DISCLAIMER: I do not own 'Harry Potter.'

A/N: So, here's the beginning of the explanation. Here, we go back to four hours earlier and start to discover what exactly the hell happened. Also, you get to meet Clive, who frankly I consider to be my spirit animal. Also, Henri, Felicity and Dominic are all original characters of mine. Enjoy!

BETA: Reeah Noseworthy.

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Chapter 2 - Prince

Draco

Four Hours Earlier

The clock on the mantle ticked rhythmically as I stared blankly down at the complete business proposal written on the parchment before me and sighed. It was only three thirty and already I was exhausted. The afternoon sun had begun to wane in the sky. I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes, allowing my mind to rest. But, as Ryuu often said, no rest for the wicked.

And thus the doubt began.

In precisely twenty four days from now I would propose to her. I'd already organised accommodation in Paris, and hired the best string quartet in the city to play privately at a candlelit dinner in the park where we had our first official date. Cat Dancers from Egypt were arranged to perform during dessert, and then while we drink the finest bottle of Moonlight Champagne, I would ask her. And she would say yes. Surely she'll say yes.

I opened my eyes and looked up at the roof, mind gnawing at me. I'd been prepared to marry Ryuu for quite some time now, really almost immediately after the war had ended. I'd wanted to make the commitment final, she was my only family and I was ready. But I'd sensed that although Ryuu felt the same, she wasn't looking for marriage straight away. And that's why we'd travelled, I think the freedom of being able to move from country to country had reminded her, one step at a time, that she was free now; that she could do whatever she wanted. And maybe I'd needed that too.

But I still wasn't certain if she wanted to get married now. I'd brought it up a few times, and each time she hadn't disagreed, but she'd been vague. But, I reasoned, she was quite willing to marry me six years ago in the Hospital Wing… I winced. That had just been a spur of the moment, desperate attempt to keep me out of jail, not really the romantic reassurance I was looking for.

I knew that Ryuu loved me. Of course I knew, she said it to me every day just the same as I did to her – just in case. Being physically separated from her for long periods of time – or even on a four day business trip like this one – was draining. A bit pathetic to admit, but true. I mean really, was it just too much to ask that Ryuu just be my wife already? Was it wrong of me to want us to share a name and a home and a life and maybe one day a child? Because I sensed that maybe a part of her still seemed hesitant, and I wasn't completely sure why.

The chair creaked as I stood and walked over to the window, looking down at the calm canal. It didn't matter; I was still going to propose. All I had to do was wait for the ring to arrive, which would be in nine days, and ask Mr Veil's permission, which admittedly I had been putting off to postpone the awkward sincerity he and I mutually have for each other. And she will say yes.

Surely.

There was a knock and I reluctantly slid back into reality. "Come in."

Through the door entered the impeccably dressed six-foot-two form of Clive, carrying a tray laden with a porcelain teapot and cup. Clive wore thin-framed rectangular spectacles that bridged over his pointy nose, boxing his disinterested light blue eyes. His bald head highly extenuated the unusual point of his left ear, a physical feature which went well with Clive's rare and crooked tight-lipped smiles. As was his custom, Clive's appearance was immaculate, down to the last polished silver button on his midnight black tailcoat. He calmly paced across to the desk and began to unload the tray. "You're three thirty four pm tea, Sir." Clive's droning tone of condescension wasn't mastery but a natural born gift.

I couldn't have asked for a better personal assistant.

"Perfect timing as always, Clive." I said as I picked up the freshly poured tea and took a sip. Clive's gloved hand held out an envelope. "What's this?' I asked.

"A letter from Mr Potter, Sir. It arrived at three twenty seven."

"Do I want to read it?"

"That is a matter up for debate, Sir," Clive responded, narrowing his gaze in time with his patience. "Perhaps the message is one of ill news."

I smirked and sipped at my tea again. The weak German sunlight briefly subdued and I moved over the window to watch the thick grey clouds waft across the sun. "Very well then. Read it out to me."

I heard the envelope being torn open with one practised rip, and then Clive's low tone resonated around the room. "To Malfoy. I know you must be busy in Germany at the moment, but I need a favour-"

"-Is that so, Potter?" I interrupted with a grin, looking back at Clive, whose eyes were still lowered to the parchment.

My assistant continued. "And wipe the smirk off your face Malfoy; I know you must be loving this. For once I need you to take something seriously. I haven't been able to contact Ryuu because she's cut off all communications because she's preparing for her big speech today. I need you to ask her if she can reserve a table at Jonah's restaurant for me tonight. I have something planned and it's extremely important."

"Does he think me his errand boy?" I interjected, and tipped the last mouthful of tea down my throat, annoyed at Potter's arrogance.

Clive paused for a second, sighed and continued reading with an expression of upmost disdain. "You see, tonight at eight o' clock I'm going to propose to Ginny-"

Tea spurted from my mouth and I gagged on the dregs clogged in the back of my throat. As I spluttered and coughed, Clive causally flicked a handkerchief from his sleeve and passed it to me, continuing to read the letter as I hastily dabbed at my chin. "I sent a reservation request about a week ago, but I just wanted to be sure. Plus, I had an idea for having the ring come with the desert. So please, contact Ryuu. And do not tell anyone about this. Seriously Malfoy I will hex you if you even hint. From Harry."

Using Aguamenti, I cast water into my mouth to clear my choked throat of tea and hurried over to the far wall. "Sir, may I ask what you are doing?" Clive said as I flung a travelling cloak over my shoulders.

"I can't have this Clive," I began in a rave, "If Potter and Weasliette get engaged tonight, it will completely ruin my proposal to Ryuu!"

Clive instantly caught the now tea-stained handkerchief I threw at him and folded it neatly before swiftly returning it to his sleeve. "Sir, your proposal is twenty four days, seven hours and two minutes from now. I'm sure the excitement of Potter's engagement would have dissipated by that time."

I fixed the tall man in my startled, wide eyed gaze. "You have no idea what they're like Clive. The Weasleys and the Potters. The celebrations will last months. And then there'll be the suggestions. Oh Lord." I paused, frozen in place. "A double wedding. If I propose to Ryuu after tonight, they're going to want a double wedding!" I flipped out my wand and raced across to my desk, then stopped, not knowing what I was doing there. "No, I won't let it happen. I mustn't let them win," I murmured, then looked up at my assistant. "We mustn't let them win Clive!"

He raised an eyebrow, expression utterly blank. "Sir, I believe my break began two minutes and eleven seconds ago."

"No time for that. We have to go now." The clock on the mantle seemed to be ticking faster than ever. "I have to see Ryuu right now. I have to propose now." My fingers tapped on the side of my trousers nervously and my toes scrunched up inside my shoes. I hadn't felt this terrified in a long time, but it was a good kind of scared – a kind of bubbling nervous energy convincing me my instincts were right.

I knew Clive sensed my urgency, and could see he was finding it increasingly difficult to dampen it. "Seeing as Miss Veil isn't in Malfoy Manor, Floo Networks or Portkeys to the London Ministry would take an ample amount of time to arrange-"

"-So we'll apparate. I can figure out a route-"

"-In addition, Sir," Clive continued calmly, strolling over to the tea tray and vanishing it with a wave of his wand, "your meeting with the Berlin representatives for Malfoy Industries commences in one hour, sixteen minutes and fifty-nine seconds-"

"-Postpone it, Clive. I don't have time for that. Arrange it for next Tuesday at two thirty in the afternoon." I squeezed my eyes shut in an attempt to arrange my wildly scattered thoughts. "Tell them: 'It is of my deepest regret that I have to cancel this meeting due to a spontaneous family emergency. Contact me for further details at eleven p. m tonight'."

Unflinchingly, Clive turned towards the window and raised his wand. A silver albatross glided swiftly through the glass and disappeared into Berlin's jumble of coarse stone architecture. For a moment I stared out at the cityscape, specifically at a mailbox on the street corner below, allowing my head to click through a checklist. I'm going to propose to Ryuu; which means I need to think of what to say. I need to ask Mr Veil's permission. I need to get the ring-

"The ring!" I yelled so suddenly that Clive nearly dropped his wand. I hurried over to him and stared directly at the glassy sheen of his glasses. "The ring, Clive! When is it due to arrive?"

His flat, light blue eyes blinked slowly. "Nine days, three hours and forty minutes from now." My mouth began to open in protest but Clive carried on in the same tone. "And no Sir, there is no way to speed up the process. I received a report from the Goblins in Africa at three past ten this morning. They only found the right diamonds last night."

"Curse it all!" I exclaimed, kicking over a mahogany lounge chair. I couldn't propose without a ring. And that ring was flawless. It had taken me many sleepless nights to design the perfect one. Ryuu didn't wear much jewellery at all, but if she was to be a Lady of Malfoy Manor, then she would have to have the perfect engagement ring. I faltered mid-step, mind whirling. Lady of Malfoy Manor. I hadn't taken the time for that thought to actually register. Ryuu, my loving wife, would become Lady Malfoy – an icon in the prestigious magical community of Britain, and even the globe. She was already well known enough as General Ryuu Veil, how would the public react to her marriage to a former Death Eater?

That is, if she even said yes.

"Sir, I suggest that you pull yourself together." Clive said, as if he'd read my mind.

I spun on my heel to face him, heart pounding quickly once more. "Yes. Alright. Okay. Alright, okay. Yes. We'll just have to get another ring." I babbled, moving to the centre of the room to stand beside the toppled lounge chair. "The best place for fine jewellery is Paris. Yes, Paris." It was often within the custom for the Malfoy family to purchase an engagement gift from our country of origin, to signify the joining of ancestry. "Clive, time update!"

"Three-thirty-nine, Sir." Clive had the uncanny ability of knowing the exact time without ever having to look at a clock.

I matched his stare, and lowered my tone. "Okay. We'll leave for Paris immediately. I trust you to decipher the most direct apparition route. Once in the city, we will have half an hour to find the perfect ring, and then its straight to London – are you with me, Clive?" I realised absently that I'd adopted the same manner with my personal assistant that I used to with Zabini and Reeah.

Clive carefully removed his spectacles with a swift movement of his right hand, swiped a clean white cloth over the lenses and safely deposited them into his front coat pocket. Then, he produced his arm and sighed audibly. "As you wish, Sir."

Before I could hesitate any longer, I gripped Clive's arm.

The two of us plunged through writhing, suffocating darkness for merely an instant, before I blinked and my eyes opened upon a view of sprawling countryside below. An icy gust of wind lashed my side before Clive took a confident step over the mountain's edge and we were consumed by the compressing void of apparition once more. I felt my limbs being pressed tightly at all angles, before stumbling onto an uneven surface. My foot tripped over an absurdly shaped metal bar and I fell against a convenient wall. Dizzily, I heard a clear disembodied voice proclaim: "WormsBrückeBahnhof,stehenSie bittezurück," before my ears elighted upon the more prominent sound of metal screeching against metal, and my feet felt an approaching rumbling. My head snapped to the left to see a muggle electric train approaching at substantial speed, then I felt my shoulder being squuezed tightly and my senses were dulled by the constricting black instant later, I was upon my knees on lush, green grass, quiet erupting in my eardrums – then it was the roaring suction sound of apparation travel. My entire body felt heavy and lagging – travel worn. Nearly there, I told myself. Surely we're nearly there.But the dark disperision continued to wrap around me until-

-Sunshine. Air. Solid Ground. Falling onto that solid ground, hard. The smooth pass of those accursed metal boxes called cars. Staring at the squared pavement beneath my hands and feeling the sting of grazed skin on my palms.I breathed deeply, comforted by the feeling of oxygen in my lungs. I'd never apparated that far and that rapidly before – I could see why it wasn't advised.

Squinting at the brightness, I straightened, stepping unsteadily onto two feet. Clive stood a foot away, straight as a rod and leisurely cleaning his lenses with the same white cloth, before sliding them over the bridge of his nose in one practised movement. I winced as I took an unsteady step towards him, and a muggle man talking to himself stepped into my path. "Excuse you," I snarled, pushing him to the side and the man removed a metal box from hisear to stare at me in surprise. "Time update," I barked at Clive.

My personal assistant neatly tucked his golden fogwatch into his waistcoat pocket without openeing or looking at it. "Three-forty two p.m, Sir. An hour ahead of London."

"And where exactly in Paris are we?" I asked, eyes searching the reflective masses of carsand windows and cameras surrounding me, trying to make sense of the curving road before us.

"The Arc de Triomphe," Clive indicated over his shoulder and I turned to face the giant monument. The magnificnt stone arch towered over us, and I caught the menacing stare of the fierce angel looming down at me from my upper right. "I assume you know of it, Sir?"

"Know of it?" I replied with a small smirk, "The Chalgrin family is still paying us back for the design idea." My eyes glanced around the streets in search of familiarity. I knew of a place in Paris where I could possibly find a ring, but I wasn't completely certain of which direction it was in.

"Where to next Sir?" Clive opined, extending his arm.

I approached in a step and grasped his elbow. "The Boulevard Haussmann-" I began, before the world beneath my feet plummeted and flipped through darkness and I was suddenly standing so close to the edge of a street corner that a bus almost clipped me as it verred past. Clive had a knack for knowing where everything was, even if he'd never mentioned being there before. Dragging my tired feet across the cement I turned to face the sprawling street, lined by the tall apartment buildings either side. People bustled here and there, too busy with their own pathetic excuses for lives to regard a sense of personal space towards others. Open doors dotted the sidewalk borders, with eager shop owners flaunting their wares in the windows to passers-by. And yet still more cars clunked down the busy road, blasting their horns and stopping and starting to let pedestrians pass. The sunlight reflected off every metal and glass surface, making my head throb in protest – or maybe it was the quickly consecutive apparations.

Clive adjusted his white gloves as I stalked down the sidewalk, against the onslaught of muggles. I searched the stores around me for any sign of the plaque, feeling my agitation increase with every bump and nudge of people rushing past. "We're looking for a shop called Bijoux Délicats, it's small, old fashioned and has a bronze plaque beside the door. I've been there once before, and I know it's on this street, but I'm not sure how far along."

"Well, Sir, you'll be glad to hear that this Boulevard is precisely 1.57 miles long. And at an average walking speed, it'll take approximately thirty-one minutes to reach the very end of the street, which I believe puts us one minute behind schedule."

I groaned and quickened my pace. "You always know how to cheer me up, Clive."

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"CLIVE! TIME UPDATE!"

"Four-twenty-four Sir. Practically the same as it was when you asked twenty one seconds ago."

Forty minutes. We'd been walking around this concrete hell for forty minutes, and yet there was still no sign of Bijoux Délicats. I leaned against a navy post box and snarled at a muggle child when he looked at me with amusement. We'd already raced up and down the street and were now within the painstaking process of doubling back. I glanced around at the buildings, all of them appearing identical to my worn eyes. "It has to be here…." I panted, hope dwindling.

Clive's expression remained impassive for a few seconds before it changed ever so slightly – perhaps his pale blue eyes softened. "Sir… I know I have suggested it once prior, but I'm afraid I missed your response amongst your successive gargle of anger. Hence I shall ask again – and forgive me for my redundancy. But, why don't we simply apparate into the shop itself? Although I have never visited the store, I believe with enough mental-visual stimuli I could transport us there."

I turned to face him, exhausted and frustrated, but not towards Clive. "We couldn't. Although I don't doubt your ability, Clive, Bijoux Délicats is a building crafted of ancient magic. It is a guarded with anti-theft hexes so severe that you couldn't even apparate to the shop's front door without being completely misdirected to somewhere else entirely." I scowled and kicked the brick wall beside me, foot throbbing. "Making it damn near IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCATE!"

There was a scuffling sound and a billboard that had been residing peacefully on the wall I'd just kicked crashed down onto the pavement. I began to groan but stopped as soon as I raised my head. Upon the bricks where the billboard advertising hand cream had been resting, there was a bronze plaque which read: 'Bijoux Délicats - Le meilleur savoir-faire en France' in flowing letters. For a few seconds I stammered, taking in the small, worn shop with the great black door in between two well-polished windows displaying nothing. Some of the upper windows on the second story had been boarded up and there was a small sign just above the golden door knocker reading: 'Out of Business' in both French and English.

I released a breath held in out of frustration and looked over to Clive, perpetually impassive. "It appears you've located it, Sir."

"It appears I have," I replied, flicking my wand into my hand and casting my eyes up and down the street. Nobody seemed to be paying particular attention to us, so I quickly brushed the palm of my hand, holding my wand, against the smooth wood of the ink black door. The golden knocker twitched into life and the circlet banged solidly upon the door exactly four times. In the bat of an eyelid, jewels of sparkling quality appeared in the windows to each side of the door; diamonds winking in the sunlight, pure gold bracelets stacked into perfectly fitted piles six feet high, centuries old Viking crowns and helmets inlaid with curling designs, golden pyramids the size of salamanders, copper chained necklaces adorned with griffin feathers – it was easy to guess what Henri had been up to lately.

Hurriedly, I opened the quiet door and entered the small shop, Clive shadowing my movements. The door politely snapped shut as soon as I took my second step across the odd panelled floor and the ornate brass bell upon the counter dinged instantly. There was a beat of silence in which my eyes flitted around the deserted shop, taking in the shelves and cases loaded with glistening trinkets and obscurities, and then a thick, high voice sounded from over my shoulder.

"Maître Malfoy!"

I jumped violently and spun on my heel, instinctively gripping my wand tighter. I caught sight of Clive's surprised face (which for him was a slight raise of one eyebrow and his pale blue eyes a little wider than usual) and was then plastered in the embrace of the short, plump figure of Henri, who quickly planted two kisses on each of my cheeks as I staggered under his pressing weight. "C'est bon de vous voir, oui très bon de te voir..." Henri babbled on with his usual greeting as I staggered on my unbalanced feet and attempted to stammer out some form of exclamation.

The portly man grabbed my face in his two meaty but uncomfortably supple hands and grinned at my startled expression. Henri was probably in his late seventies, but his face didn't appear aged. His quick brown eyes gleamed and his steel grey comb over was never a wisp out of place. Today he wore plum purple robes with a midnight blue waistcoat buttoned in brass with shoes so well shined the candlelight reflecting off them was near retina-damaging. "Maître Malfoy…"he said again, grinning at me in a tone that seemed a little nostalgic. He seemed on the verge of babbling once more, so I quickly spouted out some words.

"Monsieur Henri, it is good to see you again," I began clearly, and Henri frowned ever so slightly, as I continued, "Although I'll have to insist for the benefit of my assistant here," I motioned towards Clive who seemed to be concealing a smug smirk at my position, "that we use English. There is much work I have to attend to and-"

"-Oh of course, of course!" Henri interrupted, releasing me from his hold and walking past me to stand stoically behind the counter, his grin permanently fixed on his lips. "Business yes, always business for our young Master Malfoy… oh but of course it's Lord Malfoy now, eh?" Henri's gaze softened slightly and his smile weakened. "I apologise of course, for your awful loss. Lord Lucius was a good man – perhaps a little stern, yes, but he cared for his family."

I didn't reply, feeling that maybe if I stayed still Henri's words wouldn't be able to seep across the space and soak into me. I didn't like thinking about my father. As the silence erupted, Henri shuffled and grinned again.

"Ah but you have grown into a fine young man, Draco, yes. The last time I saw you – why you mustn't have been older than fourteen? Only a child – and still such a handsome face! I suppose that's a family trait though eh? The Malfoys – handsome and irrevocably trustworthy; providing you trust in them first of course." And at that Henri gave a little wink.

I smirked and stepped forward until I was leaning against the counter. "Thank you, Henri. You and yours have and always will be strong associates of my family, which is why I've come to you today." Levelling my stare into Henri's chocolate brown eyes I made my tone sincere. "I need a ring. The perfect ring."

Henri's face lit up and he placed a hand on my shoulder. "Maître Malfoy…are you looking for an engagement ring?"

I managed a smile, but prepared myself. "Well, yes-"

"OHOOOO!" Henri burst, jumping up in excitement. His voice bellowed so loud that the bell on the counter vibrated and began dinging inconsistently. "Merveilleuse journée! The young Lord Malfoy soon to be married! Pray tell, who is the lucky and presumably magnifique lady you have chosen?"

Fishing in my pocket I produced my pocket watch and opened it. Next to the clock-face was a picture of Ryuu turning to look up at me and then slipping in to an easy smirk. I handed the watch to Henri. "Her name is Ryuu Veil – you wouldn't have heard of her because…" I paused, wondering how Henri would react. To be honest I wasn't certain of his position. "Because she's a muggleborn." I finished.

Henri stared down at the picture and nodded. "Mmm yes, I know this face. Ryuu Veil…" her name sounded strange on his French-accustomed tongue. Anxiously, I glanced down at the watch taking note of the time. Four thirty three pm.

"What do you think Henri?" I began, nervously. "Do you have anything I could look at?"

"Hmmm…" Henri stared down at the picture of Ryuu for a few more seconds and then grinned. "Of course, yes. Let it never be said that Bijoux Délicats would fail at such a simple task as finding the perfect engagement ring! Plus I've recently gotten some more obscure items in Peru." He shuffled over to the far wall and climbed up onto an oaken ladder which then began to whizz around the shop, stopping at random intervals along the walls so Henri could reach up or down and place a box upon his left arm.

"Did you find a dragon's nest in Peru?" I inquired, as Clive walked over to a glass cabinet filled with opal-encrusted silver peacock feathers.

"Not just a nest – a network of tunnels beneath the mountains. Dragons flying in from all over the world to dump treasures down there. Never seen anything like it! Some of the items were thousands of years old." Henri scrabbled in his waistcoat pocket to produced a monocle-like device with tiny telescope extensions protruding out ten inches from the looking glass. He pressed it over his eye and began to peer into the backs of the shelves with such detail; he looked like an art collector checking for counterfeit.

I looked over to Clive who was now inspecting a cabinet full of brass cogs and bolts with a strange expression on his face that I couldn't decipher. "Time update," I asked casually, and he snapped out of his trance to look over at me with the smallest flicker of surprise before rearranging his features into that of utter nonchalance. "Four thirty five, Sir."

I stifled a groan and turned my attention back to the large, squat man stumbling down the ladder. "Don't suppose there's any chance we can hurry this process along, Henri? I really am in a rush-"

"-Yes, yes, yes." Henri intervened, bustling around the room now and fishing objects out of cases and draws with one quick swipe of his hand. "No, no gold won't do well with her colouring – silver will be best," he mumbled, tossing half the pile aside into the air, where the rings stilled and then zoomed back into their designated places. "Give me more information about this woman. The jewellery mustn't only fit her looks, but her personality as well."

I blinked, shocked. "Um, okay. What do you need to know?"

"Her favourite colour."

"Silver."

Henri frowned and shook his head rapidly. 'No, no, no! That doesn't help at all." Hurriedly he discarded three small boxes over his shoulder, and they too hovered away. "What day was she born?"

"Twentieth of August."

Henri spun around to stare at my bewildered expression with gleaming eyes, his mouth stretching into a wide smile. "Ah, magnifique!"he exclaimed and hopped up to grab what appeared to be an anatomical human heart made out of crystal. "Okay, okay… what kind of a woman is she?"

I frowned and shrugged. "What do you mean by that?"

Henri tilted his head to the side, the corners of his mouth tilting upwards ever so slightly. "Is she a kind woman?"

"Well… that varies-" I stammered.

"Strong, intelligent?"

"Absolutely, yes."

"Is she peaceful?"

"W-what?"

"Peaceful. Does she exert peace?" Henri's brown eyes were incredibly sincere.

I paused, mind ticking. "Well, I suppose she's… just?"

"Hmmm…" Henri lowered his gaze and stood very still for a few seconds, staring at the polished timber floor that matched his shoes. Then, with a brief hesitation he carefully removed ten parcels from the great stack piled on his arm and pushed them into the air, rejected. "Alright… okay," he began with a low, levelled tone. "This last question is very important, yes? What is her greatest achievement?"

A silence rang as I thought it over. Ryuu's greatest achievement… becoming a General? Freeing all of those slaves? Saving Potter, the war messiah? Or perhaps Henri was talking of more personal achievements, like receiving an Order of Merlin First Class, or getting the career she desired without having to train. I opened my mouth and closed it again, feeling ridiculous that I couldn't answer such a simple question about my future wife. But then, Clive's voice cut across my thoughts, ringing around the room.

"Mr Malfoy."

"Yes?" I responded, as Henri grinned and clapped his hands. Then, Clive's true meaning hit me and I spun to face him.

My assistant's eyes were staring directly at me, his face locked in its perpetual impassive mask. Slowly, he inclined his chin and said again in precisely the same tone he'd used before, "Mr Malfoy is Ryuu Veil's greatest achievement."

And concealing a smirk at the thought of how Ryuu would react upon hearing that comment, I turned back to Henri and repeated, "Yes."

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Five minutes later, Henri, Clive and I stood triangled around the counter staring fixatedly at the three rings Henri had selected. The one before the salesman was a simple band made of a clear, tranquil crystal that was injected with shifting blue-grey light that reminded me of a Pensive. It had been locked inside the human heart casket and Henri had said it was made of moon crystal that had been gifted to him by an Indian prince three years ago. It was certainly mesmerising to watch the magic within the crystal, whirl around, but it seems a bit delicate for Ryuu's taste.

The ring before Clive was of ancient Nord design, which Henri claimed was forged thirteen hundred years ago on the twentieth of August. It was a thick and heavy ring, inlaid with peculiar carvings sprawling all the way around. "It is said," Henri had whispered dramatically as he'd cracked open a large hunk of basalt to produce the ring from its centre, "that the designs upon this jewel change depending on the soul of those who look upon it. No one will ever see the same pattern – even identical twins may behold it and see exactly opposite things in the carvings." I squinted as the markings in the silver seemed to blur before my eyes to form a strange, disjointed line leaving a heavy trail that jutted from the centre at random intervals, only to be net and complimented by another, single lilting line that crossed through and around it. Well sure, it looks like that to me, but it could look foul to Ryuu…

And then, before me was a plain silver circlet imbedded with a singular shining stone, cut into a perfect sphere. The stone gleamed bright at the touch of skin, and radiated welcoming warmth. "This is one of the finest pieces I've ever had the privilege to see," Henri had explained as he'd carefully opened the ordinary-looking navy box and showed us the ring, "I crafted the silver myself, and bound in a white gold casing for the ring – but the jewel, well that I found in one of the most unlikely places."

"Where was it?" Clive had asked with something that could've passed for interest.

And at that, Henri had raised an eyebrow, flashing a salesman smile. "The Folóï Oak Forest in Greece, and I think you know what I am getting at, my friend?" Henri asked, to which Clive had merely nodded. "Yes, I travelled there to look at the ancient home of the Centaurs – merely for curiosity's sake – when I came across a hidden burial ground. And there, set into the bark of a huge oak tree, was this beautiful artefact. I didn't want to ruin such a talisman, so I carefully removed it from the oak, sliced an ample amount off the back and replaced it within the tree once more." Henri looked down at the ring, eyes glazing over in wonder. "Upon doing more research, I discovered what that stone must be – one of its kind. The Astéri Pétra – the Star Stone. There is a legend of a star that felt so blessed by the Centaur's constant worship of it and its kin, that it fell in love with the beasts, and fell to Earth to join them. Centaurs don't commonly show desire for material wealth such as gemstones, but the Astéri Pétra is a scared relic."

A fallen star. Certainly, it was beautiful. But its story was sad. Surely this gem should be in the hands of centaurs, if it was so important to them. I wasn't sure how Ryuu would feel about wearing such a valued stone on her finger, especially if Granger found out.

"So, Maître Malfoy, have you made a decision?"

The entire shop seemed to hold its breath in anticipation as my eyes flitted between the three rings. Indian, Norse, Star. Norse, Star, Indian. Star… my gaze lingered and I sighed, leaning back from the counter. "I'm sorry, Henri. But I'm afraid I can't take any of these rings."

Clive closed his eyes in pent-up frustration and Henri sagged down upon the counter, a small wail wilting his breath. "Je vous ai manqué, Maître Malfoy! Je n'ai pas réussi ... moi-même."

I shook my head. "That is not the case Henri. These are all exquisite; I just don't think… they're for Ryuu…" I finished awkwardly.

Henri lifted his head and plastered on a sad little smile. "It is okay, Lord Malfoy. Yes, it is fine." The stumpy man straightened up slightly and Clive vacantly produced a handkerchief. Henri instantly snatched it away and used it to dab at his welling eyes, sniffling loudly. "Okay, okay, yes." He sighed and looked at me plainly. "She is complex – this Ryuu. Difficult to match. Why, I crafted a ring about six years ago that would've been perfect, but it took a long time to make. A dragonstone ring, beautiful it was. Sold it to a house-elf-"Henri stopped as he saw my eyes widen and his mouth went slack. "-Your father's house-elf…"

I stood, frozen, feeling my mind slowly process this information that I already knew. I felt like my entire body was made of lead and I was sinking into the ground. The perfect ring. A ring that screamed Ryuu. I remembered that long ago Christmas when I'd slid that ring onto her finger for the very first time. A perfect fit. Perhaps I'd known back then… I didn't need to find the perfect ring.

I already had.

"…Sir?" Clive's face appeared in front of me, his left eyebrow raised in slight concern. "Are you feeling-?"

"-You haven't failed me Henri," I said quickly, my fingers beginning to twitch back into life as my brain calculated a plan. "You've merely succeeded early!" I grinned and ran forward to plant a kiss on each of his cheeks, Henri waving his arms back-and-forth in bewilderment. "Thank you Henri, and goodbye!" I began to race towards the door.

"W-what? What are you talking about Maître Malfoy?" Henri's stare was wide and his voice was wobbling in confusion.

"My father didn't order that ring, Henri," I smirked as my heart raced. "I did." Clive nearly jumped as I turned and barked at him. "Time update!"

"Two past five, Sir." Clive removed his spectacles and placed them in his upper coat pocket. "An hour ahead of London."

I threw open the door and hurried out, as my assistant grabbed a hold of my forearm. For a second the sunlight bounced off the glass and metal and reflected into my eyes, blinding me, but I ignored it. "To the Veils!" I yelled, and with a resounding crack, darkness enveloped me.

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It took five minutes by apparition to reach Grimmauld Place. Even though I knew Clive devised the most direct routes cross-country I still felt that a little part of him may have been trying to kill the both of us. At one point we were teetering on the very edge of a suspension bridge and at another we appeared directly in the middle of a swarm of bees. Slipping slightly on the rain sodden ground, I leaned against my assistant, who harboured the sturdy upright strength of a newly built brick wall. "Time…update…" I croaked, wincing as a bee stung the side of my neck. I pinched the bug and tossed it to the ground, squashing it under my shoe venomously.

"Seven minutes past four, Sir." Clive replied, easily replacing his glasses upon his face. "And I presume I've brought you to the correct location?"

"Yes," I said, straightening my slightly weathered coat and passing a glance towards the man next to me, whose clothing was impossibly immaculate as always. "Yes, thank you Clive."

It always made me feel a little surreal to be stepping into the foyer of Ryuu's home at No. 4 Grimmauld Place, the place where she spent most of her life. I'd only really been in her parent's apartment twice; once during the Christmas holidays of our fifth year to take her to dinner, and the second time, directly after the war when we'd left Hogwarts and had nowhere else to go – I hadn't wanted to go back to Malfoy Manor. Not at that time. Not for a long time… the apartment had been cleared out – she'd told me what she'd had to do to her parents. We'd stayed there for days, sleeping, eating, gaining enough strength to travel to Australia. It had been like an introduction to muggle life; watching Ryuu cook meals, going into London to buy clothes, using electricity. We could've used magic a lot more than we had, but I felt that Ryuu had needed a lot more normal at that time.

But as I climbed the plain timber staircase up to the top floor, I couldn't help but notice how small a place this must've been to grow up. No sprawling gardens or lengthy corridors or hidden rooms, no magic. What must she have done for fun?

"I'd imagine she would've read books, Sir." Clive said, as if responding to my thoughts. He had a strange way of being able to tell exactly what I was thinking.

I shrugged. "I suppose…" Up ahead was the big red door with the familiar brass handle. I brushed my hands down my front, clearing away a stray leaf from when we'd apparated directly into a hedge, and strode forward, rapping clearly on the door before my confidence could waver.

I just had time to take one deep breath before the door opened and I was met by Ryuu's deep green eyes. For a second I froze, before registering that the teak skinned and dark haired woman before me was Felicity, Ryuu's mother – although at times they looked near identical.

"Draco!" she smiled and stepped forward as if about to flow into an embrace, however out of instinct I raised my hands and she faltered, mid-step. There was a beat of awkward tension in which I mentally cursed myself and Felicity bit her lip. Then, she smoothly reached both of her hands out to clasp mine in a warm touch that made me stare at them for a bit longer than necessary. "What a pleasant surprise…" her stare met mine and I could see she was being sincere.

Okay, time for some sweet-talking. I pulled back and returned her smile. "Thank you… um, yes. And of course you look beautiful as always, Madam."

Felicity cleared her throat and smiled a small smile. "Please, just Felicity – or Mum if you really wanted to…" the joke ran dry in her mouth as my eyes involuntarily darkened and I glanced down at my feet. The second of quiet panned out , and I desperately felt the need to fill it before any apologies or consoling started.

"I'm sorry to intrude;" I continued smoothly, reapplying a polite smile to my lips."I was just hoping to speak with Mr Veil- I mean, with Dominic."

Felicity stepped back from the door to let me pass. "Of course, come on in." I obeyed, glancing around the kitchen and living area for any sign of Ryuu's father, but he wasn't present. The angular lounge suite where Ryuu and I had slept for three days sat stoically in the lounge room, looking strangely empty in this brightly lit setting. Upon the walls was an array of still photographs of Ryuu, as a young girl, a teenager, a woman. There was one beside the coat rack of her and I, standing side by side a little awkwardly – it was the first time we'd been photographed together.

"And, err… who's thi-?" Felicity began to ask motioning towards Clive, whose tall formed towered over her. But before she could finish her question, Clive had easily scooped her small hand into his own gloved one and brought it up to his lips in a swift kiss. My mouth fell open as I watched Clive lift his sky blue eyes to gaze into Felicity's face. "Clive," was all he said, in a deep, slick tone. Then, smooth as anything, he deftly stepped through the doorway to stand solidly next to the kitchen counter. Felicity's cheeks tinged pink.

Bastard! He out-mannered me! I made a mental note to not have Clive in the room when I proposed to Ryuu. "Yes," I began with a hint of grudge in my voice. "This is Clive, my personal… butler. He shines my shoes for me."

Felicity's eyes flickered downwards, just as I heard footsteps approaching from the hallway. I turned to see a tall, blond, wavy haired, generally cheerful looking man approaching, looking at me with an expression of half surprise and half something else. He stopped, holding a mug in one hand and his thumb in the other. "Oh, uh…" Dominic stammered, meeting my gaze and attempting a watery smile. "Hi there, Dray."

There was a split second in which I felt my eyes widen dangerously and Dominic mimicked me.

"-Co." He blurted. "Draco, yes hello…" Dominic couldn't suppress a small wince at the failure of his nickname.

"Have I been pronouncing your name wrong, this entire time, Sir?" Clive cut in slyly, to which I cast him a glare that could have turned bread into burnt toast in a nanosecond.

I suppressed the urge to call him Dom in my introduction, reminding myself why I was here. "Good evening, Dominic." I began, trying to assume the most formal tone I could muster. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but I have something I must discuss with you at once."

Dominic's blue eyes narrowed and he nodded. "Sure, what is it?" I paused to collect myself, but perhaps the man before me saw worry in my eyes because he instantly straightened up and his tone turned serious. "Has something happened to Ryuu?"

"No – no she's fine." Dominic nodded and I felt Felicity's eyes piercing my back. I stepped to the side so I could face both of them at once. And the concern began to creep in. What if they said no? What is I wasn't acceptable in their eyes for a son-in-law? I raised my chin and blinked the nerves away, folding my hands behind my back. "Ryuu's fine, she's… she's perfect." Dominic nodded and lifted his drink to his mouth. Felicity smiled warmly and I took a deeper breath. I can do this.

"It's me," I said carefully. "I just wanted to ask you… Mr Veil," I turned to Dominic and met his stare in what I hoped was a look of measured equality. "I just wanted to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage."

Dominic choked on his drink at the same time as there was an audible gasp from my left and before I could react, Felicity had rushed over and folded me in an embrace. Instinctively I raised my arms over her head, but then slowly placed them around the woman's shoulders. "Oh, yes my dear boy. Oh, of course…" Felicity babbled into my chest, before she pulled back and brought her hand up to cup the side of my face. I felt my eyes widen.

This had happened before.

But not with Ryuu's mother.

Without really thinking about it, I placed my hand over her own and whispered, "Thank you."

Felicity looked up at me with distant eyes and smiled. "You're welcome."

Plucking up some courage, I switched my attention to Dominic, who was still clearing his throat from the mouthful of tea he'd choked on in his surprise. Ryuu's father hurriedly composed himself and took a step closer, his eyes glancing up and down. Uncertainty prickled at the back of my neck. It wasn't as if this man and I were on great terms – mind, I'd never done anything to offend him, we were both just a little wary around each other. As far as I was concerned, Dominic had never been fully able to understand why Ryuu and I were together – seeing as we'd fought on opposing sides of the war. Every time Ryuu had explained some of the things Death Eaters did, I couldn't help but notice the lingering glances Dominic threw my way. Oh no, I thought, what if he refuses?Surely I'd still marry Ryuu anyway, but that could make the gap between Ryuu's parents and myself widen into an abyss.

Felicity stepped back from me a little, throwing her husband a look, which he didn't catch because he was staring at me with a face pinched in slight confusion. I got the feeling that he was still ticking over what I'd just said, and waited in nervous anticipation. After a few seconds, the man's blue eyes cleared and he raised his hand. I winced, but Dominic only placed his palm on my shoulder.

Then, before I knew it I was being pulled into an embrace. I blinked in shock as Dominic spoke lowly to me. "I trust her to take care of you."

"So do I," I replied as Dominic patted me on the back and we parted, giving each other a nod.

Felicity clapped her hands over her mouth and spoke in excitement. "Oh! Now we have another Veil!"

"-Well, actually…" I cut in, stitching on a smile to keep a polite decorum, "Ryuu will become a Malfoy, seeing as I'm the husband."

Dominic swallowed a laugh and placed his mug on the coffee table. "That may be, but I have a feeling that Ryuu is the alpha of your relationship."

Suppressing a snide remark, I looked up at Clive, who was depositing a small glass vial into his coat pocket. "Time update?" I asked.

"Sir, it is now four-twenty-five pm."

I took a brief breath and looked down at Felicity. "I'm sorry, but I have to leave now. I have to propose to Ryuu."

Felicity gasped again and jumped up onto her tippy toes, moving as if not knowing how to move. With a slight hesitation she pushed her hand against my shoulder, grinning. "Good luck!"

I paused, not certain of how to react. Then, I carefully pushed my hand against her shoulder, mimicking her actions. "Thanks…?" My face creased into a frown as she burst out laughing.

Clive held out an arm as I approached and gripped his elbow. For a second, I nodded farewell to the Veils, then said loudly and clearly as if I was using Floo Powder, "The Leaky Cauldron, Clive." And with a crack that nearly deafened me, I was suddenly being compressed form all sides, but before any more effects could begin to take place, we appeared on a creaky old doorstep, my nose bumping against the dusty, glass panelled door.

Straightening up, I pushed the door open, the bell tinkling at our arrival. The constant décor of the Leaky Cauldron greeted us; petrified wooden tables dotted around the cramped in area, floorboards that squeaked in protest at the lightest touch of a shoe, an ample layer of dust caking every surface, out of place ornate vases teetering on the edges of end tables and counters as if threatening to jump, rustic chandeliers sporting candles bleeding crusted wax, multi-coloured windows made of a jumble of different types of glass, the occasional murmured bubble of conversation between two or three wizards sipping at pints in the corner. It was a quiet afternoon for the old bar.

"Sir," Clive's droning voice sounded from over my shoulder as I made my way out the back door and to the courtyard overrun with weeds, "may I ask what our business is in Diagon Alley?"

The code to open the brick wall came naturally to me. I lifted my wand and tapped the first brick. "It's simple Clive, so very simple. I gave Ryuu a ring years ago for Christmas – and it is the ring. I'm going to use that ring to propose; the only problem is she's wearing it. Which means I have to get it off her without her noticing."

The doorway opened onto the bustling street of Diagon Alley and for a moment I frowned. Why is it so busy? A tall, cloaked witch shuffled past me and I stumbled as she bumped my shoulder. The street was alive with activity, with children racing around between adults' legs on toy broomsticks and mobile merchants wheeling their carts parallel to the crowds shouting: "Firecrab kidneys! Get your firecrab kidneys! Burns twice as long and five times as hotter as charmed flame!" and "Toad's breath, quality bottled toad's breath – only half price, with a special on bottled hiccups!"

"Thursday afternoon, Sir." Clive explained, "Late night shopping."

"Perfect," I groaned and began to sidle my way through the masses, shoving slow movers out of my path. "Hurry Clive!" I shouted, "Ryuu's meeting begins at five thirty, we have to be at the Ministry before then!"

"Your plans are still unknown to me Sir," Clive said flatly, and continued pace by my side unflinchingly, even as a small barn owl landed atop his bald head and began to prune its feathers.

I felt myself staring, but Clive gave no indication whatsoever to the obvious bird of prey residing on his head like an absurd hat. "Well, err…" the owl had begun to nibble at the noticeable point of Clive's left ear, yet still my assistant blinked slowly behind his polished spectacles and maintained a flattened mouth-line. Shaking my head to clear it, I continued.

"I have to get the ring off Ryuu without her knowing it's me. A chameleon charm requires too much focus. I don't have the time to try and procure an invisibility cloak, and I can't exactly hex her in the middle of the Ministry of Magic." Clive raised an eyebrow and I rolled my eyes, dodging around a witch and wizard carrying four huge wicker baskets carrying one small specked egg in the direct centre of each one. "Not that I would hex my future wife under any circumstance. So really, my only other option is Polyjuice Potion, a tricky ting to find – but I know just the person to go to."

It took us another fifteen minutes to navigate our way through the surge of shoppers, even at a rushed pace. Clive's owl friend eventually fluttered off his head when a wheelbarrow of squirming, half-alive mice trundled past, being pushed by a wizard wearing swamp green robes and a pointed hat riddled with spider webs. I accidentally bumped into a dark skinned witch outside of Madam Malkin's, as she levitated an impressive hat onto a dummy outside the store. A young boy came dashing past Clive holding an ice cream cone with two rainbow scoops on it. The boy tripped over his shoelaces, but Clive caught him before he hit the pavement, and then snatched one of the falling scoops with his other hand. Aghast, the child watched as Clive easily replaced the ice cream back on top of the cone, and then removed his soiled glove with a swift flick, only to reveal another perfectly clean one underneath. My assistant raised himself to his full height and tapped the damaged glove with his wand so that it caught alight and incinerated in seconds. The boy's jaw dropped as Clive stared calmly down at him and then he turned and ran away yelling, "Mum, you won't believe what that man just did!"

Finally we arrived, a little breathless, at a medium sized store on one of the branching paths off the main alley. The façade was painted a deep purple with a large window on the right side filled with bottles of various shapes and sizes, golden cauldrons, skinned rabbits hanging from hooks. Just below the line of the roof were the words: 'Noseworthy Co: Apothecary and Potioneer,' in shiny black painted lettering.

And then, just below the door handle was a small roll of parchment reading: Back at 5:00.

"Clive-" I began.

"-It's four-forty-five Sir. Another fifteen minutes to wait."

I sat down at the wooden bench outside the window, chewing on my frustration and counting the seconds at they went by. "Dammit, Reeah…"

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A/N: It was rather fun coming up with the rings in Henri's shop. The Folóï Oak Forest is actually a real place in Greece, in mythology it is said to be the place where Centaurs originated from. However, the Star Stone story and the other tales of each ring were of my own design.

Apologies for the botchy French, I used Google translate.

When I first started writing this chapter I said to my Beta, "Maybe Draco should have a PA – you know just so he came have someone to shout his plans at." And she said, "Yeah, that's be good, like a really well dressed guy called…"

Then for a few minutes we listed name before I finally said: "Clive!"

And Reeah said, "Oh my gosh yes; Clive!"

Suddenly, all at once at the mention of this one word, ideas about this character started spilling out from the both of us like tidal waves. Clive should be immaculately dressed all the time! He should be a six foot two form of concentrated sass! Clive should always know the exact time down to the last second without ever having to look at a watch! He should be adept at wandless magic and versed in the tongues of all woodland creatures! Clive should look like Cecil Baldwin, the voice actor from Welcome To Night Vale!

And it grew from there.

So I hope you enjoy Clive; because you will see him in the Sequel as well.