Flowerpot

Prompt: 95

Bound Jindřich Hrnčíř, son of a village potter, one of the few survivors of a burned and pillaged village whose name everybody forgot, after a few adventures, became a squire of a wandering knight. Eventually, after further adventures they were even allowed to join a noble’s retinue. During their previous wanderings and adventures, they managed to thwart several villains, disperse a few bandit gangs and save a respectable number of people. As they were resting one night, Jindřich kept wandering, eventually finding a lake being fed by a fresh stream and a beautiful maiden bathing. Despite the awkwardness of that initial meeting, Jindřich and the maiden got to know each other. Jindřich’s master learned of that encounter and with gentle words guided Jindřich through the process of courting a maiden. Jindřich and the maiden got to know each other and fell in love. The maiden agreed to give herself to Jindřich, but first he had to stop a spectral hound from plaguing the local populace. Jindřich and his master managed that, yet the maiden had another condition before agreeing to the marriage. Jindřich had to promise never to boast of marrying a Víla and never straying with another woman. Jindřich, brought up to be man of his word, agreed. They were wed, exchanging vows beneath an old sacred oak. Unlike in many stories, he managed to keep his word. They lived together, very much in love for many decades, until they died, surrounded by family and friends.

And now, Harry Potter, after several adventure filled years at Hogwarts, enters his fourth year, as always feeling a yearning for something he can not define. Resigned, he watches as the French delegation leaves their carriage, when his gaze is irresistibly drawn to a pair of sapphire blue eyes. Although he never saw them in his life, they are painfully familiar, the sight tugging at his heart. And Fleur Delacour, upon noticing the look Harry is giving her, abruptly stops, recognition blooming across her face. Those truly sensitive to the ebb and flow of magic and fate, could distantly hear the echoes of voices long gone, a sacred vow.

“To you I swear my love and my heart. You I will love and hold as my spouse, for good and for ill. To you I will be loyal from this day to the last day.”