Forget-Me-Not
Orange Blossoms
"Now tell me Draco, what's the real reason for your visit?" Harry asked. He was now wearing a green button-up shirt, black trousers and a black robe with silver trimmings. The two were currently walking outside in Prince Harry's personal gardens.
The garden is filled with the most sweet smelling and colorful flowers and trees that anyone has ever seen and it was definitely a sight to behold. It was the same garden that the Prince took care of by himself. It was his pride and glory that he planted every single plant in it by himself.
The peaceful silence was broken by Draco sighing heavily and saying in a mock hurt voice. "Do you mean you don't believe me Harry. I'm your best friend!" "Oh stop with the dramatics Draco, you're making a scene." Harry said as a couple of palace guards stationed at the garden look at them curiously.
After that they continued walking only stopping once in a while when Harry checks on some flowering bushes. Finally they stopped to sit in front of a circular stone fountain situated at the middle of the garden with a big stone lion spouting water out of its mouth. "So are going to actually explain your reasons? Because I still don't believe you." Harry stated as he played with an orange blossom he picked up from the ground. "You'll know later. By the way you're garden has become more beautiful since the last time I've been here."
The silver eyed man settled on the seat beside his friend and carefully adjusted his immaculately clean blue robes. He was wearing a white button up shirt and black trousers similar to Harry's, his shoulder length silvery blonde hair is tied at the base of his neck with a silver ribbon. "Thank you for the compliment. I'm glad you like it. I've spend most of my time here, when I have free time that is." The emerald eyed young man said wryly. "Yes time is very important especially to me. My time is mostly taken up handling the affairs of the kingdom and granting requests for an audience with the king by my people." "Don't you get lonely Draco? It's just you and Severus there now that your mother and father are staying at your ancestral home and I most of the time I assume that Severus is busy as well." Harry said as he continued to fiddle with the orange blossom.
"A little bit I guess. Enough about me, how about you, what have you been up to? You're going to take the crown in a couple of months, how are you feeling?" "Nervous, and excited." "You might want to explain dear Harry." "Fine, I'm nervous because what if my people don't like me? What if I will not be good king? And then I'm excited in a way because I get to experience new stuff." Harry fidgeted nervously. "Don't worry dear Harry. I'll support you no matter what." With this Harry's emerald green eyes brightened. "Really Draco that really means a lot tome."
Slowly he wrapped his arms around Draco in a manly embrace and Draco returned it affectionately. "Well we better go inside. Sirius might be looking for you already." Draco stated as soon as they pulled away. Harry nodded and with that the two stood up and walked the way towards the palace.
A Few Hours Earlier
"Ah King Malfoy it's an honor to have you here. Though it came as a surprise with your sudden arrival." Sirius Black said as he approached the young king who has just come out of his elegant black carriage. "Sirius honestly you don't need to address me as King after all you and my mother are cousins and your godson is my best friend."
Sirius who have shiny shoulder length black hair and kind black eyes smiled at the mention of his godson. "Yes speaking of Harry, he has been whining and complaining only a few days ago because he haven't seen you for quite sometime. Is everything alright?" The blonde nodded. "Yes everything is fine. I came because I have some matters to discuss with you. And Harry must be very angry. I admit I didn't have the chance to write him a letter for quite sometime now." "I'm sure he will forgive you after all Harry's heart as always have a soft spot for you." "I do hope you're right Sirius."
Then they proceeded to Sirius' study while catching up on each other. Soon enough they've reached the double doors leading to Sirius' study. Sirius Black has been king since King James and Queen Lily died when Prince Harry was just five years old, twelve years have passed since that happened. King James elected Sirius to become Harry's guardian just in something happened to them. Sirius was chosen to be the guardian because he was King James' most trusted advisor and life-long friend.
"Would you like to have our discussion now or later after you have rested and seen Harry?" "Perhaps now is a good time unless you have other things to attend to." "No it's alright we can discuss it now. I've finished everything I need to settle last night because Remus made sure of that. He wouldn't let me go to bed unless I've finished everything." Remus Lupin is Sirius' husband, apparently same sex couples are highly accepted in their society. "Sirius no wonder Harry is so lazy he got it from you." Draco stated chuckling softly. "I'm hurt. You actually think that I Sirius Black is a lazy man?" A comfortable silence filled the room after that and only broken by Draco's soft chuckling once in a while.
The study has royal blue walls with silver borders and stitching of phoenixes and lions and the floors are covered with cream colored rugs. A fireplace made of white marble for the mantelpiece stood at the left side of the door; framed pictures of Harry were placed on the mantel. The whole left wall is lined with windows with light blue and white drapes, showing the view of the gardens. On the right wall a huge portrait of the royal family hung in a gold frame.
Queen Lily sat elegantly on a high back chair made of dark ebony wood. Her auburn hair in a knot and her almond shaped emerald green eyes were sparkling with happiness. She was wearing a beautiful yellow ball gown. Behind her is King James, standing proudly with his messy raven locks and his round brown eyes framed by wire-rimmed glasses. He was wearing long black robes that reach the floor with scarlet trimmings and standing beside the chair on the left of the queen is a young Harry but with the same messy raven-colored hair like his father's and his mother's sparkling emerald green eyes. He was wearing similar black robes that King James has on except the trimmings are in emerald green instead of scarlet. He was smiling contentedly for the painter who happens to be Remus another friend of King James. The portrait was created during Prince Harry's fifth birthday and it was also the last family portrait to be created because a week after King James and Queen Lily died of a tragedy.
At the far side of the room the double doors, the walls were lined with shelves upon shelves of rare books, too rare to be placed in the Potter Family Library. In front of it is an ebony desk with a small desk lamp. The desk is cluttered with parchments, quills, inkpots, sealing wax, a few books and few more framed pictures of Harry. But what caught Draco's eye was the simple vase standing beside a picture of a 10-year old Harry with his pure white stallion. In the vase are a few orange blossoms.
Noticing where Draco's gaze lay Sirius smiled and commented. "You know Harry and his love for flowers. He insists that I keep orange blossoms in the room because according to him this is the room where I make decisions that will greatly affect the kingdom." "Because orange blossoms are said to bring wisdom." Draco said more to himself than to Sirius. "Now Draco what is it that you want to talk about?" and with that they discuss the purpose of Draco's visit.
PRESENT TIME
"Do you like the new tea I brought you Harry?" the blonde-haired prince asked his best friend. "It's great Draco. It tastes different, what kind of tea is this?" Prince Harry asked as he sipped some tea. The two were currently seated at the yellow tearoom. The room got its name from its color. The room has yellow walls, cream carpets, a black marble fireplace and round ebony tea table in front of the fireplace. "Milk tea. It's one of the best tea my kingdom produces."
A soft knock was heard. "Come in." The emerald-eyed brunette stated. "Your grace, his majesty, King Sirius' asks for an audience." The royal chamberlain announced. "Let him in I'm just having tea with Draco." Slowly the doors opened to reveal Sirius wearing long black robes.
"There you are. I've been looking for the two of you for hours." The slightly older king said as he took a seat in front of the two. "Have some tea Sirius. Draco says its one of the best tea they have." "Really then I must have taste of that tea." Draco handed him a fresh up and the three sat in silence. "This is delicious." The King commented.
"Harry." Sirius placed the cup down and stared at the young prince. "What is it? Is there something wrong?" "Well you must be wondering why Draco came here for a visit." Harry nodded. "Actually yes, I've been asking him earlier but he wouldn't give me an answer." "You see Harry I want to be the one to tell you. I think you will be able to understand it better if I were the one to explain the situation to you." "Alright what is it? I'm listening."
Draco gave Sirius a nervous glance before the elder of the two continued with the explanation. "As you of course know, Draco is now the king of his Kingdom and according to the law the king needs to get married a year after his ascension to the throne. He came here because he needs our help especially yours." Sirius stated seriously. "You need my help? But why didn't you say so? You know I will help you no matter what after all we've been friends for years." emerald met silver. Sirius cleared his throat to gain the attention of his godson. "Now Harry don't promise anything until you're sure and aware of the whole situation as well as its effects." Harry nodded understandingly but stated quite stubbornly. "What in the world would keep me from helping my best friend?" "You see Harry, in order to marry he needs a bride but Draco refused to marry a stranger. He wants you to marry him. You are no stranger to him."
The sound of breaking china was heard as the emerald-eyed prince accidentally dropped his teacup. "You mean you're asking me to marry you?" "Indirectly yes but I am of course willing to woo you. I still have a few months before I celebrate my one year anniversary as king." "Woo…marry? I don't know what to say." Harry was paling terribly as he said that. "Think about it Harry." Sirius said in a comforting tone.
"I think….I think…." But Prince Harry can't continue any longer unconsciously he stood up from his chair and was now standing unsteadily. One moment he was standing the next he was on the floor Draco cradling his head. "Harry! Harry!"
Emerald snapped open and Harry sat up. He realized he was on his bed, in his room and a couple of orange blossoms lay on the pillow beside him as well as a note written in silver parchment. Carefully picking up the blossoms and the note he started to read what was written.
My Dearest Angel,
I know this is hard for you. We've been friends for years and I hope you will help me by marrying me. If I can't find someone appropriate the throne will be transferred to my mother's sister because she's the only one eligible to take the throne. You know how Aunt Bellatrix is, she's not suitable to rule my kingdom. Please make the right decision. I am not asking you to make the decision as soon as possible. As I've said I am willing to woo you. I will show you how much I will take care of you if ever we get married. I sent you this note with a couple of orange blossom in the hope that the blossoms will bring you wisdom to help you make the wisest decision possible.
I hope you will find it in your heart to love me as I have come to love you. Yes my dearest angel I love you for a very long time now.
Love,
Draco Malfoy
Harry couldn't help to be touched by the sincerity of Draco's words. Carefully he placed the note on his desk, swung his legs on the side of his bed and went outside to the balcony still holding the blossoms close to his heart. "Yes Draco I will try to make the right decision for your sake and mine." He whispered while staring at the silvery full moon.