had not been impressed by anything he had offered her. In fact, he was actually beginning to question his plans for Hermione.

"See you later, Weasley," she said, leaving.

"Prince," he replied. He was alone at the Gryffindor table. A scary-looking Hufflepuff covered in acne, gender questionable, smiled at Ron. He suddenly felt very uncomfortable.

****
"Lavender Brown?" Hermione demanded in disbelief. She and Ron were in the deserted common room. Most people had already left for the Great Hall for the DA meeting. Ron had wanted to talk with her. She had been busy with the meeting, but had agreed. She had thought that he would encourage her or maybe offer his advice. She was very wrong. "Lavender Brown?" she repeated.

"Yes. Hermione you must understand-"

"Lavender Brown!" she exclaimed, her voice rising. She stood from her seat. "Lavender Brown!!"

"Hermione, you're screaming," Ron said, wincing.

"I can understand that you want different things Ron. You want to explore. You're young. Okay. Fine. At least you told me. Then you tell me you've been seeing someone behind my back for a month, fine. At least you're telling me now," Hermione said in a strained voice. She was trying her best to keep calm, but she was scared that if she did not restrain herself she might strangle Ron. "I expected that you would at least be with someone respectable. Someone with intelligence. Someone like me. But no. You are with Lavender Brown. She has dated more boys than we have in our class. She wears too much make up. She wears too much perfume. She reads Witch Weekly. She did poorly on her O.W.L.s."

"Hermione, you should not judge someone as a potential girlfriend based on their owls," Ron said, trying to be helpful. Hermione just looked angrier. Ron sank lower in his seat.

"Lavender Brown! And you decide to tell me now! I never want to speak to you again, Ronald Weasley!" she yelled and stormed out of the common room. Ron sank even lower into his seat, covering his eyes with his hand. He removed his hands when he heard someone coming down the stairs. He looked up to see Regan. He sighed.

"What are you doing? Why aren't you going to the meeting?" he asked.

"I do not need any extra Defense lessons. I already have the class too often as it is," she said, sitting down in a chair near Ron. "Besides, I don't need to hang out with students who hate me more often than I need to."

"Me and Lavender are going to be using the common room tonight," he warned.

"Lavender and I," she said simply. "I'm going to be leaving. You know, I'm sure Hermione will calm down. You just have to give her time. You picked a very poor time to tell her."

"I know. I know. You were right," he muttered, sitting up. "What are you going to be doing this evening? I mean, who are you going to be do-"

"You are so immature, Weasley. I do not know why I waste my time," she said, standing. "I am going to go to the library to do homework. You know, the assignments that teachers give you at the end of each lesson. The library is the big room with all the books. Got it?"

"Good-bye Regan. I'll let you know if I start feeling any better, then you can come and fix that right away. All right?"

"Great." She left. Ron sighed in relief. She was gone.

****

Harry was getting nervous. The Great Hall was filled with people, more people than he had imagined would come. He sat at the staff table with Lupin and Moody. Lupin looked almost bored. He kept glancing at his watch, as if he had somewhere important to be. Harry knew that there was no full moon; Remus must have something else on his mind. Moody kept looking around the room with both his eyes. Harry would have laughed if he wasn't so nervous. Harry knew that the teachers were just there to supervise. They had both made it very clear that the DA was Harry's and Hermione's. They would be in charge. Harry was fine with that. He had thought that Hermione would take charge and he would only have to step in when needed. However, it was beginning to look like Hermione would miss the first DA meeting. Finally, just as the students were beginning to get restless, Hermione entered the Great Hall. Harry felt relief wash over him.

But then he saw Hermione. She was angry. She stormed down the center aisle and stood next to Harry. The students watched Hermione with a mix of fear and anticipation.

"What's wrong?" Harry whispered.

"Ron. Is. A. Moron," she whispered back through clenched teeth.

"What happened?" he asked, confused.

"Like you don't know. I know he's your best friend, Harry, but you still could have told me," Hermione whispered, then spoke aloud to the class. "Welcome to the Defense Association. Here, we will be working on all Defense skills. We will be taking everything you learn in the classroom a bit further. Harry and I will lead the class, but we have Professor Lupin and Professor Moody here to help if necessary. Now, we will begin by separating into groups of four. Try to pick people who you have Defense classes with."

Harry stood back and let Hermione go. He was glad she was here, but he was also worried. He honestly had no idea what was going on between Ron and Hermione. Harry, like most of the student body, knew that Ron was up to something, he just did not know what. Harry assumed that it was not something Hermione approved of and that she had just found out. Harry wondered what could anger his friend.

The DA meeting lasted a few hours. Hermione and Harry dismissed the students. They went over plans for next week's meeting with Lupin and Moody before leaving. As they went back to the Gryffindor tower, the halls seemed to be deserted. Once they were alone, Hermione was very cold towards Harry. "What's going on?" Harry asked.

"Don't pretend, Harry," she said.

"I'm not pretending! What happened?"

"Fine!" she exclaimed, stopping and facing Harry. "Ron has been seeing Lavender Brown behind my back for over a month now."

"What?" Harry demanded, shocked. He could not believe that Ron would do something like that. Also, he could not believe that Ron would do something like that without telling him.

"Ron didn't tell you?" Hermione asked, losing some of her edge.

"No. Oh, Hermione, I'm sorry," Harry said. He moved towards her but she backed off and continued walking.

"It's nothing," she said proudly. "At least now I know. It just bothers me that he would choose someone like Lavender."

Harry sighed. He wondered what would become of his two best friends now. They reached the Fat Lady. Hermione muttered the password. They entered the common room to find Lavender and Ron sitting on a sofa looking very cozy. The two jumped apart when they saw Hermione and stared into the fire, both looking quite guilty. Hermione grunted and went upstairs to her room. "So, Harry, she told you?" Ron asked, moving closer to Lavender. Harry stood next to them but did not sit down.

"Yes. How could you Ron?" Harry asked.

"You know how Hermione is, Harry. I did not want to continue the way things were, but I couldn't tell Hermione. She would have killed me. I didn't want to hurt our friendship. I care about her, Harry, I do, but it just wasn't working. She seemed to think that it was going good, but..." he trailed off.

"You should have told her. You could have at least told me," Harry said, feeling left out.

"I told Regan," Ron offered. Harry sighed and went to a chair far from the sofa that Ron and Lavender were sitting in. He pulled out his homework and began working on his Astronomy homework. He had been working steadily for a few minutes when the portrait opened. He looked up as Regan walked in, carrying her schoolbag. He supposed that she had been working on her homework in the library. She had not been at the DA meeting. Neither had Malfoy.

"Sit?" she asked him, gesturing to the empty chair next to him. He nodded. "So it's official?" she asked, nodding to Ron and Lavender, who were still together on the sofa.

"I guess so," he said curtly. "I cannot believe that he told you and not me."

"Jealous? Don't be. I think that I was just available. I've been telling him to tell her for ages, but he isn't the best listener," she said. "How was the DA meeting?"

"It was okay. Hermione did everything. I didn't say much."

"That's probably for the best," she said with such seriousness that Harry laughed in spite of himself.

"Where were you?" he asked, trying to be nonchalant.

"Library. Sorry, Harry, but I'm in the Deuling Club. I'm taking the stupid Potions lessons with Snape. Then there's Quidditch. I already have Defense three times a week. I don't think I could handle DA also," she said. Harry nodded.

"Right. I think that's it going to go all right."

"That's great Harry. How's Hermione?"

"Okay. She'll be okay. It's Hermione," he said, smiling. She smiled back.

"It is Hermione. It's getting late. I think that I am going to go to bed at a decent time for a change. Good night, Harry."

"Good night Regan." She left. Harry meant to finish his homework, but he kept glancing at Ron and Lavender, still shocked by their new relationship. After a few minutes, he gave up and went upstairs.

****
Regan hesitantly went into her dorm room. She was worried what she might find. Hermione was in the room, probably alone. She had just broken up with her boyfriend of almost a year. More importantly, she was seventeen. Regan did not know what she would find.

The room appeared normal. A quick look told Regan that none of Lavender's things had been disturbed. That was a good sign. Hermione was alone. She was laying on her bed, still in school clothes. She was staring at the ceiling, not crying, just staring.

"Hermione?" Regan said with trepidation. She moved closer. The other girl gave no sign that she had heard her. She sat on the edge of Hermione's bed. The two were silent for a while.

"Why Lavender Brown?" Hermione finally said.

"Can I tell you a story?" Regan offered.

"Sure."

"Okay. I haven't really dated that much. There was this one guy. We dated for two years. It was pretty serious. I mean, two years at that age is like a lifetime. Anyway, I broke up with him. Even though I broke up with him, I was still devastated. I didn't know how I would ever move on. I didn't think that I could ever date anybody again. I could never be in a relationship with anybody ever again. I thought that he would feel the same way. I thought that he would pine after me until he died. I was wrong. Less than a week after we broke up, he had a new girlfriend. She was nothing like me. She was stupid. Not pretty, but she wore tons of make up and tight clothes to make up for it. She had an annoying voice and talked a lot. They didn't date very long, but there was another girl after her. I, meanwhile, did not date anyone for a few months. Even then it wasn't anything special. I just couldn't understand how he could do that. Then my friend, who dated rather frequently, explained it to me," she said, leaning back against the bed post. Hermione listened closely, ready for this great explanation. "He is a man."

Hermione laughed. That was not what she expected. "That's it?" she asked.

"Yes. He is also a teenager. He wants to date other people. Different people so he can see his options. You guys had probably been dating awhile and he had probably gotten bored. Not your fault, he just has a very small attention span. I blame it on society, personally."

"What am I going to do? Ron and Harry are my best friends. It'll be too weird. I can't trust Ron any more. He lied to me for too long."

"Has he ever lied to you before?"

"That's not the point."

"Men are stupid creatures. You just have to pick yourself up and move on. Get over it. I mean, it was Ron Weasley. To see him go can't be that devastating. Maybe you should find someone else. It would make you feel better," she said, raising her eyebrows suggestively. Hermione laughed, feeling better.

"Who else would I find?"

"Hermione, there are plenty of decent guys at Hogwarts. None to grow old with or anything, but you're seventeen. There will be plenty of time for that later."

"I'm going to need examples."

"I don't know. To each his own. If you and Ron can date for almost a year without killing each other, anything can happen."

"Right," Hermione muttered.

"It really is getting late Hermione. Way past my personal bed time. Plus, Lavender and Parvati will be back any time now. It would probably be best if we were asleep when they get here."

"I can't agree more," Hermione said. Regan went to her dresser and got her pajamas. She was heading out the door to the bathroom when Hermione stopped her. "Regan?"

"Yes?" she said, turning in the doorway.

"Thanks. You really helped."

"No problem," she said shrugging.

****

Braydon was ready. He had concocted several different potions he thought might help him on his journey. They were all in flasks in his bag. He also had practiced and mastered several different spells, jinxes, and charms that might be useful. He had obtained several Muggle and magical weapons. He was ready. His bag was full with things he might possibly need. He fasted the bag securely onto his back. He put his wand carefully into one pocket, a Browning GP 9mm Automatic pistol in the other. He went to the solitary window in the Malfoy attic. He took his Firebolt and exited, carefully walking along the roof. He mounted his broom was off. It felt good to fly. He hadn't been in the air in so long. Braydon prided himself on his flying skills. He had been an excellent Seeker because he was an excellent flyer.

Braydon thought that it was ironic how close the Malfoy Manor and Prince house actually were. He was barely on his broom for an hour when he reached the Prince estate. However, Braydon had been flying much slower than he usually did. He had wanted to spend as much time in the air as he could. Also, he was not very eager to sneak into his father's home.

Braydon circled around the estate, unsure of how to proceed. He could not fly very close to the ground. If he got within so many hundred feet of the ground, the charms and spells placed on the estate would go into effect. Braydon was not for sure what would happen to him.

Braydon circled the estate a few more times before deciding on a plan of action. He found a spot among trees near the gardens where there were few guards. He landed right outside the estate at that spot. He pulled out his wand. "Ostendo!" he said quietly. The charms and spells placed on the estate revealed themselves in a small area directly in front of Braydon and his wand. A series of silver lines appeared in front of Braydon. The lines were light, barely visible. They only extended a few feet in every direction around Braydon's wand. That was enough. He knew exactly where the spells were located. Now he just had to get around them. Braydon reached into his bag and brought out a flask. He drank the entire contents, wincing at the horrible taste. He instantly started to change. First, he his legs and arms shrank. Not by much, just a few centimeters. His hair lightened to a shade of gray. His face became longer and thinner. He felt the wrinkles form along his skin. His clothes no longer fit right. His vision blurred slightly. Braydon brought out a mirror to make sure that the change was complete. He looked into the mirror and Richard Prince looked back at him. Braydon smiled using his father's face.

Lucius Malfoy had suggested the Polyjuice Potion when Braydon expressed his concerns about getting into the house. Braydon did not have enough time to make the potion, but Lucius Malfoy was always prepared. He had several potions already made that he kept in case they were ever suddenly needed. It only took a house-elf a few moments to fetch a flask of the Polyjuice Potion. Braydon just had to come up with something of his father's. Luckily, his mother had come through for him. Laura was always fond of momentos and scrapbooks. She had made a baby book for both of her children. In it, she had placed a lock of hair. She had included strands of her own hair and Richard's hair. When moving to the Malfoy Manor, Braydon had left most of his possessions in a storage garage in New York. Lucius Malfoy instantly sent someone to New York to fetch the baby book. Within a few days, Braydon had the hair and the Polyjuice Potion was complete.

Generally, the security spells and charms will not be fooled by a Polyjuice Potion. Malfoy had told Braydon several stories about different Death Eaters misusing the potion and being thrown out of Hogwarts or similarly protected establishments by spells and charms. Braydon was worried that his own potion would not fool the security on his father's house. Malfoy assured him by letting him, for the first time, into his personal library. The library was filled with books containing dark magic. One book described the possibilities of Polyjuice Potion. Security charms mainly dealt with appearance. They knew who was allowed in by their appearance. However, they could recognize Polyjuice Potion by recognizing the person by surveying their DNA. The charms would give a cursory glance over the person. If they looked like someone who was to be admitted and the DNA matched up, the person would be admitted. Braydon, with potion, looked exactly like his father. He had the DNA of his mother and father; both would be admitted by the security charms. There was not enough difference in his DNA to alarm the security system. He would be able to get through.

Braydon put away his things and put his bag back on his back, securing it tightly. He checked again for any nearby guards. They were all far enough away for Braydon. He took a deep breath, raised his wand, and entered the Prince estate.

Nothing happened. He was not thrown from the grounds. No alarms went off. No guards came running. He smiled his father's smile and continued. He, unlike his sister, did not have an Invisibility Cloak and Malfoy had not given him one. He did, however, know the right spell. "Clarus," he muttered, pointing his wand at himself. The spell did not make him invisible. Instead, it gave his body a translucent quality. In the dark, no one would be able to see him unless they looked closely. In the light, however, he would look like a very defined, very pale ghost. He hurried to the house, careful not to disturb any lawn ornaments or make any noise. He looked over the house. No lights were on. He slowly opened the sliding doors that led to the pool. He entered the living room. He had only been in the house once before. He was not used to the furniture arrangement, but he did not want to take a risk by creating any light. Instead, he moved very slowly, feeling his way for furniture and walls. He knew where his father's office was, but he did not know where much else was. It took him nearly twenty minutes to make his way to the staircase. The house was so dark, he could barely see a foot in front of him.

By the time he made it to his father's office, he had less than ninety minutes until dawn. He could not be on the grounds at dawn. He had to be off the grounds long before the sun came up. Otherwise, he would be in plain sight for all to see and he would not be able to escape. He hoped that the Amulet was in the office. With the office door shut, he chanced light. "Lumos," he muttered and his wand tip lit up. His father had the same desk that he had had in New York. Braydon hurried around the desk and opened the bottom drawer. He sighed with relief. The large safe was still there. It was small, but big enough for a few papers and artifacts. Sometimes, Laura had even stored her jewelry in the small safe. It was the perfect size for pieces of jewelry.

Braydon knew the combination. When he was younger, he had often sneaked downstairs using his sister's Invisibility Cloak. He had hid in his father's office until his father used the safe. Braydon had an interest in the safe because his parents had like to hide certain Christmas and birthday presents in the safe. The combination was still the same-his father was not a fan of change. However, Braydon was not stupid. He knew that several magical measures had been taken to protect the Amulet. "Ostendo," he said. The charms again revealed themselves with the same silver threads that had appeared outside. This time no Polyjuice Potion would work.

"Patefacio," he said, pointing his wand at the lock. The lock turned itself to the proper combination and opened. "Wingardium Leviosa," he said, pointing his wand at the Amulet. The Amulet levitated to the silver threads. Instead of being forced back down by the charms, as it should have been, the eye of the Amulet glowed and it passed through the barrier, the silver threads flickering momentarily. Once the Amulet was past the charms, Braydon grabbed the chain. He saw his hand as it did so. It was his hand, not his father's. Braydon felt his face. The Polyjuice Potion had worn off.

Braydon looked triumphantly at the Amulet and put it carefully into his bag. He was about to leave when he heard footsteps. The footsteps were approaching the office. Braydon brought out his pistol and clicked off the safety. He aimed the pistol at the door, his finger at the trigger, ready. The footsteps stopped at the door. The doorknob turned slowly. The door opened and Braydon fired.

****

Arthur Weasley woke up in the middle of the night. He had had another nightmare. About Molly. They were all about Molly any more. He sighed and rubbed his eyes. He looked at the clock. It was nearly dawn. He shoved the blankets off him and swung his feet around to the floor. He collected himself before standing. He steadied himself on the bed post. He went to the bathroom and washed his face. It was too late to go back to bed. He would have to just give up and start the day. He doubted he would be able to go back to sleep anyway.

Arthur left his bedroom and went downstairs. He considered getting something from the kitchen, but he did not want to wake anyone. Plus, he was not a good cook. He would wait for the house-elves. Instead, he went to Richard's office. He would go ahead and start working. By dawn, the daily newspapers would arrive and he would have to read them thoroughly, as he did every day. He received both Muggle and wizard. He combed each paper for something. Albus and Richard seemed to believe that the Death Eaters ad other Voldemort followers might communicate through the media. Arthur hated looking through the newspapers. It was the worst part of his day.

He reached the office and opened the door. The door was barely open when the gunshot rang, deafening in the closed space.