A/N: All characters and copyright belong to J.K. Rowling

Snape woke up instantly with a jolt, the bond forcing his eyes open. He looked up and saw that Harry was already awake. His joints were extremely stiff, and it pained him, but he pressed his head to the floor "Master, forgive this slave for sleeping after you."

Harry was confused not knowing that Snape was on the floor. "What are you doing down there?" He then saw how concerned the older man looked. "It's fine; I just got up. You don't need to bow like that."

Severus complied gratefully, although his sore legs and stiff muscles complained. The last time he spent the night sleeping on his knees was over two decades ago, and he was a lot younger then.

Harry still felt quite weak but at least he was conscious. He was an athlete and trained hard, so he was sure he could recover quickly.

Currently, the primary goal was to have Harry back at full health. Severus prepared breakfast, and Hermione brought some up to Harry before starting to eat herself. It wasn't until Hermione was halfway through her meal when she realized she didn't see Professor Snape eat anything since lunch yesterday. She also remembered the conversation from the night before and rushed to the cellar to find Snape collecting some seeds from a strange looking plant.

Severus raised an eyebrow when she came rushing downstairs disturbing his concentration. He did not sense any current need from his Master, so he asked "Is there a reason for this disturbance?"

Hermione asked quickly "Did you eat yet?"

Snape shrugged "No, I haven't received permission nor will I bother my Master with such petty requests." Snape was a little hungry, but he still had some pride and would not beg until he was much weaker and hungrier.

"That's ridiculous if you won't ask him, I will." She huffed.

Severus didn't see any harm with her telling him. Actually, that would save some embarrassment if his Master complied. He didn't imagine Harry would prevent him, but he may want to test how far he could control him.

"If you are insistent, I won't stop you." He gave a slight nod of his head.

Hermione knew that was as much of a 'thank you' she would be getting from Snape. She went upstairs, the older man trailing her. Ron had finished his breakfast and was upstairs chatting with Harry.

Hermione strode over to Harry. "Harry, Snape hasn't eaten since you both did the ritual." She quickly exclaimed. "He said he could not eat until given permission and now he has skipped breakfast as well."

While Harry still had resentment towards Snape, he felt that bitterness fade as he learned more about the horrors of the curse. Plus, he knew what it was like to go bed hungry and did not wish that for even those he hated. "Why didn't you say anything?" He asked.

Snape, quickly bowed "I did not want to bother you with such requests. Please forgive me." This whole situation was becoming more of a bother than he anticipated.

"You really should eat. You shouldn't even have to ask me!" Harry did not like having this total power and being able to withhold food did not sit well with him. "Is there a way that you won't have to ask?"

Severus thought for a minute. His prior Masters generally liked that power over him, and he would always beg permission. "I suppose you could - you are the Master and if it is your preference for convenience sake I could have general permission. Since the bond is new, I do not currently know my limits."

Harry quickly then said, "Yes then, you have my general permission to eat."

Severus bowed low "Yes, thank you, Master." He understood that while this was a generous offering from his Master that it could be taken away.

Ron spoke up "Oh yeah that reminds me, he cannot perform magic using his wand as well."

Harry again granted Snape this ability to use magic without having to gain permission. Severus instantly felt his fingers twitch and knew he would be able to cast spells again. He signed in relief, more apprehensive about this subject than the food. "You are most generous."

Harry wished Snape was being sarcastic but had a suspicion that he was completely honest.

After ensuring that his Master was fine, he excused himself and grabbed a bite to eat before heading back downstairs. It was a good half hour before he started to hear the steps again. He touched his temple in aggravation. What is it now?

Just as he thought it was Hermione who was back in the cellar. He dryly asked, "Is there something else I could help you with." He was grateful for her earlier intervention, but he always hated being interrupted and couldn't help being curt.

Hermione looked nervously at him "I was wondering if you needed help. I know what you're making is important and I could assist you."

Snake considered this request. The preparation work was monotonous. However, when it got time to brew the potion, it was intricate. He knew that her skills highly surpassed those of her peers. She could perhaps be skilled enough although he would prefer to handle the potion brewing at that point.

Before he would let her, he warned her of the consequences of any little detail being amiss. The Dark Lord could gain more power or even suspect tampering. Hermione solemnly agreed and was delighted that Snape would trust her in this critical task. He then showed her the ingredients to carefully measure out, how to process the seeds, and how to store the materials until he was ready to start the potion.

By the afternoon the prep work had been completed, and ahead of schedule. Snape carefully looked over her work and said "This will work, well be ready to start brewing tomorrow." While he outwardly didn't convey it, he was impressed. Hermione looked pleased that her work was satisfactory and that she was doing something useful.


Snape was exhausted and did not look forward to another night on his knees. Ron and Hermione didn't see that conflict this morning so they had no idea.

When Snape went to remove the plate he had brought, Harry sat up and asked "I meant to ask you earlier, but I wanted to ask why you were on the kneeling on the floor this morning." Harry didn't want to bring it up when Hermione and Ron were in the room. Eating and using magic was one thing, it was another waking up to Snape kneeling at the foot of his bed.

"Ah-" Snape started reluctantly. "I was not sure where my place was to sleep. That was the only position that seemed suitable as I did not have explicit permission. "

This is so wrong Harry thought. "Well you can sleep wherever I didn't even need to take this bed, but I've been so exhausted."

Snape did not know how to react, and did not want to supplant his Master's rightful place so he asked "If you would then, might I sleep on the couch Master?"

Harry quickly said "Of course, yes. Is there anything else that you need permission for so we can get it out of the way?" Harry thought getting this out of the way would be best. It was hard to hate the git when he was asking permission to do basic things. Harry began to realize how serious the situation was and he was frightened at the power he had over the older man.

Snape thought that the Masters Right was thought of so lightly. He had been raised by muggles and did not know how most Masters liked to keep these rules so that the slaves would remember their place. Having these rules in place made one much more supplicant.

He answered his Master "Currently, there is nothing I need explicit permission for. I wish to become worthy of your generosity."

Harry did not like hearing these trained passages that kept coming from Snape. He had a feeling that it was a habit for him to say things like this as his personality in the classroom was nothing like this. Harry realized that he had no idea who the man was and what parts of his life was an act.