disclaimers: dont own

warnings: boy x boy love

~ ~ ~ Chapter 2

"Harry, you've matured so much in these past years," Remus said, smiling at the youth tenderly. He reached out, ruffling the indignant boy's hair into an even more scruffiness. "I know that you get bored here with the other children. Thats why, I have a surprise for you." Harry leaned closer, eyes full of curiosity. Remus's grin grew in stature, digging through the pockets of his worn robe. He produced a small billet. "An early birthday present."

Harry's jaw dropped at the ticket for the carnival. "I...I can't accept that Remus!" Remus could barely afford to clothe himself, let alone buy one of his students something as expensive as a carnival ticket! The carnival was only for the aristocracy, not a poor boy like himself.

"I insist that you take it Harry. I want you to enjoy life."

"But-"

"No buts Harry. You may leave now or wait until dinner is ready."

"I'd like to go now if thats okay with you."

"Of course. Just promise me you'll be careful and wary of everyone. DON'T trust anyone."

"I promise Remus. Thank you," Harry whispered, hugging his adoptive father. Remus's face glowed with such wanton love for Harry that the twin orbs of lapis lazuli peering from behind a rather large hedge softened from the previous hardened iciness. "Goodbye Remus. I'll be back by midnight!" Harry called over his shoulder as he ran with childish innocence down the beaten path towards the hidden one that all of the children used in order to advoid the highway.

The person crouched in the bushes sighed softly before retreating further into the ravine. Remus's keen hearing caught the noise, no matter how quiet. That gentle smile never wavered as he pivoted on his heel and turned for the abandoned castle.

~ @ ~

Harry's soul was in high spirits, perched on the small cliff that with one fluid leap, would take him only a few yards from the main gates of London. He clutched the billet closer to his chest, heart fluttering with excitement. Hardly anything good ever happened to him. He felt a smidgen of guilt at taking the billet but that was outweighed by the fact that he had not once been selfish, always giving to the younger children.

Making positive that noone was looking, Harry dropped to the ground and landed expertly on his feet. Years of playing dangerous games had given him a sort of knack for those things. He could already smell the food on the breeze! He could hear the laughing! Harry spotted the entryman at the gatehouse. "Hello sir, I have a ticket to go inside!"

The man nodded, staring at Harry in suspicion. However, the man wasn't going to spoil the youngster's fun and let it pass. If the boy had stolen the ticket then it was that person's loss for being so careless. Besides, he had children himself and new how much these carnivals meant.

Harry's emerald oculates grew insanely round at all the festivities. He'd heard about these games from Remus but he never thought he would actually be there to witness them and perhaps, play them! There were games of skeet, throwing games to win prizes, guessing games, a freak show, a petting zoo, even a fortuneteller! He didn't know where to begin, he just stood there, gaping like a yodel or better, like the country bumpkin he truly was.

"Hard to choose, eh?" Harry turned to meet amused hazel eyes. Harry nodded at the boy, unsure of his uncouth speech and at how uncivilized he sounded. He didnt want to be teased. The auburn haired boy with freckles on his nose and cheeks just shrugged at Harry's lack of talking. "I'm Ronald but...call me Ron if you would."

"Harry."

"Your not from around here, are you?" Ron asked, noticing the accent in Harry's voice.

"No, I'm French."

"I thought I recognized the dialect." Ron glanced in another direction, Harry's attention never leaving Ron's face. "I'm afraid I have to go for now. I see my brothers. Hey, do you think we could hang out later on? It gets kind of boring just by myself."

"Um..I'd like that very much."

"Good! I'll meet you back here in an hour or so!"

"A.Alright," Harry said, the exuberant pale skinned waving wildly over his shoulder as he jogged towards two other red haired boys, twins from their identical features. Harry blinked, that was quite interesting. Were all of the gentry that friendly or was Ron an exception? Harry couldn't decide so he went towards the fortuneteller, perhaps to see if the hubbub Lavendar aroused about the people were true or not.

~ @ ~

"I dont need to be babysat!" Draco scowled furiously at Cedric. Cedric's handsome face adopted a haggardness unbecoming of one so young. He hated that his father made him accompany the spoiled brat to the festival. He'd much rather boil his head in sizzling water! "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, Diggory!"

"Oh, well excuse me, my prince! Or did you forget that that's your position?" Cedric snapped furiously. "Some of these people would like to kidnap you and demand a ransom from your parents. Is that you want, Your Highness?"

Draco glared angrily at the older teenager. "You have no right to talk to me so disrespectfully."

"You've done nothing to earn my respect, prince. When you do, thats when I shall lay my sword for your command."

The blonde seethed through clenched teeth. How dare that prat! He crossed his arms in front of his thin diaphragm, glowwering darkly at all of those around him. His lead gaze surveyed the aristocracy, finding nothing special about them. They were all the same; fake with phony smiles and even phonier loyalties. All knew that the people weren't satisfied with his father's reign. Thus, the reason he needed to have the git of a bodyguard. Draco's stare fell onto a raven haired boy. It was obvious by his manner of dress that he wasn't of the upper class. That merely managed to stroke the fire of anger more. "Since when did they start letting those poor peasants in here?! I had assumed this festival was for the wealthy, not the flea ridden canines like him!"

Cedric's patience was wearing thin but he couldn't get away with murdering the young prince. Afterall, it wasn't entirely Draco's fault for being spoiled since he was born. "Not everyone is as lucky as your or I, my prince."

"I think I shall have my fun with that fool."

Cedric rolled his eyes impatiently, staring at the heavens in a plead for help. He sank down onto one of the benches, keeping a wary sight on his charge. Draco just wouldn't learn that his father's tariffs were leeching the money from those less lucky to have been born into it. It was just another thing Draco would have to learn before, if, he became king.

Draco studied the boy's profile, deducing he wasn't much older than Draco if not the same age. His eyes narrowed. There was something infuriating about him, something that made Draco tick. "How did your kind seep into here? I KNOW your not aristocracy, mutt."

Harry frowned, turning towards the condescending voice. "I do not think that concerns you."

Draco's eyes flashed with tepid annoyance. "Do not speak to me that way."

Harry's brows furrowed at the demand. "Your the one who came over here bothering me. Just go away." He went to slide the curtains of the fortuneteller's tent aside.

"Don't turn your back on me, peasant!" Draco was mortified the little bastard had the gall to outright denounce him as his prince by not bowing, by not acknowledging his title, and by being extremely rude to his royality.

"And why shouldn't I?"

"I am your prince!"

"Some prince," Harry snorted, a smirk curling his lips.

"You bastard!" Draco barked, about to lunge but strong arms grappled with him. He snarled dangerously at Cedric. "Let me go!! That flea infested dirtbag needs to be taught a lesson for his failure to recognize my superiority!"

"Prince Draco, please refrain from embarrassing yourself in front of your subjects. You know that Severus would not be pleased with your fighting a commoner."

Harry felt his heart leap to his throat. This was the prince! Oh God, he'd just signed his death warrant for sure! "I apologize, Your Highness, for being rude. I had no idea that it was you for I have never seen the prince before. I had no way of knowing what you looked like."

"Hn," Draco stuck his tongue out at Harry. "Why don't you crawl back to the cesshole you came from and leave before you infect those more worthy than yourself."

Suddenly, a loud ricocheting noise interrupted Harry's retort. Shrill screams sent Harry's blood curdling. Cedric placed himself boldly in front of the younger boys. "What has happened?!" Cedric yelled to one of Ron's twin brothers.

"Sirius Black! The fugitive! He's here!"

*****

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