The Rogue Prince

Thank you for all the wonderful reviews! Hopefully from here on out, the chapters will be longer, but with this story the breaks come so naturally that I really can't cut any of the scenes in half.

On with the story!
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Severus Snape sat idly next to his king, Lucius Malfoy, to whom he was advisor, and the Prince, Draco Malfoy, the same boy he was both tutor and mentor to. He watched as several Gryffindors were dragged into the ring, the first, a pale girl with freckles that crossed the bridge of her nose and spread across the plains of her cheeks. She had wild, flaming orange hair and wasn’t past the age of six. She was passed between two of the higher- ranking nobles, until finally the bidding ended at an irregularly high price, even for a Gryffindor, and she was led away. The next was a boy, who looked to be the older brother of the girl and so consequently, he was eagerly gobbled up by the same noble.

Severus sat through another two hours of the auction, before the last number was called out. He came in with two guards instead of one, each holding a firm grip on his upper arms. His chin was dropped but his emerald eyes glared up defiantly under his jet black fringe, as if daring someone to start the bidding.

Severus sat up a little straighter at the sight of those emerald eyes, the same ones which looked just as Lily’s had, and his king took notice of his interest. The bidding had started high and had rose more heatedly and rapidly than any of the other ones, but all Severus had to do was rest a hand on the king’s arm before the king nodded sharply to the auctioneer. The auctioneer called out an abrupt sold on the king’s word and left it at that.

As the boy was led out, those emerald eyes caught his and Severus was sure he saw relief in the depths.


~~~


Once at the palace, the boy was bathed, given new clothing, and made presentable before Severus was finally able to meet with him.

A knock on his laboratory door had Severus answering and ushering the timid boy in. He barely turned around before he had an armful of quivering, sobbing Gryffindor.

“Sev, thank god it was you!” Severus hugged the boy tighter and gently carded his fingers through the messy raven locks.

“Shh, Harry, you’ll be alright. I’m here now.” They stood like that for a few minutes before Severus gently pried Harry away from him and knelt down, cupping the boy’s face and looking in his eyes.

“What happened, Harry? Why were you not with the Weasleys?” The Gryffindor shook his head and brushed the tears away, backing from Severus.

“I was going to come and visit, like you said I could once I was older, but I was seen by some slave traders and... and...” Severus started to pull the boy back, but the Gryffindor wasn’t finished.

“I-I wanted to talk to you, to get your advice on how to get Gryffindor back to that way it was. I w-want to…I…I need to.” Severus nodded and hugged him quickly, stroking the messy locks.

“I know, Harry. And I promise you that I will help.”


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For weeks, the two of them worked on a way to get Harry back to the Gryffindor lands, but unfortunately they couldn’t come up with a legal plan without any loop- holes. Finally two months after that, Severus forced himself to ask his king.

Now, Severus Snape was a loyal man and he trusted his king to not over- react, but what he didn’t expect was the kind smile that was cast at Harry and the soft voice telling the two of them that he already knew about Harry’s presence in the castle. For Lucius knew who Harry truly was and was willing to help Gryffindor gain its feet.

The blonde king then asked a favor of the Gryffindor Prince. Once Gryffindor regained its strength and support, it would ally itself with Slytherin to unite against Voldemort. The truce was struck that day and now only awaited the time when it came for the Gryffindor Prince to finally reclaim his title.


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The morning of Harry’s eighth birthday, just before the sun rose, Severus, Harry, and Lucius rode out to the border lands between Slytherin and Gryffindor to say their goodbyes. The three of them dismounted from their horses and Harry bowed deeply and respectfully to the Slytherin King. Lucius, in turn, took Harry’s right hand and kissed the finger in which the signet ring of Gryffindor would normally sit.

“I shall look forward to the future and union of two great lands.” Lucius spoke softly, the kind words slipping between his lips. Harry nodded, deeply grateful to the blonde king. Severus stepped forward and enfolded Harry in a strong embrace before pulling back.

“You will call on me, if you are ever in need.” Severus softly order and pulled his signet ring, the same ring on which the Sanpe crest was encrusted, off of his finger, while the king pulled out a twisted silver chain that glinted beautifully in the rising sun rays, and strung it through the ring before clasping it around Harry’s neck.

“If you ever get into trouble, this should help you get out of it.” Harry nodded, eyes shining with unshed tears.

“Thank you, Sev. I will make you proud.” Severus knelt and put his hands on the shoulders of the boy in front of him.

“You have already made me proud, and I know your mother would have been proud too.” Harry nodded grateful before stepping back, mounting his horse, and riding away. Lucius and Severus watched as the horse and rider disappeared into the early morning mist.

“Do you think he will make it, Lucius?” Severus asked his king, his obsidian eyes still following the dark shape. Lucius knew what Severus was asking and it wasn’t what he thought of the boy's chances of making it back to Gryffindor.

“Yes, he’ll make a fine king, because already he has made a fine Prince.” Severus nodded with a small, sad smile on his lips.

“I think so too.”

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So this story could have been a cute oneshot or twoshot in any case, but sadly, and I'm sure you're all just disappointed, it will be continued.

Thanks to Lilith, Tinabedina, Paigeey07, Shadowama, and Thrnbrooke for the encouragement.

Review please.