Disclaimer: Rawr, I don't even have a full claim over my computer.

AU: Ah, crud cakes. I'm sorry for the …2 week wait! My computer had gone off the fritz. Well, I think there might be a 6th chapter to end the suspense, but here's Chapter 5! Please review. -D

Far away, long ago,
Glowing dim as an ember,
Things my heart
Used to know,
Things it yearns to remember...

And a song
Someone sings
Once upon a December...

Last Chapter:
A sweet melody came to them as they exited from their carriage. Narcissa opened her mouth and began to sing the sweetest song that Draco had ever heard.

Part 1: Chapter 5

Hermione found herself being lulled into a deeper reverie as the words to the beautiful song became clear.

Far away, long ago,
It made Hermione feel like the world she was born into was that of absolute fantasy and that the magic that surrounded her was created by either hers or someone else's imagination. It was a world of far away and long ago…

Glowing dim as an ember,
She faced the evening sky and was surprised to see its unnatural shade of black being illuminated by the small candles floating above their heads, and even then Hermione felt that the sky was warning her, preparing her for something dim that was to come…

Things my heart
Used to know,
What could it be? She knew tonight would be a night to remember, but why? She kept her thoughts close to her heart and it thumped with irregular speed. In the small minutes it took to reach the Everard Castle, her heart burned with a knowing passion…

Things it yearns to remember...
Hermione was shocked out of her reverie when the carriage stopped abruptly. They had arrived. Her eyes still weren't focused enough to realize that a steady hand had offered to guide her way down from the carriage. Then a soft voice whispered, "Hermione," and she took the hand with enough grace to recover

She kept her eyes down, but when she reached the ground floor she lifted her eyes and theygazed upon a boy that made her stumble and forget who she was before having seen him. But when those clear blue eyes found their way to meet her own brown orbs, she knew that her heart would always remember…

And a song someone sings,
Draco's heart thrummed loudly. It overpowered his mother's singing. There, just a few feet away stood the reason he stole another breath from life. His eyes had never seen such raw awe-inspiring beauty. He found her potential beauty to surpass even that of his mother's at this mature age. Draco never realized the way his gray eyes subtly changed to a clear blue.

His mind could hardly think properly when elation suddenly spread from limb to limb and overwhelmed his senses. "For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night," he whispered.

But her beauty had only opened a floodgate of emotions. As she walked closer towards them, beads of sweat broke out and he could feel the power she yielded within her just waiting to be sparked by none other than himself.

Once upon a December
Suddenly Lucius stepped in front of him to block his view of her. His eyes turned a deadly gray, but they easily subsided as he knew that he would always remember this night, once upon a December…

"Draco," Lucius called out sternly. "They're about to announce us. It is time to make your presence known."

Draco was a little puzzled by the last part, but he smiled smugly and turned towards the towering doors that opened to admit them.

"King and Queen Malfoy of England," a shaky voice announced. Hearing this stopped all sorts of chatter and even the most garrulous Royal dropped her jaw wide open in futile attempts to mouth silent words. All eyes focused on the Malfoys.

The way that Narcissa flashed her gleaming smile and provocative figure was in complete contrast to the cruel smile plastered onto Lucius' face. The Royals had long suspected them to dabble in the Dark Arts. There was too much temptation in having power that could barely be repressed. But even the glaring presence that the two shared could barely pierce the realization humming in midair that hung and screamed, "Dragon."

Draco stood in between his parents and held a calm composure even as his eyes surveyed the room. He still had a ways to go with height, but his immense power crept steadily towards the Royals standing at the bottom of the wide staircase. All of the Royals felt it, knew it, and could practically touch the tangibility of his power. Then a weak hearted woman suddenly fainted and caused a little ruckus, but all eyes were still on Draco.

Lucius whispered something into the announcer's ear and the man practically iced over with fright, but he nodded as best he could.

"And announcing the long awaited presence of their son, Prince Draco Malfoy, heir to the kingdom of England and the Dark Throne."

This caused anuproar with the guests of the Everard Palace, but after a few long moments a bright laugh resonated throughout the large room. Draco smiled boyishly and they began to descend the stairs.

The guests parted to reveal the King of France. "Oh, Lucius. You've alwayshad a dark sense of humour," a light hearted voice boomed even as his eyes became quite grave at the sight of Draco. This small pun seemed to relax the guests, but Merlin's eyes twinkled after finishing a few small incantations.

Narcissa smiled genuinely and bowed deeply, gracefully like a subject to a lord instead of to an equal. King Edgard took the lady's hand gently and said, "Now, now. There's no need for that. You are in the presence of equals." But Narcissa's hand trembled and the look in her eyes almost made his heart break. She needed his council one more time.

Lucius growled and made it clear that he did not approve of the display. Draco could feel pricks of jealousy coming from his father, but he barely registered the thought as he watched the entrance doors open in anticipation.

AU: Aw, shucks. I bet you all hate me. Okay, chapter 6 should be up tomorrow if my BETA and I decide it's good enough. Well, it has most of the action. I know, I know! I keep telling you that the action is coming, but where the heck is it? Hopefully chapter 6 ends Part 1 of the story.

Please, ask as many questions as you want! I will try to answer them as well as I can.