warning:here harry's on his knees begging. again.
Chapter Nine
Snape wore a glamour.
It wasn't much different from the way Harry remembered Snape looking except for the fact that it seemed to make all the difference. Snape still had black hair, black eyes, a thin frame and a constant sneer but the glamour seemed to change everything. Snape didn't look so pointy. He didn't look sallow either, which may have just been better diet or lack of excruciating weekly torture sessions. His hair wasn't greasy but that could have been due to more baths.
He just looked different. Harry couldn't explain it. In fact Harry was positive that if Snape had stood in front Harry and shouted he was Severus Snape a month ago Harry would have laughed in his face. The glamour was one that was subtle but impenetrable, perfect for a Slytherin. Harry wished he knew the incantation for it. Having a glamour like is something Harry would have cheerfully killed over during those days just after Voldy's demise.
Harry was beginning to like Snape.
It was rather a scary thought. But now that he knew what motivated him, what was the driving factor behind the man, he could view Snape in a whole different light.
Snape had loved his mother. He had loved her so much he switched sides for her, not that he had had much motivation to stay what with Voldy being as sadistic sort of fellow. He had risked his life for her. He had protected her son, who was also the son of his childhood bully, for her.
As a house elf Harry found himself quite prone to crying. It was annoying, and rather exhausting. When thinking of Snape lately Harry wanted to cry. And not for the same reasons he would have had as a student. Harry wanted cry because it was so goddamn unfair Snape got such a raw deal. Look, here he was, one of the key factors in Voldy's defeat, and he was hiding behind an assumed name and a glamour. He should have been pardoned and showered with at least half the accolades Harry received.
Harry was well aware that his new status as Snape's house elf might be the reason he was suddenly prone to ranting poetically on about justice for his master but he didn't really care. It was all true after all.
And it turned out Snape was a nice master. After the Durlseys, Harry felt he was qualified to judge. Hermione didn't know what she was talking about, giving house elves their freedom. Harry had never been happier then he found he was a Briarwood Cottage. And it hadn't been a day!
Snape had led Harry out of the dungeons, and through his rather impressive potions lab, admonishing Harry err Paddy, on pain of death to not ever touch anything without express instructions to do so. He had then proceeded to make Harry dinner instead of making his new house elf cook. Such a nice master he had, really.
Then, after a really fantastic meal, he had given Harry an actual room, and not a cupboard. Harry had been so touched that he'd actually cried, and Snape had awkwardly patted his head once before hastily making an exit.
Harry liked to think it had been a manly, silent display of tears, but that was wishful thinking.
Lying on the soft bed that was pleasantly large Harry couldn't help but think of Snape. It really must be those orders taking hold. Hadn't Bryn ordered him to love his master?
The puzzling thing was Harry hadn't thought about Ginny since this whole ordeal began. Guilt began to creep in. Poor Ginny. She was home, alone, pregnant and more than likely worried sick. He'd been missing how long? Long enough for Snape to find out about it. Hmm, Snape.
Wrong! Ginny. He'd been thinking about Ginny.
The mystery of her disappearances wouldn't be solved anytime soon. Harry would have to wait until he was human again. Then he'd sit her down and talk with her. Find out what was so terribly wrong that she thought she had to hide it. They'd work it out and the baby would get born and then he would make Snape godfather . . .
Drat. He was thinking about Snape again. Damn the bloody git. He couldn't stay dead and he wouldn't let Harry think in bloody peace.
Oh but he was a rather nice master. Feeding Harry. Giving Harry a bedroom. Even the Dursleys hadn't done that.
The tricky thing had been answering Snape's questions truthfully.
Snape was so clever. He'd discovered Harry was Harry right quick. And then asking about names, forbidding Paddy-err Harry to lie to him. Pity about the name thing though. That could have worked if Bryn hadn't taken precautions. But asking if he was Harry Potter! That had been genius. If only he hadn't made one crucial mistake. He'd asked 'Are you Harry Potter, elf?' That had been the way Harry had squirmed out of all the spells and orders binding him. Addressing him as elf, meant he was asking the elf if he was Harry Potter. Which he wasn't. He had been Harry Potter, once. When he was human.
And that was all it took to get around Snape orders.
Harry was such a bad house elf. So sneaky. So Slytherin. Hmm. Perhaps, if Snape ever found out he wouldn't be too mad. He, after all, approved of Slytheriny behavior.
The soft blue glow of morning would have awoken him if Snape hadn't done it first.
Actually it did seem as if Snape was trying to not wake him. Which was very odd indeed. Why come see the house elf if you didn't need it for something? Which by deduction proved Snape did need something. His Master needed something. And so Harry was obligated to get up and get it for him.
It was the soft touch to his arm that startled him into actually jerking awake, rather than sleepily opening his eyes as he'd planned. Harry opened his eyes, noticing being an elf was a rather good deal if his vision was this good in such little light, and found Snape's black ones. Snape, it seemed, had jerked back as well when Harry woke, and now was looking curiously guilty. As if his hand had been caught in a cookie jar.
That would make Harry the cookie. He didn't know how felt about that.
"Master?" Harry murmured in his high, child-like elf voice. "Yous- Do you need, Paddy?"
Snape looked incredibly tempted by that statement for a long moment before he was suddenly Snape again all scowls and sneers.
"Obviously, elf, or I wouldn't be here!" His statement had quite a bit of a bite to it, which hurt Harry's sensitive elf feelings. Harry felt his ears droop. He so wanted to please Master Snapey . . .
"Do not cry, elf." Snape snapped. "That's an order. I can't abide small things crying at the drop of a hat."
It was very hard to obey that order but as it was an order Harry managed. "What does Master be wanting from Paddy?"
Glittering black eyes stared down at Harry for a long moment. Then he turned away. "Breakfast." He snapped as he ducked out the door.
Harry blinked in bewilderment. Snape was very weird. Perhaps dying did that to a person. Harry frowned as he climbed out of bed and methodically made it. If he actually died. Perhaps he'd been faking it. That would just be like Snape. And he would have laughed while observing Harry at his funeral, perhaps rubbing his hands together in glee at finally pulling one over on Harry Potter.
In a bit of a grumpy mood caused by imagining that scenario Harry entered the kitchen, which was just off his room. Actually his door was connected directly to the pantry and the pantry to the kitchen without another entrance. How was he supposed to get out when the pantry was locked?
Oh. Stupid, Harry. Magic of course. House elves had magic.
Hmm. He did remember now. When he called on his magic before it had come up from the ground. Odd. Did that make house elves earth elementals? Hermione would be delighted to find that out. She was always going on and on about how terrible it was that elemental magic was extinct.
Experimentally Harry called up his magic. It was a bit awkward without a wand, but Harry had managed before, so he concentrated and felt the answering tug of magic from below. Slowly, much slower than when he'd been in The Devil's Crown, the magic respond. Finally after much work, it seeped up through the floor and sort of traveled up through Harry's feet.
Did house elves use spells? Harry didn't know. Apparently they could use spells, and a wand although they weren't allowed to by the Ministry. But when using their magic, for everyday activity, did they use spells. Incantations? If Harry used a Latin incantation, one wizards use, would he get in trouble?
Was he even allowed to ask another house elf? What with the spells binding to secrecy would he be able to get the words past his mouth? Would the house elf he asked be able to answer?
Snape came in while Harry was trying to decide. Harry turned his head to meet his master's eyes just as Snape frowned. Oh no. He'd begged for this job. He promised to be a good elf! And now his master was going to be disappointed! And wouldn't be able to tell him why. Damn the blasted spells!
"Is something wrong , elf?" Snape asked looking around the kitchen suspiciously.
Harry's ear drooped further. In frustration he reached up and twisted on viciously, trembling at how much it hurt! Tears spilled over, he couldn't stop them, but they weren't from the pain, not really. They were from how bad he felt at having to disappoint his master again!
"Perhaps you didn't understand the meaning of breakfast?" Snape snarled rather wearily.
Harry shook his head unable to answer. Snape sighed again. Then, proving he did have a heart and Harry had been right about him being secretly nice, he started breakfast. Harry was quick to join in when he saw Snape doing everything pretty much the muggle way. There was a summoning spell that called in a few apples from outside. And after Harry had taken over the skillet and fried up eggs Snape set it to wash itself in the sink. Harry actually took over the tea as well, boiling water, letting the leave steep before straining them, slicing a lemon Snape had also called from outside.
It was actually rather silent. Snape let Harry decide what he wanted to do and Harry let his new elf instincts take over and do everything the way he knew how. When Snape sat down to breakfast it was a satisfied Harry that stood back and nodded at him. Snape stared at him for a long moment and Harry fidgeted. Would he ask about the magic now? Would he call Harry a bad elf. Order a punishment? Perhaps punish Harry himself. Harry's hand crept up to his ear.
Snape scowled at him. "There's too much for me to eat by myself, elf!" He growled and motioned for Harry to sit down. Harry's eyes watered with gratitude but he didn't cry although he thanked Snape carefully.
Snape summoned a second plate and moved an egg onto it. The breakfast ended up divided between them. Harry discovered house elves loved sweet things, fruits, scones with clotted cream, jams, juice. Snape made him eat the egg though, and Harry obeyed but found the taste not what it used to be. Perhaps he'd made a mistake in cooking it? Snape seemed to like it though so he didn't apologize. Snape didn't seem to appreciate his thanks or apologies.
Once the last bite had been finished Snape ordered Harry to clear the table and put the food away, which Harry did while Snape finished his tea and read the Daily Prophet an owl brought. Once Harry finished he went to clear up the tea thing but Snape growled at him to sit a moment.
"Does it seem to me, elf, that you are unable to use magic?" His eyes pierced Harry's and Harry sighed.
"Yes, Master." He answered very carefully.
Snape muttered something about squib house elves before replying. "Do you have magic, elf?"
Harry's eye widened. "Yes, Master!" He squeaked. "Of course!"
Snape eyed him appraising. "But you don't know how to use it?"
Harry's ears drooped and he didn't answer. He wasn't sure he'd be able to and getting punished with that spell in Snape's presence seemed counterproductive.
Snape scowled. "How old are you exactly, elf?" He snapped.
Harry's eyed widened. How old was he? 21? He opened his mouth to say so but felt the stirrings of the punishment spell and closed it. Snape was watching him very carefully and he had to say something. He was changed when? How long had he been an elf? He could have been asleep for days, perhaps weeks! Ah. That felt much more likely. How long had he been asleep in a cage? A week? Two?
"A week, Master." Harry answered very slowly, ready to stop if the spells did anything. "I think, Master."
Snape hissed but didn't seem enraged. Just very, err, put out. He began muttering in Japanese of all things, something about children and how they should all be drown. Harry eyed him warily after that.
Suddenly Snape stood and stalked out of the room, snapping at Harry to clean up. Sighing Harry did as he was told, although with him not knowing how to use his magic he was forced to wash the rest of the dishes by hand. Not that it mattered. He was quite used to it.
It really wasn't his fault. He hadn't asked for this. And he really wasn't as young as he appeared! A week old indeed. He wouldn't be able to talk if he were only a week old, house elf or no! After all his experience being a house elf at the Dursleys Harry was quite sure he could do the job without magic anyway! It just wasn't fair! Harry seethed. He was just as good as any other house elf! Snape had better not sell him!
Suddenly Harry heard a familiar voice and he went nearly white with panic.
Lucius Malfoy. Snape was going to give him to Lucius Malfoy! Not him. Anyone but him. Harry was a good house elf! He'd do anything Snape asked. He couldn't sell Harry to the sadistic, abusive, Dobby hating Lucius Malfoy! It'd be like asking Voldey to please come back and have tea! Oh and while you're here please feel free to crucio Harry Potter who is so conveniently helpless!
Harry was hyperventilating by the time Snape came back, there were tears and snot running down his face, and he was trembling worse than he did after the Cruciatius. Snape looked at him, scowled and sighed, as if the weight of the world was on him.
"What now, elf?"
Harry couldn't help himself. House elf instinct was to strong and pride be damned! He wouldn't' get sold to Lucius Malfoy. Wailing he threw himself down at Snape's feet. "Please, Master, don't sells Paddy. Paddy's a good elf! He truly is! He can cook and clean and will learn the magic." His large hand made a fist in Snape's black robes. "I's even have punishment everyday, please don't sell me's to Master Lucius Malfoy, he's not nice like Master is! I's do anything, anything Master be wanting." He was hiccoughing hard enough to choke.
Snape abruptly jerked his robes away. "Enough, elf!" He ordered and Harry felt silent although the tears and sobs didn't abate. "I am not going to sell you!" He snarled and Harry gasped in relief. "Although after this display I should, you pathetic sniveling dunderhead!"
Harry looked up at him, tears blurring Snape into a black sneering blob. "Ohs, I will stop, Master. I's going be so good, Master. I's do anything for you. Please don't sell, Paddy!" Relief and lingering anxiety made Harry limp with exhaustion. He crawled closer to Snape and rubbed his head on Snape's robes. They were so soft against the raw skin of his face.
"For Slytherin's sake, elf." Snape snarled sound seriously disturbed. "I'm not selling you!"
Harry hiccoughed. "Thank you, Master." He whispered, head still buried in Snape's robes. It occurred to him this position, as well as the title Harry addressed Snape as, might be too reminiscent of certain death eater meetings where Snape didn't play such a- err- dominant role. As exhausted as Harry was he didn't really care. In fact at that moment he didn't care if he never moved again and just remained Snape's house elf forever.
It was actually a long while before Snape moved away. By the time he did Harry had reigned in his emotions and was able to stand without swaying when ordered to get up. Rubbing his dry raw face Harry kept his eyes on Snape hoping this time to please him. Snape snorted as he observed Harry but didn't comment.
"I contacted Lucius Malfoy, not to sell you, you stupid thing, but to ask for one of his house elves to spend the week here, training you." Snape eyed Harry warily as if certain Harry would do something outrageous and embarrassing.
Harry's eyes had widened with the explanation and then closed when Snape had finished. Snape had done that for him. He'd asked Malfoy for a favor, something he'd no doubt have to repay, because of Harry.
"Now I suggest you clean your face, elf, and make a room ready for our guest." Snape waited until Harry nodded before sneering once and turning away.
"Thank you, Master." Harry called quietly as Snape left but he wasn't sure the man heard. Shuddering from the aftermath of his- err his histrionics,Harry shook his head. It was official. The world must be ending, how else could he explain it?
Harry Potter adored Severus Snape. And he didn't think it was just the slavery spells.
Sorry it's so late in the day. I just wanted to go over it and weed out any errors. Also my cat pulled out her stitches and had to go back to the vet today. Busy day. Anyhoo . . .
I thought it a good idea to get Harry over all those I-Hate-Snape hurdles with a few slavery spells. It makes the story much shorter when you don't have to have him overcome his issues with Snape and Snape overcome his issues with Harry all in a few weeks. In fact the issues that do get overcome aren't the usual ones, and you really don't see either of them suffering from their hatred of each other. It all just goes away. Oh well. Poetic license and all that jazz.
Fitful
ps: I do thank you for the reviews but could you either make them longer or take a picture of your face and send it to me so I can see how you really feel? Just the words Good Story doesn't really capture it, other than to make me smile in humble pleasure. Or better yet read the story while taping your reactions to an mp3 audio, that way I can hear your comments, laughter, and tears: as well as how many times you curse me.
Or you don't have to. I'll just have to imagine all the fanfic readers as I look at Story Traffic and wonder . . .
