Here I am again... I know, it has been a long time. And I have no real excuses apart of, perhaps, some private administrative chaos... To make it up to you all, I will publish two chapters today. Better than nothing, right? ^^
Thank you all of you who already reviewed and, although it isn't quite the same, who follows and favorites my story! That's love too :DNow, enjoy the chapters. Lirael
Today was the day. In a few hours, Draco would officially meet his love, although she didn't even know that he loved her already. They were on their way to Potter'sCastle to meet with the king. They were accompanied by Draco's best friends, the Marshall and some of the king's men. A small but efficient group.
Some miles away, Hermione was still arguing with her aunt:
-Why do I even have to see him? You know as well as I that uncle will not answer his request positively, she repeated for the third time now.
-Because you are the object of this meeting Hermione and as to knowing the mind of your uncle, the king, I would not be so sure, Lily replied evenly.
Hermione sighed. She was dressed in a purple dress with golden embroideries, her hair was held back by a golden hairnet and she wore the family jewels of le Grange.
-Besides, the queen continued, perhaps you will like him, who knows?
-Certainly, Hermione answered sarcastically, I will fall head over heels for the prince of our eldest enemy. The boy is said to be egoistical and pampered.
-Where do you get your information from?
-Sir Ronald Weasley.
Lily chuckled. Of course the knight would tell her niece information to give her a false picture of the young prince. She knew that the knight wanted to marry her himself, although she knew also for sure that James would never allow the union. The knight aspired for more than his current station and he sought to gain it through marriage.
-I, for one, know that he has been a foster child at his father's Marshall for several years. And my source told me that he improved vastly. They say he is a master of the sword and that he is quite clever. The traits you just listed were the ones for which his father sent him away. His mother died in childbirth you see…
She didn't have to continue with her story. Hermione understood that the king must have pampered the child because he was everything that was left from his deceased wife. The prince had never met his mother and lived away from his father the better part of his life? That was cruel. And sad.
Suddenly, they heard noises from the castle yard and not long after, the portcullis was being raised. Hermione stood in the embrasure of her window and watched as a small group of men on horseback entered the yard. The king and prince of Malfoy were easy to identify: their golden hair and pale skin stood out and as if this wasn't enough, they rode on two pitch black battle horses, so that the difference between their light complexion and hair and the horses was even more amplified. The younger of the two jumped off his horse easily with a smile. That instant, Hermione's heart stammered for just a second, before continuing its steady beating.
-It's time my dear. Come, I will accompany you to the throne room, Lily said.
And Hermione went with her, without a fuss. She would give him a chance, also because of this damn beautiful smile…
Several moments later, she stood beside her uncle, King James, as the men entered the room, announced by the royal herald:
-Her majesties the King Lucius of Malfoy and his heir, the prince Draco of Malfoy accompanied by…
The rest of the presentations faded away in Hermione's mind. As soon as the prince entered, he searched her with his eyes and as soon as he found her, he wouldn't let go. As odd as it seems, but Hermione didn't mind one bit, she was enthralled by those beautiful arctic blue orbs.
Her hearing returned slowly to the conversation:
-… that is why I have the honour to ask for the hand of your niece, the Duchess of le Grange, in the name of my son, Draco.
Damn it! Hadn't her mind decided to stop working, she would have heard why she had been asked for. But perhaps she would find out soon enough.
-So you want peace between us, King Lucius? And you offer both the throne to your kingdom to my niece and some more of your lands to the Potter dynasty. What is there in it for you?
Lucius knew he had reached unknown territory now. How would James react to his request for more men? He had to tread carefully now.
-Does the name "Lord Voldemort" sound familiar to you?, he replied finally.
-Yes. Indeed. We found some of your subjects just two days ago. They were famished and exhausted and pleaded for shelter and food, which we gave them. They told my men that they were being invaded regularly by troops of this Lord Voldemort and had to flee their home.
Now James understood. Lucius was reaching out to him to protect his people and land.
-I didn't know of this. We must have already left to come here before the message reached me. Are they still here? Can I speak to them?, King Lucius asked.
'Odd', James thought, 'I was always told that the Malfoys were cruel to their subjects and that they only thought of themselves… Times must have changed.'
-Of course. As soon as this gathering is over I will lead you personally to your people. So, as I understand it, you want me to help you in stopping this Voldemort.
-Exact, your highness. And I would be very pleased to let the past between our families rest. There has been enough enmity between our people. Let us encourage the next generation to work together and not against each other.
-Wise words indeed. Hermione?
Hermione looked down into the face of her uncle and protector.
-Yes, your highness?
Lily smiled: Hermione had understood what she told her before coming to this meeting. In this moment, she wasn't James' niece, but one of his subjects that had to follow his orders.
-What do you think of King Lucius' proposition? Would you see yourself next to Prince Draco?
Hermione couldn't help herself: she blushed slightly. But she soon found her middle again and tried for an honest and wise answer. She was but an instrument in this alliance, but she had seen something in the eyes of the prince that told her that they could work.
-I think the proposition of his Majesty bears great opportunities, for all of us. As to my personal future, I would ask for some time to get to know the prince a bit better, but if he's anything like his father, than I think that it would be an honour to become a Malfoy.
The smile Draco send her then warmed her insides and made another smile grow on her own face.