Story [Harry Potter] Slave Child, Finally updated again! 10/16

Phew! Glad that part is out of the way now! Stupid Rita Skeeter woman, she's always looking to stir up trouble! I'm glad Harry was brave enough to go to Severus and ask for help, and I'm really glad Severus dropped everything like that to help Harry. I think Harry needs to keep seeing what it's like being loved in little situations like that. It'll help him realize what living and loving is really about.
Great job as always Kriztin!

 

wow. loved it. can not wait for the next part of the story.

 

Hey, I'm only on page 2 currently, but am totally engrossed in this story! Great job so far! You had me up til' 1:30 in the morning reading on a Sunday night lol.
You've really captured the essence of the Potter World!
Kudos!
(Snape Rocks!)

 

Whew, I just did a marathon read of the entire fic tonight. I'd love it if you'd send me a PM when you update.

 

NYCitygurl: Thank you! I despise Rita Skeeter, too. She seems to be universally disliked, doesn't she? Though perhaps not as much as Umbridge.

Miana Kenobi: Thank you so much!

jedimasterjsa: Thank you! >>>I think Harry needs to keep seeing what its like being loved in little situations like that. It'll help him realize what living and loving is really about.

Yes, absolutely!

Tatooine_Ghost: Thank you!

Zenni: Thank you! I'm happy you're enjoying the story so far. Hope you've gotten caught up on your sleep! >>>You've really captured the essence of the Potter World!

That means a lot to me! Thanks again.

princess_of_naboo: Thank you! I'll be happy to.



Here's chapter 30. I hope you'll enjoy it!

Chapter 30

The Weasleys were, of course, thrilled at the idea of going to Diagon Alley together. So the Saturday following the press conference Harry and Severus left for London immediately after breakfast.

They had planned to meet at the Leaky Cauldron, but the Weasleys had not yet arrived when Harry and Severus stepped out of the fireplace into the rather dark and shabby pub. It reminded Harry of the momentous morning just over three weeks ago when they had come here for his birthday. But this time they weren't disguised by polyjuice. Harry was a little nervous, wondering how people would react to him. He hoped that everyone would just treat him normally and leave him pretty much alone, but he had a feeling that he'd receive at least a little attention.

Sure enough, once customers inside the bar recognised him, they had to come over to shake hands and speak with him. Fortunately, at this early hour, there weren't many people there, but there was an elderly woman and a young couple with several small children, as well as old Tom, the bartender.

"And to think, ye came right through here that morning an' I never knew," he remarked, almost as if he were scolding them.

Harry smiled. "I wanted to say hello, but at that time it wasn't very safe for Severus or me to be out, so we had to use the polyjuice."

"Oh, a'course, a'course." Tom went back to his work, shaking his head slightly and still muttering, "an' I never knew..."

To Harry's embarrassment, the elderly woman insisted on thanking him profusely for ridding the world of Voldemort, while the young mother kept telling the children, "This is Harry Potter." in an awed tone and the father asked if Harry would pose for a photograph with them.

"Um..., I guess so." Harry was embarrassed, but he thought it would be awfully rude to refuse. A photograph was a little thing and it seemed to mean a lot to them. So he waited patiently while the mother urged the youngsters to stand beside him...the littlest girl was hardly more than a baby and she didn't seem at all inclined to leave her mother's side to stand with a strange boy...and the father pulled a tiny camera from his pocket, enlarged it, and began clicking away.

Just when Harry was beginning to wonder how many pictures he planned to take, Severus stepped forward and spoke smoothly.

"It's been a pleasure, but Mr. Potter and I must be..."

"Oh, you're Professor Snape from Hogwarts." The father exclaimed. "I went to school in Australia, but you taught my younger brother...Tad O'Neill, Hufflepuff...do you remember him? He said you were quite the martinet, actually." He chuckled, seemingly oblivious to Severus' cool stare. "Well, since you're with Mr. Potter, how about a picture of the two of you together?"

"I think not," Severus began, but the man was already snapping another photograph before he could finish.

Severus gave him a decidedly fierce look. "If you'll excuse us, we do have plans."

His tone of voice left no room for argument and the little crowd faded away, leaving Harry and the professor alone.

"Well, it appears that people might not allow you peace and quiet," Severus said quietly. "Are you all right, Harry? Do you want to stay?"

Harry looked into his concerned face and it struck him again how much things

 

Nicely done!

 

Thanks for the PM!

 

wow. loved it. can not wait for the next part of the story.

 

Wonderfully done! I liked how even after Harry's public request that people leave him alone, they can't quit do it. They do seem to show a little more respect, but still somehow feel that "surely I can talk to him, his request doesn't apply to me, why can't everyone else just leave him alone?"
It's nice to have some more of the Weasleys in the story now that Harry and Severus are kind of settling down.
I hope they do find a way to reverse the slavery spell. Harry is just starting to find some happiness. He doesn't deserve to have it tainted by such a dark thing in his life.
Great chapter! Hope everything's well in your life (so you will be able to post more of this story )!

 

Cute!! Love the kids together and ultra-love George

 

Thank you, everyone! I hope you'll enjoy these next two chapters!

Kriztin


Chapter 31

The next week flew by. Ron and Hermione came to visit Harry once more before the new school year began. The weather was nice this time so they spent much of the day outside. Harry showed them around the grounds at Prince Hall and then he and Ron, who had indeed remembered to bring his Cleansweep, practiced feints and dives from the Wronski Quidditch book.

They managed to round up an extra broom for Hermione, but she never had enjoyed flying as much as the boys. After a little while, she borrowed a novel from the library and settled down on a blanket under an oak tree to read while Ron and Harry swooped through the air above her.

Late in the afternoon, just before Ron and Hermione left, the three of them went by the library to return the book. Severus was sitting at his desk, writing on some parchment. He laid it aside as they came in and nodded at them.

"Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley."

"Good afternoon, sir," Hermione said.

Ron looked a little uncomfortable still, but he spoke politely enough. "Hello, Professor."

Severus glanced at the thick book in Hermione's hand. "Is that the same one you were reading the last time you were here, Miss Granger?"

She looked uncertain, as if worried that she'd done something wrong. "Yes, sir."

Severus seemed to have an internal struggle with himself before finally offering, "You may take it with you to finish, if you'd like. You can return it once we're all back at Hogwarts."

Hermione seemed stunned into speechlessness. She just gazed at him in amazement for a moment before slowly smiling and nodding. "Thank you, Professor Snape. I'll take good care of it."

"If I'd had any doubts about that, I wouldn't have offered," Severus responded dryly. He placed the parchment carefully in a drawer and stood. "If you're ready then, Miss Granger..."

They Apparated away to the Granger residence in London, and Ron turned to Harry. "I guess you're right, mate. He can act decent, huh. You're going to ask about riding with us on the Hogwarts Express, aren't you?"

Harry nodded. "Yes. I'll let you know, but I don't see why Severus would mind."

"Well, we'll see you at King's Cross in a few days then." Ron and Harry clasped hands before Ron Flooed home to the Burrow.

***

And then, all of a sudden, it was the last evening at Prince Hall. There were still a few days before the term began, but the professors had to return earlier than the students so Severus and Harry had to go ahead and report to the castle.

"Do you have everything packed?" Severus asked as they were eating dinner.

Harry nodded. "Yes, sir. I finished this afternoon."

"Good." Severus considered him thoughtfully. "The weather will be turning cooler soon. How large is your winter wardrobe, Harry?"

"Umm, I have a few more winter things," he replied. "I always bought myself some clothes at Diagon Alley. The only reason I never bought much stuff for summer was cause I knew I'd be back at the Dursleys by then."

Severus looked slightly puzzled. "Why wouldn't you need summer clothes while staying with your relatives?"

Harry looked down at his plate, piled high with a serving of chicken casserole and vegetables, and mumbled. "I always wore Dudley's castoffs then."

"Hmm." Severus arched an eyebrow, seeming to consider the mental picture of Harry, who had always been small for his age, and Dudley Dursley, who had always been large for his, wearing the same clothes. He didn't comment directly on it though, to Harry's relief.

Relief that was short-lived, as it turned out, since Severus' next words were, "It has not escaped my notice that we have yet to discuss your relatives and the ways they mistreated you, Harry. We do need to talk about it, I think, and decide how they should be punished."

Harry was already shaking his head. "No, Severus, please..."

The professor sighed and reached for his hand, holding it gently between his own. "I understand that it is a difficult topic, but I think it

 

Chapter 32

When his father finally let him go, Harry expected to be deluged with questions, but Severus was quiet. Harry glanced up and, seeing the professor's blazing eyes and pinched lips, decided that Severus must be too angry to speak.

"They were afraid," he said softly. "They never wanted me and they were afraid."

Severus swallowed hard. "Harry, do not attempt to defend them." His voice was rough and he took a deep breath before continuing. "There is no excuse for locking a child in a cupboard, none at all."

Harry didn't know why he felt compelled to downplay his mistreatment. "It wasn't so bad most of the time, really. At least they left me alone when I was in the cupboard."

Severus placed an arm around his shoulders and guided him back through the parlour to the sofa. They sat down side by side and Severus reached to cup Harry's chin in his hand, turning his head so they were looking into each other's eyes.

"Harry, locking a child away in a cupboard is an abominable thing. And I think you know that, too." Severus' voice was firm, but his eyes and his fingers were gentle. "But I can also understand that it would be a relief to have a place where you would be left alone, even if it was inside a cupboard."

He wrapped an arm securely around Harry's shoulders, holding him close, and kissed the top of Harry's head. "Do you want to tell me the rest of it?"

Harry had not planned to tell him then, but somehow his father's concern and love loosened his tongue and it all came out: Dudley and his gang going ?Harry-hunting', Aunt Petunia's hateful comments, Uncle Vernon's blustering threats, the endless chores and days of hunger, being locked away in the cupboard for hours at a time, punished for having nightmares, smacked and pushed and shoved around, the time Dobby had ruined his uncle's dinner party and in a fit of rage, his uncle had beaten him across the back with his belt until Harry had broken down and screamed in pain... all the years of cruel neglect and abuse that he had never told anyone before.

When he was finally finished, he felt embarrassed for some reason and for a moment he wished he could take it all back and keep it locked inside him forever. But at the same time, he felt so safe in his father's arms, safer than he'd ever felt before, and lighter somehow, as if a big hard knot that had been tied up inside him had been loosened. His jumbled-up feelings were just so confusing, he wasn't even sure how he felt.

Severus was quiet for a few moments and when he spoke, his voice sounded strangled. "Harry, I am so sorry."

"None of that was your fault." Harry looked up at him in bewilderment.

Severus' face was ashen. He shook his head slightly. "I meant that I am sorry that you suffered so, but I did fail you. We all did. And I am sorry for my part."

"It's all right," Harry said softly.

"It most definitely is not all right!" Severus was emphatic. "You were an innocent child, placed into horrible circumstances, and there was no adult to look out for you. We should have noticed, and done more, but we failed." He took a deep breath. "But I can promise you that no one will ever..."

Severus' voice abruptly broke off and if possible, he looked even more stricken. His arms tightened around Harry, holding him closer still.

"Severus? What is it?" Harry asked, twisting to look more closely at him.

His father released him reluctantly and then clasped his hands together. He was silent for so long that Harry didn't think he was going to answer, but finally Severus spoke, his voice so low that Harry could barely hear him.

"I apologised once for the way I misjudged you and lost my temper back at the beginning of the summer...when I thought you had read my journal. I apologised for my actions, and I do still feel very badly about the way I behaved. But I never apologised for the things I said. Do you remember?"

Yes, he remembered...Severus emphasizing that Harry was his slave, that he could do anything he wanted and no one could interfere, t

 

Awww, nicely done! And yay for adoption papers!

 

Two chapters for the price of one? Sweet!

 

Wonderful! I'm glad that Harry has finally opened up about the Dursleys. And Severus even opened up about his past in return! I loved the whole thing with the adoption papers. Even though they aren't legal, they give tangible proof of what is already there!
Thanks for the PM!

 

So sweet!! I'm glad Severus made up the adoption papers, and it was good that Harry opened up about het Dursleys.

 

wow. loved it. can notr wait for the next part of the story.

 

Thank you, everyone! I hope you'll enjoy the next part.

Kriztin

Chapter 33


Harry shivered as he stepped into the large corridor beyond Severus'---and his---quarters and left the comfortable temperature of the warming spell. It really was cool down here in the dungeons. He'd have to remember to unpack his winter clothes when he returned.

He made his way down the hall, ignoring a couple of narrow corridors that opened off of this wider one. He recognised one as the way to the Slytherin dormitory, which might have been interesting to explore, but he doubted their portrait would let him in without the password.

Severus probably wouldn't want him wandering about in the Slytherins' private rooms, either. That thought alone was enough to keep him moving towards the Great Hall and upstairs. He really didn't want to upset or disappoint his father. Besides, he had promised to try to get along better with the Slytherins this year, hadn't he? Snooping in their dorm wouldn't be a good way to begin, even if they wouldn't know about it.

A wide staircase led upwards at the end of the corridor, and then he was in the front entrance of the castle. Harry tiptoed over to the arched door leading into the Great Hall and peeked through, but it was empty. The professors must have moved on to the staff room.

A startled miaow and a hiss broke the silence and Harry spun around to see a bedraggled particoloured cat on the floor behind him, her back arched and her amber eyes glaring. Mrs. Norris.

"Why didn't you stay lost?" Harry grumbled under his breath, recalling how Dumbledore had told them of the cat's disappearance earlier in the summer. Normally he was fond of animals, but Filch's malevolent pet was an exception.

And wherever Mrs. Norris went, the dour caretaker was sure to be close behind. Sure enough, Filch came hurrying in from another side corridor, carrying a mop and tugging a small cart with a pail of water behind him.

"What's upsetting my precious? Is it that nasty little Peeves again? I'll..." Filch scowled as he saw Harry. "What're you doing here already? Students aren't allowed to be here yet. If you've gone and caused any more trouble..."

"I live with Professor Snape now and I came with him. And I haven't done anything," Harry had to force himself to add, "Sir."

Filch just snorted in disbelief and regarded Harry suspiciously for another moment, as if he were trying to think up some rule that must have been broken. But finally he just moved on, muttering about ungrateful, sloppy students under his breath. Mrs. Norris trotted after him, sideswiping at Harry's foot with her claws as she went by.

Harry glowered after him, thinking uncharitable thoughts about Filch being just as ugly and bedraggled as his cat, when he abruptly stopped himself. It wasn't nice to poke fun of someone's appearance, even in the privacy of one's own mind, even if it was someone as disagreeable as Filch.

And he himself was short and scrawny still, even though he had been eating better towards the end of the summer. Not to mention that until he was eleven, his clothes had been just as worn and patched as Filch's. He'd been teased about his appearance before, too, though not at Hogwarts. That had happened in primary school when some of the other kids had learned to stay on Dudley's good side by joining in at bullying Harry.

But he knew what it was to be laughed at because his appearance, and it hurt. He wouldn't do that to someone else, even Filch. Although it wasn't so much Filch's actual looks that made him unappealing. It was his surly mean-spirited personality. Why was Filch such a petty vindictive soul, anyway?

Harry froze abruptly as he realised that until a couple months ago, he would have described Severus in exactly the same way. Well, Severus had been unkind and unfair to Harry in the past. Severus himself admitted that much.

But now that he knew his father better, Harry could understand why he'd been that way...mostly because he had been so hurt and angry by all the abuse he had suffered and perh

 

Chapter 34

Harry went to sit at the table in the dining alcove while his father headed for the fireplace to order their dinner.

"Is there anything in particular you'd like?" Severus asked over his shoulder.

"Anything is fine, thanks," Harry mumbled, staring down at the table. Actually, he wasn't sure if he'd be able to eat much at all, knowing that they would be discussing the slavery spell. Talking about the spell, even thinking about it, tended to kill his appetite.

Severus came to join him, taking the chair beside him. Harry could sense his father studying him and he raised his head and tried to smile, but a moment later it faded and his gaze slipped downward again.

Severus reached for his hand. "Are you truly so upset at the prospect of talking about the spell with me?"

Harry gave a small shrug. "I don't know. I guess so."

His father was silent for a few minutes, lightly squeezing Harry's hand between his own. Then he said quietly, sadly, "It still hurts you a great deal, doesn't it?"

"Yeah," Harry whispered in a thick voice.

"I'm sorry."

"Yeah, I know," Harry whispered again. It was all he could say, but he did twine his fingers through his father's and return the gentle clasp.

"You handle it very well, though, maybe too well. You are so strong and so brave, Harry, but I don't want you to ever feel that you have to hide your emotions or pretend that things are all right if they're not. Do you understand?" Severus questioned softly.

Harry nodded. He looked up to see such concern and love in Severus' dark eyes that it brought another lump to his throat.

"And I know that the slavery spell is a painful thing. You have every reason to be upset and angry and hurt," Severus told him. "But at the same time, Harry, remember that you are a wonderful person. I've never known anyone as kind-hearted, as courageous, as noble as you. The slavery spell does not make you any less."

Harry nodded again, but it was a much more half-hearted nod than before.

Severus spoke firmly. "It's true, child. Why can't you believe it?"

Harry looked up at him and gave him a wan smile. "Thanks, Severus, but it's easier to believe all the bad stuff."

His father looked at him sorrowfully, and then moved from his chair to give Harry a quick hug before sitting back down and resuming their conversation. "Nonetheless, the good stuff is true and I want you to work on trusting in it. You promised you would. All right?"

"All right," Harry said quietly.

Severus took a deep breath and continued more briskly. "Now, as I said, the last thing in the world I ever want to do is to cause you any more pain, but the simple truth is that there are some practical matters to the slavery spell that you need to know. But first, do you have any questions about it?"

Well, Harry supposed that there were things about the spell he didn't know, but he knew enough...the basic rules they had to live by, and he really didn't want to think about it any more than he had to. He stared down and silently shook his head.

Severus started to say something, but just then their dinner arrived...plates of roast beef, potatoes, and peas, as well as glasses of ice water and pumpkin juice, floating up through the table just as they did in the Great Hall. The professor slipped his wand from his sleeve and summoned table napkins and sets of silverware from the drawer of a tall cabinet, and they set to eating.

Or rather, Severus did. Harry just nibbled at his food.

After a few bites, Severus continued. "Well, for one thing, you mentioned my selling you or giving you away. Besides the fact that you are my son and I cannot live without you, the magical contract binds you to me and we do not know of any way to change that. Now, it is possible that there is a way for the contract to be transferred to someone else...one can sell or give away house elves, for instance, and it seems likely that the ancient wizards who created this spell would have provided for a way to sell slaves if they wished...but if there is a way, it is not

 

Invisibility cloak FTW?

Nice chapters, hun! Can't wait to see what surprises the school year has in store for these two.

 

Wonderful! I liked how this whole experience has only helped Harry's natural empathy to grow to the point that he is starting to even see Filch in a new light.
The whole scene with the flying and Severus getting angry was very well written. I think Harry needed something like that to happen to make him realize that not everything is going to be flowers and rainbows from here on out between him and Severus. Every family will have their arguments now and again!
I'm glad that Severus opened up about his worry/envy about Harry's relationship with the Weasleys. I think with that and their discussion about the slavery spell, many potential miscommunications have been avoided.
Now what is this plan that Severus has? Maybe more Polyjuice Potion? How can Harry ride on the train with Ron and avoid seeing Malfoy.

 

wow. loved it. can not wait for the next chapter.

 

Hi, everyone,

Thank you all! I hope you'll enjoy this next chapter!

Chapter 35

Platform Nine and Three Quarters was crowded, as it always was on the morning of September the 1st. Families gathered together in little knots, hugging and saying good-bye; first-year students looked either fearful or eager; older kids called to one another and hurried to join friends; younger siblings watched enviously and parents surreptitiously wiped tears from their eyes even as the great scarlet steam engine puffed out billows of white smoke.

A steady rain fell against the domed glass ceiling and though those inside were protected from the worst of the cool damp weather, it was still chilly. Harry shivered slightly and was glad that Severus had insisted on ordering more winter clothes for him. Today he was wearing a thick dark green rugby shirt with a navy stripe across the chest and a new pair of jeans, along with his trainers.

Of course he would have to change into his Hogwarts uniform before the train arrived at its destination that evening, but Harry had his school clothes, shrunken and neatly folded, in his pocket.

Severus had noticed him shiver. "Are you warm enough?" The professor was dressed warmly himself, in his usual black robes, though these were his nicer ones, with emerald and silver braid along the linings.

Harry nodded. "Yes, thanks, and thanks for arranging all this for me, Severus."

His father nodded. "You are welcome." His voice was solemn, but his eyes were warm and kind.

Harry smiled at him; then caught sight of a familiar group coming through the barrier from the Muggle side of the station. "Oh, there are the Weasleys. Come on."

As they made their way through the crowd, some of the students recognised them and stared at the sight of Severus Snape and Harry Potter walking side by side, apparently quite amicably, but no one dared to approach them or say anything, though the teenagers cast curious glances at one another and muttered among themselves when the Potions Master and the slight dark-haired boy had passed.

Harry was aware of the attention, but he ignored it. People shouldn't be so surprised. The newspaper articles had said that he'd been staying with Severus all summer and would continue to do so, but he supposed that the actual sight of the two of them together, and not at each other's throats, was still rather a shock to the Hogwarts' students.

Of course it would be nothing compared to when they discovered that he and Severus considered themselves father and son. But that was all right with Harry. He hoped that most people would be accepting, and if he were honest with himself, he had to admit that he was a little nervous about how his other Gryffindor friends would react. He really hoped that they at least would be supportive, once the initial shock had passed, but even if they weren't...

Well, Severus was his father and Harry loved him. He was happy and grateful to have a family and he wasn't going to let anyone ruin that for him. Severus was watching him and once he saw that Harry had noticed, he raised an eyebrow slightly. Harry smiled to show him that he wasn't concerned about the whispers. The corners of Severus' mouth quirked upwards in response.

They joined the Weasleys, where Mrs. Weasley promptly engulfed Harry in an exuberant embrace and the rest of the redheaded clan gathered around, clapping him on the back and shaking his hand. Severus looked slightly startled when they greeted him enthusiastically as well, but then he relaxed, nodded, and returned the handclasps with more warmth than was his custom.

"Sorry we're late. We waited for you a few minutes before Dad said you were probably already here at Platform Nine and Three Quarters," Ron remarked to Harry.

"Oh, yeah, Severus Apparated us directly here," Harry explained.

"Wish Mum and Dad would have done that for us, too, but I suppose it might have been difficult with all our stuff." Ginny eyed their enormous cartload of bags with Pigwidgeon's owl cage perched precario

 

Nicely done.

Can't wait to see what you do with Draco. I'm intrigued now.

 

Well done! I have to say, I don't personally care what happens to Draco (stupid git), but your little end chapter note has made me curious.
I'm more interested in how Severus is going to act around Harry's friends! He seems to have done reasonably well around Ron and Hermione, but then he went and said something like that to Neville! I have a hard time imagining him being all nice and fun in class. So I'm interested to see where you take him while in the classroom.
BTW, I think Severus' solution to facing Draco was really nice of him! It must be hard for Severus to be at King's Cross!
Wonderful chapter, as usual!