"Master Lupin, it's such a beautiful day would it be alright - that is may I borrow Diana and go into town? I need to pick up a few supplies and-"

Remus, the Stable Master, who had been there for nearly twenty years smiled benignly at Harry. Harry had always known him to be a generously kind man. After the death of his parents he took him and his twin brother, Dudley in. He even managed to get him the apprenticeship which allowed him to tend to the stables and horses. He often loved to go out for long rides in the woods, and take care of the horses, it relaxed him so; humans, he knew, could be so taxing on one's nerves. He would take over after Remus moved on.

Unfortunately his brother had to find his own way to make ends meet, and this made him bitter and resentful. Harry pitied him for this. Dudley frequently turned to a life of crime to acquire the things he thought he needed.

"Think nothing of it Harry. Got all your chores done I trust?" Harry nodded his head vigorously, and Remus chuckled. "Don't be too long though lad, the king is expected to go riding later in the afternoon, and he'll want his horse saddled and ready."

Harry had never met the king, very few could say they have. In the past whenever the king came to take his horse out for a ride Harry and Dudley were sent away, for the king's safety of course, Harry understood this. However he did sneak a peek when his majesty returned his horse. He was handsome, impossibly so, with long blond hair, that was contained neatly in a small plait down his back. He skin was alabaster in hue, and all but glowed in the sunlight. Harry had glimpsed him in parade, and heard tale of his beauty, but up close, he was incomparable, he resembled a god; like one from the ancient myths. Apollo sprung to the forefront of Harry's mind, and he smiled. His brother scorned him for his thinking, he said the kind was mad, lived in a land of dreams, and disassociated himself from reality. Nothing so beautiful, so ethereal could be mad.

He saddled up his favorite horse. A black mare with a fiery temper and firm resolve. He named her Diana when she was still a young foal after the goddess of the hunt herself.

He waved goodbye to Remus, and headed out. The ride to town wasn't long, but god was it beautiful. Apple trees blossomed everywhere; flowers swayed gently in the light breeze, and cardinals chirped their happy songs. Harry laughed as he caught himself humming along with their melody.

The town market was a busy, noisy place. Filled with women bustling about in their long dress, attempting to get their offspring under control, while the men ambled along talking amongst each other of sports and politics. The streets were dirty, littered with trash and the cruelty of the human race. Drunkards lay half dead in the side streets, with people walking over them, paying no mind. Disgusting creature, humans. Harry made his purchases, and felt his stomach rumble. He sat down at a local pub to get something to hold him over until he got back to the stables.

"Well look who it is! Brother what're you doing here?" Harry heard the familiar voice of Dudley, and sighed.

"Hello Dudley, I merely stopped to get a drink, what brings you here?"

"I reckon I work here. Helps pay the bills, and score with the ladies if you know what I mean by that. Though I don't suppose you do. Of course, if that pigheaded king did something about the state of his country I wouldn't have to work as hard as I do." Harry rolled his eyes. It was the same argument every time. Dudley caught the annoyance, and hint of apathy on his face. "Fancy the king do you? Think you could get inside the castle? Aren't you a stable boy or some such rot?"

"Why is that any concern of yours whether or not I can 'get into the castle'?" Harry clenched his fists, he hated when his brother got like this, all pushy and rude. It was unbecoming, especially in one so young. "I've never met the king Dudley, you know that," he said crossly.

"No, but you'd like to. Do you think he'd go for you? I hear he only likes cock. Although yours might be a bit small, even for the King of Queers." He laughed heartily. Harry slammed his fist down upon the table, making Dudley's ale fall to the floor with a clatter.

"That's enough Dudley! I will not be spoken to like this!" He stood, and scowled at his brother who was in everyway his opposite. "Make sure you remember to return the money you owe Remus. Don't spend it on liquor and cheap entertainment." With that Harry was gone, leaving ringing silence in his wake.

Harry was fuming ad he rode back. How dare his brother make such accusations against the king, and even if they were true what place of higher power was he in to judge his majesty?

As he returned Diana to her stall a man appeared in the door. Harry looked up from his tackle box to see who it was, expecting to find Remus with his dinner. Instead it was his royal highness, Draco Malfoy. In all Harry's anger he had completely forgotten he was coming. He almost forgot to bow when he stepped closer, almost.

"Rise good sir, and let me see your face," the king said, his voice calm and low. Harry looked up, meeting the king's stormy grey eyes. He was sure he was blushing. "Your eyes," his voice melted over him like butter, "the most beautiful shade I've ever seen." He cupped Harry's cheek, and the brunet's heart skipped a few dozen beats. The king's hand was not yet gloved for riding, and Harry could feel the warmth of the palm upon his cheek. The king stepped a bit closer, as if in a trance; his eyes never leaving Harry's. They were almost nose to nose now. "The exact shade of the Interstian flag," he continued softly, "and of the leaves, emerald and glowing, as the moonlight kisses them lovingly." He could feel the king's breath on his lips. Harry must've blinked for the king stepped back. "What is your name?"

"Harry, your majesty, Harry Potter."

"Ahh, you are the apprentice Remus keeps boasting about. I'm having a small dinner tomorrow night, and you would do me a great honor if you would consider attending."

Harry's jaw became slack. Surely he hadn't heard- had the king just- "Yes of course, your majesty. I'd be delighted!" The king smiled.

"Perfect," he said simply, leaning in to brush his lips against Harry's chastely. "I look forward to it, Harry." Harry practically melted when the king said his name. He shook his head to get a hold of himself. He didn't want to make a fool of himself in front of the king, though he suspected he already had. When he looked his majesty had gone. Harry smiled tenderly, and touched his fingers to his lips.

A/N: Hello all! Alright well I wanna adress a point before one of my reviewers does. Draco seems to have taken a really really really quick liking to Harry, but hey, when you're king, and you can have anyone you want, especially someone as delicious looking as our young stable boy Harry why not make your affections clearly known. Draco has nothing to lose by showing his affections outright, and nothing to gain by playing games with Harry. Who by now must be freaking the fuck out! Don't worry Harry the world hasn't stopped turning I promise.

Oh yes, Dudley in this fic is Harry's twin. It helps with developing conflicts, and it'll all make sense as to why he needs a twin later on. "] Bear with me please a lot more characters are going to be thrown at you. Besides I didn't really change Dudley's demeanor.

Thank you kindly for reading this, and please review.