Walking On Glass ∆ Drarry AU

five ∆ tea and gossip

Later in the day, Sir Harry found himself aimlessly wandering around the castle grounds. His headache had come back stronger, and he was finding it far too difficult to focus. He was also feeling quite hungry, as he hadn't eaten much at breakfast.

As he neared a courtyard -- one of many -- he noticed a woman, with golden-blond hair, sitting on a shaded bench. She was armed with a sword at her side -- a knight's sword.

Sir Harry decided he might as well stop and have a chat.

"Hello," he said. The woman looked up at him. "I'm Sir Harry," he added, taking a bow. "From the Weasley kingdom."

"Oh... Well, I'm Lady Daphne -- Lady Daphne Greengrass," she replied, with a small smile.

"Ah, what a coincidence! Prince Draco said he would introduce us, but I suppose this is probably a better way of meeting, don't you?" 

Lady Daphne cupped her hands in her lap. "I suppose..."

An awkward silence grew between the two. Sir Harry quickly thought up something else to say. "So, why're you just sitting around? I mean, you must have something to do, don't you?" 

"I'm off-duty today," Lady Daphne stated, bluntly.

Sir Harry narrowed his eyes. "Off-duty?"

"Yes, of course. Goodness...do you never get a day off?"

"Uh, no. I guess not..."

It was then that Sir Harry's stomach grumbled. Embarrassed, he turned away.

Lady Daphne stifled a laugh. "Not eat breakfast, or something?"

"Didn't exactly eat lunch, either," admitted Sir Harry, pathetically.

"Well, you know..." said Lady Daphne. "I believe my sister, Astoria, is currently having tea with Prince Draco. I could show you to them -- if you'd like."

Sir Harry seriously didn't wish to engage in more conversations with the prince than were necessary -- or the king, for that matter (the queen seemed alright, for now). He was hungry, however, and meeting and speaking with Astoria could lead to valuable insight.

"Alright," Sir Harry agreed. "Lead the way."

∆

The two knights arrived at a room which was basically the same as the one which Sir Harry had been brought to when he first arrived -- except this one had a whole wall lined with stained-glass windows, which allowed the afternoon sun to shine through.

Prince Draco was seated on a dark green leather sofa. His arm was wrapped around a woman with dark brown hair, who was beside him. Across from the two of them sat another woman, who had cropped black hair. She was wearing an olive turtle-neck, and a black skirt, which fell to her mid-thigh. Blaise was also sitting in the corner, same as he was last time, playing his violin.

"Ah, Lady Daphne!" The prince said, as he watched them enter. "I see you've met Sir Harry."

"Yes, he..." She let out a laugh. "He's hungry."

Nervous, Sir Harry cleared his throat. "Uh, that I am..."

"Well, then... Come, sit." He motioned a hand to the table, which had both green apples and green grapes atop it. There was also tea, which was a given. 

Sir Harry walked over to an empty chair, and plopped down. He leaned forward, grabbed an apple, and immediately took a bite. 

Prince Draco sighed. "Are you staying as well, Lady Daphne?"

She smiled. "I suppose I could."

"Lovely." He smiled back, then turned back. "Hey, Blaise. Why don't you join us as well?"

The violin halted, and the bard stood. "Okay." He and Lady Daphne both sat across from Sir Harry, filling in the remaining seats around the table.

"Sir Harry," the prince began. "This," he nodded toward the woman beside him, "is Astoria Greengrass. And that's Pansy Parkinson."

The knight glanced between the two, finding it difficult to make eye-contact. "Nice to meet you... Both of you."

Astoria smiled and leaned into Prince Draco, whilst Pansy bit her bottom lip. Then, the latter-mentioned spoke up. "There's not going to be a war, is there? 'Cause I can't stand that, none of us can. It'd be horrible -- fighting..."

"Of course there's not going to be a war." It was Astoria who responded. "Goodness, Pansy, why would you even suggest such a thing?"

"Now, now. We can't be certain that there won't be a war," the prince said. He took a sip, before continuing. "Otherwise, Sir Harry wouldn't be here."

Lady Daphne grinned. "Honestly, I think that the end-times are very near."

Prince Draco crossed his legs. "And why's that?"

"You know those two women whom you told me to keep an eye on?"

"Minerva McGonagall and Sybill Trelawney?" The prince raised an eyebrow. "What about them?"

"They're living together now! And that old man -- Albus Dumbledore, I believe his name is -- he visits them. Daily!"

Pansy rolled her eyes. "That doesn't mean the end-times are near. That just means they're friends. Obviously."

"No, they're definitely not just friends. Well, at least the ladies. I've seen them -- kissing, that is."

"Is there something wrong with that?" questioned Prince Draco, his tone harsh.

"No, not at all. It's just that they didn't seem to be more than friends until just recently, that's all." Lady Daphne placed a hand to her neck. "And that Albus wasn't hanging out with them until just recently, too. I thought you might want to know that."

Prince Draco smiled. He had been staring at Blaise, who had yet to say something. "Blaise, love. Come here."

Blaise looked up, and softly smiled back, before pushing away from the sofa. Once he was just a few inches away, the prince swiftly placed a hand under his chin, and pulled him into a kiss. He still had one arm wrapped around Astoria.

She scoffed. "If you want to have multiple partners, just say so."

"Could I be included in this arrangement?" Pansy asked, grinning.

Pulling away, Prince Draco sighed. "My father would never allow me to have a relationship such as this. With all of you, that is."

"I mean, you're marrying Astoria, right?" said Lady Daphne. "Isn't that enough?"

"Why do you care so much about what your father thinks, anyway?" muttered Sir Harry. Quickly realizing what he had said, he swallowed hard.

"Maybe because he's the king?" Pansy answered for the prince.

Prince Draco looked to the floor, and motioned for Blaise to go sit. "No..."

"Then what is it?" Sir Harry pushed.

"I'm not sure..."

"Why don't you just tell him to mind his own business?" Sir Harry wondered if he had gone too far. Out of nervousness, he grabbed a second apple.

"Since you make it sound so easy, then why don't you tell him?" the prince retorted.

Suddenly, Sir Harry didn't know what to say. He took a bite of the apple, and looked to the side.

"I..." Astoria began. "How are the horses?"

"They're just fine," answered Prince Draco.

"Want to go riding?"

He gently squeezed her shoulder. "Can't today."

"Oh..."

Sir Harry felt a jolt of pain shoot through his skull. He closed his eyes, and placed a hand to his forehead. "Sorry I...I think I'm going to go get some rest." Wobbly, he stood.

"I think I'm going to go as well," said Lady Daphne.

"Well." Prince Draco looked around, and smirked. "Looks like we'll have this room all to ourselves."

That's the last thing Sir Harry heard, before leaving to go to his own room.