Hoping You'll See

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Hoping You'll See
Chapter Three: The Lord (or, Day Two)

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Tuesday morning retains the chill of the recently passed winter months, but the sun shines brightly. Harry wears a simple white organdy dress. Hermione and Remus decide that he should dress in mostly whites and pastels to emphasize his youth and innocence.

After a light breakfast, the party disperses throughout the castle. Harry ends up in the lesser gallery, and is happy that he is not followed by young Lord Malfoy.

It isn't much later that Lord Severus arrives.

"My Lord," Harry says, inclining his head.

"Please, I must insist the you call me Severus. There is no need for such formalities between us."

"Of course, Severus." A blush crosses Harry's cheek at such a familiar address.

"And might I presume to do the same?"

"You may."

"Good. Are you enjoying your stay so far?"

Harry thinks thinks quickly to have an appropriate answer. "Yes, I am. The rooms are nice and your servants are most helpful."

"If you need anything, or have any problems with any of the servants, just call for my head servant, Remus. He'll be able to help you."

"Thank you for telling me."

"Of course. I do beg that you excuse me, for there are others I must speak to."

"Oh, yes, certainly." Harry watches Severus' graceful movements as the man leaves the lesser gallery.

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For dinner that night, Harry dresses in an off-white gown with small rose colored flowers. It is simpler than the gown he'd worn the evening before, but still formal. His corset still makes him uncomfortable.

The guests are scattered on the grand staircase, waiting for Severus to lead them into the Great Hall, but Severus isn't present yet.

Young Lord Malfoy appears suddenly at Harry's side, startling him. "My dear Lady Caitlyn," he starts. "It's such a shame you retired early, for I would have liked to dance with you again."

"I'm sorry, I was tired from the day's activities."

"Then I shall simply have to reserve some of your dances on Thursday."

"Of course, my lord."

A deep voice behind young Lord Malfoy surprises him. "My lady, you must watch out for this one. He has a habit of attacking other's servants."

Young Lord Malfoy glares and sulks away.

Severus offers Harry his arm. "I hope he didn't bore you with his arrogance, Lady Caitlyn."

Harry blushes. "Oh, no, not at all. He wasn't talking to me for long." Harry slides his arm through Severus' and lets the older man lead him to the Great Hall. "What did you mean by attacking your servants?"

"He cursed one of my servants, a young man, with an unknown spell. My mediwitch can't identify it, and Draco denies cursing him at all. It has made him quite sick. Money isn't everything, my lady, though it makes some believe they can do whatever they wish with their lessers."

"You don't believe that, then?"

"No, not at all. Those below us need our guidance, not our scorn." Severus stops at the head of the table. "You must sit beside me tonight, Lady Caitlyn." Severus pulls back a chair for Harry.

"Thank you." Harry lowers himself into the seat, aware of some angry gazes sent him by other ladies in attendance. Lord Severus ignores it, though, and so does Harry. Lord Severus eats in near silence, only answering the occasional question from his mother. After dinner is finished he offers his mother his arm, and declares that games will be played in the parlor. Most of the younger guests follow him, while Lady Snape and some of the older party members instead retire for the night.

When everyone is seated in the parlor, Severus calls for attention. "Well, my friends, what shall we play?"

"Charades!"

"Blind Man's Bluff!"

"Poor Pussy!"

Lady Lavender stands up. "Let's play Sculptor, my lord. You can be the sculptor, and pose us how ever you want."

"I suppose we might start with that." Severus arranges many of the guests in outlandish poses, but the pose he puts Harry is in soft and simple. Lord Finnigan the second is the first to break pose, followed by several others. After three more rounds, a new game is proposed.

"Let us do riddles, and if someone doesn't answer, or is wrong, there shall be a forfeit to be paid," young Lord Malfoy suggests.

"Yes, that's a wonderful idea. Whomever asks the question decides the forfeit." Lady Lavender turns to Severus. "Who shall you ask first, my lord?"

"Let me think." Severus looks over at the guests before him. "Lady Parkinson. Here is a riddle for you. I soar without wings, I see without eyes. I've traveled the universe to and fro. I've conquered the world, yet I've never been anywhere but home. What am I?"

"Oh, that is far to easy my lord. The answer is your imagination."

"You are right."

Lady Parkinson asks the next riddle of Lord Finnigan. The riddles and answers circle the room until Lady Lavender offers one to young Lord Malfoy. "When I am filled I can point the way. When I am empty, nothing moves me. I have two skins - One without and one within. What am I?"

"Why, you are a Glove, of course."

"You are correct. Now I do believe Lady Caitlyn has not been asked yet."

"You are right." Young Lord Malfoy turns his eyes on Harry. "Lady Caitlyn, here is your riddle. You can find me in darkness but never in light. I am present in daytime but absent at night. In the deepest of shadows, I hide in plain sight. What am I?"

Harry blushes. He had never been good with riddles. "I do not know, my lord."

"You cannot answer? Why then, you must perform a forfeit. And what shall it be? You must kiss one of the men in the room."

Harry looks nervously around the room. Undoubtedly young Lord Malfoy expects himself to receive the kiss, but Harry has a different plan. Hesitantly he approaches Severus, cheeks red. When Severus looks up, Harry presses a quick kiss to the man's cheek. Harry instantly returns to his seat amid soft laughter from the others present.

When Harry is seated again, Severus clears his throat. "Well, who shall ask the next question, as Lady Caitlyn has been eliminated?"

Harry is relieved when the party breaks up after another hour. He follows the others up to his rooms, his second day in a female body survived.

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