Dressed to Impress

CHAPTER 2
(Practically Naked)

Harry sighed as he stared at the white costume bag hanging from the corner of his bed; it’s contents thankfully hidden from the general populace passing through the dorm. It was only 5.30 and while the Ball officially started at 6.30 many of the dignitaries and Ministry officials had already begun to arrive in their respective costumes. Nearly every vantage point in the Gryfindor Tower had been taken by half dressed students vying for a glimpse of who was wearing what. So far news had spread of the professors, the headmaster wearing most remarkably a Quidditch Uniform and strutting around with a broom under his arm. Harry wasn’t interested though and had yet to even have a shower let alone get dressed.

“Oh just look at that Harry you can seem my doodle and everything.” Harry looked away from the white costume bag and over at where Ron had emerged from the closed curtains around his bed. Harry tried not to smirk as he watched Ron push his hips out and jump up and down, the red heads cock clearly visible bouncing within the unforgiving confines of the green tights.

“You think you’ve got problems.” Neville appeared from around the side of his own bed the podgy boy’s costume of a sunflower in a pot looking a little worse for wear as the boy struggled with the zip that held the bright yellow sunflower on his head.

“Oh guys you’ve got to see what McGonagall wearing, she’s a unicorn with the horn and all!” Dean came sprinting into the room, his racing car body bouncing around him like a dodgem car at the show. Harry rolled his eyes as everyone crowded to the window to get a look before he sighed and flopped back on his bed. Ron was still bouncing around in his leprechaun outfit, his hand shoved down the front of his tights trying to make himself less obvious. Just at that moment Hermione arrived, a beautiful set of butterfly wings fluttering around her as she rolled her eyes at Ron.

“Ronald Weasley get your hands off your knob and shove this down there, it’ll keep it all rounded up.” Harry sat up on his elbows as he watched Hermione had her boyfriend the muggle cricketers box. Ron screwed up his nose at the item but did as he was instructed. Sure enough the item worked and Harry shook his head as he watched Ron nod in appreciation of the sizable package he appeared to have now. “Harry why aren’t you dressed?” Satisfied with Ron’s look Hermione turned on Harry who was still lazing on his bed in his jeans and jumper.

“I’m waiting for you lot to piss off so I can dress in private.” Harry grumbled as he shifted his feet quickly as the Patel twins came scrambling in, one dressed as the front of a horse the other as its rear end.

“Well if you’re waiting for that it won’t come, why don’t you head down to Moaning Myrtle’s Bathroom and get dressed there. We’ll meet you at 6.30 in the entrance hall.” Harry nodded reluctantly and stood up, grabbing his soap bag and towel, as well as the costume bag Harry headed for the door but paused as Hermione ran to catch up with him half way down the stairs. “Here are some things, so it makes you look like you’ve gone to some effort. The eyeliners charmed to do it for you and all you have to do is swipe a little lipstick on alright?” Harry nodded and stowed the two pieces of make-up into jeans pocket quickly before anyone saw. “You’ll be fine Harry.” Hermione pressed a sympathetic kiss to Harry’s cheek before running back up stairs to rejoin Ron helping Neville into his costume properly.

The hallways were utter chaos and Harry found himself dodging all sorts of creatures, people and plants in the hallways as he headed for the deserted second year girls bathroom. Harry rounded the last corner but froze when he ran into small group of Slytherin’s coming up from the dungeons. It took a second for Harry to realize whom it was beneath the costume but the minute he did a smile broke out on his face.

“Shut it Potty.” Draco snapped as he pushed the stuffed parrot back up onto his shoulder where it had slipped in the minor collision with Harry. Harry tried to refrain from laughing as he looked over the blonde’s appearance. Silk bloomers cut off at the knees; miss matched boots, a shirt with puffy sleeves and a pirate’s hat and eye patch. Draco certainly looked the part of a pirate. Noticing Harry’s stifled giggles, Draco sneered angrily. “Compliments on your costume Potter, useless fucking wizard really suits you.” Draco’s tongue was wicked and Harry resisted the urge to strike out at the blonde. There would be enough humiliation coming to him without adding to it himself. “Piss off Potter.” Draco stepped around Harry to stride off down the corridor and Harry couldn’t resist a jibe at the picture the blonde made.

“Aye, Aye Pirate Pete.” Harry laughed in his best pirate impression he could muster as he sprinted the last few yards to the girl’s bathroom and disappeared inside before Malfoy could turn back and curse him.

In the safety of the deserted bathroom Harry took his time having a shower trying to prepare himself for the evening. By the sound of the music resonating up from the hall the band had arrived. Harry knew he was stalling by the length of time it took for him to dry himself. Hermione had given him a charm to remove the hair from his legs earlier in the day and Harry was rather impressed by how smooth his skin was beneath the light dusting of hair he’d grown during puberty.

With the towel wrapped around his waist Harry had taken the costume pieces of the bag and hung each on a different hook to assess which one he’d start with. Hermione had given him pointers but that wasn’t going to help much as he reached for the black silk and lace pants. Standing in front of the full length mirror Harry had shuffled his way into the pants and squirmed a little as he’d positioned his cock so that it sat snuggly tucked between his legs and out of sight. Picking up the corsetry Harry pulled it down over his head and into place around his stomach and chest, thanking whatever god that there was that it was high enough to cover his nipples. With the corset in place a quick tightening spell had the item pulled tight, correcting Harry’s posture and sucking his stomach in.

“Oooh got to watch that.” Harry huffed as he picked up the stockings and went to bend over to pull them on, the corset jabbing him hard in the ribs. With each leg in a stocking and seams straight Harry tucked his feet into the high heels and assessed himself. Reaching behind him Harry fluffed the white tail that was stuck on his backside before turning around to make sure everything that was supposed to be connected and tied up had been. Grabbing for the makeup Hermione had leant him Harry slid some blood red lipstick onto his lips, proud of the fact he’d watched his Aunt Petunia put it on and mirroring her technique perfectly. The eyes were easy and having read the instructions flicked the liner and whispered the incantation. In a puff of sweet smelling perfume the job was done, thick lines curved under and over Harry’s eyes, the shimmer white powder on Harry’s eye lids making him seem just a little more female. Satisfied with his make-up Harry put on the ears and sighed heavily as he stared at himself in the mirror. Hermione was right, he did have the legs for stockings but as for the rest, he looked like a cheap harlot right out of bond street. Harry pulled on his long black silk gloves, and having sent his things back up to his dorm shoved his wand down the right hand glove for safe keeping.

The clock struck 6.30 just as Harry was distantly thinking that he hoped he didn’t need the toilet during the evening. Jumping a little Harry realized he couldn’t put off the inevitable any longer. With a deep calming sigh Harry straightened himself and strode out of the bathroom, stumbling only slightly on the high heels that made his hips sway suggestively. The hallways were practically empty and Harry picked up his pace a little, not wanting to be last in the hall and draw further attention to himself. Harry was too busy watching his step that he didn’t see the figure coming up the stairs in front of him before it was too late. With a huff Harry ran straight into the solid chest of the elder wizard and fell sprawling to the steps in a heap of arms and legs.

“My apologies miss.” Harry froze as he instantly recognized the potion-stained fingers that were offered down to him in aid. Ignoring the offer Harry awkwardly lifted himself up cursing silently to himself as he kept his gaze to the floor and ducked his head so that the professor wouldn’t recognize him. This was the last person Harry wanted to meet. With Voldemort gone Harry and Snape had come to a sort of awkward truce. Snape backed off from his vendetta against the boy who lived and Harry in turn had promised to not pull any stupid stunts. Unfortunately though Harry knew that this current situation certainly came under ‘stupid stunts’ and it would be therefore free reign for Snape to skin him alive. Harry felt the potion masters gaze acutely, his skin breaking out into tiny pimples as he felt the dark eyes critically evaluating him. Harry didn’t have to see the potion masters expression to know the man was less than impressed by what he saw.

“A little chilly for such a costume don’t you think Miss…?” Snape let the pointed question hang in the air, waiting for the student’s name that dared to wear such an outfit. Harry swallowed awkwardly and knew there was no way out. Slowly Harry raised his head to look sheepishly at the potion’s professor. Harry knew he’d cherish the memory of the expression that swept over Snape’s face the moment he recognized Harry beneath the make-up. “Potter?” Despite himself a twitch of amusement tugged at the corner of Harry’s lips as he watched the potion masters mouth open and close for a moment in speechless shock.

“Yes sir but it was the only thing left in my size.” Harry whispered by way of explanation as he adjusted the rabbit ears on his head, where they’d been misplaced in the altercation. “Not going to the Ball sir?” Harry inquired timidly his cheeks coloring as he realized Snape was still staring at him although not the way Harry had expected.

“No.” Snape breathed out, as he seemed to collect himself and quickly realized he was staring. Snapping his head up Snape straightened his robe almost awkwardly his familiar blank expression returning as he glared at Harry. “You’re not seriously going in there dressed like that Potter?” Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes, as the rollicking he’d expected finally fell from Snape’s lips.

“You’d rather I go naked?” Harry muttered as he began down the steps not wanting to be later than he already was.

“You’re practically naked now!” Snape snapped angrily as he turned around and followed Harry back down the stairs. “Sirius does not know about this surely?” Snape demanded as he trailed Harry across the hall towards where Hermione and Ron were waiting for Harry.

“No but he’s about to.” Harry smiled darkly over his shoulder as he joined Ron and Hermione as they began to walk into the crowded great hall. Harry paused just on the threshold of the room as he realized Snape was following him. “Change your mind about coming professor?” Harry threw nastily over his shoulder as Snape’s gaze narrowed at him dangerously.

“I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to see you skinned alive by the mutt, for all the galleons in Britain.” Snape sneered as Harry turned his back on him and having taken a deep breath followed Ron and Hermione into the hall.

Silence fell like a death across the room systematically as Harry strolled slowly through the crowd with Ron and Hermione. Harry was used to be being stared at by his peers he’d dealt with it tolerably at school but this was a different stare entirely.

“Drink?” Ron offered quietly as he picked up a glass of orange juice from the nibbles table at the side of the hall.

“Only if it’s spiked.” Harry muttered trying to avoid looking at anyone in particular as he sipped from the cup, leaving a clear smudge of lipstick on the rim.

“Ignore them Harry you look great.” Hermione snapped as she began circulating amongst the groups gathered around the hall leaving Harry and Ron to follow her slowly. When it was obvious Harry wasn’t going to make any big speeches conversation filtered back into the room, and before long the band had begun again and people were beginning to dance. Finally no longer the center of attention Harry relaxed and began to take in the costumes and people around him. It was hard to recognize some people in their costumes but Harry enjoyed working it out. Just as Hermione had predicted no one talked to Harry but more than a few stared at him as he passed by their groups. It was somewhat of a surprise when Harry felt a hand on his shoulder. Spinning around Harry expected it to be a member of the faculty but was surprised when he saw the unimpressed expression of his godfather behind the large clown nose.

“What in the hell do you think you’re playing at Harry?” Sirius snapped as he grabbed Harry’s elbow and drew him away from the dance floor and over to an empty set of chairs set up along the wall.

“I wasn’t coming at all until this morning until ‘mione got her panties in a twist. This was the only thing left in my size, would you rather I turn up naked?” Harry growled as he drained what was left of his drink and tried to look like he was just having a conversation with Sirius and not an argument.

“You’re practically naked now!” Sirius argued angrily lowering his voice enough so that no one else over heard him. Harry scoffed and rolled his eyes dramatically having heard exactly the same thing only moments ago.

“That’s what Snape said.” Harry muttered, completely taken by surprise as Sirius grabbed hold of his shoulders and shook him forcefully.

“You stay away from him tonight understand?” Sirius whispered harshly as he pushed his oversized nose against Harry’s and glared into the boy’s unblinking green gaze. Automatically Harry nodded wondering what had upset Sirius so much.

“It’s only a costume.” Harry whispered having thought at least that his godfather would have found it amusing. Sirius sighed heavily and let go of Harry’s shoulders before stepping back and glancing over Harry’s appearance a small smile coming to his lips.

“You’ve got the legs for it.” Sirius chuckled as he straightened Harry’s ears up and cheekily reached around to pinch Harry’s bunny tail. “Come and sit with us, you look as awkward as hell on those heels.” Harry rolled his eyes and thankfully took Sirius arm as his godfather led him across the floor and over to where Dumbledore and the other order members were sat joking and laughing with various Ministry officials.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>