The outline for the rest is the story is complete and I'll be working on uploading a chapter a week. Please let me know any feedback.
While the only light to guide them came from small flickering candles that lit the halls, Snape guided them expertly to the other wing of guest rooms. It was quite late and they had a long day, but Harry was determined and curious to figure out what Ivan wanted to show him. Snape gave a polite knock and moved out of his Master's way as the door opened. Harry took a gulp then confidently strode into the room, wondering what information Ivan knew.
Ivan greeted them seated on a couch in his large suite. While the room smelled of sweet wine there was an air of danger that made Harry's hair stand on its end. While Ivan had been nothing but friendly, something about him unnerved Harry. However, Harry was putting so much hope into getting answers from him.
"Sit, my friend" Ivan grinned. Harry took a seat on the plush chair that was ornately carved; the large seat made him feel small and enhanced his nervousness. However he knew he would have to hide his fear and tried to ask, "Why did you want to meet?"
Ivan gave a slight grin "My friend, you need not be serious."
Harry didn't acknowledge that statement as he watched Ivan snap his fingers. The boy who had let them know Ivan wanted to meet them brought forward a tray with wine. Harry felt bad as he didn't even realize that boy was in the room. Was I becoming like 'them'? Harry thought. He tried to shake that feeling off as he reluctantly grabbed a glass.
"No need to worry, relax...relax." Ivan then took a large sip of wine and, as if to show Harry what to do, sunk into his own chair.
Harry inwardly sighed. He needed answers, and he felt that he would get more with this Ivan person than the villa owner. He decided to let Ivan take the lead relaxed while the man thoroughly enjoyed the wine. Harry drank sparingly, especially after noticing how strong it was. His head was a little fuzzy as he watched Snape silently kneeling in the corner and the boy who also knelt, although seemingly less poised.
Harry's glass was only partly empty when Ivan drained his glass and had another refilled. Ivan called for the boy again, ordering him to grab one of his bags. It was quickly brought over, and he rifled through his items until he pulled out a parchment.
Harry looked over at Snape who had made a slight movement, and caught a glimpse of fear in his eyes before it went back to a glassy look of indifference. Why did Snape act that way? As if he was familiar with the parchment that was taken out? Harry was even more curious now and Ivan had his full attention.
For the first time, Ivan seemed apprehensive as he told Harry, "Do not tell Marcello of this." He explained to Harry that there were many more texts and scrolls scattered around the world however, Villa Pietra had a foothold of the majority. The Villa clung to traditional methods of slavery. Whenever there were modifications to the curse, they worked hard on preventing them, and that was one of the guards of Villa Pietra to hunt down long-lost texts and destroy them.
What if one of them had the cure for the curse! Harry's head spun with excitement and hope. He looked hopeful at that scroll in Ivan's hand.
Ivan smiled seeing Harry's gaze on the scroll. "Ah now you understand, no?" Harry nodded, there were writings out there that may answer his questions and one of those was in Ivan's hand.
While Harry was being filled with hope, Snape reached a new level of fear and despair that he could not contain. As soon as Ivan pulled out the scroll he knew what this was about. For a second he couldn't contain composure as deeply rooted memories started to flash. However, he composed himself, which was more from practice than his own will.
Snape watched helplessly as the scroll opened and he already knew what it would contain. Those were not incantations of freedom but methods of torture that the owners of Villa Pietra would even steer clear from. However, he could do nothing but let it unfurl in horror...much like back then.
"Now Charlus I will let you take a look at this scroll, vut first you must do me a, how vu say, favor." Harry was confused for a second but remembered the false name they had been using. He looked up a noticed a glint in Ivan's eyes. "What sort of favor?"
"Let me try this punishment spell on your slave. All the slaves here are owned by Villa Pietera and I cannot use it on them. They will know it is a spell from the banned scroll" Ivan said this casually, but there was a hint of excitement in his voice that Harry could not ignore.
Harry planted his feet, almost getting up from the seat and said "No." Ivan looked almost appalled, and Harry continued. "He...he is my slave, and he has done nothing wrong." Harry tried not to sound indignant, but he was keeping himself from fuming. So many times, he had been hit or slapped by his family. Not for any reason, but just because it amused them. Even if it was Snape he would not let that happen.
Snape knelt there, shocked - his Master had protected him? Harry looked down at Snape and could not tell the shock in his eyes that betrayed no emotion. However, he saw that the boy's eyes were wide. Even as the boy knelt still Harry could plainly see that he gave a shocking answer to this man.
Harry was then surprised as Ivan brushed it off. "Ah, I see. I apologize if I caused offense. I understand you are his owner after all." There was much that Harry didn't understand about etiquette in this place, but it seemed like Harry would have to find another way to figure out how to get those texts.
The tense mood from the room lifted as small desserts were offered - and Ivan spoke about how uncomfortable warm the Villa was. Harry wanted to leave but stayed thinking of ways to get that scroll. He wasn't paying too much attention as Ivan was rattling off his exploits so far in Villa when he heard a crash. Out of reflex he wanted to curl up. At his family's house, it would have been blamed on him...and he couldn't get that instinctual thought out to try to protect himself. He looked up and saw the boy frozen in fear. He had dropped the tray with wine. The red liquid was on the floor and Ivans clothing. Harry saw the look of fear, however, it was a fear that Harry could comprehend as if the boy was looking at death.
No sooner than the tray had dropped the boy flung himself to the floor begging and pleading for any mercy. Harry's stomach dropped as the boy was not asking to be spared from being hit or abused rather for his very life. Harry looked at Snape not knowing what to do in this situation and desperate for him to have any answers. His eyes found Snape and he saw the man was assessing the situation. Snape think of something, quick! Harry almost wanted to blurt out but sat there transfixed and in horror at what might happen next.
Snape tried quickly to think of how he could best save this situation. From his own instincts he felt guiltily relieved. He had so far avoided getting spells put upon him...especially ones from that scroll. However, as with all the iterations of this curse, he had felt the will of his Master. His Master was unlike any before, and he could feel an unknown force that had wanted him to save the boy. He could not help but glance at the boy and put himself in his place decades ago.
He almost gritted his teeth knowing what he had to do. Ivan had every right to request the life of this boy - the infraction was unheard of in the Villa. Yes, he was young, but he was a slave and his life was forfeit from his birth. Snape could hardly believe his own words as he spoke out. "Master, may I speak?"
Harry almost sputtered out yes with hope that his former Professor thought of something that would save this boy however he kept his nerve and let Snape speak.
All in the room watched as Snape put himself in front of the groveling boy, he knelt at the man who was slighted and requested. "Please let this slave take the punishment for another." Snape had never heard those words spoken on his behalf, but he had heard of a few cases of the punishment transferring. Parents or friends requesting to take the other's punishment. It was a bit strange as the boy was a stranger to him, but it was not unheard of. Snape also knew that as another's claimed property that the man would have no right to his life...and while Snape knew that his young Master had claim on his life he was surprisingly confident that Harry would not let this man take his life.
The tension in the room changed with the evolving situation. The boy's choked tears had subsided as the realization hit that no punishment would come to him. Instead, he looked in amazement at his savior—another slave with no connection to him.
Ivan had also looked back and forth between the boy and the other slave and the allure of getting to have his way without being denied was too tempting. Without even looking at Snape he asked Harry "Do you accept the transfer of punishment?"
Harry had to trust that what Severus did was the right course. He said firmly, "Yes but no…" he gulped. "No killing."
The Romanian man smiled at Harry which did not ease his fears. "Of course, he is yours after all." With a wave of his hand he shooed the young boy out of the room.
Harry then locked eyes with Ivan. "And after you will let me see the scroll." Ivan laughed and agreed.
Severus had never seen the writing on the scrolls and had never had a full glimpse of the seals that were on them, but he knew he had witnessed them before. Back when Lucius Malfoy was his Master. He then let out a long breath. The deal was struck and he would endure…as he always had.
