author's notes: written for hogwarts (challenges and assignments). prompt(s) will be at the bottom.
free to be (you and me): chapter three
Probably the first thing that tipped Draco off about his sexual orientation was the fact that his mother used to take him on her ventures to Paris during the summer vacation and point out all the pretty, buxom girls. Yet, when they'd gone out the summer before sixth year in an attempt to normalise their upside-down lives, Draco still hadn't admired anything more of a girl's body than her face and hair.
Narcissa had jokingly mourned that fact, but forgot about it within a month's time and began looking into Pureblood girls for him to meet.
•
For a while after the war, neither of the Malfoy men — Narcissa was safe given her role in aiding Potter — showed their face. Draco dressed in black and acted more his age than he ever had, mourning the loss of his friend. Lucius sat in his study, drinking firewhiskey and thinking over everything he'd ever done.
Eventually, though, the Malfoy name began to restore itself. Lucius was introduced to Muggle technology and hired Squibs and half-bloods to help him reinstate the family business as the top business in the Wizarding world. Except this time, he began catering to Muggles as well, taking their technology and modifying it to work even better.
Draco and Lucius didn't get along all that well — hadn't for a long time — but they tried. For Narcissa.
•
"Draco, dear," called Narcissa. "I'm going out. Come with me?" Though her tone was gentle, Draco had known his mother long enough to detect the not-quite question.
"I'll be right there," he yelled back. He straightened his tie in the mirror and walked down the stairs. "Ready, Mother."
She gave a sharp nod of approval as she glanced over his clothing. He was dressed smartly in a blatantly Muggle suit, while she wore a wrap cocktail dress and low heels. "Meet me there," she ordered. With that, she turned on her heel and Disapparated.
•
When they landed, people pointed and whispered behind their hands to one another. Narcissa ignored them and began her purposeful trip toward Madam Malkin's. "Draco, darling," she said when they reached the door, "I'm sure you don't want to watch me try on clothes. Why don't you go wander about for a bit? I will meet you at Flourish and Blott's in thirty-five minutes."
He nodded. Narcissa tapped her heel impatiently, and finally Draco rolled his eyes and opened the door for her with a low bow and grand flourish of his arm. She smacked him upside the head as she passed, and Draco smiled wryly to himself.
Some things never changed.
•
He took the wandering part seriously. There were many new shops opening up in Diagon Alley — there was a new apothecary, a lingerie shop, and — was that a jeweller's? He crossed to the other side and peered in. It was brand-new, and the black-haired shop assistant was helping a little blonde girl who was with her mother. He began looking in the store's extensive windows.
Oh! Draco leaned in. A black ring, just like the ones he'd been researching! He stole a look around through his eyelashes. If he was seen going into a jewellery shop, there would be tons of rumours in the next day's newspaper speculating who the next Lady Malfoy might be. Deciding that the street was empty enough, he ducked inside the store.
The little girl glanced at Draco, then moved almost imperceptibly closer to her mother. Draco's jaw set and he almost turned straight around and walked back out, but the assistant just then said, "How may I help you, sir?"
The voice was too familiar, and Draco's gaze snapped to the man standing behind the counter.
"Potter."
•
"Malfoy," replied the emerald-eyed man in a surprisingly even tone. "Are you looking for something in particular today?"
It bothered Draco that Potter was treating him like any other customer, but he couldn't understand why. "Actually," he said, "I am. That black ring in the window — can I take a closer look at it?"
Before he'd even finished his sentence, Harry was out from behind the counter and plucking the black ring from its display hand. "This one?"
"That's the one," said Draco. "What size is it?"
The black-haired man checked the tag and informed, "Seven."
"Perfect." Draco held out his hand and the ring was dropped into it. "I'll take it."
"Don't you want to...try it on?" Despite his question, he was already moving back toward the register.
"I —" He frowned. What were the odds that Harry Potter knew the significance of a black ring on one's right hand middle finger? He slid it onto said finger with ease. "It fits. I'll take it."
He placed the ring on the counter and browsed the nearby cases while Potter rang up his purchase. So busy examining a diamond necklace he was sure his mother would love, he didn't notice the little smile playing at the corners of Harry's mouth.
"There you are, darling!" Narcissa trilled as she pushed open the door. "I've been looking everywhere for you, dear, I told you to meet me at Flourish and Blott's after thirty-five minutes."
Draco checked his watch. "Mother, it's been thirty-five minutes and twenty seconds. Twenty-one...twenty-two."
"It's a good thing I dropped by, then, isn't it, darling? I knew you weren't going to make it in time." Narcissa peered into the case and pointed to the necklace Draco had just been looking at. "Oh, look, isn't that a gorgeous necklace?"
"Here you are," Harry interrupted. He handed Draco a small box. "Have a nice day, Mrs. Malfoy."
"Thank you, dear!" she called over her shoulder. "Draco, be a good boy and hold the door."
•
It wasn't until the next day when Draco opened the little black velvet box that he realised Harry — when had he started calling Potter by his first name? — hadn't put just the ring inside.
He'd also slipped in a folded piece of paper containing eight numbers.
word count: 1009
prompts
around the world: laos — silver and gold jewellery — (plot point) going jewellery shopping