"Mr. Potter this will be your residence as of today."

Harry looked at the tall tower in the middle of nowhere and sighed.

"Yes Master Lucius."

"You will be supplied with food and clothes by Henny."

Henny smiled softly at Harry indicating that she would try her best to help ease the loneliness. She was the Malfoy's new house elf and was very sweet to Harry. Harry would at least have some company.

"You are never to leave this place Harry. Draco is getting married so he has no further use of you and frankly you disgust me."

Harry nodded.

"Yes, Master Lucius."

Harry and Henny walked up the steps and heard the door being sealed up with powerful spells.

"I am sorry you have to go through this too Henny."

"I don't mind Master Harry. I am here to serve."

"Please don't call me Master, here we are equals. Besides without you I would starve to death."

"It will take some adjusting to but I will try Ma...I mean Harry."

"Would you liked to be free?"

"No thank you, but I am content as I am, Ma...Harry."

"Alright."

The tower was not quite as small as Harry expected it to be. It had a two bathrooms, two bedrooms, a sitting room, and a kitchen. It had an airy feel to it, and although the windows were spelled against escape, it was very beautiful.

Harry wondered if he should be upset being locked away. It was better than Lucius' odious presence and Draco's constant maulings. Harry thought about how lucky he was to even have them, as miserable as his life had been with them, it would have been a lot worse if Voldemort had decided he wanted him. He had been a little surprised that Voldemort had not killed him when he won the war but instead Voldemort took away his powers and had given him to his faithful servant Lucius. However, Voldemort probably thought this was a fate worse than death. Harry was amazed that such a man could have that stupid of an idea. No, considering all that had come before, Voldemort making a bad decision made sense. Harry hadn't been broken by his loss of his powers, he had been freed. Freed from his "boy that lived" image. He wasn't that person anymore. He was just Harry again. And the Malfoys were a lot easier to deal with than the Dursleys. And now they had left him alone. Now he could finally have some peace and quiet.

Severus Snape was riding on his black horse down his old family estate when he saw his familiar siddle up to him.

"Hello Masster Sseveruss."

"Set, any news for me?"

The silver snake nodded his head.

"Draco Malfoy iss getting married."

"I know, I pity the poor girl."

The snake sniggered.

"Unfortunately, I was invited and it would be impolite not to go."

"Ssince when have you cared about mannerss?"

It was Severus' turn to snigger.

"Good point."

Severus thought for a moment.

"Then I won't go. Tell them I am busy with work in Ireland."

"And where will you be?"

Severus smirked. "Somewhere else."

Set nodded and slithered away.

Severus went up to his rooms and packed some clothes and his sword. He had his dueling lesson with Tibia in a few hours. He wasn't required to have these lessons but the Dark Lord had an odd fixation on tournaments. He may as well be prepared for the next one. Yes, he would leave afterwards, he didn't know where he was going but he would find out when he got there. He went to the kitchens packed some food and made sure he had a satchel full of money and mounted his horse and rode off.

Harry put down his book and stared at the window again. It was sunset. The sky was beautiful alight with light blue and purple hues. He looked at the rolling lawns and smelt the fresh air which was scented with lavender and heather. Then he heard something odd. It sounded like a horse. But there were no roads here and the only person who knew where he was Lucius. Surely, he wouldn't want to visit Harry.

Harry peered at the horse. It was jet black with a silver bridle and saddle. Astride it was a man in his early thirties, his black hair held back with a flowing green ribbon, his emerald robes glinting in the setting sun. He was a vision of masculine beauty. Harry stared at him with an open mouth. Who was that?.

Severus turned to look at this isolated tower. That was funny. Why was it out here in this isolated place? Suddenly curious he rode up to it and dismounted. He walked up to the tower and a sudden blast threw him back. Hmm, Severus thought, enchanted stone must be a protection spell. He wondered if anyone was in there. Perhaps... he looked at his watch. He had better press on to his appointment. Time to explore this mystery later if he ever came back this way. He mounted and looked at the tower once more before riding away.