A/N: Sorry for the delay on this part. Enjoy

The Swan Prince

Part 4

~Three Months Later~

George looked over at his brother and sighed, rubbing his paws over his face. "Come on, Fred, give it a rest."

Fred looked over at his brother and shook his furry head. "No way, we are meant to be together."

George looked at his brother in disbelief. Ever since Fred had met Draco, he had been after him. He had formed probably the biggest crush that George had ever seen. No matter how many times he and Draco tried to tell him that Draco loved Harry, it failed to deter him. And now he watched as Fred was rummaging around the forest floor, trying to find the perfect flower to give Draco tonight. It was routine that every night Fred would find Draco a different flower, and every night it was getting harder and harder to find a new one. As a matter of fact, George was sure that Fred had repeated some of the flowers, but did not want to say anything. He was brought out of his thoughts by a sound off in the distance. His pointed ears perked up and his head shot to the side. "Fred, did you hear that?"

Fred stopped looking through the brush and turned to his brother. "What?"

George raised a paw at him. "Shh... I hear something."

Fred sat up on his hind paws and pointed his ears towards the sky. "I don't hear anything?"

George shook his head. "I could have sworn I heard something." He turned his head to look at his brother and his eyes went wide. "FRED! LOOK OUT!"

Fred looked behind him and saw an owl coming right at him with its claws open. He rolled to the left and barley missed the talons. He was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when he saw the owl turn in its flight and come back towards them. "AHHHHHHHH!" With that said Fred turned and high-tailed it towards the lake, with George right on his heels.

Fred had just made it to the lake when his right front paw fell out from beneath him sending him rolling across the ground. He ended up on his back looking up in the sky, watching as a pair of talons came right at him. The only thing he could do was cover his eyes with his paws and wait for the inevitable. But the inevitable did not happen. The moment he thought he was going to be speared, he found himself in the arms of Draco.

"Fred, are you alright?" Draco looked worriedly at the raccoon that was in his hands. One hand under each armpit.

Fred nodded his head. "Yeah, but a kiss would probably make me feel better."

Draco released his hands and let Fred fall to the ground. "Unbelievable." He shook his head before looking at the nearby branch that the owl had landed on. "Shoo.... Go on now." Draco was making movements with his hands trying to get the owl to fly off, but was shocked when he heard the owl speak.

"You guys can talk." She was looking directly at Fred and George.

George walked up to stand beside Draco for protection and nodded his head. "Yeah. But apparently so can you. Were you a human at one time too?"

The owl nodded his head. "Yes, I was. God, I am so glad to have company. It has been so long."

Draco looked confused. "How long have you been in that form?"

The owl looked off into the sky for a moment. "Sometimes it feels like forever, but really it has only been three years."

Fred and George looked at each other, and both spoke at the same time. "WOW!"

Draco walked closer to the owl. "My name is Draco." He gestured towards the raccoons. "That's Fred and that's George."

One of the raccoons stepped forward. "No, I am Fred and that is George."

The owl flew down to the ground and extended one talon to shake there hands. "My name is Hermione." She then turned and looked up at Draco. "Who are you?"

Draco broke out in a smile and got down on his knees so that he could see Hermione better. "I am sorry, my name is Draco."

Hermione gasped. "Prince Draco?"

Her response was a nod. "Yeah, I was kidnapped three months ago, though."

Hermione looked closely at him. "Was it the Wizard? He was the one who transformed me."

Draco nodded his head. "Yes, it was Lord Voldemort. He kidnapped me and is trying to get my father's kingdom through marriage. He actually wants me to marry him."

Hermione shuddered. "Eww..."

"Exactly how I feel about it." Draco looked over at Fred and George. "But at least I am not alone. I have Fred and George to keep me company, and now you as well. So tell me Hermione how did you end up as an owl?"

Hermione sighed. "Well, three years ago I was passing through this forest on my way to my cousins. I was a little foolhardy and was traveling alone. I had been riding on my horse for about an hour when I saw some flashing colors coming from the distance. Being curious, I followed them until I found this castle and lake. That's when I met the wizard. I walked up to him, asking if he could teach me that, but instead he transfigured me into an owl, so I couldn't tell anyone what I had seen. I stayed around here for about a year before I decided to head out into the world. The last time I was here was probably a year ago."

Draco shook his head. "I can't imagine being stuck as an owl for that long. It must be hard."

"At first it was. Especially when I had to eat my first animal. I have to eat meat to keep my body sustained. That's why I was hunting those two." She turned to look at Fred and George. "I do apologize." When she saw their nods, she then turned back to Draco and looked at him closely. "I do have one question though, why aren't you an animal? Couldn't you run and get help?"

Draco shook his head "No, you see-" Draco cut off when he heard a voice yelling for him in the distance. He looked at three at his feet. "Quick, hide." Hermione looked confused for a moment until she too heard the voice coming. She hid under a bush with Fred and George, so she could see what was happening. It only took a moment before she saw the wizard enter the area.

Lord Voldemort walked up to Draco. "Ah, there you are. So, Prince Draco, how are you tonight."

Draco crossed his arms and glared at the wizard "Every night you come down here and ask the same questions."

Voldemort put his hands up. "No... Don't"

Draco would not be deterred. "And every night I give you the same answer."

"Don't say it." Voldemort was trying to control his temper.

Draco gave one final glare before turning towards the lake. "I would rather die first."

Voldemort stomped the ground. "FINE, but one day, you are going to agree."

Draco turned around and spat at Voldemort feet. "Never."

Voldemort raised his hand and for a moment Draco thought he was going to be struck, but instead of that Voldemort only pointed to the rising sun. "Looks like I am going to have to give you some more time to think it over. See you tomorrow night, sweet prince." He turned, laughing, as he walked off into the distance.

Draco watched as the sun rose and started to walk out into the lake. He found it was easier to transform while on the water. As soon as the sun touched the lake, fountains of water surrounded him and when they cleared, he was again a swan. He quietly swam over to the other side of the lake to be alone.

Hermione watched as Draco swam off and started to get out from under the bush to go and talk to him, but she was stopped by a paw on her wing. She turned to look at George. 'Yes?"

George looked at her for a moment. "He likes to be alone for awhile when he transforms. We've learned to just give him his space during those times. Come with us, we will answer all your questions." With that, the three animals went of to speak.

TBC…

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