A/N: Hello my lovelies! Mondo thanks for all you're day-making reviews, you're all wonderful! Seriously, I love you all for putting up with me! Again, apologies for the hold up, but you should be used to it by now, lol! Well, seen, as nobody can really be interested in my life, I won't say much…but, me being me, I have to say something! I hate school, too much work that I can't be bothered doing and the less said about some of the people, the better. My friends are groovacious, Valentines Day was bitter and uneventful and most of this week has been spent asleep. I could go on a big rant, but I'm sure we'd all prefer a lovely big chapter. And by the way, Pisces Sum, I see what you mean…but how could anyone not notice Ron and Hermione?

Until next time, my sweets!

Xodox xxx

Chapter Nine: Discoveries And Loveries

"King Nicholas? Sire!" A small, worried looking man named Gilmore, in red and blue robes ran desperately after the King. The ends of his droopy moustache fluttered as he scampered nervously along.

"Your highness, you have…a meeting with…the two suitors…today!" He panted, waving a piece of parchment. "If your…royal highness…would like to receive them…" he swallowed sharply, and as the King glared at him his voice turned into a small whimper. "If you would, erm, like to receive them in the main hall, sire. Would you have your ladyship and daughter present?"

"No."

"But…"

"Are you questioning me?"
" No sire, not at all."

"Good, escort me to the main hall. I trust the they are already waiting?"

"Yes sire."

And with that, Gilmore led the King to the hall.

**~**

Ron and Harry were in the library, on cleaning duty. As they dusted the books and polished the tables, they schemed and plotted as how to get Ron back into his own world.

"How about…no…that would never work."

"What?"

"I was going to suggest you creating a portal or something, but neither of us know how."

"True. I could try going through a cupboard again?"

"But you said you just arrived in mid-air, and besides, do you know how many cupboards are in this place?"
"This is hopeless. I might as well get used to servant life, there's nothing I can do about it."

"Or not! I've got it!"
"What!!!"

"We could go see The Great Dumbledore!"

"Damn! Why didn't I think of that?"

"Because you're an idiot?"

"Shut up. Where is he anyway?"

Harry paused and searched his memory.

"Well…there are lots of different stories about him, but nobody really knows, though he's bound to attend the Eclipse Celebration Ball."

"Isn't that where the moon covers the sun?"

"Yep, every time there's an eclipse: there's a ball. And there happens to be one in two weeks, you can meet him then."

"That's too far away, any other method to reach him?"

Another voice suddenly joined the conversation.

"Actually, he'll be in a meeting with my father on Thursday, today Father's meeting with two of my 'suitors'. Of course, I'm not supposed to know that so you didn't hear it from me. Oh get up…Harry, is it?"

Harry had automatically gone into a bow when Hermione came over to talk to them.  Ron nearly did the same; his knees went weak as soon as he saw her. "Sorry, your highness." Said Harry, quietly.

"Hi…"said Ron, frowning slightly. "Who are these suitors of yours then?" He asked, failing to completely mask the suspicion in his voice. Harry smirked as he noticed the pink tinge of Ron's ears.

"Oh, counts of somewhere or other, nothing to be bothered with. So why are you looking for Dumbledore?"

Harry looked over at Ron and saw him fiercely shaking his head.

"No reason, your highness. Erm…are you enjoying the library's…facilities?" Harry said, desperately thinking of something to say. Luckily, Hermione laughed and shook her head.

"Yes I am, and if you want to brush up on Dumbledore there are tons of books about him in the D section, over there in the corner. Now if you'll excuse me gentlemen, I have some books to read."

The two boys nodded and Ron waved goodbye, with a grin on his face.

"Why couldn't I tell the Princess about this?" Harry said, turning quickly to Ron.

"Because she came with me."

"So?"

"She doesn't remember about it, I told you that part."

"Yeah…"

"Look, you didn't believe me until I cursed you and…"
"You'd rather do anything than curse Princess Hermione."

Ron looked up sheepishly.

"I see. You know, I can actually believe she came with you. The way you look at each other, it's like you really are best friends…maybe a bit more."

"No, no, no…me and Hermione…we're friends…"Ron spluttered, blushing madly. Harry smiled knowingly and folded his arms. Ron scowled and continued to polish the bookcase to his right. The two worked in silence for a few minutes until…

"So, she looks at me too?"

**~**

"Please gentlemen, sit down." The King said, gesturing to the two lavish chairs in front of him. Gilmore sweated and watched as he stood beside the king. The two men couldn't have been more different. One was dressed in large, shapeless, burgundy and purple robes and a ridiculous, feathery hat. His hair was jet black and crusted with grease, yet without the stuff his hair would be rather thin and possibly curly. His body was almost too big for the chair he was sat in. He wasn't fat, really he was rather muscular and regarded as a great athlete; he was just very, very wide. His skin was pale and had an almost greenish tint to it, which made his extremely dark features stand out all the more. His eyes were buried under a solid, sloping forehead, part of a hefty and square-shaped head. His ears were small but stuck out angularly at the sides of his head. He had a prominent nose, protruding sharply from the centre of his face, with a great lump missing from it. It was also twisted slightly, broken in a hunting accident…so they said. His mouth was warped and long, but the teeth inside were very straight, almost a full set too. He seemed relaxed and jovial in his manner, as he and the King had become well acquainted over the past few months, and reclined, as comfortably as he could in the too-small chair.

"May I present his lordship, Count Viktor Krum, of the Krums of Bulgaria."]

The man to his left was a completely different picture. His clothes flowed fluidly, well fitting robes of emerald green and silver, and a moss green cloak resided on the back of the chair. His hair was blonde, almost white in appearance and his complexion, though pale, was creamier than that of Krum's. He was lean and toned, with long hand and perfectly manicured fingernails. His eyes were a greyish-blue, his nose was perfect and the air of vanity was apparent, though almost hidden behind bashfulness. Almost.

He was nowhere near as comfortable with the King; he fiddled with the arms of the chair and spoke briefly and brusquely. Yet there was an unshakable dignity about him, his vague look and good manners showed it.

"May I also present his lordship, Duke Draco Malfoy, of the Malfoys of England and France."

"France as well, Duke?"

"Yes, your Highness, both parents have roots in France."

"How interesting…"

Now that put the King in a sticky situation. Though the Malfoys had more power (two countries for the price of one), their past was, shall we say, rather 'dodgy'. The Krum record was clean and their estate's house was delightful, and their cook made a wonderful shrimp cocktail. Yet, the Malfoy lad was in a higher position and the cook's soufflé's are world-renowned. But the Krums had more money…and that shrimp really was fabulous.

'Oh what a tangled web we weave.' Thought the King, as he offered the two potential suitors a cigar.

**~**

The day wore on for Ron and Harry, but they finally cleaned the A-M section of the library. With a sigh, they collapsed into some chairs around a desk next to the 'Mythology-Myxomotosis' bookshelves, and began to plan for Thursday.

"If the King asks for food, which he undoubtedly will, we'll send you up. You can pull him aside and ask his advice."

"Think it'll work?"

"Possibly, though Snape will probably be desperate to get up there. He's been trying to wangle a job as Dumbledore's Defence Secretary for years."

"Hah, at school he's been dying to get the Defence Against the Dark Arts teaching position."

"Is everything pretty much the same in your world then?"

"Yeah, aside from the fact it's completely different, it's the same."

They both laughed and then a bell sounded throughout the castle.

"We're off duty now, you coming back to the quarters?"

"Nah, I might stay here and, you know, read."

"You're going to read?"

"No, I'm going to READ."

A look of understanding took place on Harry's features, followed by a look that usually proceeds when you're going to mercilessly tease somebody.

"Well…have fun with you're book. She…I mean it's sure to be a good read."

Ron grinned and gave Harry a playful shove before diverting himself towards the table where Hermione was sat.

**~**

The King and the two suitors sat and talked long into the evening. Malfoy, however, did not warm at all towards King Nicholas or Krum. He was very uncomfortable about the whole thing really. He was strongly against the idea of arranging a marriage between two strangers, and despite the Malfoys' reputation, he was particularly against marrying for money or power. The general belief about the Malfoys was that they were heartless, power-hungry and hated everyone. 'Though', he thought ruefully, 'It's true of my parents.' Draco had been forced into being bad, or rather being like his father. The truth was that he was very lonely, his reputation pushed people away, but didn't know how else to deal with it than to brush people off like they meant nothing or insult them. All he wanted was love.

He sighed heavily; this meeting was tiring and excruciatingly boring. The King and Krum sat and talked about money, other kingdoms, scandals and hunting (Draco was more of a fencing person himself.). Draco's eyes began to sting from the cigar smoke of the other two men and thus he excused himself to go the bathroom. He sucked in a deep breath of fresh air as he stepped outside the hall and went on a journey to find the bathroom.

On his quest he saw a girl. She was rather short and was obviously a maid or something, but she was beautiful. She had warm brown eyes, vibrant red hair and freckles dotted across her nose. But it was her smile that made Draco's heart pound; when she smiled a little dimple appeared on the right side of her mouth and her lips looked so soft and sweet…

"Um…are you lost, sir?"

Draco suddenly realised he was staring at her and pulled himself together. He pressed his lips together and swallowed.

"Yes…I was looking for the, erm…bathroom! Yes, the bathroom."
The girl bit her lip and giggled, looking up at him.

"Would you like me to show you?" She said, seducing Draco more with every breath.

"That, my dear, would be simply wonderful…"he said, offering out an arm to her.

**~**

A/N: Aargh! Don't hate me H/G fans!!! **Hides from influx of shoe and vegetable throwing** I wanted to do that because I wanted to show a softer side of Draco and it makes a pretty neat plot twist, don't ya think? **Hides from more missiles** If it makes you that upset, then just pretend it's Harry or something. I just happen to be an evil D/G fan, at least it's not H/Hr **shudder**.

Well, during this chapter I learned a few things:

I can still write utter nonsense! Eating crackers and listening to The Cure help in this process. That I'm going to die as soon as the H/G fans find me.

Love you lots!

Xodox