"Guards, show Duke Draco to the Serpent's Room. You three are his guards for his stay here. You are dismissed." Hermione waved her hand, irritated that, for courtesy reasons, she was to put up with this muggle-hating prat.
Draco followed his guards to the Serpent's Room, wondering why it was called that. Did they keep snakes and such in there?
"Duke, your room is ready." The first guard announced, and the other two opened the large mahogany doors. The room was hunter green with a black crown molding at the top. The bed itself was made of iron, and it had four posts. They were tall, at least two meters; on each post, a snake wound up a tall post and ended with its head parallel to the floor. The bed sheets were black with silver edging, and the furniture was all dark mahogany and silver.
"Thank you. Please inform the Queen that I am grateful for her allowing me to stay here, and this room is magnificent." Draco finished in awe. 'I wonder, did she know I like snakes?'
"Yes, sir. We shall come to fetch you for dinner in an hour or so. The Queen has requested that you not leave your room until she grants permission." The guard bowed out and, before Draco could ask questions, magically sealed the door. He tried Alohomora; it was useless. He contemplated blowing the door off, but then there was a knock.
"Duke, may I enter?" A young voice called out.
"Who is it, might I ask?" He replied hotly. Stupid being locked in his luscious bedroom.
"It is Lady Ginevra, lady in waiting to the Queen. She has requested I accompany you to the dining hall, to prevent you from getting lost." Ginevra knocked on the door impatiently. "Dinner is starting, Duke, would you dress and come out, or shall I have it brought to you?"
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" He quickly put on his cream breeches and dark green tee, grabbing his black jacket as he walked.
Lady Ginevra curtseyed, and then walked out in front of him. She stayed a few paces before him the whole way there.
"Are you not accompanying me to dinner?" He asked.
"I am merely making sure you don't get lost. I'm not your arm candy for this evening, Duke, I am taken." She replied in an irritated tone.
"Oh, really? And by whom, may I ask?" He replied, interested.
"Duke Harry. Here we are, Duke Draco. Please, take the seat by my brother, Ron." She pointed to where he should sit and took her seat in between the Queen and Harry. Draco gave the redhead a nasty look, but sat down anyways. He knew he must get on Hermione's good side.
They ate in peace, enjoying the enormous feast and chatting merrily. At the end of dinner, Draco stood and walked to Hermione's chair at the head of the table.
"I was wondering, majesty, if I might take a walk with you?" He asked in his most charming voice. Not wanting to seem rude, Hermione smiled and turned to face him.
"Of course, Duke. Ask one of your guards to show you the way to my chamber when you would like to venture out." She answered with a nod. The other guests seemed to take no notice to their private conversation, enveloped as they were in their own.
"I shall see you at sunset, majesty." He smiled his best smiled and walked off. Standing at the doorway, he said goodbye to the rest of the guests and left.
After a long, and confusing, walk back to his room, Draco began to think of how to make the Queen fall for him. 'Shall I come on strong, or be quiet and let her seem as though she's in charge? I have no time for playing; I'd best come on strong.' He wrestled in his mind with the many possibilities, but soon saw the sun beginning to set.
"Guards! Escort me to the Queens chambers, immediately!" He rushed out, strangely nervous.
"Yes, sir!" The first guard called, and they walked hurriedly up three staircases and down two long corridors before five minutes had passed. Draco knocked at the doors, and then stood outside trying to appear easy-going.
"Duke, you've come. Was there somewhere you had in mind to walk?" She asked with a small smile.
"Anywhere the moonlight might reflect off your beautiful face." He answered with a bow; his mind told him he was laying it on thick but somewhere else was telling him that it was okay.
"To the courtyards, then." She replied, a light blush creeping up her neck and onto her face. They walked, arm in arm, down another corridor lined with windows and out onto a large, square area of green grass.
"It's stunning." He whispered, oddly touched by the view. The sun was setting, the sky changing from a pale blue to a light pink. They sat on a stone bench for a few minutes in silence, enjoying each other's company.
"Why did you ask me here, Duke?" Hermione asked, breaking the calm air around them.
"Because I could only think of watching something so amazing with a person of equal beauty." He answered, a smile creeping upon his lips. She turned to face him, a strange look in her eyes.
"I'm flattered." She murmured, her eyes flashing nervously.
"Your eyes are very intriguing, majesty." Draco whispered, leaning forward slighty.
"Call me Hermione, Draco." She replied with smile.
"Hermione. It sounds so… delicate. Very beautiful." He leaned forward a bit more.
"Thank you." She whispered. Then, still looking into his eyes, she leaned forward at bit. He was about to make his move, when…