He gave the cauldron one final stir.
“Just about ready,” he muttered to himself.
Taking a ladle, he decanted a portion of the viscous blue liquid into a small crystal flask.
“Ron!” a voice called from downstairs. “Ron, where are you? We’ve a cab waiting outside!”
“In a minute, ‘Mione!” Ron called back as he put a stopper on the flask. He held it up to the light streaming through a nearby window and smiled.
Ginny will thank me for this, he thought as he made his way downstairs. And Malfoy will never know what hit him.
***
To the untrained eye, one would think that the crowds of youngsters in Tokyo’s trendy Harajuku area were just dressed to shock. Elegant gothic aristocrats swanned about in Western attire from the Baroque period. The deeply tanned ganguro and yamanba girls strutted about on platform boots, their colored hair loose and swinging freely in the summer breeze. Girls – and boys – trotted from one shop to another, clad adorably in Gothic Lolita fashion. Young men could be seen in outfits consisting of long coats, black denims, motorcycle boots, and silver accessories, their hair styled and colored in eye-popping ways. Tourists would cluck their tongues disapprovingly at the spectacle, exclaiming how wild these young people were.
Not many knew that these were magical kids and young adults dressed in what was, to them, their customary manner. For unlike in the West where wizards have to more or less keep their nature under wraps, the wizards of Asia have never had any trouble mingling with Muggles. Indeed, in many parts of the region, magic is considered part and parcel of daily life.
Draco and Ginny brought their friends to Tokyo for a day of shopping and socializing with the Japanese wizards they hung out with. The newcomers stared about them, entranced by the eclectic mix of magic and Muggle culture that was Harajuku.
“It’s fascinating!” Pansy exclaimed breathlessly, awed by the vibrant colors and bustling activity.
“It gets more exciting at night,” Ginny assured her. “Wizarding bands or soloists perform at the clubs come evening. They’re very good.”
Draco led them to a small, somewhat exclusive jewelry shop that showed off some exquisite pieces of silver and platinum jewelry in the window.
“This is where I got Ginny’s engagement ring,” he told them, playfully kissing the ring on Ginny’s hand in the process. “I’ve also commissioned them to work on our wedding rings.”
When they entered the shop, there was a handsome blond youth behind the counter. He was holding a pair of delicate-looking tools in his hands, obviously engraving what appeared to be a circlet for a woman’s head. He smiled when he caught sight of the group.
“Hi,” he greeted them. “What can I do for you today?” His English was perfect and but faintly accented. Indeed, he didn’t even look Japanese; he was as tall, pale, and blond as Draco. Come to think of it, he did look like Draco.
“Hey, Okabe!” Draco greeted him. “Just brought the missus and some friends over for a spot of shopping.”
“’Missus’, huh?” The blond Japanese boy smirked at Ginny and winked at her. “You’d be Ginny. Your workaholic boyfriend’s chattered a tsunami about you.” He gallantly kissed her hand; heedless of the death glare Draco threw his way. “Enchanté, Mademoiselle Weasley – or should I say, Madame Malfoy?” He laughed at Ginny’s startled face. “Shinju told me,” he explained. “We’re friends.”
“Friends?” Draco snorted and rolled his eyes. “Spare us, Okabe!” he exclaimed. “If Gin and I are married, what does that make you and Shinju Seifuku?”
“Partners-in-crime,” Okabe replied nonchalantly, buffing his nails on the front of his robes. “Immorality, actually, but that’s all a matter of perspective.” He beamed at the group. “And who might these charming folk be?”
“Friends from Hogwarts,” Draco replied. He introduced them one by one. Then, he jerked a thumb at the grinning young shopkeeper. “This, my friends, is Satoru Okabe: jeweler, clothing designer, reckless driver, equally reckless flier, incurable flirt, composer, poet, and recording artist.” He grinned slyly at Okabe who looked miffed by the introduction. “We’re distantly related, by the way.” He pointed to his own blond hair and then at Okabe’s. “The hair and eyes are proof enough.”
“I’m this git’s second cousin – a dozen times or so removed – on his father’s side and my mother’s,” Okabe admitted. “Pureblood wizard, yes. Pureblooded Japanese, no. Isn’t it obvious that I’m a throwback to the French side of the Malfoys?” He shrugged. “But, that’s all beside the point. What can I do for you today, Drae?”
Draco explained that his friends were looking for kimono and hakama to help them blend in, as well as wedding presents for Remus Lupin and Amihan Sinagtala.
“I can help you, then,” Okabe said with a smile. He settled pregnant Daphne into a comfortable armchair and pressed a switch on a nearby wall. A splendid tea service appeared within Daphne’s reach. He smiled at her. “So the good okaachan won’t have to trot all over the place.”
Daphne beamed at him. “Thank you,” she said. “This is most comfortable.”
Okabe helped them choose appropriate outfits. Before long, Neville, Trace, and Teddy were dressed like the young shopkeeper and Draco in hakama in varying shades of elegant gray. Vince and Greg bulked large, looking like yokozuna out of the sumo ring but were nevertheless dignified looking.
Ginny helped Pansy and Millicent pick theirs out. Pansy was delighted by a gorgeous kimono in a shimmering garnet-and-gold brocade. Okabe sweet-talked Millicent into one in a magnificent plum that looked wonderful on her. They were even able to find a lovely loose robe for Daphne in rose with a design of white almond blossoms scattered all over it.
“But what about me?” Blaise wailed.
“For you, my friend, I’ve the perfect solution!” Okabe pointed his wand over to a rack. “Shôshű murasaki-na-kimono!”
A beautiful silk kimono flew to his hand. It was much simpler than the women’s outfits and a trifle gaudier than the men’s, but looked wonderful on Blaise. The dark-haired boy nearly wept tears of joy as he admired himself in a mirror.
“A kimono and not a hakama?” Draco asked Okabe, puzzled. “Why?”
“Your friend won’t be a man much longer,” Okabe replied with a mysterious smile. He held up a finger to silence Draco’s querying. “Don’t ask me how I know or even how it’s going to happen, but it will.”
Their clothing purchases out of the way, the group then clamored to see Okabe’s jewelry stock. Ginny’s engagement ring – one of Okabe’s projects – was stunning and they all hoped to find something equally exquisite.
Okabe turned the others over to his staff, then called Draco and Ginny into his office.
“Your rings are done,” he informed them. He smirked. “If you two wanted to get married tonight, it could be arranged.”
They all laughed, then Okabe presented the rings to them. They were magnificent: Draco’s ring was in platinum and a serpent made of emerald chips wound about the surface while Ginny’s ring was gold with a ruby-chip lion about its circumference.
“They’re beautiful!” Ginny exclaimed breathlessly. Draco tenderly gave her shoulder a squeeze. She smiled and patted his hand. “Darling, thank you.”
“I asked Okabe to make us something as beautiful and unique as you are, Ginny-o.”
“Gorgeous, tasteful, one-of-a-kind, and so damned expensive I can afford to record my next album – and probably five more, too – in Muggle Hollywood!” Okabe chuckled as he put the rings back into their velvet-lined box and proceeded to wrap them, black and gold ribbons streaming out of his wand. He tucked the box into a small white bag and handed it to Draco. “It was a pleasure doing business with you,” he said, eyes twinkling. “I also have a little gift for you and your missus, old boy.”
Draco and Ginny watched, surprised, as Okabe ducked behind his desk to retrieve a pair of silver bracelets that looked unnervingly like thorns and were set with black onyx.
“These are bannin-no-udewa,” he informed them. “Protection bracelets, one for each of you.” As he spoke, he affixed one bracelet around Ginny’s right wrist. “They’re supposed to let you know if either of you are in danger. If you’re in trouble, Draco, the bracelet on Ginny’s arm will fall apart.” He picked up the other bracelet and began to put it on Draco’s left wrist. “If she’s in trouble, then…” No sooner had he locked the clasp, the bracelet fell to the desk with a loud clatter, the silver-set onyx beads breaking loose from the silver links. Okabe’s already pale face went even whiter. “Oh, shit…” he swore.
To Draco and Ginny’s consternation, he made a grab for the Muggle telephone that hung nearby and dialed nervously.
“Moshi-moshi,” he screamed down the handset. “Shinju-chan, oide!” He slammed the handset back on the phone and sank heavily into his chair. “What the fucking hell is going on here!” he grated.
“What is it?” Ginny asked in bewilderment. “What’s going on?”
Draco put his arms protectively about her. He was about to point his wand at the shattered bracelet, but Okabe stopped him.
“Neither Reparo nor Naosu will be able to fix that bracelet,” he advised Draco. “At least, not until the danger’s passed.”
“Then, how…”
As if on cue, Shinju Seifuku Apparated with a loud pop in one corner of the office. She had obviously been baking when Okabe called; a light dusting of flour covered her from head to foot. She looked very annoyed.
“Baka yarou!” she swore at Okabe. “Kimi wa atashi jamashite! Nan da yo?!”
“Bokutachi ga okii na mondai aru yo,” Okabe replied grimly, pointing to the pieces of Draco’s bracelet scattered over his desk. “Kono go dame da ne, Shinju.”
Shinju’s eyes widened when she saw the fragments and drew closer. She shook her head worriedly.
“When did this happen?” she demanded from Draco.
“Just now,” he said.
Shinju looked at Ginny and sighed.
“Someone’s out to get you, my dear,” she warned the horrified redhead. Shinju cracked her knuckles; it was a most unpleasant sound. “But we ought to get him first.”
“Just about ready,” he muttered to himself.
Taking a ladle, he decanted a portion of the viscous blue liquid into a small crystal flask.
“Ron!” a voice called from downstairs. “Ron, where are you? We’ve a cab waiting outside!”
“In a minute, ‘Mione!” Ron called back as he put a stopper on the flask. He held it up to the light streaming through a nearby window and smiled.
Ginny will thank me for this, he thought as he made his way downstairs. And Malfoy will never know what hit him.
***
To the untrained eye, one would think that the crowds of youngsters in Tokyo’s trendy Harajuku area were just dressed to shock. Elegant gothic aristocrats swanned about in Western attire from the Baroque period. The deeply tanned ganguro and yamanba girls strutted about on platform boots, their colored hair loose and swinging freely in the summer breeze. Girls – and boys – trotted from one shop to another, clad adorably in Gothic Lolita fashion. Young men could be seen in outfits consisting of long coats, black denims, motorcycle boots, and silver accessories, their hair styled and colored in eye-popping ways. Tourists would cluck their tongues disapprovingly at the spectacle, exclaiming how wild these young people were.
Not many knew that these were magical kids and young adults dressed in what was, to them, their customary manner. For unlike in the West where wizards have to more or less keep their nature under wraps, the wizards of Asia have never had any trouble mingling with Muggles. Indeed, in many parts of the region, magic is considered part and parcel of daily life.
Draco and Ginny brought their friends to Tokyo for a day of shopping and socializing with the Japanese wizards they hung out with. The newcomers stared about them, entranced by the eclectic mix of magic and Muggle culture that was Harajuku.
“It’s fascinating!” Pansy exclaimed breathlessly, awed by the vibrant colors and bustling activity.
“It gets more exciting at night,” Ginny assured her. “Wizarding bands or soloists perform at the clubs come evening. They’re very good.”
Draco led them to a small, somewhat exclusive jewelry shop that showed off some exquisite pieces of silver and platinum jewelry in the window.
“This is where I got Ginny’s engagement ring,” he told them, playfully kissing the ring on Ginny’s hand in the process. “I’ve also commissioned them to work on our wedding rings.”
When they entered the shop, there was a handsome blond youth behind the counter. He was holding a pair of delicate-looking tools in his hands, obviously engraving what appeared to be a circlet for a woman’s head. He smiled when he caught sight of the group.
“Hi,” he greeted them. “What can I do for you today?” His English was perfect and but faintly accented. Indeed, he didn’t even look Japanese; he was as tall, pale, and blond as Draco. Come to think of it, he did look like Draco.
“Hey, Okabe!” Draco greeted him. “Just brought the missus and some friends over for a spot of shopping.”
“’Missus’, huh?” The blond Japanese boy smirked at Ginny and winked at her. “You’d be Ginny. Your workaholic boyfriend’s chattered a tsunami about you.” He gallantly kissed her hand; heedless of the death glare Draco threw his way. “Enchanté, Mademoiselle Weasley – or should I say, Madame Malfoy?” He laughed at Ginny’s startled face. “Shinju told me,” he explained. “We’re friends.”
“Friends?” Draco snorted and rolled his eyes. “Spare us, Okabe!” he exclaimed. “If Gin and I are married, what does that make you and Shinju Seifuku?”
“Partners-in-crime,” Okabe replied nonchalantly, buffing his nails on the front of his robes. “Immorality, actually, but that’s all a matter of perspective.” He beamed at the group. “And who might these charming folk be?”
“Friends from Hogwarts,” Draco replied. He introduced them one by one. Then, he jerked a thumb at the grinning young shopkeeper. “This, my friends, is Satoru Okabe: jeweler, clothing designer, reckless driver, equally reckless flier, incurable flirt, composer, poet, and recording artist.” He grinned slyly at Okabe who looked miffed by the introduction. “We’re distantly related, by the way.” He pointed to his own blond hair and then at Okabe’s. “The hair and eyes are proof enough.”
“I’m this git’s second cousin – a dozen times or so removed – on his father’s side and my mother’s,” Okabe admitted. “Pureblood wizard, yes. Pureblooded Japanese, no. Isn’t it obvious that I’m a throwback to the French side of the Malfoys?” He shrugged. “But, that’s all beside the point. What can I do for you today, Drae?”
Draco explained that his friends were looking for kimono and hakama to help them blend in, as well as wedding presents for Remus Lupin and Amihan Sinagtala.
“I can help you, then,” Okabe said with a smile. He settled pregnant Daphne into a comfortable armchair and pressed a switch on a nearby wall. A splendid tea service appeared within Daphne’s reach. He smiled at her. “So the good okaachan won’t have to trot all over the place.”
Daphne beamed at him. “Thank you,” she said. “This is most comfortable.”
Okabe helped them choose appropriate outfits. Before long, Neville, Trace, and Teddy were dressed like the young shopkeeper and Draco in hakama in varying shades of elegant gray. Vince and Greg bulked large, looking like yokozuna out of the sumo ring but were nevertheless dignified looking.
Ginny helped Pansy and Millicent pick theirs out. Pansy was delighted by a gorgeous kimono in a shimmering garnet-and-gold brocade. Okabe sweet-talked Millicent into one in a magnificent plum that looked wonderful on her. They were even able to find a lovely loose robe for Daphne in rose with a design of white almond blossoms scattered all over it.
“But what about me?” Blaise wailed.
“For you, my friend, I’ve the perfect solution!” Okabe pointed his wand over to a rack. “Shôshű murasaki-na-kimono!”
A beautiful silk kimono flew to his hand. It was much simpler than the women’s outfits and a trifle gaudier than the men’s, but looked wonderful on Blaise. The dark-haired boy nearly wept tears of joy as he admired himself in a mirror.
“A kimono and not a hakama?” Draco asked Okabe, puzzled. “Why?”
“Your friend won’t be a man much longer,” Okabe replied with a mysterious smile. He held up a finger to silence Draco’s querying. “Don’t ask me how I know or even how it’s going to happen, but it will.”
Their clothing purchases out of the way, the group then clamored to see Okabe’s jewelry stock. Ginny’s engagement ring – one of Okabe’s projects – was stunning and they all hoped to find something equally exquisite.
Okabe turned the others over to his staff, then called Draco and Ginny into his office.
“Your rings are done,” he informed them. He smirked. “If you two wanted to get married tonight, it could be arranged.”
They all laughed, then Okabe presented the rings to them. They were magnificent: Draco’s ring was in platinum and a serpent made of emerald chips wound about the surface while Ginny’s ring was gold with a ruby-chip lion about its circumference.
“They’re beautiful!” Ginny exclaimed breathlessly. Draco tenderly gave her shoulder a squeeze. She smiled and patted his hand. “Darling, thank you.”
“I asked Okabe to make us something as beautiful and unique as you are, Ginny-o.”
“Gorgeous, tasteful, one-of-a-kind, and so damned expensive I can afford to record my next album – and probably five more, too – in Muggle Hollywood!” Okabe chuckled as he put the rings back into their velvet-lined box and proceeded to wrap them, black and gold ribbons streaming out of his wand. He tucked the box into a small white bag and handed it to Draco. “It was a pleasure doing business with you,” he said, eyes twinkling. “I also have a little gift for you and your missus, old boy.”
Draco and Ginny watched, surprised, as Okabe ducked behind his desk to retrieve a pair of silver bracelets that looked unnervingly like thorns and were set with black onyx.
“These are bannin-no-udewa,” he informed them. “Protection bracelets, one for each of you.” As he spoke, he affixed one bracelet around Ginny’s right wrist. “They’re supposed to let you know if either of you are in danger. If you’re in trouble, Draco, the bracelet on Ginny’s arm will fall apart.” He picked up the other bracelet and began to put it on Draco’s left wrist. “If she’s in trouble, then…” No sooner had he locked the clasp, the bracelet fell to the desk with a loud clatter, the silver-set onyx beads breaking loose from the silver links. Okabe’s already pale face went even whiter. “Oh, shit…” he swore.
To Draco and Ginny’s consternation, he made a grab for the Muggle telephone that hung nearby and dialed nervously.
“Moshi-moshi,” he screamed down the handset. “Shinju-chan, oide!” He slammed the handset back on the phone and sank heavily into his chair. “What the fucking hell is going on here!” he grated.
“What is it?” Ginny asked in bewilderment. “What’s going on?”
Draco put his arms protectively about her. He was about to point his wand at the shattered bracelet, but Okabe stopped him.
“Neither Reparo nor Naosu will be able to fix that bracelet,” he advised Draco. “At least, not until the danger’s passed.”
“Then, how…”
As if on cue, Shinju Seifuku Apparated with a loud pop in one corner of the office. She had obviously been baking when Okabe called; a light dusting of flour covered her from head to foot. She looked very annoyed.
“Baka yarou!” she swore at Okabe. “Kimi wa atashi jamashite! Nan da yo?!”
“Bokutachi ga okii na mondai aru yo,” Okabe replied grimly, pointing to the pieces of Draco’s bracelet scattered over his desk. “Kono go dame da ne, Shinju.”
Shinju’s eyes widened when she saw the fragments and drew closer. She shook her head worriedly.
“When did this happen?” she demanded from Draco.
“Just now,” he said.
Shinju looked at Ginny and sighed.
“Someone’s out to get you, my dear,” she warned the horrified redhead. Shinju cracked her knuckles; it was a most unpleasant sound. “But we ought to get him first.”
Author notes: The Difference Between Kimono and Hakama: Everyone knows what a kimono looks like, but not very many people know how a hakama looks. A hakama is a traditional Japanese outfit for men. Not much seen on the streets these days, these are usually worn for formal occasions or as standard garb for the martial arts of kendo and aikido. If you watch feudal period anime like Rurouni Kenshin, it's the outfit the title character wears.
Yokozuna: Sumo wrestling champion
The Dialogue Between Okabe and Shinju:
"Hello? Shinju, come over - NOW!"
"Jerk! You disturbed me! What was that for?!"
"We have a big problem. This looks bad, Shinju."
Oh, and have you figured out which J-rocker made an guest appearance in this chapter? Perhaps this will give you the answer: http://foto.rambler.ru/public/t/i/tiaclover/gackt/1/1-web.jpg - looks a bit like Draco, doesn't he?
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