Chapter 8

"Have you found anything?" asked Minerva.

"Nothing" said Ron disappointed in himself.

"The Prince won't like that" said Minerva nodding curtly to him before

leaving.

"Well, what did he find?" asked Severus, he was being married to Prince

Draco of Spain. He didn't like he thought but he had agreed with his

father to find someone suitable and had obviously failed.

"Nothing my lord" said Minerva softly.

"Hmm… be gone" said Severus obviously very angry.

"Yes my lord" said Minerva bowing low before stepping out.

So it was finally happening, Severus was going to be married by the end

of the night. The queen and King of Spain were sitting at the other side

of the room. Everyone was there, those who were of importance of course.

Severus' ears perked up when he heard soft sobbing, not shrieking sobs

but very quiet ones, which no one else would be able to hear. Not for

the racket they were making anyway, he felt like crying himself. He really had

wanted Harry to be his bride.

"Please kneel" said the man bible in book, ready to marry them.

"Do you Prince Severus Snape take Prince Draco Malfoy as your lawful

wedded husband and solemnly promise to have an heir then remain faithful

to your husband?"

"Don't!" shouted Ronald Weasley panting as he came in.

"How dare a peasant interrupt this holy moment!" snapped the King.

"Mr. Weasley… come" said Severus noticing the excitement and shock on the young man's face.

"Thank you, your Majesty," said Ron bowing humbly to the Prince and

perhaps soon to be King.

"What do you know?" asked Minerva coming in behind the Prince and Ron.

"You won't believe what I'm about to tell you," said Ron panting heavily.

"I'm sure we will" said Severus his eyes narrowed telling Ron to continue.

"Harry is a servant," said Ron.

"A what?" asked Severus looking sick.

"That's right, a servant," said Ron.

"You know something else?" asked Minerva, she knew that Ron would not

have interrupted a wedding for just that news.

"I think he might be the lost Potter heir, he looks just like James

Potter, with Lady Evans-Potter's eyes." said Ron.

"Holy mother of Jesus" said Minerva covering her hand over her mouth in

horror.

"I'm almost sure it's him," said Ron.

"Well we need to find out" said Severus.

"You would have a hard job" said Poppy the daughter of Baron and

Baroness Dursley.

"What? Why?" asked Severus.

"He's just been sold to Riddle," said Poppy.

"Just?" asked Severus looking sick.

"Yes your majesty," said Poppy bowing low.

"Tell no one we have spoken, we must leave at once we have much to do"

said Severus determined.

"I wonder what he is going to do?" said Poppy smiling softly at the

Prince's retreating back.

"Going to save him" said Ron smirking.

"Yes, I'm glad I spoke to you, I didn't know who to tell" said Poppy

smiling.

------Flash Back---------

"Who are you?" asked Poppy seeing someone lurking around.

"Sorry I'm just leaving" said Ron squeaking before trying to get away.

"Hold it right there, and tell me the truth or I will have you bound for

America" snapped Poppy, using her mothers attitude.

"I'm trying to find out all I can about Harry, for Prince Severus" said Ron.

"I see, what do you want to know?" asked Poppy.

"Who is he? What is he?" asked Ron.

"One question at a time" said Poppy smiling softly.

"Who is he?" asked Ron.

"Our Servant" said Poppy.

"A servant?" asked Ron looking faint.

"Yes, but he doesn't know he is the heir of the Potter fortune, my

parents are using it and keeping it from Harry, apparently its his, even

this house" said Poppy.

Yelling could be heard, Ron saw someone put Harry into a carriage before

leaving, he looked worried now.

"Who was that?" asked Ron shocked.

"That's Riddle, my mother just sold him so she could get enough money

to last her another few years" said Poppy.

"What?!" asked Ron shocked.

"Yeah they are skint, they cannot get their paws on Harry's fortune, much to their disgust," said Poppy.

"Why do you think like that? It's your family!" said Ron, he would stick

though his through thick and thin.

"I don't like how they treat everyone," said Poppy simply.

"I have to tell the Prince!" said Ron looking ready to bolt.

"The wedding is coming up! In fifteen minutes we are leaving! Can you

get in the coach with us?" asked Poppy.

"I don't think so," said Ron looking for anything he could hold onto.

"You need to run then, quickly!" said Poppy, she wanted Harry saved as well.

"Ok," said Ron "Goodbye".

"Bye" said Poppy softly.

-------- End Flash Back-----------

"Break the door in" snapped Severus to his men.

"Yes sir," said the servant doing as he was told.

'Thud'

'Thud'

'Thud'

They had the door bashed open within five minutes, the doors were

actually off their hinges. Once they entered the hall, the sight that met them stopped them in their tracks. Riddle was actually beating Harry, black and blue by the looks of things. The young man was already covered in blood; Severus smiled grimly when he never heard a sound. So Harry was not letting them get any more pleasure than they were already getting by not screaming.

"Arrest him, show him what its like to live as a slave, even though he

may be of noble blood" snarled Severus.

"Right away sir," said the man getting Riddle in irons, he didn't seem

too happy about that. He struggled and head butted everyone but it

didn't work, he was in the end subdued and put into a cage which was carried away by horsemen.

"Get the nurse now!" snapped Severus.

"He's on his way, I think he would be better off in the castle my lord"

said the man, seeing how pale and worn the young man looked.

"I agree tell him to go back we will have Harry there in a few minutes"

said Severus eyes darkening.

"Harry?" asked Severus softly.

Harry's eyes fluttered open, pain filled green orbs latched onto his,

and he saw guilt, shame and tears poor into them.

"Hush now Harry, everything will be alright" said Severus lifting Harry up.

"I lied," said Harry hoarsely, it was difficult to speak.

"I know little one, you don't need to speak, and hush now we will talk when I've gotten you better" said Severus smiling, he felt better that Harry felt guilty about lying to him. It made him feel so much lighter, Harry had not lied to him just to worm his way into his heart, then tell him he was a servant, then try and marry him.

"Hurts" gurgled Harry, Severus had just poured water into the young man's mouth.

"Is he settled sir?" asked the driver.

"Yes, make haste" said Severus; they were at the back of a wagon which was covered in animal skin. Soft, fluffy and comfortable, Harry almost

snuggled into it. Smiling softly, Severus continued hushing Harry and helping to try and get Harry to stay awake. It wasn't hard, him crying out in agony every time the road was bumpy which was nearly all the time. Severus was nearly in tears with frustration, he didn't like seeing the one he had come to love in so much pain.