Chapter 9: The Butler, Unwavering

"Harry?" asked Dumbledore.

"My apologies, headmaster." the dark haired man replied, drawing himself to his full height. "But my name, is Sebastian."

"Your name is Harry. You serve the light. You're our saviour. You serve me." the headmaster said, a little nervous.

"It seems you're a bit confused, headmaster." smirked Daphne.

"What have you done, you witch?" demanded Mrs. Weasley.

Daphne stood up. "I can't help but feel that insult's geared towards muggles." she giggled, as she climbed the steps to Dumbledore's desk . "As for what I've done… Nothing. I did nothing, nor did you.". Dumbledore raised his hand, to slap her. Daphne jumped backwards, down the steps, and into Sebastian's arms. The butler stood, carrying the Slytherin girl bridal style.

"Explain yourself, girl." snarled Dumbledore, his fists shaking with fury.

"It's quite simple really." Daphne smiled. "The Laborare Domina curse is hardly like the Imperius Curse as you described it. As soon as you compared the two, I knew that you didn't understand it, my theory was confirmed, and my plan cemented in place."

"I don't understand, it is like the Imperius Curse." Dumbledore insisted.

"Of course it is!" yelled Mrs. Weasley. "Poor Harry's being controlled by you, you evil little girl."

"It's nothing like the Imperius Curse for one very specific reason. The Laborare Domina curse, and the Laborare Hominis curse, require consent."

"Consent?" asked Dumbledore. "What nonsense is this?"

"It's obvious isn't it?" giggled Daphne. "Sebastian was never truly your servant, he has always been mine. He offered his soul to me, not to you. You might say, that the two of us have a contract. One that you could not interfere with."

"But, he vowed to protect you from harm, and he oversaw your detentions using the Black Quill. That's a breach of contract, he should be free now." Dumbledore argued. Daphne smirked, and undid the bandage on her hand. Letting it fall, she showed the occupants of the office her hand. There was nothing but her own pale skin.

"But, how?" Dumbledore whispered. "Phineas came from the portrait in Harry's office. He said your hand was bleeding, you were in tears."

"Simple illusion magic." answered Daphne. "Illusion magic and acting."

"But, you must have planned this in advance? You couldn't have done it over the course of these past few weeks."

"A bit of both." Daphne shrugged.

"How? House elves delivering messages?" Mrs. Weasley smirked. "You're bluffing."

"Now, now." came a voice from above them. "I'm far too pretty to be a house elf.". A figure dropped from above, and landed in front of Sebastian and Daphne. "I may even be prettier than a veela."

"Miss. Davis?" asked Dumbledore, bewildered.

Flashback:

"Listen, I'm glad you're here, I need a favour."

"Name it, but don't forget, I'm a Slytherin, we don't do things for free." Tracy giggled, madly.

"I need you to act as a messenger. Deliver notes to Sebastian for me, and bring his replies back to me."

"Sounds easy enough. But, what for?" Tracy frowned

"Dumbledore thinks he's under his control now, we need to keep it that way, until we can kill him."

"You don't want to expose him?"

"We can do that when he's dead."

"Okay, I'll be your messenger. For a price."

"Whatever it is, you can have it. As long as it isn't Sebastian."

"Eww, no, I don't want tall, dark and soulless. Thank you very much." giggled Tracy. "I'm a soul collector, remember? Soulless beings are our natural enemies."

"What do you want, Tracy?" sighed Daphne.

"A kiss. From you." Tracy smiled.

"A kiss…. From me?" Daphne frowned. Then, the pieces fell into place. "It's nothing to do with him being soulless. You're jealous of Sebastian!"

"I'd be a much better butler!" Tracy pouted.

"This whole thing? You lost an arm, and stabbed Sebastian, because you were jealous." Daphne giggled.

"I think we've established that I'm quite insane." said Tracy. "So, do we have a deal?"

"Sure." Daphne nodded, and stood on her tiptoes, and gently kissed Tracy. Tracy responded by wrapping her arms around the shorter girl's waist, and deepening the kiss. The two stood there, in the moonlit corridor, until they both had to part for air.

"Now, get going. Don't let anyone see you."

"Yes, young mistress." smirked Tracy.

"In the flesh. Or, what's left of it anyway!" she replied, casting a dirty look at Sebastian.

"Tracy is far more than just a student, headmaster. As a Soul Collector, she can pass through virtually any ward you erect."

"Soul Collector? Those are just legends!" Dumbledore scoffed.

"You'd best hope so, 'cause me and Mr. Butler are both under orders to kill you!" Tracy giggled, maniacally. Dumbledore waved his wand, casting a bright white light, blinding them all for a few moments. When the light had dimmed, he had gone. Daphne looked up to Sebastian.

"Sebastian, I order you. Locate and kill, Albus Dumbledore."

"Yes, my fair lady."

"What about me, Daphy?" Tracy asked.

"Aren't you working under orders of the Soul Collector Collective?"

"Nope. I quit!" she giggled.

"Why?" Daphne frowned.

"Because, I wanted to work for you!"

"Work for me?"

"Yep, just like Mr. Butler."

"You want to be my butler, as well?"

"Yes, please. Take my soul, Daphy."

"I don't need another butler though."

"I'll be the housekeeper!" Tracy volunteered. "Just as long as I get a cool outfit, like Mr. Butler."

"What do you think, Sebastian?" asked Daphne.

"You will need to increase your household sooner or later, young mistress. Besides, she does seem rather eager. If a little insane."

"I'm a lot insane, thank you very much, Mr. Butler!" yelled Tracy.

"Very well, Tracy, is this what you truly want?"

"Yes, it is! Please!"

"Very well. Laborare Domina!" Daphne yelled. The spell shot towards Tracy and hit her square in the chest. "Tracy? Can you hear me?" asked Daphne.

"Yes, young mistress. I can hear you."

"She comes ready trained, Sebastian." Daphne commented.

"Indeed, young mistress. I come with my sanity intact, however."

"Tracy, I order you to aid Sebastian, and kill Albus Dumbledore."

"Yes, my fair lady." nodded Tracy. "Let's go, Mr. Butler!".

"Very well." nodded Sebastian. The two of them leapt through the office windows and out into the night. Mrs. Weasley turned on Daphne.

"What have you done, you witch!" she snarled, drawing her wand.

"I have done nothing." smiled Daphne. "What my servants will do on the other hand..."

Mrs. Weasley drew her wand back to cast a spell, when Sirius stepped in front of Daphne, his wand trained on Molly.

"Sirius, what are you doing?" Mrs. Weasley asked

"I'm helping my godson. Put the wand down, Molly."

"Sirius, if you do this, you'd be betraying the light, the order, everyone who's ever helped you or cared about you." said Mrs. Weasley

"Better that than betraying my godson." snarled Sirius. "Stupefy!". Mrs. Weasley wasn't quick enough with her shield, and got hit in the face by the stunner. She collapsed in a heap. Sirius rounded on Daphne. "Have you got somewhere you can hide out?" he asked. Daphne smirked as she eyed the chair at Dumbledore's desk. Throne was really a more accurate term.

"I have somewhere." she nodded, approaching the chair.

"You're gonna stay here?" Sirius asked, incredulously. "It's not safe, what if that madman returns?"

"Sebastian and Tracy will protect me." Daphne shrugged.

"Let me ask you something." said Sirius. "Is Harry… Sebastian… Whoever… Is he… happy? Is he safe with you?". Daphne thought for a moment. Sebastian rarely showed emotion, nothing beyond amusement at her. He never talked about his emotions.

"I certainly hope so." she muttered.