"Fellow Dukes, I have called you here today for a purpose. As you have heard, our new Queen has decided to free our slaves! Clearly, she does not understand the importance of the work our slaves do. She does not see that, once freed, these slaves will come to the castle as she summoned them and kill her! We must, before the slaves hear the news, tell her that this is a bad idea. Any volunteers? Strategies?" Duke Draco Malfoy called out. There were all twelve dukes present, with their wives all in the next room socializing.

"Fine, if none of you are brave enough to stand up to the Queen, I shall. The rest of you, I suggest you go home. I dare say she's placed a charm to protect the muggles from us. I'll go to her, tonight, to seek her counsel. This meeting is adjourned." Draco finished. He stood at the head of the long mahogany table in his country home, where the regular meetings were held. Running his hands through his long, blonde hair, he tried to think of a plan to convince the Queen that muggles were dangerous when free.

'Aha!' He thought, nearly jumping at his brilliance. 'Seduce her, get her to marry me, then force all the muggles back into slavery!' His mind was reeling with questions for the plan, but he left them unanswered. They would have to be dealt with when they came up.

The next morning, he ordered his white stallion Lucas to be readied for the half-day trip, and dressed in his most regal black breeches and dark green jacket, a silvery shirt underneath. He set off just after breakfast, riding as fast as he could to the Queen's Castle.

He arrived near tea time and rode up to the doors, guards bowing in service to him.

"Take my horse. Put him in your largest stall, and feed him apples and lots of water. You! I request and audience with the Queen, immediately!" He pointed to a young wizard, who was quite frightened at the demanding presence of Draco.

"You 'eard 'im, 'Ewitt! Git goin'!" Another guard yelled, and the young wizard named Hewitt motioned for Draco to follow him. Hewitt led him up to the castle doors, told the page what Draco was here for, and bowed himself out.

"His most regal Duke Draco Malfoy of the House of Malfoy requests counsel with her Majesty Queen Hermione." The page announced, and Hermione turned from her papers.

"Yes, send him in, please." She answered sweetly. Draco walked in, his black leather boots barely making a noise on the hardwood floor. He bowed low and rose back up, a smile upon his lips.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for taking my request for counsel so quickly."

"What is it you wish to speak with me about? I know you; you are not one to mince words. I have legislation to draft, Duke, please be quick." She looked at him with mild interest. Surely, he hadn't come to talk about?...

"Your Highness, you cannot free the muggles." He said simply. 'Yeah, he's heard.'

"I beg your pardon? Are you commanding me, Duke? Your Queen, to whom you are to be loyal?" Hermione gave him a look of sheer anger. How dare he speak to her of this? Did he think she was an incompetent Queen?

"Your Majesty, I say this in your best interest. The muggles, who are still angry about their enslavement, will rebel once freed. I know that you, of course, have only the best intentions, but for a fresh Queen to make a move so rash? Surely, someone has told you of the danger of your new law before I?" He replied urgently. He knew to appeal to her pride in being a good leader; she was female, after all, and desperately wanting to make a good impression.

"Duke, surely you knew that you would be the first. The muggles were mistreated by my father, and I shall see to it that no one is mistreated under my guidance. Tonight, they shall be set free and sent to me. You have no power over me, I am afraid, and so it is to you that I bid good day." She finished with a quick turn of her head back to the papers on the table beside her. 'Oh, she's just got to be difficult.' He thought to himself.

"Majesty, please, I wish only to help you." He pleaded, feeling like a beggar muggle all the while.

"Duke Malfoy, I have said good day. I will speak no further on this matter with you. You know, there are no ways to override me. You will bow to my will, or be snapped like a twig. Make your decisions wisely, for your family is already on my list." She told him with a glare and he bowed low.

"But, before I go. Why did you say my family is on your black list? I have done naught to displease you." Draco asked. This was getting personal.

"Your father, the Duke Lucius Malfoy, was the one to turn my father against muggles. When I was born, my mother said I looked like a beautiful muggle she'd once known. My father was outraged, because your father hated muggles and he was my father's advisor. That is why I was never allowed in the royal throne room; your father thought I wasn't pureblood." Hermione told him, the malice and pain in her voice fighting for the spotlight.

"But you aren't pureblood, are you?" Draco countered, sure he was right in thinking she was a mere muggleborn.

"If I weren't pureblood, Duke, I should not be able to sit in my throne! How dare you accuse me of the blasphemy of such things! Just because I won't let you keep muggles as pets, does not mean I am not pureblood! For shame, sir. For shame." She finished in a fury. She was not muggleborn, or halfblood. She was pureblooded. Wasn't she?

"Fine, have it your way. When the muggles rise and take your throne, ruin your empire, I hope you're happy. You'll be the death of all of us, even if you are beautiful." He said angrily. 'Beautiful? Maybe she didn't catch it.' It wasn't part of the plan! But, surely, he didn't think she was. He was just slipping into action too soon. 'Yes, that's it.' His mind told him. But still, it didn't feel right.

"Beautiful?" She whispered. She looked at him with intense scrutiny. "I've never heard that before." She cleared her throat. "Very well, Duke. Thank you for coming. Guards! Show this man to his horse. It is time he went home." She called, looking towards the large doors.

"Your Highness, if I might, I am tired from the ride. Perhaps it would be prudent for me to stay at the castle tonight?" Draco asked sincerely. In his mind, staying here to keep an eye on what was going on was part of the plan. 'Then why am I eager to seeing her more?'