An End And A Beginning

5: The Fountains Weep In Ecstasy

Draco wasn't looking forward to seeing the Registrar. He thought it might be dreadfully emotional. Instead, it was drearily prosaic as they went through times and dates of everything from when Lucius was born to when he died and where it all happened. And although it was in person, everything was verbal and held as the truth under the Perjury Act. They didn't even bother to undo the handcuffs. Mind you, Draco was aware that they were meeting with an officiant of the Ministry so perhaps it would have been bad form to consider his dignity for that meeting. Still, Potter stayed close, hiding the handcuffs, as they walked out side by side through the Ministry for Magic.

Unfortunately, they left the Registrar just as the lunchtime bell resounded throughout the Ministry like a school bell. Suddenly, the corridors and Atrium were flooded with people heading out for their breaks. Draco couldn't help noticing the looks of revulsion he received. He also couldn't help noticing how much Potter still garnered looks of admiration and, in several cases, absolute adoration.

Just as Draco ignored the looks he received, Potter disregarded the hero-worship, either looking straight through people or engaging in some 'serious and meaningful' conversation with Draco that was clearly too important to be interrupted.

'So, the Chosen One is still blindly worshipped—' Draco teased gleefully, well aware of the tension in Potter's shoulders as they walked back out through the Ministry Atrium.

'Don't,' Potter muttered sharply.

'I always thought you rather revelled in the fame.'

Potter didn't respond but he did sharply side-step the next woman who bore down on him. Her arms were practically outstretched in anticipation of sweeping Potter into a clearly unwelcome hug. Draco would have laughed apart from their handcuffs meant Potter pulled Draco directly into her oncoming path, much to Draco's annoyance and the absolute horror of the woman. Mostly because her ample bosom promptly collided into Draco's ribs as she crashed against him by mistake. Draco felt nauseous by their softness against him. The revulsion was amplified because she had clearly unbuttoned another button of her blouse to reveal more of said ample bosom as she screeched 'HARRY!' before stampeding towards them. She pushed Draco away in mortification and was clearly dismayed as she looked at Potter balefully.

Potter barely broke his stride, simply grabbing Draco's handcuffed wrist to stop him stumbling. His expression was particularly stony.

'Careful, Draco,' he said coldly and it made Draco shiver slightly. 'I know we're in a rush but you need to look where you're going. Apologies, Gladys,' he added without looking at her and strode off towards the Apparition Point, pulling Draco uncomfortably along with him.

When Draco glanced back the woman was left stood looking after them, somewhat gobsmacked but probably, Draco thought snidely, with enough material for a fortnight's wet dreams, just because the Saviour had addressed her directly... well, almost directly... and knew her name.

'Do you get many like that?' Draco asked after they landed in Diagon Alley.

'A few,' Potter muttered. 'Sorry about that but Gladys is a particular predatory breed all by herself. She's already received two warnings about harassing me. If I raise another complaint, she'll be sacked. Normally I wear a Notice-Me-Not Charm when I go through the main parts of the Ministry.'

Draco didn't say anything but Potter's change in mood was disconcerting. He wondered how much hassle Potter got on a day-to-day basis and how many uber-fans were there out there who were like Gladys that he had to deal with. He suddenly understood a whole new horrific side to Potter's life.

In contrast to the meeting with the Registrar, Draco barely held it together at the undertakers. Edward Cressider was a terribly nice man who was very softly spoken and just made Draco want to cry as he asked gently probing questions about Lucius. All of which were diplomatically veered towards Lucius's better nature rather than the past eight years. Potter did his thing of standing discreetly in the corner and nearly vanishing into the shadows with what Draco presumed was one of his Notice-Me-Not Charms. Even the handcuffs had clicked open discreetly as they entered the premises. Not that any of that helped Draco's desperate need for the reassurance of physical closeness.