Hey, okay I have gotten a few questions about where I am taking the fic. First, this will not be slash. Sorry to all those who want it, I just don't write it. There are really too many of those out in FF.N land as it is in my humble opinion, and most are very poorly done...no offense to slash followers. :)

As for COALD, thisstory just came to my mind after coming up with the phrase, A good spy is one who could save your life when by all appearances he seems to destroy it. I could just totally see Severus in the roll.

I hope that clears some things up. Anyway, on with the story.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Cost of a Life-Debt

Chapter 2

It was ten minutes before Harry could bring himself to return to his room, and another five before he could force himself to start packing. Time seemed to be going so fast Harry could not even comprehend how he was to be ready to give up his entire life so soon. He briefly entertained the notion of running away, but even if he was not caught and imprisoned, the effects of his magic turning against him might end up harming more people than himself. Harry was tired of people getting hurt because of him, sick of it because of the many fatalities he saw during the war. No longer caring about the order and organization of his belongings, Harry threw the rest of his stuff into his trunk. Finally with a shrinking and a feather-light charm his trunk was stored away in his pocket and Harry was on his way to find Ron and Hermione.

Harry left the rooms that had been his during the month that had past since he had graduated with an almost longing look. It struck him as rather ironic that for someone who was in such a hurry to leave not more than an hour ago, he now sure wanted to grasp hold of the carpet and not allow himself to be drug from the place...but Harry was older than that. He had to let go.

Besides, Harry thought that there must be any number of people who wanted Snape dead. It would probably be less than a month before someone tried to off his old professor, than he could fulfill the rest of the debt without resorting to life-long servitude. Yes, Severus Snape had a lot of enemies.

Oh that was sad, Harry realized, to actually hope that someone would try to kill the man just so Harry could save his life. The young wizard looked around and saw that he had unconsciously followed his feet to the Great Hall. It was almost dinner; obviously his stomach was in control of his feet. Well, Harry was in no way ready to handle food; he was still trying to keep his lunch down, but it was not unlikely that either Ron or Hermione might be taking a meal inside. Shaking his head clear he stepped inside to look around. The room was empty. The undecorated walls brought back memories, and Harry found himself back in his first year. He was so young, so afraid, so hopeful, ready to prove to the world that he belong, and yet so afraid that he wouldn't. How long ago that was, and yet wasn't it just yesterday that his uncle had torn up his first Hogwarts letter addressed to his cupboard?

He did not have time for this, he could get lost in what ever memories he wanted while he was scrubbing Snape's floors, or whatever in Hades Snape wanted him for. The library was where Harry should be headed. Merlin knew that was the place Hermione lay down her wand, not that Harry or Ron ever felt anywhere near as comfortable with the musty old room. But the Library was also empty. Harry waved his wand to call forth the time. He only had an hour and his friends were being particularly difficult to find. Harry wondered if Ron took Hermione home and he cursed the timing. Grabbing a quill and some scrap parchment from the center of the main table Harry jotted down a note.

Ron, Hermione,

I have been searching for you, but you were nowhere to be found.

I have some bad news. Snape decided that it was time to collect on the life-debt that I owe him. I am to be the git's house elf. He only gave me two hours before he is taking me away, and my time is running out. I just wanted to say goodbye, and thank you for standing by me all these years. I am hoping that everything will sort itself out before too long. Although, if I know you 'Mione, you will be researching life-debts within moments of receiving this note. I truly hope that you can find something relevant.

One good thing is that Snape could not possibly be any worse than the Dursleys, and because of them I am at least used to foul treatment.

Your friend.

Harry Potter.

Harry left the quill on the table and dashed up to the owlery. He attached the letter to Hedwig and sent her off after quickly explaining the matter.

Harry had forty-five minutes left to wander a seemingly empty castle. If only Ron and Hermione had rooms of their own in the castle Harry might wait in them for the remaining time with the hope of them returning. Unfortunately Harry was the only one who had been living in the castle this summer, his two friends came only to keep him company. Harry even wished that he had access to Gryffindor tower, but all the common rooms were locked during the summer. Having nothing else to do Harry decided to visit the kitchens.

To say that Dobby was happy to see him would be an understatement. It was rather obvious from the exuberant nature of the elf that he was bored and wanted to do nothing more then bestow upon Harry anything that he could find an excuse to make him accept. Harry shook his head thinking of Hermione. If she was down here more often when the elves had so little to do she might give up SPEW.

"Mister Harry Potter, sir, you is such a great wizard to be seeing humble Dobby, sir." Harry had to keep himself from rolling his eyes at his green friend.

"It's nothing, Dobby. I just came down to say goodbye. I'm leaving the castle rather permanently I'm afraid." Harry replied with a grimace.

"Harry Potter come to tell Dobby goodbye?" The little elf's large round eyes started watering as he gazed up in awe at his idol. "Harry Potter great beyond even words," the elf whispered as he hugged the wizard's knees.

Harry began to wonder if this was a mistake. The wizard did not really desire this undying affecting right now, and the fact that it was coming from a house elf was giving him some rather strange visual images of speaking in broken English, bobbing his head, and following Snape around. Harry shuddered at the thought and pried his friend off of him.

"Well, Dobby, I…um…I think I should head out, I don't have much time left." Harry said as he backed away towards the entrance to the kitchen.

"Oh, wait Harry Potter, sir! Dobby has gift for Harry Potter, sir!" And with that the small elf disappeared only to reappear a few seconds later with a large package badly wrapped in wrinkly brown paper.

Harry didn't know what to say. He looked from the elf to the package several times before registering the hopeful look on his friend's face. Repressing a sigh Harry accepted the soft bundle and tore into the paper. It was a blanket…A Harry Potter blanket. Harry's face was staring at him from the warm, thick bedding.

"I…I don't know what to say Dobby. This is so…unexpected." Harry finished lamely.

"There is more sir, inside the blanket!" The house elf said excitedly motioning for Harry to unfold the blanket. "I is getting them for Mister Harry Potter after Harry Potter killed the bad wizard. I is thinking Harry Potter is needing cheering."

Harry did as the elf directed and found a set of Harry Potter pillows, sheets, pajamas, and warm Harry Potter slipper socks. The teenager felt his face turn red with embarrassment. There would be no living it down if Snape saw these. Harry yet again stammered his thanks and took out his miniaturized trunk, but before he could unshrink it Dobby stopped him. With a snap of Dobby's fingers the gifts disappear.

"They is packed now sir!" The little elf exclaimed beaming. "And now Harry Potter needs food for trip." Dobby said ignoring Harry's protests. Without warning Harry was surrounded by house elves brandishing containers of food, enough food to feed anyone for at least a week.

"I…I can't take all that, I could not even carry it, Dobby." Harry said, again trying to refuse his friend's hospitality.

"Nonsense, Harry Potter is still having room in Harry Potter's trunk." And with another snap of the elf's fingers the food disappeared into the trunk.

With a final goodbye to Dobby, Harry left the kitchen his mood, although still dark, was noticeably lighter from the elf's antics.

It was almost time for Harry to meet up with Snape. He sighed as there had been no sight of Hedwig and knew he would likely not be receiving a reply before he left. Of the two hours Harry was given, only ten minutes remained. If he did not head back the teen would be late, and as it was not prudent to be late where Snape was concerned, a grim Harry made his way back to the headmaster's office.

Right as his time was up, the Gargoyle guarding the headmaster's office jumped aside for Harry and he found himself staring up into the deep black eyes of Professor Snape. Harry thought that he was prepared for this, but staring up at his new owner -he would NOT call him master, never, never, never- he began to panic inside. It felt like someone had dropped a cauldron on his chest, restricting his breath. Harry's eyes burned, but he refused to show any weakness. He resolutely stared back and waited for Snape to make the first move.

Without uttering a word Snape strode past Harry, his long black robes billowed out elegantly behind him. He did not converse with Harry, not even so much as to ask if Harry had everything or was ready. No frivolous niceties came forth from the man as he took Harry away from what had been his home of seven years, but then again Harry did not really expect any. The Gargoyle swung back into place jarring Harry from his depressing thoughts. He held his hand up to the stone creature as if trying to memorize the feel of the rock when Snape interrupted his quiet musings with a simple, "Come."

Harry sighed but turned to follow, eyes lingering on every painting and structure he passed. It looked like his memories would be his only company for the foreseeable future, if this was how Snape was going to act; Harry wanted to be certain that his remembrance of them would be flawless.

All too soon the pair had arrived in the entrance hall, the tall doors were already thrown wide open as if the castle herself were ushering them out of her halls. The reds and purples hues left over from the night's sunset made the grassy plain around the castle seem to burn with a strange light. After a slight pause in the doorway, Harry followed Snape past the apperation barrier. Without warning, Snape halted and turned back to Harry startling the teenager who had once again been lost in his thoughts.

For a moment the two of them just stared at each other, Harry's face reflected his grief and resignation while Snape's features were calm and as unreadable as usual. Harry had to resist the urge to step away from the man when Snape stretched out his arm and placed it on the teen's shoulder. Any thought that the man had made the contact out of compassion disappeared as the world around them melted away. He was being apperated away like baggage accompanying a traveling wizard.

A/N: I know, kinda short still. I wanted to set up a few things that would appear later on and get Harry out of the school. The next chapters will take place at Snape's house and they should be a bit longer. As for whether this will be nice or evil Snape…time will tell. I am sorry for any misspellings and improper grammar, I have been doing the best that I can. I hope it turned out well.