Many thanks to Liria Nai for taking time to review both chapters 3 & 4.

Forget-Me-Not

Chapter 5

Variegated Tulips

As the days went by the young king and the young prince if possible had grown even closer. They spent every possible minute and second in each others company. Once in a while Draco could be found in the study that King Sirius had graciously granted him with working on new business deals, affairs of his kingdoms or a new plot to woo the young prince he had set his eyes on. On the other hand Harry continued to spend his free time making his garden even more glorious than it already was.

During one of those days that the two monarchs have been separated by their work, King Sirius visited his guest which he found sitting tiredly behind his desk reading some important document with deep concentration. He cleared his throat trying to gain the attention of the blonde. Draco was disturbed from his work by Harry's godfather smiling mischievously. "What do I own the honor of having your presence with me today, your majesty?" Draco asked teasingly. "No need for formalities Draco. I want to know what progress you have made with Harry." "He's still thinking about my proposal. And I do not have plans on hurrying on his decision. I don't want him to think that I have somehow forced him into this situation head on." "Very wise Draco, very wise indeed. But I am quite sure Harry's decision will be in your favor anyway. No matter how long it takes for him to decide the answer will always be in your favor." Sirius said seriously.

Draco elegantly raced one of his eyebrows in a questioningly look waiting for the older monarch to explain the meaning of words. "Harry has always had a soft spot for you in his big heart. If it is for you welfare there is certainly no doubt that he will accept your proposal." The blonde nodded. "But what urged you to come here Sirius. I'm sure you have other things in your mind that we need to discuss." Draco said patiently as he carefully placed the documents he was reading in a folder and placed it inside his drawer. "I want to make things clear with you Draco. You are connected to me by blood and Harry is connected to me by my friendship with his father and my being his godfather. As I have told you Harry will surely accept your proposal and I want to make sure that you will not hurt him. Harry has always been sensitive and we both know that little things can deeply hurt him. Therefore I want you to promise me that in no way will you put him under any kind of pain or misery."

Understanding Sirius' concern, Draco was quick the ease the man's doubts. "I'd rather kill myself than hurt Harry intentionally Sirius, you should know that by now. I love Harry more than anything and anybody else, with him by my side I will be the happiest man alive with or without the wealth and power that I have now." Contented Sirius smiled at Draco and nodded. "Then you have my blessings whatever Harry's decision may be." "Thank you Sirius. You're blessing really means a lot to me and I am sure to Harry as well." And with that Sirius left the young Malfoy to his own devices.

Harry had kept inside the room almost the whole day, having nothing better to do. Draco was busy doing business, Sirius can't be found and Remus was still out of town. The emerald-eyed angel then spent his entire morning and afternoon pondering on Draco's offer and his possible answer. He knew that he certainly was feeling something for the blonde but he wasn't quite sure if it was love like the other was feeling for him. He didn't want to give Draco hope if it will only break the blonde's heart later on.

The young prince also knew that although Draco was patient in waiting for his reply he also knew that he shouldn't keep the blonde waiting forever, sooner or later he must give an answer but he still doesn't know what to say. During his pondering his other two best friends Lady Hermione Granger and Lord Ronald Weasley arrived to visit him and see how he was doing. When the two entered the room and found their friend sitting on the window seat staring the palace grounds that they realized that something was bothering him.

"Harry please tell me what's wrong." Hermione asked in a voice that clearly says 'I'm worried about you' "Nothing Hermy. Just thinking that's all." Harry said. "But mate Landon told us that you barely left you rooms anymore. What's wrong everybody's getting worried about you." Lord Ronald asked. "Well…" Harry sighed then continued. "You know of Draco's proposal right?" "Yes I've heard about it from my father." Hermione replied as her father was one of Sirius' royal advisors. Ron just nodded and waited patiently for Harry to continue. "I don't know how I feel for him. I mean I certainly feel something for him but I'm not sure if it's actually love." Harry replied sadly. Before anyone could reply a knock was heard and Landon, Harry's personal bodyguard entered the room carrying a bouquet of variegated tulips. And a small piece of blue parchment.

"Good afternoon your highness and Lady Granger and Lord Weasley. His majesty, King Draco has asked one of the servants to deliver this to you." Harry gratefully took the flowers and note from Landon and whispered his thanks. While Harry read the note Hermione couldn't help but share a glance at Ron both were thinking the same thing. 'He's certainly in love with Draco. He doesn't smile like that whenever he receives presents from us.' The note read…

Your hair as dark as darkest ebony

And as silky as the finest silk

Your lips as red as roses

And sweet as the sweetest strawberries

Your smile like a ray of sunshine

As I have said not long before

Can brighten the darkest rooms

And melt the even a heart of stone

And your eyes, your eyes

Bright like glowing emeralds

You my raven-haired, emerald-eyed angel

Have the most beautiful eyes

That this bouquet of tulip

Symbolizes.

"Does he send you notes often, mate?" Ron asked as he took a seat beside Harry. "He sends them at least twice a day with a different bouquet of flowers every time." Harry smiled. "That's so sweet. He certainly puts effort in wooing you Harry. Maybe you should give a chance at the least." Hermione said as she took the note from Harry. The note was written in Draco's writing and Hermione knew the blonde quite well he doesn't easily show any sort of emotion and the only time he does so was when he was with Harry. "You're very special to him Harry. Draco doesn't normally act this way and you should know that." Hermione said sternly. "I know but I don't want to give him false hope. What if I give him a chance and it turns out that I'm not actually in love with I couldn't risk losing my friendship with him. I know have the two of you as my friends and couple more others but Draco special, he's my very first friend." "You know Harry we've never knew how the two of you met." Hermione said. "You mean I've never told you?" Harry asked incredulously. "Nope, never." Ron replied. "Well I guess I should tell you then. It was ten years ago…"

Ten years ago…

A seven-year old raven-haired boy was sitting under the shade of some oaks and elms wearing simple black robes his hair messy and his eyes hidden from the world by the pair of small hands covering it. Another young boy around the same age with blonde hair approached the sitting figure a look of curiosity on his face. Gently taking a seat beside the raven-haired boy he asked quietly. "What's wrong?" the raven-haired boy looked up to reveal emerald green eyes brimming with tears. It was quite obvious that he had already cried a little because of the tear marks on his face. "It's just a sad day, today." He whispered. "Why?' The blonde asked and then continued. "Why would this be a sad day when it's a sunny day and everyone is enjoying their time outside?" Covering his face again as a fresh batch of tears started streaming from his eyes he sobbed out. "It's a sad day because I miss my mommy. My daddy too." "Where are they anyway? You live here right? Then they must be inside looking for you." The blonde said. "No, they're not." The owner of the emerald eyes replied. "Why?" The blonde asked persistently. "Because they're both gone. Uncle Siri said they went to heaven and today's their third year death anniversary." "Heaven? You mean they're dead?" The other upon hearing the word dead started to sob louder crying his little heart out.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Let me make it up to you then." The emerald eyes met silver-blue ones. "Make it up to me?" "Yeah but let me think first. Would you be my friend then?" The young blonde asked. "Friend? What is a friend?" The blonde looked at him incredulously. "What do you mean what is a friend don't tell me you don't know what friends are?" The raven-haired shook his head sadly. "Well a friend is someone whom you can talk, someone who will listen to you no matter you have to say and most of all a friend is someone will stick with you through thick and thin. Now would you be my friend?" "Okay, I don't have friends. Uncle Siri doesn't really allow me to go out on my own. I need to be surrounded by guards almost all the time. The only times I get away without them is when sneak off." "I'll be your first friend then. By the way I'm Prince Draco Malfoy but you can call me Draco. My parents King Lucius and Queen Narcissa are visiting your Uncle." Draco as the blonde was called extended his hand for the other boy to shake. Gently the raven-haired boy smiled and stood up and took the blonde's hand and said. "I'm Harry Potter." "So you're the prince your uncle has been talking about with my parents." Just then King Lucius, Queen Narcissa, King Sirius and his consort Remus exited the palace front doors and started calling out for the two of them.

The two approached the adults. Draco was still holding hand tugging him gently forward. When Sirius saw Harry with young prince Draco he look sorrowfully. "Harry where have you been? I've been looking for you for hours. Remus and I are worried about you; we didn't know where you run off to." "I'm sorry Uncle Siri, Uncle Remy it won't happen again I was just by those elm and oak trees." Harry replied meekly, cowering under the stare of his godfather and the visitors. "Have you been crying again, sweetheart?" Remus knelt down in front of the young children. Harry nodded. And with that Remus took him in his arms wrapping his arms tightly around the boy. "Harry you shouldn't be sad. I'm here, Siri's here, you still have us." Remus said consolingly. Draco then said. "Yeah you no longer need to be sad. I'm here for you now remember I'm your first friend." Pulling away from Remus' arms Harry nodded slightly and smiled his emerald green eyes shining with happiness.

End of flashback

"That's so adorable Harry. I never knew you how you met Draco." Hermione said. "You never really asked so I didn't tell you. Draco's my very first friend and then realizing how lonely I was Sirius and Remus decided to invite the two of you whenever Draco wasn't around." Harry explained. "Well mate your relationship with him certainly comes a very long way and I think that maybe you ought to give him a chance. From the start he showed you how much he cared and he still does." Ron said. "I'll think about it. Thanks for the advise though." Hermione looked at her watch and was shocked at the time. "Ron we have to leave. We're supposed to have dinner with your parents tonight. We still need to go somewhere before coming to your house. Harry I'm sorry we couldn't stay longer but we have to be somewhere else." Hermione said. "Don't worry I'll be fine. It's almost dinner I'm sure I can find something that will amuse me." The two bade farewell and Harry was left alone again.

That evening Draco found Harry outside on the balcony again bundled under a couple of cotton blankets. He was sitting on a wooden rocking chair deep in thought while unconsciously staring at the stars. "Hey…" Draco whispered gently placing a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Hey Dray." Harry motioned for the blonde to seat down on the chair beside his chair. But the blonde had other things on his mind he carefully lifted Harry from the rocking chair and took the chair for himself then gently placed Harry on his lap. Harry instantly curled against him resting his pretty little head on the crook of his neck and a hand holding his shirt tightly. "What are you thinking of?" "You perfectly know what I am thinking of." Harry sighed. "I already told you that you need not hurry on your decision I can wait for a long time." "I know you're willing to wait for whatever my answer will be but I don't want you to wait. I know how much you hate waiting." "But this is different Harry. I don't want you to rush with your decision just to please me." Harry sighed again and Draco pulled the prince closer. "Why are you so bundled up? Are you cold?" "Just a bit nothing to worry about." "Harry you shouldn't stay outside especially when it's this cold, you'd catch a cold if you 're not careful." Harry snuggled closer and smiled contentedly. "What about you? You keep on tiring yourself over your business deals. What are those about anyway?" "I'll let you know as soon as I'm finish with it." "Promise?" "Yes I promise I'll tell you as soon as it's settled." "Hmm…Dray…I think, no I feel that I'm ready to give you answer." "So soon dearest?" "Yeah. Hermione and Ron came for a visit earlier and I guess what they said helped me decide." "Alright then, I'm listening if you're really ready to answer me then I won't stop you." Harry sat up straight still sitting on Draco's lap and directly stared Draco on the eyes. "I accept your offer." Draco couldn't stop the smile that slowly appeared on his lips and he couldn't but feel happy that Harry had actually accepted his offer and was actually smiling at him right at that moment with the smile that can brighten his day. "Are you serious?" "Why would I lie? What do you take me for? Of course I'm serious. I seriously couldn't joke about something as serious as that." Harry pouted cutely making Draco chuckle and pulled him to a hug again. "You just made me the happiest man on earth." Harry hugged the young king back and the two spent the night sitting on the chair watching the dark night sky scattered with twinkling stars. Both feeling happy and content with the presence of each other.

The next day the engagement of Prince Harry James Evans Potter to King Draco Black Malfoy was announced all throughout the kingdom…

AN: FINISHED November 7, 2006 9:11PM. Don't forget to review so I know what I need to improve on. Thanks.