Top Hat

Before the show, Ginny went down to the front desk to ask the hotel clerk where Hermione's husband, Harry, was staying. After all, Hermione did mention that he was staying in the same hotel.

"Actually, Mr. Potter is staying in the room right above yours, miss," said the clerk.

"What?" Ginny was very confused - was Harry, Hermione's husband, also 'Adam?' How can this be? I was betraying Hermione! Oh gods, what am I going to do? thought Ginny.

"Yes, miss, there he is - yes over there, with the briefcase, crossing the lobby," the hotel clerk pointed him out at the far end of the lobby.

Ginny was about to storm over to him and his friend when a mob of people blocked her way. Finally they cleared away and Ginny caught up to them.

Yes, it was Adam who had the briefcase; his friend seemed to have disappeared.

He smiled at Ginny. Why, that man thinks I don't know who he is! How dare he? And Hermione - I'll bet he doesn't know I'm friendly with her. All right then, let's see how he likes this surprise. Ginny slapped Draco, hard, across the face.

"Oww!!"

"Goodbye, Harry Potter."

"Wait, I'm not..." But Ginny had already left.

* * *

Draco was in his dressing room when Harry came bursting through the door.

"What?" asked Draco.

"Nothing, only that the show is going to start in ten minutes! You'd better hurry up! Oh, I got another owl from Hermione. She wants us to come and visit her in Italy. Tomorrow. She's still going on about that young friend she wants you to meet. Says she's at our hotel. Says the name is Weasley. So after the show, pack up and we'll leave bright and early.

"Wow, look at your face. That girl really packs a punch," said Harry, surprised.

"No kidding, Harry. Get me some makeup to cover this. Ginny Weasley? Of course, the hair! How could I have forgotten?"

Harry gave the makeup to him and waited while Draco put it on, messed up, tried again, and finally gave up and called the professional to help. At last it was done, and the show was about to start.

"Do you think that she'll be there?" asked Draco.

"Of course she will, nobody misses Harry Potter's shows. Especially not when they know that a famous dancer from America is going to be performing. I made sure to keep an eye on her; I asked Severus to follow her everywhere. This way I can be sure that there will be no scandal, or that she'll go to the police or anything. If she does, well, we can always give her some money."

"A bribe, you mean," Draco said incredulously.

"Well, since you put it that way, yes. But I'm sure Severus will keep her from doing so, at least I hope so," answered Harry.

"One more thing: by Severus, do you mean Professor Snape, the one you used to hate?"

"Yes. Oh, you mean you haven't heard? All right then, I'll tell you. You know that he used to be my Potions professor at Hogwarts and a double spy for Professor Dumbledore? Well, the Death Eaters caught him and sent him to live and work with the house elves, doing their work and such. After the war, Hermione went to save the house elves from being oppressed by the Death Eaters, and found Severus. He agreed to work for us, but he mostly works for me, since I need him more than Hermione, for reasons like Ginny, who slapped you today. And also because I require more help than Hermione does in picking out the right clothes. I have a horrible fashion sense, and Severus learned proper wizard fashion from the house elves."

"Wow," said Draco. "Well, I hope Severus doesn't have too hard a time of it, after all, she is one tough lady."

* * *

"Come on, Ron, let's go," whined Ginny. "I want to leave already and Hermione's waiting for us."

"But Ginny, what about the show? You promised!"

"I'm sorry, but we have to leave. If we stay to watch the show, then we'll miss the Portkey I have waiting for us." Ron pouted.

"But you said you wanted to see it! You said that it was going to be fun! Ginny, you're not fair! I'm staying."

"Fine! I already packed our stuff. If you want to stay here by yourself, then that's fine with me." Ginny switched to a sweeter tone. "But, if you're good and come with me to Italy, we'll go see a show there. How about it?"

"Ok, ok. Promise?" Ginny smiled.

"Promise."

As they left, they didn't notice the greasy-haired, hook-nosed stranger following them towards the Portkey and to Italy.

* * *

After the show, which received many countless appraisals, Harry and Draco called for the Knight Bus to take them to Italy.

"Hermione's staying in Venice, you know," Harry began.

"Great. I'm so excited - I get to see you to schmooze all over each other. Please, spare me."

"Hermione and I do not schmooze. We love each other very much. And, anyway, you have to come," Harry smiled evilly. "Yes, I've arranged for you to perform in another two days."

"WHAT! Again?! I have jetlag. You can't possibly..." Draco broke off his whining at Harry's nodding, rather smugly, if one were to describe it. "Why you..."

"Temper, temper," said Harry.

Draco threw up his hands and stalked back to their room to pack. Harry stayed in the lobby, just walking to the pay phone to call Hermione and tell her everything was going fine, and that he and Draco would arrive in Venice the next morning.