Snape chose the clothing for Harry to wear as, by his own admission, Harry didn't have a clue. He had to admit that the clothes suited him quite well, even though the jeans were very tight. To accompany the black jeans was a navy silk shirt and loose silk black robes to finish, hanging open.
Unfortunately Harry couldn't bring himself to appreciate it as his heart was thumping so hard he thought it might burst. He would have much preferred to be in his pyjamas in his warm comfy bed then stepping into the unknown.
'Listen, nothing there is going to kill you.' Snape said, obviously interpreting the look on Harry's face correctly.
He turned Harry round to face him and looked at him with an almost … fatherly expression. 'You're acting like I'm sending you to the Dark Lord. When that happens I expect you to be nervous, not when you're going to a teenage club. It is supposed to be fun you know.'
'Yeah.' Harry said. 'Well I've never been to any kind of club before, let alone any wizarding clubs where mini death eaters congregate.'
'You've never been to a club before?' Snape looked incredulous.
Harry just gave him a look and Snape backed down.
'Okay never mind. All you need to know is that like any club there will be drinks, music and dancing. And I don't see how it being muggle or wizarding should make any kind of difference. The music and drinks will be slightly different but that's about it.
'That's all you need to care about. If you don't want to do something then don't, no one can make you. I promise you that soon enough all this will be second nature to you, these clubs and gatherings. You will get used to it.'
Snape then started smoothing Harry's hair down with the same stuff he used for Nott's party, it seemed to work pretty well and Harry was about to ask where Snape had got it when he realised that his hair wasn't that out of control any more.
In fact, as he looked at himself in the mirror, he realised he quite liked his hair. It was lighter with some reddish tints and was now quite short and neat, there was no fringe though which Harry knew he would have to get used to. The nose was slightly longer and Harry couldn't help touching all the time to see if he could press it back in. It really was like looking at a different person. The eyes.
As Snape smoothed the last of the stuff across his hair Harry suddenly shivered.
'You all right?' Snape asked, concerned.
'Yes, I …'
A fingernail being dragged across his jaw line.
Harry jumped as if he'd been stung. 'Did you just …'
'What?' Snape said impatiently. 'Merlin, what are you going to be like when I send you to him?'
Harry twisted out of Snape's hold, his breathing having sped up dramatically.
'I haven't … I mean I haven't seen him yet, have I?'
Snape just stared for a moment, then he reached out and felt Harry's forehead. 'You're fine.' He said loosing patience. 'Quit you're rambling. Now I'm going to be out tonight too, I don't know what time I'll be back. It should be before you but don't be surprised if it's not.'
'Okay.' Harry said, having got himself under control. As he glanced in the mirror again Harry realised just what Snape had been doing to his hair. He wasn't making it stay flat, as there was no need for that now. He had made it stick up so now his hair was … spiky.
After a while he came to the conclusion that he quite like it.
'I'll apparate you to The Three Broomsticks as I will be going there anyway and the boys will meet you there. You can floo yourself back. Try to have fun, remember you are no longer Harry Potter.' Snape said.
'Shame that I've still got the scar then, isn't it?'
Snape looked at Harry's forehead and then smacked himself on the forehead. 'Idiot! Idiot, idiot, idiot.'
'Hey, who are you calling an idiot?' Harry asked.
'Me.'
'Oh, well that's okay then.' Harry replied.
'Merlin's beard, I was about to send you off with a fucking lightning bolt on you forehead. What was I thinking?'
'You weren't obviously.' Harry drawled.
'Shut it you.' Snape said in an almost playful tone. 'Now what can I use? I don't think any of those would work, not with a magical signature. I could try…'
Snape was now rambling to himself and so Harry slipped away from the mirror and went to sat down on the couch before his legs gave out from nerves. He had to get used to being slightly taller. The couch took further to get to.
It was a few minutes later that Snape came back in with a tube of a creamy substance in his hand.
Harry went to stand up. 'Sit down.' Snape said when Harry was halfway to his feet. He let himself fall back to the couch again as Snape came to kneel down in front of him.
Snape squeezed some of the cream substance onto his fingers and then lifted up Harry's forehead and started dabbing the stuff across his scar. It felt cold and slightly uncomfortable.
'What is it?' Harry asked, trying to keep still.
'It's concealer.' Snape replied.
'But that's—'
'Muggle stuff? Yes.'
'I was going to say girl stuff but now I think about it how come you've got muggle make-up?'
'Well as I am just showing you now, you never know when it may come in handy. Now stay still.'
Harry did as he was told.
'Okay, that should do. Come on or we'll be late.' Snape said leading the way out of the house.
'You Occluding?' He asked sternly.
'Yes.' Harry said, feeling a bit irritated. Snape should know that it was second nature to him now.
It seemed like a surprisingly short time to Harry until they were at the end of the road and Snape once again pulled Harry towards him and apparated them both away.
Harry stumbled and fell before he realised where he was. Once he had got up and brushed himself down he found that he was in a dark alley in Hogsmead.
'Why did you apparate us here?' Harry asked, looking around the damp, dank smelling alley.
'Because I can't show my face around here?' Snape replied, looking around worriedly. 'Now go on. The Three Broomsticks are just round the corner.'
'Okay.' Harry said, suddenly sounding nervous again. He went to run his hand through his hair and then remembered that he was unable to in its spiky form.
Snape pushed him slightly to set him going and Harry started moving. He looked back at Snape once who was just watching him and then he turned round the corner into the street.
Snape had been right. The Three Broomsticks was directly in front of him and Harry hesitated briefly before reaching his hand out and opening the door.
The noisy chatter hit him as he stepped into the crowded pub and he had to quickly dodge as a beer glass flew across the room just in front of him.
'Fuck off!' Came the angry shout of the person Harry assumed had thrown the glass. Then a big strapping teenager pushed roughly passed Harry as he made his way to the door.
Harry looked around to see who had been the recipient of the glass but the group of guys that were there were now chatting away to each other again as if nothing had happened and Harry saw the beer glass lying on its side on the floor completely intact. Unbreakable charms, he thought to himself.
'Harry, over here.' Harry turned to find Steven and Martin waving at him from one of the tables in the corner. He wandered over, weary of other glasses being thrown, or any other object for that matter.
'Do you want a drink before we move on.' Steven asked as Harry more or less threw himself into a chair.
'Why not.' Harry agreed readily.
Steven called Madam Rosmerta over and without even consulting with Harry ordered three firewhiskeys. Harry didn't mind.
They drank quickly the other two boys wanting to get to the club as soon as possible. They were telling Harry all about it in a way they thought made it sound good.
'It's kinda like anything goes you see and they cater for all tastes.' Steven was saying.
'And they always have different girls on the podium each night but unfortunately they're only for show, if you know what I mean.' Martin carried on waving his arms around theatrically.
Harry didn't know how to react so he just nodded and smiled.
After the drinks were gone the three of them got up and made their way towards the floo, which was in a little room off the bar.
'Hold on,' Steven said. 'Here's your ticket. You need to throw that in first before it will let you through.'
Steven handed Harry a silky textured ticket made from material Harry had never encountered before which shimmered in the light. He saw that as he moved it the ticket actually changed colour although always keeping a silvery sheen. Written across the middle was the glittering word 'INVINCIBLE'.
'Okay.' Harry replied. 'Do I say Invincible when I go through?'
'No need.' Martin said. 'Once the ticket is thrown the floo will know where to take you.'
'Okay.' Harry said again nervously. He had no idea what he was getting himself into but knew there was no way of getting himself out of it.
Steven went first and Martin then told Harry to go next. He threw his ticket in which set the fireplace alight with silver glitter before it turned green again.
'Quickly, now.' Martin said, giving Harry a small shove that sent Harry tumbling into the green flames and before he could blink he was spinning round so fast he no longer knew where he had come from or where he was going. Then he was spat back out onto a cold marble floor, which sent it all back to him.
He found himself in a small antechamber decorated with splendid gold statues and lining. Steven was grinning at him and a second later Martin came tumbling through. It was nice to know that Harry wasn't the only one to make an entrance like that.
As soon as he had picked himself up he was grinning just like Steven. 'I have been waiting for this for so long, come on.'
With that he led them both out into a corridor with some black double doors at the end of it. The word Invincible flashing on and off as they approached.
Harry's heart was in his throat as Steven reached for the black handle but it was nothing to where it went once the door was opened- straight to his groan.
His first thought was that there were people actually having sex on the dance floor before his thoughts widened and his eyes wandered. He had to admit that the place was beautiful. High elegant ceiling, three floors, six podiums where young girls were gyrating in different states of undress, benches and tables all around the outside of the giant sparkling dance floor that was full to the brim with people, all of whom left nothing to the imagination in the way the dressed or groped each other. The lights were obviously magically as they swirled and shifted and changed colour so rapidly they reminded Harry of silent fireworks. The music was also from the wizarding world, it was very loud and reminded Harry of muggle heavy metal. He recognised the song that was playing although he wasn't sure where from or if he even liked it. There was also a bar that ran round the entire outside of the club.
After they had decided Harry had had his fill the two boys made their way to the bar, with Harry stumbling behind them, blushing furiously.
Steven ordered more firewhiskey for them all as well as a big pitcher of what Harry assumed was the magical world's example of beer. They made their way towards an empty table, Steven pinching a girls arse as he passed her. She squealed in shock at first but then turned round and winked it him. He raised his eyebrows back at her, as they more or less had sex with their eyes alone.
'Come on mate, there's time enough for that later.' Martin said, dragging Steven away to their table before someone else could get to it. Harry gratefully sat down and tried to get his breathing under control. Steven passed Harry his firewhiskey and Harry took three long swallows. Both boys laughed at this.
'Great, isn't it?' Martin asked.
'Uh, yeah. I suppose.' Harry said, taking some more swallows.
'Here,' Steven said. 'I've got something for you.' With that he fished into his pocket and came out with a packet of muggle cigarettes, 'Silk Cut' to be exact. 'It doesn't take an auror to see that you don't particularly like the wizarding ones so I thought you might feel more at home with these.'
'Uh, thanks.' Harry said, not knowing what else to say.
But instead of giving Harry the pack Steven opened it up and took out a cigarette, then took out one of his own as well. He lit them both with the same swipe of his wand and then gave the muggle one to Harry. He took it with a shaking hand, smiling weakly and proceeded to take a pretend puff.
It was only a few minutes later that Steven seemed to get restless. 'Come on, lets go dance, shag some girls and the like.' He said as he got up, puffing on his cigaretteMartin laughed and went to follow. 'Coming Harry?' He asked.
'Uh…' Harry wavered but by the time he turned back to them they had both already walked off.
Harry was debating about whether to follow when a shadow fell across him and the body of a young woman blocked his path.
'Hi Harry.' She said. 'Leaning in towards him. Harry instinctively backed up a few steps until he found himself pressed against the wall with Lily-Anne directly in front of him.
'Hi Lily-Anne. Listen, I was just gonna go…'
But she didn't seem to be listening as she only leaned in closer making sure he couldn't escape. She took the still smoking cigarette out of his hand and took a long drag of it, exhaling the smoke in his face. This time Harry couldn't help but cough.
Lily-Anne laughed. 'You look so cute like that.' She said in a giggly voice then she inhaled again but this time turned her head away when she blew the smoke out.
Harry was at least grateful for that. He always felt very uncomfortable around this girl.
'So.' She said in a lustful voice. 'Here we both are, alone at last.'
Harry pointedly looked behind her at the packed club.
Lily-Anne caught his look. 'You know what I mean.' She said, waving her hand dismissively at the other people.
Harry really didn't.
'They're all in their own little worlds as well.' She carried on. 'No one will notice us.'
Then she leaned in and kissed him, shoving her tongue in his mouth without any warning.
Harry didn't know what to do. He had to admit that she was a good kisser but also felt a sense of revulsion at kissing her back. So he just stood there, leaning against the wall, letting her plunder his mouth but not responding back to her.
It took her a few minutes to realise this and once she did she stopped and pulled away. 'What is wrong with you?' She said, giving him a strange look. 'You don't seem to be enjoying this.'
Harry didn't mean to say it, really he didn't. It just came out.
'You'd probably need to get me really drunk first.'
As soon as it had come out he wished it hadn't. Especially when he saw the look appear on Lily-Anne's face. He had hoped she might have not realised what he had meant but as she pulled away and a closed look appeared on her face he could tell she knew exactly what he had meant.
'Oh.' An ugly look appeared on her face. 'You don't like me?'
'No, sorry I didn't mean that.' He shook his head trying to think of how to get himself out of this mess.
'So what exactly did you mean then?' She still had him pinned between her body and the wall and showed no signs of letting up.
'Um…' His brain was muddled and he felt like he already was drunk.
Lily-Anne didn't give him any more time to explain as with a resounding whack she slapped him across the face. Harry felt his skin rip as her ring cut into his cheek. He winced but didn't move his hand up to cover it, just stood there, watching her with a surprising amount of calm in his manner.
They looked straight into each other's eyes for a few seconds until, with a flick of her hair, she turned and flounced away in a way that reminded Harry of Fleur. Only then did he allow himself to put a hand over his stinging cheek.
He sat back down at the table and grabbed a tissue to put on his cheek. His eyes felt watery from all the different kinds of smoke and his ears were now numb to the music that seemed to be now pumping in his brain.
He wanted to go home.
A few minutes into his brooding a shadow fell across him and he turned to find Blaise Zabini sliding into the seat opposite him.
'Hiya Harry.' He said pleasantly.
Harry just sat there with his mouth open, shocked that Zabini had chosen to sit and talk to him.
Finally he found his voice. 'Hey.'
'You enjoying yourself?' He asked cheerfully but Harry could tell by the look in his eyes that he knew Harry was nowhere near enjoying himself.
Harry contented himself with a shrug as Blaise leant over to grab the pack of muggle cigarettes that were in front of him.
'These yours?' He asked. Harry nodded as, technically, they had been given to him. 'I used to smoke these.' He said in fond remembrance. 'Of course I stopped when I went to Hogwarts for obvious reasons.' He took one out and lit it with his wand, breathing in the smoke with a sigh of contentment.
Harry didn't know what to say so just kept quiet.
'Who are you here with?' Blaise asked, obviously trying to draw Harry into conversation.
arrhhhh
'Oh, two boys I met when I was at Nott's party a few days ago. Why weren't you there?'
Blaise actually looked quite saddened for a minute and then just looked resigned. 'I suppose I should have expected that. You are a Gryffindor.'
'What's that supposed to mean?' Harry asked, feeling he was being insulted.
'Just that all Gryffindors automatically think that all Slytherins are mini-deatheaters.'
'Oh.' Harry actually felt quite ashamed of himself. 'I didn't mean—'
'It's all right Harry. Like I said, I should have expected it.'
'So … you're not … I mean your parents aren't…'
'No, they're not.' Blaise said. 'Don't get me wrong, they agree with the Dark Lord's policies, just not his methods. But because we never opposed him and just stayed neutral he left our family alone. Best thing you can do really.'
'But don't you want to pick a side. Stick up for what you believe?'
'I probably would do if there was something I believed in passionately but to tell the truth I don't really agree with the Dark Lord or the Headmaster. And I certainly don't agree with fudge.'
Harry laughed. 'Yeah I don't either.'
'But what side exactly are you on now, Harry? I mean you chose a side (or had it chosen for you) and now you have moved to the other side.'
'But again I've and that chosen for me. I have never been able to make my own choices in life.'
'And if you were able to, what side would you have chosen?'
Harry stayed silent.
'Ha!' Blaise responded.
He sat and smoked quietly, once he was finished he crushed out the cigarette and stood up. 'Come on, I'll show you a good time.' He said to Harry.
Harry looked at him suspiciously. 'What?'
'I mean it. You think you could never have fun here but there are some places people don't know about and I am going to show you.'
Despite himself Harry was curious. Slowly he got up and followed Blaise towards the very back of the club where the toilets were. Just before the men's toilets there was a door with a sign on saying 'No Admittance. Authorised Personnel Only.' Blaise opened it and stepped through with Harry tentatively following.
To say Harry was shocked at what he saw would be a bit of an understatement. It was true he had never been to a muggle club before but he had an idea of what they would be like- a little bit like this.
There was a small dance floor with brightly coloured squares on it, with lights and disco balls shimmering above it. He recognised the music too.
'Build me up buttercup?' Harry breathed in disbelief.
'Yep, muggle songs. You gotta love 'em.' Blaise was by now grinning from ear to ear.
Harry was nothing short of amazed. There were raised platforms all around with podium dancers strutting their stuff, just with more clothes on and round the outside of the dance floor there were 80's style tables and chairs and comfy looking couches.
'Come on.' Blaise called behind him and started making his way onto the dance floor. Harry followed.
As Blaise started dancing Harry just stood there looking awkward, occasionally leaning from one foot to the other.
'Come on Harry, don't tell me you don't know how to dance.' Blaise said mockingly.
'I don't like dancing.' Was Harry's mumbled reply.
But despite himself, as the music changed to a Grease medley then to Brown Eyed Girl then to Staying Alive, he felt himself letting go a bit and actually started to move his feet rather than shuffle awkwardly. Blaise was by now smiling at him smugly but Harry had ceased to care anymore.
It was during Wake Me Up Before You Go Go that he felt someone slip their arms around his waist from behind.
He turned round in shock only to find himself staring into some very familiar deep brown eyes.'
'Ginny!' He said in surprise.
She in turn let go and stepped back wearily. 'How do you know who I am?' She asked suspiciously.
Harry swore under his breath. He had forgotten that he didn't look like himself any longer. She had no idea who he was.
'Oh.' He said, trying to think quickly. 'I've been told about the Weasleys. Everyone knows the Weasleys have red hair and seeing as there is only one girl I would assume that would be you, unless you're just a cross-dresser.'
Ginny laughed. 'And what have you been told about me then?' She said coyly, twirling a finger in her hair
It came to Harry then that she was flirting with him and from the deep thumping of his heart he realised that he was hurt by that. He was hurt that she was so easily flirting with another man, well as far as she knew anyway.
'That you are by far the prettiest girl Hogwarts have ever seen.' Harry found himself flirting back. 'So much so that even the Slytherins would have a go if they thought no-one was watching.'
'Hence.' Ginny spread her arms, indicating where she was and why.
Harry felt another bolt of pain deep in his chest at this obvious admission from the youngest Weasley. How often had she been coming here? Did she come here while they were going out?
'I assume then that you are also a Slytherin.' Ginny carried on. 'I don't recognise you from school.'
'Oh, I've just moved here.' Harry said confidently. 'But I'm sure I will be a Slytherin, as I'm sure you should have been.'
'Yes, a few people have said that. Come on, lets not stand in the middle of the dance floor.' Ginny started roughly pushing past people to get to one of the bars, with Harry trailing behind muttering hasty apologies to people she had shoved a bit too hard.
'What would you like?' Harry felt he had to ask.
'Oh, no.' Ginny said, wagging her finger. 'I always buy my own drink. I once had someone say I only go out with boys to get them to buy stuff for me.'
Harry winced. 'Ooh, harsh.' Ginny nodded. Harry knew he was treading on dangerous territory but he felt himself asking anyway. 'Didn't you use to go out with Harry Potter?'
Ginny nodded, hurt in her eyes. 'Yeah, that was until he went off to save the world without a backward glance, without a single letter to me to even tell me he's alive. Well fuck him. I obviously meant that little to him didn't I?' Ginny turned away from him and called out over the bar. 'Oi! Are you gonna serve us or what?'
The man gave her a withering look but still sauntered over.
Harry didn't reply to her but he felt his heart swell. Yes Ginny had insulted him and yes she seemed to despise him at the moment but only because she thought he had deserted her. She obviously still liked him and was only going with other guys because she was angry. Harry couldn't help but feel happy about that.
'What will it be?' The barman asked.
'I'll have a Flamin' Dragon.' She said pointing to one of the cocktails. 'And…' She turned back towards Harry. 'You know I'm at a slight disadvantage seeing as you know my name but I don't know yours.'
Harry stared. Shit! He hadn't thought of that. What name was he supposed to give? Should he just make one up or would Snape have already thought of one for him.
'Um…'
'There you are.'
Harry heaved a sigh of relief. Saved by the Blaise.
Blaise looked suspiciously at Ginny and then grabbed Harry roughly by the shoulder, squeezing a bit too hard for Harry's liking.
'What are you doing here, Weaslette?' Blaise asked spitefully.
'What?' Ginny said, shrugging her shoulders. 'It's a free country. I was just talking to your friend here.' She motioned towards Harry.
'Well don't.' Blaise spat at her. 'He doesn't want to be associated with the likes of you.'
'I think he can decide that for hims—'
'Hey, do you two want to order something or not?' The barman asked, getting irritated.
'No.' Blaise said firmly. 'He doesn't.' And with that he grabbed Harry's arm and pulled him out of his seat and away from the bar.
As soon as they were far enough away Blaise turned Harry round to face him and grabbed his shoulders. 'What the hell did you think you were doing? Do you want to get yourself killed?'
'What are you talking about?' Harry asked, trying to wriggle out of his grip.
'Associating with her. If anyone could recognise you she would and then your whole cover would be blown.'
'Oh, calm down, you're acting like Severus. I look completely different—'
'But you still have the same mannerisms, the way you talk, walk. I mean the person you've been intimate with would notice these things. What were you going to do, have sex with her again and hope she wouldn't get a feeling of De Ja Vu?'
'I haven't had sex with her.' Harry mumbled.
'You…' Blaise stopped and looked at Harry for a moment incredulously. 'You haven't had sex with her? Are you mad? Merlin she is so hot I'd have had sex with her if I thought no one would find out. Are you completely and utterly crazy?'
Harry couldn't help chuckling at the way Blaise looked. 'I don't know, we just never got that far in our relationship.'
Never got that far?' Blaise still had that incredulous look. 'You don't even need to be in a relationship to fuck her. Believe me, she wouldn't say no.'
Harry felt that tightness in his chest again. He wanted to be angry at what Blaise had said but in his heart he knew it was probably true. Had he been dating a slut? The hurt started coiling around his gut again.
'Come on, lets get out of here.' Blaise said.
Harry nodded. He felt he had never heard a better idea in his life.
Back out on the main floor again it took Harry a while to adjust to the difference in lighting. Once he did his mind was again assaulted by the scenes of sex and nudity as it had before. Only now he felt himself getting hard watching it, something that hadn't happened before, maybe because he was too nervous for that certain part of his anatomy to realise just what it was seeing.
Harry shifted about, feeling slightly uncomfortable although he realised he probably fitted in more now then he did before.
'I'd better go find my friends.' He said to Blaise. 'They'll probably be wondering where I am.'
'All right. I'll see you soon, yeah?'
'Yeah, ok.' Harry mumbled as he started off.
'And stay away from that Weasel.' Blaise called back to him. 'She's more trouble than she's worth.'
Harry just nodded and walked away as quickly as possible.
It was only a few minutes later but Harry had already been pinched on the arse three times, had someone grope his crotch, from which his dick was still trying to calm down, and again been tongued in the ear. Yet he still hadn't found Martin or Steven.
'Harry, where the fuck have you been?'
Harry spun round to find both boys standing behind him, hands on the hips. He had to stifle a laugh at the thought that they looked very like Mrs Weasley in that position.
'Sorry I…' Harry shrugged, not sure what else to say and not wanting to tell them about the muggle room.
'Have you been with some girl?' Steven asked, wiggling his eyebrows.
'Well yeah, sort of.' Harry replied, thinking of Ginny.
'So you fucked.' Martin said excitedly.
'Well, uh. No.' Harry coughed uncomfortably. 'No, we didn't get round to it.'
'Oh well there's always next time eh?' Martin said.
'Next time?'
'Well of course. But next time we're keeping a much closer eye on you.'
'Joy.' Harry muttered.
The three of them made their way out of the club to the floo room. Harry had no idea what time it was but knew that it was very late. He tried to stifle a yawn but didn't quite manage it.
Steven saw and smirked at him. 'Lightweight.' He muttered under his breath.
'I heard that.' Harry said, nudging him.
They parted ways when they arrived at the Three Broomsticks and Harry had never been so grateful for magical means of travel as he only had floo back to Spinners End and collapse onto bed.
This is exactly what he did even though he knew he needed a shower. He decided he would have plenty of time to do that in the morning and only really had enough energy to throw off his clothes and scramble under the covers.
In doing so he noticed that Snape was not back yet and in his befuddled mind thought how depressing it was that he was back earlier than his father was.
A/N: This stupid thing won't let me type in the link to Cambiare Podentes at the moment and I've given up for now. I will get it to you though, I promise.
Also any thoughts on a new name for Harry?