A Hop Skip And A Jump Away

meeting the queen

Jerry kept them in the tent and on bed rest for nearly two weeks and in that time they were surrounded by a virtual army of both muggle and goblin security. The upside was that neither Dumbledore nor any of his order members could get anywhere near them while they were still vulnerable. Nagini even visited them before opting to take the portkey Voldemort had created and been carrying specifically for her back to the Riddle House.

True to his word the moment Voldemort had his wand in hand and the healer had okayed minimal magical use he hexed the Potter Lord. Harry was a little indignant over the choice of hex but thought it was better to suffer through multicolored skin and hair for a couple of days than need to recover from a crucio. Besides it made Snape give a small smile before the expression disappeared behind a disapproving scowl over Harry's recklessness. The subsequent meeting with the Queen didn't go as smoothly.

This time when the goblins insisted on making them new robes to replace the destroyed ones for their replacement audience with the Queen the three of them just grumbled. It was when Severus overheard the style that the tailors were arguing over that the potions master got an idea. It took less than a moment to idly suggest battle cut robes while considering just how much it might have helped had they been dressed for the situation. Never mind that no one had honestly thought they would be doing any combat or curse breaking. The tailors practically jumped on the suggestion, which earned the smirking man a greatful look from Voldemort.

Harry was still sulking over the need for another tortuous session with the tailors that the other two had forced him to attend as they smirked at him when they were finally presented to the Queen three hours later. Admittedly Harry had gotten in a return jab or two by commenting on the possibility that the two Slytherins might look good in pink or bright orange but no one took his comments seriously. Though his commentary did earn him appalled and dirty looks from his audience.

As they walked through the door to the same meeting hall as the first time Harry pulled himself back together, projecting as polite and adult an air as possible with him in a 14 year old body. They presented a regal if polite unified front as they entered the hall to once more stand before the British Muggle Queen. Bowing as protocol demanded they waited for the inquisition to begin, knowing that if they weren't careful the very war they were trying to prevent would begin before the sun had set.

"I would like an explanation as both myself and as the Royal Monarch but I think you have more than earned the right to speak to me before we decide what my royal self is officially told," The Queen said quietly as she observed the three wizards arrayed before her, making a very clear distinction between the Queen and the woman behind the crown. All three having worn their own public masks for years relaxed a bit, wholeheartedly understanding what she had just told them.

"If we are to dispense with the formalities, your majesty, we should probably present the Goblin King's gift first. We have no idea what it is or why it was sent with us rather than someone who actually represents the Goblins," Harry cautioned as he presented her with an ornate chest wrapped in finely woven cloth. She graciously accepted it and they all watched as she first unwrapped it before pulling a key out of its disguised setting. With a soft smile she opened the chest to reveal several superbly woven blankets of an Acromantula silk and cotton mix with the Windsor Crest displayed boldly.

"I asked that they see these commissioned and delivered. I did not, however, expect my royal cousin to have them delivered in such a fashion or even to take note of the request that the commission be done through Gringotts. I suppose it was his fey nature coming out, wanting to play a harmless joke," The Queen mused, honest joy lighting up her face.

"I wouldn't know, majesty. I am just a simple wizard," Harry told her, glad that she was both alright and that their delivery wasn't some horrible insult. Snape couldn't resist snorting at the "simple wizard" comment earning a glare from the teen and a snarky revision of his statement aimed at the potions master. "Alright, so I'm not exactly normal but at least I don't go to the extremes that Aunt Petunia does."