Just a warning but this story contains SLASH. All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. Any original characters and/or plot is all mine. Loosely based on the picture entitled Sleeping Beauty by Chouette-e / deviantart / com (since outside urls don't appear on ffnet, replace the / with .)

Hi everyone! Good to see you all again! I decided that my next story would be the one I've been quietly working on ever since I saw this awesome pic of Drarry as Sleeping Beauty and the Prince by Chouette-e / deviantart / com. I will be posting on Wednesdays and have approximately half the story written so it shouldn't take three years to complete… If we're lucky!

Lori

Love's True Form

Prologue:

July thirty-first… It was just past noon and the citizens of the wizarding world had been collectively holding their breath … figuratively, of course. Just eleven hours ago, Scotland's wizarding queen, Lily Potter, had gone into labor.

The castle of Hogwarts had shown no signs of activity since the announcement that the birthing process had begun and the call for her ladyship's healer had been sent. The people of the small town called Hogsmeade would be the first to know and they had five riders ready to send word in all directions when the new heir arrived. Four of these riders sat in tents at the gates of the castle, eagerly awaiting the order to mount their horses. The fifth was a personal friend to the royal family, so he sat in the sitting room waiting for news of his godson's birth.

Finally - just before midnight - the king himself walked out onto the public balcony carrying a small bundle in his arms. He motioned to a trumpeter, who played the alert to wake everyone within hearing distance.

The riders stood and mounted their steeds, whilst the townspeople gathered around them.

King James Potter cast a Sonorous charm, even as he cradled his newborn son.

"My people! You have a Prince! His name is Harrington James Potter and, when he is old enough, my crown shall pass to him."

The whole town began to celebrate as the four riders shook hands and urged their horses into their assigned directions. Remus Lupin went north, whilst Peter Pettigrew took the south road. Rubeus Hagrid rode westerly and Kingsley Shacklebolt turned his steed to the east.

Sirius Black, the young prince's godfather, was inside the castle meeting the infant for the first time before heading out to fulfill his duty as a Royal Emissary and inform Britain's royal family of the birth of Scotland's heir. Sirius Orion Black grinned at the man holding the tiny bundle in his arms James Potter was his king but, more importantly, this man was like a brother to him. He held out his hands in a silent plea. James' eyes sparkled as he placed his son and heir into the arms of his godfather. Sirius looked the child over with care. "He's amazing, James; I'm speechless! Ten fingers...ten toes…two gorgeous eyes… all the right parts in all the right places…"

The tiny boy blinked up at him and cooed softly.

James smiled at Sirius' obvious awe. "Yeah, if I have my way, he'll look just like me but he'll have my Lily's eyes."

"Yes, my love." Lily Potter called from the doorway, "Our dear Harry will be the most handsome boy his age. Hello, Siri, I hate to interrupt the male bonding session, but I need to feed my son and I'm fairly certain you have a job to do…" an eyebrow arched delicately as she smiled at him.

Sirius grinned sheepishly. "I do indeed, my queen."

She glared playfully as she lifted Harry into her arms. "Now, you're just sucking up! James, remind him of his place while I take care of our son."

The king chuckled as his wife walked out imperiously. "Merlin, Siri! I'm so happy to see you two acting like siblings and joking with each other like this!"

"I still remember how bloody cold her voice would get when she saw me those first few weeks." The raven-haired man faked a shiver and then sighed. "Well, I'm off to London. I'll report back at the very hour of my return."

********** LTF **********

After a short stop at a back alley in London, Sirius arrived at the gates to the Malfoy Royal Residence. He used his magic to knock on the warded door and an elf servant allowed him to enter.

"My name is Sirius Black. I'm the queen's cousin and an emissary from Scotland," Sirius said, "I need to see the king."

"King Lucius won't be happy to be awakened at this time of night!" The elf bit his lip anxiously, obviously distressed at the thought of disturbing his master. "Are you certain it can't wait, Lord Black?"

"The Scottish Magical heir has been born and I'm ordered to inform His Majesty as soon as possible." Sirius spoke with all the authority of his station. The elf nodded, executed a small bow and ran off.

A few minutes later, Lucius came hurrying down the hall.

"Black? What is the meaning of this?"

"Sorry about the bloody timing, Luce. James bade me inform you of his heir's birth as soon as possible." Sirius smiled coolly.

"I see. We'll be doing the same late next May, of course." Lucius nodded. "The child is healthy, I trust? And the queen also?"

"Yes, Lily and the baby are quite well. They've named him Harrington James Potter, after James' father, and he was born just before midnight," Sirius said with a grin. "They asked me to be his godfather." He couldn't keep the pride from his voice. That's when the other man's words clicked in Sirius' mind. "Did you say next May? What's in May?"

The English magical king grinned tiredly. "My heir will be arriving! We've just found out – Narcissa is expecting!"

"Congratulations, cousin." Sirius grinned.

"To you as well! Godfather is an auspicious title, my friend!" Lucius nodded regally. "Care to spend the night? We have a suite with your name on it."

"Tempting." Sirius flushed with pride. "But now that my duty is done, I shall make my way home. Thank you for the offer." With that, he was escorted to the front doors of the manor.

Several weeks passed before England's magical rulers were able to travel to Hogwarts but travel there they did. Lucius and Narcissa became good friends of the Potters'. So much so that they spent many hours in each other's company as well as holidays.

********** LTF **********

Almost one year later:

June fifth… It was a day like any other. The sun rose and the people of the city of London rose up from their beds, had breakfast and went about their mundane existence.

At least…

That's what happened on the Muggle side of town.

In the wizarding sector of London, however, witches and wizards were rejoicing, whilst riders rode out in all directions; Draconis Hyperion Malfoy, the heir to the kingdom of Wizarding England, had just been born to their beloved King Lucius and Queen Narcissa and, in a little over a month, Scotland's wizarding heir would be celebrating his first birthday.

Let me know what you think!