Harry Potter and The White Queen (BP3)
folder
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
49
Views:
28,198
Reviews:
234
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Category:
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
49
Views:
28,198
Reviews:
234
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Rings
Chapter Number/Total: 17/49
Chapter Title: Rings
Words: 4225 Words
Harry smiled around at everyone at the dinner table, his cheeks still a bit red and his hair windswept from Quidditch. The game had been fun, even if he wished that Draco had been able to play instead of watching from the ground. Charlie really was an extremely good Seeker, but Harry had beat him and he couldn't help but feel very triumphant about it.
"Ahh," sighed Bill, rolling up his sleeves to eat the food that had just been served. "That was excellent. It's been ages since I was last on a real pitch."
"Same here," said Charlie. "It's the only reason Harry won." He smiled and winked.
Harry grinned and snorted. "Right," he said. "Keep telling yourself that."
Fred and George laughed. "He did beat you fair and square, Charlie," said George.
"No excuses," said Ron, grinning too.
Harry laughed delightedly, in a very good mood, very hungry, and ready for a hot fuck as soon as he and Draco were alone.
Draco smirked. He knew all too well about how Harry's extraordinary luck at Quidditch went very well with his amazing skill. The combination was hard to beat.
Harry joked and laughed and talked about the game, and while he was distracted with trying to get the last bite of food from his plate without spilling it onto the table, Fleur caught his attention.
"Draco, 'Arry?" she asked.
Harry looked up and smiled. "Yes?" he said.
"I was just wondering if you 'ad decided on when to go to Diagon Alley."
"Oh," said Harry, setting his fork down. "Actually, we haven't talked about it, but we could go just about any time, couldn't we?" He looked to Draco.
"For robes?" Draco asked, caught off guard by the sudden change in conversation.
"Well, yes," said Fleur. "I imagine you will want very nice robes for your wedding, so you will 'ave to get your measurements taken and zen give zem time to be made. Also, you still 'aven't picked out your wedding rings. Zose you will be wanting too, correct?"
Harry nodded, smiling.
Draco frowned, fisting the construct under the table. He looked around for a moment. "Excuse me, I will be back shortly," he said politely, and left the table.
Harry raised an eyebrow and watched Draco leave confusedly, frowning. He went to push himself up from the table to follow, but Fleur stopped him.
"'Arry," she said quickly. "I theenk you should let Draco go for a while."
Harry frowned at her. "What?" he asked.
"I would like a private word with you if you wouldn't mind too terribly."
Harry turned his head and looked at the door Draco had left out of. He sighed. "Yeah, sure," he said resignedly. "What is it?"
Fleur got to her feet, indicating that Harry should as well. He did.
"May we move to a sitting room?" she asked.
"Yes, of course," said Harry, wondering what she wanted.
She bent and kissed Bill on the cheek before walking gracefully around the table and taking Harry's arm. "Lead ze way," she said.
Harry led Fleur to the sitting room that Draco, Ron, Hermione and himself inhabited most often and took a seat on the couch.
Fleur sat next to him, tossing her long hair behind her shoulder. "I theenk zat Draco is ... not exactly looking forward to getting your rings," she said.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Why do you say that?" he asked.
"'E walked out ze last time ze subject came up. I did theenk zat was what eet was, but now I am almost certain."
Harry frowned.
"You did not theenk of zat?" she asked, looking at Harry as if she couldn't believe him.
Harry's frown deepened.
Fleur sighed. "Men," she muttered. "In Eengland, wedding rings go on ze left 'and," he said, raising her own and wiggling her fingers.
Harry stared at her hand for a moment and then groaned, falling back on the couch and covering his face with his hands. "Oh, Merlin, I'm an idiot," he said. "I completely forgot about that!"
Fleur sighed again. "I am guessing zat Draco does not like his left 'and very much," she said. "I do not blame him," she said.
"He hates it," said Harry from behind his hands. "He says it's awful and heavy and that it's hideous."
"Well, would you want sometheeng symbolising your love for someone on sometheeng you 'ated so much?" she asked.
Harry sighed. "No," he said and he sat straight again. "Could he put it on his right hand?"
"I somehow theenk zat Draco would not be very keen on zat," said Fleur.
Harry huffed quietly, placing his hands in his lap. "What do I do?" he asked. "I've tried to tell him it doesn't matter to me. That it doesn't bother me."
Fleur nodded knowingly. "Eet matters to him," she said. "Bill hides eet well with jokes and laughs, but he iz self-conscious about his face. Eet does not matter to me. 'E iz still ze man I fell in love with, but you cannot tell him zat."
Harry looked at her. He hadn't given it any thought before. Fleur was married to someone with a physical disfigurement, too.
"Eet iz 'ard to deal with some days. I get angry with him when 'e will not listen zat I still theenk 'e iz beautiful."
"I know exactly the feeling," said Harry. "What do I do? I don't know how to make him feel better about it."
"To be 'onest," said Fleur, "I theenk zey 'ave to take care of eet for zemselves."
Harry sighed again. "I figured as much. Nothing I tell him works."
Fleur frowned and nodded.
"And now it's worse," Harry continued. "What are we supposed to do about wedding rings? I don't want him to hate picking them out. I don't want him to get angry or upset while we're doing that."
Fleur nodded again, still frowning. She was silent for a minute. "Draco and Bill are very different cases. Zere iz nothing zat can be done to 'elp Bill's face zat 'as not already been done, but 'ave you considered a new arm for Draco?"
Harry's head snapped up. "You can do that?" he asked.
Fleur nodded again. "Well, I just wanted to tell you to be ... sensitive with Draco and situations 'aving to do with his left arm."
Harry sighed. "Yes, I know," he said.
Fleur smiled gently at him. "Shall we go back?" she asked.
"Yes, I think so," said Harry, getting to his feet and offering Fleur his arm this time.
She took it and smiled again.
"Thank you for the idea," he said genuinely. "If I can do something like this, Merlin, I'll be eternally grateful to you."
"Well, eet was just an idea," said Fleur dismissively, but she looked pleased.
"A wonderful idea," said Harry, heading out the door and back to the dining room.
Harry saw that Draco was back in his seat when he and Fleur entered the room again. He sat next to him, giving Fleur one last little smile before kissing Draco on the cheek.
Draco had only been gone long enough to collect himself and had been surprised to find Harry and Fleur gone when he returned. He watched them return and raised his eyebrows at his husband.
"What?" Harry asked, raising his eyebrows at Draco in turn.
The blond narrowed his eyes, looking a bit curious and suspicious at the same time, but he didn't say anything. He smiled. "You almost missed dessert."
***
Diagon Alley was empty and quiet. The shops that had already been closed had now been joined by at least five more since the Death Eater's escape. It was always depressing to see the way Voldemort was affecting the wizarding world, but it was expected and wasn't all that much different from when Harry and Draco had come here last. They were there now with Fleur and Bill, the day after the Quidditch match and shopping for their wedding. Hermione and Ron had come along too, to get out of the house and Fred and George had headed off to their own shop for work. Charlie had gone home to continue work on his assignment with foreign wizards.
"Dress robes I theenk we should get first," said Fleur. "Eet is ze closest shop to 'ere and will take ze longest to do."
"Sure," said Harry. He thought they should get dress robes first as well. He needed Draco's arm measurements and had told Fleur to suggest it. He still hoped very, very much that he would be able to get a new arm made for Draco.
Draco nodded, reaching to hold Harry's hand. He smirked, remembering the first and last times they were in Madame Malkin's shop. He didn't think they would get away with shagging in the dressing room this time.
Harry took Draco's hand and they made their way to the robe shop. He was thankful that it was still open. When they entered, Madam Malkin made her way over to them and seemed to turn a bit pink upon seeing who it was, but she smiled as well, seeming to remember what they had bought the last time they had been there.
"What can I help you with?" she asked very politely, turning automatically to Draco.
Fleur stepped in front of him. "Zey will both need new dress robes. Zey are getting married, as I'm sure you are aware, and ze colours are green and silver. I am theenking zat zey will need black dress robes with ... green trim. Is zat good for you?" she asked, turning her head to look at Harry and Draco over her shoulder.
Harry raised his eyebrows. "Sounds good to me," he said with a shrug.
"Exactly." Draco smiled warmly, squeezing Harry's hand.
Harry smiled too as they were led over to get measured. He tried to pay close attention to Draco's measurements, but he wasn't able to tell what they were as Madam Malkin simply wrote the numbers down and didn't say them aloud. He breathed a quiet sigh of relief when he saw Fleur discreetly pull a quill and a small piece of parchment from her bag to copy the numbers.
Draco stood on the little dais that the shop used for fittings and his smile grew to a grin, looking down at Harry and remembering being nearly the same position those years ago. He moved and turned and allowed himself to be measured.
Fleur slipped the parchment back into her purse. "Now, zer is also ze wedding party zat will need robes as well - or at least the females zat will be in eet. Not everyone is 'ere with us today, so we will need to come back most likely - or better yet, is eet possible for you to come out to take measurements at zer 'ouse? Possibly an assistant or something such as zat?"
"Oh, yes, we can do that," said Madam Malkin. "It will cost extra of course, but if that's what you want."
Fleur raised an eyebrow at Harry.
"I suppose that would be good," he said. "And safer. I don't want anything to go wrong before the wedding."
Draco nodded and stepped off the dais.
Harry smiled and kissed Draco on the cheek before climbing up himself for his turn. They were finished sometime later and Ron and Hermione had left to go off on their own for a bit. Bill looked extremely bored and stood up from his chair quickly when they were finally done.
Ready?" he asked. Fleur handed him the robes in their covers and then took his other arm.
"Yes, we are finished with zat at least. Now zer are ... rings," she said slowly.
Harry glanced at Draco from the corner of his eye.
"Zer is ze most wonderful jewellery shop 'ere," Fleur continued. "My ring is from France, but Bill's was from 'ere. Ze men's jewellery is very good and very beautiful." She smiled encouragingly.
Draco had been smiling and watching his lover. But when the rings were mentioned, his face went blank. He looked down at the ground but didn't say anything.
Harry frowned slightly but nodded to Fleur. "Lead the way," he said, reaching over and taking Draco's hand. He wasn't sure if he should say anything or not.
When they had reached the jewellery shop, Harry's heart was beating a little quicker; not only because he didn't want Draco to react badly, but also because he was nervous about whether or not he could get the new construct.
He had gotten Hermione to contact St. Mungo's about getting a new arm and they had told her that they had never had anyone ask that question before as it was not very common for people to lose limbs and be unable to reattach them. They suggested asking a jeweller to make the arm and then have it brought in to the hospital to check it out and make sure it functioned properly, but there was still the question of whether or not the jeweller would be able to make it at all. Harry was filled with hope, but he was nervous all the same for those hopes to be crushed.
Lawson and Smith's Lapidaries was a small but very expensive little shop. Draco had been there with his mother many times. He owned both tie tacks and cuff links made by them. The Malfoy's even had an account. And he did not want to walk in the door. He felt like a fool. Why couldn't he just tell Harry?
Harry took a deep breath before stepping inside the shop, and he held Draco's hand a little tighter, still giving him quick little glances. "Do - do you want to look around?" he asked quietly, trying to keep his tone normal.
A tall wizard with odd-looking spectacles smiled when they walked in. "Mr. Malfoy," the man greeted him, "it's a pleasure to see you."
"Mr. Lawson," Draco replied. "This is Mr. Harry Potter." The old man's eyes widened and he looked curiously at them. "My pleasure, Mr. Potter," he said, extending his hand.
Harry smiled and shook the man's hand, a little surprised that Draco knew him, but when he thought about it, it wasn't really that surprising at all. "We're here for wedding rings," he said, trying to sound cheerful and giving Draco's hand an automatic squeeze again.
"Lovely, lovely," the man said, but he gave Draco a wary glance.
"And to arrange wedding party gifts," Draco added.
Harry nodded and cleared his throat. He walked a few feet over and bent to look at the many items on display in the glass case.
"Speaking of zose gifts," said Fleur. "I was 'ere not too long ago and I know just ze perfect thing for 'Ermione and Ginny. I saw eet over 'ere. Draco, 'Arry?"
"Oh, I actually think I see something good for Ron in here," said Harry, looking over his shoulder. "I'll be over in a minute, yeah?"
Fleur nodded and looked to Draco.
Draco nodded and followed where Fleur gestured. He glanced at Harry. He was relieved to be talking about the gifts for the moment.
Harry waited until Draco was gone and distracted by Fleur before getting to his feet and walking back over to Mr. Lawson. "Hi," he said, stepping off to the side slightly so that he could pretend we was looking at more jewellery if Draco looked over. "I hope you can help me. I wanted to ask if I could talk to you about possibly making a custom piece. You do do that, don't you?"
"Yes, Mr. Potter." Lawson smiled. "We are specialists in custom work. Even those pieces in the glass are all originals made right here."
"Great," said Harry, smiling. "It's a surprise wedding gift to Draco from me and I want to keep it a secret." He paused. "It's actually not a piece of jewellery though. It's about his construct hand. I'm sure you noticed it?"
The man nodded, glancing toward the blond and back to Harry. "Yes," he said.
Harry sighed. "Well, he hates it. It's heavy, he thinks it's hideously ugly and I know he doesn't want to wear a ring on that hand." He paused again. "I contacted St. Mungo's about getting a new one yesterday, where the hand was first given to him, and they said that that they've never had anyone ask that, as it's rare to lose a limb. They told me my best bet was to come to a jeweller to try and see if I could get one made, as I do want it to look good. Is it possible for you to do anything like that?" He bit his lip, staring at old Mr. Lawson hopefully.
Lawson's smiled warmly, his eyes glittering mischievously. "Oh, our Mr. Smith would love such a challenge. He is a bit of a tinker as well. I am sure he will need to know many details. Measurements, metals, shape."
Harry smiled hugely. "Really?" he asked. "That's terrific!" he said almost too loudly. "I have the measurements, but I don't know how I would go about getting the shape of his arm without him knowing what I was doing. And the metal ... well, I want it to look good, really good. Silver coloured metal I think would look best. I want it to last too and I want him to be able to feel like it's his arm - well - as close as he can get anyway. What do you suggest?"
"To make it close to the hand he has lost," Lawson said, sounding like a man thinking aloud, "it would be best to have an impression of his remaining hand."
Harry nodded. "Yes, that would work the best ... only I have no idea how to get it." He sighed. "I suppose I could wait until he's asleep to get it and then send it to you? Would that work?"
"Yes, yes." The man nodded. "And I think titanium with silver plating."
Harry nodded as well, unbelievably happy. "Okay," he said, smiling. "And how much do you think this would all cost? Not that it matters, I'm doing it no matter what, but just so I know."
"I will work up some sketches and send you an estimate," the man said. "Oh, Mr. Potter? Did you want the ring made part of that hand?"
"Hmm, actually, I'll just take them separate. I'd like to put it on him during the ceremony," Harry said. "He's not going to be very comfortable picking one out right now, but it'll be worth it later." He smiled again.
"I understand," Lawson said, patting his arm.
"Yeah," said Harry, looking over his shoulder at Draco. "I'll get you the measurements in one moment. My friend has them. And I'll get you the impression within the next few days. Oh, and the woman in St. Mungo's I spoke with - Mediwitch Glazer - she said that if I did find anyone who could make the hand, to tell them that she would be available if you have any questions about the mechanics of it or things like that."
"Very good, Mr. Potter," the man said.
Draco glanced over his shoulder again at his lover. He was deep in conversation with Lawson. He knew he was up to something, but given the occasion, knew better than to pry. He turned back to Fleur. "I was hoping to speak to you about a delicate issue, Madame," he said, in French.
Fleur raised a curious eyebrow. "Of course," she said, answering in French as well. "What is it?"
Draco frowned, spreading the thick fingers of the construct. "I cannot wear a ring," he said.
Fleur pursed her lips for a split second and then nodded. "Yes, I've already thought of that a few times. Have you spoken with 'Arry about it?"
"No," Draco said. "I tried to talk to him about this thing. But he insists it makes no difference."
Fleur sighed. "Perhaps this is something you should talk about though," she said, staring at Draco seriously. "If you cannot wear a ring, should you not come up with an alternative? Perhaps wear it around your neck? On your right hand? It is your decision, of course, but I would think that you might want to tell 'Arry what you are thinking about."
Draco frowned, huffing. "Merci, Madame," he said. "I will ... try."
Fleur nodded. "I am sure he will understand what you are saying," she said confidently.
Harry looked over his shoulder again at Draco and then turned back to Mr. Lawson. "Thank you," he said. "A terrific pleasure doing business with you."
Draco had noticed several nice pieces that might work for the women in their wedding party and he knew they carried some nice men's jewellery, too. He pointed them out to Fleur for her list.
Harry walked back over to Draco and Fleur, smiling.
Fleur looked up from the list she was making and smiled at Harry.
He gave her a quick wink that Draco didn't notice and her smile grew.
"Find anything good?" he asked, pulling Draco to him lightly and kissing him full on the lips before pulling back and smiling.
"Yes, in the robe shop a long time ago," Draco whispered after the sweet kiss.
Harry grinned, his eyes going soft. He sighed happily, not being able to resist pressing his lips to Draco's for another soft kiss.
Draco pulled Harry to him for the second kiss, his breathing speeding up. Harry always did this to him, no matter where they were.
Harry smiled against Draco's lips and it was very, very difficult to resist slipping his tongue out, but he knew Bill and Fleur were both only a few feet away, not to mention Mr. Lawson was still in the room as well. He pulled back, pressing his forehead to Draco's "When we get home, love," he said slyly.
"Indeed," Draco said, his voice a bit deeper.
Harry chuckled. Merlin, he loved that voice. He pulled away slowly, not really wanting to, and straightened his robe, taking a deep breath to calm himself. A simple kiss could do this to him? He was pathetic - and he loved it.
Draco felt warm and happy and decided that he would put his own discomfort aside for Harry. "So, the rings," he said as calmly as he could manage.
Harry's eyebrows raised slightly, but he nodded. "Yes," he said, "the rings." He took a deep breath. "I know ... that they go on our ... left hands," he said slowly, looking up at Draco with a slight wince. He didn't want to put Draco through thinking that he wouldn't be able to wear a wedding ring where it was supposed to go, but he also wanted to see the surprised look on Draco's face when he gave him the new construct when it was ready. He had to suppress a smile just thinking about it.
Draco's jaw tightened and he sighed. "I suppose I will have to wear it on my right," he said.
Harry gave him a small smile. "That's okay," he said. "Just because you can't wear a ring on your left hand doesn't make it any less meaningful. I'll wear mine on my right too so that we're the same." He brought Draco's right hand up and kissed it.
"No," Draco frowned, "I want it on your left. I want people to see it and know."
Harry smiled gently again. "Anything for you," he said.
"So I have an idea of what they should look like," Draco said.
Harry nodded. "You'd certainly pick out something better than me," he said. "What should they look like then?"
"Mr. Lawson," Draco said to the man who stood nearby, not crowding them. The jeweller came over to him. "I have in mind a very simple, thick, gold band -- but with a twist, literally. White and yellow gold entwined. Two opposites bound together."
Harry smiled. "Brilliant," he said, taking Draco's hand. "See, I would've never thought of that."
Draco smiled at Harry's compliment, liking the idea of how it would look on his husband's hand if not his own.
Lawson seemed pleased, too. "Tasteful and powerful," he said. "Let's just fit your ring sizes."
Harry smiled again and nodded, following the old man with Draco by his side.
It wasn't long before they had finished their shopping at Lawson and Smith's Lapidaries and they emerged with small bags with gifts for their wedding party and the promise that their wedding rings would be made and ready to pick up in due time. They visited a very nice bakery that specialised in elaborate desserts and picked out a design for a lovely cake. They also visited the florist, but Fleur took care of picking out and setting up a date for the flowers they had ordered to be delivered to the Manor. She also had them agree to hire a decorator to help when the time came, as she insisted that it would make everything look much more beautiful. Harry couldn't care less about what they did about any of that. He wanted it to be beautiful, of course, but mostly, he wanted it to be for Draco.
Chapter Title: Rings
Words: 4225 Words
Harry smiled around at everyone at the dinner table, his cheeks still a bit red and his hair windswept from Quidditch. The game had been fun, even if he wished that Draco had been able to play instead of watching from the ground. Charlie really was an extremely good Seeker, but Harry had beat him and he couldn't help but feel very triumphant about it.
"Ahh," sighed Bill, rolling up his sleeves to eat the food that had just been served. "That was excellent. It's been ages since I was last on a real pitch."
"Same here," said Charlie. "It's the only reason Harry won." He smiled and winked.
Harry grinned and snorted. "Right," he said. "Keep telling yourself that."
Fred and George laughed. "He did beat you fair and square, Charlie," said George.
"No excuses," said Ron, grinning too.
Harry laughed delightedly, in a very good mood, very hungry, and ready for a hot fuck as soon as he and Draco were alone.
Draco smirked. He knew all too well about how Harry's extraordinary luck at Quidditch went very well with his amazing skill. The combination was hard to beat.
Harry joked and laughed and talked about the game, and while he was distracted with trying to get the last bite of food from his plate without spilling it onto the table, Fleur caught his attention.
"Draco, 'Arry?" she asked.
Harry looked up and smiled. "Yes?" he said.
"I was just wondering if you 'ad decided on when to go to Diagon Alley."
"Oh," said Harry, setting his fork down. "Actually, we haven't talked about it, but we could go just about any time, couldn't we?" He looked to Draco.
"For robes?" Draco asked, caught off guard by the sudden change in conversation.
"Well, yes," said Fleur. "I imagine you will want very nice robes for your wedding, so you will 'ave to get your measurements taken and zen give zem time to be made. Also, you still 'aven't picked out your wedding rings. Zose you will be wanting too, correct?"
Harry nodded, smiling.
Draco frowned, fisting the construct under the table. He looked around for a moment. "Excuse me, I will be back shortly," he said politely, and left the table.
Harry raised an eyebrow and watched Draco leave confusedly, frowning. He went to push himself up from the table to follow, but Fleur stopped him.
"'Arry," she said quickly. "I theenk you should let Draco go for a while."
Harry frowned at her. "What?" he asked.
"I would like a private word with you if you wouldn't mind too terribly."
Harry turned his head and looked at the door Draco had left out of. He sighed. "Yeah, sure," he said resignedly. "What is it?"
Fleur got to her feet, indicating that Harry should as well. He did.
"May we move to a sitting room?" she asked.
"Yes, of course," said Harry, wondering what she wanted.
She bent and kissed Bill on the cheek before walking gracefully around the table and taking Harry's arm. "Lead ze way," she said.
Harry led Fleur to the sitting room that Draco, Ron, Hermione and himself inhabited most often and took a seat on the couch.
Fleur sat next to him, tossing her long hair behind her shoulder. "I theenk zat Draco is ... not exactly looking forward to getting your rings," she said.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Why do you say that?" he asked.
"'E walked out ze last time ze subject came up. I did theenk zat was what eet was, but now I am almost certain."
Harry frowned.
"You did not theenk of zat?" she asked, looking at Harry as if she couldn't believe him.
Harry's frown deepened.
Fleur sighed. "Men," she muttered. "In Eengland, wedding rings go on ze left 'and," he said, raising her own and wiggling her fingers.
Harry stared at her hand for a moment and then groaned, falling back on the couch and covering his face with his hands. "Oh, Merlin, I'm an idiot," he said. "I completely forgot about that!"
Fleur sighed again. "I am guessing zat Draco does not like his left 'and very much," she said. "I do not blame him," she said.
"He hates it," said Harry from behind his hands. "He says it's awful and heavy and that it's hideous."
"Well, would you want sometheeng symbolising your love for someone on sometheeng you 'ated so much?" she asked.
Harry sighed. "No," he said and he sat straight again. "Could he put it on his right hand?"
"I somehow theenk zat Draco would not be very keen on zat," said Fleur.
Harry huffed quietly, placing his hands in his lap. "What do I do?" he asked. "I've tried to tell him it doesn't matter to me. That it doesn't bother me."
Fleur nodded knowingly. "Eet matters to him," she said. "Bill hides eet well with jokes and laughs, but he iz self-conscious about his face. Eet does not matter to me. 'E iz still ze man I fell in love with, but you cannot tell him zat."
Harry looked at her. He hadn't given it any thought before. Fleur was married to someone with a physical disfigurement, too.
"Eet iz 'ard to deal with some days. I get angry with him when 'e will not listen zat I still theenk 'e iz beautiful."
"I know exactly the feeling," said Harry. "What do I do? I don't know how to make him feel better about it."
"To be 'onest," said Fleur, "I theenk zey 'ave to take care of eet for zemselves."
Harry sighed again. "I figured as much. Nothing I tell him works."
Fleur frowned and nodded.
"And now it's worse," Harry continued. "What are we supposed to do about wedding rings? I don't want him to hate picking them out. I don't want him to get angry or upset while we're doing that."
Fleur nodded again, still frowning. She was silent for a minute. "Draco and Bill are very different cases. Zere iz nothing zat can be done to 'elp Bill's face zat 'as not already been done, but 'ave you considered a new arm for Draco?"
Harry's head snapped up. "You can do that?" he asked.
Fleur nodded again. "Well, I just wanted to tell you to be ... sensitive with Draco and situations 'aving to do with his left arm."
Harry sighed. "Yes, I know," he said.
Fleur smiled gently at him. "Shall we go back?" she asked.
"Yes, I think so," said Harry, getting to his feet and offering Fleur his arm this time.
She took it and smiled again.
"Thank you for the idea," he said genuinely. "If I can do something like this, Merlin, I'll be eternally grateful to you."
"Well, eet was just an idea," said Fleur dismissively, but she looked pleased.
"A wonderful idea," said Harry, heading out the door and back to the dining room.
Harry saw that Draco was back in his seat when he and Fleur entered the room again. He sat next to him, giving Fleur one last little smile before kissing Draco on the cheek.
Draco had only been gone long enough to collect himself and had been surprised to find Harry and Fleur gone when he returned. He watched them return and raised his eyebrows at his husband.
"What?" Harry asked, raising his eyebrows at Draco in turn.
The blond narrowed his eyes, looking a bit curious and suspicious at the same time, but he didn't say anything. He smiled. "You almost missed dessert."
***
Diagon Alley was empty and quiet. The shops that had already been closed had now been joined by at least five more since the Death Eater's escape. It was always depressing to see the way Voldemort was affecting the wizarding world, but it was expected and wasn't all that much different from when Harry and Draco had come here last. They were there now with Fleur and Bill, the day after the Quidditch match and shopping for their wedding. Hermione and Ron had come along too, to get out of the house and Fred and George had headed off to their own shop for work. Charlie had gone home to continue work on his assignment with foreign wizards.
"Dress robes I theenk we should get first," said Fleur. "Eet is ze closest shop to 'ere and will take ze longest to do."
"Sure," said Harry. He thought they should get dress robes first as well. He needed Draco's arm measurements and had told Fleur to suggest it. He still hoped very, very much that he would be able to get a new arm made for Draco.
Draco nodded, reaching to hold Harry's hand. He smirked, remembering the first and last times they were in Madame Malkin's shop. He didn't think they would get away with shagging in the dressing room this time.
Harry took Draco's hand and they made their way to the robe shop. He was thankful that it was still open. When they entered, Madam Malkin made her way over to them and seemed to turn a bit pink upon seeing who it was, but she smiled as well, seeming to remember what they had bought the last time they had been there.
"What can I help you with?" she asked very politely, turning automatically to Draco.
Fleur stepped in front of him. "Zey will both need new dress robes. Zey are getting married, as I'm sure you are aware, and ze colours are green and silver. I am theenking zat zey will need black dress robes with ... green trim. Is zat good for you?" she asked, turning her head to look at Harry and Draco over her shoulder.
Harry raised his eyebrows. "Sounds good to me," he said with a shrug.
"Exactly." Draco smiled warmly, squeezing Harry's hand.
Harry smiled too as they were led over to get measured. He tried to pay close attention to Draco's measurements, but he wasn't able to tell what they were as Madam Malkin simply wrote the numbers down and didn't say them aloud. He breathed a quiet sigh of relief when he saw Fleur discreetly pull a quill and a small piece of parchment from her bag to copy the numbers.
Draco stood on the little dais that the shop used for fittings and his smile grew to a grin, looking down at Harry and remembering being nearly the same position those years ago. He moved and turned and allowed himself to be measured.
Fleur slipped the parchment back into her purse. "Now, zer is also ze wedding party zat will need robes as well - or at least the females zat will be in eet. Not everyone is 'ere with us today, so we will need to come back most likely - or better yet, is eet possible for you to come out to take measurements at zer 'ouse? Possibly an assistant or something such as zat?"
"Oh, yes, we can do that," said Madam Malkin. "It will cost extra of course, but if that's what you want."
Fleur raised an eyebrow at Harry.
"I suppose that would be good," he said. "And safer. I don't want anything to go wrong before the wedding."
Draco nodded and stepped off the dais.
Harry smiled and kissed Draco on the cheek before climbing up himself for his turn. They were finished sometime later and Ron and Hermione had left to go off on their own for a bit. Bill looked extremely bored and stood up from his chair quickly when they were finally done.
Ready?" he asked. Fleur handed him the robes in their covers and then took his other arm.
"Yes, we are finished with zat at least. Now zer are ... rings," she said slowly.
Harry glanced at Draco from the corner of his eye.
"Zer is ze most wonderful jewellery shop 'ere," Fleur continued. "My ring is from France, but Bill's was from 'ere. Ze men's jewellery is very good and very beautiful." She smiled encouragingly.
Draco had been smiling and watching his lover. But when the rings were mentioned, his face went blank. He looked down at the ground but didn't say anything.
Harry frowned slightly but nodded to Fleur. "Lead the way," he said, reaching over and taking Draco's hand. He wasn't sure if he should say anything or not.
When they had reached the jewellery shop, Harry's heart was beating a little quicker; not only because he didn't want Draco to react badly, but also because he was nervous about whether or not he could get the new construct.
He had gotten Hermione to contact St. Mungo's about getting a new arm and they had told her that they had never had anyone ask that question before as it was not very common for people to lose limbs and be unable to reattach them. They suggested asking a jeweller to make the arm and then have it brought in to the hospital to check it out and make sure it functioned properly, but there was still the question of whether or not the jeweller would be able to make it at all. Harry was filled with hope, but he was nervous all the same for those hopes to be crushed.
Lawson and Smith's Lapidaries was a small but very expensive little shop. Draco had been there with his mother many times. He owned both tie tacks and cuff links made by them. The Malfoy's even had an account. And he did not want to walk in the door. He felt like a fool. Why couldn't he just tell Harry?
Harry took a deep breath before stepping inside the shop, and he held Draco's hand a little tighter, still giving him quick little glances. "Do - do you want to look around?" he asked quietly, trying to keep his tone normal.
A tall wizard with odd-looking spectacles smiled when they walked in. "Mr. Malfoy," the man greeted him, "it's a pleasure to see you."
"Mr. Lawson," Draco replied. "This is Mr. Harry Potter." The old man's eyes widened and he looked curiously at them. "My pleasure, Mr. Potter," he said, extending his hand.
Harry smiled and shook the man's hand, a little surprised that Draco knew him, but when he thought about it, it wasn't really that surprising at all. "We're here for wedding rings," he said, trying to sound cheerful and giving Draco's hand an automatic squeeze again.
"Lovely, lovely," the man said, but he gave Draco a wary glance.
"And to arrange wedding party gifts," Draco added.
Harry nodded and cleared his throat. He walked a few feet over and bent to look at the many items on display in the glass case.
"Speaking of zose gifts," said Fleur. "I was 'ere not too long ago and I know just ze perfect thing for 'Ermione and Ginny. I saw eet over 'ere. Draco, 'Arry?"
"Oh, I actually think I see something good for Ron in here," said Harry, looking over his shoulder. "I'll be over in a minute, yeah?"
Fleur nodded and looked to Draco.
Draco nodded and followed where Fleur gestured. He glanced at Harry. He was relieved to be talking about the gifts for the moment.
Harry waited until Draco was gone and distracted by Fleur before getting to his feet and walking back over to Mr. Lawson. "Hi," he said, stepping off to the side slightly so that he could pretend we was looking at more jewellery if Draco looked over. "I hope you can help me. I wanted to ask if I could talk to you about possibly making a custom piece. You do do that, don't you?"
"Yes, Mr. Potter." Lawson smiled. "We are specialists in custom work. Even those pieces in the glass are all originals made right here."
"Great," said Harry, smiling. "It's a surprise wedding gift to Draco from me and I want to keep it a secret." He paused. "It's actually not a piece of jewellery though. It's about his construct hand. I'm sure you noticed it?"
The man nodded, glancing toward the blond and back to Harry. "Yes," he said.
Harry sighed. "Well, he hates it. It's heavy, he thinks it's hideously ugly and I know he doesn't want to wear a ring on that hand." He paused again. "I contacted St. Mungo's about getting a new one yesterday, where the hand was first given to him, and they said that that they've never had anyone ask that, as it's rare to lose a limb. They told me my best bet was to come to a jeweller to try and see if I could get one made, as I do want it to look good. Is it possible for you to do anything like that?" He bit his lip, staring at old Mr. Lawson hopefully.
Lawson's smiled warmly, his eyes glittering mischievously. "Oh, our Mr. Smith would love such a challenge. He is a bit of a tinker as well. I am sure he will need to know many details. Measurements, metals, shape."
Harry smiled hugely. "Really?" he asked. "That's terrific!" he said almost too loudly. "I have the measurements, but I don't know how I would go about getting the shape of his arm without him knowing what I was doing. And the metal ... well, I want it to look good, really good. Silver coloured metal I think would look best. I want it to last too and I want him to be able to feel like it's his arm - well - as close as he can get anyway. What do you suggest?"
"To make it close to the hand he has lost," Lawson said, sounding like a man thinking aloud, "it would be best to have an impression of his remaining hand."
Harry nodded. "Yes, that would work the best ... only I have no idea how to get it." He sighed. "I suppose I could wait until he's asleep to get it and then send it to you? Would that work?"
"Yes, yes." The man nodded. "And I think titanium with silver plating."
Harry nodded as well, unbelievably happy. "Okay," he said, smiling. "And how much do you think this would all cost? Not that it matters, I'm doing it no matter what, but just so I know."
"I will work up some sketches and send you an estimate," the man said. "Oh, Mr. Potter? Did you want the ring made part of that hand?"
"Hmm, actually, I'll just take them separate. I'd like to put it on him during the ceremony," Harry said. "He's not going to be very comfortable picking one out right now, but it'll be worth it later." He smiled again.
"I understand," Lawson said, patting his arm.
"Yeah," said Harry, looking over his shoulder at Draco. "I'll get you the measurements in one moment. My friend has them. And I'll get you the impression within the next few days. Oh, and the woman in St. Mungo's I spoke with - Mediwitch Glazer - she said that if I did find anyone who could make the hand, to tell them that she would be available if you have any questions about the mechanics of it or things like that."
"Very good, Mr. Potter," the man said.
Draco glanced over his shoulder again at his lover. He was deep in conversation with Lawson. He knew he was up to something, but given the occasion, knew better than to pry. He turned back to Fleur. "I was hoping to speak to you about a delicate issue, Madame," he said, in French.
Fleur raised a curious eyebrow. "Of course," she said, answering in French as well. "What is it?"
Draco frowned, spreading the thick fingers of the construct. "I cannot wear a ring," he said.
Fleur pursed her lips for a split second and then nodded. "Yes, I've already thought of that a few times. Have you spoken with 'Arry about it?"
"No," Draco said. "I tried to talk to him about this thing. But he insists it makes no difference."
Fleur sighed. "Perhaps this is something you should talk about though," she said, staring at Draco seriously. "If you cannot wear a ring, should you not come up with an alternative? Perhaps wear it around your neck? On your right hand? It is your decision, of course, but I would think that you might want to tell 'Arry what you are thinking about."
Draco frowned, huffing. "Merci, Madame," he said. "I will ... try."
Fleur nodded. "I am sure he will understand what you are saying," she said confidently.
Harry looked over his shoulder again at Draco and then turned back to Mr. Lawson. "Thank you," he said. "A terrific pleasure doing business with you."
Draco had noticed several nice pieces that might work for the women in their wedding party and he knew they carried some nice men's jewellery, too. He pointed them out to Fleur for her list.
Harry walked back over to Draco and Fleur, smiling.
Fleur looked up from the list she was making and smiled at Harry.
He gave her a quick wink that Draco didn't notice and her smile grew.
"Find anything good?" he asked, pulling Draco to him lightly and kissing him full on the lips before pulling back and smiling.
"Yes, in the robe shop a long time ago," Draco whispered after the sweet kiss.
Harry grinned, his eyes going soft. He sighed happily, not being able to resist pressing his lips to Draco's for another soft kiss.
Draco pulled Harry to him for the second kiss, his breathing speeding up. Harry always did this to him, no matter where they were.
Harry smiled against Draco's lips and it was very, very difficult to resist slipping his tongue out, but he knew Bill and Fleur were both only a few feet away, not to mention Mr. Lawson was still in the room as well. He pulled back, pressing his forehead to Draco's "When we get home, love," he said slyly.
"Indeed," Draco said, his voice a bit deeper.
Harry chuckled. Merlin, he loved that voice. He pulled away slowly, not really wanting to, and straightened his robe, taking a deep breath to calm himself. A simple kiss could do this to him? He was pathetic - and he loved it.
Draco felt warm and happy and decided that he would put his own discomfort aside for Harry. "So, the rings," he said as calmly as he could manage.
Harry's eyebrows raised slightly, but he nodded. "Yes," he said, "the rings." He took a deep breath. "I know ... that they go on our ... left hands," he said slowly, looking up at Draco with a slight wince. He didn't want to put Draco through thinking that he wouldn't be able to wear a wedding ring where it was supposed to go, but he also wanted to see the surprised look on Draco's face when he gave him the new construct when it was ready. He had to suppress a smile just thinking about it.
Draco's jaw tightened and he sighed. "I suppose I will have to wear it on my right," he said.
Harry gave him a small smile. "That's okay," he said. "Just because you can't wear a ring on your left hand doesn't make it any less meaningful. I'll wear mine on my right too so that we're the same." He brought Draco's right hand up and kissed it.
"No," Draco frowned, "I want it on your left. I want people to see it and know."
Harry smiled gently again. "Anything for you," he said.
"So I have an idea of what they should look like," Draco said.
Harry nodded. "You'd certainly pick out something better than me," he said. "What should they look like then?"
"Mr. Lawson," Draco said to the man who stood nearby, not crowding them. The jeweller came over to him. "I have in mind a very simple, thick, gold band -- but with a twist, literally. White and yellow gold entwined. Two opposites bound together."
Harry smiled. "Brilliant," he said, taking Draco's hand. "See, I would've never thought of that."
Draco smiled at Harry's compliment, liking the idea of how it would look on his husband's hand if not his own.
Lawson seemed pleased, too. "Tasteful and powerful," he said. "Let's just fit your ring sizes."
Harry smiled again and nodded, following the old man with Draco by his side.
It wasn't long before they had finished their shopping at Lawson and Smith's Lapidaries and they emerged with small bags with gifts for their wedding party and the promise that their wedding rings would be made and ready to pick up in due time. They visited a very nice bakery that specialised in elaborate desserts and picked out a design for a lovely cake. They also visited the florist, but Fleur took care of picking out and setting up a date for the flowers they had ordered to be delivered to the Manor. She also had them agree to hire a decorator to help when the time came, as she insisted that it would make everything look much more beautiful. Harry couldn't care less about what they did about any of that. He wanted it to be beautiful, of course, but mostly, he wanted it to be for Draco.