DISCLAIMER: I do not own 'Harry Potter.'

A/N: Greetings once again, fellow nose-bearers! It's been a while. Just a heads up before you get too excited. This is not the sequel. I repeat; NOT THE SEQUEL. This is a four chapter short story set in the DAS universe that I wrote up for fun – I'd actually written the first chapter over a year ago and found it recently, so I then decided to continue with the story. Basically I just had this idea in my head and thought I'd put it into words for you guys. Man, it's good to be writing these characters again…

I should probably tell anyone waiting in anticipation for the sequel: it's going to be a long wait. I know, shoot me, but I barely have anything at the moment and I know for a fact I'm not going to have much time to work on a huge story like that for a while.

So, in the meantime – enjoy 'No Time But Now!' Really this was just a bit of fun, it was kind of refreshing to write something that didn't emotionally tear me up inside.

J. Noseworthy.

BETA: Reeah Noseworthy.

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No Time But Now (Featuring Clive)

By J . Noseworthy

Chapter 1 - Princess

Ryuu

I took a deep breath as the Minister's deep sonorous voice echoed around the auditorium. This is it. I felt a flutter of nerves butterfly in my chest, but quickly disregarded it. I'd been meticulously preparing and preening myself for this moment for the past three days, there was no way I was going to mess it up now. Rearranging my facial features, I carefully slid a stray blonde curl behind my ear and tuned back into what Kingsley Shacklebolt was saying.

"Although the bad news of Parcium Harper's retirement from the Curse Maker Department has personally affected us all," the Minister began, "when one door closes another is given the chance to open." His liquid black eyes flickered over to where I was sitting and I allowed a small smirk. "Please let me introduce you to our new Head of the Department of Curses, the lovely Miss Ryuu Veil."

My smirk easily morphed into a modest smile as I stood and approached the stage. I'd just begun to ascend the stairs when my thumb habitually slid over the base of my forefinger to feel the cool reassuring silver of the serpent ring – but instead it was met with skin. For a millisecond my step faltered. My ring is gone. How could it be gone? Hesitantly, I continued pace, mind whizzing. Oh God I've lost it. No – wait. Just before, that man must have stolen it… I stepped onto the lit stage. Copper must have it now, I'll find it afterwards. And with that I shook the faltering moment from my head. No point stressing now.

A polite applause flowed through the chamber as seven dozen people watched me shake hands with the Minister and step up to the podium. Cameras from the back of the auditorium flashed randomly like lightning as I began to speak. "Thank you, Minister Shacklebolt. I am flattered by your words." I levelled my gaze with the audience. "And good afternoon to you all. As some of you may know, or presumed, I am Ryuu Veil."

A murmur jumped throughout the crowd like a grasshopper, but I pretended that I couldn't hear the snatches of phrase such as: 'General' and 'Slave's Revolt'. I turned my attention back to the task.

"I'd also like to thank Mr Harper who has been a brilliant mentor to me since I began working here in the Theoretical Magical Construction Level." I shared a knowing look with Parcium, who sat in the front row; stern lined face creaked into what could've been a smile. On my first day on the job, he'd taken an instant warmth to my nerve at challenging his methods and had adopted me as his favourite within the first two hours. It was a bias that we both acknowledged and followed through with despite the unfairness.

"My time in the Curse Maker Department has greatly reinforced my skills and opportunities. I look forward to initiating this new role, and will persevere to do the best for my office." I noticed a few smiles from my co-workers to the left of the chamber. We were only a small department of the Theoretical Magical Construction Level, numbering only six people in total. However, in the past year since I'd joined, our reputation had boomed and we were considered by many to be one of the most prestigious divisions in the Ministry.

"I will try to orientate the CMD towards its main priorities;" I continue calmly, allowing a small smile, "the protection of the Ministry and all wizards and witches in the UK, the pursuit of knowledge in the discovery and creation of new magic and the continued outshining of the Curse Breaker Department." I smirked at Ron as laughter coursed through the crowd. He crossed his arms over his chest and chimed in with a sarcastic: "Ha-ha…"

I waited until the amusement dissipated before continuing. "On a more serious note, I do intend to create an organised working environment, with an admirable nature of sophistication and sincerity-"

At that very moment the large doors at the back of the auditorium flew open and Draco stumbled through them, wearing a sharp suit that was drenched from head to toe. His eyes darted around like a startled rabbit's before meeting with my own. He grinned boyishly.

"Oh, there you are, Ryuu. Quick," he spread his arms wide in self-display, "what do you think of this suit?"

I imagined that I resembled something close to a dumbstruck goldfish. My mouth opened and closed obscenely, unable to form the appropriate exclamations, as I stared at him – my mind still registering the fact that Draco was here; and I was onstage and Draco was here, with everybody watching.

He jogged through the crowd, dodging around seats as he went. Murmurs broke out again, except this time I caught words like: "What?" and "joking…" People leaned out of the way of Draco's sopping wet suit, as he scrambled over one of the chairs in the front row. I felt myself flushing horrendously as he skipped up the creaky wooden steps and onto the stage, giving a brief nod to the audience as he approached me.

"May I have a word?" he asked with complete colloquial calm, silver eyes gleaming.

I stared at him, incredulous. "What on earth do you think you're doing?!" I hissed, gesturing towards the audience, who had gone painfully silent.

Draco stared at me, puzzled, before realisation seemed to dawn on him and he gracefully turned on his heel to face the audience. "Sorry everyone," he began in a clear, presenting voice. "How rude of me. I am Draco Malfoy, owner of Malfoy Industries and representative of the First Families," he articulated eloquently. "And I was simply hoping for a brief word with Miss Veil here-"

"-Oh, curse you!" My tone was threatening at increasing volume as I stormed over to him and glared at him, my eyes green fire. I grabbed onto his wrist, but Draco twisted his hand around to lace his fingers through my own. "What are you doing here?" I spat, "I thought you had a meeting in Germany!" I frowned at his appearance. "And why are you so wet?!"

Draco sighed. "You always have to know all of the details before you can accept anything don't you?" A smirk crept across his mouth. "It ruins the element of surprise."

I scoffed, quivering with nervous-raging-going-to-hex-him energy. "Well you've ruined the element of…" I searched for a word, "Decency! And- social normality! And my trust!"

Draco rolled his eyes as if we were disagreeing over a minor nuance. "Easy now Princess-"

"-Do not call me that!" I snapped, before lowering my tone to a dangerous pitch. The anticipation of the auditorium hung around us like thick, judgemental drapes. "Do you have any perception of patience? Another thirty seconds and I would've been out the door, where you can embarrass me outside of the view of the Minister, my boss, my employees and Ron!" I felt my fingers itch for my wand. "But no, of course not. You just have to barge in here, unexplained-"

"Marry me."

"-and cause a huge scene because-"I stopped, staring at Draco as he stared calmly back. My throat felt dry as I replayed the last three seconds in my head. After a moment, I managed to whisper. "What?"

Draco smiled, holding my hand tighter and assumed a voice that could've been mentioning the weather. "Marry me."

I suddenly lost interest in the fact that every pair of eyes in the room was fixed on our little spotlighted scene. Marry me. He'd said it so simply. So easily. It was almost cruel how I was the only one who appeared shocked. I felt my heart rate accelerate until it was beating in my ears and then felt a million other things in the span of eight milliseconds. I realised I must be in fish-state again so quickly tried to say words. Any words. "Wh-what?"

Draco stepped closer and spoke quieter, but his voice still carried across the auditorium. "Do you have no perception of patience? Another thirty seconds and I would've been down on one knee and everything."

I blinked a few times to clear my head and then spluttered again. "So- you… what?! No- wait…"I bit down on my lip, my mind processing the information one frame at a time. "This is completely insane." I whispered.

Draco laughed and I reddened. "Am I going to get an answer?" he asked with raised eyebrows.

I stared at him in disbelief. "Well, yes of course – you maddened prick!" I yelled, and before I could continue on my tirade, Draco pulled me close and kissed me like there wasn't seven dozen people watching. I flung my arms around his neck and leaned into him, soaking up the feel of him, along with the water drenching his clothes. His hands wrapped around my waist and for a long time we remained that way, hearts pounding frantically.

Then my eyes opened and flickered towards the audience watching opened-mouthed. An encompassing quiet erupted throughout the space as I softly disengaged myself from Draco's hold and walked calmly up to the podium, straightening my soaked and now see-through white blouse. The cameras clicked and flashed wildly as I cleared my throat and adopted a calm, mannered tone.

"Thank you all for you decision on granting me this position." I said, blushing. "I can assure you that you won't regret it."

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A/N: Well, that was spontaneous. It doesn't end here… ;)