Finally! This is where the fun begins! This chapter Draco turns 15 and Harry turns 16… and the adventure really begins!

Lori

********** Chapter 5 **********

Every day for the next three years, Draco woke from his lonely slumber and hoped. Though he'd never been told of his betrothed, he knew that the green eyed boy would come for him and that's who he would marry.

Every year, as promised, Voldemort asked the young blond again for his hand in marriage and each year Draco refused. He still held onto a scrap of hope that the green-eyed boy was more than just a dream.

********** LTF **********

Before anyone knew it, June was upon them. As is common in early June, the grass was green; the sky was blue and Draco's birthday was once again approaching. The blond could think of no better birthday gift than a kiss from the green-eyed boy. He was tired of crying himself to sleep every night and waking up to cry some more. The green-eyed boy had yet to show his face in Draco's world and despite Dobby's best efforts, the young blond was beginning to lose hope.

He was beginning to believe that love – True Love – might be beyond his reach…

Draco woke on the morning of June fifth to see his uncle awaiting him. Breakfast was already on the table along with a large box. "Good morning, Godfather."

"Draco, I have gifts for you, but your guardian has forbidden a cake this year." Severus tapped the box. "I trust that you understand why."

"Yes, Uncle." The blond looked back at his uncle's brown eyes without emotion. "…Because I am not allowed to wish."

He'd learned his lessons well and one of the most potent forms of magic was wishing. Birthday wishes especially tended to come true for magic folk and at certain times of year, magic would grant other types of wishes as well.

"Indeed." Severus confirmed sadly.

"Where is he, Uncle? Where is my true love? Why hasn't he come for me?" He asked in a hushed voice as his mask fell for a moment. "I need him now and he's nowhere to be found!"

Severus kept his composure through sheer dint of will. "Occlude, Draco! Voldemort must not know of his existence!"

Draco grabbed his napkin and dabbed his eyes while trying to shore up his mental defenses. "You're quite right, Uncle. I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me."

Severus pushed at the boy's occlumency shield and found the flaming sword in place. "I've done some research, Draco. That sword you have as a focus is real. It is not only real – but legendary! It has many powers and enchantments and will serve you well."

Draco smirked. "If I ever get out into the world, I'll have to look for it. Does it have a name?"

"It is simply called the sword of Gryffindor. Now open your gifts." Severus commanded with amusement.

"What are these things, Uncle Sev?" Draco asked after opening the box and placing the contents on the table. There were five items: a dagger in a sheath; a small chest; a thick ring; a long folded piece of parchment; and red cloth.

"They are from your vault, Draco. I took the liberty of bringing you a few things from your ancestors." The dark haired man told him. "The dagger belonged to your grandfather. It was left to your mother when he passed into the afterlife and she had it set aside for you. He was the second son of a Lord and always carried it with him in addition to his full length sword. The sheath should be strapped to your ankle or wrist."

"Wow. I like the sound of that." Draco smiled as he immediately bent to place it around his left ankle, just inside his boot.

"That small box will only open for you – the heir to the throne – so I don't know what exactly is inside. The goblins at Gringott's said only that it was in their records to be sent to you upon your fifteenth birthday. One drop of blood on the lock will open it." Severus smirked. "It actually looks like the one your father received when he told your grandfather that he wanted to marry your mother."

Draco pulled the dagger from its sheath and pricked a finger on its tip before placing the drop of blood where it belonged. The chest glowed bright green and clicked open. Draco frowned at the contents. "I don't understand, Uncle." A ring lay inside along with a miniature crown and a key.

"It must be your betrothal chest. When you marry, these are the wedding ring and crown you will give your husband to wear." Severus explained. "They allow him to rule England alongside you and will grow to the correct size when you remove them from the box. He – if he is of royal descent – will have something similar to bestow upon you. The key allows him entrance to all you own…your vault; your home; your bedroom…symbolically your mind, heart and body as well. Before you close that, I want you to place this inside it." He handed one of the other 'gifts' to the boy – the parchment.

"What is it?" He asked.

"What does it look like?" Severus countered.

"Some kind of contract?" The prince frowned in confusion. "It's signed by my parents…fourteen years ago to the day!"

"They are your true betrothal papers, Draco." Severus said softly. "The one Voldemort arranged for is invalid but you truly are betrothed."

"I'm betrothed?" The blond's eyes flew toward his uncle as he hissed, "What about my love?! What about the green-eyed boy?!"

"Calm yourself and occlude!" Severus demanded in a quiet voice. "The name of your betrothed is hidden for now and I can break the betrothal later if you wish it but for now, the papers are safer inside that chest than anywhere else in the world so I had to inform you."

"I see." He said folding the papers until they fit into the chest. When he was done he closed the box and moved on. "So if the chest has his ring in it, then what's this ring? It has two crests on it – the Malfoy crest and one I don't recognize."

"That is for you to wear on your right hand. It signifies that you are the result of a union between the Malfoy line and the Black line. The Malfoy crest goes toward the fingertip because that is the dominant line." The dark haired man nodded in approval as Draco donned the ring properly. "It should also contain some slight shielding powers preventing bodily harm from coming to you."

Draco sighed and poked the pile of crimson cloth. "Alright, so for this birthday I receive my betrothal chest and the papers that go with them, my grandfather's dagger and a family ring. So what's that?"

Severus smirked. "It's a cape, Draco; just a simple cape. I thought you'd like to have it because the fabric is soft and luxurious. It also gives you a regal air."

Draco chuckled and quickly tried it on. "It does make me look more princely, doesn't it?"

"I believe the word would be 'princelier'." Severus shook his head at his godson's lack of modesty. He also happened to know that the cape was the 'green-eyed boy's' favorite color. "Happy birthday, Prince Draco."

"Thank you, Uncle." He said looking into the nearest mirror and swishing the cape around him enjoying the feel.

"When you're finished prancing about, we can eat." Severus chuckled at the boy.

"Oh yes, I'm quite hungry, Uncle Sev." He smirked as he swept the cape to one side and sat as if he'd done it that way a thousand times.

Severus merely shook his head again and dug into his meal.

Later that day, Voldemort came to visit the young prince. Once again, he asked Draco to marry him and, once again, the stubborn boy refused. "One of these days, Prince Draco – one of these days you will see how serious I am." Voldemort threatened him. Maybe if he raised the stakes… "Perhaps the next time you refuse, I'll make the soul change permanent…"

Draco was suddenly more afraid than ever before. "Please, sir – please don't?" He used his occlumency to project sadness but hid his fear deep within himself.

"We will see…" Voldemort glared at him and turned to leave. "Pleasant dreams, young prince."

So Draco was – once again – left to cry himself to sleep and spend another lonely night as a dragon.

********** LTF **********

Just after dinner, on the eve of his sixteenth birthday, Harrington James Potter greeted his beloved Uncle Sirius and honored mentor, Albus Dumbledore, at the door to his bedroom.

"It's a little late for lessons; isn't it, Uncle Siri?" Harry asked the solemn pair.

"Harry, there's something we need to tell you." Sirius sighed.

Harry frowned. Uncle Sirius was acting a bit too much like his name. He usually only sounded like this when Harry had misbehaved somehow.

Dumbledore took the reigns of the conversation. "Harry, do you recall the day I told you about the evil wizard who took over the magical thrones of Britain?"

"Yes, sir; you said his name was Voldemort but he was once known as Tom Riddle…" Harry thought hard and deep into his memory. "He'd imprisoned the English magical rulers – the Malfoys…and killed the magical rulers of Scotland as well as my parents."

Dumbledore nodded. "I did tell you all of that, young man. I certainly did. What I did not tell you was the name of the Scottish magical ruling family…"

The boy thought back. "No, sir; you didn't…but I don't understand – why does it matter?"

"Harry…" Sirius began.

"No. Uncle Siri, I don't see the point of a history lesson on my birthday." Harry pouted.

Sirius' eyes widened. Harry had never acted like such a brat before. "Harrington James Potter! You will be quiet and pay attention while your professor teaches you important information – no matter the date on the calendar!"

Harry sighed. "Yes, sir."

"Now, apologize to Professor Dumbledore so he can continue. You will soon see the merit in this line of discussion." Sirius frowned at his godson. He must've gotten that from Lily's side.

Harry did as he'd been told and sat quietly as Dumbledore went on.

"The magical rulers of Scotland are directly descended from a man called Godric Gryffindor. They have been involved in much of the major magical happenings of the last century…" He trailed off upon seeing Harry's confused expression. "Yes, Harry? Do you have a question, my boy?"

"Yes, sir – for my uncle. Siri? Didn't you tell me I got my shield – the one with the dragon on it – and that blood-locked box from one of my ancestors? You said his name was…" Harry trailed off.

"Yes, Harry; your shield and the box are usually passed down through the family. Your father didn't live long enough to see it passed to you." Sirius told him.

"But you said his name was Gryffindor – Godric Gryffindor!" Harry's mind began to race.

"What we are trying to tell you, Harry, is that you are a prince." Dumbledore divulged looking pleased with himself.

"I'm a – what?" Harry's furrowed brow gave away his anger and confusion.

"Your father was King James Potter…your mother was Queen Lily…and you are their son and heir – Harrington James Potter." Sirius braced himself for an outburst. "Prince of the Scottish Magical realm."

"But that would mean…" He paused and shook his head. "What does that mean?"

"It means that you will rule two entire countries…when you rescue and marry your betrothed." The dark-haired man remained cautious.

"Two entire countries! Wait a moment…I'm betrothed?" Harry was incredulous. "My parents betrothed me from my cradle? Who does that?!"

Sirius fought hard to keep from laughing.

Albus Dumbledore smiled blandly at his student. "Kings and Queens do that, Harry…Kings and Queens."

"But, what if I didn't like who they chose? What if I wanted to marry someone of the opposite gender from the person they chose?" Harry ranted and didn't notice that his godfather – who had given up the fight – was laughing so hard he fell to the floor. "What if I fell in love with a different boy or girl than the one they'd planned, Uncle Siri?" Finally catching sight of the dark-haired man, he sighed and waited.

Sirius sobered. "I asked them all of this, Harry. I promise you that – as your godfather – I did question their motives and their choice. It gave them peace of mind to have this planned for you and at the very least, your betrothal deepened the friendship between England and Scotland."

Both older men watched to see if Harry would take the bait…he did.

"England? You mean, I'm betrothed to the Malfoy heir?" Harry asked. "What about the blond boy? You told me he was real and… I'm in love with the blond boy, Uncle Siri…It's him I want to marry, not the Malfoy heir!"

At this, Sirius smiled sadly. "First of all, if you didn't want to marry your betrothed, the contract empowers your parents or a guardian – me – to break the betrothal for you." Harry looked relieved at first but, then, Sirius went on. "However, this really does work out perfectly because… Well, it turns out that your 'blond boy' is actually Draco Malfoy."

"WHAT?" Harry yelled standing up. His eyes narrowed as he processed this factoid. "You knew this all along? I've been asking you for information about the blond boy – about Draco – for at least the last six and a half years! How could you keep this from me?"

Sirius raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. "I'm sorry, Harry. Really, I am so very sorry…and I hope you can forgive me eventually but it was necessary to keep you in the dark, for your own safety!"

"My own safety…You worried about my safety?" Harry was somehow able to sound calm while feeling incredible anger at his guardian. "I was fine! I was here with the muggles but he sat in that bloody tower enduring that horrible curse for the last three bloody years?! What about his safety? Was anybody worried for him?"

"Of course we were, Harry, but you were the one we could do something about!" His uncle defended his actions. "He was kept away from the world for the first six years of his life. He knew only what Voldemort allowed him to know. Our only way to keep him safe was to educate you and teach you everything we could to prepare you for the rescue mission. If you felt the need to go after him before you were ready, you could've gotten captured or killed or worse!"

Harry fumed. The boy he loved had been in mortal danger for over ninety percent of his entire life and they were quibbling about details like education and readiness!

"Besides all of that, Harry, he's had people who loved him as well. His godfather was allowed access to him and, although his parents did not recall the true relationship they had, they were a part of his life." Dumbledore pointed out. "And…now he has you. You can and will save young Draco."

"You're bloody right; I can! I will rescue him! I love him!" Harry growled fiercely. "At sixteen, I'm considered an adult by wizarding law – correct?"

Sirius nodded. "Yes, Harry; but please let us help?"

The brunette closed his eyes and sighed. "Fine; how can you help?"

"We can arrange for you to meet the people with the knowledge you need in order to get in to the castle to save him." Sirius told him making a mental list as he glanced over at Dumbledore. "We can help you plan."

Dumbledore stood. "Pack up all of your things, Harry, and we'll take you someplace where you can find many things to aid your efforts."

Sirius stood as well. "I'll go ahead and meet you there, Albus…Harry, I'm so very sorry to have disappointed you."

Harry merely nodded as he waved his wand and magically gathered all of his possessions.

His uncle sighed as he walked out of the room. When the dark-haired man reached the living-room of the Dursley home, he was met with Lily's sister. "Don't worry, Petunia; he'll be out of your hair soon and the magical protection is still intact so your own family will stay safe even after he's gone."

"I suppose it could've been worse having him here." She sneered. "You certainly did help with his raising and all that."

"He'll soon be the King of the Magical realm of Britain, you know… when he rescues his betrothed and they marry." Sirius points out to her. "You might want to stay on his good side."

She sniffed disdainfully. "He'll be gone soon, you say?"

"Within the hour…" Sirius nodded and walked out of the front door. Once he reached the street's edge, he apparated to his home. "Dobby?"

The elf appeared. "How is Dobby to be helping, Master Black?"

"How is Draco, this evening?" He asked. "Is he still hopeful?"

Dobby winced. "The young master's hope is flagging, Master Black. It's been so long, and Master Draco is getting cynical and bitter. Dobby fears he'll reject his savior when he arrives."

"That will not do at all, Dobby. I wish…" Sirius sighed, thinking for a moment before the idea hit him with the force of a lightning bolt. "That's it! Dobby, go back to Draco and, when he wakes tomorrow morning, tell him …tell him you've found information about his green-eyed boy. Tell him you've discovered that the boy has just reached his sixteenth birthday and Draco should hold on just a little longer. He cannot give up hope!"

Dobby nodded his little head and popped home.

"Kreacher?! I need you to make a birthday cake, quickly!" He yelled for his house-elf. "We'll conjure the candles when the birthday boy arrives." He ran for his owlry and sent a message to Severus and two families who'd remained faithful to the Potter family's friendship.

Severus showed up very quickly. "What in Merlin's name are you thinking, my dear Sirius…?"

Two more cracks of apparition sounded behind the solicitor. "Mr. Snape? We got here as fast as possible, sir. What did you need us for?"

"I'm not quite sure, Mr. Zabini. Miss Parkinson, it's lovely to see you." Severus greeted the two teens. "Lord Black was about to enlighten me…"

Yet again they were interrupted; this time it was a doorbell and Sirius ran to open it. "Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley… Hermione and Ron, I'd like you to meet Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson. The six of us will be greeting Prince Harry as he returns to claim his throne. I'd also like to ask your help."

"I don't understand, Lord Black. How can we do anything? Isn't Prince Harry lost?" The young Zabini heir questioned with a frown.

"No, young man; he most certainly is not lost." Sirius chuckled. "He's been in hiding. I've known well where he was and who he's been with. He knows all about magic but I've only just informed him of his status and role in our world. What I need your assistance with is…"

********** LTF **********

Dumbledore and Harry apparated into their midst, just then, and Harry's eyes bugged out as he saw the small crowd. His godfather smiled at his shyness as the young prince began to step toward them.

"Harry, I want you to meet some wonderful people. These are Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger of Scotland's magical community. The Weasleys are a large pureblood family, while Miss Granger is a first generation witch. They're loyal to your family and to you." Sirius motioned for him to come closer. "They also would've likely been friends of yours had you lived with your parents and had the usual royal upbringing."

Harry gathered his courage and went over to his Uncle Siri. He shook hands with the redhead and then blushed as the bushy-haired brunette kissed his cheek.

"Next I'd like you to meet Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson." Siri went on even as the other two young people came up to him. "They are from England's magical community and are loyal to the Malfoy family. If Draco had a normal childhood, he'd have grown up with them and probably been friends. They are both from distinguished pureblood lines."

The girl curtsied allowing Harry to kiss her hand. The dark-haired boy nodded as he bowed formally.

Sirius bit his lip as he beckoned to Severus. "Harry, this is someone very special. His name is Severus Snape and he's very important to me."

Harry smirked as he caught on. "So you're Siri's significant other? It's very nice to meet you, sir."

Sirius stared at his godson in shock. "Harry!"

The other kids laughed lightly and Severus just smirked back at the boy who looked just like the hand-drawn pictures Draco had made three years ago. "I'm also godfather to your betrothed."

"Really?" Harry asked breathlessly. "Is he – how is he? Is he ok?"

Severus' eyes teared up unwillingly as he accepted Harry's handshake. This boy really did care for his godson. "Draco is physically in good health but he is also falling into a depression. This curse – its sapping his hope and his will."

"I will save him, Mr. Snape." Harry assured the older man. "He's mine – not Voldemort's. I will save him."

The confidence in this young man astounded Severus. He smiled at Sirius. "I truly hope so, Prince Harry… you may call me Severus."

Harry nodded with a smile. "I'm not used to the title, really. Could you all please just call me Harry?"

Their guests accepted and then Sirius explained that this was Harry's birthday party. "You see, Harry…the magic you've been learning is wonderful and powerful and dangerous to your enemy but certain aspects of magic are even more powerful…"

"Such as wishes…" Severus bowed his head. Why hadn't he thought of this before? It should've occurred to him the moment Voldemort had forbidden Draco's wish!

"Exactly, Severus." Sirius nodded to his beloved before giving Harry all of his attention once more. "You see, Harry, all wishes made by magical men, women, and children have power in our realm… however no wish is more powerful than a wish made on a witch or wizard's sixteenth birthday…" Sirius looked at each member of his company as he waited for that to sink in. "Before you go charging off to rescue young Draco, you need to get your wits about you. These people I've gathered here each have information or knowledge that can help you form a plan to get him out of Voldemort's clutches. You must choose your wish with care because it can't be something that's impossible."

"Yes, your Highness;" the bushy-haired girl who'd been introduced as Hermione Granger agreed with his uncle. "You see, if you wish the curse had never taken place – which is something only Voldemort had control over and can only be reversed by him or True Love's kiss – your wish will have no effect. You will have wasted it."

The red haired Weasley boy looked confused but the dark haired Italian boy, Blaise Zabini, seemed to catch on. "It should be something that Voldemort won't really notice…something subtle."

"The only thing we can't be certain of is if Draco's got any hope left in him." Pansy Parkinson sighed, also getting into the act.

Severus agreed, as well. "Yes, Prince Harry, if there's even a spark of hope for rescue from his predicament, he'll be able to resist Voldemort for as long as it takes you to get there. I just know it."

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he agreed.

Kreacher suddenly popped in holding a cake. "Here is the cake Master ordered…"

Dumbledore conjured eight lit candles. Severus conjured eight more… and as tradition dictated, Harry's godfather – Sirius, conjured the last one – the one for good luck. "Make a wish, Harry…"

Harry had never been a slow learner. He'd understood what they'd been saying and he took it to heart, but he had one question. "Do I keep the wish a secret or can I say it aloud?"

"It's stronger when it's said aloud, my boy." Dumbledore said softly. Hermione had a knowing glint in her brown eyes but the others looked confused.

"Muggles have this superstition… if you make a wish, you need to keep it secret or it won't come true." She explained for him.

Pansy Blaise and Ron looked at each other and shrugged.

Harry turned to face the cake and closed his eyes. "With all the love in my heart, I wish this wish for Draco: that he will keep hope alive in his own heart…that he will feel my love and determination to find and save him…that he can find within himself the will to resist his captor. This is my wish…" He drew in a deep breath and leaned forward to blow out the candles.

The dissipating smoke was gold in color but Albus Dumbledore did not comment on it.

I was too sleepy to wait for midnight! LOL!

Lori