After Potions Class ended, the first-year Little Lions and Little Snakes headed to the Hospital Wing in twos and threes.
Draco did not want to show off his battered face in the dining hall, and Allen had little appetite either, so they returned to the common room together.
"Allen, why were you afraid to touch the slugs?" Draco asked, puzzled.
Allen smiled faintly. Even pale-faced, he had a different sort of gentleness about him.
"Perhaps that's one disadvantage of being a Muggle-born wizard. Hmm, Draco, don't you honestly find some of those potion ingredients a little... disgusting?"
Draco could not understand. "Why would you find those slugs disgusting? It's not as if anyone asked you to eat them!"
Allen stopped short, suddenly remembering that the potions Madam Pomfrey had given him were still in his shoulder bag.
He could not be certain those potions did not contain some bizarre ingredients...
His waist and thigh seemed to burn where the bag rested against them. Thoroughly uncomfortable, he gritted his teeth, his face stiff. "Thank you for the reminder."
They had just reached the common room entrance when a Snowy Owl and a gleaming Golden Eagle flew toward them, each landing on a boy's shoulder with letters and newspapers.
Allen took the envelope and let Tita stay on his shoulder, affectionately nuzzling his neck.
The Snowy Owl eyed the imposing Golden Eagle beside her curiously and hooted at the eagle, only to recoil when the eagle flapped those wings, burying her head firmly against Allen's neck.
Draco grinned wickedly and tickled the Golden Eagle under the chin.
The two sat down on a sofa, fed their pets a little food, then wiped their hands clean and opened their letters.
Allen broke the wax seal and drew out the sheet bearing the Royal Coat of Arms. The familiar, elegant handwriting contained only two brief sentences.
"I understand. Take care of yourself.-Your father, Edward. Written September 1, 11:28 p.m."
After checking the time, Allen looked at his plump, adorable Snow Cat Owl. "Tita, His Majesty replied last night. Why are you only giving this to me now?"
Tita tilted her head and hooted, apparently impressed despite not understanding.
Allen tapped her head. "From now on, give me His Majesty's letters first thing in the morning, understand?"
Tita stared at him with wide eyes, seemingly understanding, then narrowed them and hooted as though smiling.
Draco found it amusing. This fellow was so composed in every way, yet he could still be this childish.
He tapped the table with his wand, and two dinners appeared on it. "Have something to eat first. You still have to go to the Headmaster's Office later!"
Allen shook his head, set the pile of rolled-up newspapers aside, and stood. "No, I still need to visit the Hospital Wing."
"What for? You're not injured." Draco sounded puzzled, then shut his mouth with a sour expression.
Allen chuckled, straightened his robes, and replied, "To check on my people!"
Draco was briefly speechless before saying slowly, "You really are a saint!"
Allen neither agreed nor denied it.
Draco was still too young. A seasoned politician would have known how rare an opportunity like this was for winning people's hearts!
The Hospital Wing now smelled of disinfectant everywhere. More than half the young wizards had already had medicine applied and were sitting obediently on their beds.
Allen arrived at just the right moment. Madam Pomfrey was too busy to pay him any attention, so he walked openly into the Hospital Wing and surveyed the young wizards with his head tilted slightly.
The Little Snakes were very quiet. After Allen had immobilized them, they had taken the very Slytherin approach of giving him the silent treatment-until the older students expressed their acceptance of this Muggle Crown Prince.
By then, everyone would be getting along, and the Muggle Crown Prince, a fellow Slytherin, would not hold today's cold treatment against them.
Compared with them, the Gryffindors had far more varied expressions.
When some of the pure-blood and half-blood Little Lions saw Allen, they nudged their Muggle-born friends and whispered, "...Isn't that your Muggle Crown Prince?"
Harry and Ron were exchanging helpless looks-Hermione had lost her temper over their starting the fight and costing Gryffindor another fifty points, and now refused to speak to them. At those words, they turned sharply and stammered guiltily, "...Your Highness!"
Allen nodded gently and approached them. "Harry, are you feeling better?"
Harry's face flushed. He felt wronged and happy, with a little anger and jealousy over Allen's friendship with Malfoy mixed in.
Hermione paused, then looked at Allen with an aggrieved expression too.
The Muggle-born Little Lions slowly turned their heads. The instant they saw Allen, they could no longer hold back, as though they had caught sight of a parent after being bullied.
"Your Highness..."
The Muggle-born Little Lions sniffled.
Finally, Harry pouted and hugged Allen, complaining miserably, "...Malfoy's punches really hurt! Your Highness, you weren't there, so you don't know. Snape was picking on me!"
Allen gently patted his head. "...You did well. I heard you answered every question he asked?"
Harry flushed again, this time with shyness and pride. He nodded, doing his best to imitate Allen's composure. "Of course! I prepared properly for class, and you checked my work yourself!"
The Little Lions had yet to catch up. They stared, dumbfounded, as Harry received a hug from Allen.
Looking at the pitiful Little Lions, Allen patted Harry's back to signal him to stand up. "Shall we meet this weekend so you can tell me how things have been going?"
Harry knew Allen had not come just for him, and he let go a little dejectedly. At those words, however, he brightened again and generously stepped aside.
I'll let you experience His Highness's concern! His Highness and I have plans this weekend, after all!
One brave Little Lion caught on and, tears still on his face, threw himself into Allen's arms with a howl. At once, all five or six Muggle-born Little Lions hurried over and crowded around Allen.
They said nothing, simply hugging Allen's arms or tugging at the hem of his robes.
Hermione held back out of reserve, but at the sight of them, she stamped her foot in regret.
Allen could barely move. Catching faint whiffs of disinfectant and medicine, he asked soothingly, "Does it hurt badly?"
The Little Lions nodded with whimpers.
Allen chuckled. "Let go of me first so I can look at your injuries."
The Little Lions reluctantly released him-opportunities and excuses to give the Crown Prince a bear hug did not come along every day-then obediently lined up.
Allen checked them one by one and let out a soft breath of relief. "The injuries aren't too serious. They're mostly bruises-Mr. Green's are a little worse, and Miss Granger's are the mildest. You must listen to Madam Pomfrey and apply your medicine properly, understand?"
Hermione nodded with a blush, but the other Little Lions were not nearly so obedient.
They pouted and complained, "But those potions all smell awful!"
Allen thought for a moment. "Then I'll write to Father King and ask him to send some ointment, and share it with you. How does that sound?"
The Little Lions' eyes lit up, and they instantly cheered as though the pain no longer mattered.
The other Little Lions looked over enviously. Even the Little Snakes seemed a little jealous.
This Crown Prince truly cared about his people.
Madam Pomfrey poked her head out and glared sternly at Allen. "Anyone who isn't a patient, out! Keep the noise down!"
The Little Lions hastily shut their mouths, and Hermione shot the boys a fierce glare.
But Allen had already been discovered. All they could do was watch miserably as he said goodbye to Madam Pomfrey.
Allen glanced back at them and said with amusement, "I'll get you the ointment before noon tomorrow. Make sure you apply it properly when it arrives!"
Madam Pomfrey strode over, apparently intending to seize Allen by the collar and throw him out.
Allen calmly looked up at her and offered a perfect smile. "Madam, would you be interested in learning about Muggle Wound Salve?"
Madam Pomfrey looked at him with some distrust, but stopped.
"I've promised these children I'll give them some. If you'd like, I could ask my father for an extra batch to donate to the Hospital Wing."
"...Muggle ointments?" Madam Pomfrey murmured, then said hesitantly, "You may bring some so I can compare them with potions."
"Of course, madam!" Allen replied obediently. "Then I won't keep you any longer!"
Thank goodness for Muggle ointment, which allowed their Crown Prince to leave the Hospital Wing with his dignity intact-Madam Pomfrey was Hogwarts's secret queen, after all!
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