Harry Potter and Co. belong to the great Rowling!

slash-SSLM

An AU-story so there'll probably be things you don't recognize.

A Snake in Sheep's Clothing. A Question of Honor.

Chapter three. Skin Deep.

Three months later...

Severus was dragged to his room once again. He had broken his cousin Rupert's nose and had pushed his other cousin Millina into the fireplace. His parents had died three months ago and for some unknown reason he had been taken in by his mother's family. He had asked his Grandfather to take him to his father's relatives in London but Lord Prince had refused to let him go. As much as the Wizard seemed to hate him, the man had insisted on him staying with them. Severus couldn't help but think that his father had been right. Lord Prince was indeed insane. Why else would the Wizard keep someone he hated around?

"You will remain in the room until you are called downstairs." The burly Wizard hissed pulling on the small arm. "You were supposed to have been on your best behavior. The Malfoys expected to see you tonight you greasy little git! Father has gone through a lot of trouble to get things just right so that you can come and ruin everything by misbehaving. You're lucky for the company because otherwise I would use my strap on your backside." Reginald Prince gritted out squeezing Severus arm painfully.

The dark haired boy simply clenched his jaws, looked straight ahead, and tried to keep up with the long strides. His cousin Rupert had also mentioned the Malfoys, had told him he was going to be Lucius Malfoy's carrier! Severus didn't know what Rupert had exactly been talking about but he knew that he was not going to be anyone's servant. If Lucius Malfoy wanted to carry something, he could very well carry it himself!

"Count yourself lucky that you can work your disability off by becoming a carrier or you'd be in dire straights! You'd best learn your place you little squib or you're going to regret ever coming back to the Wizarding World!" His heavy-set Uncle threatened as he opened the door and pushed him inside.

Severus landed on his hands and knees but stood up quickly. "You should be careful you don't exert yourself Sir, it could prove detrimental to your health. You wouldn't want Uncle Dorian to have to step in as heir." Always surrounded by kind and considerate people, Severus had until recently shown a cold side of himself he hadn't known he possessed. He had never been a rude or hurtful child before but how long was he supposed to tolerate his relatives' ill treatment in silence.

"If I were you I'd worry about yourself my little carrier and less about me." Reginald hissed evilly taking a step towards the child.

Severus took a step back. "I'm not a servant! The Malfoys can carry their own things!"

"Servant?" The Wizard asked not understanidng Severus' words. Carrier? The boy thinks he's going to be a servant! For some reason the whole thing struck him as hilarious. "You ignorant little squib! You'll learn your place soon enough! Oh yes, you will!" The Wizard shouted slamming the door on his nephew, his laughter echoing down the hall.

Wiping his brow Reginald Prince walked back to the library, the Malfoys were supposed to be arriving at seven to discuss the contract and Severus was supposed to have been present. He hoped Lord Abraxas did not make too much of a fuzz. He shook his head still smiling...the boy thought that a carrier was a servant!

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Lord Prince was going over the last part of the contract when his son Reginald walked in, minus Severus. "What happened? Where's the boy?"

"He's in his room under lock and key." Reginald answered serving himself a scotch.

"Why?" Damn Reginald! Why couldn't he just follow his orders? "I specifically asked for him to be present." The almost skeletal Lord asked.

"He broke Rupert's nose and pushed Millina in the fireplace. Thank Merlin it wasn't lit." Reginald whispered as he downed his scotch and served himself another.

"Can't you keep him in line long enough for this to go through?"

"Don't you think I tried? Little beast almost bit me, besides it isn't as if you can do any better! Look at what happened last time you tried to handle him." Severus had gotten into a scuffle with his cousins and when his Grandfather had taken a strap to him the boy had shouted out "I'm a squib and proud of it!" everytime he was struck. As a result Lord Prince had decided to do away with the brat. Not only was the little bastard, a squib but it seemed that the boy relished his station. Well he'd be damned if he was going to put up with him. The father had been bad enough, he would not suffer the little squib's presence one more day. "The sooner we get rid of that boy the better. How Eileen could've married into a family infested with squibs is beyond me. Stupid girl had no sense of pride and duty."

"Women are good but for one thing sir." Reginald observed straightening his robes.

"True, true. Finish your drink and go get him. Make sure he changes his clothes. I want him presentable." The old Lord commented going over the last page of the contract.

"But-!" Reginald sputtered. The boy had been nothing but trouble for three months! He couldn't wait for him to disappear.

"But nothing, I gave you an order!" the old Lord hissed slamming his hand on the desk.

"But-" the Wizad protested as he looked at the scotch bottle longinly.

"Do as I say!" Lord Prince looked at his eldest son in disgust. A blundering fool for an heir, a squib-loving daughter, and an idiot whose only contribution to the family had been to keep his wife pregnant for five conseutive years! What in hades had happened to his family?

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Lord Prince looked back to the contract, 75,000 galleons was more than he had expected. With that amount and the boy's inheritance, he'd be able to get his family back on its feet. He had thus far been able to keep the Princes' bankruptcy a secret, but it was proving more difficult everyday. When he had gone to see the Snape family attorney the man had shown him his son in law's will. To his surprise, Severus had been left a very substantial sum of money and numerous properties. The property he knew he couldn't touch, but the money was up for grabs as far as he was concerned. There had been a clause added to the will but the attorney had not disclosed it. All the man had said was that it did not apply to Severus yet...

At Malfoy Manor...

Lord Abraxas Malfoy and his son Lucius sat going over the last page of the contract. "All seems in order Lucius." The blonde Wizard said looking at his son.

Lucius Malfoy was a handsome tall youth with silvery eyes and shoulder-length, platinum-blonde hair. He had strong features and was pleasant enough with people he felt were worth his time. As a member of one of the most prominent Pureblood families he was uneasy about what his father was doing. Although adopting carriers into pureblood families was a practice that was still in use; he wondered about his Father's true motives. "Are you sure he's a carrier Father?"

"He's a squib. All squibs are carriers"

"Yes, but are you sure he's a squib." Lucius insisted worriedly.

The Princes unlike the Snapes had never had a squib in their family. Lord Prince was probably counting the seconds until the boy was no longer in his presence. "Very much so. Prince is offering him as such besides why else would he be so anxious to get rid of him?"

"To keep his money." It had been shameful the way the man had shown up the day after the funeral to claim his Grandson's inheritance. An inheritance he would control until the boy turned thirty. The Prince's were notorious for gambling and would without a doubt leave the boy penniless.

"That would seem like the obvious reason. However, his father did us a service and I'm honor bound to claim the boy for the Malfoys and insure that he is brought up as he should. Not only that but the fact that he's a squib and a carrier is an added bonus."

"How much is he costing us Sir?" He had accompanied his father to Gringotts to make the arrangements and hoped the amount he had seen on the transfer documents had been a mistake.

"More than I'd be willing to pay for anyone else but less than I thought Prince would request." Abraxas admitted cautiously.

"The man makes me sick. He has no sense of honor. I hope his grandson is not like him or we will not get along." Lucius was uneasy over their new addition. What if the boy proved to be a Prince through and through?

Abraxas shrugged his shoulders. "He's only ten. I'm sure there's still hope for him. Besides that's why I'm having him bound to the Malfoys or better yet to you."

Lucius nodded unsure of how he felt about having someone bound to him. He was fourteen and the Prince carrier was only a small child. Lucius had to admit that he might've liked to have a companion when he was younger but now? No, he simply didn't see himself in anyone else's company least of all a ten year-old squib. "He's a half blood."

Abraxas tensed. He was aware of his son's views on the purity of Wizarding blood and found them misguided to say the least. Maybe having the boy around would help him see how wrong he was. "Technically not. He's father was magical as was his mother, that makes him a full blooded Wizard. Besides he's a carrier."

"I'm seeing Narcissa Black." Lucius although young did not find the idea of being bonded to a male an alien matter. The problem as far as he was concerned was that he had already decided on whom he wanted as future Lady Malfoy. Narcissa wasn't just beautiful but intelligent and most importantly a pureblood.

"Blacks are known for divided loyalties I don't know if things will work out with her. Her father is notorious for the dark arts and not all that sane. It's rumored that he cursed his twelve-year-old daughter, Bellatrix, into madness. I'm not saying no...just think about it Luicus. Marriage is for life. Malfoys have worked hard to keep the family honorable. Neither you nor I want a Wizard in the family that may curse one of your children when in the throes of anger."

Insanity and magic were not good mixes but even if Bella and her father were insane that did not apply to Narcissa. "She's not like that."

"You're fourteen, very young. Don't commit yourself or allow her to involve you in anything more formal until you speak to me first." Lucius had met Narcissa Black a year ago and had become smitten for lack of a better word. Maybe Severus could be helpful in making Lucius see Narcissa and the Blacks for what they were.

Lucius nodded worriedly. He had always thought Bellatrix odd... but insane? "I wonder if Lord Prince knows what you've got in mind." Lucius mused wanting to change the subject.

"I don't think he cares so long as I get saddled with the boy and he gets paid. He'll be getting the money from the boy's inheritance and mine also...Lord Prince will have made himself a fortune before the day is over."

"Too bad he's a squib." Lucius whispered disatisfied.

"He's a carrier and once he turns seventeen can bear the next heir if need be. He will be bound to you, so he will never get it in his head to turn against us. He will be treated and educated as part of this family...and whether he and you marry he will still be bound to you. His father saved my life. I have to offer for him. Things will be done so everyone benefits. " The older Wizard looked at his son hoping he would see things his way.

Lucius had been brought up right and knew that what his Father was doing he did for the family's honor. If Lord Abraxas allowed Lord Prince to offer Severus Snape as carrier to other families without stepping forward he would lose face. The boy's father had saved his father's life. If the boy's family was going to get rid of him, Abraxas Malfoy was honor bound to take him.

"It's a question of honor Lucius. I hope you understand."

Lucius sighed and looked away. "I'm trying to sir."

back at Prince Manor...

Lord Prince rose to his feet while keeping his grandson pinned to his seat with a glare. The boy had managed to run off twice. He hadn't wanted to use the strap on him with his visitors so soon arriving but after having been spit on Lord Prince had lost his control and had punished him mercilessly.

Severus who had not cried since his parents had died had finally broken down. After the beating he had been ordered to his seat where he had remained quietly while his cousins and Aunts looked their noses down at him. He hated them! He hated each one of them, but he hated his Grandfather more!

"Remember what I said boy, do as I tell you or you will not leave this room with the skin on your back." Severus who was having trouble disassociating himself from the burning pain on his back nodded and sniffled quietly. "Good. Now eyes down until I say so!"

Abraxas and Lucius entered the heavily furnished room behind the house elf. "Lord Malfoy and his son Master." The tiny elf announced before bowing himself from the room and closing the doors.

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"Lord Malfoy...Mr. Malfoy... a pleasure to have you." Lord Prince greeted the blonde and his son formally. He hated the pair but the money he would be getting had made him gracious.

Abraxas and Lucius nodded in return their eyes taking in the others present in the room. It seemed the whole family had shown up. "A pleasure to be here Lord Prince, everyone ..."

"My family was visiting when all this began. They have been helping me with the child. Let me introduce you..." The dark haired wizard explained offering his guests a seat.

After the brief introductions in which Severus much to the Malfoys' disappointment did not look up conversation began immediately. Knowing that his father could handle the greedy wizard Lucius looked around discreetly. The Princes were not a pretty lot. Besides the gangly, pale, Severus there were four stocky boys with dull blonde hair and bruised faces. Also seated was a girl of about twelve who was looking at him from under her lashes. She had dark brown hair and blue eyes and was also on the beefy side. The Prince women were blonde, blue eyed and downright plain. There were two men in the room one was a heavy-set Wizard with dark brown, wavy hair, and tanned complexion. The other was a smaller version of the first. Of all those present Lucius came to the conclusion that Severus Snape was the only family member who looked anything like Lord Prince, he hoped the resemblance was only skin deep.

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