Author's Note:
Don't worry. This is probably going to the one and only note I will ever write in the course of this story. Just so you know, this is my first try at anything Slash, so if it sucks, do tell and I'll try and do better. Hope you enjoy.
Chapter One
The Silver Meadow
Harry Potter sighed and looked himself in the mirror once more. It surprised him every time he sees himself dressed in female clothes on, he adjusted his wig into a tumble of raven black hair framing his face – maybe he should grow it out instead of bothering with a wig – blood red lips and emerald eyes highlighted by a pearl coloured eye-shadow. He wondered musingly if he would really have looked like this if he were born as a girl, if one didn't know he was male, they would say he was pretty, beautiful even.
"Em, you ready?" a voice asked outside, "your shift's up."
Harry, or, currently, Esmeralda smiled, "I'll be right out Antoinette, just give me a second."
Giving himself one last look over in the mirror Harry exited the room in a swirl of black silk. He swiftly made his way to the back stage of The Silver Meadow, the high class bar which he spend three nights of the week singing.
When he arrived, the assistant gave him a smile, "Jeremy is just finishing his last fire act, then it's your turn."
Harry returned the smile with a warm one of his own, "thanks Owen."
Owen winked, "There's quite a few people out there tonight."
"It's Friday, there's always a lot of people on Fridays."
"That's true enough. Although I'd like to think they all came to hear you sing" He grinned.
Harry laughed, "Right, keep dreaming Owen, you know these high class men, they don't care who's performing so long as they're entertained."
"True," Owen agreed, "But I'd still like to think they're here to listen to you sing with that beautiful voice of yours."
"If that's not flirting, I don't know what is. You're not my type Owen."
"I know," the stage assistant said wirily, "I can always dream can't I? You're up Em, good luck."
Harry gave Owen a last smile and grinned at Jeremy as he exited the stage before stepping up into the spotlight. He walked slowly towards the microphone that was set on the round stage area. Reaching the mic, he looked up and smiled at his audience, noting that several of the bar's customers staring at him with hunger in their eyes. He noted them silently, making sure that hormonal idiots would not corner him later, when he finished the performance.
The music started, Harry gently swayed, closing his eyes as he let the music flow through him, he sang.
Towards the back of the dimly lit bar a solitary figure, dressed in all black gazed at the figure standing on the stage. He saw the shimmering black silk gown that hugged the singer's body, not a bad singer, he thought with respect. Having been to several different such places around England, Severus Snape knew good singing when he heard it. The singer's voice was low and sultry, soaring over the higher notes, never loosing their silky tone and dipping gently in the lower ones.
He listened contently at the hauntingly beautiful song as his mind drifted. His thoughts wandered to a few hours ago, when Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry had called him into his office for a talk.
"There you are my boy!" Albus said cheerfully as Severus was about to knock on the door to the Headmaster's Office.
"Of course I'm here, you sent for me Albus." Severus grumbled, one day, he thought silently, I'll find out what allows you to know whom it is outside and destroy what ever it is.
"Yes, yes I did, my boy. Lemon drop?" the Headmaster offered.
"Stop offering Albus, you know I despise those things." He growled, "What do you want me for? Get to the point, I have a delicate potion brewing and need to get back to it." He didn't, really, but as long as it got Albus to stop going in circles around him, he didn't mind a lie here and there.
"If you insist, Severus. I was looking through all the staff information and I just realized that you have not had a holiday in over eight years."
The Potion's Master glared suspiciously at Albus, why in the world would he suddenly want to check staff information? "I don't remember Albus, but that is of no consequence to me."
"But Severus, dear boy, we can't have you working yourself too hard. No, no, I must insist you take a vacation."
"No Albus, I do not want, or require a vacation." Severus said through gritted teeth, he knew Albus would try his bothersome meddling again.
"I must insist Severus." Albus grinned, "I already have everything organized, you have a hotel booking in muggle London for three weeks, I expect you to be back the night before term starts again."
Muttering under his breath Severus stood, glaring heatedly at the meddling old man, "I'll be in my room packing if you need me then."
"Have a good holiday my boy!"
Still grumbling and muttering Severus stalked out of the Headmaster's office. At least Albus didn't say he couldn't brew any potions when he was away, he was working on a few project, and Severus will be damned if he let the old man stop him.
Thus, here he was, lounging in this dimly lit bar decorated in blue, silver and black, the place was beautiful, really, with elegant furnishings of mahogany. He watched as the singer finished the last song of the evening and walk down the stage towards the bar tender.
The singer looks familiar, Severus thought, as she came closer to Severus. He wondered where he had seen someone like that before, and knowing that he would know someone as stunning as the vision before him didn't help. He was sure he had never met the person before, yet they seem so familiar.
Being a spy, Severus rarely missed details and faces, it could mean his death if he was not careful. Surely someone as striking as the one before him would register in his mind.
The singer was small, around 5'6" compared to his 6'3" and Severus was sure she was wearing heels. Black hair tumbled in an organized mess of curls around a soft face; emerald eyes sparkled, framed by dark full lashes as she talked to the barkeep.
Still pondering where he had seen her before and who she might be, Severus beckoned to the attendant.
As he finished the last song, Harry moved down to Andrews the Barkeeper of Silver Meadow. Since Harry had started working here a year ago him and Andrews had hit off as great friends. Harry enjoyed the down to earth attitude of the barkeep and Andrews liked the witty and some times sarcastic youth.
"Great job today Esmeralda, every time I listen to you sing I forget I'm supposed to be working and if the manager fires me, it'll be your fault." Teased Andrews.
Harry laughed, "You say that every time Andrews."
"And you tell me its non-sense every time."
"Well it is, you're just lazy Andrews, admit it."
Andrews grinned, "You keep telling yourself that."
It was an old joke between the two, ever since Harry started working at 'Meadow, the manager had caught Andrews 'slacking off' twice when Harry sang. Harry relaxed, enjoying the fun bantering between them.
He looked up as one of the attendant; one he didn't know very well, came over holding a glass of drink.
"The man over there said it's his treat. He also asked if you could join him at his table when you're finished." The attendant grinned, "Seems you've gotten yourself another fan Ms Esmeralda."
Harry raised an eyebrow a the young man, who shrugged, "I know a few of the men here come every time you're onstage. None of us working attendance are gonna tell these poor buggers you're a guy. Anyways, the manager likes the business and it's interesting to watch them make a fool of themselves."
Harry grinned ruefully, "And here I thought you were just trying to spare their broken hearts."
"Nah, this is more fun."
Shaking his head ruefully, Harry picked up the glass and stood, "Better go over and see what he wants, else the manager will come scolding at me again."
"You know the manager's not going to fire you, he wants the business you're bringing in." said Andrews.
Grinning, Harry walked over to the man sitting in the far corner of the room where shadows hid most of his features. When he finally got a good look as the man who ordered his drink he froze. It was Professor Snape.
TBC
Author: Dark Illusions
Date: February 1, 2007
Word count: 1441