The Prince

Chapter 4

The Bargain

The Prince strode to Draco Malfoy's cell. The rebel threw him a cool, calculating look.

"What do you want?" he hissed at the Prince.

"I want to know why you betrayed me, Draco - you, who I trusted as much as Ron and Hermione."

"I believe the conduct of the other two speaks for my actions."

"So, you too think me to be a tyrant?"

"Obviously."

The Prince conjured a chair and sat down, the prisoner not noticing that his legs were weak.

"You have been roughly used," said Harry, taking in the bedraggled appearance of the young man in front of him.

"Thanks to you."

"Draco - I have not done anything wrong! I only did what was necessary."

"Defences are useless."

Harry gave his sad smile again.

"I see," he said softly. "I see that you're not to be shaken from your belief that the Prince is a tyrant. Very well, I shall not defend myself anymore. I offer you a bargain to prove my point. I shall notify every magical person that all those who seek democracy will be given an independent state. You can have your state, elect ministers - do whatever you want. The state shall be in proportion of the people joining you. I shall not harm the independent State - I shall not interfere at all, unless asked to. The citizens shall have the right to move to your state from mine and from mine to yours; the decision to live under a democracy or a monarchy shall be theirs. No one shall attack or coerce these people. How is that? Do you agree to the proposition?"

Draco stared at the Prince for a minute before his features were clouded by suspicion.

"What's your game?" he asked finally.

"Game? There's no game. I just want my people to be happy. If people decide to join democracy, then the Prince shall vanish. If people decide monarchy, the Resistance will have to disappear."

Draco laughed. "There will never be a 100% majority either way, Potter - you ensure your survival very well."

Harry narrowed his eyes. "I leave the decision of the percentage to the Resistance," he said softly. "I shall allow you to go - all of you. The state will be created as soon as you are ready."

"I need to talk to Ron, Hermione and Neville, if not all the captured members."

"Very well. I shall instruct the guards."

The Prince stood up and walked to the door. With his back to the prisoner, he said softly, "Can we be friends after this thing is over? I have missed you all so much."

He didn't wait for a reply as he swept out, afraid of what he might hear. If he had stayed, he would have heard a hoarse whisper, "I missed you too Harry...you were my first true friend, the first person to accept me in spite of all the things I'd done...I wish this had never happened!"

The Prince walked to his palace, but didn't go in. He sat down under his favourite tree with his knees drawn up to his chest and rested his head on his knees.