Albus and I had fallen asleep together again. Gangly legs kicked me in the middle of the night, and I was abruptly awoken to the sight of him drooling on my hand embroidered cushion from Nanna Weasley.
Anxious and excited about the upcoming Caledonian Embassy Ball, we must have lost track of time talking. Thinking back, we completely forgot to go down to the dining hall for dinner.
After a few restless moments, I decide that my bed hogging cousin and empty stomach will probably keep me from getting any more rest. So reaching blindly into the dark, I grab my robe and the first pair of mismatched socks I can find and make my way down to the kitchens.
Gahdrik Castle always felt it's most magical at night. Seated on the shores of the Western Channel; at night, the sky would dance on the waves, and reflect starlight through the expansive windows that lined the castle walls. When the sky was clear, and the moon was full, Aunt Ginny would always insist the lights stay off unless absolutely necessary. She would say that life is pointless if you rush through it without noticing the little things- like the beauty of moonlight.
I start to make my way through the grand hallways, when I see the lights in my parents rooms are still lit. Knowing my father to never turn down a chance to raid the kitchens, I make a quick detour towards them.
The doors slightly ajar, I hear that my Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny are inside the drawing room, but I know not to be surprised regardless of how late in the night it was.
After Uncle Harry reclaimed his throne from his uncle, the cruel Lord Regent Dudley, the first thing he had done was to ask my father and mother to be General Commander and King's Council, respectively. It was because of this our family lived in Gahdrik, instead of in Wisulon, just south of us, where the Weasley family have ruled for centuries.
Of course, we still see our extensive Weasley family often, the lands so close we all are constantly apparateing and flooing back and forth. But, my home has always been in Gahdrik, where my parents serve the King and Queen with zeal and loyalty. And because of that, you often would find the four adults, late at night, talking tactics and produces or, most of the time, simply enjoying each others company.
I announce myself with a quiet knock, and a quick bow of my head, "I wasn't able to sleep.."
"Was it my son or your stomach?" My aunt replies with a soft smile "We had noticed you two were strangely absent from dinner tonight."
"It was a mix of Al's long legs and my loud stomach, yes". The response earns me a small laugh, and I can't help but smile as my tall, lean father stands and makes his way over to me.
"Well, we can't let you starve now."
.
"What mischievousness were you and Al up too tonight that kept you so busy?" Father asks as we dig into a punnet of ice cream.
"We were just talking about the ball. I've never been to Caledonia, but Victorie says it's very fancy. James was saying that it's way fancier then us. And then Freddy said they won't let Albus and I in. But Molly said not to listen to the boys because they're tossers. But when I asked what a tosser was, Louis said that it means they'll be the ones that toss us out of the ball because we're not fancy enough, but that doesn't make sense, and I just didn't think Uncle Bill would let Louis toss us you know?"
Dad nearly choked on his spoon, apparently my confusion and horror was hilarious because he was having a bloody fit. "Next time that lot say something like that, you should just kick their leg in." I tuck the silent permission for violence away for later use.
"So they aren't fancier then we are, and won't toss us?"
"Of course not," he replies with a smile, "Well, they definitely won't toss you, I hope. To be honest, no one really knows what the kingdom is like anymore. Caledonia used to be a really bad place before the war, but in the end, if it wasn't for their last Queen, I don't think we would've won. I think the war really woke them. After it, they sorta disappeared, and just focused on rebuilding, but recently, since Draco became king, they've started to reopen their walls, and have been doing some really cool stuff."
"Stuff like what?"
"Well, they've built strong relationships with the Eastern Muggle Colonies, welcoming a lot of them into their kingdom. Have sent embassy representation to the United Kingdoms Alliance, and now they're holding a ball. Welcoming people from all over to come and see this new side of them. It's important to note, Rosie, growing up, you know we Weasleys never had a lot of money. Your Nana and Papa, put all of their money towards helping the people- both within Wisulon and afar. The Malfoy family, they were the complete opposite. Priding themselves on being rich and pure and absolute snobs, so to see such a drastic change in such a sort amount of time, it's a little unbelievable. But I guess we will have to see for ourselves next week hey?"
I met the Queen first, as she conversed with my mother upon arrival. Queen Astoria, was regal in appearance, but kind in interaction. The green of her gown looked enchanting against her pale skin, and the silver embroidery stitched through the collar and skirt brought out the blue of her eyes. On her head, her black hair was braided around a silver tiara. The pear shaped emeralds, hanging inside their diamond arches, reflected the light with her every movement. She was a shocking contrast to my mother beside her, who wore a rich navy gown, low off her shoulder and stunning against her copper skin. Her tight chestnut curls hanging freely against her bare collar, with a simple gold set headband of pendant rubies placed on her crown, hanging slightly over her forehead.
As I make my way around the lavish ballroom, looking for Al, I spot my father and uncle Harry shaking hands with King Draco across the room. Stocky and slender, with broad shoulders and a pronounced jaw, King Draco is the picture of refined, polished grace. Although, even from where I stand, he has a kindness in his eyes not unlike his wife's.
Out of nowhere, my train of thought is completely derailed, as someone barges into me from behind, pushing me swiftly down to all fours. I look up behind me, to see the back of a blonde head; the owner of said head seeming completely oblivious to the fact that they had just run backwards into me. A handsome, dark skinned boy my age, quickly follows behind him. His amber eyes, full of life, meet mine on the floor. Only then did my rude attacker, deem me worthy to notice.
Turning around with his nose pushed into the air in the most contrived way i've ever seen, he looks down at me with confusion, and instead of apologising or trying to help me up, he turns to address his companion. "Is this how people greet royalty in Gahdrik? I haven't seen anyone do this to Father..."
Seeing red, I finally snap out of my flustered daze, and push myself up to my legs. "No, you daft idiot, you just ran back into me and all but shoved me down into the ground."
I stare at him point blank as he just processes what I said. From the messy platinum hair and the tall frame, Prince Scorpius Malfoy was a shrunken version of his father. Almost identical, excluding his chubby cheeks and his curious piercing blue eyes.
Realising immediately who he was, I could hear the logical part of my brain telling me it was foolish to call the young heir a "daft idiot" before even introducing myself, but the louder, more ardent part of my brain told the other part to shut up.
"You can't call me that, you don't even know me" He sneered, eyes narrowing.
"You're right, I don't know you. But I do know the floor, you know, from when you basically bulldozed me into it."
Next to us, his friend spectated flabbergasted.
Scorpius looked at me with mirrored astonishment, as if not really believing I would have the gall to call him out on his rudeness, "Well I obviously didn't know you were there" he tells me.
I wait for a few seconds, before gesturing with my hands for him to continue. Which just makes him look more confused.
"What?" He asks, copying the (underlying condescending I'll admit) hand movements.
"I'm waiting for you to finish"
"Finish what?"
"Finish your apology?"
"I told you I didn't know you were there." The confusion in his voice starts to turn into anger, not unlike my own. But you know what they say about fighting fire with fire.
"That isn't an apology! You know what, I'm glad I don't know you you, because your manners speak for themselves, and clearly you are just stupid and rude." I'm yelling now, and in my peripherals I can see the room quiet and look towards us as we make a scene.
Before Scorpius can even think of a retort, our respective parent's break through the crowd and quickly pull us apart. "Rosemarie! Apologise this instant young lady!" My mother exclaims.
With a deep and steady breath, I completely ignore the arrogant princes eyes, who at this point looks more entertained then offended, and instead look towards his parents.
"King Draco and Queen Astoria, I'm sincerely sorry for disrupting your party" And I genuinely am, it's not really their fault that their son is a complete baboon.
King Draco lightly pushes his son forward, who quickly makes his way into a low bow. "My Lord and my Lady, I'm sorry if i've caused you any inconvenience." I see he does know how to actually apologise and I also see how he still hasn't seemed to grace me with one.
I decide from that point onwards, I will avoid this obnoxious tool by any means necessary.
✧·ﾟ: *✧·ﾟ:* *:·ﾟ✧*:·ﾟ✧
hiiieeeeee, i'm sorry the story seems a little slow for now, i just needed to build up the au a bit before getting right into it.
just a heads up, this isn't going to be some grand fantasy pic about royal families, there will obviously be some plot in there, but im just a big scorose fan wanting to mix it up a bit.
notes:
gahdrik: basically the way you pronounce godric
wisulon: the proto-germanic origin for the word weasel
i would so love reviews of any kind, or if you guys have any questions or hopes of suggestions
okay cool yeah well ily cokoa
ﾟ·:*。(ꈍᴗꈍ)ε｀*)~。*:·ﾟ