Royalty ~ Ongoing

Memories

Harry glanced at his face in the mirror and was shocked to discover he could barely recognize himself.

The man with faint frown lines and a constant worried look in his eyes was no longer apparent. Evans smiled at his reflection and headed out the door.

"Why, you're simply glowing today." Harry jumped at the sound of Tom's voice.

"You startled me. What are you doing here?" The prince smirked.

"I thought we might have a walk together. I've barely seen your gardens and I've been here for more than a month."

"Well, had you not been almost killed, I would have shown them to you already."

"Hm, that's fair." Harry took him by the hand, walking outside into the courtyard.

"Lily loves it out here... she must be off in the forest with Draco or something."

"The young Malfoy? You trust him to keep track of her in a forest?" Harry scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"She can take care of herself quite well. And yes, I do trust Draco. The Malfoys are a good family."

"You speak of your sister a lot." Harry admired a bush of blood red roses in the courtyard.

"She's very dear to me."

"I can see that. Why don't you tell me about your life? I feel as if I hardly know you." Harry hummed quietly.

"I was raised by an old woman that knew my mother. She was very sweet and I live in the same home as I did back then. She taught me everything I know, other than what I learned from my mother's journals."

"How did you discover your royal blood?" The healer snorted.

"I wouldn't call myself royal. But I met James when Severus was shot. He comforted me after his death." Tom squeezed his hand gently. "I told him of my mother and he recognized her description. She hadn't been a queen when I was born."

"So your father married a common woman?" Harry nodded.

"He was amazed by her beauty and caring nature." Tom cocked his head.

"May I ask you a question?" Evans dipped his head down in approval. "Why did she... why didn't she raise you?"

"My mother was hardly more than a girl when she birthed me. She couldn't have taken care of me even if she tried. It was for the best. Besides, I got a sister out of it." They stopped to sit at the edge of a fountain in the center of the courtyard.

"You're very forgiving."

"For certain people, yes." Tom grinned and reached down into the water, flicking some at Harry.

Harry ignored his childish behavior. "Would you tell me about Severus?" Evans smiled just thinking about him.

"He had quite the temper, but it was never directed at me. He liked to ride in the country side. Sometimes, we'd go out together and climb trees. The poor man had a fear of heights and still did it with me." Harry's eyes clouded as a nostalgic feeling washed over him. "He would always try to help me plant flowers and such, but he had the opposite of a green thumb. I didn't mind, though."

No princess's beauty could compare to Hadrian's when he was happy. His eyes shone like precious jewels and his bright smile would make any man's heart flutter.

"And he enjoyed reading. A few times we went into town and bought collections of used books. Ah! My Sev was wonderful with animals. He had the most beautiful and soothing voice. I wish you could have heard it... oh, I must be boring you terribly with all of this nonsense. I apologize." Harry's cheeks turned pink once he realized how much he'd been rambling.