I would like to apologize for being away so long, but work and other RL things took precedence for the moment. That said, any advices for continuing this particular story idea would be appreciated.
"Granger... just the girl I was looking for," a Ravenclaw stated calmly as she cornered the bushy-haired girl in the library.
Hermione barely lowered her book as her hand slipped under the table and went for her wand. While she knew that as a second-year student she didn't have as many spells available to her as the older witch looming over her, she wasn't about to let herself be bullied again. "No need for that, Granger, I am wanting to speak with you in regards to your duties as Potter's Vassal. I must admit for a mundane born, you are doing an admirable job."
"What?" Hermione asked as confusion stirred the depths of her curiosity. She'd never heard of the Wizarding World using the archaic Feudal system, but that seemed to be what was being laid out before her.
"You... are his vassal, right? Or do you prefer the term retainer?" the Ravenclaw asked as she settled into the seat opposite Hermione. "Either way, I'd like to schedule a meeting with Mr. Potter, and felt that it was appropriate to talk with you first."
"But I'm no-" Hermione started to explain despite the Ravenclaw pressing on.
"Now, I know that this might be a bit confusing, but you really should know all this as your Lord's retainer or vassal. You've done remarkably well in adapting, most mundane-borns don't learn to respect a Most Ancient and Noble House like the Potters until after they graduate. I was almost afraid that you were all book smarts and didn't know anything about the proper way of doing things."
"Shouldn't there be a cla-" Hermione tried to cut in, however the Ravenclaw once again overrode her.
"If you'd like I could scrounge up a few manuals in the Ravenclaw library, since the ones in here are horrendously out of date," the Ravenclaw continued, ignoring the younger girl's attempts at joining the conversation. "Didn't even realize Potter knew how to pick Vassals until I noticed how you served him so naturally. There are just a few minor points of order to address, but with training they'll be forgiven. However, that is for the future, in the present, I'd like to set up a meeting with Potter to discuss matters that should be mutually beneficial to our houses. As you are his vassal, I think that you would likely attend and advise him to ensure he gets the best out of it. Perhaps he might even net the services of another vassal as well?"
"But Har-" Hermione started, only for the now familiar feeling of being ignored to wash over her.
"Yes, Harry's a wonderful young gentleman, and as the last surviving member of a Most Ancient and Noble house, should have more vassals than just you, and possibly young Weasley, though I'm not sure of his motives..." the girl continued to ramble. "I believe that I might help him with a few niceties he's missing, and train you as well."
Hermione looked at the girl incredulously as she marked her place in the book and shut it carefully. Taking a deep breath, she counted to five before speaking. "There's a few things wrong with your offer... First, I am not Harry's vassal. Second, Harry doesn't know anything more about the Wizarding World than I do. And third, I have no idea who you are, so I will not set up any type of appointments until I do."