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Harry hated lying. It literally made his skin crawl. He felt wretched, almost sick. He had to keep reminding himself that he wasn't really lying. He just wasn't telling them…everything. He closed his eyes and tried not to think about how angry they would be when they found out what he was doing. He shook his head, his long wavy hair danced in the movement. It was too late to turn back now. He had to keep going.

He was so glad that everyone was busy with the upcoming ball. He knew that Harrison had been watching him closely but so far he had been laying low. He knew that he had to get to their Lord and also Draco had to be included in the charms. He had to get this done quickly before Harrison or especially their Lord figured out what he had been up to.

He checked himself out in the mirror. He put his hair up in a messy bun and noticed that he almost seemed to be swimming in his shirt. He grabbed a sweater to put on over it and smiled. It looked big on him but it hid his slender figure. He bit his nails lightly as he continued to look at himself in the mirror. This wasn't going to work…but it was too dangerous to use an appearance charm. He was sure that they would be able to sense it if not see through it.

An elf came up and told him that his mother was looking for him. He sighed and decided he would simply have to do the best he could for now and hope that no one noticed. He hurried down to the ball room. Draco was currently helping Lucius pick out political guests to invite. Narcissa had already invited the socially important people. Harrison was in charge of the food and making sure that there was something for everyone. Harry was doing his most favorite job of helping Narcissa decorate. He could spend all day picking out colors and fabrics.

He made his way down to the ballroom happily as he thought about the color scheme for the ball. Narcissa spun as he entered and gave a very ladylike sigh of relief "Oh Harry thank goodness you're here…I cannot possibly decide between these two shades!"

Harry smiled happily he was more than happy to forget the spell trouble for a little while as he helped decorate. He would figure out how to finish this and then he could lay low. Hopefully by the time they noticed they would be well out of danger.

Harrison had finished the menu for the ball. The house elves would be more than capable of making all the food to perfection. He was glad that his business was done; he needed to do research for the tournament. He felt something on the edge of his mind. Something else that he thought he should research. It took him a moment to remember, he wanted to find out why Harry was so thin. It wasn't as if there was not enough food in the Manor…He shook his head, Harry had reassured him that he was fine. He would research for the tournament and then focus on what was going on with Harry. He wouldn't let this go on for much longer.

Harrison was not the only one who was worried about Harry. Voldemort had also noticed some peculiar behavior from his sweet serpent. He knew that Harry was not the type to do things with ill intent. So whatever his little one was up to he was doing it for a reason…a reason he believed was important. He would find out what he was up to…he would find out and act accordingly.

The night of the ball was drawing close. Lucius and Draco were locked up in the study as they tried to weed through those who were politically necessary to invite. They had the usual players in the Ministry attending, a few foreign diplomats, and some very affluent business men.

Draco narrowed his eyes as he saw a name come up on several different lists "Father…what about Dumbledore?"

Lucius paused in his perusal and turned to Draco. It was true that Dumbledore held several very important posts and was a very powerful figure. He had not invited Dumbledore to the manor for some time because of their Lord staying here. Their Lord could hide his form well enough and attend the party. However he was afraid that Dumbledore might somehow sense him.

He decided to hear out Draco's reasoning "Knowing the danger that he presents why would you want to invite him?"

Draco took a deep breath; his father was taking his advice seriously. This was his time to show that he had been paying attention and was becoming prepared to take his role as the Malfoy Heir. "He has been watching us closely at school. He has also been very guarded on the subject of Harry Potter… I believe that inviting him to the ball might be an excellent way to devise how much he really knows."

Lucius nodded slowly and began to pen out an invitation. "Very well I agree Draco. Excellent thinking."

Draco beamed in pride as he watched the invitation fill out. He cared about Harry deeply. Not as much as Altair or their Lord or course, but he would do anything he could to remove threats against him. He smiled as they continued down the list to ensure that no one important was missed.

The final list of those invited was brought to Voldemort. This was a Malfoy event; however it was also a benefit to bring all potential allies and enemies together to watch them closely. He was surprised to see Dumbledore's name on the list. He raised a brow at this and turned to Lucius for an explanation.

Knowing who that look was for Lucius stepped forward and bowed his head as he explained "Draco has noticed Dumbledore's close eye observing them. There is also the matter of Harry Potter and where he stands. He has so far denied that Potter is missing and insists he is in private training. It might be beneficial for us to watch him closely."

Voldemort nodded his head. He had to admit that Draco was correct in inviting Dumbledore. He knew that he had personal reasons for not wanting Dumbledore in attendance. He had been impressed with Dumbledore's boldness on not admitting that Harry Potter was missing. Even further he implied that he was in private training. He knew that Dumbledore was using his Order to secretly try to locate Harry…The thought of Dumbledore being in the same room as Harry worried him.

He gave Lucius back the list and nodded his head. Though he was personally against it there were politically sound reasons for him to be invited. He would simply ensure that Harry never went near the man. He turned his back as Lucius left. He has to finish his own planning. He would take no unnecessary risks when it came to his consorts.

That night dinner was a rather subdue affair. Harry and Narcissa were still discussing color choices much to the amusement of the rest of the table. They listened with indulging smiles as their minds mulled over their own problems.

Draco was wondering how he would be able to balance being the eyes his father needed as he observed people…and also spend time with Blaise. He didn't know which intimidated him more. Blaise had graciously accepted the invitation. There was an underlying heat to the acceptance that Draco wasn't sure he could analyze yet.

Harrison was studying Harry. He knew when something was up with his twin. There was something wrong…very wrong with Harry. But whenever he asked Harry would just look up at him with those big green eyes and smile so sweetly at him and…he would melt and forget that there was anything wrong. He frowned slightly, that was another concern. He seemed to forget too easily his concerns about Harry. There was something else at work here.

Voldemort's own thoughts closely mirrored Harrison. He had not directly asked Harry what he was up to yet. He knew better than that. Harry could be very sneaky if he felt the need. He would merely wait and observe, then…when he had enough information. Then he would strike.

Lucius was thinking over seating arrangements. He wanted to intermingle people so that it was not very clear who were allies and who were enemies. Inviting Dumbledore complicated things. He wanted to get what he needed from Dumbledore with the man not getting anything in return.

That night everyone made their way to their beds. Nothing was resolved…besides the color choice. There were only mere days until the ball. It was always held a few days before Christmas so that there would be time for the Malfoy family to be together.

The Day of the Ball

Harry was in a mild state of panic. Tonight he was supposed to put the protection on his Lord…but before that he would have to ensure that Draco was safe. There was also the trouble of what he was going to wear. Harry was not a vain creature but he knew that he had a problem. He was expected to wear a dress robe. A slender, form fitting, and flattering dress robe. How was he supposed to hide his body in that? He had been eating healthy but if he was going to do this magic tonight then no matter what he ate he would either maintain his current size or…get smaller. He groaned as he fell face first onto his bed. How was he going to pull this off?

Draco was certain that he had nothing to wear. Every robe he had either worn too much was too dark, too light, or just not right for a Holiday Ball… He shook his head, he should have realized before now that he needed a new dress robe for tonight. What was he going to do?

Harrison had his robes for the night already arranged. He was doing more research until it was time to get ready. He paused in his reading as a new thought crossed his mind…He would get to see Harry dressed up tonight. That thought brought a small smile to his face before he returned to his book. That would certainly be a sight worth waiting for.

Voldemort was also prepared for tonight. He was doing some of his own research to help Harrison with the tournament. He knew that Harrison was strong and smart, he was also very powerful. Even though he was too young to take part in the tasks he was certain that Harrison would do well. He was simply doing research to aide him…not because he was worried.

Finally it was nearing time for the ball. Narcissa was already prepared and was in full Hostess Mode. She was making sure that all the final touches were in place as Lucius double checked the sitting arrangements.

Voldemort came down, his appearance slightly altered so that he appeared to be a relative of the Malfoys. His features looked similar to Lucius's and his hair was a light brown. He was comfortable in his dark dress robes. He had promised Narcissa not to wear black and hoped she was pleased with the deep green he had worn instead.

Harrison was the next to appear, his hair was neatly braided and his robe was a dark blue. Not the exact shade as the official Malfoy colors but there was a resemblance. He smiled at his mother and father and bowed his head to his Lord. He knew that they were both eager to see Harry's apparel for the night.

The heard hurried footsteps coming down the stairs and half way down they paused and Draco regally appeared. He was wearing a pale blue that was almost the exact shade of Malfoy colors. His hair was perfectly arranged and simply looking at him no one would be able to tell the hours that went into his preparation.

It was almost time for the guests to arrive and there was a growing tension as Harry still had not appeared. Narcissa murmured that she should go check on him when they finally heard his timid footfalls. Harry came down the stairs and smiled shyly as he looked down at his gathered family and dear ones. "Sorry…I had a little trouble." He said softly as he tried not to blush.

Harrison had already known that he was in love with Harry. However seeing him like this…he fell in love all over again.

It was time for the ball to begin.

Thank you so much for reading this work! Guess you'll have to wait to hear about Harry's appearance until the next chapter! I am not evil on purpose I promise! Next chapter coming soon!