The Prince

Chapter 3

The Meeting

The next morning found the Prince in a state of depression. He was not alone; the Weasley Lords and Ladies had been similarly shocked. I should have known when they disappeared, he thought to himself. He took a quick shower and combed his hair, which had grown longer and silkier - no longer unmanageable.

"Get some rest, dear, you look awful," said the Mirror. He ignored it. He put on his robes and went off to the prison. He walked straight to Hermione Granger's cell. She looked up as he entered.

"Good morning, Hermione," he said pleasantly.

She merely glared at him.

He conjured a chair and sat down in front of her. He put away his wand quietly and scrutinised the face of the woman he had loved...still loved. She had grown thinner. Her face spoke of harsh living conditions. He sighed.

"What happened, Hermione?" he asked softly, "why did you leave me? You knew I loved you. And yet you betrayed me. May I know the reason?"

She gave him such a hateful stare that he winced. Satisfied at this effect, she spat, "You tyrant! You filthy, power-hungry lunatic! You deserve to be betrayed. We helped you to defeat Voldemort to ensure a better world, but you took control and made it even worse, Potter."

The Prince stood up. He gave her a smile, a sad smile.

"None of that is true, Hermione. I am not a tyrant; nor am I a power-hungry lunatic. This is a better world. Have you ever seen my citizens? I have ensured their happiness. They want me to rule. I keep them safe. I protect them. I do not control them; I merely make them follow rules. It is your group that is disrupting their lives, wreaking havoc."

"Disillusion yourself, Potter, you are in a fake world."

"No, Hermione, it is you who are living a lie. All of you. I know that this was started by Dumbledore, but Dumbledore was an old man - a very wise and learned man, undoubtedly, but a man, nevertheless. Even he made mistakes. This was a mistake on his part. He was misinformed."

"Nice try, you scum! As if I'd believe you!" shouted Hermione and started laughing.

The Prince looked at her sadly.

"Where have you been all these days? I searched for you all...I missed you all so much."

Hermione just stared at him with hate. He sighed.

"What do you want? A democracy? Haven't you seen what happened when Voldemort was there? Haven't you learnt yet that wizards are not civilised enough to rule themselves?"

She said nothing, so he continued, "However much we may have evolved, we are not in a state of harmony. Maybe ten years down the line people will be ready for it; but for now, this is necessary. You say I am a tyrant. Have you ever bothered to talk to my people and find out what they think of me? I'm sure you've not. It's the same as S.P.E.W., you never learnt the will of the persons concerned. Didn't the House-elf Revolution teach you anything?" he surveyed her reaction with indifference. She had paled, but the determined chin showed him that she would still stand her ground. He turned away and walked to the door.

"I see that it hasn't," he said quietly. "If that didn't teach you anything, Hermione, nothing ever will. I just wish to tell you this - as long as the Prince lives, no one shall endanger his people. I'm not invincible; it probably won't be long before the Resistance achieves its aim. Well, then you will realise that I have been right all along. I know you hate me now, and you will negate whatever I say, but I request you to think over it."

He left the cell and returned to his room, not catching the shocked look on his former best friend's face.