Author's Notes

Thanks to everyone who reviewed, I'm grateful. Please keep it up; I can really use all the criticisms and ideas. Anyone who asks a question or makes an interesting comment will get a reply.

Thank you especially to those people who pointed out to me that in JKR's books, Sirius actually moved out of his home, when my last chapter had him still living there. Well, this is AU… but basically, I forgot, lol. I've sorted that out in this chapter.

I know Harry's acting very maturely for an eleven-year-old, but I do think it makes sense – he's been treated like a servant for most of his life, he would hardly rejoice in somebody else being a slave. And if he's intelligent enough to save the philosopher's stone at eleven, then he's bright enough to understand the situation with Severus!

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James and Sirius sat there staring at Lily in disbelief.

"I can't believe it… I mean, obviously we knew he was a slave, but we just thought… he's always seemed so confident, been so healthy. I thought he must have had a good master, someone who treated him right… spoiled him, even."

"Apparently he's only recently come into Malfoy's possession," said Lily grimly.

"My family were really watching him being… and enjoying it? I knew they weren't nice people, but to do something like that… I don't think I can live with them anymore, James."

"Then don't, Padfoot. Move out. I've been telling you to for years."

"He should," said Lily. "And we need to get Snape out of there, James."

"Lily, even I don't want Snape to suffer like that, but what do you expect us to do? Do you really think Malfoy would sell? Slaves are so rare, he's probably jumping up and down with excitement now that he owns one."

"Well, we have to try. James, you have that book he's been trying to buy off you for years. Maybe that's enough incentive for him if money isn't."

"That's not a bad idea actually," said James thoughtfully. The book wasn't particularly dangerous, just old and rare, and the only reason that he had previously refused to sell it was his hatred for the prospective buyer.

"If you don't have enough money, I'll chip in," said Sirius grimly. "Merlin knows I can't stand Snape, but after what my family did to him, it's the least I can do."

Lily closed her eyes, feeing sick as she once again saw the sight of Severus Snape laid out naked on the floor of the Black family kitchen, trying his hardest not to scream in agony.

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"Why did all those people know who I was?"

Snape sighed. Obviously no one had yet explained to his master about the Dark Lord and the death of his parents. He answered simply, "You're famous in the Wizarding World."

"Famous? Why? I've only known it existed for a few days!"

"If you permit me, I will explain it to you at a later date, Master."

"Um, okay. So how do we get onto Diagon Alley?"

Snape answered him by tapping his wands on the bricks in front of him. Harry gasped in amazement at the appearance of the archway, and the cobbled street behind it.

"Wow!"

The expression of amazement reminded Severus that not only was his new master new to the Wizarding World, but that he was also only eleven years old. He'd never belonged to a child before - there was something not quite right about having your life controlled by someone not yet old enough to control their own.

They made their way down the alley, with Harry reading off his shopping list from his Hogwarts letter. They made their way towards Gringotts, but when they were only halfway there they came face to face with someone Severus would far rather have avoided.

"Well, well, Severus Snape. And this must be… Harry Potter. So good to meet you, Mr. Potter. I see that you have already discovered the joys of slave owning. Oh, how impolite of me. I'm Lucius Malfoy."

To Snape's satisfaction, Harry looked distinctly unimpressed by the introduction, greeting the older man courteously but with obvious disdain.

"I used to own your slave, you know. Inherited him off my uncle. Good quality, but badly trained. If only I'd had him longer… but never mind. Perhaps your parents taught him what I could not?"

"Excuse me," said Harry frostily, "but we really must be going. I have a lot of shopping to do."

"Ah, of course. Do look out for my son at Hogwarts, Mr. Potter. He would no doubt be a good acquaintance for you."

They made there way quickly to the bank, and once they had reached the entrance, Harry muttered quickly, "Remind me to avoid his son at all costs."

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In his office in Hogwarts, Dumbledore was sucking on a lemon drop, with Professor McGonagall sitting across from him sipping tea.

"This cannot be good for the boy, Albus. And for Severus, to be owned by a child… is there no way that you can retain custody of him until Mr. Potter comes of age?"

"I'm afraid not, Minerva. And I am fully confident that Harry will not abuse his control over Severus."

"Well, do you at least know how the child is to be taught Potions?"

"Ah, yes. I've managed to convince Horace Slughorn to visit the castle once a week to teach; however, he remains stubborn that he cannot spare the time for a second lesson. Therefore, Severus will have to give Harry private lessons."

"That is hardly fair to the other children, Albus."

"My dear, Rosie Lilliput in third year has a mother who is a famous Herbologist; we can hardly fault her for gaining extra tuition from her parent."

"It's not quite the same, Albus."

"Perhaps not, but we have little choice. Harry must be taught Potions, and he cannot be a part of the main group. I will ensure, of course, that all of his assignments are marked by Horace."

"I hope you know what you're doing, Albus. This kind of power over another person could easily corrupt the child."

"I fear many things, Minerva, but that I do not fear. I have faith in young Harry."

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"What on earth makes you think I would sell him, Potter?"

James just lifted his eyebrows and withdrew the thick leather-bound book from his bag. Lucius's eyes widened with surprise, and then something approaching lust.

"My dear Potter. If I had known that you desired a slave so much, I would have offered him to you many weeks ago!"

"It's not me who wants him," said James. "It's Lily."

He sneered. "The mudblood wants a slave, and her blood traitor husband is willing to part with his prized possession to get it for her? How pitiful."

"Do you want the book or not?"

"Oh, I do, of course. You dear wife can have him." He turned, and imperiously commanded a nearby house-elf to fetch "the slave".

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James was hard pressed to keep his face blank when he saw the state that his former school rival was in. His face was badly bruised, his clothing torn, and he walked with a slight limp. His eyes widened with confusion as he saw James, and then he fell to his knees in front of his master.

Lily, who had previously remained quiet, came forward as Lucius retrieved a set of papers from his desk. He signed them with a flourish, and then she bent to do the same.

Severus gave a gasp as he realised that they were his ownership papers.

"So, Severus, you're going to be owned by the wife of your enemy. Doesn't that just fill you with a warm happy feeling? I know it does me."

Severus just lowered his head, torn between relief at no longer belonging to this monster, and horror at being at the mercy of the person who had bullied him for years.

"It's done." Lily straightened up, the newly signed documents in her hand, and Severus felt the tingle of magic that signified his change of ownership.

"Come on then," said James, desperate to be out of there. "Goodbye, Malfoy."

"Potter."

They left, Severus trailing dismally behind them.