~ Chapter Ten: Step One - Introduction ~

o.O.o

As the evening wasn't going in the direction Severus hoped so – that being him compensating Potter for this awful prank somewhat or completely naked – he quietly called for Bob and had the whole bunch stay for dinner. As this impromptu meeting would have to continue, they might as well have some roast beef and treacle tart while conversing about his and Harry's future. He was about to invite everyone to join him downstairs in the dining room when the door opened and Carlson let in one more gentleman.

"Dear me," Said Arthur Weasley as his eyes went over the newcomer. "Lucius Malfoy." There was no evident hostility in his voice, yet it was evident for everyone in the room the man was as happy to see the older Malfoy as to discover a wart on his nose.

"Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen," Lucius said softly then added with a raised eyebrow. "Arthur."

"You two," Cora said reproachfully. "Conduct yourself like your social status dictates. It's behaviour like this that has torn apart this great society of brilliant wizards and witches. You think of each other based on your blood status or the amount of gold in your account, instead of seeing the chances of how the other's view of the world could benefit the Wizarding society as a whole." She finished with a huff.

There was silence in the room for a minute then Lucius cleared his throat. "Well, good evening to you, too, Lady Cora." He said dryly.

Severus stood before matters would get out hand so soon. "Why won't we continue this downstairs. Let's have some dinner while we talk through what to do next."

It was an interesting group of people that gather at the Griffinstone that evening. Severus wasn't sure this night would go down unscathed for all parties and that worried him slightly. On one part he did have a lot to thank for Lucius and the Malfoy family, nevertheless, Harry would never allow Arthur to be insulted while he was around. Though, while eating at least, the two managed to completely ignore each other for which Severus was immensely grateful.

In the middle of dinner, a whisper came from his right side to get his attention. "Pst, Severus…"

He turned to Harry with a raised eyebrow. "Why are you whispering?" He asked in his normal tone of voice. Immersed in their own conversations, no one cared about them, yet Harry looked around wide eyed as if he was just caught stealing a hippogriff.

"Shhh…" He whispered again. "I don't think we are allowed to talk yet," he said, then leaning slightly closer he added, "We haven't been introduced yet."

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling rather loudly, "Oh for the love of Merlin." He stood and now having everyone's attention on himself he pointed at Harry. "Would someone finally officially introduce me to Harry Potter?"

There was a full minute of absolute silence at the table, then slowly Draco put down his cutleries, placed his silk napkin from his lap onto the table then stood. Trying to hold back a smirk, he said loudly with a sarcastic edge to his tone, "Dear godfather of mine, have you met my old friend - who is world famous for his victory of the greatest dark wizard you too have helped eliminate - whom I met back at school - the school you have been teaching at – and now works as an Auror under your division?"

"Why my dear godson," Severus answered acerbically, "I haven't the foggiest who you could be referring to."

"He is sitting right there next to you, godfather of mine, Harry James Potter. Harry, my dearest old friend, here, meet my beloved godfather, Severus Tobias Snape." Draco went on hardly able to repress the laughter.

"A great pleasure, sir." Harry stood, then shook Severus' hand with a wide grin on his face. "I have been waiting what feels like an eternity to finally make your acquaintance."

"The pleasure," answered Severus dryly, "is all mine."

Draco was the first to laugh and plump back into his chair then Harry followed suit. When Severus finally sat down as well, Cora leaned to him and whispered, "Elegantly done, dearest grandson of mine."

"You couldn't truly expect me to take this seriously," Said Severus in a slightly apologetic tone. "An hour ago, we were all but talking about the wicked things I will have to allow him to do to me in order to get in his graces again, and now I am actually to be introduced to him. Me! To HIM."

"Honestly, I just like how fast things are moving." Said Harry quietly. "All we need is a month, and I finally really get to do all those wicked things you talk about."

Sighing, Cora put down her cutleries. "This won't be as easy as you think, Harry. This kind of behaviour while acceptable in our small circle now, won't be tolerated once you are presented to the Great Seven. This society and their rules you are mocking now are older than Hogwarts itself. Outdated they might be, however the Great Seven and their ridiculous traditions kept the Wizarding World from spiralling into chaos, to surviving not just our wars but those of the Muggles as well. When we were hunted, these traditions that you make fun of now helped our society to still flower and for the right people to combine their wealth and magic in order to help those who needed it the most."

"We apologize, Cora," Severus said honestly after a second of silence.

"Yes, Lady Cora, I apologize. It was not my intension to-"

"What is your intension, Lord Potter?" Cora asked strictly.

Potter looked taken aback for only a moment, then his gaze turned to his friends around the table. He seemed to have pulled strength from their presence. At last, he looked at Severus, who was surprised to see all the previous mirth gone from the emerald eyes. Potter acted all serious, and Severus found that he rather liked seeing the young man like this. Tall and confident, the power all but radiating from him – it was rather alluring.

"Lady Cora, I wish to court your grandson." Harry said, his voice solemn like an oath. "By my blood, by my name, I promise to act courteously, to respect both yours and my family's traditions. I seek nothing, but honesty and I offer but virtuous conduct of this esteemed opportunity that I hope you will grant me. I will do my best to bring honour to your family as to mine and to prove my worthiness and merit through our future endeavours."

Lady Cora nodded. "Well done. I approve."

"Cousin Draco," Harry said now, his tone unchanging. His gaze turned to Draco who stood up as if knowing he was the next to be addressed. "Blood of my blood, I turn to you now. Will you allow me to court Severus Tobias Snape of the Prince family? Will you let me bring glory to the Black name once again? Will you assist me in my courtship? Will you be my Pontem?"

Minerva gasped and Lucius shifted in his position which was his way of showing surprise. Severus wasn't sure what the word Pontem meant, though he had a rather good guess from the way Potter worded his speech.

Draco stood and walked to Harry grasping him at his lower arm while Harry did the same. "Cousin Harry, it would be my honour." Then he went back to his place and sat down.

In the quiet of the room, Severus was certain what would happen next yet he felt unprepared. Everyone beside him seemed to have known the words they had to say as if they had been lectured on how courtships went. Yet he missed his lesson it seemed, because when Harry turned to him and looked at him with those intense green eyes of him, Severus didn't know what to do.

Potter pulled out his wand and summoned a small black box, his eyes never leaving Severus. "I was going to give this to you in private," he said in a soft voice, that surprised Severus. Gone was his authoritative tone, his words were gentle and quiet, less rehearsed and more honest. Severus almost felt as if, indeed, they would be alone somewhere. "You know of my intensions, Lord Snape. The Blacks were never afraid to show what they wanted, as if to give a warning for others that what they seek has been claimed by someone else already." He opened the small box revealing a black signet ring with the Black House crest with the dogs and the stars engraved in it. "You do not have to promise me anything now, but by allowing me to court you, by letting me put this ring on your finger, you show the Seven, and the whole Wizarding world, who they have to fight if they dare come close to you."

Potter watched him intently, his gaze telling a lot more than his mouth. This ring was not for the Seven, or the whole world and it wasn't just a simple gesture so that all the others would understand that Severus was taken. It was meant for Severus and only for him so that he knew that whatever happened, he was, indeed, already taken and the courtship was for show.

He blinked slowly in agreement, and a flicker of smile crossed Harry's lips. "Severus Snape, will you allow me to court you?"

"I will," Severus said slowly. Why it felt as if this changed anything, he could not tell, yet he felt like he just took a sacred oath, or actually married Harry. This whole ordeal that started off as a joke was more real now as he watched Harry put the ring on his left index finger, than it was more than a week ago when they were in his office, kissing.

After they finished dinner, Minerva and the Malfoys stayed for coffee. Severus decided he needed some fresh air and he excused himself. He walked outside to the patio and wasn't surprised to hear the door open after him soon again.

"What have we gotten ourselves into now?" He asked.

"Who knows," Potter answered with a shrug. "There will be a ball, for sure. And gifts. And meetings. All supervised, of course."

He turned to Harry, whose green eyes were full of mischief, and a half smile graced his tempting lips.

Severus checked behind himself and was relieved to see that everyone was still occupied inside. "We're unsupervised now, Lord Harry." He insinuated as he moved closer to Harry. "You could, perhaps give me my first gift."

Smiling, Harry leaned closer, but then just as they would finally kiss, Severus felt a finger there instead of soft lips. "How indecent," Harry whispered so close to him that Severus could feel the warm air leaving Harry's mouth caress his lips.

Potter might have became all well-behaved and proper already, but Severus sure as hell wasn't about to give in to stupid traditions just yet.

"Wicked, one might call it," Severus agreed, giving a little lick to the finger on his lips.

Potter snapped away his hand immediately. Even by the moonlight, Severus could see him blush. He sighed, "All the things I imagined doing to you tonight…"

"They will have to wait." Said Harry strictly.

"For how long?"

"Who knows…" Potter said.