This is based on ancient Rome, and their conquering of other countries. One girl who has been conquered, manages to find her way, as a slave, to the house of the Potters. She is a witch, and they are a wizarding family, but have to pretend not to be in order to remain in the Senate and keep their status in society. They recognize her as a witch, and bid for her at the slave auction, in order to keep their kind a secret. Their only son, James, is entranced by the new slave, and lusts after her. But she continues to refuse his attentions, only being around him when she is forced because of her duties in the household. This is the story of what happened to them.

Disclaimer: Do I look like JKR? No. Then draw your own conclusions. I'M NOT HER! Though, if I were, the fifth book would be out already.

Lily looked around the room of her house. Small, cramped, and dirty; the first words that came to mind. It hadn't always been like this, though. Before the Romans ('Curse them!' She thought) laid siege to their village in Britannia, this house was spotless. Everyday water was drawn from the well in the center of the square and carried to the house. Half was spent on cleaning, and the rest on cooking. But none of that mattered now. Her father was dead, killed by a soldier when he went to find food. Her brother, Marcus, he was searching for food now. Julia, her little sister, lay asleep on the mat next to the bed where her mother lay, the agony of slow death by starvation briefly forgotten. Lily moved over to where her mother lay. Philia had lapsed into a comatose state the day before, and not moved since. Lily believed her mother was going through the last stage of life before leaving. Marcus burst through the door, heaving it closed behind him.

"I was just coming down our street," he gasped, "when a group of legionnaires spotted me. I began to run and they gave chase. Still not sure as to whether or not they were quick enough to spot where I went. But they haven't reached our section yet, no they're having too much fun!" He spat the last words out like there was something wrong with thinking of them.

"Marc-you don't have to hide things from me. Though I've had but 14 years of life, I know. I know."

"I realize that, Lily, but I'm your older brother. You shouldn't have to know what goes on in the world until you are older, same as Petunia learned." Petunia was their older sister; she had married a few years back, to a man from the village of Surrey known as Vernon Dursley.

"Enough protecting me, Marcus. I won't always be around you, for you to protect me. The Romans are here, I'll be dead, or worse."

"That's why I fear. I don't want anything to happen to you. Lily, promise me something?"

"Marcus, I will promise you anything."

"Promise me you won't do anything rash."

"Rash? Marcus, I won't. You know that."

"I don't mean rash like impulsive. I mean rash as in anything having to deal with your emotions concerning men. Don't do anything you will regret later, such as-"

"Marcus! How dare you accuse me of doing anything of the sort! I have always been the calmest one of the family!"

"I wasn't accusing you of anything, I just want you to be careful. Those Roman men are very…er…conniving and sly, and will use any means to achieve their ends." (Sounds like Slytherin! Though not purposely, it just came out that way)

"To achieve their ends? Oh, Marcus, you sound so…I don't know, scholarly. Will it make you feel better if I promise not to have sex with anyone until after marriage?"

"Much."

"I promise you, Marcus Evans, that I, Lily Evans, will not have sex until after marriage. Are you happy now?"

Marcus never got to answer that question. Just as he opened his mouth to reply, a legionnaire kicked through the door. He swung his sword at Marcus, effectively killing him. Lily screamed, and threw herself away from the legionnaire towards Julia, covering her little sister with her body.

The legionnaire looked about him in frustration. There was no one else around that was of any value, except the older girl. The younger was dead, or close to it, as was the mother. He had just killed the boy, and there was no one else in the house. He walked over to the girl, roughly grabbing her arm and hauling her to her feet. Lily stumbled as she was dragged out of the house and down the street.

"You fall and I'll kill you where you lay," the legionnaire warned her.

"I will not fall."

He dragged her through the gates of the local temple, dumping her just inside. There were other captives there as well, weeping and gnashing their teeth over their misfortune. Lily sat there, in shock. There was no one left she would ever see from her family. She was a captive, a spoil of war, and she was on her way to an almost certain fate in the infamous Roman arena. Unless she was taken pity on by the gods. P'rhaps she would be a slave, in a kind household. Unfortunately, it wasn't likely. Especially since Lily was a witch. Not the type you would expect, like old women with warts and crooked noses. There were many witches and wizards in the world.

Before Lily could muse on her fate any more, a soldier entered into the compound. He shouted at the captives to stand up and come to the center. They all complied, and he began to talk to them.

"You all are now owned by the empire of Rome. You shall be sold at our discretion and killed at ours as well. You would do well not to cross us. As we head back to the Eternal City, some of you will be sold along the way. I will not lie to you, the journey is hard. More than half is across water, then marching the rest of the way. You will all be lean by the time we reach Rome. Many of the men will become gladiators, serving the emperor by providing entertainment for the mob. I myself have fought at the games in a show once or twice, it is not that bad. Many of the women will become the temple whores, the prettiest of them anyway." He leered at the women in the crowd, and they all were ashamed. "The rest of you will become household slaves or fodder for the arena."

There were gasps from the crowd, and some began to cry. This had to be the worst thing that had ever happened to anyone. Lily had tears brimming in her eyes, but not from the harsh words of the soldier. She had just lost all of her family in one day, and was shell-shocked.

Lily's POV

I couldn't believe my ears. That-that thing! How dare he believe that what he said could make us obey him! But as I looked around at the other captives, I saw that his words had turned some of the most rebellious people in our town to docile lambs. I turned my attention back to the soldier; he was motioning for others to bring in sacks of grain for us.

We lined up, and a soldier dipped his hand into the sack and scooped out some grain for all of us. When he reached me, I said, "Thank you," and then moved along. I didn't realize that his eyes followed me as he mechanically dipped grain for the next person, and the next, and the next, until the line had ended.

The next day we began our march. We walked for what seemed forever, and hadn't even gone that far. I heard a centurion say that we were still at least 5 days' journey from the sea. His companion replied that it was the worst season for sea traveling, and that it would take at least 15 days on the boat to reach Carthage. (This is before it was destroyed in the Punic Wars) Five days of monotonous walking passed, and I found myself looking at the sea for the first time in my life. It was as my father had said, beautiful. But I could see that it could also be deadly. A ship was waiting at the shore. The centurion loaded us all onto the ship. The men were forced to stay on the deck, in a holding pen, or so it appeared. Us women were sent down below in a hold.

The ship set sail the next day, the men being used as galley slaves rowing the oars. A gale hit us not far off of shore. We were tossed about in the hold below; it must have been torture for those still above and in the full effects of the storm.

After much longer than was expected, we reached the city of Carthage. (They sailed down from Britain around the southern tip of Spain and to Carthage, located in present day Northern Africa) Many of the slaves were unloaded, I not among them. I heard from the guards that the women were sent to the temple of Artemis to be prostitutes, and the men to the arena that was there.

Four days after leaving Carthage, we arrived in Rome. I, along with the other female captives, were loaded off the ship and led to a public bath. We were scrubbed down and our hair shaved off. After a full cleansing to rid themselves of vermin or other things we might have accumulated on board, we were given a kerchief, a sash, and a slave tunic. The soldiers led us to the slave quarters behind the auction block, and we were given a cell to sleep in. We were to be sold tomorrow.

The day dawned bright and early. The auction commenced at 11:00 am, and continued until all slaves were sold. I was the fifth in a long line of women from my hometown. When it was my turn to be sold, I was brought to a turntable, and a slave began to make it go round once I was on top. I began to feel dizzy, not paying attention to the sale. I snapped out of my trancelike state when I heard the trader say, "SOLD! For 50 aurei to Messr. Potter!"

I was led off the block and into a waiting area to await the arrival of my new master. He came almost immediately after buying me, and paid the guard. I was led out of the slave compound and into the busy streets of the Eternal City. Following my master and attempting to keep up with his brisk pace, I had no time to admire the beauty of the city. We finally reached a villa on the other side of the city. It had steep walls going up about 10 ft and a wrought iron gate with the letter "P" engraved on it. I followed my master through the gate and into the bibliotheca. A woman was sitting reading a scroll. She looked up when we entered.

"Decimus!" she cried, getting up and embracing him. "I thought you wouldn't be back for hours." She noticed me. "And who is this?"

"This, Estelle, is our new slave."

"Welcome. Your name is?"

"My name is Lily, my lady."

"Lily." She acknowledged me. "Decimus, I thought we had agreed…"

"We had, Estelle, but this is different. Lily is a witch."

I gasped. How had he known that? And how did he know what a real witch was?

"Lily," he continued, "I know you are a witch because I, and my family, and witches and wizards."

I was shocked. My master was about to continue speaking when there was a commotion outside.

"That must be James and Olivia, back from their ride," said Estelle.

"Come, Lily, Estelle. I believe we should greet our errant son and willful daughter."

They walked off, talking about what my duties would be, and I followed. Through the bibliotheca, down a corridor and some steps, and out to the forward atrium, which was surrounded by three of the walls of the villa, and the front of the house.

Estelle embraced the young woman who was standing outside, and the young man kissed her cheek. Decimus hugged the woman, and clapped the man on the back. Estelle motioned me forward, and the young man and woman looked at me curiously.

"This is Lily," Estelle announced. "She will serve you, Olivia."

"No! I don't want her to serve me, Mama! I should be allowed to pick my own slaves, just like Areceida is!" I studied the woman who had spoken. Her hair was dark brown, nearly black, and it was piled on top of her head, allowing a graceful neck to be shown. She had jewelry around her neck and at her ears, creating an elegant look.

James' POV

I watched the young girl who Father had purchased. She studied Olivia with a sort of reverence, not the way most slaves looked at their new masters, which was with repugnance. Her emerald eyes seemed too big for her face, and there was a haunting quality about them. She had a scarf covering her hair, I assumed they had shaved it off. I spoke to Olivia, a word from me would sway her faster than any from either of my parents.

"I think you should keep her."

"Why?" asked my stubborn sister.

"There's something about her, Liv. Can't you see it?"

"I suppose. Come on, girl."

"Her name is Lily, Olivia."

"Fine, then. Come on, Lily."

Lily's POV

I followed my mistress into the villa, and back past the bibliotheca. We went up another small flight of stairs, and into a chamber near the back of the center atrium. The chamber was a mess. Clothes were flung everywhere, the jewelry box was open, jewelry out of its' places, and some on the table surrounding the box.

"Clean this up, Lily."

"Yes, my lady." I began to pick up the clothes, and folded them back into drawers. (I don't know if there were bureaus back then, but pretend there were) When I finished that task, I began to straighten her jewelry, and closed the box after I finished. I looked about her chamber, the only thing left to do was to straighten her sleeping couch. I did that, and looked at her. "My lady?"

"What?" she snapped.

"I've finished."

She looked about her now-straightened chamber. "Fine. It's time for dinner. Go to the kitchen to find out what you have to do."