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Hermione Angelina Granger woke up that morning with an ache in her back. She groaned, looking out a poorly constructed window (just a hole without glass) by her bed. The sun was just rising, and by looking at that, she already knew she woke up a bit late. Sometimes it was tough being a granger.

She dragged herself out of bed and did her best to comb her long chestnut hair with her fingers. She slept only in her undergarments, so as not to sleep in her working clothes, so she tugged on brown, itchy burlap pants and a dirty white blouse that was slightly torn at the sleeves.

She studied the rips and inwardly groaned again. She would have to sew them before she went out into the market today.

Because Hermione didn't feel like sewing just to go out to town and sell fruit, she decided to just wear a pink dress and apron. But alas, she would have to wash that dress rather than sewing it. She hung it over her shoulder to take it outside.

Hermione rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, making her way over to the door out. She passed the small kitchen, which was pretty much just a room with a table (fruit, wheat, and vegetables were cluttered on it) and two chairs.

Forget breakfast, Hermione thought. I'm late enough as it is. She groaned again when she got outside. The sun was rising faster than she thought it would, and it was blinding her, since she walked out with her eyes closed.

"Good morning!" Hermione waved to her grandfather, who was hoeing out weeds in the wheat fields. He waved back to her, his sunhat shielding his eyes, before heading back to work.

Hermione smiled. She and her grandfather were very close, but they didn't talk much nowadays. Nevertheless, they both felt as if they could read each other's minds. Ever since her parents had died of famine when she was young, her grandfather took care of her, and she repaid him by working in his fields with gratitude.

Her grandfather was old, but healthy. He ate the right crops and grew them mighty fine. He, unlike most of the elderly living off their own work, didn't have a single cough, back ache, or disease, although he caught a slight cold last spring.

Hermione shook herself out of her thoughts of her only living relative. She sleepily made her way to their well and quickly raised up water in a wooden bucket. She guessed that working as hard as all grangers do, she got stronger, seeing as how she was able to lift the water quickly and swiftly.

Carrying the bucket to the side of the house, she laid her dress and apron on a wooden crate and dumped the water on it, scrubbing it with her hands and the smallest bar of soap she had ever seen every once in a while. It took her longer than she expected to wash these clothes, but eventually, she got them to look mighty decent. She hung them on a thin wire to dry while she worked in the fields and picked apples.

Before scurrying over to the healthy orchard, Hermione grabbed a woven basket (her mother taught her a few things before she passed on). Once in the area of trees, she, having no ladder, slung the basket over her shoulder and started to climb the tree with the healthiest apples.

A tear on the shoulder and a scrape on the knee later, she finally made her way to a place where she could sit without having fears of falling and started studying apples, trying to find good ones for sales today.

Picking a very red and ripe apple from a nearby branch, Hermione let her mind wander. Immediately, her thoughts landed on the prince of her kingdom, Prince Harry.

The prince sometimes strolled in Hogwarts, where she would be selling apples at the grocer corner, but she had only seen him a few times from afar. She hoped she would see him today.

Like most girls who lived in Gryffindor, she had a crush on her prince. She knew he was good looking, and his parents ruled the kingdom kindly and successfully.

Prince Harry was kind, as she heard from rumors around Hogwarts, and he even paid the house-elves in the castle, another reason why Hermione liked him. She had never heard his voice, as she was a lowly peasant and the only times she had ever seen him was at Hogwarts, but when she thought of him speaking in her head, he never had a voice; he just said things. Flattering things about her, in her daydreams.

The prince was also very skillful, again as other grocers said at the marketplace. He was a fantastic jouster and fencer, as they said, and he was a master at horseback riding.

Hermione sighed. He was perfect. The perfect prince. He was terribly dreamy, even if she had never seen him up close.

Plucking another apple, she drifted her thoughts to her prince's rival, Prince Draco of Slytherin. Of course, he was also rivals with Prince Cedric of Hufflepuff and Prince Justin of Ravenclaw, but they were still friendly rivals, not like he was with Prince Draco. Even Hermione knew they didn't have exactly a beautiful relationship, and knowing this, she decided she didn't particularly like this prince of Slytherin.

Of course, she just disliked the rivaled prince, not hate or loathe him with the slightest passion. Prince Harry's enemy was her enemy, she supposed.

She scolded herself mentally for disliking someone she hadn't even met. Like Prince Harry, she had seen Prince Draco around Hogwarts occasionally. She forced herself to give the Slytherin prince a chance, but still, she knew that if she saw him on the streets, she wouldn't act so kindly toward him. It was his decision to see if he liked it or not.

Finally, Hermione's basket was filled with apples right when the sun was completely revealed. Gazing at a homemade sundial in the corner of a field, she saw it was approximately 6:30 in the morning.

Because the sun was just coming up, Hermione knew her dress and apron weren't dry just yet, so she gathered up her fruit basket and climbed down the tree in one swift jump.

Now time for some real work.

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A few hours later, after plenty of hoeing, weeding, and aching, Hermione's dress and apron were dry. Now it was nearly 9:00 in the morning, and Hermione was supposed to leave soon in order to get to Hogwarts by 11:00. That was another downfall of being a granger: all farms were far from any civilization, but they were always within kingdom boundaries.

Hermione went to the well again for more water, but this time, the water was to be used to wash her face and hands so she looked a bit presentable. After washing up, she undressed back to her undergarments; no one was out here anyway, except her grandfather, but he was far off in a field digging a hole for some pumpkin plants.

Grabbing her skirt first, Hermione threw it over her head. Alright, the skirt was slightly dirty, but still, it was no big deal. It was just a simple smudge or two, no big deal. Tying the apron around her waist, she walked back inside her small shack-like house (they still didn't have enough money for a barn) and searched for her kerchief to tie her hair back.

At about 9:30, Hermione was finally ready.

She yelled to her grandfather to let him know where she was going before she grabbed her basket and headed off to Hogwarts.

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"Apples! Apples for sale! Fresh apples here! Only three bronze coins per piece!"

Hermione called out to random buyers and villagers on the street, sighing. She knew she wasn't going to get much money today. The others around her had much better crops, and she knew there was a lot of competition.

A small boy ran up to her and stared at the apples longingly. She inwardly sighed again. She wasn't going to get much money anyway, so why not just give him some fruit for free? For all she knew, he could be just like her, poor and hungry. Well, okay, she wasn't so hungry all the time; she was a farmer for Merlin's sake!

She turned to sell some more apples, but what she saw made her insides clench.

Prince Draco of Slytherin, her prince's archenemy, was standing just a few feet in front of her, holding the reins of his horse.

Okay, so Hermione always planned out how she would act if she ever saw that dreadful prince, and she would stick to it, but she never thought that she might have to put her plan in action anytime soon.

Looking anywhere but the prince, she ignored him and continued shouting to sell some of her fruit. Her attention was turned to someone when a hand snatched a nice red apple from her basket from behind her.

"Thief!" she cried as the teenaged boy ran off with her fruit. She glared at his back, but decided not to go after him. It was a waste of time and strength, and it would all probably end with her humiliation.

"Here," came a voice. "I'll buy one."

Hermione turned, smiling, ready to get some money. But her smile faded as she saw Prince Draco with his hand out.

"Excuse me?" she asked.

"I said I'd buy one," the prince said.

Hermione glared. "Why would a highly prince buy an apple from a lowly granger like me?"

Prince Draco smiled, amused. How she hated that look already. "Money's money, Miss. And I know you're looking for some."

"Sorry," she said, turning her back on him, "but I don't sell to enemies."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

She scoffed, walking away, knowing fully well that he was following her. "Please! Everyone knows Prince Harry and Prince Draco are sworn enemies. I'd like to stay loyal to my kingdom, if you don't mind, Highness."

The prince looked at her, not entirely surprised. "You're a Gryffindor?"

"I am, and I'm proud of being one."

Hermione stopped walking and turned toward him again when he spoke.

"You know," he said, "'Prince Potter' and I aren't enemies. We're merely rivals, trying to outdo each other. You wouldn't be acting disloyal to him by just talking to me, let alone selling me an apple."

Hermione looked at him. "Fine, pick one." She thrust her basket in his face and took it back when he picked a healthy-looking one.

"Thanks." The prince of Slytherin flipped a Galleon at her open hand. She stared at it in awe.

"Highness!" she breathed, surprised. "I don't need a gold coin! It's just an apple, and not a totally ripe one at that!"

She smiled mentally. This prince isn't so bad, she thought. Maybe being at least civil to him wouldn't do any harm. And he's right: just talking to him wouldn't exactly be betraying Prince Harry.

Prince Draco smiled. "Three Knuts for an apple isn't that much of pay either, Miss. Use that Galleon for something useful. You know, something you've been saving up for."

Hermione grinned. "Well, I've kind of been wanting to get myself a hairbrush-" she paused. "No, I'll give it to my grandfather. We've kind of been saving up for years for a cow or a horse or something�" She looked up at his stallion admiringly.

"You like my horse?" Prince Draco asked, pleased that the girl he just met wasn't acting so rude towards him anymore, although that was amusing. He took a bite of the apple, beginning to wolf it down.

"Very much," she answered truthfully. "He's beautiful. Not exactly ahorse I'd expect Prince Draco to ride, though," she added sarcastically.

The prince smirked. "Well, he'll fool you."

"You know," Hermione continued, going back on subject, "a horse or a cow would be useful. We could use a horse for riding out here to buy milk and stuff, or we can buy a cow to get our own milk for no pay."

Prince Draco looked at her. "You say you're a granger, right?"

Hermione nodded. "Our family's been farmers for centuries. I'm sure it's fantastic being royal."

"Being a prince isn't all that great sometimes," he said. "Especially the lessons. Those are terrible."

The duo started walking slowly around Hogwarts, Prince Draco dragging his horse by the reins gently behind them. Some people stopped to look at the Slytherin prince and his comrade, but no one really took much notice of them.

Hermione smiled. "Yeah, I know. Learning takes so much work most of the time, but my father always said I was a fast learner."

The prince stared. "Learning?" he asked. "You're educated?"

She waved her hand in a 'it-was-nothing' way. "Sort of. Can't you tell by the way I talk? I mean, I don't say things like 'ain't' and 'nothing' instead of something'.

"Anyway, I know loads, especially about books. I can read and write, you know, but I don't know the names of money. Galleons and Knuts, did you say?"

The prince nodded.

"My grandfather's grandfather went to school, all the way up to the highest class possible. Top three percent of his classes! His knowledge was passed down for generations. I kind of inherited the intelligence genes I guess. Our family's smart, too. How else would we survive on nothing all our lives?"

The prince smiled at her, impressed. (By now he was finished with his apple.) "What was your name again?"

"I never told it to you," she smirked. After a few seconds of silence, she continued. "My name's Hermione. Hermione Granger, if you want to get technical, but there's so many grangers around here, it wouldn't really make much of a difference to call me that."

The prince shrugged. "Well, you know who I am, so I don't have to tell you. I do, however, need to ask you a question."

"Really?" Hermione smirked. "And what would that be?"

Prince Draco sighed. "I know this might sound a bit forward, but�" He trailed off, unable to finish.

"What?" she stopped walking and turned to him.

"Nothing," he said. "Forget it."

He started to walk away, but Hermione held him back. "No!" she cried, her voice full of laughter. "You've sparked my curiosity! You have to tell me now!"

The prince sighed. "Do you hate Slytherin?" he asked.

Hermione stared. "That's what you wanted to ask me? That's stupid!"

"No, that isn't my question, but answer me anyway."

She rolled her eyes. "Okay. No, I don't hate Slytherin. Yes, I dislike them. No offence, but I'm a Gryffindor. It's almost a law that I have to hold a grudge on Slytherin. I've already told you, I'm loyal to King James, so I'm not exactly going to frolic in a field of flowers with Slytherins."

"Oh," Prince Draco shrugged. "Okay. Look, I'd better go-"

"What?" Hermione cried again. "Why ask me if you don't care? What else were you going to ask me?"

"You'd just say no."

"Try me!"

He sighed. "Okay." He let out a deep breath again for good measure. "Would you, by any chance, want to attend my ball at the palace next week?"

Hermione just stared, her face expressionless, as if not even hearing a word he said. Finally she spoke, or rather, screamed.

"What?"

Many nearby villagers looked at her because of her outburst, and the prince turned a pretty shade of pink.

Hermione glared at everyone. "What're you looking at?" Muttering, most of the villagers went back to their work, Hermione turning back to Prince Harry's rival.

"Okay," she said, "you really expect me to say yes, Highness? First of all, we just met today. I never even looked at you close-up until today. Second, I'm a granger! Farmers don't mix with royalty, no offence. Thirdly, you're a Slytherin, I'm a Gryffindor. Also doesn't mix. Do I have to remind you again that I'm trying to be loyal to Prince Harry and the rest of my kingdom?"

"Look," Prince Draco started, "I may have just met you today, but my parents just told me there was going to be a ball today too. I'm trying to get people to come, specifically girls. And so you're a granger? So what? So long as you get better clothes than rags and that dress (it really is pretty, so no offence), no one really cares if you just go to a royal ball."

"But that's another reason, Highness!" Hermione cried. "I can't afford a new dress!"

"I just gave you a Galleon!"

"I told you, I'm using it to save up for a cow or a horse!"

"Then I'll give you more Galleons! No need for payback, I promise!"

"I'm not just going to take your money, Highness!"

"Then give me some more apples."

"Are you kidding me?"

"What? Do you really expect to sell every apple in that basket, or are you expecting more thieves to steal them from you?"

Hermione paused. Well, she thought, if he does give me money, it wouldn't do any harm, right? I'm giving him apples anyway, so it's not like I'm stealing. Maybe I can buy that cow with the money! No�I still have to buy a dress. And not just a dress. A fancy dress. And shoes. I don't even own a hairbrush! But�.

Hermione weighed the pros and cons in her head. She could buy that cow and finally be able to start the farm. They had enough grass and the well supplied enough water�maybe they could even start saving for wood for a barn! That would be so wonderful, and her grandfather would be so happy! But still�going to a Slytherin, royal ball and pay for a beautiful dress that would only be used once? What a waste of time. And the betrayal! She couldn't let her prince down.

"Did I mention that Prince Harry and his royal subjects would be there?"

Hermione's mental scale weighed down on the pro side, and she knew what to do.

"Okay, I'll go."

Prince Draco sighed, letting out a breath he didn't even realize he was holding. "Great."

"But on a few conditions."

"Okay�what?"

Hermione held up a finger. "One: I need some money for my dress and stuff. Two: I don't want to be announced in front of everyone at your ball-"

"We aren't announcing names. Not everyone can get a date on such short notice, so�"

"Good," Hermione sighed. "And three: Please don't tell anyone that you invited a granger to your ball."

Prince Draco smiled. "Fine. Oh, here�" He reached into his pocket and gave her ten gold coins, Galleons were they called?

Hermione smiled. She could already smell that cow. Wait�eww�. "Thanks!"

The prince smiled. "Anyway, I'd better go. I kind of ran away for the day, so I should get home before supper."

"Highness?" Hermione said. "It's barely past midday."

"I know, but I want to ride around on Nightshade here for a bit." He motioned to his horse.

"Nightshade?" Hermione asked, smiling. "Is that his name?"

"Yup," was the reply. "My first horse. I want to, you know, spend some 'quality time' with my good pal here."

"Alright. Oh! Sorry, I almost forgot�" Hermione handed the basket of apples to the Slytherin prince.

"No, that's alright," he told her. "Like you said, why would a prince buy apples from a granger?"

He smiled charmingly at her before dragging his horse away, disappearing in the crowd.

Hermione smiled to herself. That prince really wasn't all that bad. He was�Prince Charming. She laughed mentally. Okay, maybe he wasn't that great. But that was awfully nice of him to invite her and give her some�Galleons. Of course, now she had to buy a dress.

She sighed. This better be one great cow.

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Hermione spent the next few hours selling the rest of her apples. She made only twenty-seven�Knuts, were they?

Afterwards, she went around Hogwarts looking for dresses and shoes. The only thing she was able to find was a brush, and even a toothbrush. Of course, she spent only her Knuts on those, not the Galleons. Those were reserved for her grandfather, since she couldn't find a dress anyway.

By the time she got home, she was exhausted. She ate the rest of her apples for supper, but it was so late, even her grandfather was already asleep.

She groaned, collapsing on her bed. She needed to find a dress before next week. But how could she get a dress if all the ones selling were at least thirty Gallleons? She mentally gave up. Forget that dress.

Damn that Slytherin prince. Now she had to go to the ball, but she had nothing nice to wear. Oh well. At least her grandfather would be proud to know how much money she got from Prince Draco.

As soon as Hermione got the strength to take off her now muddy dress and apron, she crawled under the thin quilt her mother sewed for her and shut her eyes. Tomorrow would be a big day.