This is the thirteenth chapter (Duh) it's getting a little wierd and maybe a little out of hand and definitly off the "closet" topic, but I hope it's not too god awful. And believe me, Remus and Sirius will get to win a lot, I was just trying to show them what kind of a person Harry has become (definitly not the same person as when he started Hogwarts-or even when he started his seventh year, huh?) But, here it is in any account.

Thirteen: The Preparation

Severus was frantic. He was moving around his room like a panther.

"I'll just tell them you couldn't make it and... where did I put that...ah!" He pulled out a silver chocker and unbuttoned his outer robes just enough to slip it around his neck.

"What do you mean tell them I couldn't make it? I'm all ready to go." Severus stopped fussing with his robes and turned to face the young professor.

"What did you just say?"

"I said I'm ready to go. And so are you I see, though it doesn't start for about two hours according to this." Harry was looking at a parchment in his hand, the edges rolled from being carried in a scroll. The Malfoy seal was on the back of the creamy parchment.

"You're not coming." Severus said simply, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Yes I am. Besides I already told Lucius I would be there. And Sirius and Remus already know I'm going out as well." Severus' mouth was hanging open and he had to remind himself to shut it.

"You did what?"

"He send me a formal invitation and I R.S.V.P'd. I'm sure he would be quite disappointed if I didn't show up now." Severus could feel panic rising in his chest.

"You can't come-you don't want to come! Believe me! I don't even want to go!" He was pleading now. Harry shrugged.

"This has something to do with Draco, and I am going to find out what's going on!" His voice was quiet but Severus could tell that there was absolutely no way he would sway the boy. "After all, it's just dinner." he commented referring to the invitation again.

"Oh, if it were only just dinner." Severus sat slowly and messaged his temples.

"Alright...let's get you ready then. But you are going to regret this." He warned. Harry looked down.

"I'm already ready." Severus shook his head.

"No you're not." He went over to his wardrobe. "It's a good thing we're roughly the same size..." he commented under his breath though it really wasn't a 'good thing' as far he was concerned. "Alright...this should fit.... put this on under your robes. Come and show me before you put you're robes over it." He tossed various items in Harry's general direction then went in search of some other article. Harry looked at the bundle in his arms skeptically but besides the fact that it was black, silver, and green he really couldn't tell much about it. Shrugging Harry took the armful of clothing to the restroom.

Severus had massed a pile of jewelry on his bed and was in the process of putting his long hair up when Harry emerged from the bathroom looking pissed.

"I am not wearing this." He said simply. Severus took the hair tie out of his mouth and looped it around his jet black hair before turning to look at the boy. He tipped his head to one side then walked a circle around him occasionally stopping to adjust something.

"I did warn you." He said tilting Harry's chin upward then lead him to the bed. Harry growled but said nothing as Severus snapped the various items of jewelry on him. "Come here." Harry followed him to a desk. Severus pulled out a make up kit.

"Make up?"

"You are going to be mingling with some of the most vain men on earth, and as beautiful as you are this is a good idea." He said simply dusting Harry's cheeks with a pale powder and then a light blush. Harry squinted his eyes so much when Severus tried to add a lash darkener to his eyelashes that Severus had to cast a spell on him to keep him still.

"No way!" He hissed when the older man brought out lip-gloss. Severus ignored him and once again made use of his spell. Harry couldn't move his lips but he did still glower at him.

"You asked for it!" Severus told him, waving his wand again "Supplicio." and then "Movidius." Harry snapped out of the spell and rubbed his hand roughly over his lips but the gloss wouldn't come off. Severus just gave him an apologetic smile and moved to put his own make up on. Harry peered in the mirror while Severus repeated the process with himself. His face and neck were pale but not white, his cheeks colored a gentle rose, and lips just slightly glossy. All and all it didn't look too bad, but he still didn't like the idea of wearing make-up. Severus turned to Harry for an appraisal. He looked good, and Harry said so.

"Thanks. No go put your other robes on over that." Harry was reminded of what he was wearing and couldn't get his robes on fast enough. When he came out of the bathroom, Severus was waiting in the middle of the room a small black bag in one hand.

"Are you ready to go?" He asked, though he looked resigned about it; he had hoped the outfit and make up would change Harry's mind, but though the boy looked extremely ruffled, he still looked determined to go. This was affirmed by Harry firm nod. Severus sighed, but held out his unburdened arm. Harry stepped into Severus' chest and they apparated to Malfoy Manner.

So there it is, and if you want to find out what it is that Harry's wearing and why, you'll just have to wait for the next chapter! Speeking of, since I'm such a considerate writer(yah right huh?) I was going to make the fourteenth chapter really really long, but then I wouldn't be able to update so quickly so I've decided to break it up into three smaller sub-sections. This fic is going to be so long....*whimpers* look what I get myself into! Well, review if you like it, flame if you don't.