A/N: Hi all, yes I know it has been a very very long time. Mea Culpa. I do hope that I will be more diligent in the future. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Phoenix

Disclaimer: I don't own anything HP, JKR does.

Chapter 3 - Fate Loves a Malfoy

Draco walked down the stairs to breakfast, stopping to scare the life out of a random house elf by smiling at it. He was in a happy mood this morning. Yesterday he and his mother had gone shopping, and FINALLY he had gotten the Firebolt he deserved. Upon arrival at the breakfast room he greeted his mother, the brilliant woman that had saved his inheritance, with a chaste kiss on her cheek. It was shaping up to be a fine day when IT happened.

Before IT came to light, Draco had been remembering and admiring his mother's clever tactics that had saved the family fortune and estate from the greedy hands of Minister Fudge. Fudge, upon being forced to admit that Lucius Malfoy was indeed a Death Eater, had immediately cast about for a way to save face. It was obvious to all, after the shock of seeing Voldemort wore off; Fudge bitterly resented having to admit that Potter and Dumbledore had been right all along. That his trusted advisor, Lucius Malfoy, was a Death Eater, hence making Fudge look even more the fool, was the last straw for the Minister. He immediately launched an attack filing paper work to seize all of Lucius Malfoy's assets. However, Narcissa had been two steps ahead of Fudge and had already invoked a small clause of her marriage contract, which her father had thoughtfully buried in amongst the legalese.

The clause stated that the party of the first part, Lucius, upon bringing disgrace to his name and the name of the party of the second part, Narcissa, activated the clause. Upon bringing shame to the family name the party of the first part, again Lucius, agreed to cede all rights and claims to all titles, monies, and properties to his designated heir. In short, when Lucius was arrested, everything which had not originally been his mother's, reverted to Draco, and being a handsome wealthy young Lord had its perks. Thus Draco's good mood that morning, but then IT happened.

Sprawled across his plate was the Daily Prophet. Normally this wouldn't be classified as an IT, but the paper's headline launched it into an IT rating. Across the top was the headline, The Boy Who Lived to be Prince! in bold dancing letters.

Draco reached forward and snatched the paper up scowling at the dancing headline until it subsided with a whimper under the patented Malfoy death glare.

The Boy Who Lived to be Prince!
By Glenda Gahsup

Yesterday morning, the new heir to the throne of Kowpens was crowned, and it was none other than our own Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter!

The people of Kowpens were lined along the streets cheering their new prince as he made his way to Stone of Destiny to officially try on the country's First Crown and be declared the Crown Prince. Flowers were scattered though the streets the unicorns lead the royal carriage. Pixies flitted about as more flowers were tossed before the prince and banners were displayed throughout showing the happiness of the people as they cheered.

The actual crowning was a solemn stately affair, with Lords and Ladies from throughout the land of Kowpens and other countries that came to pay their respects to the new Crown Prince.

Accompanied by his retainer, Clair…

The paper was crushed as it was clenched in his fingers, and as he read, dishes and glass cracked and shattered around the room causing a most spectacular mess. Draco vaguely heard his mother calling his name, as she demanded he cease this behavior at once, but his attention was fixed up on the story before him. Skipping the details of the hoopla of the coronation, he moved to the commentary.

GG: So tell us, Mr. Weasley, what are you thoughts on what has happened to your friend?

RBW: Happened? Something happened to Harry? Oh no! Did the Death Eaters kidnap him? Does He Who Must not be Named have him?

GG: No, Mr. Weasley, have you not heard?

RBW: He's hurt, isn't he? Harry is always getting hurt. He has his own bed in the hospital wing at school, you know.

Comment from Mrs. Weasley, Ron Weasley's mother: Ron, Hedwig is here with a letter from Harry!

GG: Mr. Weasley, Harry Potter has been made Crown Prince of the country Kowpens.

RBW: Harry? Prince? As in castle? Future King? Kowpens? Where is that?

GG: Yes, Mr. Weasley, Crown Prince, future ruler of Kowpens.

RBW: A loud thud is heard.

GG: Mr. Weasley? Mr. Weasley? Mr. Weasley seems to have left us for the moment. Thank you, Mr. Weasley.

Draco took a moment to smirk and enjoy the public stupidity of the Weasel. His Mother always said to look for the advantages in disaster, and it looked like Weasley wasn't our King after all. Draco was looking forward to giving the Weasel a hard time at school.

GG: Next we went to speak with Hermione Jane Granger, Prince Harry's good friend and one time rumored love interest. Miss Granger, how do you feel about what has happened to your friend Prince Harry?

HJG: I think it is wonderful that Harry has found a blood relative in the magical community.

GG: Do you think that becoming a prince will change him?

HJG: Well, of course, he will change some, however I do not think it will change the core of Harry. He will have new responsibilities, but he will still be the boy that I know. One that doesn't like potions, does very well at DADA, and loves to fly.

GG: So, Miss Granger, any aspirations to be his princess?

HJG: That is a very personal question, Miss Gahsup, but no, I am not Harry's girlfriend.

GG: Really? Well, thank you, Miss Granger, for you comments.

Draco gave a scowl at the fact that the mudblood had been asked her opinion of what happened while he, a Malfoy, had not been consulted. Never mind the witch-who-was-too-smart-for-her-own-good was one of Potter's Trio. Wasn't he Potter's main school rival? Didn't they care about what he thought of all this? And her, a Princess? He didn't even want to contemplate that. More irritated than before, if that was even possible, the boy continued reading.

GG: Now, we will go to Prince Harry's school, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and speak with his teachers. First we will speak with Prince Harry's head of house. Professor Minerva McGonagall, transfiguration professor and head of Gryffindor. Tell us, Professor; what is your reaction to what has happened to your student?

P/MM: Well, it has been quite a shock. We just received his owl only moments ago.

GG: How do you think Prince Harry will handle the new situation?

P/MM: Mr. Potter has always been a leader in both the school and in Gryffindor house. I am sure he will be an exemplary Prince and later King.

GG: Thank you, Professor McGonagall. Professor Pomona Sprout, Herbology Professor and Head of Hufflepuff house is next.

GG: Tell me, Professor, what is your reaction to suddenly having a student that is now royalty?

P/PS: Oh, well, Harry… He's the Boy Who Lived. I don't think it really is that different. He is a student. I do wish him well. He's such a good boy.

GG: Umm.. Yes, thank you Professor. Now we go to Professor Rubius Hagrid, the Care of Magical Creatures Professor, and family friend of the Potters. What is your reaction to this, Professor Hagrid?

P/RH: Lil'e 'arry a Prince? Cor, I don't know wha' ter think 'bout that. I will tell ya one thing, I known 'arry since he was a wee mite, and I know 'e'll do 'is parents proud no ma'er what 'e do. They'd be proud of the lad now. 'Arry will be a great man some day, jes' like Dumbledore. You wait and see.

GG: Thank you, Professor. Professor Filius Flitwick, professor of Charms and Head of Ravenclaw House. Tell me, Professor, what are your impressions of Prince Harry?

P/FF: Well, Mr. Potter… I mean Prince Harry has always been a good student at charms and he has been a leader in the…

'Blah blah blah…' Draco thought as he skipped ahead, 'Yes, Professor, we all know Potter should be up for sainthood.' He skimmed over the many names of other people singing the praises of Harry Potter until he came to his own head of house, whose acid comments managed to bring another smirk to his face.

GG: Professor Severus Snape, Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House, is next. Tell us, professor; what is your take on these happenings?

P/SS: I, for one, am appalled at this. Kowpens is one of the oldest remaining wizarding nations, and to think that the crown will be passed to such an impetuous ignorant Gryffindor leaves me ill. The boy is a menace. He has broken more school rules than any other student that comes to mind, and is always getting into trouble.

GG: Well, boys will be boys, Professor. Do you think becoming a prince will change how he acts?

P/SS: Unfortunately, I do. I have no doubt that he will lord the fact over the other students and teachers, becoming even more arrogant and thoughtless than he was before, if that is possible. He was indulged much too much already, in my opinion, just because he is The Brat Who Lived. Personally, I am hoping that he will be transferring to Oxford School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Kowpens so I will no longer be forced to deal with him.

'Oh, that would be lovely, but surely you know that Dumbldork won't let his precious Golden Boy go to another school, Professor?' Draco mused as he continued to read.

GG: Well… thank you Professor for your... er… comments. Lastly we have Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot , and Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Tell us, Headmaster, what do you think of these turn of events?

H/APWBD: I believe that Kowpens is fortunate to have our Mr. Potter for their next leader. I am sure that he will do great things for the country.

GG: But aren't you concerned about You-Know-Who?

H/APWBD: I know that the Light shall prevail.

Draco threw the paper away from him, and it exploded into fiery bits everywhere. Fortunately, his mother had stormed from the room some time ago, shouting for the house elves to clean up the mess. Draco sneered, "That barmy old coot. Of course he would say some nonsense like that."

The sneer turned to a smirk as he started to contemplate ways to bait Potter when they went back to school. He had no doubts that the new Prince, the word was spat like a curse in his mind, would be there. Prince! Of all people to receive such a boon that did not deserve it! That knock kneed, sloppy dressed, hair never seen a comb, four eyed, half blooded, mudblood champion, disgrace of a wizard Potter. It was simply untenable.

A bit of the newspaper that he had destroyed in such a spectacular manner slowly drifted down onto the table before him. He glanced down and read the ad that was on the bit of paper before him, and they started laughing almost hysterically at the irony.

New! Brought to you by the company that made the Firebolt! A new streamlined racing broom! More speed! The fastest racing broom on the market! Greater maneuverability! Faster Acceleration! New advanced breaking and cushioning charms! Also, the first ever safety features for those few times when things go wrong. The new and greatly improved –

Firebolt HP!

Named in honor of the new Crown Prince Harry Potter. On sale tomorrow at your favorite quidditch stores everywhere.