Authors Note: Oh… My… GOD! I can't believe how long its been since I wrote anything. *le gasp* But my current obsession is Harry Potter so please read and review this wonderful little fluff!

Disclaimer: Damn you Fairy Godmother! You gave me the rights to the wrong story! Grrrr…

Warning: this contains malexmale love. No slashy goodness but if you don't like boys kissing then don't read. AU of a Cinderella sort ;) HP/DM, RL/SB implied.

To Join the Dance

In a distant kingdom the world forgot a boy with eyes that glittered like emeralds stared through the small window of his room. The space was little more than a tiny cellar and a window about a foot tall and 2 feet wide set high into the wall just above ground level. The only furnishing a raggedy blanket full of holes resting atop a rickety old bed that creaked at every movement. But this damp smelling and stuffy room could have been a palace for the boy felt only bliss as he stared through the window at the little he could see of the sky.

The boy was sixteen years of age but his slim build from too little food and too much work had stunted his growth leaving him at only 5'6" made him appear a few years younger. Had the boy been allowed to bathe regularly many would admire the lightly tanned skin and the hair that was so dark it would blend into the night. His dirty and badly cut hair fell just past his shoulders sticking out in odd directions somewhat covering the eyes that were already hidden by a pair of mediocre glasses.

The only sound in the room was the soft breathing coming from its sole occupant. He stared up through his tiny window finding joy in the simple beauty of the stars that filled his view and followed him into sleep filling his dreams with images of brightly shining diamonds dancing across the sky.

...

"POTTER! Get out here and get to work!"

The boy jerked awake as the bolt on the outside of his door was roughly shoved aside and the door crashed open. He quickly jumped from the bed to face his guardian. The man that stared down at him with cold disdain was tall and slim wearing all black. His slightly wavy but greasy black hair that fell to his shoulders combined with a hooked nose give him an almost sinister appearance.

"I'm awake sir." The customary sneer was already in place as the man barely glanced at him as the boy answered before turning away completely missing the face the boy made once his back was turned.

Harry Potter, young ward of Severus Snape, had just stepped through the door to perform his morning chores when he suddenly lurched forward barely catching himself before he went face first into the floor. He gritted his teeth attempting to hide his scowl as he looked up at the boy who just tripped him. Tom Riddle, nephew to Snape, sneered down at Harry.

"Congratulations Potter, you have finally found where you belong. On your knees!" A cruel laugh twisted from the almost handsome brunettes' features before he swept past Harry and into the next room after Snape. Poor Harry took a deep breath before straightening himself and dusting himself off as best he could before quickly moving into the kitchen to set the water to boil and to prepare the eggs and bacon for that morning's breakfast.

As the bacon sizzled his mind wandered, as always, to the mother he barely remembered. He had been an infant when she died but he swears he can remember her laughter. Had she and her husband not been murdered than Harry wouldn't be in this mess. Apparently, long before Harry was born, Snape had been a good friend to Lily Potter, mother to Harry, but right after his birth there had been a falling out. The Potters were in the process of having the will changed so Snape would not become Harrys guardian should they die. However, their murder happened before the paperwork was completed. At the death of his parents Harry was supposed to go to the sister of his mother but the lack of substantial funds and suituable living coditions of the Dursleys combined with the official will left authorities with little choice. Thus, the will had reverted to the guardian the Potters had chosen and never changed before their death. A most unwilling but wealthy Severus Snape, leaving Harry to grow up in his current predicament.

Harry quickly gathered up the two plates of food and placed them on the small trolley next to the tea and then rolled it into the dining room to serve to the slightly older boy and the man. As Harry set the food and drinks in front of the two men not a word was spoken to him and once he was done he quickly got out of the way and stood to the side waiting in case either needed him for anything. Thankfully, neither did and once they both finished Harry was allowed to go into the kitchen and prepare himself some water and bread with cheese for breakfast. Though breakfast and lunch were the only things Harry cooked for them it was still frustrating to have to wait for them to finish eating each morning.

Once done eating he set forth to perform his morning chores. He made the beds, washed the dishes from that morning, and collected laundry to be washed. At noon he returned to cook lunch for his family and, to a lesser degree, himself. Once the food was eaten he went out to wash the laundry outside by hand. As he was carefully wringing out one of Toms' many vests he was startled as a hand was placed on his shoulder.

"Harry, I haven't seen you in a few days. Are you eating well?" Harry turned and grinned up into the smiling eyes of his friend and the Gardener for the estate.

"I'm eating what I can get my hands on but you know what they are like Remus. If they saw me eating more than a slice of bread they would think I was pigging out. No worries though, I'm not hungry."

The tall but frail looking man frowned slightly as his eyes sweeped across Harry trying to find the truth in his words.

"If you say so," He grudgingly conceded. "But you know if next time Sirius sees you he is going to give me an earful if you don't look like you have been eating."

Harry smiled slightly at the mention of the bartender of the Magik Pumpkin Pub in town. He was always worrying about Harry when he wasn't worrying over Remus. Remus claimed that he and Sirius were only childhood friends but Harry had more than once wondered if they were more than friends.

"I'm fine Remus, its' been weeks since the last time I went to sleep hungry. But you should get going; you know how Snape gets when he thinks we aren't working properly." Remus let his face twist in a grimace before nodding shortly and squeezing Harrys shoulder before making his way to the vegetable garden.

Harry watched the retreating figure disappear around a corner before returning to washing the clothes and letting his mind wander. He really had nothing better to do than think most of the time as it is. He began to hum a random song as he scrubbed away at the clothes and was so busy concentrating that he didn't notice a figure sneak up behind him a few minutes later.

He did, however, notice the pig slop that was suddenly dumped over him and the clothing he had just finished washing. Harry yelped and jerked to the side swinging around to stare at the hysterically laughing Tom.

"W-What the bloody Hell?" Harry barely kept himself from yelling out and punching the older boys laughing face as he turned red from embarrassment. Tom smirked as his laughter died.

"You should be thanking me Harry. You were getting so clean that I knew you must be feeling unnatural so I decided to help you from the goodness of my heart. This is a much more natural look for you!"

Harry felt his temper rise and he had to dig his fingers into his palms to keep from lashing out. "You must be mistaken," Harry spoke through gritted teeth. "I was doing just fine."

Tom just sneered and leaned forward to dramatically sniff the air.

"Oh no, this is a good look for you. I should think this would feel natural considering the filth you were born from. Your father may have been of noble blood but your mother was nothing but merchant filth-"

Harry snarled and suddenly jerked forward shoving the older boy to the ground and slamming him face first into the rocks and dirt of the pathway. Tom let out an angry yell and jerked out of Harrys hold rolling away to stare at him in fury. His face and the front of his tunic were covered in dirt and there was a small cut on his cheek that had a tiny bit of blood welling up. Just as quickly as his anger consumed him it left, leaving Harry to realize just exactly how much trouble he was going to be in.

Toms next words confirmed it as he spoke with a quiet snarl. "You're going to regret this Potter. As soon as I find Uncle Severus your dead." A malicious smile twisted his face as he stood, Harry scrambling to his feet as well.

Harry felt his insides freeze. The last time he had gotten in trouble was for breaking a cup and that had gotten him ten lashes and had ached for days. This time would be worse so Harry did the first thing that crossed his panic-stricken mind.

He ran.

Authors final Rant: I am not a Snape hater though I don't like Snape/Harry stories overmuch. I just didn't want the cliché Dursleys to be his family. I much prefer them dirt poor as sewer scum ^^ Plus it allowed me to make Moldyvort into Harrys evil family. Hehehe For the most part I kept the characters similar to how they were but I think I went slightly OOC at times, especially with Harry and I do apologize. I know I made Tom a bit cowardly but meh. It worked for the scene.

This will be similar but not exactly like Cinderella. Harry and the others are not wizards. I won't tell you anything more cuz I don't want to spoil anything.

I hope you enjoyed my Story and would be grateful to hear your thoughts.

Ciao!