Prince Manor

The eve of the revel:

"Harry! Where did you put the damn boot polish? Don't tell me you used it all?" Draco called irritably from down the hall.

"Half a minute, Dragon. I'm almost done, so keep your tunic on!" Harry yelled back, giving a final swipe to his dragonhide boots which he would wear with his special fae finery to the Queen's revel. They were gleaming and he carefully tugged them on over his socks, which were made of a resilient fae cloth and colored a bright green. He then floated the boot polish down the hall to Draco's room.

A young shimmerling named Flicker had appeared around five o'clock to deliver the feast outfits Titania had provided and stayed to escort them to the palace. She was now talking with Smidgen. When Harry had asked his father why the queen provided clothes for them, Severus had explained, "The fae court has a certain dress code for its members, much the way the royal court of England did long ago. Titania means this as an honor, to show us favor, by providing us with fancy dress that was probably made by her own royal tailors. She wishes everyone there to see that we are honored guests and not to be sneered or mocked."

"Why would anyone mock us? We're Princes." Harry said.

"Ah, Harry. The Seelie court is full of factions, and not all of them like the mortal descendants of the Prince line. Some fae still believe we are inferior to them, and therefore would treat us with scorn and derision. But not if they see how the queen favors us. Then they will sheathe their claws and practice their nasty tricks upon someone else less fortunate. Some of the fae are less than kind to mortals and wouldn't hesitate to use spells to make you very uncomfortable or even hurt you. Thus Titania ensures our safety with her gift, as well as making sure we don't embarrass ourselves by wearing something inappropriate."

"Oh. Okay. That's really nice of her." Harry said, then went off to shower and change. He could hardly wait for the revel to start.

Titania had chosen clothing made up of gossamer spider-silk and extra-soft lightly woven fabric that was tough like cotton but flowed over him in a silky wave. H wonder what it was made of. His finery consisted of a shirt colored a dark amber, whose billowing sleeves were gathered at the wrists with three pearl buttons. They were the real thing, Harry knew enough to tell that. Titania would never skimp on jewels. There was form-fitting butter soft leather breeches of a brown shade, and a very long tunic of a beautiful forest green with gold embroidery about the collar, hem and pointed sleeves. The tunic had the Prince crest embroidered on it. It came with a leather belt studded with real amber and emeralds and a leather wand holder, plus a small eating knife. There was even a medium-length cloak of green lined with gold, and to it Harry pinned his fae brooch. Titania had even provided underclothes, much to Harry's embarrassment. Everything fit perfectly. In fact Harry had never felt so well-dressed or so comfortable in his life. He wore his medallion proudly over his tunic.

Draco had similar finery, except his was done in midnight blue and silver cloth, and those colors perfectly suited his pale coloring. His tunic was embroidered with the Malfoy dragon and wand crest. His belt had sapphires and diamonds on it.

But it was Severus, as the Lord of Prince Manor, who really shone. He too had black leather breeches, only his had small sequins on the sides that flashed when he moved. His shirt was spider-silk and colored a lovely emerald green with fancy gold buttons. His tunic came down to his knees and was a beautiful gold color, embroidered with the winged serpent and chalice motif of the Prince family crest in some kind of sparkling silvery-green thread. His cloak was made of a rich samite fabric and shifted and changed colors when he moved, from green to gold to ebony and had a light edging of some sort of dark fur about the collar, fastened with a thick gold chain. Severus was also given a golden circlet to wear and his belt had jet, topaz, and emeralds on it.

Both his sons stared when he emerged from his bedroom.

Draco grinned. "You look like a real fae prince, Dad."

Harry whistled. "Just wait till Sarai sees you. She's going to pass out."

Severus gave his sons the once-over, trying not to react to their comments. He felt slightly ridiculous in the court finery, as if he were playing dress-up. Which in a way, he was. The guests at tonight's revel were there to see and be seen, it was rather like a coming out party. Severus knew that plenty of unmarried fae ladies, and probably some married ones too, would be trying to catch his eye or giving him proposals. He knew that most of them wouldn't consider him off-limits, despite his betrothal to Sarai. The fae were notorious lovers and even a marriage bond didn't always mean fidelity.

It was a good thing that one of the things he had studied had been the polite refusal of a liaison, casual or otherwise.

He also cautioned his sons again about drinking any kind of cordial or juice being offered without checking with him or Sarai first. "Some of the fae drinks are very potent and might cause you to become sick or giddy, since their metabolism and physiology is different from ours. So don't accept anything without checking it first. The same goes with the food. And don't ever promise any of the fae anything, because once you give your word, it's a binding contract. Talk with them, dance with them if you wish, but be aware that as Titania's favorites, you are considered eligible and many ambitious lords will wish to ally themselves with you. So beware of any invitation that involves you meeting their single daughter."

"You make it sound like we're . . .celebrities," Harry grimaced. "I thought I was done with all that when we left school."

"Your reputation precedes you, I'm afraid." Severus said ruefully. "Be polite, mind your manners, and keep your wands sheathed. Some of the younger Seelie hotheads like to challenge newcomers to duels and I forbid you to become involved in anything like that, am I clear?"

"Yes, sir." They winced as he gave them a very hard glare.

But then his brow cleared and he said, "Now, let us depart and all have a good time."

Smidgen blinked in, exclaimed over how wonderful they looked, then perched upon Harry's shoulder. Her fellow shimmerling, Flicker, also appeared, and meowed for them to come outside, where the gateway was between the mortal and the fae realms.

The Fae Realm

Antechamber of Titania's throne room:

The first thing Harry noticed when he entered the antechamber of Titania's castle was how it had been enchanted to resemble a woodland grove. The walls were festooned with climbing vines that had large blooming irises and other colorful flowers that emitted a lovely fragrance. Large trees and shrubs also were placed artfully about the "room" and the floor bore a carpet of lush meadowmoss. There was even a small stream running through the east end of the room. Small birds and shimmerlings and pixies fluttered overhead, weaving in and out of the bobbing fairy lights, which were all the colors of the rainbow. The "grove" had all the appearance and smell of the real thing, even though Harry knew much of it was fae glamourie. There were no better masters of illusion than the Seelie, they used glamour as naturally as breathing.

In front of them, the doors to the throne room were thrown wide and a herald stood to the left and right, taking turns announcing the guests to be received by the queen and her royal family.

The receiving line stretched from one end of the broad grotto to the other, and the Snape-Prince family were somewhere near the end, or so it seemed. In addition to the tall, spectacularly dressed, and inhumanly beautiful High Court fae, there were many other denizens of the court at the revel. Harry saw centaurs dressed in fine buckskins with ribbon plaited in their manes and tails, unicorns and pegasi gathered in a kind of herd, fauns and nymphs, dwarves and gnomes. There were brownies and house elves, who for once were not doing the serving or housework, and butterfly fae.

Draco spotted several selkies hanging out by the stream, accompanied by a mermaid, and also a familiar looking kelpie.

"Duncan!" Draco called, waving at their friend.

Duncan Wavestrider looked pleased at spotting them, he was dressed in the same finery he had worn to the Hogwarts Yule Ball. He rose to his feet to come and greet them, holding out his hand to a lady in a beautiful lavender dress. To his shock, Draco recognized his classmate, Luna Lovegood.

"And . . .Luna?"

Harry turned around. "Wow! They really hit it off, if she's his date to the revel. I didn't think regular humans were allowed here."

"Normally, they aren't. The kelpie must have obtained special permission from one of the royal family to be allowed to bring Miss Lovegood along." Severus said, turning about to see what had so captivated his sons.

"Well met, Harry and Severus!" Duncan said, clapping them heartily on the back. "Oh, and young Master Malfoy as well, sorry, didn't mean to exclude you." He bowed apologetically to Draco before thumping him on the shoulder as well. "I'm delighted to see you all here for the queen's celebration. I don't think she's thrown a revel this big since last year's Midsummer gala."

"Hi, Draco! Hi, Harry! Hi, Professor Snape!" Luna came up to them, all pink-cheeked and sparkly beneath the light of the fairy lamps. She had never looked so pretty, or so very fey, her eyes were glowing and for once she seemed at ease with her surroundings. "Guess what? Duncan has asked me to be his betrothed . . .and I said yes. When I'm of age, we'll marry. We discovered that my great-great-great grandmother was half-fae and I inherited her Gift of TrueSight, that's why I was always seeing odd things all the time out of the corner of my eye, like snorkacks and wrackspurts and whompadingles. You see, they weren't just imaginary creatures, I was seeing fae animals and such. Only I didn't know it."

"You mean, all those times you were going all dreamy and stuff wasn't 'cause you were a bit loony?" Draco asked bluntly. Then he winced when Severus swatted him on the ear.

"Draco! Mind your manners! You'll speak respectfully to a lady, even if she is your classmate." Snape reprimanded.

"Oh, that's all right, professor!" Luna laughed. "Almost everybody at Hogwarts thought I was moonstruck. Even I did, sometimes. Some of the girls in my year used to call me Loony Lovegood."

Duncan frowned. "I told you before, my sweet, that they were the ones who were crazy, not you. Don't remind me of them, else I shall be tempted to pay them a visit and take them for a midnight swim in the lake. On a freezing winter's night."

Luna put her arm around the kelpie. "He's so overprotective of me. Isn't it cute? Anyway, the queen invited him to her revel and said he could bring a guest, and when Duncan told Prince Balin about his betrothed being a friend of Harry Snape . . .the prince said of course I was welcome and here I am."

"And here you'll stay. For tonight, anyway," Duncan said, bending down to place a kiss upon her blond head, which was sprinkled with glitter.

"That's wonderful, Luna. Congratulations to you both," Harry said, regretting that Titania hadn't suggested he bring a guest too. But then, maybe there was a limit to how many mortals could attend an occasion like this? He looked at Luna, marveling at the change a few weeks had made in his friend.

Luna, in her gorgeous gown, looked more mature than her fifteen years, she held herself straighter and had more poise than he had ever seen in her before. She had also lost the dazed air and seemed totally in her element. Perhaps it was because she had finally quit thinking she was crazy and accepted herself for what she was, now that she knew the truth about her heritage.

"Thanks! Do you know, I saw a Crumpled Horned Snorkack back there?" she waved across the room at a large bulky animal that looked like a cross between a big-horned sheep and a Chinese dragon, it had long curling horns that spiraled about four feet in the air. "My dad's been trying to prove they exist for ages and I've finally seen one! I wonder if it will mind if I take a picture?" She patted her small reticule, where a magical camera was tucked inside.

"You can do that later, my heart. First we greet Her Majesty," Duncan said. "Your camera will get plenty of use tonight."

"I'm so excited! I've never met royalty before. Have you?"

Harry nodded. "We met Titania after the Great Battle, she came to help me fight Voldemort."

They continued to chat with Luna and Duncan until they heard the herald calling them.

"May I present to Her Majesty, Queen Titania of the Summer Court, Mistress of the Seelie, her royal cousin, Lord Severus Snape, Master Wizard and Heir to Prince Manor." The herald announced in a ringing tone. "And his wizard sons, Harry Snape, Heir Apparent to Prince Manor, and Draco Malfoy, Lord of Malfoy Manor."

The herald, a tall Seelie fae in gold and white livery, held out his hand for their invitation, before waving them across the threshold. "Follow the rose petal carpet to the dais, kneel at the bottom of the stairs and wait till Her Majesty bids you rise."

Then he announced Smidgen as well.

They processed into the hall, which had been glamoured to look like a crystal grotto, with reflecting walls and stalactites and a large reflecting pool off to the side. There were small tables and chairs that looked like stalagmites coming out of the floor and one large floating table with mounds of food and another with huge punch bowls and pitchers and tea cozies and bottles of cordials and wines. Harry's head spun. Draco, walking beside him, was more used to affluent parties, as he had grown up at Malfoy Manor, but even he was impressed at the lavishness.

The hall was lit by glowing stalactites in many different colors, and they presented a surreal aspect to the hall. There was a rose-petal strewn carpet that meandered straight up to the dais where a large gold and mahogany throne sat. There was a smaller throne beside the large one, in that sat Titania's heir, Prince Oberon, her eldest son. He was named after his late father, who had once reigned as king beside Titania. Behind and to the side of the thrones were the members of the royal family, including young Balin, his second oldest brother, Aubrey, and their elder sister, Morgana. Morgana had three children, Aubrey two, all of them were of age. Oberon had one son, Malchiar, though he was still two years shy of his majority. There was also one other member of the royal family present, only she was standing at the edge of the dais.

Harry noticed her because she did not look like the rest of the noble Seelie ladies, who had their flowing silver, red, bronze, or black hair braided and looped or piled high atop their heads, or left to flow down to their feet, all decorated with crystals and fancy combs and such. The girl standing at the edge of the dais appeared to be a little younger than Harry's age, though he knew that was not indicative of her true age. She was wearing a silky sapphire blue gown studded with multi-hued crystals, looking as if the stars had come to play in her dress. What was unusual was that she wore her hair in short stiff purple spikes, tipped with white, and allowed her pointed ears to show. From one ear dangled a diamond heart. Harry also saw that she was wearing boots instead of dancing shoes and had painted her eyes with some kind of blue glittery eyeliner. It enhanced the slanted amber orbs.

Harry noted that she looked terribly bored, but when she caught sight of him, she curved her mouth into a smirk and winked at him. He wondered who she was. She looked like she would be interesting to talk to.

On the other side of the dais was Sarai and her Blades, they were dressed in their uniforms, since they were on duty, though Titania had granted them three hours shifts on and off so they could attend the celebration. They were also wearing mail and carried their swords and bows. They looked like what they were, sharp and deadly, the best of the best. But a look passed between Sarai and Severus, a look that should have set the carpet on fire.

Harry glanced around, wondering if anyone else had seen, and caught the knowing smirks of a few of the guests who had just been received and were still standing watching others parade in and out.

There was lively music playing from a quartet of musicians off to one side, a medley of harp, flute, and gittern, airy and wild, that made Harry want to dance the whole night.

:As soon as we get through the tiresome court protocol of receiving, you'll be able to dance,: Smidgen sent. :But respect must be paid to the queen, and the riffraff kept out. No one without an invitation gets in.:

What happens if someone tries to crash this party?

:They get tossed out on their backside.:

Finally, they reached the dais and knelt before the throne. This close to the fae queen they could feel the power radiating off of her, like the heat of the sun upon a hot July day.

"Rise, my honored guests," Titania ordered, making a lifting motion with her long slender fingers. "You are welcome to Summer, and this revel. Stand here, on my left. That way you shall not have far to walk when I call you again to receive your rewards." She gave them a slightly mischievous smile, before turning back to face the antechamber.

Harry wondered if all the ceremony ever got boring to a ruler, or did one not even notice after awhile?

They carefully mounted the dais and stood on the left amid the Queen's Blades, some of whom eyed them with respect and a few with faint sneers.

They were all astonished when they heard the herald announce, "Lord Philip Anthony Snape and his lovely lady, Julie Snape."

"Uncle Phil's here?" Draco exclaimed. "Did you know he was coming, Dad?"

Severus shook his head. "No. I'm not privy to Queen Titania's guest list. Though I am happy Phil is here with Julie. He is one of the few I can talk to without having to mind every word I speak. Sometimes having a conversation with a fae lord is like navigating a spider web."

There came a soft laugh from behind them, and a girl's voice said, "Is that ever true! Be careful what you say, or else you could find yourself promised to an ogress or given away your firstborn child."

Harry and Draco glanced back to see the girl with the spiked hair standing behind them, her mouth creased in an impish grin. "Well met, my lords! I am Nesmayallindra Highstar." She gave them a brief curtsy. "But just call me Nesmay. Everyone does. Except my grandmother."

"I'm Harry Snape," Harry bowed in return. "Are you . . .uh . . .related to the queen?"

Before Nesmay could answer, another voice piped up, in a drawling tenor, "She's the relative no one in the family likes to talk about."

A handsome fae youth wearing a glittering white and gold ensemble stood behind her, a mocking sneer upon his face.

Quick as blinking Nesmay turned and glared at the newcomer. "I don't recall inviting you into the conversation, Malchiar. Why don't you go and drown yourself? Give your selkie lover something to do besides moon over you."

The tips of the fae prince's ears went scarlet. "You are an incorrigible brat! Father told me to keep an eye on you, make sure you weren't annoying our guests."

"Uncle Oberon is such a stick-in-the mud!" the fae girl sniffed. "He needs to drink some more, the way he is now he could pose for a human martyr about to be burnt at the stake."

Malchiar gave her a frigid glare. "You mind how you speak about the heir to the throne, you little half-blood bastard! You should have stayed in Graystone, where you belong. It's not like anyone here would miss you. I don't even know why you were permitted to come here. "

"To keep you from boring everyone to sleep," she returned impudently. "Go away, Malchiar! Go yap at someone who cares about your stuffy old rules."

The fae prince stiffened in outrage. "Someday, Nesmay, when my father is king here—"

"I know, you'll banish me to the edge of the kingdom, where the land is cold and bleak and lock me in a tower for a century." Nesmay yawned exaggeratedly. "That's so old. I'd have thought you'd come up with something better by now. Then again, you've never been quick-witted, cousin dear. You've always counted on your position to get what you wanted, and that doesn't exactly take brains . . ."

Malchiar's face was slowly turning crimson. He abruptly spun and said to Harry and Draco, "Please excuse my little cousin, she has the manners of a troll. Do not judge us all by her wayward example. My grandmother should have beaten her more often." Then he bowed and retreated to the other side of the dais.

"Arrogant toad!" Nesmay sneered. "Just because his father's the next in line for the Summer throne, he thinks he can walk all over me. Ha!" She smirked. "Ahem! Where was I? Oh, right, to answer your question, yes, I'm Queen Titania's youngest granddaughter."

Prince Oberon turned his head and shot the youngest Highstar a warning glare.

Harry caught it and said softly, "Will you get in trouble for talking to us? Your uncle didn't look very happy."

"He never does." She shrugged one shoulder. "Nothing ever pleases him, especially me. Don't mind him. Or Malchiar. They can't do anything to me without the queen's permission. Since my mother died, I'm a full ward of the crown, which means only Gran can order me around. Malchiar hates me for that, because I have more freedom than he does, since Uncle Oberon's like an etiquette watchdog. I'd feel sorry for him, but he's such an ass, he sucks all the sympathy right out of me."

Oberon abruptly gestured and Nesmay's boots suddenly vanished, replaced by glittering heels.

The girl eyes flashed, and she flicked her fingers and her dress shoes became boots again. "No way am I wearing those, Uncle dearest! Not on your life!" She made a face. "Heels! Ugh! Can't walk at all in them."

Oberon looked like he wanted to get up and strangle his niece, until Titania murmured something in his ear, and he turned away, still fuming. Clearly, he had about as much love for Nesmay as his son did.

"Ha! Gran just told him about our agreement." Nesmay smirked.

"I'm assuming that purple spikes are now in fashion, my lady?" Severus queried, rather amused by her impudence, but also glad he didn't have to deal with her. She was quite clearly a rebel of the first order.

Nesmay laughed. "But of course, my lord. Hedgehogs are always in fashion. I hate long hair. It gets caught on everything and it's horribly hot and heavy. It's much simpler this way. Besides, I made a bargain with the queen that I'd wear this wretched court dress without a fuss if I could wear comfortable shoes and keep my hair spiked. She agreed and here I am."

Just then trumpets blared and the doors to the throne room shut with a bang.

"That means the last of the guests are here," Nesmay explained at Draco's puzzled look. "Which means that the party's about to start, soon as they present themselves to the queen. Hopefully this party is going to be one of the good ones, like at Midsummer, and not one of the stuffy boring ones I usually get stuck attending. Is this your first time at a gala, Harry?"

"Yes. I've only been here once before, Prince Balin invited me for a hunt."

"Oh, this will be much more fun than killing some poor wild beast," Nesmay assured him. "At least I hope it will. Usually I don't get to attend the more fun parties, where everyone dances or gets drunk till they pass out. Gran says I'm too young, and Uncle Oberon claims I should be seen and not heard, like a proper half-blood child."

"What's wrong with being a half-blood?" Draco asked. "Sarai—Captain Valinek—is a half-blood."

"But that's different. Sarai's parents were in love, and their union sanctioned by the queen. She has status. Me, on the other hand, I was the liaison of a night, something never meant to be, and my mother was Titania's youngest daughter, seduced by a sweet-talking mortal wizard. Then she died soon after I was born, casting me upon the mercy of the court. It created such a scandal that even now, years later, people haven't forgotten about it. The only status I have is as a royal ward, even though I'm Titania's granddaughter. They'll never call me princess. Not that I want them to."

"But that's not fair," Harry objected.

"Whoever said the fae were fair?" Nesmay shrugged. "That's how it is."

Severus was listening to her with half an ear, the other was tuned to the rest of the hall, but his spy-trained hearing picked up the wistfulness in her tone, despite her blithe assurance that she didn't care about titles and the regard of her family, he got the feeling that the girl was very lonely, almost an outcast in her own realm. It surprised him, given Sarai's insistence that all children were cherished by the fae. All children except this one, it seemed. He wondered why this were so. Then he recalled Nesmay's statement about her mother . . . I was the liaison of a night, something never meant to be, and my mother was Titania's youngest daughter, seduced by a sweet-talking mortal wizard. Then she died soon after I was born . . . no, that cannot be . . .and yet . . .it fits. Titania came for Voldemort to get revenge upon her daughter, who was seduced and raped by him and who later died . . . Before she turned him into wind, she told him that his line continued . . .He turned and stared at the fae girl, who showed nothing of her human ancestry, appearing all fae. Surely this child could not be . . .Voldemort's daughter?

She looked too young, about twelve, and Riddle had been twenty-five when he came to the Seelie Court, if this were his daughter, she would be older, it had been forty-four years since then . . .until he recalled how time ran differently in the fae realm, and how her fae blood would have slowed down her aging. So, only half the time might have passed in the Summer Court since that time, which would mean twenty-two years, and to the fae, twenty-two years was nothing, which would put Nesmay's age at roughly ten or eleven human years, as near as he could figure it, though trying to figure ratios when it came to the fae was extremely difficult.

I'll ask Sarai. She would know the whole story if anyone would. The last of the guests were being received, and as soon as the final selkie had made his bow, Queen Titania stood up and everyone went silent. All you heard was the soft plink of water from the fountain in the center of the buffet and the stream running through the left side of the hall.

"Welcome, friends and family, lords and gentlebeings all, to my celebration. As most of you probably know, this revel is to celebrate my triumph over an old enemy, and a wrong that has now been righted. My enemy is vanquished and the slight done to my kin over twenty years ago by fae reckoning has been avenged."

Mingled cheers and applause followed this statement, as well as hoots, howls, and chiming.

"But before we feast and dance the night away, I need to recognize a few people who were instrumental in helping me achieve that goal. They are here beside me," Titania gestured to where the Snape family was standing. "Young Harry Snape called upon me and my host when he was in peril from the same enemy, the sorcerer who called himself Lord Voldemort in the mortal realm, but whom you would know as Thomas the Terrible, the betrayer of my daughter, Aislinn. With my help, we defeated the foul necromancer and his followers. I wish to reward him and his father and brother for their part in the great battle."

Cheers followed this statement as well.

"Severus Snape, step forward!" she called, beckoning Severus with the scepter she held in her left hand. In her right she held a glittering object.

Severus came forward and stood in front of her. "Your Majesty," he murmured and went to one knee.

"For your service to the crown, I give you this Brooch of Summer Stars, with it you are protected against any dark spells of cold and ice and the chill of the Winter Court, presided over by my sister monarch Queen Maeve. Furthermore, I also release my Captain of the Guard, Lady Sarai Kinsalari Valinek, from her contract of service two weeks hence, so that she and her betrothed may marry." She smiled down at the shocked Severus. "Does this please you, Lord Prince?"

Severus found his voice at last. "Your Majesty, this is an unexpected honor."

Titania bent down to pin the brooch upon Severus' tunic. "May you and Sarai have many happy years together." She raised him to his feet. Then she leaned close to his ear and whispered, "I have a small request to put before you. If you will meet me in my private audience chamber at ten o'clock, my lord?"

Severus nodded. Then he bowed low and turned to go back to where Sarai waited, with an identical expression of joy and shock upon her face.

As he was leaving, Oberon hissed in his mother's ear, "Are you sure that is wise, Mother? Sarai is a half-blood, marrying her to a mortal wizard, even if he is connected to us will encourage more such unsuitable liaisons. I cannot think that will be a good example for the court—"

Titania held up a hand. "Enough, Oberon! I have spoken and it is done. Sarai chose the best man for her, and you should not quibble over her choice. You well know what reception she had from full fae men."

"You are growing soft, Mother. Were I able, I would—"

Titania gave her heir a scintillating glare. "Be that as it may, Oberon, I am not dead yet. So you shall have to wait awhile before you decide to implement your ridiculous policies banning half-bloods from court, a most unwise decision." She declared crisply. Then she called Harry and Draco to her and gifted them with Brooches of Summer Stars as well as giving them her personal thanks.

Then she clapped her hands and commanded the musicians to strike up a festive air and let the revel begin.

To both boys' delight, Sarai waved her hand and her armor transformed into the same green dress she had worn to the Yule Ball, she turned to her second and declared, "I'm taking my break now. You're in charge."

He saluted her. "Aye, Captain." Then he gave her a knowing smile. "Go have fun, you deserve it, Lady."

"I fully intend to, Lieutenant Morningstar." She turned to her betrothed. "Shall we, Severus?"

"At your service," he bowed then took her hand, and they moved out onto the floor, where many fae were already dancing and twirling to the music.

Harry peered across the crowded dance floor, trying to spot Phil or Julie, but it was almost impossible given the crush of people and beings.

"Come on, do you want to get something to eat or drink?" asked Nesmay. "I'll make sure you don't eat anything that'll turn you into a toadstool or a frog or something."

"Sure!" Draco said. "It beats standing here like a statue on display."

They jumped off the dais and followed Nesmay across the room. The fae girl seemed to know instinctively where to find an opening in the packed crowd, though sometimes she freely used her elbows and feet to clear a path, ignoring the snarls and scoldings of those shoved aside.

They reached the refreshment tables and Nesmay began indicating "safe" foods and drinks, and also not so safe ones. "Don't eat those bristleball fruits in that bowl," she indicated some round fruits with what looked like thorns sticking out of them. "They'll turn you into a hedgehog for a night and a day. They're meant for the fauns and centaurs, who are immune to the bristleball juice."

She indicated merlinnas, a long golden fruit that sort of looked like a plaintain, and a small round purple fruit. "These you can eat. Merlinnas, silk fruit, and gojibaro. And here's some stewed quail, and roasted duck. Oh and venison with bacon with new potatoes."

"What's that blue gel stuff?" asked Harry, pointing to a large tureen with some sort of bluish goop in it.

"That's seaweed and fish scale pate. For the kelpies and selkies and mermaids. They think it's a delicacy." Nesmay wrinkled her nose. "I think it smells disgusting, that's why it's next to all the raw shellfish and stuff. Ugh!"

They moved onto the drink table, where Harry spotted merlinna juice, and said he already knew it was safe, since he drank it at home.

"I love it too, and also frost wine," Nesmay told him. "Frost wine is made from the first picking of the grapes that have gotten a touch of frost. We do that magically, and it freezes the sweetness of the grapes, so when you press them, all the flavor goes into the wine."

Before Harry could tell her he wasn't allowed to try anything alcoholic, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to meet a familiar pair of violet eyes. "Uncle Phil!" He threw his arms about the lean vampire and hugged him.

Philip was dressed in a classy tuxedo with a traditional black cape and he flashed his fangs when he smiled back at Harry. "Long time no see, Harry! How is your summer?"

"Good." Harry answered. "How's the twins?"

"Still driving me insane, but what else is new? I was quite surprised that I received an invitation to this revel, but then, we did fight old Moldy together." He tugged irritably at his collar. "Haven't worn one of these in ages and I forgot how much they itch."

"Here," Nesmay wriggled her fingers and Philip's collar loosened.

"You are most kind, Lady—"

"Nesmay."

"Can you all do things like that?" Harry asked.

"What, glamourie and altering things?" Nesmay asked. "That's baby stuff, any High Court fae can cast glamourie before he's walking. Even backwards half-bloods like me can do it."

"In any case, Lady Nesmay, I am grateful," Philip said smoothly. "I will leave you in the lady's hands, Harry, and go and congratulate your father on finally being able to celebrate his betrothal. Behave now, and no drinking any summerdew!" The vampire waggled a finger at his nephew before vanishing.

Nesmay cocked her head at Harry. "I take it summerdew doesn't agree with you?"

"Uh . . .you could say that," Harry said ruefully. He sipped his merlinna juice and then looked abut for Draco. "Where did Draco go?"

Nesmay's sharp eyes spotted him among a circle of laughing and giggling nymphs, who were cooing at him and touching his hair and arms. Draco looked half-dazed, caught in their magical aura like a fly in a spider web. "There! He's inside that circle of nymphs."

Harry goggled. "Huh? But what's . . .why is he letting them touch him like that . . .? We already have girlfriends."

"Wait here." Nesmay ordered, and strode into the circle of nymphs, who were now eyeing Draco as if he were a tasty fruit to be devoured. "Back off, ladies! This one's claimed already!"

"By you?" one sneered. "Girl, you hardly know what those two funny bumps are on your chest, much less what to do with a boy like this."

"Shut up, Glindara! He's under the queen's protection, so no seducing him. Unless you want to deal with her."

The nymphs shrank away. "Keep him, girlie!"

"That's what I thought." Nesmay tugged on Draco's arm. "Nymphs! All they know how to do is one thing."

Draco blinked woozily. "Huh? What happened? One minute I was talking to some hot girl and the next . . ."

"The next you'd have found yourself in bed with one of those bubbleheads," Nesmay told him bluntly. "And that would not have been a good thing."

Draco blushed. "You mean they'd have . . .but I'm not . . .I didn't agree . . ."

"You agreed to talk to them for awhile and to a nymph that's the same as saying you want to bed them. They're utterly obsessed." Nesmay rolled her eyes. "Come on, go and get something to eat. I'll introduce you to the pegasi and the kitsune, they at least know enough to mind their manners. Nymphs are . . .well, nymphs."

Draco followed her back to where his brother was standing, watching the dancers twirling. They saw Luna and Duncan, Sarai and Severus, and Phil and Julie all dancing near each other. Now Draco wished he could have brought Hermione, so then he would have a dance partner. "Umm . . .Nesmay? Is there someone I could dance with that won't . . .err . . .you know . . .?"

Titania's granddaughter laughed. "Of course, Draco. My cousin Kayleara won't mind taking a turn or two about the floor with you. She's already pledged to Lord Ambervale, but he broke his leg in a hunting accident two days ago and is still in splints, so he can't dance. But he won't mind his betrothed squiring about an honored guest. Wait here." She skipped off to get Kayleara.

She returned moments later with a very pretty young woman. Kayleara was the epitome of high court lady, she had hair of spun moonlight and huge green eyes, pointed ears, and was wearing a tight fitting gossamer gown straight out of a Midsummer Night's Dream. Draco immediately felt gauche and awed by her. Until she laughed and said, "It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Lord Malfoy. I heard you survived an attack by Unseelie not long ago. Only the bravest live through that."

"Uh . . .yes, milady, that's so. Does . . .everyone at court know about our . . .adventures?"

"Pretty much. We Summer courtiers have so very little happen that is new and interesting, we tend to recall anything unusual that occurs, and you and your brother and father quite took us by storm last season. Would you care for a partner in the quadrille?"

"Yes, please." He held an arm out, and the fae lady took it and they walked out to the floor.

"Kayleara is one of the nicest of my cousins," remarked Nesmay to Harry. "She's Aunt Morgana's daughter, and she has none of the Highstar arrogance or temper. Unlike Malchiar or Uncle Oberon." She kicked moodily at a stalagmite. "I'd ask you to dance, Harry, but I can't move in all this bloody fabric. I feel like a lampshade. A very expensive lampshade." She scowled down at her dress and shot a furtive glance at the dais. "I wonder if she'll notice if I did this?"

She passed her hand over her dress and it became blue silk trews and a long tunic. "Much better."

Harry had to agree, the fae girl looked much more natural in her casual clothing than she did in the fancy dress she had been wearing.

But an instant later, Nesmay's tunic and trews morphed into the sparkling dress. "Damn! She noticed!" A rebellious look crept over face, and she waved her hand over the dress and changed it back to her preferred attire.

It held for about a second before becoming the sapphire dress once more.

"Oh, all right, Gran!" Nesmay scowled. She stamped her booted foot on the floor. "Adults! All propriety and no fun! Well, no fun for children of the royal house. You ever have that problem with your parents, Harry?"

"All the time with my dad. I never knew my mum. She died when I was too little to remember."

"Oh. Mine too. She died a day after I was born."

"And your dad . . .he left before you were born or something, right?"

"You could say that. He left to wreak havoc in your world. He was a dark wizard. Or so they tell me."

Harry gaped at her. "You mean . . .your father was . . .Voldemort?"

"Unfortunately." Nesmay grimaced. "I never knew him, yet some people think that I . . .I'm like him . . ."

Suddenly Harry understood. "They blame you for what he did. That's so stupid!"

"Not blame, exactly. I was the result, not the cause, but . . .they look at me and see his shadow. They're idiots, what can I say?"

"Why doesn't the queen do something about it?" Harry asked angrily.

"What can she do? Go and turn half her subjects into trees and rocks for my sake? She accepted me as one of her family, which was better than I deserved, according to good old Uncle Oberon. He thought she should have fostered me out to a family of trolls. People gossip, courtiers live for gossip, it's been that way since I can remember. I've been Nesmay the Shadow for all my life." She smiled, a sad bitter smile.

"It isn't right! Just because you're his daughter doesn't make you him."

"You would know, wouldn't you?" she asked softly.

"Yeah. I would."

"He was a terrible man. He tried to kill you, kill all your family. And yet . . .you don't despise me. Why?"

"Because you're not responsible for the choices he made or what he did. You weren't even born when he did half that stuff. So how could I blame you for his mistakes? You were a baby."

"You are wise, Harry Snape. Wiser than half the courtiers here," Nesmay said sincerely. "You see true." She snickered. "A pox on those who say fae are superior to mortals!"

She tossed back her glass of frost wine defiantly. She had begun to hope she had found that rarest of creatures . . .a friend to talk to, but just as she was going to ask if he wished to dance, she heard an unwelcome voice hailing her.

"Ah, Lady Nesmay! I was hoping I'd find you here."

Harry looked up to see a tall fae wearing black and white coming across the floor towards them. He walked with a long stride, arrogantly, as if he owned the castle. He had dark blue eyes, which were currently fastened upon the girl beside Harry. Harry he gave a dismissive glance and then totally ignored. "Who's that arse?"

"Jarillion. Prince Jarillion of the Winter Court, Queen Maeve's youngest son." Nesmay told him. "Gran invited him here as a gesture of peace between Summer and Winter." She refilled her glass.

Jarillion came up and swept his gaze up and down the younger fae. "Well, well. You do clean up pretty, I must say. Then again, you resemble your mother rather than your mortal sire."

"So it's been said, Your Grace. To what do I owe the honor of your company?" Nesmay asked, stiffly formal.

He smiled, but the smile reminded Harry of a shark's, all teeth and no warmth.

"Why, I simply wish to have a dance with you, my lady. You seem to be at loose ends." He bowed, correctly formal, but was there some mockery in it?

"Actually, I am squiring about Lord Harry Snape, tonight's honored guest."

"Who will surely not deny you the pleasure of a dance, now, will you?" Jarillion turned to Harry with a condescending look.

"If that's what Nesmay wishes," Harry said through clenched teeth. He really didn't like this fae noble.

"Let me just finish my drink, my lord," Nesmay said, biting her lip. "Then I shall join you."

"Very well, my lady. But don't make me wait long." He turned and walked back to where a group of fae ladies tittered and giggled, and one of them took his hand and he whirled her away.

Nesmay gazed after them in dismay. "Blast! I had hoped with so many others, he would have forgotten me, the bloody arse. But no, no such luck!"

"If you don't want to dance, just tell him no," Harry said.

"I can't. Even though we're enemies, Winter is a guest of Summer. It's expected that we . . .treat him as a guest. If I refuse, he might take offense and then cause an incident, accuse us of being inhospitable. Wars have started over less. I have to accept his offer. But . . .I can make him regret he ever asked me to dance. I'll play the clumsy oaf and make sure I step on his toes repeatedly!"

She gave a wicked little giggle and Harry laughed also. The girl had spunk and fire. "Go to it. I see some of my friends over there," he indicated a table where Luna and Duncan were sitting, eating some food.

"I'll be back in seven minutes," she promised.

Harry remained where he was for a few moments, watching as the arrogant prince took Nesmay's hand and started to waltz, only to get his foot trod on.

"Ow! Watch it!"

"Oh, forgive me, Your Grace! I'm so terribly clumsy."

"Never mind. Let me lead," he muttered, wincing.

Nesmay pretended to trip and stepped on his other foot. "Oh, my lord, I'm so terribly sorry! I always get that step mixed up."

"What, right foot and left?" Jarillion asked through gritted teeth.

"It's my mortal blood, you see . . ." Nesmay said innocently.

Harry covered his mouth with his hand. Clever girl!

He made his way to Luna and Duncan, who had also been joined by Draco. He quickly filled them in on Nesmay and her unwanted Winter prince, and everyone chuckled at the girl's wicked wit.

When the dance ended, Prince Jarillion limped off the dance floor, looking furious. Nesmay flashed them a radiant smile.

She joined them a moment later.

"You were brilliant," Harry told her.

"What did I tell you? And he can't complain over a little thing like being clumsy," Nesmay said with a devilish grin. "I hope I've crushed any feelings he has for me as a betrothal candidate."

Luna stared at her. "You . . .but surely you're too young to be betrothed."

"Too young to marry, but not too young for her family to sign a contract," Duncan explained.

"He's right. Gran wishes to make peace between Summer and Winter, and there's no better way to do that than with a betrothal. Jarillion's only the last in a long line of Winter princes and lords who have been sent here to . . .woo the ladies of Summer. And I'm the most likely candidate for the honor of being betrothed, since I'm of the royal house but not a ruling candidate."

"So they can't claim that the queen is not being gracious to them by offering her family member, yet at the same time you've no title, so it's a subtle slap in the face," Duncan said.

Nesmay nodded. "Yes. But I'd sooner hang myself than let any slimy Winter lord call me his wife."

Harry felt sorry for Nesmay, who seemed to be a pawn in the court politics. "Do we have to stay in here? I mean, it's sort of . . .getting stuffy."

"We could go out to the gardens, it's cooler out there," suggested Nesmay.

They all rose and trooped out a side door behind a tapestry into the marble paved royal gardens, where grew every manner of fae tree, shrub, and flower in Titania's kingdom. But before Nesmay could give them a tour, a white shimmerling blinked over to her and gave her a message.

"Excuse me, but my grandmother wishes to speak with me." She announced, looking slightly worried. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

Harry looked after her worriedly. "I hope that idiot prince didn't get her in trouble."

"I am sure the queen would not summon her just for a trifle." Duncan soothed. "Come, over here are some lover's knot trees . . ."

Harry glanced uneasily behind him. He was enjoying his time here, had in fact learned more on this one evening than he had by reading all the fae history books in the Prince Manor library, but he had the feeling that something unexpected was about to happen.

He also wondered how Severus was doing. He figured his father was probably over the moon, now that Sarai was going to be released from her contract in two weeks. At last they could finally be together.

Harry breathed deeply of the cool summer air and tried to follow along as Duncan showed them the many interesting species of magical plants that inhabited the fae garden.

Meanwhile, Nesmay found herself ushered into a small room just off the hall, where Queen Titania and some of her Blades waited. "Sit, granddaughter. This discussion concerns you."

Nesmay obediently sat down, and Titania sent a shimmerling to fetch the other important key player in this meeting—Severus Snape.