A/N: Thank you to WizardSmurf for beta-reading. All always I look forward to any feedback.

Disclaimer: All characters and copyright belong to J.K. Rowling


For the past two days Harry and Severus had cloistered themselves in the room. Snape was hunched over the desk quickly reading the documents to see if anything was of interest. Harry had spread his stack on the bed and was halfway through a parchment when they heard a polite knock on the door. They stared at each other and Snape silently closed the book he was reading and headed towards the door. He motioned for Harry to remain sitting.

Snape went up to the door and slowly opened it, giving a low bow at the unexpected guest. The man that welcomed them to the villa pushed Severus aside almost knocking him over. He strode over to Harry and noticed the pile of books. "Good evening, I am sorry for any intrusion. I see you are quite a studious young man." Severus silently knelt in the corner near the door mentally cursing the man to a slow and agonizing death.

Harry not expecting the man and without guidance from Snape greeted him. Nerves caused him to smile and he said "Good Evening. Yes, I have been enjoying going through the collection here."

The man looked pleased and said "The villa owner, Marcello Pietra has asked me to invite you to dinner tomorrow night. He had just arrived from overseas and he likes to personally welcome all guests, especially those who are here for the first time."

While it was an invitation, Harry felt like it would not bode well if he declined. Additionally, he thought it would be more suspicious if he refused. Trying not to show reluctance Harry accepted "Of course, we look forward to meeting Mr. Pietra for dinner tomorrow."

The man was pleased with Harry's acceptance and said. "Very good, very good. Marcello Pietra will enjoy meeting you tomorrow." As the man left Severus went and opened the door, staring at the floor as the man passed.

Once he left and Severus closed the door, he strode over to his Master, his eyes glaring in anger. The dense, thoughtless, dim-witted boy. Who knew what kind of connections the Villa owner had? As he strode over his neck started to burn, feeling his intent of reprimanding the Master. "What were you thinking you-" he felt the curse striking him down.

Harry quickly moved forward, stopping Snape from falling to the ground. "I didn't know what to do. It would have been rude to refuse."

Snape knew that Harry's reasoning was logical. He simply did not want to be in the same room as Marcello Pietra. To most he was a charming man, but to those who were slaves in these halls he was a cruel tormentor with the power of a god over them. Harry wouldn't understand his reluctance. The man probably just wanted to meet a potential long-term client. Those who could afford to stay here were usually extremely wealthy and powerful.

Snape, knowing that he would be in unnecessary pain unless he fixed his tone took a few meditative breaths before continuing "Please forgive this slave Master. Your course of action is right."

Harry was surprised at how quickly Snape apologized. He tried to brush it off, guessing the internal struggle of the proud man. "I know you're hesitant. However, we can't run away. How about you show me what I have to know, so I don't look like a complete idiot tomorrow night."

To Snape's chagrin he had to give Potter another etiquette lesson. They spent the rest of the night going over what to do when they would meet the villa owner.


That night Harry woke up from a strange noise. From the dark room and chirping from crickets outside he concluded it was still late at night. He grabbed his wand and cast lumos. He quietly called "Snape?" He was not sure if the man was sleeping or if something else had woken him up. He cast the light over the couch and did not see Snape there. Instead, he stepped back as he saw his former professor curled on the floor, his body covered in sweat. He didn't look awake but looked like he was having an intense nightmare. He was making sounds as if he were in pain, which was probably what woke Harry up.

Harry bent down and tried to shake him. "Snape! Professor!" Nothing seemed to be working. He desperately shook him too afraid to try to cast a spell on him, since he was not sure what was wrong. In desperation he commanded "Severus, wake up!"

Almost instantaneously he saw Snape's eyes burst open. As they did Harry saw a rare glimpse of emotion from Snape. The look was raw fear. He was so used to Snape's controlled features, that when he did show reactions it made it much more intense.

As Severus was forced awake his bond had quickly sent pain flaring down his spine. Images of blood and a cold stone floor flitted through his thoughts, making it hard to grasp what he dreamt. While Severus was already on the floor he had rolled over and pressed his head against the wood floor. How dare he wake his Master? He felt a harsh voice in his mind chide him. It was inconceivable what he did. If he had woken up his previous Masters he would have envied being skinned alive. He voiced "Master, forgive this slave for waking you." His bond demanded a more deferential tone. He waited for his Master's judgment, but it did not come.

Instead, Harry sat on the floor looking at the broken man in front of him. He knew he should say something, so he glumly stated "Don't worry about it. I've had my share of nightmares." He shivered at the thought of his sleepless nights waking up soaked in sweat not knowing if his dreams were real. "Maybe you should take a sleeping draft or something?"

Snape tried to shake off his earlier base display, and straightened his back but still stayed on his knees. "If Master permits, I packed some."

"Go ahead, if you think you're going to need it don't ask me for permission." Grey eyes looked directly at Harry. It only lasted a second and his eyes were back to the floor. What the hell did they do to him here? Ever since they arrived his reactions seemed to have gotten more extreme. He watched as Snape got up and pulled a purple potion from the bag.

Snape hesitated. He had never liked to imbibe in public or take sleep potions because he hated the feeling of lost control. He never liked the idea of the vulnerability that sleep potions exposed. When he was unbound he had some semblance of control in his life and he savored every second of it.

Harry watched as the man after a few seconds of contemplation drank the potion until all that remained was a clear glass vial. He cast lumos and went back to sleep, exhausted from the long day of reading dense archaic texts.


Snape woke up and saw that Potter was in a deep sleep. He took a look out the window and figured it was late morning. It was much later than he was used to waking. He put on his tunic and tried to wake himself as he was still groggy from the potion he took last night. He was surprised when his Master had given him the choice to take the potion.

He headed to the kitchens. He knew he should keep up the act and would order a bowl of gruel for himself. Unlike at Hogwarts where he strode confidently in the middle of the walkway, here he stayed to the side. He had the rules of the villa ingrained since he was young. Even though he was bound to Harry, the Villa had the strictest guidance for slaves, and he didn't want to stand out.

To his irritation he heard some noisy footsteps coming towards him - the gait suggested confidence that wouldn't be from a slave. He was not surprised when he saw a young man stride down the hall. When he heard the steps close by he went to his knees, waiting for the person to pass by. Instead, he saw the steps stop in front of him. He tried not to show emotion and asked "Is there something I can help you with dominus?"

A few awkward seconds passed by, and he finally heard a reply "Look up".

Severus did so and saw a slim young man probably a year or two older than Harry. He couldn't place the accent from here; perhaps he was from southeastern Europe? He was muscular with a long face and dirty blonde hair. There was something familiar about him, but he couldn't place it. His robes were black but accented by gold trim that gave a hint of his wealth and status.

The free man seemed to scrutinize him and eventually said "I see you are not a house slave. They vouldn't keep around one as old as you around."

Severus did not know what he was looking for or why he was trying to insult him, so decided to play it safe and replied "You are correct dominus."

The young man scoffed and said before walking away "I am here looking for a new slave. I hope your Master does the same. There are much younger and better-looking slaves in stock here."

Severus did not know why he was so vindictive of another's property, but there had been much worse said to him. When the younger heirs had the opportunity to exact their frustration they did so. He guessed it was their upbringing to try to display dominance in any situation.

As the boy strode away Snape thought of how he had menacingly walked the floors of Hogwarts. How much of that was a facade of being free? When the coast seemed clear he got up and headed again to the kitchens. They provided him with a bowl of gruel and a plate of breakfast for his Master.

He made it back to the room and found Harry with baggy eyes reading over a book. Unfortunately, the curse made him interested in his Master's health so he asked "Are you well Master?"

Harry looked up. "Yeah, I'm just exhausted." Harry couldn't remember the last time he had been this tired. Even when he was studying for the O.W.L.S. he had not been this tired. While Harry had felt the pressure of being a savior to the wizarding world he had found it hard to comprehend. While he had always hated Snape he couldn't help but want to find some way to fix this situation. As the days progressed he had wondered at how much of the man's bitterness had been shaped by unfortunate life. As Harry had read the texts and learned more about the rules he wondered how anyone could stay sane. It exhausted him reading the texts as he thought it something Hermione would be better able to do.

Snape said "Might I suggest going to the bathhouse? Your eyes might need the rest and I can continue researching."

Harry didn't feel right going to the bathhouse while they were in the middle of researching, but he was tense and tired. Additionally, they had been cooped up in the suite for days and felt like he was going mental trying to comprehend the old scripts. He looked over at the tray of food that Snape had brought. He had no appetite but hated wasting food. "I'm not that hungry. Can you eat the food? I'll grab something later."

Snape nodded, relieved to not have to eat the paste-like gruel and watched as his Master left.


Luckily Harry didn't get lost as he made his way to the bathhouse. The villa was busier then when he first arrived. Perhaps that had to do with the sale taking place at the end of the week? He was unnerved as he saw slaves quickly kneel down as he passed. How annoying would that be if he had to drop what he was doing to show respect to any free person that walked by?

The bathhouse was located next to a garden to the side of the villa. It was an ancient building with intricate corinthian pillars and marble sculptures. When he arrived a young female slave greeted him. She pointed to the entrance on the right. He headed through and came to an indoor section with showers, warm and cold tubs, and what looked like a steam room. He could see some rooms branching off to other recreational rooms and a corridor that led outside to an open-air bath.

He took a rinse in the shower and went to one of the hot small tubs. He was surprised to find the water perfumed with something that made him feel calmer. He had most of the place to himself and found he could relax easily.

Harry started to nod off when he heard splashing near him. In the next tub, there was a tall dirty blond haired person who seemed about his age. When Harry looked up the newcomer gave him a friendly smile.

"Sorry for disturbing you." He had an accent that was slightly familiar to Harry.

"No, it's alright. I probably would have fallen asleep." Harry confessed.

"Is it your first time here?" the man said. Harry tried to place the accent as it was familiar.

Harry confirmed and the man asked "Ah, that accent, you are from England, yes?"

Harry said yes and the man said "I was at Hogwarts during the Triwizard Tournament. I didn't get chosen, but I am guessing you vere there as vell."

Harry scarred from what transpired there and not wanting to talk about it, brushed it off saying "Yeah, I was too young to put my name in. " He was glad that Snape had continued to place the glamour on him.

The man continued "So you're here for a slave?

Harry not wanting to seem to be in the market for a slave said "I'm not looking for a slave. I have one already."

The other boy looked impressed "Oh so you came here to train your slave?"

Harry retorted "I'm just here to do some research at the library." He hoped that he didn't seem flustered and that the hot water and steam covered up his reddening face.

"So boring" the young man said "Let me guess, you own that sour looking old man? You both have English accents."

Harry cautiously answered "Well he's not that old. He brews potions so he's very, uh, useful." He did not know why he was defending his ownership of Snape. He was here to try to remove the curse.

"You should look at the stock they are selling this veek. There are many slaves who can do more than brew potions."

Harry, no longer relaxed, wanted to head back to the room. "Thanks for the advice. I'll keep it in mind." He pulled himself out of the warm water and had a quick rinse under the shower. The more he interacted with these people, the more he couldn't wait to get out of here.

When Harry got back he found Snape engrossed in a book. He watched the older man quickly stand up and give a bow.

"I am sorry Master, I didn't hear you coming." Snape's voice was calm, but Harry could feel the irritation. Perhaps because he was torn from the book.

Harry trying to distract himself from his earlier annoyance at the bathhouse asked "Did you find anything interest yet?"

Snape seemed apprehensive but said "Perhaps. I am trying to understand this text."

There was a medieval image of a man on a horse and a woman, waving goodbye with a castle in the background. Next to her was a kneeling man with what looked like either a collar or that curse mark on his neck. The text was in French and Harry had to use the glass to decipher the text.

He had to try to transcribe some of the old wording mentally. Harry managed to read out "A husband departs his wife and property to go to the Holy Land. During his campaign, the wife manages his holdings." It was titled locum tenens severance which may have been why Snape had been drawn to it."What does this exactly mean?" Harry asked.

Snape said "I am not sure yet, but perhaps there is something more. I think we need to continue researching."

Harry said "Well, we have dinner with the villa owner tomorrow night. Can't we just ask him?"

Snape's face paled. He carefully said "I don't think that would be the best course of action, Master." He looked over to his Master and felt like his words were falling on deaf ears. Harry's face was determined, eager to meet to villa owner and perhaps get some answers.