Chapter 2
Beta'd by DracosMinx many thanks love.
"Red... I thought we had decided that red was a colour you would only wear to a Halloween ball. You want to meet these people, not eat them!" Severus Snape, gentleman's gentleman to his grace The Count de Godric's Hollow, also known as Harry James Potter, was giving his opinion of the tight fitting red velvet breaches that his master was wearing. Velvet always had a stimulating effect on his master, and Severus thought that drawing unnecessary attention away from the persona he had helped to create wasn't the most prudent course of action to take.
"Oh I don't know old friend, I think I look quite fetching in red!" Harry snickered as he allowed the garment to be banished back to his wardrobe. He ignored Severus'
"You are going to a dinner, not offering yourself as the bloody buffet," and allowed his trusted mentor to fit him with the most exquisite tailored black and green velvet three piece robe set. He had the same outfit in every colour, bar red, and from experience knew that he looked like a million Galleons.
"Sit still! Your hair Harry… I wish you would allow me to do something with it!" Severus was brushing Harry's shoulder length hair one way then another, it just seemed to spring back to the same unruly mess it always seemed to settle in. "Damn it to the fiery it's of hell," Severus moaned in his frustration.
"How about a ponytail, you've always liked my hair in a pony tail. You really should stress less Sev; you will do yourself no good, getting your bowels in a knot."
"Humph, I will have you know that never have you been presented in public looking anything other than perfect. I do not intend to start allowing the standards to slip now." Still working on the unruly mop Severus continued, "The Malfoys are the first family that we need to gain a trust from. We have much work to do if we ever hope to avenge the deaths of your parents, all those years ago."
Harry looked at his oldest dearest friend in the mirror and smiled at him. Severus rested his hands on Harry's shoulders and gave a slight squeeze. "I know Sev, and I have had the most wonderful life since you rescued me from horrible Muggles. I won't lose focus I promise you, now come on, and give me a smile. Come…on…that's it, well a shark would back away if they saw those teeth, but it will do."
Harry snickered. He loved his trusted old friend. It didn't seem that long ago when Severus Snape turned up at his old home where Harry lived with Muggles who beat and mistreated him; to rescue the eleven year old Harry and teach him all about his heritage, and the bitter truth of his past. If the loyal servant to Harry's natural parents hadn't found him, and taken him away to France, Harry probably wouldn't be alive today.
Standing, and pushing his shoulders back, Harry surveyed himself in the mirror, awaiting the approval of his friend. "How do I look?" he asked.
"Like the Count De Godric's Hollow sir!"
"Thank you Snape," Harry giggled. "I hate calling you that… I know that you are my man but it just doesn't seem right sometimes."
"Patience young man, we will have plenty of time later for courtesies. Now it is my turn to get ready."
"What? You are coming as well? But the invitation was for me alone!"
"You are an aristocrat. You are the Count and it is appropriate that your own man accompany you. I will be there to taste food and serve you. I can also see how that no good two timing, back stabbing, double cross…"
"Ok. I get the picture, you are coming, honest!" Harry raised his eyes at Severus. He understood the older man's need to be at his side but was hoping that he could have this little adventure on his own.
"What guise would you approve of today, Your Grace? I cannot be recognised so make it interesting. You have a far more vivid imagination than I."
Harry pondered the request for a few moments then picking his wand up, tapped Severus on the shoulder three times. The result was amazing. Harry's imagination took form in the robes that Severus was wearing. He now resembled a Sheikh Prince, complete with flowing white robes and white headdress. Harry gasped at his own handiwork. Sev looked astonishing, like a character out of his favourite film i Loretta of Arabia /i .
Giving each other the once over and checking the time, it was 6:45pm, both men walked out of the manor house and into the grounds. Nicodemus, the Malfoy eagle owl, bowed its head as Harry approached. Then rising, he flapped his wings and hooted.
"Hello to you too, Nicodemus. What a nice name! Kindly fly ahead and tell your master that I will be arriving presently. He will need to make provisions for my manservant to attend me." Nicodemus held out its claw for the letter to go with the instructions. Harry looked blank. Severus snickered at Harry's naivety in wizarding correspondence. Snapping his fingers, an elegantly presented letter appeared. "Here, give this to the bird." Harry complied and bending down gave the gold and red trimmed letter to the owl, receiving another hoot from the bird before it took off into the air. Harry waiting for him to nearly reach the wards then lowered them momentarily for him to pass.
"What was in the note Sev?" Harry asked.
"Oh, nothing really. Just that the Potter boys are back in town and we are out for blood!"
"Really!" Harry choked.
"Oh, yes… as if I'm going to announce to one of the most powerful families in the wizarding world that we are about to seek our revenge. We wouldn't make it to the manor alive. No. I politely advised the Lord that the 'Count de Godric's Hollow' was on his way. Ready?"
"Ready." Harry replied, mollified with Severus' answer.
Walking to the wards Severus clapped his hands. An Arabian tent style opening appeared; its flaps draped left and right and were held in place by a house elf on either side.
"Cool!"
"Cool," Severus drawled, "Is not a word worthy of a Count your grace. Perhaps curtailing one's excitement during this dinner may be advised. We do not want the young heir apparent getting too close, now do we?"
"What's he like Sev, you know, the younger Malfoy… Draco."
"If he is anything like his father…" Severus let that thought die unspoken. "You will see soon enough Harry."
Harry looked at Severus and even with darker skin and a cover shielding most of his face he could see that there was pain in his expression. "Were you friends with Lord Malfoy Severus? You always avoid talking about them. Is there something I should know?"
Severus threw Harry one of his 'don't dare ask me about this further' glares. Harry knew that any history between Severus and Lord Malfoy would have to be found out rather than offered up freely. "Very well, have it your way Hassan."
Severus looked at Harry with a startled expression, "Well I can't call you Severus now can I?"
"Good point. I, of course, this evening will not speak unless you give me specific orders sir." Harry chuckled at Sev's easy return to his role.
"Severus!"
"Yes sir?" He questioned, eyebrow arched.
"Shut up."
"Very good sir!"
The elves could still hear the sound of the Count giggling as he Apparated out of Godric's Hollow with his trusted butler Hassan.