Song- Mercy

"Blaire, I don't even know what to say. The boy was average, obviously, all boys are, but his eyes were incredible," Draco said softly.

"Draco, are you sure the boy was just average?"

"Of course!" Draco said irritably. "He couldn't be anything more in my eyes, he's a boy. And a commoner, at that. He is below my status."

"I'm below your status, and you're friends with me," Blaire muttered. She followed this with something that sounded suspiciously like "and I'm a boy too."

"You live in the castle though. And I grew up with you. Besides, you're a girl, so even if I did fall in love with you, it wouldn't be terrible. Maybe if Pansy had eyes like that, I could fall in love with her..." Draco trailed off. Then he jumped slightly in realization. "But I couldn't fall in love with that boy, because he's a boy. And a commoner. It's ridiculous."

"What's wrong with falling in love with a boy?" Blaire whispered. She looked sad.

"The people would hate me. My parents would disown me. It couldn't happen."

Blaire seemed confused at that. "Draco..."

"What?"

"You didn't say it was because you aren't gay. You didn't say it was wrong because you don't like boys. You said other people would hate you if you did."

"Blaire, I'm not gay!" Draco said irritably. "Get out! Now!"

Blaire nodded quietly, leaving the room, and leaving Draco to his confused thoughts.

********************

Three days later found Draco visiting shops in the village. He told himself it wasn't to see if he could find those bright green eyes again, it was to mingle with the people.

He shook hands and smiled and talked to people, each time moving onto the next shop trying to tell himself he wasn't feeling discouraged.

He walked into yet another store, hearing the soft jingle of store bells as he did.

A young woman stepped forward, smiling. "Hello, how may I-" she stopped, before falling to her knees and bowing her head. "Your Highness."

"Good afternoon," Draco said pleasantly. "You may stand."

She stood quickly, curtsying low and smiling.

Draco held out his hand. "What is your name?"

"Monica," she replied quietly, shaking his hand.

"What do you sell here?" Draco asked, scanning the shop.

"We make glass figurines."

"Stunning," Draco murmured, delicately touching one of the tigers leaping in midair.

"You may have it, if you'd like," she said quickly.

"Is the serpent for sale?" he asked, fingers brushing the glass body of the curled snake. It was smaller than his hand, and curled up, with only its head raised.

"It is. You may have it."

Draco smiled. "I'm one of the richest people in the lands of Durmstrang, Miss Monica. I can pay for it."

"I could never make the prince pay for something!" she exclaimed. "It's yours."

"How about this?" Draco asked, smiling. "I'll trade you."

He removed the solid gold, ruby-encrusted bracelet from his wrist and set it on her counter.

"Your Highness, that is worth far more than all the items in here, let alone one of them!" she protested. 

"And I have dozens of them, Miss Monica. Please, take it."

She slowly nodded, lifting the bracelet to the light. Draco smiled.

"I hope you have a good day, ma'am."

"Mom? Who is that?" A brown-haired girl stepped out from behind the back curtain, gasping when she saw Draco. She fell into a deep curtsy. "Your Highness."

"You're the girl who gave me the wildflower," Draco breathed, smiling at her.

Her head snapped up, and she stood up straight. "You remember that?"

"But of course. Pan-Persephone loves wildflowers. It is currently in a vase with several others in the middle of our dining hall."

She gasped softly. "I thank you, Your Highness."

He smiled at her. "May I have your name?"

"Hermione. Hermione Granger."

"Pleased to meet you, Miss Hermione. I must go, but please, have this." He slipped a thinner gold bracelet off of his wrist, handing it out to her.

She took it from his hand, staring at it in wonder. "I couldn't accept this."

"You could. And you should."

"Thank you," she murmured, studying it.

Draco nodded with a smile, and left their shop.

******************

It had to have been another hour before he walked into the twentieth shop of the day.

No bells rang when he walked into this one. It was dark, very dimly lighted, and Draco felt off just being in there.

"What can I get you?" a cold voice said, before being followed by a soft gasp. "Your Highness."

"Hello. What do you sell here?"

There was no answer. Instead, the lady just rushed toward him, getting a little to close to be completely comfortable.

"My name is Petunia Dursley," she breathed.

"Hello Petunia. Nice to met you. What do you sell here?"

"Vernon! Dudley! Come in here now!"

Suddenly, a very large man and his equally large son rushed into the room, mouths falling open when they saw him.

"Have you come to bring us gifts?" the son- Dudley- asked loudly. Petunia gasped, and smacked his shoulder.

Draco frowned slightly. He wasn't sure about these people.

"Aunt Petunia, is something going on?"

Despite the dim lights in the room, Draco could easily see the bright eyes of the boy from yesterday.

"Your Highness," the boy said softly, bowing low before standing up. His voice was soft, warm, calming, like melted chocolate. 

Petunia turned around sharply. "Go to the back, boy!"

He turned immediately to leave, only to be stopped by Draco's voice.

"What is your name?"

He hadn't meant to say it. Dammit, he really shouldn't have, because putting name to face would only make him think of the boy more.

"Harry. Harry Potter." The boy turned around to face him, bright green eyes meeting his.

"Why is your last name different?" Draco couldn't help asking. Dammit, did he really have to know everything about this boy?

"My parents are dead." Harry's voice was flat. "They're my aunt and uncle and cousin."

"I'm so sorry," Draco whispered. He had to bite his tongue to keep from asking the thousands more questions he had about the boy.

Harry's head tilted, and he studied Draco carefully. "It was nice to see you, Prince Draconis. But I must return to my responsibilities. Goodbye."

"Goodbye," Draco murmured, although Harry was already gone and it was just him and three people he suddenly didn't want to be around.