Quick clarification: Yes, at this time in the books, Lucius and the other Death Eaters were in Azkaban. For this story, though, they haven't been put back into the prison.
Clara sighed miserably. Duffy was gone again, leaving in the advent of a new house guest at the Claret manor.
In the past three days since the dinner at Clos Maggiore, visitors from old family friends had been pouring into their home. Clara had already met all of the Death Eaters, even the Azkaban escapees. Just the day before, she and Theodore Nott had been conversing pleasantly, while her parents discussed the latest wizarding gossip in the next room. He was quiet and respectful, but something about his manner told Clara he would throw a hex or two if need be. Something sneaky was nestled into the inner depths of his soul, too, but Clara had no idea where to look for that.
Crabbe and Goyle were also two very sporadic characters who were of the first school mates that had come. To put it simply, it was a meeting with Dumb and Dumber. Their admirations for Clara's beauty lead them to attempts of charm which in turn ended in a broken side table and two very angry mums. The experience was altogether embarrassing.
These moments never failed to incite memory of her best friend, Ron, who would have no doubt accused her of fraternizing with the enemy. Unfortunately, there would be no more ridiculous conversation with the boy – someone she had always held a little more, different kind of affection for. There would be no more talking to the Boy Who Lived or the Weasley girl, or anyone associated with Gryffindor, for that matter.
Two days ago, Mary and John Claret told their daughter of the letter they sent to Harry Potter and the Weasley family the night of their homecoming, the night Hermione Granger had been due to arrive at the Burrow. It was written in her script and told them that her parents said Hogwarts was too dangerous a place for their only child. The boys and Ginny had replied quickly, stating her parents were "barking mad" and "absolutely mental," and even suggested they visit St. Mungo's.
Clara was furious with her family for it. First the engagement dinner betrayal and now they sent letters to friends behind her back! In the end, though, it didn't matter, because she still had to sit through meetings with immature testosterone pumped boys who couldn't tell their wit from their – well, they couldn't tell.
So there Clara waited, politely poised on a drawing room sofa. Who was it this time? A new Death Eater recruit? Maybe Crabbe had come back to try snogging her again…
Clara was surprised when Lucius Malfoy entered the room.
"Good afternoon, Lucius." Her father greeted solemnly. Quite an unusual tone for who the guest was. Lucius nodded his white-haired head.
"John." He answered in the same tone. His wife and Draco entered a moment later. Mrs. Malfoy looked a little… disturbed, if Clara did think so herself.
"Are you children ready?" Mrs. Claret asked.
"Ready for what?" Clara asked. What had they kept from her this time?
"The two of you are going to Diagon Alley this afternoon to purchase your things for Hogwarts." Clara's father told them. Clara glanced at Draco, who did and said nothing. Why was she always the last to know?
"Yes, but first, a few things need to be said. Sit." Mr. Malfoy commanded. The couple obeyed immediately.
"Here are the rules," The imposing man said like a drill sergeant. "There will be no fighting, no unusual situations visited, and no public displays of affection." No problems there, Clara thought bitterly. "If you find the tension unbearable, there may be allowed a peck of the lips. Nothing more." His words seemed to scoff, fully aware of the discontent the teens had for each other. "The two of you will always be arm in arm; there must be no doubt that you aren't a respectable young couple with only innocent intensions." Clara's stomach turned at his light insinuation. She looked away from him and to her parents who didn't seem to be paying attention. Narcissa was looking at her husband. What was with everyone today?
"If that's all, we must get moving then." Her father said through the silence. She and Draco were promptly ushered out of their seats and to the fire place. Clara went first.
"Here, dear, take this. It's money for your things." Clara's mum handed her a heavy golden trimmed purse. She shook it slightly; it rattled loudly.
"Where are you going?" She asked her parents, floo powder in hand.
"We'll be visiting the Malfoy manor today. Just enjoy yourselves." Her dad answered with solemn eyes. As Clara stood in the middle of the fireplace, a feeling of uneasiness reached her. She didn't want to leave her parents for some reason. Why was that? She sighed audibly. They were probably keeping a secret from her again. The idea did little to null her uncomfortable feeling of impending doom.
"Keep each other safe!" Narcissa added.
Clara yelled "Diagon Alley!" without too much more thought and threw the dust down, bursting into flames.
Draco appeared in the fireplace of The Leaky Cauldron not long after Clara. A few inhabitants of the ghastly establishment glanced over at the couple, but said nothing. Draco brushed himself off with an air of superiority and then stood to full height, his back straight. Clara and Draco stared at each other blankly before he, with a tensed jaw, offered his arm. She took it only a little unwillingly; what else was she supposed to do?
Not before long, the couple was standing in the middle of Diagon Alley, the separating bricks far behind them.
Clara breathed out. It was official: they were out together. Everyone would see for themselves…
It happened right away. People whispered in their tight clumps and pointed, staring in amazement at the two, or maybe the fact that Draco Malfoy was with a female other than his mother. Men glanced enviously at him with the lovely Clara Claret.
All this made Clara feel uncomfortable, since it wasn't a kind of attention she was used to receiving. Draco seemed to hardly notice, however, and steered them down the small street.
The first stop on their formidable journey was Madame Malkins, which the madam was not actually present at. Draco took a seat at one of the armchairs positioned around the room and Clara sat beside him. The madam bustled in not a moment later, excited to see some customers.
"Hogwarts robes?" She questioned. Draco nodded the affirmative before she disappeared, only to reemerge in the blink of an eye and motion for Clara to stand on the short platform. In a flash, the old witch had a robe over her customer and was stabbing the fabric with sharp needles.
"Are you new to Hogwarts, dear?" Malkins asked in a way of genial conversation.
"Yes. I'll be entering my sixth year." Clara said. Malkins bobbed her head. If she recognized Clara from the newspaper, she didn't show it.
Many cuts – and possibly scars – later, Clara stepped down from the Madame Malkins clutches and traded places with Draco. It was then that things sort of flew apart.
She was sitting in her chair, engulfed, quite vainly, in the latest Witch Weekly, whereupon the door opened and in walked Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley, unaware of anyone in the store but themselves. Naturally, Clara almost dropped her magazine, her heart beating so fast it was a wonder they couldn't hear it from across the room. It was then that Harry noticed this rather curious girl in the corner and looked at her, wondering why this young lady looked so terrified. Unfortunately, before any of this could be reckoned upon, a sniveling voice filled the silent shop.
"If it isn't Potty and Weasel. Who did that to your eye, Weasel? I want to send them flowers."* Ron's eye had a nasty purple bruise on it, making it even harder for Clara to control her worry. She was squirming in her seat now. Ron's face turned a furious red and Harry had his wand out.
"Where's your mum, Malfoy?" Harry taunted. Draco stepped off the platform. Madame Malkin was shrinking further into her chair.
"Where's your mudblood girlfriend, Weasel?" Draco countered, his wand now tight in his hand, turning his knuckles white. Ron became even redder, if that was possible, and was ready to lunge when something collided with Draco Malfoy's head.
Thwack!
"What-?"
"Draco Malfoy, where are your manners?" An enraged Clara scolded, magazine rolled up in her hand. She realized she had acted a little boldly to Draco's comment, but her feelings had seized her and took hold. She couldn't bear to be on the opposing side of a Slytherin/Gryffindor battle, especially when her two best friends thought she was the enemy. Besides, fiancé of a Death Eater's son or not, she wasn't going to have the boys think ill of her for more than a second, if she could avoid it. Draco was outraged. "That is no way to talk to people!" She flashed a brilliant smile to the two dumbfounded teens. "You must forgive him; he can be quite rude at times. No need to keep your wands out. We'll be leaving now." That ended up coming out a little more nervously than she would have liked, but the effect of disarming the confused Harry and Ron was achieved. They looked dumbfounded, amazed anything even remotely associated with the Draco Malfoy could be so… sensible, and even a little naïve. Clara dragged Malfoy out of the shop, his pale face turning a very odd shade of pink, as the Golden Duet gazed on. The bell jingled loudly behind them.
Oh, she could feel it. She could feel his deep contempt and inevitable loathing, floating around in the air before he uttered a word to her. She could tell he was about to unleash something that wouldn't at all be good for her. So she said, as haughtily as she could, "You're lucky I interceded when I did! How do you think a fight between the son of a Death Eater and the boy who put his father in jail would go with the Ministry?"
Draco unleashed his scathing wrath. "I don't ever, ever want you to do that again. Do you hear me? I don't care if the entire wizarding world is watching. I will not be underhanded in front of Potter or the blood traiter." He turned and stalked away. That was the first time she had ever been scared of the ferret. His eyes had burned in livid light, anger so fierce, she wondered how he controlled himself so well.
It took a moment for Clara to gather herself and follow the boy down the street. He was turning into Quality Quidditch Supplies. She stopped in front to wait, and was just about to reconsider doing so, when he walked out. His face was calmer now, and told Clara that he was back in control of his emotions. Without looking at her he offered his arm, which Clara had no choice but to accept. At least the Malfoy storm had settled. Maybe Quidditch was a good outlet for hard cases, Clara thought.
They walked their way down Diagon Alley, shop hopping as they located their Hogwarts equipment. Not a word was said during this time and it became second nature for Clara to take Draco's arm upon exiting a store. From the Apothecary they went to Scribbulus Everchanging Ink, where large amounts of parchment were purchased. It was here, too, that Clara realized just how much money her family had given her. Quite a ridiculous amount, really, but still the better, because the Gringotts line was extended to the end of the street. After this, they continued on down the road, aiming for Flourish and Blotts, but not before passing Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Clara was amazed at the size of it and a little impressed at their audacity to post a sign comparing "You-Know-Who" and "U-No-Pooh." It was brilliant, she silently admitted to herself. Unfortunately, her eyes fell on Harry and the Weasleys entering the shop, being greeted by the enthusiastic twins, Fred and George. She turned her head sharply, forcing herself not to think that she should have been there, too, enjoying the Wheezes, no matter how much she may have disapproved in the past.
Finally, they made it to Flourish and Blotts, where, like in all the other shops, they parted ways to gather their supplies. It didn't take long for Clara to get carried away with the overwhelming amount of books in the store and seat herself on the floor with a rather large edition on her lap. Her Hogwarts books were neatly piled next to her, ready to be bought as soon as she finished this last sentence….
Three shelves over, Malfoy planned. It was perfect: Claret was already enraptured in one of her humongous novels or what not. Who knew how long it would be before she stopped and actually came looking for him? Well, before she would even make it to page three hundred, Draco's errand will have been completed and his other plan in the works. He would be back in the shop before she even knew it.
Clara however, was not content with her book, due to its large print and frequent pictures, so she decided to grab a different version. She happened a glance at the window, where something – or someone – seemed to be moving rather quickly, and saw the blond boy traveling across the alley's pavement. He glanced back once or twice in insecurity about his plan, but was reassured when no one was following. Back in the shop, Clara shoved her book back on the shelf and exited the shop, being sure to cover her person behind all the right corners.
Clara Claret was certainly not naïve enough to believe Draco was simply too angry to go with her to the next shop. No, he was up to something. She ducked behind a brick pillar as he checked again. She watched him turn left into Knockturn Alley. Quickly, and as quietly as a cat, she slid around the corner.
She was surprised to see the area completely deserted, as if the Dark Lord were conducting a little summer shopping himself down these dank streets. Draco was not too far away from where Clara was standing, and she had to duck once more when Draco checked for unwelcome attendees again. He stepped into Borgin and Burkes then, igniting a curiosity in Clara like never before. She moved herself closer to the display window and watched Draco's motioning hands as he explained something to Mr. Borgin.
Where were those Extendable Ears when you needed them? She could see the two figures perfectly, Draco putting on a "grouchy" face and directing what looked like nasty comments at the proprietor. Mr. Borgin seemed to be denying Draco a very important service, which was what was getting the young wizard's knickers in a twist. Just before Clara lost her nerve and headed back to Flourish and Blotts, Draco lifted his sleeve.
What Clara saw stopped her heart.
The Dark Mark was there, imprinted in his skin; a horrible picture of a snake erupting out of a skull's mouth. Mr. Borgin looked even more nervous. Draco pointed to a large cabinet behind him and within the next minute, he was out of the store and pleasantly strolling down the street. Clara ducked behind another pillar, out of his peripheral vision.
Draco was a Death Eater? Never could the girl have guessed it, or even though it. Why would Voldemort do that? He was unqualified and even too young to apparate… She was suddenly struck with a bemusing idea.
She stuck her head out from behind the pillar and looked down the street. Nothing. Carefully edging herself away from the wall, Clara walked to the door of Borgin and Burkes with great confidence and opened the door to the little shop. It was small and dark and Mr. Borgin looked at her curiously.
"Good afternoon, sir. I'd like to inquire about that cabinet." To be honest, it was the first thing to pop into her head, but the owner's reaction was immediate.
"What of it?" Mr. Borgin asked suspiciously.
"As to why my fiancé was interested in it." Clara looked at him imploringly. Again, where had these words come from? She had definitely never been so inclined as to call Draco anything other than 'ferret' before.
"Well, I'm sorry miss, but it is a private matter between your fiancé and I." Mr. Borgin answered quickly. He suddenly seemed nervous again.
"Excuse me, sir." She started indignantly. "Do you know what this ring on my finger means?" Clara more or less shoved her ring in the old man's face. "This is the universal symbol for union ship. His business is my business. We are each other's business. Now, please, tell me what he was doing in here before I hex you into oblivion." Apparently, she was good on the threats today, because Mr. Borgin pulled his neck collar and licked his lips, preparing to talk.
"He wants it mended, alright? I don't know any more than that. That's all he told me." He looked ready to give her anything she wanted.
"What does it do?" She asked as she examined it. There was a moment's hesitation from Borgin, and Clara waited for his answer while a very loud raven landed just outside the door and flapped its wings around.
"It has a twin you can access by means of this one wherever it is." He said over the birds obnoxious cawing.
"You mean you just go inside and…"
"Yes." He said.
"And you don't know why he wanted it fixed? Do you know where the twin is?" Clara asked.
"That's all he told me." Mr. Borgin was getting nervous again and glanced outside at the large bird. Strange, Clara thought. What does Malfoy need with an old cabinet and its twin? She finished scrutinizing the cabinet and stood up straight.
"Thank you for your hospitality. I'll be sure to site you in my sources, but I must be going now. And remember, not a word of this to anyone." Clara turned on her heel and clicked out of the shop, doorbell jingling. The pesky raven was nowhere in sight now. Clara pondered everything she had been told by Mr. Borgin while trying to get back to Draco without him noticing. She was further proved out of the loop by this new development, and it irked her in the weirdest ways. What she didn't know, however, was that all of her questions were going to be answered, and every loop filled, in less than twenty-four hours.
*Yes, I took that from the book. I laughed at that joke long before I began shipping for Hermione and Draco.
How'd everyone enjoy it? Please review!
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Other than that, I'll be writing the next chapter until next time!