Yep! A friend of mine agrees with me the title does stink like hell. I tried making this chapter longer than the others, honest, but I had to write during an exam week so it might stink. I was able to get it beta-read so the grammar should be fine. Thank you Jean!

I introduce to you Chapter 4 of my on-going story Mage Prince


Chapter 4- Pick Me Up From Hell...

The next morning came very early, too early for Harry's liking. He was rudely awaken by a very hyper Mrs. Parkinson –shudder!- which was very, very strange. She threw a bucketful of ice water at his head making him splutter incoherently for a few seconds. Olympia pushed him in the big bathroom which was very peculiar; he usually was forced to use the small one, the one as small as a broom closet. Maybe someone was coming over and she wanted to make a good impression? Well, it was a guess…

In the bathroom he was made to strip and he did, though hesitantly. She ordered him to get in the tub, dunked his head in the small tub and began scrubbing his black hair. She poured a bottleful of cheap shampoo on his filthy hair, trying but failing miserably in cleaning his hair. After another half and hour at scrubbing and dunking Olympia finally managed to get his hair cleaned.

"Bathe yourself;" Olympia told the confused boy stiffly, "I'll get your clothes."

As Olympia turn to leave the bathroom she turned to face him. "You better no ruin my baby's chance at this," and with that the hag turned to leave the room.

Harry shrugged and continued cleaning himself; it has been a very long time since he was given the chance to have a proper bath. After two hours of constant lathering and rinsing he was finally free of grime and dirt.

The bathroom door opened and Mrs. Parkinson strolled in, dumping a brand new set of robes o a vacant chair near the door.

"Wear these." Olympia told him, "I don't want the prince to think that we house riffraffs."

Harry dropped the towel he was using. "The Prince!?" he said mortified.

"Yes the prince." she sneered, "Why? Did you think that you were getting adopted? No self-respecting family will adopt someone like you." Olympia snorted, "He is going to be here soon. Get ready, you are to be his slave." she told the horror-struck boy. "Now go, dress quickly." She turned and left quickly, closing the door behind her.

Harry slowly slid to the bottom of the tub. The prince is going to be here, the one he bumped into yesterday, the one whose dinner he disturbed, and to top it all of, he, Harry was going to be a slave. Somebody up in the heavens must really hate him for this the happen.

Well no use delaying the inevitable. It was quite known across Latonia that whatever Prince Draco wants he will surely get in a snap of a finger.

Harry sighed ruefully… it can't get any worst than this.

Oh, how wrong he could be…


In the other side of Latonia, Draco was staring at perfection. Yup, he was staring at himself. He expertly fixed his hair while the enchanted mirror inflated his already big ego to no end by gushing complements at him.

"Honey, you look fab-u-lou-so!" the mirror told him.

"I know," he smirked at Crystal, "when have I ever not."

"Oh, Honey never!" Crystal also known as The Enchanted Mirror looked –the best way a mirror can actually look like anything but a piece of glass- scandalize at the very thought.

"Well Crystal," he addressed his mirror and friend. Yes friend, Crystal was given to him as a gift when he was younger, about 5, he has been his favorite inanimate object ever since. And by the years Crystal grew its own personality and was able to speak for itself but she still adores Draco like a mother would. "I must pick up my new slave" he said the last word as it was the most delicious thing in the world. –which it is, for him anyway.-

He muttered a quick but sultry "goodbye" that would make women from ages 16-52 faint.


Harry was having a horrid day. First he woke up soaking wet, all thanks to Mrs. Porkinson. THEN he was forced to strip in front of Olympia. He was further embarrassed when Mrs. Parkinson had to wash his hair for him, not that he asked for it. Then he found out that he was to be a slave so Pansy can marry the prince. And he thought royalty had good taste. So much for that theory…

Well at least he gets to leave this hellhole.


"Boy!" was heard from the other side of the house. "Get your filthy butt down here this instant! The prince is arriving." The last part was said with obvious excitement.

He ran down the stairs to spot a beaming Parkinson family. It kinda creep him out… let me rephrase that, it creeped him out, period. They all had smiles sketched across there faces. It would be enough, if not more, to send Satan back running to his mummy.

They waited at the door for the sound of the prince arriving.

After a few long minutes, a loud neigh was heard.

From the distance a pure gold carriage could be seen coming closer to the village. The horses carrying it were beautiful. Midnight black coats covered lean muscles, and silver-ish white mane flew around as they galloped towards their assign location.

Many people opened their windows, wanting to take a peek at the arriving visitor. The Parkinsons were dressed in their best robes, both females in pearl white while Craken in dark gray. They were apparently showing off.

The carriage stopped in front of the orphanage and the door opened.

Draco stepped out and smiled charmingly.

Craken bowed clumsily and the two females curtseyed. Draco nodded and forced himself to kiss both Olympia's and Pansy's hands.

"Good to see you again." he grinded out.

The female Parkinsons giggled.

Draco was really starting to hate giggles.

"Why thank you Draco dear." Olympia replied, loud enough for the whole street to hear.

A vein started to tick under the prince's right eye. "Please… no need for 'dear'"


Inside the carriage, Blaise was having the time of his life. Seeing the prince and bestfriend force himself to be polite is hilarious. When he heard Olympia said dear, he practically fell on the carriage floor laughing.

He was having the time of his very short life


Draco spotted Harry, hiding behind the door. Grime and dirt free, he looked even better. He forced another smile and barged through the family. They didn't even notice.

"Well," the prince said, grabbing Harry's arm gently but firmly, "I really have to go." A pull. "Goodbye." A tug. "It has been a pleasure." A hidden grimace.

Draco practically ran in the carriage where he met a teary Blaise having fun in his expense.

"hey," he kicked his bestfriend non too gently, "get up, we're leaving."

In the sidelines, Harry watched the unusual exchange between the two friends. He smiled; eyes bright. Maybe it won't be too bad being a slave to the prince…

Tbc…


I'm sorry it's short but I'm having troubles putting my ideas to words.

R&R

Akira