Are you ready?
Balmoral was by no means a small residence.
The castle stood proudly on a fresh green patch of grass, its colour grey and its bricks covered in green mould and rust. It was majestic. Its turrets high and mighty, the fresh field the castle overlooked and the dark green ivy that covered the base of it.
One could stand and watch not noticing the rest of the world clamber inside, too mesmerised with the view.
Harry stood, his feet firmly planted on the cobblestone path, his hands firmly in his pocket to hide the clenching fist and the red nail marks he had created in his anxiety, unable to comprehend and truly appreciate his surroundings.
He let out a ragged breath, inhaling the crisp air of the afternoon and watching as his arms shivered and his breath created wispy white clouds in the atmosphere. He watched as numerous people ran by, their hands protectively wrapped round their bodies in an attempt to fend of the cold and hurried inside. He watched until he felt numb with the cold and the overwhelming prospect of going inside seemed less like a tiresome, ferocious quest and more like a eager opportunity.
A hand touched his shoulder, the fingers course and warm as they clasped around his shoulder blade and squeezed the arm gently before nudging him forward. Stepping to the front, he looked up smiling ever so lightly as Charteris gently removed the hand from his shoulder and motioned for him to go forward.
"Go on." Charteris whispered, his mouth curved into a meagre smile, "It will all work out splendidly. I promise."
Harry bit his lip and nodded wincing at the dizzy rush that filled his head when he did and the throbbing pain on his cheek before sighing and steadily moving ahead.
He stopped in front of the gate. His hands leaving the warm cocoon of his pocket and brushing over the wooden door touching the bumps and indents with delicacy as he slowly pushed it forward and watched it creak open.
It stopped halfway, only to be pulled open by a young man standing in a black suit and a white dress shirt. His hair was neatly slicked back and his arms wide open inviting him in. Charteris ambled through smiling at the man and watching as Harry tip toed in.
"Mr Charteris. The royal family eagerly anticipates your arrival. They are currently waiting within the family room and have asked for you and your charge to meet them there. Please go straight in." The man beamed at Harry, his eyes sparkling and his expression tender and excited as he caught sight of Harry's nervous form. His voice was smooth, tinted with a strong Scottish accent.
"Thank you Mark. We will go now." Charteris nodded at the man and watched as he turned retreating into the endless maze of a corridor and disappeared from sight.
"Now. Follow me Prince Hadrian..to the family room we go."
"Harry."
"Hm?"
"Call me Harry."
"Very well then. Let us venture Harry, to the family room."
The family room seemed to be miles away. Tucked away in the secluded area of the castle, past the many spare rooms and studies, it stood holding the occupants Harry was most apprehensive to meet. The door was wooden, its front bearing a sign reading a firm warning for those not of royal blood or given express permission, and its doorknob golden with intricate designs of roses. It was oddly ominous Harry thought.
His heart raced. Thumping loudly in his chest like violent beats of a drum as his breath quickened and a lump formed in his throat. Charteris took a deep breath turning to Harry on his right and reaching forward grasping the doorknob tightly and twisting it before pushing it forward and opening it with a swing.
Here goes nothing.....