Chapter 11: The Butler, Dying

Sebastian's eyes snapped open. He was lying on the ground, though he had no memory of when he had lain down. Looking around, he took in his surroundings. It appeared to be Greengrass Manor, though instead of the ornate rugs, oil paintings and other such items that decorated the manor, the walls and floors were empty. It almost appeared that everything was made of white marble. The butler pulled himself to his feet, and started towards the stairs. He made his way to Daphne's office, and found it was empty. Instead, he tried her bedroom. That was also empty. He noted that the room felt neither hot, nor cold. Greengrass Manor was a relatively old building, and nearly always had a chill to it, as so many old buildings do. Daphne had complained about it on several occasions. Sebastian moved to one of the windows and looked outside. There was nothing, but a blinding white everywhere.

"I wonder… What is this place?" he muttered to himself.

"Sebastian!". The butler spun around.

"Young mistress?". He was certain that it was her voice. Yet, he couldn't see her. He ran from the room, and into the corridor.

"Sebastian!" Daphne's voice called again. It was coming from downstairs. Sebastian ran towards the stairs, and leapt down them. He stood in the foyer of the manor and listened carefully, the voice was louder now.

"Sebastian!". The voice was coming from outside. Sebastian rushed to the manor doors, and pulled. The doors didn't budge an inch.

"What on Earth?" he muttered. "The doors won't open."

"No, I doubt they will." came a voice from behind him. Sebastian looked round, and gasped. Behind him, stood Harry Potter.

Hogwarts, Headmaster's Office

"Sebastian!" cried Daphne. "It's not possible! He can't be dead!". Tracy had brought Sebastian's body back to Dumbledore's office. Remus and Sirius were stood to the side, both too shocked to say anything. A man they had trusted had murdered their best friends son.

"I'm sorry, young mistress." said Tracy, bowing. "It's my fault, Mr. Butler took the curse that was meant for me."

"But, it's impossible. He can't die." sobbed Daphne. "Where is that madman? What happened to Dumbledore?"

"He fled as soon as he saw the curse hit Mr. Butler." said Tracy.

"Where is he now?"

"He'll be back for you and I, young mistress."

"I hope so." muttered Daphne. "I'll cut the old fool's heart out!". Daphne wiped her eyes, and looked to the two adults. "Stay with him."

"Where are you going?" asked Remus.

"Tracy and I are going to find Dumbledore, and tear out his heart."

"Young mistress, it is far too dangerous to leave this office." replied Tracy. "You should stay here."

"No, I want to be there when that man dies."

Purgatory

"How can you be here?" asked Sebastian.

"I'm a part of you. Dumbledore wasn't entirely wrong." said Harry.

"We gave our soul to the young mistress."

"And Daphne's clearly the centre of your universe now." nodded Harry, looking around. "This is Greengrass Manor, yes?"

"Indeed. Explain how it is, that you are a part of me."

Harry sighed, and perched on the lower steps of the staircase. "All throughout their lives, people change. It's the way of the world. People change their names, interests, styles, haircuts. Everything, tiny little things each day. Though..." he looked Sebastian up and down. "I doubt anyone's changed as much as we have.". He smiled. "We're all changing, constantly learning, and growing, and becoming that bit stronger, wiser, braver. As long as you don't forget who you once were, I'll always be a part of you. You may have sacrificed your soul, Sebastian. But, you've still got your humanity."

Hogwarts, Great Hall

Daphne stormed into the Great Hall. Dumbledore was stood at the staff table, addressing a few of the teachers. Flitwick, Snape and McGonagall stood around him. Dumbledore noticed her stood in the doorway. "Miss. Greengrass. I must insist you surrender yourself now. This game has gone on for far too long."

"You… You…. You evil, foul, manipulative old fool!" she screamed, firing off a cutting curse. "How dare you?! You killed my Sebastian, you try to steal from my family, and you still have the nerve to insist that I'm the evil one?!"

"Miss. Greengrass." Dumbledore sighed. "Clearly, you have become corrupted by dark magic."

"If you're what's considered a light wizard, then I'll take that as a compliment!" Daphne screamed, firing off more cutting curses. "Tracy, kill him! That's an order!"

"Yes, young mistress." giggled Tracy, running at the headmaster.

"See?" cried Dumbledore, looking to his colleagues. "She's truly corrupted!"

"Albus, you killed someone?" whispered McGonagall. Dumbledore's face fell.

"Minerva… It was for the greater good."

"And plotting to steal from an ancient and most noble house?" Snape sneered.

"To fund the Order. It was for the-"

"If you say greater good, I'll tear your eyes out!" shrieked Tracy, as she slashed at the man. Dumbledore jumped back, letting the blade pass just inches from his face, and slam into the stone floor below.

"Miss. Davis… I wondered how long it'd be before you too were consumed by dark magic." Dumbledore sighed.

"I've always been consumed by it!" Tracy giggled. "Ever since I was a little Soul Collector."

"Soul Collector?" muttered Snape.

"Professor's!" cried Daphne. "Please help me!". Snape stepped forward, drawing his wand.

"Headmaster. I think it best you surrender yourself. Immediately."

"Severus. Please." Dumbledore said, looking at the potions master sadly.

"Albus, Severus is right." Flitwick agreed, drawing his own wand, and pointing it at the headmaster. "It's time to go."

"Filius?"

"I agree." said McGonagall, levelling her wand at her former friend.

"Et tu, Minerva?"

Purgatory

"Is there a way to return?" Sebastian asked Harry.

"For you?" smirked Harry. "You, my friend, have no choice but to return."

"Oh? How so?"

"You vowed to be there for Daphne, no matter what. Correct?"

"Yes." Sebastian nodded. "I swore that I would serve the young mistress for as long as she needs me."

"You can't break your contract. Really, it's impossible. The magic that binds the two of you won't let you die." said Harry.

"What will happen to you when I leave this place?"

"I don't know. Perhaps I'll fade away. Perhaps I'll get to move on. A part of me will always be inside you."

"That night… In the graveyard. Did you know? Did you know that you'd become me."

"Don't you remember?" smirked Harry.

"No. I don't really have your memories, or your thoughts, or your feelings."

"Really?" Harry frowned.

"I suppose I have them in a sense. I see things, and I recognise them from your memories, and I associate them with a feeling. But, they aren't my own."

"Give me an example." said Harry.

"Hermione Granger. I saw her, and I associated her with the feeling of love one would feel for a sister, and friendship. Though, I myself was never her friend, nor do I view her as a sister."

"What about Daphne?"

"The young mistress? Naturally, I view her as the centre of my world. Everything I do is to please the young mistress. Though, there is still one of your feelings hidden underneath it all. One I cannot describe."

"Describe it."

"Like, butterflies in my stomach."

"That's called a crush."

"You had a crush on the young mistress?"

"I like older women." Harry shrugged.

"Two years your senior is hardly old." Sebastian deadpanned.

"Whatever." Harry shrugged again. Suddenly, the manor started to blur before Sebastian's eyes. "Looks like you're waking up." said Harry. "Remember, I'll always be a part of you. Soulless, yes… But not inhuman.". And with that, Harry, and the manor, faded away.

Hogwarts, Great Hall

"Severus, Filius, Minerva… Please. What I did, I did for-"

"What did I say?!" Tracy screamed "WHAT DID I SAY?!". The brunette ran and Dumbledore, swinging her blade wildly. Dumbledore quickly stepped backwards, but tripped on the hem of his robe, and fell to the ground. Tracy straddled him, and held the blade to his throat. "Young mistress, shall I do it?" she asked, eagerly.

"Wait." said Daphne, approaching the man. "You killed my butler, tried to steal my fortune, and still you claim it was all for the greater good?"

"I did it for the light." Dumbledore wheezed, having had the wind knocked out of him. "The light will always overpower the dark."

"You still claim to be a light wizard. How pathetic." sighed Daphne. "Voldemort may be evil, but at least he's honest about it.". Daphne turned away from him, unable to look at the man who had plotted against her any longer. No-one saw the old man's wand in his hand, flick, and shoot a cutting curse at the petite blonde, until it was already sailing through the air towards her.

"Miss. Greengrass." called Snape. Daphne turned, just in time to catch the curse full on. She closed her eyes and braced herself, waiting for the inevitable pain of a thousand invisible knives slicing at her pale skin. Except, it never came. She opened her eyes and found she was no longer stood where she was. She appeared to be floating some distance away. She looked around at the teachers, and Tracy. They were staring at her, shock on each of their faces, more so on Dumbledore's and Tracy's. She looked over her other shoulder. She saw a black tie, tucked into a grey, double breasted waistcoat. A white dress shirt, a black tailcoat. Looking up, she saw her favourite, emerald eyes, looking back at her.

"Sebastian?" she gasped. The butler was carrying her bridal style.

"Good evening, young mistress. My apologies, due to my recent near-death experience, I have been unable to prepare tea for this evening." Sebastian smiled. Daphne choked back a sob, and wrapped her arms around her neck, and sobbed into his lapel.

"Sebastian, don't you ever leave me again! That's an order."

"Very well, my fair lady."