Author's Note: Back by popular demand or the death threats I've received...enjoy and review!

Try as he might, Severus could not make his footsteps sound anymore quieter and Akel Dama had never seemed more unwelcoming. His polished shoes echoed loudly in the hallways. Hallways that gleamed under the strict cleaning and supervision of Babbitt and the others. He glanced down to the entrance hall where the strong Golem his father had fashioned stood guard. The Golem, called Deacon, was staring into emptiness with his strong arms crossed over barrel chest. The creature, made of clay and incantations was the only tangible link to his family.

And it seemed fitting somehow. The only thing the Snape name had ever given him was only real because of fleeting magic. He smiled grimly and continued to walk the halls of his new domain, his kingdom. His grandmother's room was locked, the same for his Aunt's. In a sense he was relieved, he didn't want to see the rooms where his only family was slain, part of him never wanted to see this house again.

But part of him understood that this house was part of something more, something he would in time have to return too. Only he didn't know what it was he had to return too.

He found his way to the Gray Library, to the hidden annex, to where his only happy memories of this house came from, and to where his family's murderer had lived.

"My, aren't you a brave lad, Little Prince."

Severus shuttered at the sound of his uncle's voice. But he didn't have time to turn before he heard another voice. "Is this your little nephew, my son?"

A frail looking man entered his line of sight. The man didn't look much older then Severus but there was an age to his features. The man, the boy, regarded him with milky white eyes and his crimson lips curled into a smile. There was a cruelty in the boy's eyes, in his very presence that Severus had never witnessed before. It occurred to him that the boy before him was pure evil.

And part of that realization attracted Severus to the vampire. The fierce, still storm of hate behind the eyes called out into something deep inside. He shivered uncontrollably. "Daniel."

Daniel's smile grew even wider. "I see the boy is well informed."

On instinct, Severus made a motion to pull his wand but strong arms reached under his armpits and pulled back. The yew wand dropped and rolled over to Daniel. Severus was aware of his uncle's face hovering dangerously near his ear.

"So young…so very much alive…" Reiner whispered, breathing hard in attempt to quell the lust for blood.

Daniel tilted his head. "My son, you always loved him more then his own father…take him."

"He's a child."

"That is of no importance, Reiner." Daniel said, his own lust coming to the surface to break his cool exterior. "If you will not turn him, kill him."

Severus had been close to death once before. It had been under the razor sharp claws of a werewolf. He could remember only one thing of the incident; the cold, uncivilized glare of a hungry animal deprived of his meal when James Potter ripped him from the beast's grasp. That time, Severus had been half-paralyzed with fear and half-angry at his cowardice. This time was different. This time, Severus felt no fear and no anger. In fact, he felt nothing at all expect the passage of time.

"Leave him be." Reiner said, softly. He released his hold on Severus and walked to Daniel. "Let him go…"

Daniel rolled his eyes. "Alright, I'll grant what you ask." With a swift move, he had taken Severus into arms and laughed. "This is his release."

Severus felt Daniel's teeth sink into his neck and at the same time hot, white pain erupted through his entire body. He had never known such pain. He opened his mouth to scream but found he had no voice. Daniel pressed deeper before pulling away with a cry of sheer pleasure. "Your turn."

Reiner sank to his knees. "Please, Master. Let him be."

"Are you to beg now? Beg for the life of his spawn of the family that kept you imprisoned and a slave?"

"I will beg, father. I'll do whatever it takes…"

Severus felt betrayed. A Snape never begged. With the last ounce of his strength he kept his eyes on his uncle. He couldn't believe it. His uncle had begged. Daniel seemed to enjoy it immensely. "No man should have something that causes him to beg." Daniel said sinisterly. "I shall release you."

This time the vampire showed no mercy. Severus tried to breath but the world was becoming hazy. His body felt suddenly heavy and he could barely keep his eyes open. He wanted to sleep. Daniel seemed to understand this because he relaxed his grip. Severus' head rolled to one side as his eyes drooped into sleep.

"NO!"

Severus felt himself ripped from his sleepy haze. He felt to the floor in a motionless bundle, hearing the thuds of Daniel and Reiner as they were thrown clear cross the room. He looked, painfully, at the little House Elf that stood between him and the two advancing vampires. Babbitt looked fierce and very scared. Her little body was shaking from rage or fear, Severus couldn't tell which.

"You go now, Master Reiner." Babbitt whispered dangerously. "You go…"

Reiner and Daniel exchanged looks and must had decided it wasn't worth the risk because neither one tried to approach him. Severus, however, had already drifted into blackness.