Disclaimer: I do not belong to the Harry Potter characters, some of the plots, things that you find familiar etc. and vice versa...

(no recap as the last chapter has got almost nothing to do with this one)

Chapter 15: Castle and Rachel

There in the forest stood a very tall, majestic castle which no villagers nor any braves dared to enter. People wouldn't dare to even look at it for a few moments. The look of it was frightening enough, the forbidding dark look.

Why was it so, that once people set eyes on it, they would turn away asap? Not much knew the real reason, but it was said that the place was haunted and if you dare to wander into it...

Death follows.

Loud, shrill screamings could be heard late at night, echoing through the forest and drifting into the ears of passer-bys of the forest.

A few decades ago, young men and knights began their quest to travel into the forest, wanting to find out more about this mysterious place feared by all. Days and nights passed but none of the men return, rumours had it that they were murdered by the guardian of the Dark Forest (name given to the forest), most believed but still, some wanted to know the true story

Now, those who knew about the magical world would laugh their heads off if they knew about the legend/myth told by the foolish Muggles. The appearance of this castle was only the effects of the Muggle Repelling Charm.

And as for the men who wandered into the forest and got into the castle grounds by any chance, they were simply too fascinated by eveything there that they would rather stay in the truly magical world than to go back and be the ignorant Muggles.

The castle was the property of King Merlin IV and those living in it were purebloods, they were the Royalties. It was a much respected building and those Royalties were living in laps of luxuries.

There was a warm, welcoming chamber with gold and burgundy decors all round the place. On the walls were many wizard paintings of the ex-inhabitants of the now-chamber-of-Princess-Rachel hanging on the walls in exotic frames made from pure gold. Golden silk-like curtains were all drawn up, and pillows and cushions were packed neatly in a corner of the overly large bedroom. A larger than normal fireplace facing the king-size bed was situated infront of two high-back armchairs.

Rachel was now sitting in one of the armchairs, thinking hard of what to do next.

Rachel was in her mid-twenties already. Her figure was one that could make guys' nose bleed enough for a Vampire to last for a week. She was a gorgeous young lady with warm golden eyes and light eyebrows. Her glossy black hair was shining from the reflections of the fire dancing on the firewood, and cackling merrily away. Her creamy-white skin was smooth and her delicate fingers were as active as possible, they were fiddling with an evelope which had just arrived through the window, carried by Hich, Charles eagle owl.

'Don't panic! Don't panic! Charles's waiting...' She was watching and listening to her train of thoughts when her mind made the long-waited-by-all's decision.

'I'll go.'

And she started to do all her preparations... packing, notes of instructions for her servants on what they should do after her departure, letters of apologies to her beloved family and owling her dear Charles to let him know of her decision.

She looked at everything in the room. 'Good.'

She looked down at the piece of parchment held tightly in her hand. She picked up her silvery green quill. As she wrote to Charles that she had agreed to his plan, tears were streaming down her pale pretty face.

She loved her parents. She loved her family. But she didn't love Deofol. She didn't want to marry him. Since she protested the orders of her elders, which was to marry Deofol, her parents started to force her and it lead to quarrelling with her. Still, she loved them, and them, her. But why? Why must they keep trying to marry her away to a man she would never love?

'Please don't blame me. Please don't hate me. I still love you both, Mummy, Daddy.' She silently prayed that her parents will understand. Wishing them the best when she's gone. She did not want to keep the identity of Princess Rachel, she would give it up to be in the arms of Charles.

Inhaling sharply for air and wishing that it would help change the current situation for the better, she gathered her emotions and went to the window with the owl, which had the letter to Charles in it's beak. 'Go quick!'

Her barn owl was soon out of sight. Travelling quickly to Charles. Thinking of what the future held, scared Rachel. This could be the best solution in the worst situation...

Eloping.

The good little princess of the King and Queen had never left the grand castle. Not once for as long as she could remember. What the outside world was like had been a big puzzle to Rachel. She knew about Muggles, the non-magical folks, from some books she found buried under piles of other spellbooks, but had never met one.

Maybe she could not use magic outside either... The network her father had started using could trace witch and wizards using magic anywhere in the universe. What a bother! But then, they would be leading life like Muggles. And that should serve as a reward!

As Rachel began probing over what life would be in the near future, that is, if their little plan succeeded, her mind drifted off to dreamland.

A warm, sweet smile curled her lips as she dreamed of a certain blonde.

A/N: This might sound kinda irrelevant but... Make do with it! lol