DISCLAIMER: Do we really have to have disclaimers in every chappie? I mean, what are they for? puppy dawg eyes; tries to look innocent
CHAPPIE 2: The prince of Thyatira
Tears quietly poured out from Hermione's eyes as she looked out the window. 'God, why am I even moping? It's not as if I'm not going to see Ivanna again!' She mentally scolded herself for being so weak and dried her eyes with her handkerchief. 'Oh well, might as well try taking my mind off my family for a while'.
Across her sat Cho, Hermione's lady- in- waiting, absent- mindedly staring at the views outside her window. Hermione estimated her to be about twenty to twenty-one years of age, with long virgin-black hair that was neatly tied back in a ponytail; she has rather stunning looks.
In a flash, Cho met Hermione's gaze, and the princess noticed something quite different about her.
Her eyes were cold and grey, reminding her of dark and damp tunnels. Hermione involuntarily shivered as though she could feel the cold. 'Something's not right…'
"H- hello," started Hermione, smiling politely. "I assume you're Cho? I'm Hermione."
Cho nodded, her face emotionless, and looked back out the window. Silence.
"Are you bored? I have some books with me. Do you like to borrow?" Hermione tried again.
"No," said Cho, not even bothering to look at her. Hermione looked worried, though.
"Are you sure you're alright, Cho? I…"
Cho turned to face Hermione. "Just because you're used to being talked to nicely doesn't mean the whole world will," she cut rather rudely, and looked out the window again.
Hermione stared at her perplexedly. "I gather you want to be left alone? Thank you, anyway," Hermione said. She pulled a book from her side drawer and read. After hours, the rocking of the carriage lulled her to sleep.
oOo---
"And so I was saying that Lord Caligula Caesar was crowned king of Pagan Rome at the age of 23 in 775 B. C…."
"Harry, bloody hell, wake up!" whispered Prince Draco as he saw his elder brother Harry drop his head to his desk. Harry groaned and mumbled something.
"What was that?" again Draco whispered.
"I said leave me to sleep. I hate this bloody lecture!" Harry stated rather loudly, and realized what he had done and sat bolt upright. The history lecturer, Professor Binns, met Harry's wide-open eyes with a cold glare as Harry tried to show alertness. Draco slapped his forehead.
"There you did it again, Prince Harry. The king will have to be notified about your behavior today," said the professor icily. "I want you and your brother to write 'I will not fall asleep in class ever again' two- hundred times on your parchments and I want them submitted as soon as you're finished." Harry and Draco scuffled to fetch parchments, quills and ink bottles from their desk drawers.
"Nice going, Harry," mumbled Draco grumpily. Harry grinned naughtily.
Half an hour later, the two brothers were at the side of the lake; Harry was idly cooling his feet in the water and Draco candidly sketched him.
"I feel nervous," said Harry. "She's arriving soon, and I'm not even sure if I'm going to like her…"
"Well, you just have to like her. It's a rule, not a choice. Unless you prefer to be exiled?"
Harry snorted. "Exiled? Yeah, right, as if I'd go that far just for a bloody feeling called bloody love!"
"You might regret what you've just said, you know," said Draco, peering at Harry. "Love is quite powerful."
"And I thought wealth is your universe," said Harry.
"Shut up," said Draco, closing his sketchpad. "Anyways, I'm done…"
"And I'm quite famished," Harry cut in. "Let's go grab something to eat."
"Honestly," Draco said as they headed towards the castle, "I was wondering why we don't gain weight. We each eat a truckful without getting our tummies bloated."
"It's just good genes. I mean, look at us," Harry said, putting an arm around his brother's shoulder. "Don't we look handsome or what?"
Draco laughed. "At least I'm not an arrogant git." Harry laughed along. They reached the castle and instantly felt warm the moment they got inside.
"Harry! Draco! Come here, you nincompoops!" said a loud voice. Harry and Draco looked up to find their father, King Arthur of Thyatira, on the second floor railings looking down to them. He looked rather serious.
"You know," Draco whispered to Harry as they tackled the wide staircase, "father looks like an oversized peach when he gets angry, color and all…" Harry sniggered.
"What's so funny, eh?" asked King Arthur as they reached him. Harry and Draco kissed his hands before they answered "Nothing".
"Professor Binns told me about your behavior in class…"
"It was Harry, Dad…"
"SILENCE!" said Arthur, cutting Draco. Turning to Harry, he began the speech. "Again… For the zillionth time. How the hell are you going to impress the princess of Ivanna? I have heard that she's quite smart and fair. The last time they sent her to the Kingdom of Salinas, the dukes and princes had had quite a fight for her. You are lucky King Albus of Ivanna betrothed her to you."
"I find it quite unlucky," said a bored Harry, examining his nails.
"SILENCE!" said Arthur, fuming. Draco involuntarily snorted, and Harry grinned. "Don't you two find this matter serious?
"Of course we do, dad. It's just that…" Harry started.
"I never expected you- Prince Harry James- to understand!" said Arthur. "I just want you- both of you at that- to study hard so you could one day be both good rulers. Do you understand me!"
Harry and Draco stared at their shoes as they mumbled a 'yes'. Arthur's expression softened. He pulled his two sons to an embrace.
"Now remember," said Arthur as he looked at both of them in the eye, "the Princess Hermione could be here any time this week. I want you two to prepare your best dress robes and look your best when she arrives. No mischief, understood?"
"Crystal," Harry and Draco dueted. King Arthur smiled.
"You are my sons, after all," he said.
(Hello there again! Please read and review because no reviews mean no updates! And sorry coz this chappie's short! I promise you a longer chappie next time! And more action- filled at that! Lolz! God bless you all! off ta hunt for some Easter eggs )
(Chappie 3: How will the princess lose her memory? What will Cho do that will start the sufferings in Hermione's life? Juz hit the 'submit review' button below and wait for the next chappie to be uploaded!)
