Walking On Glass ∆ Drarry AU

fifteen ∆ lake of memories

The next day, Sir Harry awoke in an infirmary bed, with King Arthur standing over him.

"Good, you're awake," said the king, seeming genuinely pleased.

The knight rubbed his eyes, and mumbled something unintelligible, even to himself.

The king seemed to somehow understand. "I know. King Draco declared war."

"Are you angry?" asked Sir Harry, trying to ignore how strange it was that Draco was a king now.

"Not in the slightest. After all, it wasn't your fault, was it?"

"I suppose not..." Then, he remembered something. "Oh! And magic is real. I think it is, anyway. King Lucius had a wand! It sure looked like a wand, anyway. Its handle was the head of a snake! I think he was trying to cast something before he died."

"Goodness! Sir Harry, you've completed your first quest!" King Arthur said, way too enthusiastically.

Through his headache, Sir Harry was absolutely beaming with pride. "Your Majesty, thank you."

"Although, I did already hear that from both Sir Cedric and Lady Luna when they arrived with Ginny -- who may have also mentioned it -- earlier this morning."

Sir Harry's ego deflated in an instant. "Oh. Well, I did also become friends with Draco, like you asked. I mean, I think so anyway. The man's more than a little confusing."

"That's great, Sir Harry. Think you can talk him out of the war?" the king mentioned, his face doubtful.

"No, Your Majesty. I don't think I can." He looked down at his calloused hands. "He told me to leave. I objected, but he still ordered me. I think it's because he cares. I hope."

The king's tone was sympathetic. "If he's declared war -- a war in which you must fight in -- then he most likely doesn't care all that much. Or he's not thinking of the repercussions. Either way, he can't possibly know what's best. For anyone."

"I sprained my ankle around a week ago. He made me sit down at his party yesterday, and said he'd be damned if my ankle were messed up from defending his kingdom and attending his party."

"Ah! The dragon attack! I see you fared well."

"I probably wouldn't be here if it weren't for everyone else helping. I guess I was technically the one who killed it." A part of him felt bad about ending it's life, but it did nearly permanently incapacitate Sir Cedric. Plus, it probably would have struggled with it's broken wing.

"Well," King Arthur sighed. "I hope you enjoyed fighting alongside the Malfoy knights, because I fear they will soon become the ones we must fight against."

Sir Harry circled his ankle around. It didn't hurt as much as last night. Maybe Doctor Pomfrey had done something to it. "Uh, if you don't mind, Your Majesty. I think I'm going to go out. Stretch my legs. Get some fresh air." Sit by the Black Lake and process everything that's happened.

The king backed away slightly. "Alright. I'll leave you be. Just -- be careful."

"I will, Your Majesty," he said, smiling. "You stay safe as well."

"I certainly will try," replied King Arthur, as he slipped out into the hallway.

Sir Harry threw off the white covers and flopped over, his bare feet touching the cool floor. He didn't remember taking his armor off, or anything else that happened after he'd made it out of the forest. It was as if his mind had just shut off.

Conveniently, no one had taken any of his things to the armory. So, he slipped on his armor -- leaving off his gauntlets and helmet; he would deal with the consequences of a stray arrow to the head when that happened. He hoped he wouldn't see anyone on the way to the lake. Except maybe Prince Ron. It'd be nice to talk with him, especially after recent events.