Harry glanced at his watch and smiled, he still had plenty of time. He had decided to just spend today painting. He was still trying to decide which plants he was going to put in his Herbology project. For today, he was just going to enjoy working on techniques. He really like mixed media, a combination of water colors, pencil and acrylics. As he painted, Harry idly wondered when Frankie was going to have his dance routine ready. He wondered if he'd be any good. He was washing a brush when a voice from the door startled him. “What is it that Harry Potter Sir is doing?” Harry stopped the flood of water in mid air, before it hit the floor. “Damn, Dobby, give me a heart attack, why don't you?” Dobby flicked one finger and banished the water that Harry was holding. “I is sorry. Dobby thought Harry Potter Sir hear the knock on the door. Frankie Sir let me in.” Dobby hopped onto the bed and settled comfortably. “Dobby is thinking that Masters Frankie and Johnny is suspecting something. They is really nice to Dobby, but they is giving him some very odd looks. Dobby is worried, yes, he is.” “I know. They suspect something, but I don't think they will do anything. As long as we don't bring trouble to their door, that is. Just be polite, ok?” “Ok. Dobby is always being polite. What is Harry Potter Sir doing?” “I'm painting. I've decided to make a portfolio of medicinal and potion ingredient herbs for my Herbology project. And speaking of potions. Can you get me some more Headache Potion? I'm all out.” Dobby's ears rose, fluttered like leaves in a breeze then fell. “Dobby is sorry, he cannot. Potions Professor Severus Snape is brewing ... and counting. He takes inventory twice a term and brews more potions. He is counting everything and putting it in his book.” “That's ok. I'll manage with paracetamol. Be really careful around him. He's as suspicious as they come. Don't get yourself in trouble on my account.” Dobby pulled his ears, making a soft whimpering sound. Harry reached over and took Dobby's hands in his. Dobby's hands were slender and delicate, strange for so tough a creature. “Dobby, stop that. I know you want to please me, but I just really need you to be my friend. I need friends more than I need servants. Understand?” Dobby sighed and nodded. “Yes, Dobby understands. Harry Potter Sir, Dobby is friend. Friends help friends. Dobby is sad he cannot help Harry Potter Sir.” Harry patted Dobby's hands then released them. “Um ... Dobby? Can I ask you for something?” Dobby blinked his huge eyes then nodded. “Harry Potter Sir can ask for anything within Dobby's power to grant.” Harry flushed but blurted. “Can I touch your ears?” Dobby looked a bit startled and taken aback. “Unless it's really rude or something that is.” “No, nothing like that. It is just ... why is Harry Potter Sir wanting to touch Dobby's ears?” “I just always wondered what they feel like. It's silly.” Dobby just bent his head so that Harry could reach. “All right, Harry Potter Sir can touch. But no pulling.” Harry reached out and gently stroked one of Dobby's ears, it was soft and warm, the skin smooth as silk. Dobby's ear twitched and shivered a bit. Harry dropped it at once. “I'm sorry. Did I hurt you? I didn't mean to.” Dobby shook his head vigorously, ears flapping. “No, Harry Potter Sir did not hurt Dobby. It was nice. Can Dobby touch Harry Potter Sirs ear?” Harry replied “Sure.” and tipped his head within Dobby's reach. Dobby's cool fingers stroked Harry's ear gently. “It is very small.” Dobby giggled a bit. “And, you cannot move them at all. Such a shame, ears is so expressive.” Harry settled back in his chair. “Well, looks like I'm stuck.” They both laughed companionably. Harry told Dobby about what he'd been doing and Dobby returned the favor. They gossiped for quite a while, until Frankie stuck his head in the door. “Hi, guys, hungry?” Dobby started to shake his head, realized that he hadn't pulled up his hood and gave a dismayed squeak. Frankie just shook one finger at him. “If you'd have told us that you are a Thalidomide baby, we wouldn't have been worried, or rude enough to stare. If you're hungry, come to the kitchen and we'll fix something.” Harry blinked at Dobby who just shrugged and hopped off the bed. “Dobby is hungry. We can eat something. Yes?” “Yes. I'm starved, let's go.” Dobby followed Harry into the kitchen and suppressed the urge to take over the work. It was very rude to try to take over another elf's kitchen, he was sure it was the same with Muggles. Instead, he watched Johnny cook. It was just grilled cheese sandwiches and soup, but Johnny's motions were efficient, and he cleaned up after himself as he cooked. Dobby thought he was nearly as good as a house elf. Johnny set the food on the table with a cheerful. “There you go. Eat up.” They all dug in happily. Dobby remembered something he'd seen in a piece of newspaper he'd picked up. “Harry Po ... Harry is learning to dance?” Harry nodded, swallowed his soup and replied, “Frankie is working up a routine for me now. Why?” “There is a very famous belly dancer coming tonight to the Pasha's Palace. He is very much recommended. Perhaps you should go see him?” Harry glanced at Frankie. Johnny just shrugged, he wasn't sure he really wanted Harry going to the Palace by himself, but he wasn't about to insult Harry by treating him like a child. “I've heard that Kalil is going to be in town. Is that the name? Do you remember?” Dobby nodded, nibbling at the crust of his sandwich. “Yes, that is the name.” Johnny sipped his tea. “I think it would be a good idea for Harry to see him. Frankie?” Frankie nodded, flicking a curl out of one eye. “I think so too. I don't have time and neither do you, but the Pasha's Palace is a decent place.” He turned to Harry. “If you want to go, I'll get you a ticket.” Harry nodded, eyes bright. He'd never been to any sort of performance before and this sounded like fun. “Ok, first show is probably already booked, you'll have to go to the second one. I'll go see if I can get you in.” Frankie came back with a ticket to the front stage area held triumphantly in one hand. “Express Print is so great. I printed this out from our printer. It's for the second show which starts at 9pm on the dot. We'll be at work, so you'll take a cab. The neighborhood isn't bad but we don't want anyone mistaking you for a gutter boy.” Harry winced slightly at that. No one noticed except Dobby. ~<O>~ Harry went to the club with his friends and just hung around for a while. It was his day off but he always found someone to talk to there, or something interesting to do. In this case he wound up sitting in the lounge getting an impromptu lesson on condoms. How to pick them, how to use them, how to sneak one on a customer and some other things that made his eyes pop. The next thing on the list was blow jobs. “I don't know. I've never had one, or given one. All I ever did was be look out for this guy who did give them.” There was a bit of laughter and some hooting, all good natured. Harry took it in the spirit it was meant. Gary shrugged. “Well, we'll have to remedy at least part of that.” Harry flushed heavily. “um ... I ... don't think. I mean, I've never ...” Everybody laughed again. Gary shook his head, exclaiming, “No contact! No contact! I like my balls where they are, thank you. Frankie would rip them off for me if I let anyone touch you, or asked you to blow someone.” He took something from Waldo. “Meet my friend, Cuke. He loves blow jobs.” He handed Harry a Chinese cucumber. Harry snickered and took it. “OK, John Cuke needs a condom. Now what?” So Gary showed Harry how to tuck the condom into his cheek and sneak it onto the customer. “I know and you know that he knows you did it, but the illusion holds. Most won't object. If they do just get up and leave.” Harry nodded. “Ok. Good advice.” “And, Harry? Never let anyone try to make you do something you know isn't good for you. Not even Frankie or Johnny. They'll listen if you explain your reasoning. If ... whoever ... won't listen, get out of there. Got me?” Harry nodded, a thoughtful look on his face. “Yeah, I do. Gives me some stuff to think about. Thanks for the advice.” “Good. Now, sort of hollow out your cheeks and suck.” Harry obeyed and fifteen minutes later half the room was either moaning or laughing, the other half were just speechless. Harry had sucked the skin off part of the cucumber. “Oh, wow. What I wouldn't give to be that good.” Harry just gave them all an evil grin and bit the top off the cucumber, crunched it and swallowed. “OH ... MY ... GOD! You did not just do that!” Several men crossed their legs or cupped their groin protectively. Harry smirked and tossed the remaining part of the cucumber to Waldo. “That's what happens to someone who tries something I don't like.” Harry glanced at the clock on the wall. “I gotta go. I want to get there a little early so I can get seated.” Everyone said their good-byes and scattered to their places for the second half of the evening. Harry went into the front of the club and had the new door man call him a cab. Johnny was waiting there to see him off. ~<O>~ Lucius Malfoy was not pleased. He glared at the Muggle private eye and waited for him to explain himself. “Well, sir, here's the problem. The kid has never had a school picture taken. There's no really good picture of him at all. And I have no idea which of about twenty red light districts in London he might have been attracted to. I've put out the word to every pimp, whore and cop I know. They're all looking for him but, it's slow going. Those kids cover for each other like crazy. The health agencies won't give out information without proper authorization, either. I'm stuck. I'll keep my ear to the ground but I'm not promising anything. I'm really sorry.” “I see. I'm extremely worried about my ward. He was in the custody of his aunt and uncle, who abused him in a fashion I can't comprehend. I managed to get myself appointed his guardian by court order. Now I need to find him and let him know that he won't be abused in my house.” The detective sighed and rubbed his face. “That's going to be a real bitch. See ... I know these kids. I work with them all the time. They don't trust anyone, with good reason. You're going to have the devil of a time convincing him to trust you. And, on that note, good day, sir. I'll send you a weekly report.” The detective got up and walked out the door. Draco saw him to the outer door and returned to the library. “Well, this is just wonderful. No magic to trace and even that muggle can't find Harry. Where the hell is he? Weasley and Granger are going mental. Dumbledore is driving Snape 'round the bend and nothing is happening. I've even sent Crabbe and Goyle out. I've gone myself. Someone's going to catch us sneaking out sooner or later and I don't fancy the punishment if we get caught.” Lucius just tapped one finger on his desk, thinking sourly of all the time they'd lost searching for Harry in what he now knew to be the wrong places. “You'll bear the punishment like a Malfoy, I trust.” “As best I can, Father. You know my physical limitations as well as I.” Draco's sour face made Lucius wince slightly. “That's as much as I can ask. You'd better return to Hogwarts now. It's getting late enough that Dumbledore will call you on the carpet for not returning in good time. It wouldn't do to abuse your privileges ... yet.” Draco bowed his head slightly. “I'll return at once. Father?” Lucius nodded to Draco to ask his question. “No question just ... thank you for making it possible for me to come home so often. Every other weekend is better than the old once a term.” Lucius just smiled. “I'll go now. Good-bye.” Draco left for the house apparition point. Lucius turned his attention to his other Potter related problem. ~<O>~ Harry settled in his seat and asked the waiter for a Shirley Temple Screwdriver with an extra cherry. The waiter asked to see his ID before the Shirley Temple really clicked. He gave Harry an apologetic smile and walked off. Harry mumbled to himself, “As if I'd take a chance on getting kicked out for an ounce of vodka. Bleh.” He'd sneaked a sip of everything in the bar while he was working. He didn't like most of it. He looked at the stage and realized with some glee that the curtains weren't closed properly. That meant that he was going to get a decent look at the preparations for the performance. He watched as a few simple props were retrieved from the stage floor and placed in a neat pile on a small table. The arrival of his drink distracted him and he took the opportunity to ask if the second set was going to start on time. “Yeah, in fact, I think he's going to start a bit early. The house is full and the doors are shut. There's no real reason to delay. Kalil is pretty good about things. You'll know when the performance is about to start, the music changes to some whiny thing. Not bad stuff but it takes some getting use to.” Just then the music did change. The curtains opened and a man stepped out. Harry hadn't been sure what to expect, some sort of drag queen, perhaps. This man was all male, no 'fainting fairy' here. He watched as the man danced. He didn't know the names of most of the moves, but he really wanted to learn them. He watched as Kalil performed belly rolls, hip kicks and other moves he didn't know the names of. He blinked when the man stood and just fluttered one pectoral then the other. That he could do. He and Ron had teased the Gryffindor girls by doing it when they knew they were being watched. He could also do the belly rolls. He knew he had to speak to Frankie about the routine. He now had ideas of his own. He just hoped Frankie wasn't too far along in the choreography. He stared with such intensity that Kalil noticed him. He was sitting up front and center stage, Frankie had pulled in a favor to get him that close to the stage. When the performance was over Kalil told one of his people to go ask the 'beautiful, green eyed ifrit' if he would come back stage. Harry most certainly would. He slipped between the curtains and entered the backstage area. One of the dancers' entourage led him farther back into one of the dressing rooms. “Hello, my young admirer, do you dance?” Harry smiled a bit hesitantly, what did this man want? “Not yet. I'm going to try out for a place at the Silken Cage. I hope to win a spot on stage. I was really interested in your performance. It was brilliant. Really great.” Kalil smiled at Harry. “First, don't worry that my intentions are other than honorable, my wife would kill me. You're about the age of my oldest son.” Harry flushed a bit. “Oh, don't blush like that. It's good that you are cautious. Two, do you have any dancing skills?” Harry thought about that for a moment then admitted, “I can dance a little but ... not enough. Not nearly good enough for something like that.” Kalil just shrugged. He'd see about that. This boy fascinated him for some reason and, when that happened, he usually just went with his feelings. In this case, his feelings were telling him to teach the boy, so he would. “Ha! We'll see about that. Are you good at sports?” Harry, remembering his first Quidditch match, nodded. “Yeah, I'm taking mixed martial arts classes right now.” “Yes, very good. So you understand muscle control. That's all belly dancing is. Here, I'll show you a quick routine. See?” Kalil turned on a small CD player and danced for a bit. He demonstrated the three or four easiest moves, simple hip movements that Harry named 'kicks', a shimmy, hip circles, and the abdominal roll that looked so hard and was really fairly easy. He turned off the player and pointed to Harry. “Now, you.” Harry posed in the middle of the room. “Ok, here goes nothing.” Kalil walked up to Harry and gave him a soft slap on the cheek. “NO! Never belittle yourself. You are wonderful, powerful, a man among men. And you have to mean it. Understand?” Harry shook his head, big eyed and startled. Kalil seemed so angry. “When you belittle yourself you demean yourself. You give your power away. Do not do that!” Harry thought for a moment then nodded. “Yeah, I see. Well, here goes something. How's that?” Kalil nodded and turned on the CD player again. Harry danced the best he could and ended in a classic belly dance pose. “Good, good. You learn very quickly. I'll have you back at 10am tomorrow. Bring your choreographer with you. You do have one, don't you?” “Yes. My ... my roommate, Franklin James, is working on something for me. I'm not sure exactly what it is yet.” Kalil looked extremely pleased. “Oh, you lucky boy. Frankie is a wonderful choreographer. I'll see both of you then. I'll call him myself. Now, it's late and you should go. I need my sleep and so do you.” Harry thanked Kalil and left, feeling a bit dazed at his good luck. He just hoped Frankie wouldn't take Kalil's interference amiss. He didn't. By the time Harry got back home, Frankie was in a tizzy of glee. “Harry, he did ask you to come back tomorrow? His assistant implied that he would. Oh, man, if Kalil has agreed to teach you for even one lesson, you're so lucky.” “He said to be back at 10am. And he said to get a good night's sleep. Is it that good?” “It's better than good. You're career is made.” Frankie hugged Harry, who hugged back. “Now, I'd love to gossip all night but you better get to bed, it's nearly one. Harry wished Frankie good-night and headed for bed. Johnny stopped him at his door with a quick hug and a congratulations. Harry settled in bed with a soft groan, he'd forgotten that he had a class with Liu-sefu tomorrow as well. He sighed, checked that his clock was set for 8am and settled back to sleep. ~<O>~ Draco rubbed his face, it was worse than he'd thought it would be. When word got out that he'd refused the Mark, half Slytherin had started shunning him, most of the rest were either passively or actively trying to injure him in some way. Right now he was trying to get back to his rooms in Slytherin House. Lucius had managed to get him moved to a very small suit at the very bottom of the four floor house. It provided him with a safe haven, but only if he could reach it. Right now he was hiding in the door to the locked Potions classroom. The group that was chasing him were the students that Hermione called the Mini-DE's. Draco had no idea who was in the group and didn't really care, he just wanted them to leave him alone. They'd played every dirty prank there was on him, not that any of them had actually worked. He was, after all, a Malfoy. And Severus nearly always seemed to be somewhere nearby. “Draco! What are you doing there?” Hermione's voice made Draco jump. “Damnit, Granger, shout, why don't you?” Draco pushed a lock of hair out of his face. “I”m hiding from the Mini-DE's if you must know. They've been making a real nuisance of themselves and I don't fancy getting a detention for using magic in the hall ways. All I want is to get to my quarters and do my home work. If you'll excuse me?” Ron Weasley's voice made both of them jump. “Won't. We'll walk you to your rooms. Don't like you, but I don't like them more. Come on.” Draco decided to accept the offered escort in the spirit of fence mending. “Thank you. You'll come in for a moment, of course.” Ron just nodded. There were standards and Molly had taught him proper pure-blood manners, even if he didn't use them much. Hermione gave him a look, but he just jerked his head. She knew he'd explain later so she just followed along. Draco led them into the Slytherin entry way, opened his door and invited Ron and Hermione in. “Please, make yourself at home. I'll send for tea, shall I?” Ron settled on the couch and pushed the low coffee table closer to Hermione's chair. “Yes, thank you.” Draco handed around the tea cups and placed the plate of cookies on the table. “Biscuit?” Ron shook his head. “No, thanks. Game of chess?” Draco nodded his head, made sure that the plate was within Hermione's reach and tapped the table with his wand, producing a chess set. An hour later he surrendered. “Bugger! Check and mate. Evil, that's what you are.” Ron smiled a little smugly. “I know. No one in Gryffindor will play me anymore. Not even Hermione.” Hermione laughed. “I don't care for being beaten in six moves.” She started to say something else, but Ron gave her his 'later, please' look so she just thanked Draco for the tea and cookies, telling him they had to leave before they got caught out after curfew. Ron agreed with her, thanked Draco for the tea and dropped the other shoe.  “Yes, thanks, and what's up with your Dad and Harry. Do you know where he is?” Draco spluttered, caught completely off guard. “I don't know. I ... I can't tell you anything. I swear, if I knew where he was, I'd tell you. There's stuff ... I can't discuss it just yet.” “Why aren't you a Mini? I'd think you'd eat it up.” Draco thought for a second then decided that a clean breast of the matter was his best course of action. “I won't take the Mark. I attended a meeting during Hols and ... frankly, Voldemort has lost his mind. He's not about pure blood rights anymore, he's raving bonkers. He hurt my father! I won't stand for that. Father was one of his right hand men and ... I ... “ Draco trailed off, remembering. Ron just nodded to himself. “Ok, got it in one. You've changed sides. Did you swear any oaths?” Draco shook his head. “No, but if you like, I will.” Draco offered Ron his wand, holding it by the tip. Ron pulled out his wand and returned the favor, grasping Draco's wand by the handle. Draco grasped Ron's and said, “I swear a Wizard's Oath that I have changed allegiances and now uphold the Light. I will do all in my power to support and defend Harry Potter.” He released Ron's wand. “Good enough?” Ron tucked his wand away. “Yeah. You have anymore trouble with the Mini's, let us know.” Draco nodded, bowed slightly to Hermione, and said, “Thank you, I will. You better go, you're cutting it really close.” Ron showed Hermione out and spent the quick trip to Gryffindor explaining Wizard's Oaths to Hermione. ~<O>~ Lucius took the parchments from the goblin, nodded his head and started reading. The goblin snorted and stomped to the door, turning he grimaced, showing all his teeth. “I'll be right outside if you need anything else.” “Thank you, Muckrake. I'll want you again when I'm done reading these.” Lucius didn't bother to look up. Muckrake blinked once then left, it was very unusual for a Wizard or Witch to remember a goblin's name. It took Lucius almost four hours to read through all the parchments, four hours that were a sore trial to his nerves. He was brought tea and food which he consumed absently. When he was finally done reading he summoned Muckrake and asked if there was anymore information. Muckrake informed him that there was a complete set of books on hand for his perusal, if he was wanting that much information. “I don't believe that's necessary. I want all disbursements from the Potter and Black vaults halted, except for those necessary to the maintenance of his properties. I want details on all disbursements from the date of Lily and James death to date. Are there actually any estate managers?” The goblin shook his head. “Hire some. There are four farms, they need a manager each. And Potter House must be put in order. Grimmauld Place as well. I'll be leaving the details up to you, but I want reports on everything weekly. This is just disgraceful. Disgraceful. Where is all this money going to? I want to know.” “Yes, sir, we'll have a complete report for you in two days. Excuse me for asking, but would you be wanting to initiate recovery attempts?” Lucius thought about that for a moment. “Possibly, I'll make my final decision after I find out where it's going. But no more withdrawals are to be allowed without my personal approval.” “May I speak?” Lucius crushed the urge to sneer ruthlessly. “Please.” “We, the goblins of Gringotts, are pleased to see that someone is taking care of young Potter's interests. May your gold increase.” “And yours.” Lucius felt a strange, warm feeling. No goblin had ever wished him well before. ~<O>~ Severus counted vials of potions and tins of salve, some were missing. Not many and nothing dangerous or addicting, but it was worrisome all the same. He needed to know where the potions were going so he could make sure that nothing on the interdicted list went missing. He decided to set a trap. After spelling his cupboards to sound an alarm if anyone but him opened them, he decided to check on Draco. He knew that Draco was having a hard time just now. Everyone in Slytherin either avoided him like a plague or pranked him mercilessly. Draco was good at defense, both he and Lucius had seen to that, but it was wearing to be constantly on guard. No one knew this better than he did. He paused in front of Draco's door, hearing voices within. He quite frankly put his ear to the door to eavesdrop. He listened for a moment then smiled slightly to himself. He wasn't sure how Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley had wound up in Draco's quarters, but it was sure to be a good thing. He slipped away, promising himself to congratulate Draco on his success later. ~<O>~ Harry sighed and woke up, not that he wanted to. He knew he needed to get up soon so that he wouldn't be late to his lessons, but the bed was so warm and comfortable that he really just wanted ten more minutes. His clock shrilled again and he considered hexing it. “Harry Potter, Sir! You is not to be hexing that ... clocking. Get up. Dobby is here with Headache potion and some healing creams. Up! You is going to be late.” Harry snarled softly, but got up. “I'm up. I'm up. But my bed was so nice.” “Beds is nice when there is time for laying about. Not for when Harry Potter sir has twenty minutes to get ready for class.” Harry sighed and grabbed the clothing Dobby was holding out for him. “Thanks. I'm off.” “Breakfast! You must eat.” “Not before a class, I'll just sick up. I'll get something right after.” Dobby nodded. “Good. Hurry now.” Harry trotted off, calling out that he was leaving. Frankie answered, reminding him that he had to be back by 9:30 or he'd have to meet up with them at the Pasha's Palace. Harry made it to the dojo in plenty of time by jogging all the way. He asked Dobby why he couldn't use his Time Trick to help him get to class and Dobby replied that he could still be seen on the street. That wasn't very wise for someone who wanted to keep a low profile. Liu-sefu greeted him when he stepped in the door of the dojo. Harry, not expecting him to be right there, nearly hit him. Liu-sefu ducked easily. Harry apologized in a flustered manner that made Liu laugh. After chuckling for a moment, Liu-sefu got serious. “Harry, your reaction just now has convinced me of one thing. You've been under physical attack before and you know how to fight. This has me confused. I know you were beaten very badly. How did this happen?” Harry knew better than to try to hide anything from his teacher so he just explained that he couldn't seem to beat his uncle, even though he was slower and fatter. He just seemed to freeze the second the man yelled. “Ah! I see. What has happened then, is that you have a PD. A psychological domination. Your uncle started beating you when you were very young?” Harry just nodded. “I thought so. So, we break it. And I'm going to teach you weapons, I wasn't planning to, but I think you need to learn a few.” Harry bit his lip. “I'm only afraid of Uncle Vernon, not fat men in general. But weapons sound interesting. What kind of weapons?” “Throwing pins, rope dart and bo staff. The pins are easy to hide, the dart also. A bo can be any staff or even a mop handle. You ever watch Jackie Chan movies?” Harry had to admit that he hadn't. Liu-sefu told him to see every one he could find then proceeded to have Harry meditate on his uncle. It was distasteful in the extreme, but Harry let Liu-sifu guide him through a meditation. He was led through all his feelings for his uncle and wound up weeping like a baby. He sniffled himself calm and sighed. “I would have loved them, if they'd let me. I would have done anything for them. Now ... all I really want is never to see any of them again. Is that bad?” “No, Harry it's not bad. It's entirely natural. You don't want anything to do with someone who was cruel to you. Why would you? That's not bad at all. Now, ten laps around the dojo. While you're running I'll get the weapons ready. Go!” Harry ran, ten laps wasn't that much now that he'd started jogging, but it was enough to keep him busy until Liu-sifu had the weapons laid out. “Harry, come here now.” Harry walked over, twisting his back to keep it loose. “Good, pace in place a bit to cool off while I explain these weapons to you.” Harry paced back and forth in front of the small table while Liu-sifu showed him the throwing pins and rope dart. Harry was looking at the dart itself. He picked it up and fingered it for a second. He put it down and picked up one of the throwing pins. “Ok, I understand the pins, but the dart has me stumped. You throw the pins like little daggers but what do you do with a plumb bob on a string?” Liu-sefu laughed softly. “That's the first time I've heard it called that. I'll demonstrate.” He walked out to the middled of the room and bowed to Harry. Harry bowed back and set himself to watch. Liu-sefu stood in the middle of the room, holding the rope in one hand and the dart in the other. Suddenly he threw the dart, let it flash to the end of the rope and tweaked the rope to bring it back. Instead of catching it he let the rope wrap around his neck once then flicked it away with a jerk of his shoulder. Harry grinned as Liu-sefu continued to move gracefully around the room, the dart making a flickering halo around him. Harry idly wondered what the red scarf was for. Liu-sefu gathered the dart and rope into a compact bundle. “I don't know what weapons will help you the most so I'm going to teach you what I think are the one's most easily hidden, or found close at hand.” Harry nodded then pointed. “Why does it have a scarf on it?” “Helps to misdirect the opponent. Most people will go for the scarf instead of the dart. The dart is ahead of it so all they get is the rope. That doesn't do them much good. Understand?” Harry nodded. “Come help set up the targets.” Harry helped Liu-sifu set up a couple of boards with profiles painted on them. He stepped out of the way and watched as Liu-sifu strapped leather bands around his arms. Each band had several of the throwing pins in it. Liu-sifu turned his back on the targets. When he turned back around all Harry saw at first was his extended arm, the thunks of the pins hitting the target almost took him by surprise. He blinked once and missed the entire next series of moves, all he saw was the results. Every target had at least two pins sticking out of it, every one in a kill zone. “Damn! I missed all the last. I blinked.” A gentle laugh was his first answer. “That's ok. The first thing I'm going to do is see which of the two, dart or pin, you're most suited to.” Liu-sifu handed Harry the rope dart and had him take the middle of the floor. Harry followed the teacher's instructions and managed to work his way slowly through a short kata without hitting himself more than three or four times. “Ow! I think I need to practice that in a more open area.” Harry put the rope dart back on the table. Liu-sefu handed him several pins. “Ok. I watched how you held them but I'm not sure exactly how to throw one.” Liu-sefu just helped Harry with his grip then stepped back and watched Harry experiment until he could throw with creditable accuracy, especially for his first try. Harry glanced at the clock and smiled, Dobby was up to his usual trick of holding back time. He turned to Liu-sifu and said, “Sir, I have an appointment at 10am with Kalil. He's a very well respected dance teacher, who's offered to teach me. I need to leave a bit early today so I better get on with my chores, if you don't mind me cutting class just a bit short.” Liu-sifu looked at Harry's shinning eyes and had to smile, he looked about twelve. “That's fine. Why don't you take a shower and skip your chores just this once. You can do an extra good job next time. And do your exercises this evening. Now, go! Shoo!” Harry grinned, bowed gracefully and hurried out. He showered quickly and dressed in his leather pants and green silk shirt. He stuffed his gi into his duffel along with the practice pins and the rope dart. He'd had to laugh at the practice dart, it was a red rubber ball. He hurried through the outer dojo and into the street. He was early enough that he could go home and catch up with Frankie there, instead of having to take a cab to the Pasha's Palace himself. ~<O>~ Frankie met him at the door with scrambled eggs, toast and tea. “Eat quick, the cab is on the way. You need a shower?” Harry shook his head, mouth full of toast. He swallowed his eggy toast and mumbled, “Took one at the dojo before I left. How'm I supposed to shower when the cab's on the way.” “Trick I was going to show you, if you needed it. Remind me to tell you about it some day.” A horn honking outside put all other thoughts out of their heads. Harry crammed the last of the toast and eggs into his mouth, creating a look much like a chipmunk. Frankie laughed and pushed him out the door. The cabbie just barely glanced at them, announced that there'd be no 'funny business' in his cab and pulled away from the curb. The ride didn't take more than ten minutes, during which Frankie gave Harry a quick run down on what was expected from him. He didn't think he'd have much trouble with it, after all, he managed to keep Liu-sefu happy. ~<O>~ They got to the Palace and knocked on the side door. It was opened by a middle aged man who directed them to the back stage area. Kalil was already there, waiting for them to show up. He turned and smiled at Harry and offered Frankie his hand. “Hello, I'm pleased to meet you at last. I've heard very good things about you. Half owner of The Silken Cage and choreographer.” Frankie shook hands and nodded. “That's me. Harry here is living with me and Johnny for a bit. We want him to be one of our premier dancers.” “I see. You don't want him for the back rooms?” Frankie blinked once, he hadn't been aware that Kalil knew the nature of their club. Not that he was ashamed of it, but by the very nature of the club, they were secretive. “Johnny and I would like him to work in the back, he'd be a beautiful sub. But Harry doesn't feel comfortable with it, so it's no go, he'll be a dancer instead. We really want him to start saving up a bit of back money. He'll need it when he moves on.” Frankie looked right into Harry's eyes. “Which we hope won't be for a long time.” Harry ducked his head and flushed with pleasure. “I'll stay as long as you want me to or as long as I can. I'm not making any plans to move on any time soon. I like it here.” Kalil, satisfied with what he saw, called them to order with a soft, “So, now. I am happy. We dance.” And dance they did. Kalil demonstrated moves and Harry and Frankie copied them. Harry was principal student and Frankie only incidental, but Kalil understood that Frankie, as choreographer, had to have a good understanding of the moves so he could choreograph them. They worked hard, Harry was, frankly, sweating, until nearly noon. Kalil called a halt then, had both Harry and Frankie drink a bottle of water, and called for lunch. His aid, camp follower, or whatever the man was, came in with a huge tray of food. He put the tray down on a base Kalil set out for him. The two men also tossed large cushions on the floor and motioned for Harry and Frankie to seat themselves. The tray was about two feet across and piled high with food. The middle of the tray had cous-cous piled high, there were different foods piled around that in little mounds, vegetables and roasted chickens, lamb and something Harry had never seen before. He thought it was some sort of bean paste. Kalil nodded to the man and said softly, “Thank you, my nephew, for all your work. Come, join us.” Which answered Harry's question. The man was Kalil's nephew. He reached out for a piece of chicken, using his left hand. The nephew stopped him quickly. “Ah! No, not the left, always the right. You do not eat with the off hand.” Harry blinked at Kalil who just laughed. “In the desert water is in short supply. One does not eat with the same hand one wipes oneself with. That is the reason they cut off one hand as a punishment. Eat, eat. We will converse. You may ask any question you like.” So Harry spent his entire meal asking questions about whatever came into his head. He loved it, these people were so open and willing to answer his questions. Frankie listened as well, enjoying Harry's rather ruthless inquisition. Kalil was amused and his nephew,  Hammed, was as well. When the meal was done, Hammed rose and brought a large bowl of warm, rose scented water and several towels back to the others. They all washed their hands and dried them on the towels. Then Kalil got them back to work. Harry wriggled and jiggled, shimmied and walked. He wondered if Sefu would still insist he should do his kata. “You are thinking much too much, young rakka. You are not paying proper attention to your belly rolls. What is distracting you?” Frankie started to say something but Kalil hushed him with a look. Harry decided that the truth was the best answer. “I was wondering if my martial arts teacher would think I should still do my kata. I'm going to be beat by the time we're through.” Kalil brightened. “This is interesting. Martial arts? No wonder you're so coordinated and pick up things so quickly.” Harry shrugged. “I've always been really good at sports. My martial arts training is making me even better. And the jogging is improving my endurance. That's good for my dancing too, right?” Kalil smiled. “Yes, and I like the kohl.” At Harry's puzzled expression he explained. “I believe you call it eye liner.” Harry smiled back at Kalil. “Yeah, I called it black stuff the first time I saw it. I like it. It's a bit different from that Goth stuff. Just enough to show off my eyes. I've still got to learn stage makeup. I think it's more than a bit different and ... I just had a thought. What about costumes. Where do I get a costume and how much do they cost and what about my back. I've got to keep it covered. Damn.” Frankie broke in before Harry could have one of his 'tizzies' he and Johnny had been treated to a few of those. Neither one of them liked it when Harry got himself worked up over things, he invariably made himself sick. “Harry, stop it. Don't worry about a costume, we'll help you get one. They don't cost that much. Johnny and I will pay for it and you can pay us back. You know that's our arrangement, we're keeping track of every cent. Now ... pay attention to Kalil.” Harry took a deep breath and calmed himself. It wouldn't do him any good to upset himself, Frankie was right, they'd work it all out when he made his budget. That would be, as soon as he knew how much he was going to be making. He'd already had one made, when he started bar tending, now he would need another. “Ok, ok. Sorry I freaked. You know I don't want you paying for everything, I need to stand on my own two feet, not lean on you guys forever. So, costume, makeup ... what else?” Frankie shrugged. “A CD of music. That's about it.” Kalil interrupted, “His back? What about his back. The back is one of the best attributes of a male dancer.” Harry sighed, for their practice he'd just rolled his shirt up and tied it in a knot just at his breast bone, now he pulled it over his head. He turned his back to Kalil and the man snarled softly, “A curse on his house and his loins.” Harry shrugged. “He's my uncle. Now you see why I have to keep it covered. It's not really that bad, or so the guys at the Cage tell me, but I still don't think customers want to see a scarred dancer. So ... do you have any suggestions?” “Yes, a short vest should do the trick. And a little body makeup will hide what you can't cover. Many dancers use body makeup, so no one much will even notice. And ... hummm. Lighting might be of help too. Keep that in mind.” Frankie nodded, he was fairly well-informed when it came to lighting and such, he'd have to talk to the lighting man about that. After Frankie and Kalil discussed costumes and lighting a little more, with significant input from Harry, they went back to Harry's instruction which lasted until nearly 3pm. “Are we about done? I'm going to fall over soon.” Harry knew he sounded like a whiner, but he couldn't help it. He was tired, hungry again, and thirsty. He just wanted to flop down somewhere and rest. Kalil shook his head but laughed. “Fine, I'm more than twice your age, and I'm still standing.” Harry made a face at Kalil and retorted without heat, “Yeah, but you do two shows a day everyday but Sunday.” Kalil put on a haughty expression. “I do a matinee on Saturday.” Harry just put a pillow over his head and groaned like he was dying. “Very well, then.” Kalil laughed sympathetically. “I know you're tired, and we are done, so you may rest.” “Thank you, O, magnanimous one. May your makeup never run.” Harry sat up to accept the bottle of water Hammed gave him. Harry thanked him, and gulped down half the water at one go. Kalil said his good-byes, saying he needed to rest before his performance which started at 7pm. Harry stood, thanked Kalil and laughed as he sauntered to the door, announcing, “Last lesson, sexy walk number two.” Frankie laughed and said good-bye to Kalil. “Well, let's get you home. I'll tell Sefu that you had enough of a workout today without doing your kata. We're both going to go home and rest, I feel like I've run miles.” Harry could only sigh in gratitude, usually Frankie would tell him to do whatever Sefu said. When they got home, he was taking a nap! ~<O>~ Harry slept most of the evening, and woke up a bit on the grumpy side. He wandered out to the kitchen to find a note from Johnny. He wasn't working tonight as Frankie insisted that he only work 25 hours a week. The note simply said that there was a  cold plate in the fridge for him and he wasn't to stay up all night or he wouldn't be able to wake up properly the next morning. The plate took exactly two minutes to be picked clean. Harry sighed and wished for more. He grinned, he didn't really want to cook but he knew someone who did. “Dobby, I want you, please.” Dobby popped in, grinning happily. “Hello, Harry Potter Sir. You is calling Dobby?” “Yes, I'm hungry and I thought we could visit a bit. Um ... and you could fix me something?” Dobby hopped in place, clapping his hands. “Oh, yes, Dobby is cooking anything Harry Potter Sir is wanting.” Harry grinned. “Pasties. The kind we get at Hogwarts? With carrots in and peas.” “Coming right up. Dobby will be going back to Hogwarts to get the unbaked pies. They is made up for tomorrow.” Dobby popped out and right back in. “Here we is. Dobby will be putting them in the oven. Half an hour. Shall Dobby be making tea?” “Please. And, Dobby?” Dobby just nodded. “When you sit down, bring two cups. And teach me something fun.” Dobby popped the pies into the oven and poked it with his finger. “There. And tea is making.” “Dobby? Don't you have to preheat the oven?” Dobby snickered a bit. “Elveses is not preheating an oven, it is hot now. Dobby will show Harry Potter Sir that spell and how to apparate without noise and ... what would Sir like to learn.” Harry thought about it for a moment. “I'd really like to learn transfiguration. I'm so bad at it that it's embarrassing. I know it's because I didn't have time to work on it properly. Ok?” Dobby nodded. “Yes, Dobby is teaching. Transfiguration is hard, even for elveses, you have to have an exact picture in your head or you is winding up with ... not what you is wanting.” Harry laughed, he'd managed in class fairly well, but when he needed something, his transfiguration usually didn't work at all well. “I don't know, sometimes it's really interesting. Getting a cat instead of a cushion, fun. Not.” Dobby laughed too. “You is getting distracted too easily. Also, it is easier to change the shape of something than to create it. Like...turning a spoon into a fork, or making two things from one larger thing of the same. You see?” Harry nodded. “Yeah, like ... um ... taking a chunk of ... say... silver and making spoons out of it.” “Yes, exactly. Elveses is doing that all the time. Dobby thinks it could be important.” Harry took his cup of tea from Dobby and watched Dobby get his own. The settled in for a good gossip. Dobby told Harry about Draco's problem and how Hermione and Ron had helped him. Harry wondered if Draco could really be trusted but decided that, as he wasn't there, it wasn't his problem. “Dobby? If I give you a message, can you get it to either Ron or Hermione?” “Yes, Dobby can do this. And Dobby is making sure that Dumbledydore is not seeing it. Right?” “Right. Thank you.” Just then there was a soft chime, Harry jumped a bit and glanced around. Dobby just hopped off his seat and opened the oven, the chime stopped. “Is nothing but a timer chime. Harry Potter Sir must relax. Here is food. Eat.” Dobby put the hot tray on a mat on the table, and used magic to put plates and tableware down for both of them. They ate together although Harry had three pies to Dobby's one. Dobby smiled at Harry's appetite, and poured more tea. Harry finished the last of his food and pushed away the plate. Dobby started to reach for it but Harry shook his head. “Let me. I need the practice, you can make sure I don't shatter the stupid thing.” Dobby shook his head, remembering Harry's first attempt to do dishes with elf magic, he'd shattered every one of them. Dobby had taught Harry the elven form of Repparo and he'd spent ten minutes fixing his mess. Harry managed to clean the dishes and get them back to their places without a chip. He felt inordinately proud of himself. He was beginning to feel much more comfortable with elf magic. Dobby settled back in his chair and nodded his approval then turned his attention to teaching Harry how to transfigure a steel spoon into a fork. They worked on it for a while, until Harry glanced at the clock and realized that Frankie and Johnny would be back in thirty minutes. “Damn, Dobby, I have to get to bed. Frankie will have my hide if he gets home and I'm still up. I have to work tomorrow, and he'll have a cow if I fall asleep at work. And Sefu will have me doing extra kata until I drop if I fall asleep at the dojo.” Dobby had bristled at Harry's first sentence, but he nodded at the end of Harry's remarks. “Yes, you is needing your sleep. Come Dobby will help Harry Potter Sir.” Harry just hurried to his room, tossing clothing off as he went. Dobby picked it all up and levitated it into the laundry hamper. He tucked Harry in and popped back to Hogwarts. Harry was sound asleep before Frankie and Johnny came in about twenty minutes later. ~<O>~ ( Male belly dancers are called Rakkas.) To see a really good male belly dancer google Orgun, YouTube. More on exactly where Draco's quarters later.

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