Chapter # 3
The silvery woman nodded her head to each Malfoy in turn and they rose slowly to their feet. The woman, apparently the queen of the veela, refocused her attention on Harry. Being in the presence of such a powerful magical creature had a certain humbling effect and Harry immediately felt his legs start to tremble violently.
"I-I didn't mean to. I mean I didn't know that-" Harry cursed himself for sounding so pathetic but the queen either didn't notice or didn't care. She approached Harry with a knowing smile and a strange, determined glint in her planet-like eyes.
"Of course, you didn't. That, dear child, is why I'm willing to give you a second chance." Harry blinked up at the queen, not fully processing what she was saying. Narcissa Malfoy took the opportunity to intervene. "Your Highness," she said. Harry noted that her melodic voice had become hoarse with the earlier tears. "You can't honestly be suggesting what I think you are. No one has traveled that path since the days of the Ancient World. Not to mention, Potter rejected my little Draco, what makes you think he will risk his life to return Draco to life?"
"A valid point, Lady Narcissa," the queen replied, inclining her head to the female Malfoy. "However, it is my belief that if anyone can brave the path, it would be young Mr. Potter. As far as your son's rejection, that is up to Harry to choose. So, Harry," the queen queered, "Do you feel you could happily spend the rest of your life with Draco Malfoy in wedlock?"
It was not a question Harry had ever expected to be asked, let alone by the queen of the veela. So, naturally, he did not know the answer. It was then that the memory of his dream rose to the surface. He recalled the feeling he had received from that warmed, beautiful being that truly did resemble Draco Malfoy. Then, he remembered their meeting in the hallway and that sad, serene smile that Draco had offered him before fainting. In their last few meetings, the other boy had indeed presented himself as someone Harry could happily spend the rest of his life with.
Slowly, he cast his eyes back toward the queen and, even slower still, nodded his confirmation. He would do whatever was required of his to bring his intended back to life.
"Wonderful," the queen said smiling down at him. "Harry Potter will bring his mate back from Shangri-La."
A/N: Okay. So I know a bunch of you are like "What the hell is a Shangri-la," and those of you who know what Shangri-la is, are like "What the hell does Shangri-la have to do with Harry Potter and veelas." Well, you all will have to wait because it won't be explained until the next chapter.
Also, my apologies for the shortness of 'this' chapter. Just consider it a transitional chapter to get the plot started. The really plot will really get rolling, starting in the next chapter. Promise.