Snape's POV

I turned around, and a handsome man, in his late 30s steps into the room and closer to me. "Sit" he commands. I obeyed without hesitation.

"My Lord, I was hoping to introduce you to Severus here, but under better circumstances. I apologize for his public outburst, I was not expecting it." Lucious explained, rather rapidly. He looked almost worried, and there was a visible crack in his resolve. Who is this man, and how does he have this power over Lucious?

"Thank you, Lucious. I appreciate your attempt, but it appears as if young Severus here, needs a bit more than you can offer him. He needs to lower his emotional shield. He's a natural occlumence, but if pushed too far he burst out. He's holding too much in. Being as I am a skilled legilimens, I believe I can help him more proficiently." Tom Riddle gazed at me, as if he could see inside me. He had an immense power that I was helpless against.

"Mmmyy..Lllordd.." I began.

"Hush, Severus. What you need is sleep. We will discuss this further in the morning, when you have a clear head. Go to your room, and sit on your bed. I will meet with you shortly before you go to sleep." He summoned a house elf to escort me to my room.

As I left, I heard "Perhaps the fire whiskey wasn't the best plan, Lucious."

"Yes, My Lord, you are right. I was hoping to calm his nerves, not increase them." Lucious said solemnly.

"I think you better go back to our chambers. I will discuss your decision making when I return. Sit in the study, and wait for me." Tom said sternly.

"Yes, My Lord" Lucious said. His normal calm and cool voice was subdued and reverent.

When I walked into my room, I immediately began to pace, thinking about everything that was happening. I saw the fire whiskey was still on the table. This was a bad idea, but I didn't care. I uncorked the bottle and took a few swigs. My body relaxed, but my mind continued to reel. I wasn't ready to sleep. Was Lucious in trouble? Was this man his Dom? What did he mean by "our chambers"? Am I in trouble? Could I be punished? I haven't agreed to anything. They can't punish me, if I haven't agreed to anything. What is going on. I just...I just don't even know what to think.

Just then, the door opens, and the man walks in. He has a gentle smile on his face, but it turns to a slight frown when he sees me.

"Severus, I am Tom, the owner of Imperium. Is everything alright? Why aren't you sitting on your bed?" He asked, not unkindly.

"In my bed? I can't possibly sleep now. Are you going to punish Lucious? Am I in some sort of trouble? I haven't agreed to anything yet. You can't spank me, or whatever you do to punish people. I want to leave. This is too much. I want to go." I was almost shouting. I was so overwhelmed. If I'm being honest, I was pretty drunk. It doesn't take much.

Tom looked down at the bottle in my hand and frowned.

"Did we not just discuss how the whiskey was not a good choice for you?" He banished the bottle with a waive of his hand, and guided me over to the bed. He pulled out his wand and summoned sleep clothes from the dresser and started a bath.

"I'm an adult. I can make my own choices about what to drink, when to go to bed, and if I need a bath." As I said these things, I realize I sounded more like a child than anything else. I immediately regretted my words at the look Tom gave me. He wasn't trying to do anything more than help me. "I'm sorry, To- I mean, My Lord." I muttered.

"You may call me, Tom. As you stated, you have not agreed to anything yet. If you choose to join our family here, then you would need to address me as 'My Lord', but until then, Tom is just fine. You are not in trouble, though I ask that you keep your tone at a respectable level. Now, although I cannot order you to do so, I suggest you take a warm bath to calm that brain of yours. My guess is that it's running rampant, especially since you decided to take a few more swigs of that whiskey." His look of disappointment made me want to melt into the floor. How does he have this power over me? Why do I want to obey him?

"Yes, sir. You are probably right. I need to get my mind to calm down before I will be able to sleep. By any chance, do you have a calming draft or dreamless sleep? I had some packed, but I'm not sure where my belongings are."

"You carry vials of a calming draft and dreamless sleep on you? Those are quite complex, especially with the fact that they don't tend to travel well. I know Lucious mentioned your skills in potions, but I did not think you able to brew and store your own for personal use." Tom looked at me, ever so curiously. "I think you would make a great addition to our little family, Severus. That is, if you choose to join us. You will have plenty of time to decide, and we are not going to rush your decision. Your belongings should be in the closet near the bathroom. You should find your potions there, I would think. I must go attend to Lucious. Do not worry, he will be just fine. When you get up tomorrow, please come find me straight away. Just call for a house elf, they will know where I am. Goodnight, my Severus."

And with that he walked out the door. "Goodnight, My Lord."