Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter La di la di da.

A/N: Alright people…how is it that you ALL KNEW what I was going to do??? Am I that obvious??? OH WELL.

The palaces at Memphis were certainly older than the ones at Thebes; yet they were still grandeur, showing off the might and power of Egypt. Norfret was told to wait in the ante chamber with the two princesses.

"Oh Norfret, we tried, we did, to get you and our dear brother. . . but Ahmeni wouldn't let us! Oh I do hope that you forgive us."

"It's alright. It's understandable." Norfret told them, patting Merykara's hand gently.

"Well, now let's not talk about that horrendous storm," Benia said shivering slightly. "What are you doing here?"

"I don't know." Norfret chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully, "mother said she had exiting news for me. But I have no idea what it is."

"Perhaps you are getting a golden necklace of valour!" Merykara squealed in excitement.

"No she won't you idiot, it's only for men!"

"What can it be?"

"Lady Norfret?"

"Yes?"

"The Queen is ready to see you now."

"Well, I suppose I will inform you two later."

Waving, Norfret arranged her robes carefully and followed the maid. The maid walked briskly down the corridors leading to the Queen's audience halls, Norfret swallowed, her hands wringing, her steps shaky – what was the good news that her mother had for her that was to be told at the palace? Breathing deeply, Norfret realised she had never been so nervous in her life, passing the golden mirrors on the wall, she checked her image, making sure her wayward hair was in place and her kohl not smudged.

"You majesty, Lady Norfret asks to bask in your smile." The maid announced form the door,

"Enter." Came the queen's voice form within. The maid nodded and bowed, opening the doors for Norfret. The queen sat with a benign smile, beckoning Norfret forward with her hand. Her mother sat on a stool left to the queen, while Ahmeni stood on his mother's right. He has a nonplussed expression on his face, mirroring Norfret's. Suddenly she had noticed a most prominent mistake in the picture. Where was Ahmenhotep, every time she had an audience with the queen, he had also been there, standing next to his mother. Something was amiss. Surely, he hadn't fallen ill again? She had seen him but a few hours ago, when they had separated with tender words. Indeed, if he was ill again, surely the queen would visit him, instead of holding an audience with her?

"My heart is glad and my soul delights in the light of your face oh Divine one." Norfret recited, bowing low.

"Come child. Come closer." The queen said, smiling. Norfret was indeed basking in her smile. On the footstool, Lady Heseret gave Norfret an encouraging nod also smiling. What with all the smiling going on, Norfret felt slightly misinformed and stole a glance at Ahmeni, who thankfully looked as clueless as she was.

The queen held Norfret's head in between her hands and placed a gentle kiss on her brow.

"It brings me joy, Norfret, daughter of the Grand Vizier of this Great Egypt, that I would have you as one of my kin."

Norfret's heart soared. So Ahmenhotep had finally told his mother about her! Norfret broke out in to a grin.

"It brings me great joy too majesty that you shall bestow me with this gift."

The queen laughed and all joined, for if the queen of Egypt laughs, then all laughs with her.

"My child, I am delighted that you find your betrothal to Royal Prince Ahmeni to your liking, undeniably, you have a bond with him and Lady Heseret and I weren't wrong in our speculation."

Royal Prince Ahmeni?

No.

Norfret let out a gasp from her kneeling position in form of the queen and almost lost her balance. Obviously her mother and the queen's speculations were most grotesquely wrong! Norfret glanced at Ahmnei, blood draining from her face faster than water soaks into sand. He looked shocked and stared back at her, mouth open in horror.

Everything seemed to dim around her, she was vaguely aware of her mother and the queen conversing and making plans excitedly, about informing the court.

She tried to cry out but something seemed to block her throat and she choked, breathing with difficulty – then all went blank.

Ahmenhotep's lips were white with rage, his fist clenching Ahmeni's collar and his other fist raised in a threatening position.

"What did you just say?" he asked in a deadly whisper.

"Calm down, damn you!" Ahmeni struggled against his brother's hold, he knew that Ahmenhotep was stronger; he was taller and was always better than him when it came to arms training.

"Don't make me hurt you Ahmeni, tell me. What did you say?"

"Look, Norfret and I are engaged but it - "

Ahmeni felt searing pain as Ahmenhotep struck him squarely on the jaw, at the same time he threw him back. The prince skidded to a stop a few feet away from his enraged brother.

"How can you do that to me, after all that I've confided in you?"

Ahmeni felt the salty metallic taste of blood in his mouth and felt anger rising in him also. It was not his fault and he had not arranged for things to turn out this way.

"It's not my fault you eater of dung! Just listen to me!" Ahmeni shouted, blocking another one of his brother's punches. He looked absolutely furious, like a bull that once had to be tamed – it was if steam were coming from his nose.

"Explain." He said curtly.

Ahmeni tenderly touched his jaw and winced.

"Mother set it up, I had no idea and Norfret had no idea, I had no control over it and you know it."

Ahmehotep was leaning against the wall, looking as frustrated as a fifteen year old could look.

"DAMN!" he yelled, kicking a golden statue.

"Look, I can fix this. I can just tell mother,"

"Ahmeni – father's health is failing. We all know this; we just don't speak of it. Unless you have someone else in mind, mother won't accept that. Mother wants the royal line secured as soon as possible before Prenhoe takes advantage."

"Then Norfret. We can tell her – you can tell her. Go on Ahmenhotep, go to mother with Norfret."

"How about you then? Who have you got to marry? Mother has you in her priorities list!"

Ahmeni sighed and gently tested the bruised spot with his fingertips. "I didn't ask for this you know."

"I know." Said Ahmenhotep, crestfallen, he gave a sheepish glance to Ahmeni, who was currently nursing his bruising jaw. "Sorry about that. You alright?"

"Yes, I think so."

"Did mother tell anyone else yet? Father?"

"Yes. She did tell father, but it seems that she is saving the news for the rest a few days later when the population congregates to celebrate the festival and father's coming here."

"When is that?"

The day before we leave."

"But that's in two days!"

"I know."

"How is it that she had a relapse?"

"I do not know my lady, it seems that she has exerted herself too much or was perhaps too excited?"

"Well, it could be the latter…"

Norfret blinked, her mother and the priests of Amun were gathered around her bed looking worried.

"I thought you said she was going to make a full recovery!"

"Well, it has only been a few days lady,"

"Mother."

"Norfret! What happened? Were you too excited?"

"No mother, I was distraught."

Lady Heseret frowned, "I think you should go back to sleep dear,"

"No! Listen mother, you must cancel it. I can't marry him! I shan't! I'd sooner die!" Lady Heseret was white beneath her make up, with rage or fear, Norfret did not know. But when she spoke, her voice was cool and calm.

"Leave us."

After the priest had left, Lady Heseret sat down on the edge of the bed.

"What are you talking about? I saw your face before the queen; I saw that you were happy."

"Yes I know I was but - !"

"I will not have you behave in this selfish a childish manner Norfret. Prince Ahmeni is the most desirable of all young men in Egypt, you are extremely lucky that the queen sees you as a fitting bride. You should be honoured. You behaviour is intolerable and I will not have it."

"Mother I don't love him!"

The hard lines upon Lady Heseret's face softened a little.

"I am sorry my daughter, but when it comes to the prince of Egypt, love is a trivial matter."

Norfret's mouth dropped open.

"I love another!" she blurted out.

"Do not seek to weaken me Norfret!" Lady Heseret cried, her voice breaking. "Your father and I are greatly honoured by the Queen's decision and you will not ruin it!"

"I will not be faithful. I won't, I know I won't." Norfret said defiantly.

Lady Heseret slapped her, Norfret felt tears stinging to her eyes as her head was snapped sideways.

"You evil girl! How dare you utter such a profanity!"

"I do not love the prince and the prince does not love me. We both know that. We also both know I love another."

Lady Heseret trembled, "How dare you show such impertinence to your mother! I am ashamed of you!"

"You cannot deter me from my decision, not the queen not even pharaoh. I will die rather than marry someone who I does not have a place in my heart."

Lady Heseret looked as though she would slap Norfret again but her face turned stony.

"Norfret, the love you have, for whoever it is, is only a girlish fantasy or an infatuation. What you will have with Prince Ahmeni is security – I desire for your well being and that is that. You are not permitted to see any other males save your brothers, your father and your betrothed." Lady Heseret rose and turned, leaving with rapid steps.

"You cannot do this to me mother!"

Two chaperones were appointed to Norfret so that she would not see anyone; Norfret was cooped for the rest of the day in her chambers and when the red sun rose the next morning, filtering through the muslin curtains of her balcony she realised why there was a shadow hanging over her – the realisation came with a swift jab of pain. What was she to do? Stretching and trying to hold an onslaught of tears, Norfret wrapped a light gown about her. Quite abruptly, she heard something clack on the floor of her room. She turned with surprise and found a pebble skidding towards her.

Perplexed, she drew her muslin curtains back and stepped out on to her balcony. Another pebble came flying, she dodged it and it fell with a loud 'clack'. Frowning, she leaned over, sucking in a deep breath to tell the impertinent person that dared to throw stones at her.

Her breath caught in her throat abruptly. It was him!

Anther stone came flying at her.

"Norfret!"

"I am here! Oh Ahmenhotep!"

"Come down!" he hissed.

"I Can't! I have chaperones now."

"What?!"

"Don't ask."

Ahmenhotep looked about him and huffed. "Well I can't climb up there!"

"How did you get in?"

"I pretended that I was the new servant." Ahmenhotep said, grinning wryly.

Norfret ran her nervous fingers through her hair. The she clicked her fingers.

"Go and see mother, tell her that you have a message for me, from your brother – of a private nature."

"Leave us." Norfret waved her hand irritably at her two chaperones who lingered nervously.

"My Lady, we were given instructions that - "

"He is the prince of Egypt, brother of my betrothed – leave us."

The two chaperones left and two servant girls came in carrying plates of condiment and some sherbets – Norfret dismissed them hastily as well.

"They may be listening outside the door, so speak quietly." She warned, propping herself down on her bed."

Ahmenhotep walked over to her and gave her a quick peck on the cheeks.

"Well what are we to do?"

"You must go visit my mother and explain it to her and I will go to your mother and explain it to her."

"Are you sure your mother won't…well….unleash her wrath on me?"

Ahmenhotep popped a date in to his mouth and drank some sherbet, "Well, I suppose if you had your sights on some other boy then she may, but since it's me, she won't."

Norfret rolled her eyes. "Honestly…"

A/N: I am aware that most people have been expecting this to happen but I still hope you enjoyed it. Review!