The Prince

Chapter 12

The End

"Harry! Stop!" came a voice. The Prince lowered his wand to glare at the interrupter. He saw Draco and Hermione running towards him.

"Don't kill them," gasped Hermione.

The Prince raised an eyebrow.

"Wood had them under the Imperius," Draco explained.

The Prince looked at him incredulously.

"All of them? I find that hard to believe, Draco."

"We don't know how many are under the curse, Harry, but most of them are," said Hermione earnestly.

The Prince nodded gravely. He waved his wand and a jet of blue light shot forth, dividing into twenty as it went, hitting each of the attackers. Ron, Ginny, Blaise, Neville and three others glowed with the light while the rest disappeared.

"These are the innocent ones," the Prince proclaimed. He turned to Draco and Hermione and said, "Thank you. It would have been a terrible thing if the Prince had slaughtered innocents."

"You're welcome, your highness," said Draco and Hermione together.

The Prince gave them a small smile.

"We have decided to quit the Resistance, your highness," said Hermione.

The Prince stared at her in shock. She bowed her head.

"Most of us have learnt that we were on the wrong side, your highness. Unfortunately, some of us still wish to remain a part of the Resistance, but most of us pledge our allegiance to you," said Draco, glaring at Ron.

Ginny, Neville and Blaise walked over to them.

"We quit, too."

"The Prince welcomes you all. Come to the court tomorrow after the election is over."

Ron walked up to Harry looking dazed.

"You - you just saved my life!" he said.

"Well, yes. The duty of the Prince is to protect his citizens," said Harry quietly.

"I - I'm sorry. I quit, too."

Harry looked at his friend's face and found Ron's tears genuine. He clapped his friend's back and said, "Welcome back, Ron."

"Thank you," sobbed Ron.

The Prince paced nervously in his chamber. The results of the election would be out any minute.

"Sit down, son," said Duke Lupin.

"I'm scared."

"The mighty prince, scared? I never thought I would live to see the day."

"Very funny."

"Calm down, son. You will win."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Anyone would be sure from what you did yesterday. If ever there was a doubt of your winning, it was all removed yesterday."

Before the Prince could reply, Lord Percy came in.

"Is it out?" the Prince asked nervously.

Lord Percy nodded.

"What is it?"

Lord Percy seemed at a loss for words.

"I - my Prince - your highness -"

"I lost, didn't I?"

Lord Percy stared at the carpet. Duke Lupin jumped to his feet.

"The decision was almost unanimous," said Lord Percy in a small voice. The Prince sank on the couch. There was a minute of silence, then suddenly, Lord Percy winked at the Duke. The Prince was lying with his eyes closed. Remus and Percy started laughing.

"You won, you moron," said Remus.

"Almost unanimously," said Percy.

Harry sat up.

"Why did you lie to me?" he asked indignantly.

"I didn't," said Percy, "you just assumed the negative."

The Prince sighed.

"You're a true Weasley," came two voices from the door and Lords Fred and George stepped in.

"Now for some celebration," said Fred.

"To celebrate your victory, oh noble one," said George.

"Stop it," said Harry, his cheeks flushed. The next moment, they were all entangled in a group hug.

"Hey mate, we want a hug, too!" came Ron's voice, accompanied by Draco, Ginny, Neville and Hermione. Hagrid walked in next.

The whole Kingdom celebrated the victory of it's ruler. A huge dinner was organised at the palace, and all the people were invited.

"I can't tell you how happy I am that you won," said Hermione to Harry, who was sitting next to her.

"Really?"

"Really. That day when you spoke to me in my prison, I realised that you were right and I also realised that I never really stopped loving you," she said shyly.

The Prince felt like jumping up and down. Instead, he stood up and knelt in front of Hermione on one knee.

"Hermione, will you marry me?"

The whole hall was silent.

"Yes," said Hermione softly and gave him her hand. He kissed it and stood up. Thunderous applause erupted.

"Long live the King and the Queen!" shouted Ron, and the chant was taken up by everyone. The couple blushed.

"You've grown up, my Prince," Remus whispered in Harry's ear.

~Fin~