The Black Prince

A/N: Thanks for the lovely reviews! I am blown away by the response. I’ll be updating Skin Deep tomorrow…I promise. Sorry for the delay, all!

Parseltongue

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Chapter 2

Harry turned around slowly to face his new followers. The Death Eaters shakily fell to their knees, barely able to remember protocol in their haze. He smirked at them, knowing that he had been the last person that they had expected. His eerily green eyes nearly glowed with power as he looked over the Death Eaters, the soldiers for the Dark. \"I believe we have a few things left to discuss, Lord, before we complete our arrangement. I still must choose my gifts.\"

The Death Eaters all froze in terror, knowing that ‘gifts’ with the Dark Lord meant humans to serve as playthings, servants, or satisfaction of proper vengeance, even if that meant death. They had all attacked Harry Potter or his parents at some time or another. They were all in danger. No one knew who or what he would demand. They were all only too well aware that no one would be exempt. He would be given Lucius Malfoy himself if the Prince asked for him. Voldemort would not deny his new ally anything in order to assure an alliance.

\"Of course. Have you created your mark so that you can brand all of them tonight?\"

The conversation turned to Parseltongue as the Prince hissed his response and the Death Eaters watched with rapt attention, trying to interpret a bit of what was being said. Neither man was showing any expression on his face though, making it impossible for the Death Eaters to figure out anything at all.

And what gifts will you ask for, Prince? Voldemort hissed, curious as to what the young man would demand. He could ask for anything and it would be his. Harry Potter was the only person in the world who could control which way the war went. When he had been contacted by the young man six months ago he had not believed that he was serious. As negotiations continued he had thought it too good to be true. Now he was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. He was certain that the list of ‘gifts’ that he would require would be long and painful to part with. He would do so without question though if it meant winning the war.

I want Severus Snape.

Voldemort concealed a wince at the name given. He is a valuable Potions Master. I ask you to reconsider before killing him. We have no one else who can do his work as effectively as he can and we have great need for his potions.

I will not kill him. I ask only for what belongs to me. Severus Snape is already mine.

Suddenly Voldemort turned sharply to Severus Snape and stared at him in shock for a moment before turning back to the Prince and hissing a reply. The Death Eaters shifted restlessly.

He is yours? Is he your mate? He could sense a bit of magical creature blood in the Black Prince but found himself unable to identify what type it was. It was clear though that the young man had found his mate and was now doing what was necessary to protect him.

Yes, although he does not yet know it. I will not see my lover marked by another any longer. He belongs to me and I will see no other as his master.

Is he your slave already? Voldemort asked, curious as to what type of relationship the surly potions master had with the young man. Severus did not seem to be the type to submit to anyone, much less a young Gryffindor who, at the time they had no doubt started their relationship, wielded no power to speak of. He could perhaps see him doing so now that he was a leader of the Dark but probably not happily. Severus Snape was not one who submitted happily.

That is not your concern. Harry said sharply. The man is mine and I will have him.

Voldemort reluctantly agreed. He had never removed his mark from anyone before but if that is what it would take then he would do so. Severus felt his knees go weak. What was Harry going to do to him? He had obviously been one of the ‘gifts’ that he had chosen. Oh Merlin, he was going to die tonight. He frantically started to rethink his encounters with the boy…no, his Prince, over the past year. He felt certain that he would die before the sun rose.

It will be done here, in front of the soldiers. I wish them to know that he belongs to me and is not to be touched. You will instruct them in this.

Of course. You need not worry about that, he will be quite safe. What else you desire? You may have anything.

Nothing. Severus is all that I wish for.

Voldemort raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised that Harry wasn’t demanding more. The Death Eaters grew more uncomfortable, able to tell that their Lord was surprised by what the Prince had said. You can truly have anything you wish. I can place your muggle relatives under safety. I can declare your muggle born friends off limits. Anything you ask for I can give you. I wish for you to be content with your agreement. You have given me much and as your co-ruler I want return the favor equally.

I, rather, will give the muggles to you to do with as you wish, so long as I need deal with them no longer. Consider them my gift to you in celebration of our alliance. Voldemort raised his eyebrow again, clearly asking for him to elaborate. You have seen many of my memories, Lord. You know that I harbor no love for them. You have also seen the duplicity of those whom I had at one time called friend. I ask for nothing in regard to them. There are a few people that I believe can be safely brought to our side that I ask to hold attack on until we are certain of their loyalty but there is nothing else.

Not even the werewolf?

Harry looked up sharply at the tall man. I was led to believe that he was already considering following us and in fact had nearly taken the mark. I did not think that I needed to have his life gifted to me to protect him.

No, you do not need it. He seems to be ready to follow us and so is under no danger from raids or revels. I merely thought you might enjoy him in some other fashion.

Harry looked slightly ill. I have no desire to take that man to my bed. He is as a father to me and will remain such. Even so, I do not ask him to be removed from necessary punishments should he make a grave mistake. It would not do to have too many soldiers exempt from all punishments. It will merely open our forces up to corruption and dissent. He would prefer to serve as any other Death Eater.

You have spoken with him about this?

Harry nodded. Remus had been the only one that he had spoken with about his plans, the only one who he trusted to keep his secrets and whose advice he trusted enough to follow. They had decided together to switch sides. Remus had known though that he needed to enter as any other soldier did or else it would cause discontent among those who had worked hard over the past two decades to achieve their positions. They knew that they would be causing enough disruption as it was simply by declaring that Harry was now the equal of Lord Voldemort.

The Dark Lord and the Black Prince spoke for another ten minutes or so before coming to a conclusion. Both shook hands, silvery magic surrounding their clasped hands and binding their deal. Voldemort turned once again to Severus. \"Come here, Severus.\" Severus walked forward slowly, stopping a few feet away and kneeling again. His terror was evident although he fought to conceal it. \"Give me your arm.\" Severus hesitantly held out his left arm to his Lord, terrified of what was going to happen.

Voldemort pushed up his sleeve and covered the Dark Mark with his right hand, hissing a long incantation. The mark grew warm and then unbearably hot: the pain worse than when he had been marked in the first place. The Dark Lord released his arm and Severus collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath. The Death Eaters shifted anxiously, almost afraid to know what had happened to a man who was well known to be one of their Lord’s favorites. After he had a moment to collect himself Severus looked down at his mark, expecting to see a withered, blackened arm after the pain that he had gone through.

He gasped quietly when all he saw was clear, unblemished skin. It was as if he had never been marked in the first place. He looked uncertainly between his Lord and Harry—his Prince, now, he reminded himself. \"My Lord?\" he asked uncertainly, not understanding what this meant.

Voldemort stepped forward once again to explain to his followers the significance of what had happened. This was the only gift that Harry had requested—the only one he would settle for. He needed to do this properly and ensure that his…their followers knew the severity of this new command. \"This man now belongs to the Black Prince. He knows no master but him and is hereby released from his service to me. He enjoys the Prince’s personal protection. Touching this man will be considered the same as touching the Prince. Harm him in any way and you will be given to the Prince himself to torture. I will not shield you should you attack him.\"

Severus stood shakily and stepped closer to Harry, kneeling once again in supplication. Harry quickly stepped forward and lifted him to his feet, motioning him to stand behind and to the left of him. Severus immediately did as he had been instructed although his mind was spinning. He had never expected this. Everything had changed since Harry had walked through that door.

The Death Eaters gaped at Severus Snape. Why the hell had Pott…the Prince decided to protect him so closely? It was clear that he had not requested Snape as the typical gift. He clearly had no desire to torture or kill him. He also did not seem to have a desire to make him a sex slave, or at least he wasn’t treating him as such. What exactly was his purpose?

\"My Lord,\" Lucius said hesitantly, \"may I inquire what else the Prince has asked for to close the alliance?\"

\"Nothing,\" Harry said coldly, making the few eyes that had strayed from his form return quickly. Truly, there was little else he cared about anymore. Dumbledore had seen to that.

Chills ran through many of the men and women when they heard how frigid the young man’s voice was. They had never heard him speak in such a manner before. It struck terror through them as well as respect and a thrill as they realized that he really might be everything that their Lord had said before. He really might help them win this war. A soft whisper ran through the restless Death Eaters, shocked by his admission and his attitude. Severus Snape was the only thing that their new leader wanted. They all knew that a large number of them had personally hurt him deeply. It had been expected that he would exact appropriate revenge.

Harry decided to speak openly for the first time since his entrance. \"A new day has dawned for those who oppose the light. The prophecy has been undone and we shall triumph over our enemies. The Wizarding World is ours for the taking.\" The Death Eaters cheered loudly, having received good news for the first time since their Lord’s first reign. This was the day that they had all been waiting for.

Voldemort and Harry smirked at each other. They knew that nothing could stop them now. They had the most money, they had an immense politically powerful base in their pureblood following, they had more magical strength than anyone else and they had the support of a prophecy to back them up. They truly were unstoppable.

What Harry had said was true—the prophecy that they all knew a bit of and had been worrying about for the past twenty years had been undone. What they did not yet know though was the new prophecy that had been buried within the old one, hidden by Dumbledore to all who sought it. This alliance had been fated just as Voldemort’s initial attack had been fated. Destiny had played her role and she had decreed that events must unfold as they had done.

\"Your Prince will mark you now,\" Voldemort said, bringing the cheers to a sudden silence. A few Death Eaters still looked nervous or upset over their new leader but the vast majority were too thrilled at the Dark side’s newfound power to find any objections to declaring their loyalty immediately. Harry stood at the throne by Voldemort’s side with Severus still behind him. The Death Eaters stepped forward one by one to receive the new mark on their right forearms.

Harry marked Severus last, looking deep into his eyes, offering a silent apology that fled from his expression almost before it could be registered. He slowly placed his right hand over the place where his mark had been before Voldemort removed it, making him the only Death Eater who bore his mark on his left arm as well as the only Death Eater who bore only one mark. Severus’ eyes closed tightly against the pain but he didn’t make a sound. Had his eyes been open they would have seen that repentant expression appear once again but by the time he had regained his composure the Prince’s face had closed completely into the icy façade that he had shown thus far.

The Death Eaters all looked eagerly to their right arms, studying their new marks. The Dark Prince’s mark was a pair of old fashioned scales surmounted on a red sun. The mark reassured many who had doubted that the Gryffindor could truly help them win the war. The mark promised justice and it promised blood and destruction. It appeared that the Black Prince might still value justice but he also had embraced violence, bloodshed, and death in order to bring about his justice. Yes, he would be a worthy leader.

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A/N: the Snarry starts next chapter. And yes, this will be a Dom!Sev and sub!Harry, even though it might appear otherwise in this chapter. I hope that my fic won’t get erased for having a D/s relationship. I am cross posting at adult-fanfiction.org I’ll try to post at silversnitch in case I do get erased.