End of the Fairytale

. . .

Let me tell you a Cinderella story.

Not so long ago in a place not so far away, there lived a family called Potters. Their family was small; it was just James, the handsome and wonderful father, Lily, the elegant and caring mother, and their son, a sweet young boy named Harry Potter. They lived in a medium size home with a small garden in the backyard. Sometimes, when the weather was fair and the sun was high, they would be seen in the gardens playing with their dog named Padfoot. They were humble despite their affluent status.

"Harry!" Lily called affectionately, her head of lovely reddish brown curls turned towards the flight of stairs. "Come down, we're almost leaving!" her voice echoed through the wooden walls and carpeted floors of their two-storey home. She was in the hallway, prettying herself in their antique etched mirror.

"Coming mum!" A boyish boy answered back from upstairs. Lily nodded, finishing the touches of her make-up while she waited. Foot steps could be heard thundering through the second floor panels. Within a few moments, a small enthusiastic looking boy hastily made his way to his mother.

Lily was a refined young woman who bloomed with the exuberance of grace and innocence. She had met her loving husband James, at the tender age of nineteen and became his wife after a year of courtship. They were blessed with Harry three years later. It had been the happiest day of her life. Now at the age nearing thirty, she sparkled with the radiance of a maiden.

"Here!" Harry presented himself proudly. He puffed his small chest out and stood with his hands to the side. "Captain Harry reporting for her highness!" He saluted with round fingers to his forehead. He was a healthy looking child with a cheeky smile placed on his face. Tonight, he had decided to be his mother's soldier to protect her.

Lily smiled graciously, bending down to face her little soldier. "Oh my! My brave little boy." She mused with bright smile. Her long slim fingers coming to Harry's sides straightening the slightly crumpled fabrics of his dress shirt. Harry wrinkled his forehead.

"I'm not a boy mama!" He pouted back cutely, crossing his arms in defiance. "I'm a big boy!" he said with a huff. His mother giggled softly in response. She scooped him up into her arms with a swift motion as they walked towards the door. James was already outside waiting.

"I'm sorry" she apologized, letting Harry wrap his short arms around her neck. "You're my little man" she whispered to him. She felt Harry snuggled into her caress. She held him close as they approached the waiting vehicle. James stood in front of the car looking handsome and talk—just like a model who once ruled the runway should.

"My love" James greeted her. She allowed his strong arms to take Harry from her and in return he kissed her hand who had a slightly unshaven beard. She smiled into the chaste gesture and then pulled his head with her hands to pull him into a soft kiss.

"We shall be late, if we do not leave now" she told him once they parted. Her husband nodded, opening the door to their car and allowing her to enter. She smiled gratefully at him as he closed to the door after her. James walked around to the other side and entered with small Harry in his arms. He nodded at their driver from the rear view mirror. Affectionately, he placed a hand over Lily's when they began to speed into the highway.

. . .

Kingdom Incorporation was the largest modeling agency in London with their models often being recruited overseas. They found and made talents who had the potential to succeed globally. Anyone and everyone wanted to get into The Kingdom—as world wide sectors referred to the company more commonly. Tonight was the newest launch of their product line, top designers and VIP clientele invited to the event.

The crowds were relatively tame; a far cry from the misinterpreted life of money, sex and alcohol which the media frenzied over. They were tempered, well-mannered and almost aristocratic in the way they projected themselves. For a brief moment, one could believe that they were brought back to the time of real kingdoms—one wherein Kings and Queens reign—everyone exuded elegance and grace on the floor as the night progressed.

"Will you be alright?" Lily asked her son curiously as she entered the main hall of the event. Lights danced around the room around them, swirling in an array of colors. The boy who held her hand nodded enthusiastically.

Lily swooped down and placed a peck on Harry's cheeks before completely letting go of his hand. "Mama is safe here!" Harry declared proudly with a proud smile on his chubby cheeks. "I'll go find Papa and protect him now!" He announced before running back through the door and looking for his father.

Meanwhile, Lily watched her son go with a small giggle underneath her breath as his back disappeared into the crowds. She was quite comfortable in leaving him so wander; it wasn't his first event to go to after all. Harry was three when they first took him to see the lime light, thankfully enough, the boy adapted easily—it was in his blood to live in this type of world. She allowed her eyes to linger on her child being picked up by her husband before turning away.

"Papa!" Harry called, raising his arms high in the air just as his father reached for him. He loved being lifted into those strong arms. It not only gave him a better view of the grown up world but it also made him fell at ease. "Mama is in her special place now so she sent me to look after you!" By her special place, Harry meant that Lily had gone backstage for the show.

James captured his child into a tight embrace and listened when Harry gave the 'field report'. "Is that so?" He asked Harry playfully, squeezing the boy's sides and tickling him. He smiled and gave a laugh.

"Papa!" Harry complained, wiggling out of his father's grasp as he laughed.

James and Lily was a whirlwind couple in the trade. Lily was sixteen when her designs first got discovered and with the help of her manager she was critically acclaimed just three years later. James had been in the industry since the beginning. As the son of a modeling duo, also made a name for himself in the fashion world as a male model. He fell in love with the fair Lily and began to court her.

Their loved blossomed beyond work and after a year they were officially husband and wife—the press had a field day with the discreet ceremony. Still neither of them gave up their jobs; Lily continued her drawings while James slowly climbed into the top of the modeling business. Together, they started a specialized school for aspiring youth who were hopeful to get into their world and The Academy came to be.

"James!" An unfamiliar voice came from behind the pair, making them turn around. A moderately tall, fair-haired man walked briskly towards them. He looked like he was in a predicament. James just eyed the man curiously but said nothing. "Remus?"

"Could you please start the show?" Remus pleaded with an apologetic smile. "The model they booked didn't show for the even and I'm in-charge of the showcase tonight" He placed both hands in front of him, almost begging James to take the position. He was James' friend first and foremost, but aside that, he was also his manager.

"Can't Sirius do it?" James asked back, looking a bit dazzled at the turn of events. "He's your model after all, Lupin" he stated with a wink and earning himself a faint blush on the other man's features.

"I can't. He's lined up for the finale. Please James, just one more time" Reamus begged, as he closed his eyed in prayer. He was mentally preparing the method on how to kill the unreliable runt they had taken in last week.

James sighed, lowering Harry down to the floor. His expression softened as he bended down to his son's eyes level. "Will it be alright if Papa took the stage?" he said earnestly, placing a large palm on the top of Harry's head. Harry didn't look a bit disappointed; on the contrary, the boy looked rather proud.

"You and Mama come back for me, don't you?" He said with a confident smile filling his face. "I'm okay"

As a father, James was filled with pride when he looked into Harry's big green eyes. He had such a strong boy and he knew one day, this might be the world his son would walk in. He smiled gently before recovering to his full height. He gave in. "Okay Remus, but you're taking my family out to dinner" he agreed, patting his old manager on the back.

Harry didn't feel lonely as he watched his father's retreating figure disappear into the darkness. He had too many fond memories of their family being together to feel any discomfort. He didn't like this world, he didn't dislike it either. He was still too young to understand and he knew that. He would wait until he grows older, until the day he could find out what was behind those thick black curtains.

Somewhere along the way of his wondering, he'd managed to stroll away from the crowded room. The corridor was dim and cool. Curiosity being his nature, he decided to venture further into the unknown place. He was in a cave—he imagined, trying to find hidden treasure in the dark. He could feel the thumping of his heart against his chest. It was adrenaline.

'BOOM'

Thunder crashed loudly from the outside. Lightning flashed madly through the large ceiling to floor windows. He called for the courage deep inside him to keep moving forward. He was braver than a soldier and he was sent on a mission. What that mission was, he wasn't really sure but he had to fulfill it.

He spotted movement from the corner of his eye—he froze. Was it monster that was going to eat him? Was the shadow king going to take him to the dark kingdom as revenge? Harry shook his head furiously. No, no, I am a braver than a soldier! He told him self over and over again. With small cautious steps, he made his way into the inner cave. Green eyes met silver.

A small mop of light blonde hair came into his sight, the body beneath it quivering in fright. BOOM! Thunder crashed again and the other boy huddled into a ball closer. It curled into a fatal position, shaking each time the sound of thunder echoed through the halls.

"Hey" Harry called out softly, his boyish boy reaching the blonde's ears. The head perked up at the intruding voice.

"Who are you?" The other boy mumbled in between sniff. There was a flowing trail of tears flowing down his pale cheek. He did he best to try and glare at Harry but it failed when booming sounds of thunder came again. He gripped into the worn-out brown stuffed cow tighter.

Harry couldn't help but attempt to smile at the boy for comfort. "I'm a soldier!" He declared proudly, lifting his arms to the sides in jest. The action made the blonde look up at him curious. "I'm here to protect you!" He said, with a lopsided smile. This time his companion smiled.

The next echoes of thunder came and the blonde leaped innocently into his embrace. Harry held the scared little boy who looked younger than he was. Inside he was happy knowing that he'd made a friend.

. . .

The night eventually ended. The lively party soon dissipated as the new dawn of the morning began to peek through the darkness. Lily scanned the crowds for James. She was completely surprised when her husband graced the stage and led the parade of gorgeous male models. Despite his age, the man still hadn't lost his touch and the charisma he used to charm the audiences. He could still rival the men half his age.

"James!" She called out when a glimpse of those unruly brown locks caught her sight. It was definitely one of a kind and she could tell it was him in an instant. She nearly ran, a bright smile decorating her face as she moved closer to him. "I'm so proud of you!" she whispered into his ear just before planting a chaste kiss into his lips.

James smiled against the kiss, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her closer. "Wow" was all he said when they parted for air. "If I'd known you'll react like that I would have come back from retirement in an instant" he told he suggestively and making her blush. With a free hand she slapped him playfully.

"Do that mister and you'll sleep on the couch for a month" she threatened lightly with a sly grin. She loved her husband very much and as selfish as it was she wanted him all to herself. "Is Harry okay?" she asked moments later, looking at the small bundle who was lolling his head beside them.

"One of the young Draco's guardians found them huddled underneath the table" He explained lightly, scooping their son into his arms. "I guess the thunder last night scared the two of them. We didn't hear it due to the music of the show"

Lily smiled up at him and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Let's get him to bed" she suggested, lovingly placing a head against her husband's broad shoulder as they walked away. The car was waiting for them when they reached outside. No longer were their reporters flooding the scene since the party had long been over. The couple was grateful for the privacy.

"Peter" James nodded at the driver with a small smile as they entered the car. Like a gentle man, he allowed Lily to climb in first, and then placed the slumbering Harry on the seat beside her before sitting down himself. "Please take us home" he ordered, buckling Lily's seatbelt for her as she began to feel the fatigue.

"Master, Mistress" Peter acknowledged them with a small bow then started up the engine. "It's been a long night. Please take a rest for a while" he said, eyeing James from the rearview mirror. The man nodded and buckled himself in, closing his eyes and allowing sleep to take him.

Peter chuckled to himself and drove away. It was a quiet car ride with the whole family sleeping in the back seat. It was just perfect, he thought to himself. It was far too easy to kill the gullible idiots in their sleep. It had only taken him three months to earn the couple's trust and now he could finally do what he was sent for—eliminating the competition.

"Rest my dear Potters" he muttered under his breath as they entered the highway. He glanced over the rearview mirror and saw the bus coming up behind him just like planned. The sound of his phone range from his belt "Yes?" he answered through the receiver.

"Yes Sr., they're all asleep in the back seat. Yes. Yes" He shut the phone closed and ended the call. He sighed, taking in a few moments before executing the plan. The bus will crush the unsuspecting trio into the back seat, he thought to himself. He slammed his foot into the breaks harshly feeling the inertia form the sudden stop, his body was slung forward.

"Papa! Papa!" Harry called, shaking his father furiously with all his might. He was awoken by the sound of the phone earlier and watched with sleepy eyes as they exited the highway. The sudden stop made him scarred, that along with the sound of the bus' frantic horns screeching from behind them. Big round front lights glared through the rearview mirror. Moments later, he was thrown out of the car through the windshield.

"Mama! Papa!" Harry shouted from the asphalt ground. Rain soaked through his clothing, but he didn't care. Forcing his arms to grow longer, he reached for the wreckage that stood a few meters away from him. He could faintly make out the figures of his parents bleeding inside the car.

"Mama! Papa!" he yelled like a chant, hoping that they'd come to pick him up but they never came. He felt weak from the crash; blood impaired his eyes sight when it entered his eyes. His eyed burned from crying and the wounds throbbed with pain as he blacked out. It was the first time he felt utterly alone.

. . .

Lucius Malfoy made The Kingdom. It was his dream. Also being the son of a model, he grew up in the world of this industry and didn't want to give it up. He created The Kindom because he had an eye for raw talent. Kingdom Incorporation was the monarchy of the trade, it was where models were found and made. Everyone who wanted to succeed yearned for a place in the palace walls.

"Draco! Come here" he barked stiffly, calling his five year old son to him. The young boy followed immediately, obediently climbing on Lucius' lap. "Did you enjoy tonight's party?" he asked his son earnestly. He recently discovered from Severus that Draco was huddle under a table for a majority of the period. He cursed the storm for ruining it for Draco—they boy was hopeless with thunder.

"Yes father" Draco replied with a curt nod. "I made a friend today. He helped me with the bad sounds" he answered innocently, hugging his stuffed cow against his chest. Lucius raised an eye brow at that statement.

"A friend?"

Again his son nodded. "He said he was a soldier!" Draco beamed brightly. The small boy turned around and made a childish salute at his father, just like Harry had earlier.

"Oh" Lucius said skeptically at the remark. "Do you know his name?" he inquired. He was curious now, trying to remember if anyone had brought a child with them tonight—he couldn't think of any names. He drew a blank so he waited for his son to continue. Draco shook his head. It was a dead end.

Lucius broke the silence with a fake cough moments later. "One day" he started, motioning for Draco to look through out the crowd. "This will be your world as well" Draco glanced over the sparkling lights, upbeat music and rivers of people that were below them. The idea of him living among them didn't sound too bad.

"You are the crowned prince of this kingdom! One day you shall take over from me. When you take a bride and come of age, all of this will be yours!" Lucius declared, his voice booming. It made a few eyes turn to them with interest but he didn't care.

Draco smile brightly at the thought. He liked being a prince. A prince got anything he wanted and he had a whole lot of people who liked him. Maybe if he waits, that soldier will come to stay by his side one day.

. . .

James and Lily Potter were found dead in a vehicular accident. On the way back to their residence, their car was hit in the back by a passenger bus. It is reported to be a DUI case, the driver of the bus was suspected to be under the influence at the time fled the seen before the authorities arrived. Their driver, a Mr. Peter Pettigrew, only sustained minor bruises due to the impact. The couple's son, seven year old Harry Evans Potter, survived the collision. The little boy was flung out of the vehicle and onto the concrete a few meters away from the scene.

It was on the news for weeks. It ran on every news program, on every broad sheet and was on the lips of everyone. It was a massive blow on the fashion industries when one of their most talented designers and on of their most gift models was taken away from them. Society grieved at the loss, but no one could grieve more than the boy who lost every thing.

"I'm sorry for your loss" Dumbledore apologized sorrowfully. He was a trusted care taker of the Potter realities ever since he governed for James as a boy. He was hired to take see to most of the things inside the Potter's company but that was where his jurisdiction ended. No matter how much he, and other employees, loved the young Harry they could do nothing for him.

"Young Mister Potter's legal guardianship shall be given to you and your wife." He confessed to the pudgy looking man who stood in front of him. This was Vernon Dursley, infamous husband of Petunia Evans who was Lily's half sister. Since the whereabouts of James' kin was unknown, Harry would be placed in the care of his mother's relatives.

Lily came from a small humble family who lived in the outskirts of London. She grew up with two loving parents and a younger sister, Petunia. She left home in hopes of pursuing her dream to become a designer against her parents' wishes. Since then she was not able to keep in contact with her family, but they kept tabs on her through the papers. Her parents died of pneumonia two years ago. Petunia was the only one left.

Petunia longed for the spotlight of couture fashion, but she was too afraid to go against her parents. She despised Lily and loathed her for achieving success when she married at a young age to her High School sweet heart, Vernon. It was her sister's name she was after today—she wanted her name to be published in the papers as well. That's why she came to the funeral.

Vernon snorted and glared at the old man fiercely. "We don't want him" he barked out, ready to walk away. Why would be want the blasted child of a woman which his wife severely hated? It was stupid to think they'd accept a bastard which they knew absolutely nothing about! It was preposterous.

"You're his only family! You have to!" Dumbledore practically begged and ceased his arm. The old man's grip was tight and stopped him from walking any further. He did the only thing he was taught to do—he spit at the man's shoes with disgust and grunted, pulling his arm free.

"I don't want that filth in my home. He's worthless to me!" he declared, pointing at the small child who clutched Dumbledore's shirt. He looked at Harry like he was a monster and talked about him in much the same manner. He didn't find anything important about the said boy, so why bother?

Dumbledore covered Harry's ears and glared at the man. It wasn't right for such a vermin to keep Harry instead of the company. It was unfair that power was to be transferred to Harry's legal guardians. They were employees sure, but they could love the boy more than the horrible man who stood before them.

"It's yours" he announced, playing his last card—greed. If Harry didn't go to the Dursley's, he'd be put up for adoptions. He shivered at the thought; legal systems in London were as horrid. It was just lesser of two evils. "You can legally govern the brand. It's yours if you take him under your care."

"Brand?" Vernon eyed him curiously. He moved closer to Dumbledore now. "What brand?" he asked.

"For god's sake, do you not read the papers?" Dumbledore exclaimed, taking out a pamphlet from his breast pocket like a calling card. "The Academy was founded by James and Lily Potter almost five years ago. Steadily it's been growing in popularity and demand for aspiring young talents who want to enter the fashion business"

Vernon was quieted by shook, as his shaky hand took the information sheet from Dumbledore's fingers and read through it. The Academy was an empire! It had boomed into an international sensation in just two years and it was now home to more than a hundred models nation wide! It was still growing. It was training ground for those who wanted to enter The Kingdom.

"It's ours?" he asked carefully with much hope in his voice. If he could run a school for models than surely their life would change! They would be part of the fashion world monarchy overnight!

Dumbledore didn't want to answer. He knew the greed that was laced in Vernon's voice. If they gave this man the power over The Academy, it will surely go in shambles! "Yes" he confessed tightly. "Until Harry turns the rightful age"

Vernon smiled greedily up at him. "We'll take him!" he announced as if he was buying a car and sounding as if he had won the lottery. He was now the owner of the greatest school for aspiring models in the world and was affiliated to the prestigious modeling empire.

Dumbledore could do nothing but give Vernon the papers to sign. "You're responsibility shall be caretaker of the child. You hold no right to influence the decision made for The Academy, you shall only be the carrier of its name as caretakers of its heir, Harry Potter" he started giving out the scope and limitation of the contract.

Vernon nodded off without a care. He didn't pay attention to the detail and signed the papers right away.

That was the day that Harry came to live with the Dursley's but the worst was not over yet. As long as he was under their roof, it was no breath of contract what ever they did to him. Dumbledore and the others were unaware of Harry's home situation and Harry was kept in the dark about the legacy his parent's had left for him. He had absolutely no idea about The Academy; he was too young to recall anything but family memories.

. . .

He wasn't Harry Potter—son of James Potter, the male model, and Lily Evans, the designer. He was just Harry, the boy who served the Dursley's.

At home, he was consistently maltreated by his relatives. From the day he arrived in the Durley's home, he had been constantly beaten, unfed and verbally abused. It was a hard fate for some but to Harry it had become his life. Occasionally, he was allowed into the town for errands. It was the only time he could be whoever he wanted to be, he felt free.

Despite the treatment for his cruel relatives, Harry never lost fate and always longed to return to his parents. He had inherited his mother's talent for the craft. He later discovered this when he met a friendly young Lady named Hermione Granger on the streets of London. The girl had spilled a cone of ice cream on herself when a gust of wind blew, Harry without another thought used the paper he was scribbling on to help her.

Hermione fell in love with his designs at once! She had already made a name for herself in the industry. She showed Harry her small woman's boutique near the center of London's district. She had always wanted to broaden her horizons by introducing men's garments in her store, but she couldn't design anything for males. She offered to sell his designed in her shop, Harry agreed instantly.

Since then, he collected a hundred pounds from her—no more, no less, to eat a few meals whenever he was in town for job. The Dursleys found shopping in town too—uncivilized and that rich people ordered their servants to buy their things for them. Harry didn't mind the extra work at all. Despite doing all the chores at home, since the Dursleys were too cheap to hire other help, he walked through the city doing their bidding.

Today's task was buying clothes for his cousin—who was too fat a pig and weight conscious about going out in public. Dudley found it quite comforting for the people to give Harry strange looks when the boy asked for sizes that were obviously too big for him! He thought it was a funny joke, that's why he let Harry buy his clothes.

"Hermione! I've got the new d—s" Harry called out casually when he stepped into the familiar modern boutique. He'd been here before of course, he'd met and befriended the young designer who owned it. It was one of the reasons why he loved going into town, he could met the few friends he'd made.

He caught his breath and stopped short of finishing his sentence when he saw Hermione. She was furiously biting her lip and shaking her head wildly. She put a finger to her lips, telling him to quiet down. Harry ceased speaking and walked closer.

"Client today?" He whispered just enough for her to hear, he reached for something in his messenger bag as he walked. Once he stood beside her, gaining a full head above her tall frame, and passed a small binder into her hands. She nodded her head.

"Yes, so if you plan to keep your secret out of the tabloids, I suggest you play messenger boy for me" She told him in a matter-of-factly tone. She kept her voice hushed, which was harder due to the store's acoustic walls. Any soft sound echoed through out the entire room. Harry kept quiet.

"New designs?" Hermione murmured under her breath softly, restraining her voice from echoing through the space. She lifted the dark bound book and scanned through the contents, flipping the pages with her right hand. Her smile grew wider and brighter each time she turned the page. Harry just stared at her blankly.

"Harry these are amazing!" She burst out after a few minutes. Immediately Harry's hand came to cover her mouth. "Shh—h" he hissed into her ear. He was afraid to be discovered, whoever may be in the changing rooms of Hermione's boutique. He didn't want to risk it.

"Do you think I can get at least a month of meals from this?" He asked softly into Hermione's ear. The girl mumbled something under his palm in response but he didn't understand her. "What?"

Sighing, Hermione brought her hand gently to cover Harry's and then pulled it away from her mouth. "Harry" she exhaled heavily before looking over at the brunette. "This can earn more than a year's meals and not to mention get you a new wardrobe! You'll still have some money left over!" she exclaimed in defeat as Harry shook his head again.

"I'm fine with just food Herm" He answered her truthfully "and I can't but new clothes, else the Dursleys will grow suspicious" he confessed, folding up the sleeves of the shirt he got two Christmases ago. His appearance really didn't look that bad. It was a bit out of season materials, but he still made it look up to date.

"Really Harry" Hermione moped from beside him. Their conversation was cut short when a head of platinum blonde hair made its way into the room. Harry felt a tug in his gut that he'd seen that shade of blonde hair before, but he couldn't remember. He'd never seen the man before!

"Hermione darling, I love these works but do you perhaps have anything new?" Draco, the blonde boy, asked as he walked towards the counter. He was dressed in one of Harry's previous designs. Harry blushed in realization. Damn, the boy made his ruddy sketches look as if they were crafted by god!

"Oh hello D—" Hemione caught herself before she revealed his name. She mentally kicked herself for almost forgetting that Harry was supposed to be playing messenger boy. She shifted uncomfortably before eyeing the dark blue portfolio Harry had given her earlier.

"Perfect timing!" she exclaimed, taking the said item into her hands "Your designer just sent it with new designs!" she said, handing the book into Draco's hands.

Harry was about to argue from beside her but he quickly caught her warning eyes. He decided to keep quiet instead. Damn, he cursed. He'd never seen his designs on a live person before neither had he ever been in the room when the client was looking over his portfolio. Hermione gave him a small smile for support but it wasn't helping.

"Academy?" Draco mumbled, quickly glancing over Harry's attire, as he flipped through the pages of the binder. It was the first time that both Hermione and Harry noticed that the brunette was sporting the official Academy blazer with the trademark 'J interlaced with L' emblem on the breast pocket.

Harry lowered his head with embarrassment. He must have pulled on the old winter jacket Dudley had thrown away two weeks ago because it no longer fit his round frame. It appeared more tailored on Harry's thicker and more muscle frame instead or maybe it was because Harry altered it for fit a little better.

"That's uhm. . ." Hermione began at a loss for words, not really knowing what to tell Draco.

"Don't tell me my mystery designer is from The Academy?" Draco inquired curiously eyeing the boy beside him. He turned to Hermione and raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to answer his question. He put aside his interest on clothes and focused more on finding its maker. He stared at Harry's distinct overcoat.

Could it be possible that his designer was from the fashion school? But as it was always a flop. The models they got there was good performers but the Dursley's sense of fashion was horrible! How could such people own such a prestigious school? He shook his head and brought his thoughts back in order, waiting for the girl to answer.

"It's not what you think!" Harry confessed nervously before Hermione could begin talking. Both pairs of stunned eyes were on his in a second. He didn't know exactly what it was the boy referred to as 'Academy' but anything close to his identity scared him nearly to death. He had to clean the trail now.

"I uhm. . . I work there part time" he lied through his teeth. He silently prayed that the blonde would believe him. "That's why I have this jacket. Since its old and worn out, a friendly student gave it to me. Besides, the style is out of season so their going to change it pretty soon." Okay that was partially true. The jacket wasn't really given to him but it was old and worn out.

Draco eyed the babbling boy beside him. A hint of emerald caught his eye. Where had he seen that before? He wondered, curious now on whom the boy was. There was something oddly familiar about the boy standing in front of him. He studied the boy from head to toe; good strong features, a toned body. If ever this was a student of the school, why deny it? It was the top school of fashion. Their company always contracted models from there.

He sighed, and decided to let it pass. He gave a small nod then walked away. He took a seat on his favorite couch in Hermione's boutique. It was very comfortable, cushioned with white soft leather and decorated by wood. Crossing his legs, he placed the binder on his lap and started going through the designed once again. He was distracted the last time so he took his time looking through the drawings.

"Harry! What was that all about?" Hermione question in a very low voice so that Draco wouldn't over hear. It's not like would have noticed anyway, he was too transfixed on the portfolio he had in his hand.

Harry scratched the back of his head nervously again. "I don't know" he confessed solemnly, avoiding her eyes by looking sideways. There was an uncomfortable pause that loomed above them. He faked a cough to break it.

"I better get going" he muttered under his breath while he stuffed his hands stiffly into his pockets. He wanted to knock what the 'Academy' was and he knew just the person to ask. Sadly, it would have to wait for another time since Dudley had ordered so much stuff for him to buy.

"Dudley wants a million things today!" he exclaimed with a soft laugh. "See you Herms!" He waved goodbye and left the door. Of course, he couldn't deny one last fleeting glace at the blonde who sat by the window. In his mind, he tried to remember where he saw that boy before.

. . .

Author's Notes:

Welcome Readers!

Hello everyone! This is my newest series and I enjoyed writing it. I hope you guys enjoy reading it as well. What do you think? It's my first take on a classic fairytale and I'm trying to make it my own story! Thank you to all those who replied in my poll [ see 'Cinderella, the short adaptation' in my profile ] and a majority of you voted for the setting to be in modern times so here you go!

Please leave comments, questions, suggestion or concerns! Also feel free to tell me your ideas for this story! Do you have an insight as to where I could take this too?

Lastly one question that I leave for you;

[ Dominant Harry and Submissive Draco ] or [ Dominant Draco and Submissive Harry ] ?

REVIEW!

I still can't decide who tops and who bottoms. Help?

-Arh.581958

PS. As for those who liked the Olden Version of the Cinderella remake, stay tuned because after I finish this I might be in the mood to write that version! Rest assured, it will be two completely different series!