Thanks for the positive reviews and the favorites/follows! I'm touched and honored after such a short beginning to get so much encouragement. Clearly it worked, as here is the next part. Don't hate me for creating more questions than answers. As always I own nothing, just playing. Feedback feeds my muse!

Harry POV

Harry apparated into the lobby at Gringotts Bank. With a quick detection spell and a glance around the room he was relieved to determine no one from the Order was waiting for him. He knew it was only a matter of time before he was discovered. He couldn't find it in himself to be upset, but he wanted this moment, this day for himself.

A goblin popped up next to him suddenly. "Welcome back, Mr. Potter. What can we do for you today?"

"I received this notice of some additional items I have inherited, but there wasn't a key enclosed. If you could tell me what I must do to claim the rest of my legacy?"

"I assume you have your personal key to your regular vault? And the notice?"

"Yes, Sir," Harry said as he handed both over.

"Yes, Mr. Potter, everything appears to be in order. Your key is now set to transfigure itself to fit the door to each of your 7 vaults. Here is a listing by vault numbers. Would you like to inspect the contents of your new property?"

Harry looked at the list. He desperately wanted to start with the Potter family vault. He was hopeful that there would be something new to help build the image of his family in his mind. Harry knew that his time could be limited and if anything was to be kept from the Order for himself alone he wanted it to be Dumbledore's vault.

"Vault 427, please, sir."

The goblin grinned at Harry making him wince. Harry was led to the cart and he started to feel happy again. What better to make him feel alive than the world's best roller coaster?

All too soon they pulled up and the goblin announced, "Vault 427."

Harry held up his key and stepped slowly stepped into the almost empty vault. There was nothing in the room except a rather small pensive and a medium sized mirror. Harry cast wards and silencing charms on the room. Without allowing himself the ability to hesitate he picked up the mirror and softly whispered, "Professor Snape."

The mirror began to swirl and Harry was reminded of the one that Sirius had given him years ago. Harry started to have a bad feeling about what form the answers to his many questions would take.

Harry wasn't sure what he expected, but he supposed it was something along the lines of a magic mirror that could answer any questions. He was certainly not expecting the harsh face of his potions master. Snape's eyes were wide, but he said nothing. After several uncomfortable minutes Harry finally said, "Er, hello, Professor."

Severus POV

Severus had been anxiously waiting for the face of his new master to appear in the communication mirror Albus had left for him when he knew he was going to die. Severus had spent many days doing nothing but imaging the identity of the next person who would be in absolute control of his life. He hadn't been able to think of anyone he would enjoy bowing down to, but he had a list of the five worst possible masters he could have been given to.

Topping the list was Remus, but when no one contacted him in the days following Albus' death he knew his new master had to be under the age of 17 or deceased and as he couldn't tolerate the thought of being without a master he concentrated on identifying the worst possible underage wizards. While he was relieved that the werewolf would not be given the opportunity to seek his revenge, it was little comfort to imagine a child as his master.

Granger, Longbottom, and the youngest Weasley boy came in as three through five. But the number two worst person he could have been left to? Harry Potter. It wasn't about the boy's many annoying habits or even about how much he had detested the boy's father. No, Harry Potter was the second worst possibility for a master because no one alive hated Severus as much as Harry Potter. He paled as he realized that hatred must have grown as it had been implied that Severus had killed Dumbledore even though his very nature as a slave had prevented it.

"How did you come to possess that mirror?" he asked after a long minute, careful not to use any names or titles yet.

Potter blinked at him as he considered the question. "I got it and some…other things from Dumbledore when I turned 17," Potter said softly.

With those words he knew his fate was sealed. His ownership had been passed on. He bowed as deeply as I could while holding the mirror. Summoning upon years of having to remain emotionally neutral and calm Severus said, "What will you have of me, Master?"

Severus would never have acknowledged his well-hidden amusement at the look of shock on his master's face. Why was he so surprised? What exactly had the Headmaster told Harry about his legacy?

"You- you mean it's true?" Harry finally stammered.

"If you are referring to the fact that Albus has willed me to you as a bond slave, than, yes, it is true, Master."

"But, people can't own other people, Professor."

Severus winced slightly as the bond reminded him that his master should not have to refer to him with such respect. "Perhaps if you would start by telling me what the Headmaster has told you I would be able to clarify any remaining questions, Master."

"Will you stop calling me that?"

Severus went even paler and dropped his head submissively. "Please, Master, I know I have given you little reason to wish to be saddled with me, but I will b-beg if you wish it, just don't dismiss me," he finally managed to stammer, barely holding back tears. Harry Potter may have been the second worst person currently alive that he could have been left to, but even the worst wizard of the light would be better than to be allowed to be free at this point. No one was worse than the Dark Lord.

Harry POV

Harry was shocked when Snape knelt lower and spoke of begging. Until that moment Harry had believed that Snape was merely humoring him and Albus's will. He may have been calling Harry "master," but he had remained calm and very in control. As he glanced up at Harry and a single tear ran down his face Harry knew, no matter what else was to happen, Snape was no longer in control.

"Listen, Professor, I don't really understand what's going on, but I promise I will at least hear you out and try to figure things out before I make decisions. Sound fair enough?"

"Thank you, Master," Snape whispered softly. "What would you like me to explain?"

"I suppose you will have to start with, well, everything. The Headmaster didn't tell me much, he just told me how to activate the mirror to get my questions answered."

Snape sighed, "Of course, Master. I suppose the tale starts with me receiving my dark mark from the Dark Lord."

Harry went pale. He may have put up a rather good silencing charm, but one could not be too careful in such a public place. "Er-Professor? Perhaps this isn't the time and place for this story? I'm still at Gringotts."

Snape nodded, "Of course, Master. Where would you like me to attend to you?"

Harry blushed slightly as he realized he was going to have to tell his least favorite professor know he had run away from home like a child and was staying in Diagon Alley. With a burst of inspiration Harry remembered he had also inherited additional property form his father's family.

"Could you possibly meet me outside Gringotts, Professor? I will take you to- er well I'll bring you to a safe place to discuss our situation."

"Of course, Master. I will be there momentarily."

"No," Harry said sharply. He felt guilty as Snape winced and bowed down again. He had so little from his parents. He was determined to spend some portion of his birthday with his family, even if the only way he could do that was by feeling closer to them and examining the vaults they had left him. "Sorry, I mean, I still have business to finish here. Could you meet me in two hours?"

"Of course, Master. I will do whatever you wish. Shall I bring anything?"

Harry was confused for a moment before his eyes went wide with realization. "You mean like clothes? So you can stay with me?"

"It is, of course, up to you, Master. You may order me away when we finish talking."

Harry sighed. "Fine, bring a bag if you want, but it doesn't mean you will stay. Fair?"

Snape raised a single eyebrow at Harry. "Are you under the impression that this situation is to be fair, Master?"

Harry blushed before asking harshly, "How do I turn off the mirror, Professor?"

"Finite Incantatem will end the connection, Master." Snape paused as if considering how to say what he needed to. "May I ask a favor, Master?"

Harry nodded, not trusting himself to not mock the man if he answered verbally.

"You have the right to call me whatever you wish, but if you could be so kind as to refrain from calling me either professor or sir I would be extremely grateful. The bond does not respond kindly when you use such titles with me," he said as he bowed low again.

It was Harry's turn to wince as he realized how easy it was going to be to harm to older man. "What would you prefer?"

"I have no preference, Master. Whatever would please you."

Harry squirmed with the responsibility his professor was giving him. "Fine then. I will see you in two hours, Severus."

Harry watched Severus stiffen slightly, but he said nothing about Harry's choice. Despite being a Griffindor Harry lacked the courage to explain that "Snape" was someone he had always hated and he was hoping to work out something that wouldn't make anyone miserable with the man before him.

Harry cast Finite Incantatem before Severus could respond again. Harry carefully gathered up the pensive and the mirror before dismissing his wards and spells and getting back into the cart with the Goblin to head to the vault containing the Potter legacy.

Severus POV

Severus paced around the room for several minutes after Potter, his Master, had dismissed the connection between their mirrors. Severus felt extremely unsettled with how the first conversation with his new Master had gone. This was largely due to the fact that nothing had been settled. Potter had not formally accepted him into his service and therefore the bond was still barely started.

With a deep breath Severus tried to remind himself that he had been surviving for months without an active master being bonded to him. He had survived this long with only the fading orders from his last master to guide and protect him. Already he felt significantly more stable, despite how new and flimsy his bond with his master was.

As Severus packed a bag, hoping he would be allowed to stay and serve his new master, he sorted through exactly what he needed to tell his Master. What part of the story would be most likely to force Harry into accepting Severus? He wondered if he should focus on telling Harry all of the ways he could now humiliate Severus.

Severus realized with quite some relief that Harry would not enjoy being told the ways he could humiliate or torture Severus. Harry had shown no inclination of enjoying any part of this. Perhaps the boy was not as much like his father as Severus had always assumed. Severus asked himself what would have secured Lily's acceptance? With a smile Severus, ever the Slytherin, began to formulate a plan, and for the first time since seeing Potter reflected in the mirror Severus found hope.