A/N: I'm back and just wanted to get this story that had been on my mind out. I updated this chapter as there were some grammatical errors. My other stories will receive updates after this is completed.

Thank you to my beta reader WizardSmurf for the edits and feedback

I claim no copyright or benefits from this story. All characters belong to J.K. Rowling

Harry collapsed into his bed, tired from the long day. It was the eve of his seventeenth birthday, and this had been his most memorable birthday since he was eleven years old and found out he was a wizard. At first, he was warm and content, being able to share this day with his closest friends and companions. However, eventually, his mood soured thinking of his childhood upbringing. Was it so hard once a year to have sweets and be made to feel special?

Harry had long suffered throughout his upbringing from physical beatings that came freely from his Uncle, constantly feeling unloved and unwanted, and there were many nights where pangs from his stomach caused sleepless nights such as this.

As the night progressed and became pitch black, so did his mood. His fist clenched in anger thinking about Pro-, no Snape. That bastard would get no honorary title from him. To think how he had turned his back on the side of light and murdered Albus Dumbledore caused so much anger and frustration.

He did not realize he was muttering "I want Snape here. If only he were here, I could ki-".

His thoughts and mutterings were interrupted where he heard Hermione get up. He did not realize that he might have woken her.

Harry, Ron and Hermione had earlier collapsed in the living room, exhausted from helping prepare for the wedding. He glanced over, and Ron was contentedly snoring away. At least one person seems to be getting some rest.

She walked over to him and asked concerned "Are you alright Harry?".

He shook his dark thoughts and gave her a smile. "Yeah, don't worry. I'm sorry if I woke you."

Hermione seemed to quickly scan his mental state, and once she confirmed her friend was fine said: "Oh, I had trouble sleeping myself. Actually, I was going to go down and get some tea. Mrs. Weasley has wonderful chamomile tea. I'll bring up a cup for you."

Harry thanked her and laid back down. Hermione dimmed the light in the room before she left, just enough so that she could find her way back in the dark. She was about to hand Harry his cup when her eyes adjusted from the dark hall, and she dropped both cups of tea causing the cups to break.

"Pro- Professor Snape!?" She cried out.

A minute before Hermione walked in the room, Snape's eyes had adjusted as did hers. He had spent the night pacing in his room at Spinner's End, dreading the planned attack on the Order of the Phoenix. Then the pain hit. It was a sensation that was unmistakable, seeping into his bones and mind. It had been, what, nearly sixteen years since he felt it? Did the Dark Lord find a way to gain power so fast? He had two decades of what could almost be considered freedom.

He did his best to suppress the pain, at first coming from the back of his neck, but knew the call was inevitable. He sighed, thinking he would give himself a little dignity and grabbed his wand and pulled on his cloak before giving into the ancient curse.

At first, he was profoundly confused. This was not the manor the Dark Lord was at. Nor, was it anywhere he had previously been summoned. His eyes adjusted and made out that he was in a dim common room. There were two sleeping figures on the couches. Then he saw her, the girl, Ms. Granger and it all clicked into place. The crafty bastard was right. After Albus' death, he did not think there was any hope, even though almost all went as the old wizard planned, and now here he was back on track to the crafty wizard's schemes.

Harry couldn't see the fear in Hermione's eyes until he was able to grab his glasses from the nightstand. In the same moment, he grabbed his wand and quickly shot up. Indeed, Snape was across the room. To think a few minutes ago I wished he was here. His mind spun quickly trying to remember all the spells he had learned. He quickly yelled "Expelliarmus! ", as Hermione was running over to her bed to grab her wand. Ron shot up yelling "Oi, what's the big idea?" Until he realized there was an unwelcome guest and rolled out of the bed.

Snape's wand easily fell to the floor, and he did not seem to have an interest in retrieving it. Instead, he bowed his head and held up his arms. "I am unarmed, I can explain".

Snape knew he couldn't trust Albus to have parted any information on his situation to the boy. Harry snarled "After what you did to the Headmaster!? You are a traitor! Give me one good reason not to kill you!". The louder Harry yelled and the angrier he became, the stranger Snape behaved. It was if each of his words slapped his former Potions Master with exceeding force. By the time he threatened death, the older man was kneeling on the floor his head pressed firmly to the cold ground.

To Snape the pain was unbearable - exceeding tortures from crucio and requiring compliance as the imperius. As Potter's voice became angrier, the pain eventually sapped his will and he crumbled to the ground. As with riding a broomstick, the position came naturally from years of practice. Dignity was after all not for the likes of him. He could feel the tight binds of ancient magic forming from the back of his neck. It had wrapped around his limbs until he was in a position of supplication.

Why should my life be spared? He let the long-forgotten pain ebb throughout his body until he could gain composure enough to speak. "My life is already in forfeit, and if you wish to kill me that will be your choice."

Snape recollected his poise, and while he was able to take his head off of the floor he still knelt and spoke head down. "However, Albus' last-" He felt physical pain coming from his head.

Potter had grabbed his hair and growled. "Don't you dare speak his name."

Snape complied, which may have gone over the boys head, but continued on. "The Headmaster and I have been working on a way to weaken the Dark Lord".

He heard Potter give a dry laugh. "And why would you of all people try to weaken him."

The absurdity of the situation made his mouth twitch in an almost a grin. He looked up at Harry Potter's eyes, trying to ingrain the truth of his words. "Because now I understand his plan. I am a slave, and you are apparently the one meant to control me." Harry stared at him trying to comprehend these abstract thoughts. Then the rest of the Weasley family came in ready to defend their beloved home and family.

The first Weasley that was was able to comprehend who was in their home was George Weasley - the twin who just recently lost an ear to the man kneeling supplicant in his home. He charged forward intent on payback. He was stopped by his older brother Bill, who looked intently at Snape. "Ah, well that's interesting" the oldest Weasley brother mused. "Can everyone leave the room, Harry you can stay." The group of Weasleys were confused, but Bill had been all around the world and seemed to understand this very confusing situation. It was only Ron and Hermione who protested. Bill sighed and nodded, knowing how inseparable the three friends were.

Bill knew that the rest of the family were probably peeking from corners, ready to fight Snape. However, he knew what he had to confirm. "Harry tell Professor Snape to strip". Harry backed up as if struck with an electric current. "What - are you serious?" "Yes," Bill said matter of factly. "It will help my evaluation." Harry, trusting Bill quickly said "S-strip" not knowing why he had to say the words. Immediately, and without hesitation, Snape stood up and removed his cloak, shirt, and pants.

As each piece of clothing was removed the more the eyes couldn't stop staring. First, without the coverings of his usual high collared shirts, deep scars could be seen around his neck. A mark, different than the dark mark was seen covering the back of the neck. The circular pattern had with intricate geometric linkages were unfamiliar to the three younger persons in the room. His back was traced with scars. The dark mark could be seen on his arm as well as another unexpected mark near his hip. There were some words in Latin that only Hermione and Bill were able to make out, sub potestate domini.

Additionally, the words surrounded what looked like a heraldic crest. The ornate crest made the other marks look crude. Bill gave a closer look as if he was inspecting one of his cursed artifacts. He traced the heraldic crest, saying in an impressed tone "Villa Pietra." He then placed his wand on the strange mark on his neck and felt some resistance. "Harry place your wand here". Harry, giving up on the strangeness complied.

"Do you feel any resistance?" Bill asked.

Harry shook his head. "No, but I sense something. It's like something is drawing me closer."

Bill seemed to understand. "He is not lying, and honestly he can't lie to you. Just as he said he is a slave."

The questions started to blurt out, first Hermine and then the rest of the room. The other Weasleys who had stood back now started to come forward when they realized there were in no immediate danger. Bill picked up the dropped cloak and wrapped it around Snape.

It was then Snape realized why he had the others leave the room. He was actually trying to have me retain some form of dignity. He thought the effort was wasted but did have a newfound respect for the eldest brood of Arthur's.

The inspection from him was thorough, yet they had seen the marks and Bill was able to confirm his status. The bond was not sealed, so he could have resisted a little to Harry's first command, but he understood Bill's intent. It would be a fruitless exercise to try to convince this lot with just words. Especially the gawking Ron Weasley.

He was about to make a snide comment about catching flies when Harry spoke. "That cannot be right, isn't slavery outlawed?"

Hermione seemed ready to recite some laws when Bill chimed in "Technically, here in Britain yes. However, this fails to account the nature of this type of slavery and its practice globally." He pointed to the back of Snape's neck which was still slightly exposed. "That could technically be described as a curse, and in this form goes back all the way back to at least the ancient Romans. There were other forms of slavery back then, but this was the most effective and long-lasting. You see this curse binds a slave to a strong-willed Master. However, unlike with house elves, the bond has to be created and maintained. Additionally, while throughout time wizarding and muggle laws have changed, this curse does not apply. Any magical property could not go to a slave, the deed would not sign. Money placed in Gringotts, which is how I first became familiar with this practice, would be immediately transferred to the Master. Besides technicalities of property, there are deep bonds that will not allow a slave to lie, disrespect, or harm his Master. The Master can stop the flow of magic in the slave. There are magics that slaves can possess which regular wizards cannot perform." Bill trailed off and looked at Snape. "I guess that was a bit long-winded, but I have never seen a case like this in Britain."

Snape was quite impressed, and this did save him the troublesome explanation which may not have been believed coming from his mouth. He gave a slight nod and said "We are rare here, however many old wizarding families have been able to skirt the modern laws. However, there are many places throughout the world where the practice is common and even those that don't have immense wealth or lineage are able to possess one of us."

Harry collapsed in a chair, barely able to comprehend Bill's and Snape's words. The room was silent, everyone stunned at the turn of events. However, Snape knew what was coming and now that the bond was reawakening, he had to protect his new Master. "As much as I would enjoy spending the night deliberating the theoretical basis of my existence, there is a planned raid tomorrow here and other known Order Member's houses." That seemed to snap Harry out of his stupor.

The Weasleys first thought it best to abandon the house, but Snape was able to convince them of futility and suspiciousness of that path. It would be best to proceed as normal. His priority was to find a way to safely store Harry as well as to convince his former Master that there was nothing amiss. So much could go wrong, yet perhaps this elaborate web that Dumbledore wove would actually come to fruition. He laid out his plan, which while risky, would help set into motion the downfall of Voldemort.

He had quickly explained all he knew, the locations of the Horcruxes, Voldemort's infiltration of the ministry, and his evil goals. He had left out knowing that Potter would have to die. Luckily he was not asked directly, so he did not have to give all the truth. He did not know how he could explain, but hopefully, there would be a better time and place.

"How could you know so much?" was a question by the group. It was a long explanation, but lacking time and preparation he explained as quickly as he could. "My original Masters were the Malfoys. On Lucius' seventeenth birthday, I was given to him to serve alongside him and to be the personal potions brewer for the Malfoy family. That is a common trade, for slaves with the aptitude. In the early days of the Dark Lords reign I was given to him for favour. Being a slave, there was nothing that was hidden. However, the bond was severed on October 31, 1981."

Snape looked at Harry. "No other bonds would take hold on me, so I knew my Master was still out there. I was convinced that the Dark Lord was just weakened and would be back to claim me. However, Al- the Headmaster had a different theory. He was convinced that an ancient rite was invoked when Mr. Potter and his magical protection defeated the Dark Lord. A rite where the victor would claim the defeated properties. Not much is known of ancient rites, but I was not convinced. Now I have a different option." He studied Harry, not knowing if the boy would be able to comprehend all this information. "However, the bond has not been completed and even if it is I am still marked. There is a real chance that I will again be in complete thrall to the Dark Lord."