Sorry this one has been so long coming! And for whoever it was that reminded me about the apparating thing...thank you! I had completely forgotten! I will amend that in later chapters, promise! And thank you everyone that has been encouraging me, I probably would have dropped this about thirty pages ago otherwise ^_^ Well, I'm done with all my sappy blabbering, so read on and keep the reviews coming! (Flames are okay too, I guess)

Fourteen: The Introduction

Harry and Severus apparated in front of Malfoy Manner and Harry found his breath stolen from his throat. The Manor was a piece of art. It's towering turrets and cheerfully lit windows providing a subtle contrast to the dark and sinister appearance of the rest of the manor. He was shocked out of his reverie by a hand on his back.

"Before we go in, Harry I have to ask you something. We're you purposefully trying to lay hints that you and I were lovers?" He pressed out. He had wanted to ask that question for a week now, but had been unable to. Harry looked at him, his eyes sparkling.

"I thought it would be a good idea." He shrugged.

"So do I. I just thought we should get that straight before we enter. There are certain things expected of couples at a Malfoy party. Just follow my lead, okay?" Harry nodded, though he was a little nervous as to what would be expected. Severus took a deep breath, smoothed down his robes and looped his arm with Harry's leading him out of the shadows and to the door.

Either side of the stairwell was flanked with two giant gargoyles. Lovely things really; two giant dragons with ruby eyes, each scale meticulously detailed. Harry had stopped in astonishment to get a closer look, but Severus jerked him foreword. The stairs were covered in a heavy red carpet and there were doormen on either side of the large door. Harry smiled politely and tried to step through, but Severus jerked him back.

"Manners, little one. Manners." He admonished, sharing a conspiratorial laugh with the doorman. Harry resisted the urge to slap him.

"Oh, he looks like an obedient one. I wish my little one listened like that. You think we could trade?" Severus shook his head.

"No, he's mine." As if to show this, he patted Harry's hand lightly. Harry growled audibly and the both doormen laughed, the one closest to Harry leaning foreword and patting his cheek lightly.

"Is this the first time you've been to a big party with your daddy?" He asked, his tone suggesting Harry was maybe four years old. Harry lifted his eyebrows in confusion.

"No, just the first big Malfoy party." Severus said for him. The doorman stepped back and waited for something. "Severus Snape and Harry Potter." There was a shocked silence for a moment as the doormen exchanged glances. Swallowing hard, they stepped foreword.

"Severus Snape." Declared the first.

"And....Harry Potter." Said the second. The entire room was silent and Harry suddenly felt self-conscious, he squared his shoulders and stood a little taller. Finally Lucius came forward, smiling brightly.

"Severus! And Mr. Potter, I'm so glad you decided to come!" He proclaimed pulling Harry into a light embrace and kissing him lightly on the cheek before repeating the process with Severus. The room sprung back to life and after a few words, Lucius left to attend his other guests. Harry waited until Lucius was sufficiently out of range and rounded on Severus.

"Would you like to explain what you think you're doing when you refer to me as 'you're little one'?!" He hissed quietly. Severus laughed easily.

"It's a pretense, Harry. In case you didn't know you are under age. The Malfoy manner is almost always under surveillance-well the parts they can actually survey, which includes the door-'little one' can be taken two ways and so can 'daddy'. You see, many of the men and women here have underage partners, so they come in make mention of 'little one' as in child, and the doormen play along. That way if they try to press that there was an underaged sexual partner here, and happened to record the situation, it could be passed of very easily that we are related in some way and I was bringing you here not as a date but just a child. A nephew or something." Severus explained. "It's kind of complicated." He said by was of apology.

"But all they would have to is look up your record and could see easily that we were not related." Harry pointed out.

"Harry, look around. You are looking at the absolutely most powerful and wealthy men and women in the wizarding world, and as much as it pains me to say so, you can do just about anything with money these days. Even and especially, forge documents." Harry made a face a Severus and turned to survey the crowd. As promised, the guests were well decorated and the women heavily perfumed-so were the men for that matter-and he could tell that there was not a single person in the room not wearing make up, some very heavily so, others light like his and Severus'. However, he still couldn't understand why he was wearing what he was wearing under his robes.

"Draco Malfoy." At the announcement the room fell silent again, but it wasn't a shocked silence so much as a one of expectance and awe. Harry turned toward the front door, but no one was there except the doormen. Chuckling softly, Severus took Harry's chin between his fingertips and turned his face to a stairwell. Draco was standing at the top, dressed in flowing green and silver robes, his face painted white like a china woman’s, his upper lip a deep shade of red and lower lip the same white as the rest of his face with a single red blotch in the center. A thick dark liner and mascara brought out his eyes brilliant gray-blue eyes. His eyes found Harry's and for a moment a look of utter terror crossed his face before his carefully schooled his expression and started descending the staircase.

"Remember, Harry, Draco is your student and I am your lover. Do nothing to the contrary." Severus whispered, taking his hand. Harry nodded discreetly and watched Draco attentively as he came down the staircase. He stopped at the bottom of the stairs where his father was waiting for him and listened intently as Lucius leaned close and whispered something to him. As before, the room was suddenly alive with activity as Draco nodded and floated into the crowd stopping to greet people, his smiles small and shy, gloved hands clasped lightly, eyes downcast. Finally he came to Harry and Severus.

"My father told me you were here, Professors, I thought I should come over and say hello. Are you enjoying the party?" He questioned politely, eyelashes fluttering as if he were trying purposefully to be seductive. /Though he doesn't really have to try does he?/ Harry returned Draco's greeting, commented that he looked absolutely stunning and made a point to wrap his arm in Severus'. Draco seemed to appreciate the action and sparred them a small genuine small before moving on. Dinner was called shortly after, and the guests gravitated to the dinning hall as the main doors were shut and locked tightly.

Author's notes: Okay, checking with the masses, was Severus' 'little one' explanation okay? Oh, and Deedee, if you would return *my* e-mail, I would appreciate it.