Harry Potter and Co. belong to the great Rowling!

slash-SSLM

AU-Story

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

Chapter Four. Things that matter...

Story begins immediately after the last chapter...

At Prince Manor...

Ignoring the Princes who were looking at him with open curiosity, Lucius observed Severus a little closer. He didn't look like much. He was a lanky boy with short black straight hair in very ill-fitting Wizarding clothes. Lucius was not impressed; didn't the boy know how to dress? Well, if he didn't, he would soon learn. He'd be damned if he was going to be embarrassed by the muggle squib.

Watching his father and Lord Prince from the corner of his eye, he was pleased to see that the Wizards were almost to the point of signing the final documents. The sooner they were out of this place the better.

Severus knew he was being observed by no other than Lucius Malfoy. The youth was tall and looked healthy so he secretly wondered why he would need a carrier. He probably just wanted to have another servant. He had heard his Uncles talking about it, it seemed that they were getting rid of him because he was a squib. Well if being a squib was getting him out here then he would remain squib, at least until he left. Feeling a cramp travel up his leg he shifted slightly and winced when a shooting pain traveled up his back. His Grandfather had hit him good! Evil bastard. He couldn't wait to be out of here! He sighed inwardly feeling Lucius' eyes on him. Didn't he know that staring was rude? Dumb blonde! He had no manners!

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"It all seems in order Lord Prince." Abraxas Malfoy nodded handing the dark haired Wizard the contract that would grant him Severus Claudius Snape Prince. It appeared that Lord Prince wanted a guarantee that he would not challenge him as executor of the boy's inheritance so he had included a clause just incase. Not wanting to risk the negotiations, Abraxas had agreed without protest. He would make it up to the boy. Besides it wasn't as if Severus would need the money.

"As it should be." The dark-haired lord murmured looking over to his grandson. Severus had up to now obeyed him. In a couple of minutes whether he ever did, would cease to matter.

"Very well, then I suggest we begin the transfer ceremony," Abraxas announced looking over to Severus. The boy had sat quietly thus far...he didn't know if it was a good thing or not.

"I assure you there is no interest of recovery." Lord Prince assured his guest sincerely. The boy might look like him but the resemblance was only skin-deep. Severus was his father's son. Months ago he had agreed to receive his daughter under the condition that she divorce her husband but the girl had been a weakling and had broken her word to him. If she hadn't died, he would've thrown her out a second time.

"Neverthless, I must insist on the ceremony." Abraxas argued not because he thought Lord Prince would ever want the boy back but because he wanted to make sure that there would be no link that would make it possible for Lord Prince to try to influence the boy against his new family.

Thinking about the money he would receive the Prince patriarch agreed with a shrug. "Very well. But we sign first."

"Certainly, but the funds won't be transferred until the ceremony is carried out."

"Naturally." Damn Malfoys didn't trust anyone! Lord Prince snapped his fingers, seconds later a small table with two quills appeared between the two. Both men signed in silence while their audience looked on with unease. Both families had much to gain and lose if something went wrong. Once signed the documents glowed and disappeared from sight. A copy would go to the Ministry while the other made its way to the Malfoy vault.

Lucius shoulders sagged slightly...he had hoped that his father would change his mind at the last minute but such had not been the case.

The Princes sighed in relief. Seventy five thousand galleons would go a long way.

Severus bit his lip nervously...a contract had been signed that much he knew but he couldn't help but feel that something very important had also happened. He had never felt so ignorant and weak! He shook his head trying to dispel the sadness and desperation that was taking hold. He had almost succeeded when his Grandfather's voice rang out. "Boy! Come here!"

Severus stiffened the Wizard never called him by his name like he did his cousins. Severus was always brat or boy. Trying not to wince at the pain on his back and bum he got off the chair and moved slowly towards the Wizard.

Lord Malfoy rose as Severus made his way to them. The boy was moving with slow measured steps, his back was straight as a rod. The dark eyes so much like Lord Prince's looked skittish and he nodded in encouragement. The blonde wondered if his host had informed young Severus of what would be taking place in a matter of minutes. Sparing a glance at those around him, he doubted it.

Acknowledging Lord Malfoy's nod, Severus gained a small measure of calm and hope. Maybe working for the Malfoys wouldn't be so bad...he wondered how much he would be getting paid. If he saved his money, he could try to get back to London. He was only ten but if children were expected to work in Wizarding England maybe they could also do other things like travel and live away from their relatives.

Severus reached his Grandfather's side in silence. "You will be living with Lord Malfoy and his family from now on. You are to obey him and Lady Malfoy in everything."

Obey them? In everything? He was supposed to be their servant not their slave! They didn't own him. Noone did. "Do you understand boy?" the old Wizard asked taking Severus arm.

The dark haired boy nodded quietly. What else could he say!

Lucius moved closer, Severus hadn't said a word since they had arrived and he had to admit that he was more than curious to hear the boy speak. "Verbal response boy." Lord Prince prompted squeezing his Grandson's arm.

"I understand."

"Very good. Lord Malfoy if you'd like to start." Lord Prince signaled the rest of his family to rise. For a split second Severus felt the urge to run and shifted nervously. Trying to avoid any such occurrence, his Grandfather simply grabbed him by the shoulder with one hand while he drew his wand with the other

Severus immediately tensed looking from one Wizard to the other. Lord Malfoy simply smiled but his Grandfather's face was set in determination. Severus couldn't help but swallow as fear gripped him. Why were they drawing their wands? His mother had only done it when she was going to cast a spell. They had already signed the contract, what else were they going to do? And why did he have to be so close? He wanted to ask questions but his burning back reminded him of the consequences if he dared open his mouth.

Lord Malfoy tapped Severus head once. Severus felt a tingling travel from his head down his body. The feeling was not uncomfortable but he couldn't help but tremble in fear. He wasn't completely ignorant of magic and could perform a variety of spells thanks to his mother but he had never experienced a spell directed at him. He couldn't help but shift away in a panic but again his Grandfather tightened his hold. "Lord Claudius Tiberius Prince North, do you release Severus Claudius Snape Prince from his duties to your house, family and name?"

Severus' heart skipped a beat. Claudius! He was named after his Grandfather? He shook his head in confusion...why would his parents name him after his Grandfather when the Wizard hated him so much!

"I do." Lord Prince answered tapping the child's head with his wand. The tingling was joined by a slight burning sensation that caused Severus to clench his teeth and try to pull away. Tightening his hold, on a squirming Severus, Lord Prince urged Malfoy to continue. The stupid brat was going to ruin everything!

"Do you release Severus Claudius Snape as a Prince and renounce his blood?" Renounce him! His Grandfather wasn't just sending him to work for the Malfoys he was disowning him just like he had his mother!

Again both Lords touched their wands to Severus' head and the tingling turned into a loud pounding while the burning sensation intensified. He felt horrible! They were killing him!

"I do." Severus gasped and fell to his knees as he tried to push his Grandfather away.

Lucius and Abraxas saw the boy fall to his knees in confusion. Severus was a squib he shouldn't be feeling anything. Was he ill?

Claudius lips thinned angrily and he pulled Severus to his feet brusquely. He knew he shouldn't have beaten the little git! Well too late to turn back, not that he would've anyway. "He was disciplined earlier," was all he said as he forced Severus to remain upright.

Lord Abraxas frowned and hesitated with the last part of the ritual.

Sensing his doubts Prince growled, "do you want him or not?" Stupid Wizard! Why did he have to be so melodramatic about everything! Just get it over with! Lord Prince thought pulling Severus up by his arm. Not wanting a repeat of the beating he had just gotten, Severus struggled to remain standing.

Lord Abraxas silver eyes glared at the dark haired Wizard, a brute through and through! Looking down at the small boy, he couldn't help but feel that he was doing the boy a service by getting him out of his family's clutches. Without answering, he raised his wand over his head, seconds later it was joined by Lord Prince's.

By this time, Severus was moaning in what could only be pain. He had broken out in a sweat and could feel his hands shaking. He tried to run but his legs wouldn't carry him. Something horrible was happening to him and he was too small to stop it. He couldn't help but cry in fear and frustration. Father! Help me! He thought over and over in his confusion.

Lucius moved uneasily something was not right. Squibs didn't behave like this during Transfer ceremonies. How could they? They couldn't feel their magic...yet Severus was writhing in pain as if he was being torn in two. Young Malfoy turned to look at his Father, from the frown on the older blonde's face Lucius could tell that his father was thinking the same thing. He had to stop!

But Abraxas Malfoy didn't stop. If Severus was a magical child and his relatives were still getting rid of him, then he was bound to take him now more then ever. Cursing Lord Prince he finished the ritual, "Do you renounce his body, his soul, his blood, his name, his duty and his magic Prince?" Abraxas asked releasing the spell that would claim the orphaned Severus' as a Malfoy.

Severus shook his head. It was too much! Daddy they're killing me! Help me! Mommy please!

Looking at the boy's face Lord Prince shook his head in haughty disgust. Melodramatic squib! "I do!" he cried and cast the spell that would release his Grandson and allow Abraxas Malfoy to claim to him as one of their own.

Severus hit the floor with a thud and lay panting heavily...his blood was boiling and his head was pounding. When Lord Malfoy's and his Grandfather's spell hit him his whimpers turned to sobs.

Before Lord Prince or anyone could recover from the spectacle of the tortured child Abraxas stepped forward, "I claim you Severus Claudius Snape. I claim your body, soul, blood, duty and magic. Sangunea Prince expelliarus... Sanguinea Malfoy reciverus... Snaguinea Malfoy aceptarus... Your are a Prince no more."

Severus heard the words faintly and shook his head frightened. ...Daddy help me...please come back... he murmured over and over again. His murmur turned into a scream when Lord Malfoy's magic wrapped itself around him. The high-pitched scream reminded Lucius of a wounded animal and he couldn't help but shudder inside. What was going on?

Lord Malfoy signaled Lucius to step forward. His son immediately levitated Severus and moved him towards the door. The boy was whimpering in pain and confusion. He was obviously not well and he had no doubt as to why that was. In his greed for money Lord Prince had passed his Wizard Grandson as a squib carrier. Squibs were not affected by binding cerremonies but Wizards were different, to the latter binding ceremonies were not only painful but traumatic. Abraxas couldn't wait to be away, the sooner they got the boy out the sooner they could attend him.

"It's done Lord Prince," Abraxas announced slipping his wand in his cane.

Lord Prince looked at Severus' face one last time before shaking the blonde Wizard's hand. Something had just happened...but what? Looking over to his sons and other family he could see their questioning looks. He opened his mouth to say something but changed his mind. Severus had never really been his Grandson. He had seventy five thousand galleons. His family and name were safe once more. Wasn't that what really mattered? "It's done Lord Malfoy."

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AN:

I got back from vacation two days ago and have been reading to get me back in the mood. I've started chapters on all my stories and hope to be posting all of them really soon. Thanks for the story alerts...they're nice but how about a review too. Twenty story alerts with only three reviews is just really uneven.

Ta..Ta.